Est. 1985

 

TRADITIONAL HERBAL AIDS IN HEALTH ISSUES

The following is a list of health issues and some of the herbs and formulas traditionally used as nutritional adjuncts and aids.  They are not promoted as a means to cure disease, as will be seen by some of the entries; many of these uses have not been scientifically verified.  We have tried to present the mildest, but most effective herbs that we feel have been shown to aid the body in its own healing capacities.

ABCESS -  Echinacea, Blood Pure Formula.  External: Mouthwash/ Gargle Formula (mouth); Slippery Elm or Plantain poultice.

ACID REFLUX – Digestaid Formula.  Slippery Elm powder in a little water.  Marshmallow Root tea.  Hops (with stress).  Dandelion Root (liver, gall bladder congestion).

ACNE -   Skintone Formula;  Echinacea; Vitex (hormonal imbalance).   Externally: Witch Hazel (astringent), Calendula (anti-microbial, prevent scarring).

ADD/ADHD -  Mentalert Formula; Passion Flower.

ADRENALS –   To restore, increase energy, and reduce effects of stress:  Adrenal/Stress Formula, Nettles.

ANEMIA – Blood Build Formula.

ANTI-OXIDANTS – Elder Berry; Watercress; Hawthorn; Rosemary; Bilberry.

ANXIETY  - Acute – Nervaid Formula.  Maintenance – Passion Flower.  Adrenal/Stress Formula (chronic, panic attacks).

APPETITE  -  Digestaid Formula; small does of digestive bitters (Golden Seal, Wormwood, etc.).  Child Tonic Formula (children no appetite, poor diets).

ARTERIOSCLEROSIS  - Cholesterol and arterial health: Cholesteraid Formula; Garlic.    Elder Berry, Rosemary (anti-oxidants).

ARTHRITIS - Inflammaid Formula (joint and muscle pain), White Willow.  Blood Pure Formula (de-tox uric acids, other toxins).  Horsetail (to repair cartilage).  Mineral Formula (osteo-arthritis).   IMMUNAID (auto-immune component).

ASTHMA – Asthmaid Formula.   Passion Flower (stress-induced).  Al-R-G Formula (allergic component).

AUTOIMMUNE  - See IMMUNE SYSTEM.

BEDWETTING – SEE INCONTINENCE.

BLADDER  - Uraid Formula (acute or chronic pain or infection).  Usnea, Pipsissewa, Echinacea/Golden Seal (infection).  Cleavers (extra for burning pain).  Corn Silk and/or Marshmallow tea.

BLEEDING – Witch Hazel, Alum Root (internal, passive).  Bugleweed (lungs, passive).  Shepherd’s Purse, Witch Hazel, Yarrow (menstrual).

BLOOD PRESSURE – HIGH -  BP Formula; Passion Flower (stress component).  Hrt Tone Formula.

BOILS -Echinacea; Blood Pure Formula (de-tox).  Plantain, Slippery Elm powder poultice.

BONE SPURS  - Poke Root extract EXTERNALLY.  Mineral Formula, Apple Cider Vinegar internally.

BRONCHITIS  - SEE LUNGS

BREAST  - Lymphaid, Echinacea (infection, tumor, lymph tissue). Poke Root (with care, also external).  St. John’s Wort Oil (external).  Alfalfa, Fennel (for milk).  Sage, extract/ tea (dry up milk, also external).  SEE FIBROCYSTIC.

BRUISES – Hemmoraid/Venous Formula.  Witch Hazel (external).

BURNS – Herbal Salve (healing);  Calendula (anti-microbial, prevents scarring); St.John’s Wort Oil.

BURSITIS  -  Inflammaid Formula; Pleurisy Root (aid synovial fluid); Solomon Seal, Comfrey (external).

CANCER  - Immunaid Formula (for immune reserves, anti-cancer compounds, effects of chemo.).  Sheep Sorrel Formula (anti-tumor and de-tox).  Yellow Dock; Chaparral.   Blood Build Formula (low red count).  Lymphaid, Violet,  (lymph involvement).  Violet, Calendula (reproductive organs).  SEE ANTI-OXIDANTS; LEUKEMIA.

CANDIDA – SEE FUNGAL INFECTION

CARPAL TUNNEL – Inflammaid Formula; Herbal Liniment externally.

CHOLESTEROL – Cholesteraid formula. Red Yeast Rice.

CHRONIC FATIGUE SYNDROME – Adrenal/Stress Formula (also for mental function).  Immunaid Formula. 

CIRCULATION – Small doses of Prickly Ash (more permanent effects than cayenne); Cayenne; Garlic, Hawthorn.  See VEINS.

COLD SORES – Echinacea (good doses for acute episode); Heal All, Thuja (external); Immunaid Formula (chronic).  SEE HERPES

COLD  - Cold/Flu Formula (good, frequent doses at onset of head cold, anti/viral).  Ginger (warming).  Sinease Formula (congestion). 

COLIC – Child Soothe Formula; extra Fennel.

COLON – See IRRITABLE BOWEL;  CONSTIPATION.

CONSTIPATION – Cln-Clenz Formula.  Slippery Elm powder stirred in a little water for lubrication, irritation.

COUGH – Bronchaid formula.  Wild Cherry Bark (dry, unproductive, or spasmodic cough, children as well).  Asthmaid Formula (tough mucous, tight chest).

CHROHN’S DISEASE -  Cln-Eze Formula.  Gravel Root.  Golden Seal (courses for infection).  Slippery Elm powder in a little water.

DEPRESSION – Spirit Lift Formula; with extra St. John’s Wort when not on meds.

DIABETES – Sugarease Formula; Fenugreek tea; Bilberry. 

DIAPER RASH – Herbal Salve.

DIARRHEA – Blackberry Root (for children, elderly as well).  Slippery Elm powder in a little water for irritation.  Golden Seal (intestinal infections).

DIET – Dietaid Formula; extra Chickweed, Watercress.

EARACHE/ INFECTION – Ear Oil (warm dropper under warm tap, wipe; 2 or 3 drops oil in ear).  Echinacea; Echinacea/Golden Seal; Usnea (internal).  Sinease (with sinus infection/or pressure).  Plantain (chronic allergies, mucous, esp. kids) Child Soothe (kids, calming).

ECZEMA – Skintone Formula.  Violet, Nettles, Lymphaid Formula.  Herbal Salve (itching, healing).

ENDOMETRIOSIS – Female Tone Formula (pain, tonic).  Vitex, Black Haw (hormone balance).  See also BLEEDING, Menstrual.

EPILEPSY – SEE SEIZURE

EYES -  Bilberry, Eyebright, Rosemary, Calendula,  (general eye and vision health).  Mentalert Formula (circulation).   Elder Flower, Eyebright,  (for external eye wash; NOTE: extracts added 5 to 20 drops to 2 ozs. of sterile water for wash; made new each day). 

FIBROCYSTIC BREAST – Vitex, Lymphaid, Liver Tone.

FIBROID – Female Tone; Yarrow (bleeding, tonic).  Beth Root, Shepherd’s Purse (bleeding).  Dandelion Root (liver breakdown of estrogens).

FIBRO-MYALGIA – Inflammaid Formula (pain).  Immunaid Formula (auto-immune component).  Spirit Lift Formula (emotional/nervous component).

FLU – Cold/Flu Formula. Elder Flower (liberal doses). Boneset (chills, fever, muscle ache, sore chest).  Peach Leaf (stomach flu). 

FLUID RETENTION – Dandelion Leaf (substantial doses). Dandelion Root.  Hawthorn.  Uraid Formula (kidney related).

FUNGAL/YEAST INFECTION – Anti-Yeast/Fungal Formula.  Calendula, Usnea, Thuja externally.   SEE VAGINAL INFECTION.

GALL BLADDER – Dandelion Root.  Wild Yam (pain, spasm).

GAS  - Digestaid Formula; extra Fennel added. 

GOUT – Nettles, Yellow Dock, Juniper Berry (excess uric acid; a good combo.)  Inflammaid Formula (pain).

GUMS – Mouthwash/Gargle as a mouth rinse (gingivitis, mouth sores, anti-microbial).  SEE ABCESS.

HAIR – Mineral Formula.  Nettle Leaf tea as a hair rinse.

HAY FEVER – Sinease Formula (frequent doses). Al-R-G Formula, Plantain (chronic, over-reactive immune response).  Extra Eyebright, Ambrosia (for itchy, watery eyes).

HEADACHE – Headache Formula (also for Migraine and Tension; can be taken as preventative also, aids liver).  Spirit Lift Formula.

HEART – Hrt-Tone Formula (strengthen heart).  Bugleweed (palpitations). Lily of the Valley, Hawthorn (congestive heart failure). 

HEARTBURN  - Digestaid Formula. Slippery Elm powder in a little water. Marshmallow Root tea.

HEMMOROIDS – Hemmoraid/Venous Formula.  Milk Thistle (compromised liver). Witch Hazel, White Oak (externally).

HEPATITIS  - Liver Tone Formula.  Immunaid Formula (liver-protectant and anti-viral). 

HERPES – Echinacea; Calendula; Thuja (small doses).  Heal All (external).  SEE COLD SORES

HIATAL HERNIA  - Digestaid Formula; can add 5 drops Golden Seal.  Slippery Elm powder in a little water.  Extra Fennel for more pressure relief.

HIVES – Blood Pure Formula.  Nettles; Al-R-G Formula (chronic).

HORMONAL BALANCE – MNPS Formula. 

HOT FLASHES – MNPS Formula.  Sage (sweats).  Elder Flower; Chickweed (cooling).

IMPOTENCE – American Ginseng. Damiana (with depression).

IMMUNE SYSTEM -  Immunaid Formula (build immune reserves, low-grade and “hidden” infections, auto-immune problems) Echinacea  (stimulant and organizer)    Al-R-G Formula (over-reactive immune response).  Adrenal/Stress Formula (no spark).  SEE: INFECTION

INCONTINENCE – Sumach Bark,  Pipsiissewa, Thuja (male).

INDIGESTION – Digestaid Formula.  Bitters (small dose of Golden Seal, Wormwood, etc.).  Hops (nervous indigestion).  Peppermint tea.

INFECTION -  Echinacea, Usnea (bacterial, external as well).  Golden Seal (infection of sinus, mucous membranes, lower digestive tract).  Echinacea, Elderberry, Calendula, Boneset (viral). Astragalus (low immunity in kids). Calendula, Wormwood (amoebic).  Anti-Yeast/Fungal Formula, Pau D’ Arco, Monarda (fungal/yeast infection).

INFERTILITY – Black Haw, Maca, Vitex, Nettles.  American Ginseng (male).

INSECT BITE - Herbal Salve (bug, spider, chigger).  Plantain poultice.  Echinacea and Plantain internally.

INSOMNIA – Nervaid Formula; Passion Flower; Hops.

INTESTINAL – SEE Next.

IRRITABLE BOWEL – Cln Eze Formula.  Catnip, Hops (stress induced). Slippery Elm powder in a little water (inflammation).  Alum Root (bleeding).

ITCH – Herbal Salve. 

JOINT PAIN – see ARTHRITIS.

KIDNEYS – Uraid Formula; Pipsissewa (chronic conditions).  Juniper Berry (congestion w/out inflammation).  Usnea, Pipsissewa, Echinacea (infection, uremia).  Hydrangea (good, frequent doses for pain of stone).  Uraid Formula (prevent stones).

LARYNGITIS – Mouthwash/Gargle Formula (as gargle).  Sage tea.

LEG CRAMP – Cramp Bark.  SEE: RESTLESS LEG

LEUKEMIA – Maitake; Red root. Yarrow.  Blood Build Formula (low red count).  Echinacea (too low or disordered white count).

LIVER – Liver Tone Formula.  Wild Yam, Fringe Tree (pain).  SEE HEPATITIS.

LUNGS  - Bronchaid Formula (tonic).  Lobelia (relax).  SEE COUGH; PNEUMONIA; PLEURISY).

LYME DISEASE – Immunaid Formula; extra Maitake.  Inflammaid Formula (joint and muscle pain).  Teasel root.

LYMPHEDEMA – Ginger, Horse Chestnut, Yarrow.  White Oak (external).

LYMPH GLANDS – Lymphaid Formula (aids lymph circulation, de-tox, swollen glands).  Echinacea (good, frequent doses for acute swollen, tonsillitis).

MEMORY – Mentalert Formula.

MENIERE’S DISEASE – Mentalert Formula; extra Ginkgo.  Lymphaid Formula.

MENOPAUSE – MNPS Formula (hormone balance, nervous symptoms). Sage (sweats).  Chickweed, Elder Flower (cooling).  Motherwort (heart symptoms).

MENSTRUATION – Female Tone Formula (irregular menses, pain, PMS).  Cramp Bark (cramps).  Black Haw (inter-menstrual bleeding).  MNPS (hormone imbalance). SEE: BLEEDING.

MIGRAINE – See HEADACHE

 MONO- (NUCLEOSIS) – Echinacea, Red root.  Wild Cherry Bark (recovery).

MUSCLE PAIN – Inflammaid.  Herbal Liniment; Witch Hazel (external).  Solomon Seal (external, tendons). 

MUCOUS – Sinease Formula (sinus congestion);  Golden Seal (small doses for digestive tract).  Elder Flower (de-congestant, kids).  Plantain (kids and others with chronic mucous). 

NAUSEA – Digestaid.  Ginger. Fennel .  SEE VOMITING.

NERVES – Nervaid Formula; Passion Flower (calming).   Spirit Lift Formula (restoring frayed). 

OBESITY - SEE WEIGHT LOSS

OSTEOPOROSIS/OSTEO_ARTHRITIS – Mineral Formula.  Inflammaid for pain.

OVARIES – Female Tone Formula; Wild Yam (pain).  Vitex (re-establishing ovulation). White Peony, Vitex, Thuja (polycystic ovaries).

PARASITES – Black Walnut Formula (worms, amoebic parasites:  taken morning and evening 2 x a day, from 4 to 7 days.  Then a week off and repeat).  Golden Seal (Giardia, other intestinal infections).

PARKINSON’S – Mentalert Formula (improve mental function, circulation).  Passion Flower (spasm).  Liver Tone (aid liver).

PLEURISY – Pleurisy Root  (pain, fever, cough; fluid).

PMS – Female Tone. MNPS (good together).  Chamomile (sensitive). Nervaid Formula (tension, nerves).

PNEUMONIA – Cold/Flu Formula.  Pleurisy Root (fever, pain).  Wild Cherry Bark (recovery).

PREGNANCY  - Black Haw (threatened miscarriage, miscarriage preventative).  Raspberry Leaf (uterine tonic).  Nettles (build the blood).  Dandelion Root (constipation).  Black Haw and Chamomile (morning sickness).  Squaw Vine (late pregnancy tonic).  Witch Hazel; White Oak (external for varicose veins).  SEE: INFERTILITY

PROSTATE – Prostaid Formula (enlarged, urinary symptoms, pain).  Cleavers (burning).  Eryngium (pain).  Hemmoraid/Venous Formula (poor pelvic circulation).

PSORIASIS – Skintone and Liver Tone Formulas (together).  Immunaid Formula (auto-immune component).

RESTLESS LEG – Passion Flower, Nervaid.  SEE: LEG CRAMP

 

RINGWORM – Anti-Yeast/Fungal, Pau D’ Arco (internal).  Calendula, Thuja (external).

SEIZURE – Passion Flower (prevent and acute). Vervain (tonic).

SEXUAL TONIC – Maca  (low libido/energy; esp. w/ low thyroid).  Adrenal/Stress Formula (stress, low energy).  Damiana (with depression).  American Ginseng (male).

SINUS – Sinease Formula (sinus congestion. headache, hay fever).  Usnea; Echinacea/Golden Seal (infection).  Al-R-G Formula (chronic allergies).  Plantain (chronic mucous, allergies).

SPRAIN – Comfrey, Solomon Seal, St. John’s Wort Oil (external).

STOMACH – Digestaid (indigestion, gas, acid, too little acid, no appetite).  Fennel (gas, distension).  Slippery Elm powder (inflammation, acid).  Bitters (slow digestion).  Hops (nervous digestion).  SEE: ULCER; HIATAL HERNIA< ACID REFLUX.

STREP THROAT – Echinacea; Echinacea Golden Seal, Usnea (infection internal, also gargle).  Mouthwash/Gargle Formula (as gargle). 

SWEATING, EXCESS – Sage.

TENDONITIS – Wild Yam (internal)  Solomon Seal (internal and external).

THRUSH – Calendula (diluted and swabbed in mouth).

TINNITIS – Mentalert Formula (circulation).  Monarda, Black Cohosh (ringing).

TEETH – Mineral Formula (teeth, hair and bones).  Mouthwash/Gargle Formula (gums).  Prickly Ash (rubbed on gums for toothache).  SEE: ABCESS.

THYROID - Bladderwrack, Chickweed, Watercress, Nettles, Dietaid Formula (low thyroid).   Bugleweed, Motherwort, Lemon Balm (high thyroid symptoms).

ULCER – Golden Seal, Alum Root.  Slippery Elm powder.  Marshmallow Root tea. 

VAGINAL INFECTION – Female Tone Formula (tonic).  Calendula, Witch Hazel and Golden Seal (at least one with witch hazel; used as a douche: 1 to 2 tsp.  Extracts to 1 pint of water).

VEINS – Hemmoraid/Venous formula (venous congestion, varicose veins).  Milk Thistle (with congested liver).  WhiteOak; Witch Hazel  (external).

VIRAL INFECTION - SEE: INFECTION.

VOMITING – Peach Leaf (can’t stop, much irritation).  Fennel (nausea).

WARTS – Wart-Off Formula (apply on wart 3 x a day, good if it can be applied sometimes as a saturated gauze pad and taped on).  Thuja (internally). 

WATER RETENTION -  SEE: FLUID RETENTION.

WEIGHT LOSS – Dietaid Formula; extra Chickweed.  Fenugreek tea.

YEAST INFECTION – SEE FUNGAL/YEAST INFECTION; VAGINAL INFECTION.

 

Herb Articles and Featured Herbs

FEATURED HERB :for Cytauxzoonosis

HERBAL TREATMENT, REMEDY FOR CYTAUXZOONOSIS

(BOBCAT TICK FEVER IN CATS)

     We’ve had a lot of requests for a possible Herbal remedy for Cytauxzoonosis, a frequently fatal blood disease in cats, and one that veterinary medicine has few options for.We have had numerous testimonies for the benefits of our Specially formulated Herbal Extract designed especially for Cytauxzoonosis.

The herbs in this formula have anti-protozoal properties, and some of our customers have used this Herbal Formula successfully to save their infected cat.

Contact us for more detailed information and ordering instructions and details on how to administer the herbs. Ask the Herbalist

 

     

Herbal Specifics: Choosing the Right Herb
I am often asked what may be the best herb to aid in a particular condition. Many herb books out there will list a condition, say arthritis,  and list twenty different herbs for that "disease." It is difficult to approach herbs in this way, as each is a unique life force with many potential benefits for the body. In a more holistic approach to health, each person is unique as well, and naming a "disease" does not take into account each individual manifestation of a condition. The "disease" is just the general term for the general outward manifestation of various imbalances that may have different origins and different symptoms in each individual...(read more)

Herbal Alternatives to Hormone Replacement Therapy and Hormonal Balance
I wanted to give a few herbal ideas on a big subject about which advanced science is still learning much about. Latest studies are showing more long-term side effects from Hormone Replacement Therapy. While realizing there are women with severe imbalances that can benefit from the manufactured hormones, there are many women who I believe can look to some of the traditional herbs for aid in coming back into balance. In an ideal world in which herbs can truly work with the body, women would use herbal aids before things get too far out of whack... (read more)

More Featured Herbs

Please choose from the list below to read our informative articles on our Featured Herbs.

  Hawthorn is a good example of an herb from folk and botanical medicine whose benefits to the heart and circulatory system have been confirmed by modern research.  It's great advantage as a first line of defense against these conditions are due to it's very non-toxic, nutritional healing properties.

     Hawthorn is a small tree or shrub found in many parts of the U.S., Europe and Asia, with many varieties known.  It is often planted as an ornamental for its profuse and beautiful white to pink-shaded flowers.  The medicinal properties are found in the ripe berries and young leaves and flowers.  To make a fresh-herb extract I gather the flowers and young, light-green leaves, which come on at the same time.  In the late summer/early fall I gather the ripe berries. A very good extract is made by combining all three, for the widest variety of beneficial constituents. The liquid extract and decoction are the best forms to use it in.

      Hawthorn has been shown to provide nutrition to the heart muscle itself by its many flavanoids.  Here is an example of the amazing way in which the body's own intelligence can direct nutritional substances to where they are needed in the body. These flavanoids also provide anti-oxidant and other effects that aid in arterial health.  Hawthorn also has anti-spasmodic, nerve sedative, anti-coagulant, and anti-hypertensive properties. (read more)

Vitex (Chaste Berry)
The ripe seeds of the Chaste Berry (Vitex agnus/castus) have become a mainstay in modern herbalism, used to address a wide-range of hormonally-related conditions. The beautiful shrub with lilac-like flowers is native to the Meditteranean countries, and its uses were first developed in ancient Greece and Rome. Its uses were only slowly developed after the fall of these empires. Most of its early uses were related to its spicy, warming nature in "dispelling wind", although there are early references to its use in "inflammation of the womb", and as an herb to "quench the passions". The latter was probably wishful thinking on the part of medieval monks (Monk's Pepper was an early name), as its warming and stimulating nature would tend to have the opposite effect.      
From the 1930's on, there were quite a number of studies done on Vitex in Germany and Europe until now it is one of the most commonly prescribed herbals by both herbal practitioners as well as regular doctors for a host of hormonally related problems. [read more]

False Unicorn False Unicorn root (also known as Helonias) is a delicate and endangered woodland plant. While we at Teeter Creek Herbs are commited to the cultivating of such endangered or potentially endangered plants as Golden Seal, Ginseng and Cohosh, it appears that our cultivating efforts for False Unicorn will never be able to keep up with demand. Unlike the roots of the aforementioned plants, the False Unicorn's rhizome cannot be divided easily, and either divisions or seed, in ours and others experience, are extremely slow growing. Two inches in 6 years would be a fair estimate... (read more)

Wild Yam Wild Yam is a good example of an herb that is widely known and yet undervalued; with a much wider range of action than its modern designation as a "hormonal" herb, and even in this respect there are misconceptions. The Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) is the rhizome of a delicate vining plant that grows on the edges of woods and thickets in the eastern U.S. It is a cousin to many more tropical species, including those Mexican Yams from which hormones were synthesized, and only distantly related to edible yams. The tough, knobby root of our Wild Yam would hardly make a delectable meal... (read more)

Yellow Dock: One of the traditional potherbs of the spring is the greens of the Dock plant, locally known as Curly Dock. Yellow Dock is the name given to the root of the most common species (Rumex crispus), and it is the root that is used medicinally. The greens, picked young, provide an interersting soury-tasting cooked green that is very nutritious. It is in the Buckwheat family and grows in waste places, old fields and barnyards and generally considered a "weed", whatever that means. The medicinal root is one that I value very highly... (read more)

Herbs and Cancer: some personal reflections. Over twenty years of consulting with people on the subject of herbs, I have observed the effects of herbs in many cases of cancer. The great majority of responsible herbalists claim no magic cure for cancer; and indeed, the very complex nature and causes of cancer would seem to preclude there being any one magic drug or herb... (read more)

Valerian is a European herb that we find grows very well here in the Ozarks. Its fragrant white flowers and glossy leaves make it a favorite in our herb gardens. Valerian is a perennial that requires a fairly rich soil, with at least moderate moisture. It appreciates partial shade, but will grow under less than ideal conditions. The root is the part most commonly used, though the flowers make a nice tea or tincture with milder effects, that with experimentation, may be found to be more suited to long-term use, particularly for anti-depressant effects... (read more)

Pleurisy Root - herbs for anthrax and smallpox noted Now is the time to go rooting around. The roots of most medicinal plants are harvested in the fall, when the top of the plant has died back. Many roots are gathered at the wrong time of year, and are sometimes only 1/3 as potent as they should be. Pleurisy Root is also known as Butterfly Weed; with a bright orange, late summer milkweed-type flower (it is a milkweed, without the milky sap); the butterflies flock to its flower-clusters. It is an easy and beautiful plant to propagate; will grow in poor, well-drained soils and any piece of the root can propagate the plant... (read more)

Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is an herb gaining new prominence that has very solid roots in traditional herbalism. The part used are the blossoms that grow in profusion on the plant. The blossoms can generally be gathered from early to mid-summer and grow wild or have been planted in hayfields through much of the U.S., and as a legume, fix a good deal of nitrogen in the soil. The fresher the blossoms are, the better their effects. A fresh tincture is a very good way to preserve them... (read more)

Violet In looking to herbal aids for people I always look first to the herbs that are abundant in many locations, can be gathered fresh over a long period and are mild-acting (which doesn't mean ineffective) and nutritional. Along with an amazingly versatile herb like Plantain, I would place Violet herb... (read more)

Dandelion One of the earliest herbs to send out leaves and flower in the spring is the easily overlooked Dandelion. Many people, especially city dwellers, look down on the "lowly" Dandelion, yet it may be one of the most important herbs for our modern times. Larger roots will be found in looser soil. Harvesters should know whether the ground they are harvesting from has had poison applied or not... (read more)

Astragalus Our next featured herb will be Astragalus, a very good immune system builder. I thought I would take the time to address the herbal approach to long-term immune deficiency. Many people use herbs like Echinacea to boost their immunity to the bacteria and viruses prevalent at this time of year. Such herbs are seen as stimulating the "surface" immune system; the body's T-cells and other "killer" cells that fight off harmful pathogens in the system... (read more)

Echinacea Echinacea has become one of the world's most popular herbs. Echinacea is also the herb that introduced me to the healing energy of herbs. Back before it became popular I set out to learn about this beautiful wildflower that grows in unique glade environments in these Ozark hills... (read more)

Maitake/Grifolia Mushroom Maitake is the Japanese name for Grifolia Frondosa, a large mushroom that grows in the eastern U.S., Europe and Asia. In the Ozarks it is found growing as a usually large mass of overlapping, scalloped fruiting bodies around the base of old stumps... (read more)

Plantain When giving herb walks I'm often asked what I consider to be the most all-around valuable herb. I'll point down at their feet to the humble plantain plant and I get incredulous looks, "well, that grows everywhere." There seems to be a misconception that the most valuable herbs have to be rare, exotic and costly... (read more)

Maca Root While our focus has always been on the amazing diversity of herbs that can be found or grown here in the Ozarks, we have recently come across a very high quality source of this remarkable herb from the mountains of Peru. And the effects of this herb do seem to live up to its ancient reputation as a tonic for impotence, loss of libido, an aphrodisiac, fertility, menopausal hot flashes and as a general energy tonic... (read more)

American Ginseng American Ginseng is an herb that is quickly disappearing from the wild, due to over-harvesting over many years. Many of the wildcrafters now, unlike those in the past, take immature roots and don't plant back the seed. Ginseng takes seven years to mature from seed... (read more)