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Chickweed (Stellaria Media)
Description: scraggly plant, oblong leaves with pointed ends, pinkish-white, deeply notched flower petals
Found: almost world-wide, it is an annual, needs cool and damp area to grow, often die out during hot, dry summer.
Collection, parts used and uses: Often one of the first fresh greens available. Use young leaves along with any greens in salads, sandwiches, cooked greens, in cream sauces. It is a skin tonic, liver tonic and contains high levels of GLA.
Personal experience: I have eaten leaves in salad. My sister–in-law makes a great non-dairy cream sauce, which she serves over toast with some leaves added to the sauce.
Chicory (Cichorium Intybus)
Description: Scraggly plant that can reach a height of 5 ft., light blue or lavender flowers, small oblong leaves
It is found: Almost the entire world.
Parts used: leaves and roots in the fall, when flowering the whole plant may be used
Uses and healing properties: sedative, diuretic. Because it is a mild diuretic, helping the body to eliminate fluid, it is used in the treatment of rheumatism and gout. It is a liver cleanser. It is especially helpful to women suffering from premenstrual syndrome – cramping and hormone balance. The leaves may be used as a compress to ease skin inflammations and swelling. Chicory also aids in the body’s ability to absorb calcium.
My personal experience: I have chewed on a bit of root to treat stomach cramps while hiking. It worked very well. I often enjoy a cup of the coffee substitute (Pero) that is sold commercially
Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus Purshianus)
Description: small tree with oval leaves and small black berries
It is found: Wooded areas in the Pacific Northwest
Uses: laxative, supports and stimulates the gall bladder and bile ducts, kills and eliminates parasites and worms
Collection and part used: Bark stripped from tree in the spring and summer then left to dry.
How it is used: Take 1-2 teaspoons of powder at bedtime. Also available in capsules. It should not be used during pregnancy.
My personal experience: It helps with elimination of waste rapidly. I have used as a bowel cleanse. It works very well and I would highly recommend for constipation.
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