Violet

Viola glabella

Common Names: Blue Vervain, Wood Violet, Creek Violet, Hearts Ease

Botanical Name: Viola officinalis, V.glabella, V. spp

Plant Family: Violaceae, Violet Family

Parts Used: Aerial parts

Actions: Cooling, Alterative, Demulcent, Anti-inflammatory, Lymphagogue

Habitat: Moist soils in full or partial shade. Commonly found in Washington on the edges of logging roads; clear, sunny, high elevations (around 1900ft.) It can be found throughout North America.

Collection: I collect this plant when it is in flower. That can be from April to June (depending on where you are at in the PNW).

Violet Medicine

Anti-Inflammatory/Pain

Violet helps ease pain. It aids any inflamed ligaments, tendons, sprains or strains. This can help both internally and externally. The whole plant contains sacilic acid (like our good friend willow), which ultimately acts as an analgesic to help reduce pain. Violet also kills free radicals and repairs our cells.

Lymph Flow

Violet flower helps dissolve cysts, lumps in the breast, and swollen glands. An oil made of fresh violets helps dissolve lumps or the breast and can prevent them as well. The oil or a fresh poultice can help move swollen glands and tissue. This can help arthritic, abscesses, skin irritations, sores, swollen lymph glands, sore throats, cysts and breast health.

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Colds/Flus/Fevers/Immunity

Fresh violet has many beneficial flavonoids. The flavonoids (vitamins and minerals) help strengthen our cell membranes and provides our body with high amounts of Vitamin C and A.

Violets also contain saponins (alkaloid that mixes with fat). The saponins help our body dissolve fat, which ultimately helps lower cholesterol and strengthen our immune system.

Yes, yes violet is a cooling, mucilaginous herb. It also is a lymphagogue which helps move mucus and relieve congestion. It’s no wonder why violet is an excellent herb for an irritated, sore throat, dry cough or even an ear infection. A syrup made with the flowers can help for these symptoms.

Heart Support

The heart shaped leaves of this plant speak to the heart. Violet can be made into a flower essence to help repair a broken heart. Taken internally (fresh in a salad, infused in a vinegar, tea or tincture), this herb can help repair broken tissue and sloughs off emotional toxins that build up around your heart. Violet can soothe you and help one with grief.

Usnea

I'm likin' this Lichen!

Common Names: Beard Lichen

Botanical Name: Usnea barbata, U.spp

Plant Family: Parneliaceae, Lichen Family

Parts Used: Whole “plant”

Actions: Antibiotic, antifungal, tuberculostatic (Systems affected: Lungs, Skin)

Habitat: Temperate North America. Forested areas, generally seen clinging onto the bark or limbs of both dead and alive trees.

This is the "white cord" that always appears when you pull the outer sheath of Usnea species.

Collection: I tend to collect Usnea in the Late Fall and Winter. I wait for heavy windstorms that knock the lichen from branches far, far out of reach. It is in Winter when Lichen (and moss) are in their reproductive state, which can be seen by their reproductive parts and vibrant state.

Identification:  Usnea is the plant like result of a symbiotic association between algae and fungi (as is the case with all lichens). Throughout the year, usnea is always a light gray green color. It’s easily identified by pulling apart the outer sheath of its main stem to find a tiny white central cord that has an elastic pull to it.

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Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Antifungal

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Antimicrobial:

Usnea is an anti-microbial herb that kills unwanted bacteria. Unlike a prescribed antibiotic, it doesn’t kill ALL types of bacteria in our body.

The anti-microbial effects in Usnea are effective against “gram positive bacteria” such as Staphylococcus simulans and S. aureus (Staph) and Streptococcus (Strep). Hence, it kills the unwanted pathogens without wiping out our healthy gut flora.

Usnea is used for strep throat, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections (sinusitis), tuberculosis & U.T. I’s.

Usnea powder can be applied to wounds to help quicken the healing process and help treat or prevent infection

 

Antiviral:

While the antimicrobial effects of Usnea are helping kill off a large unicellular organism (Gram positive bacteria), the lichen also serves as an antiviral. Meaning it kills viruses that live within the person’s cells. Usnea has a special way of eradicating infection throughout the mucus membranes.

Antifungal:

What about fungal infection? Oh yes, fungus infects too. And Usnea works both internally and externally to kill the unwanted fungus.

Usnea can be used for dandruff, ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch, candida and yeast infections.

For best results in fighting off fungus, use Usnea with herbs such as black walnut hulls, Echinacea, chaparral, and goldenseal. Also consider a sugar-free diet.

Usnea Tincture (Steve Buhner method):

-Chop/grind usnea lichen into small pieces/powder, place into crock pot.

-Cover lichen with 2.5 times the amount of water (eg. 5 ounces herb to 12.5 ounces water)

-Keep on low heat for 48 hours.

-Add mix to mason jar and then add the same amount of 100 proof alcohol as water (eg. 12.5 ounces of water and 12.5 ounces of alcohol).

-Label jar with date, alcohol used, where the plant was collected, and any other info.

-After 2 weeks strain off the plant material and compost.

Store tincture in dark, cool place.  Take 60 drops 3-4 times a day to fight virus or infection.

Burdock

A.K.A Gobo Root

Common Names: Beggar’s Buttons, Hardock, Burrseed, Hurrburr, Hare-burr, Cocklebur, Lappa, Gobo (Japanese), Bardane (French), Klette (German), Bardana (Spanish), Lopan (Polish)

Botanical Name: Arctium lappa

Plant Family: Asteraceae

Parts Used: Root, Leaf & Seeds

Actions: Mucilaginous, Alterative, Diuretic, Diaphoretic, Urinary Tonic, Demulcent, Bitter, Laxative, Vulnerary

Habitat: Burdock is one of the many farm/garden weeds. It’s large appearance and burr seeds give the herb a bad reputation to a more pampered landscape. Oddly enough, those who try to remove this plant can never fully get rid of it… for its long (and sometimes quite large) taproot grows in rocky soils which makes it almost impossible to completely remove.

Collection: The root is harvested in the fall of the first year… it is also the sweetest and tender to eat at this time. The leaves are best harvested in the Spring and Summer of the first year (before the plant goes dormant and begins its flowering stage during the second year). The seeds are harvested when ripe in the second year of growth.

Identification:  A large leafed plant with burrs that grow in the fall and stick to you like Velcro. Burdock is biennial, meaning it takes two years to complete its life cycle. The root is harvested for medicine in the fall of the first year. During the first year, Burdock only grows leaves and there are no flowers or burrs. The root grows deep into the earth and prefers hard rocky soils, which can make it a challenge to dig up.

Burdock Medicine

Liver, Spleen & Urinary Support:

Burdock is an alterative. It helps systems of elimination and detoxification. Most noticeably, burdock helps elimination with the skin, yet it is also an aid for the urinary system and the liver.

Burdock root (high in inulin) is said to regenerate the liver cells and stimulate the gallbladder. The root and seeds are also used to “move blood” or “purify the blood” by aiding the spleen. Burdock seeds have a stronger diuretic effect. They are also said to be diaphoretics (help induce sweating). The diuretic effects help both the kidneys and urinary tract and has been known to help move stones and relieve any painful urination.

Promotes Healthy Skin:

Herbalist Jim Mcdonald explains that even though Burdock is an alterative (meaning it is cooling and drying) it can help rehydrate dry and scaly skin. Why? Burdock root and seeds alter the health of the sebaceous gland (these glands are located in the skin and secrete sebum), which in return excrete a lubricating oily substance. Sebum is an antimicrobial that helps lubricate both the skin and hair.

Burdock can address a wide range of skin conditions, including dry/scaly skin, rashes, oily skin, acne, eczema, psoriasis, etc.

Moves Stagnant Lymph:

Burdock is a lymphatic herb. Meaning it binds and removes heavy metals, chemicals and waste via the lymphatic system. It helps against sore throats and swollen lymph glands.

Nutrient Dense:

Burdock root is a super food; jammed-pack with essential nutrients. It helps strengthen the immune system, starting with the gut. Burdock root is even referred to as a prebiotic; it aids in digestion while feeding your gut flora. The root has been cited to have a total of 45-50% inulin. Inulin is a starchy carbohydrate that provides nutrients to the gut flora yet cannot be digested by humans.

Burdock Root Pickles

This recipe is from one of my herbal mentors, Eagle Song E. Gardener. Of course, it is the most rewarding after a day spent digging out as much of the root (staying intact!) with your bare hands :)

Several roots of burdock

 1/3-part tamari (or soy sauce)

 1/3-part vinegar

Garlic cloves

Fresh ginger

Slice the clean burdock root into bite size pieces. Simmer sliced root in just enough water to cover the pan but not drown the root. It’s done when root has softened, but is still crisp. Remove from heat (re-use cooked water in another recipe). Fill mason jar with root and add garlic and ginger. Next, fill jar with 1/3 tamari, 1/3 vinegar, and 1/3 water. Stone in fridge and begin to eat a couple weeks later! 

BURDOCK KIMCHI