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Three Herbs that will change your life!

Archaeological evidence indicates that the use of herbal medicine dates to Palaeolithic age approximately 60.000 years ago, with the first written evidence of usage of herbal medicine dating back 5000 years ago [1]. Making herbal medicine the ‘original’ medicine, rather than ‘alternative’ medicine. This article will examine the use of three famously & widely used herbal remedies; Yellow Dock, Bayberry and Chamomile. Linking all three of these herbs to usage around the globe indiscriminately in different cultural backgrounds as well as the herbs’ classifications and personality irrespectively.



Yellow Dock

(Rumex Crispus R. obtusiolius; Polygonaceae)


Classifications

Yellow dock is a powerful alterative as well as tonic, depurative, astringent, cathartic, anti-scorbutic, anti-syphilitic, detergent, anti-scrofulous and nutritive (leaves).


Personality in context of classifications


  • Alteratives

Blood Cleanser, the cleansing of the lymphatic system, and the overcoming of morbid processors.

  • Laxatives

Cleansing of the bowels

  • Tonic

Aids in digestion, permanently increases systematic tone, energy, vigour and strength.

  • Depurative

Purifying agent in general for the terrain


  • Astringent

Dries up mucus in extreme cases


  • Cathartic

Cleanses liver, gall ducts, alimentary canal excrete through bowls (for chamomile, in large quantities)


  • Anti-scorbutic

Prevention of scurvy


  • Anti-syphilitic

Effective against syphilis


  • Detergent

Cleaning, oil dissolving, anti-bacterial


  • Anti-scrofulous

Prevention of Scrofula a condition that causes Tuberculosis


  • Nutritive

Nourishing to the body tissues including vitamins, minerals, and trace elements


Usage

Within the Dock family, Yellow Dock is considered the most useful in terms of medicinal properties. Due to the roots of Yellow Dock containing in excess of 40% iron compounds it has earned its’ name as one of the best blood builders in the natural world. As well as blood building it also purifies the blood and aids in the lymphatic system.


Medicinal Conditions Bayberry can be used for;


  • Skin disorders

  • Running ears

  • Syphilis

  • Skin eruptions

  • Glandular Tumours

  • Liver Congestion

  • Scorbutic Disease

  • Swellings

  • Biliousness

  • Scorbutic

  • Leprosy

  • Ulcerated Eyelids

  • Cancer

  • Itch

  • Sour Stomach

  • Lack of Vitality

  • Intermittent fevers

  • Sores

  • Sores

  • Anaemia

  • Cough

  • Laryngeal Irritation

  • Arsenic Poisoning

  • haemorrhage

  • Diarrhoea


Why I was drawn to this herb

Yellow Dock, to me, seems to be an herb that despite its’ wide uses is overlooked quite often. I feel that Yellow Dock would be an excellent addition in almost all illnesses as thinning the blood would allow nutrition and oxygen to be transported with more ease to each vital organ allowing any dis-eased body to benefit from faster healing. I have Yellow Dock readily available on my farm to treat bacterial infections or intestinal infections, by bypassing modern medicine of anti-biotics or over counter medication, I feel that Yellow Dock has been a great aid in my own health as well as my loved ones.


Bayberry

(Myrica cerifera; M. Carolinensis; Myricaceae)

Classifications


Bayberry bark is an astringent, tonic, alterative, cholagogue, diuretic, sialagogue, emetic in large doses, hemostatic, styptic, vulnerary, errhine, sternutatory, and discutient.


Wax: Mildly astringent somewhat narcotic


Leaves: Astringent & aromatic


Personality in context of classifications


· Astringent Dries up mucus in extreme cases


· Tonic

Aids in digestion, permanently increases systematic tone, energy, vigour and strength.


· Cholagogues

Aids In discharging bile into duodenum by contracting bile ducts and produce purgation of bowels.


· Styptics

To be used on the wound and the stoppage of bleeding.


· Alteratives

Blood cleanser, clean lymphatic system and overcomes morbid processors


· Diuretic

Increases the flow of urine


· Sialagogue Promotes the secretion of saliva


· Emetic Induces vomiting (in large doses)


· Hemostatic Regulates bleeding especially shortening the process of clotting


· Styptic Contracts blood vessels on site of wound to stop bleeding


· Vulnerary Used in healing of wounds


· Sternutatory Causation of sneezing


· Discutient Causing pathological accumulation to disperse


Usage

Bayberry is considered to be the most useful herb in botanic medicine. Bayberry is the foundational herb for Composition powder which provides an all-round health benefit for all complaints. The herb heavily influences the alimentary tract, toning and aiding in glandular activity whilst bringing the volume of mucus secretion to a healthy function. Bayberry is an excellent liver cleanser, whilst promoting healthy circulatory system including the arterial and capillary circulation, with stimulation of tissues. Bayberry also has a tonic effect on the uterus especially during pregnancy, furthermore, used as a preventing method of haemorrhage on the uterus, lungs, and bowls. [6]


Medicinal Conditions Barberry can be used for;


  • Sore throat

  • Haemorrhage

  • Menorrhagia

  • Cold extremities

  • Emesis

  • Leukorrhea

  • Chills

  • Narcotics poisoning

  • Goitre

  • Diarrhoea

  • Dysentery

  • Ulcers

  • Spongy and Bleeding gums

  • Boils

  • Carbuncles

  • Gangrenous sores

  • Adenoids

  • Fever

  • Flu

  • Colic Cramps

  • Jaundice

  • Scrofula

  • Catarrh of Stomach

  • Dyspepsia

  • Weak Digestion

  • Sluggish Liver

  • Slow Healing Wounds

  • Burns

  • Polyps

  • Thrush

  • Trench Mouth

  • Inflamed Tonsils

  • Catarrhal Deafness

  • Alopecia

  • Dandruff

  • Tooth Powder

Why I was drawn to this herb

I find Bayberry to be the herb that all households must have, equally Bayberry was a widely used herb for many issues within my own upbringing, from ancient Persian wisdom my grandmother would treat my mother and later in life my mother to me, as generations passed the use of Bayberry never outdated itself. I am drawn to its’ powerful healing properties of its assistance to the terrains’ own ability of healing itself.


Chamomile or Roman Chamomile

(Chamaemelum Nobile; Anthemis Nobilis; Compositae)




Classifications

Chamomile is excellent diaphoretic when consumed hot as well as stomachic, tonic whilst consumed cold, anti-spasmodic, stimulant, carminative, nervine, sedative, emmenagogue, anthelmintic, anodyne, bitter aromatic, emetic in warm dosages, and cathartic in large dosages.



Personality in context of classifications


· Tonic

Aids in digestion, permanently increases systematic tone, energy, vigour and strength.


· Stomachic & Carminative

Aids in healthy digestion and in general health of the stomach


· Diaphoretic

Assists in perspiration and eliminating toxins through perspiration.


· Stimulant

Stimulant to functional activity


· Anti-spasmodic

Preventative of muscle spasm


· Nervine

Assisting in healthy nervous system


· Emmenagogue

Female herb categories as it assists in period cramps and reducing excess menstrual flow


· Cathartic

Cleanses liver, gall ducts, alimentary canal excrete through bowls (for chamomile in large quantity)


· Emetics

Induces vomiting (for chamomile in large quantity)


· Anthelmintic

Use for parasites or worms


· Anodyne

Painkiller


· Bitter aromatic

Herbs that taste bitter


Usage

Chamomile Flowers are fantastic for bringing the flow of blood to the skin surface. Chamomile has an effective timely method on stomach issues, circulation issues and the uterus. Improves appetite as well as aiding in digestion by increasing the vascularity or fluid conveyance of the gastric mucous membrane. It is soothing to the body especially to the nerves as well relieving congestion and when taken cold it stimulates menstrual flow. Chamomiles also reduces swelling without drawing the poison to a head. It is also used as a hair wash which is an excellent way to keep the golden tint of hair. It is also used as a sleeping aid herb.


Medicinal Conditions Barberry can be used for;

  • Colds

  • Fevers

  • Painful Menstruation

  • Headache

  • Indigestion

  • Colic

  • Spasmodic Cough

  • Bronchitis

  • Pulmonary

  • Catarrh

  • Acute Dyspepsia

  • Hysteria

  • Nervousness

  • Torpid Liver

  • Delirium Tremens

  • Rheumatism

  • Ulcers

  • Appetite issues

  • Stomach weakness

  • Kidney issues

  • Spleen and Bladder issues

  • Expelling of worms

  • Ague

  • Dropsy

  • Jaundice

  • Sore and weak eyes (wash)

  • Open sores and wounds (wash)

  • Pains/Swelling (Poultice)

  • Gangrene

  • Preventative

  • Bruises

  • Sprains