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USNEA
Botanical name: Usnea spp
Other common names: Methuselah’s Beard, Old Man's Beard, Song Lo
Earliest recorded medicinal uses: 900 BC in Egypt and Greece for infections. 101 BC in Chinese medicine
Usnea is part of the Parmeliaceae or lichen family. Usnea will only grow in trees where good air quality is present. It is easily identifiable by gently pulling it, the outer layer will break but the inner string is like a rubber band and stretches easily. In Native American medicine to treat lungs, intestines, throat, sinuses, and the urinary and reproductive systems.
Avoid long-term use it can cause damage to liver.
Constituents include but are not limited to usnic acid, polyphenols, mucilage, longissiminone B, methylusnic acid, atranorin, barbatinic acid, beta-sitostero, raffinose, vulpinic acid, vitamins, and minerals.
Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antispasmodic, analgesic, antifungal, and antiprotozoal.
Most common ways to use tea, lozenges, and tincture.
Tendencies or energetics cooling and drying.
VALERIAN ROOT
Botanical name: Valeriana officinalis
Other common names: All-heal, Vandal root, Wetwall, Amantilla
Earliest recorded medicinal uses: Hippocrates wrote about use in 460 BC to help the nervous system, muscle and bronchial spasms, and female complaints.
Valerian root is part of the Valerianaceae or Valerian family. Once you smell valerian, you will forever be able to identify it; it has a very strong, distinct smell. Valerian is most commonly used as a sleep aid. Today, there are dozens of over-the-counter sleep aids containing valerian. The German Commission E has approved for sleeping disorders and restlessness based on nervous conditions. It has been used for irritable bowel syndrome; the valerenic acid can reduce muscle spasms. It is also shown to soothe the digestive tract when under stress. Valerian does not induce sleep by causing drowsiness and does not leave you feeling groggy in the morning.
Avoid using it with barbiturates or tranquilizers; it may increase their side effects. Do not use it if liver disease is present. Pregnant or nursing women should not use it. Stop use if heart palpitations or nervousness occur. It is recommended not to drive or operate machinery after using it.
Constituents include but are not limited to valtrate, dihydrovaltrate, and valeranone, valernal, valerenic acids, sesquiterpenes, lignans, alkaloids, vitamins, and minerals.
Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to antispasmodic, anticonvulsant, sedative, relaxing nervine, hypotensive, diuretic, diaphoretic, and antiarrhythmic.
Most common ways to use tea, capsules, tinctures, and adding herb to bath water.
Tendencies or energetics slightly warming.
WILD YAM
Botanical name: Dioscorea opposita, Dioscorea villosa in US
Other common names: Chinese yam, Colic root, Yuma
Earliest recorded medicinal uses: 12th-century use in Chinese medicine. It is recorded the Aztecs and Incas used it during menstruation and childbirth.
Wild yam is part of the Dioscoreaceae or Yam family. The root is the part of the plant that is used. Many women and men have found wild yam relieves hormone imbalance, erectile dysfunction, and menopause symptoms in a cream or topical oil form. It is a big debate if it truly does, my experience has found more people it helped than not. The diosgenin in wild yam is used to create DHEA or Dehydroepiandrosterone in labs which helps your body to produce its own needed hormones. We naturally produce this in our adrenal glands, gonads, and brain but as we age or have a poor diet it decreases.
Avoid large doses due to the alkaloid dioscorine it will cause nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and sleeplessness. People with hormone-sensitive cancers should not use. Do not use if pregnant or nursing.
Constituents include but are not limited to steroidal saponins, phenolic compounds, naphthodianthrones, triterpene glycosides, ginsenosides, vitamins, and minerals.
Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, antitussive, dysmenorrhea, anti-asthmatic, and antidiabetic.
Most common ways to use tea, tincture and infused oil for topical use.
Tendencies or energetics cooling and drying.
WILLOW BARK
Botanical name: Salix spp.
Other common names: Sallows and Osiers
Earliest recorded medicinal uses: Sumerians note the pain-relieving properties on clay tablets dating 2000BC, 400BC Hippocrates recommended chewing bark for pain relief.
Willow bark is part of the Salicaceae or Willow family. The bark is used in processing. Willows are often used for fever, headache, and rheumatism, known as natural Aspirin. Willow is not an immediate-acting anti-inflammatory, it takes an hour or two to be effective. The small intestine and colon intestinal flora convert the salicin to salicylic acid which will be effective for several hours reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Also found in many natural face acne treatments, especially for sensitive skin.
Avoid people who cannot take aspirin or have blood clotting issues should avoid it.
Constituents include but are not limited to salicin, glycosides salicortin, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, vitamins and minerals.
Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, antifungal, analgesic, and antipyretic.
Mentions in the Bible
Leviticus 23:40 40And ye shall take you on the first day the fruit of goodly trees, branches of palm-trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before Jehovah your God seven days.
Ezekiel 17:5 5He took also the seed of the land, and planted it in a fruitful soil; he placed it beside many waters; he set it as a willow-tree.
Most common ways to use teas, tincture, and infused oil.
Tendencies or energetics Cooling and drying.
WORMWOOD
Botanical name: Artemisia absinthium
Other common names: Absinthe, Southerwood, Mugwort, and Green Ginger
Earliest recorded medicinal uses: Wormwood is mentioned in the ancient Egyptian Ebers Papyrus from 1550 BC for its medicinal benefits.
Wormwood is part of the Asteraceae, or daisy family. It is considered to be one of the world's bitterest plants. Wormwood should not be used long-term due to the compound thujone, which can damage the central nervous system. It is used to make the alcoholic drink Absinthe along with hyssop and fennel, believed to give a narcotic effect and flavor vermouth. A water infusion sprayed in the garden repels aphids, fleas, flies, and moths,
Avoid women who are pregnant should not use.
Constituents include but are not limited to anabsinthin, isovaleric acid, thujone, absinthin, terpenoids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, hydroxy coumarins, tannins, silica, azulenes, vitamins, and minerals.
Its potential health benefits include but are not limited to antiseptic, antidepressant, antibiotic, carminative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, cholagogue, vermifuge, febrifuge, digestive, antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, stimulant, sedative and narcotic.
Most common ways to use capsules, tinctures, and teas.
Tendencies or energetics drying.