At my new house, I don’t have internet or cell service so I have just been reading all of the books on medicinal plants. I compiled this list, enjoy!
Aloe Vera: (also similar to mozote de caballo)
Use:
The gelatin inside the leaf is used to alleviate skin problems such as burns, sunburn, insect bites, cuts, bruises, eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, and acne. It is also use on strains and sprains prevent arthritis/reduce inflammation around joints & as hair conditioner! If you ingest it treats problems like heartburn, constipation, and a lot associated with liver, gallbladder, kidney, and bladder problems.
Prepare:
Cut leaf in section and lubricate area of interest
OR separate gelatin from skin, add water, and blend (add papaya to improve flavor and enhance healing properties!)
Basil:
Use:
Improves digestion and prevents fermentation and gas in digestive tract – also used as a mild nerve tonic – eat in foods or steep in hot, not boiling, water for 5-10 minutes with honey (good for body cramps!)
Borage:
Reduce fevers and accelerate recover of patients with colds/flew (if used in excess can experience nausea/vomiting)
Prepare:
1 tsp of dried herb to 1 teacup of hot water – drink more than 2-3 cups a day for up to a week
Broom weed: (yes used to make brooms too!)
Externally an effective medicine as good skin wash and for infections and injuries – drinking tea to alleviate colds/flue/coughs/fever/burning urine
Prep:
1 cup of fresh leaves in 3 cups of water for 5 minutes – drink between meals
Castor Bean:
Constipation/anti-inflammatory/analgesic/parasites (also wormseed good for this – targets parasite with no secondary effects)
Prep:
1-2 tbsps of oil with glass of warm water
Cayenne:
Antiseptic/antibacterial – as oil used to free digestive tract of unwanted microbes, increase circulation and provide relief for colds/flu
Prep: Seasoning frequently to prevent health problems or mix warm water/ lemon/ honey/ garlic/ ginger
Chamomile:
Tea for sleep/eyewash/improve digestion/mild calmative
Cilantro/Cinnamon: Steep 1 tbsp of leaves with 1 L of water (combine mints if want) for treating upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea
Cornsilk:
Kidney stones/burning urine/bladder infection
Dry out cornsilk and add 1tbsp to 1 L of water – if not using immediately store in airtight container
Dandelion:
Inflammation/pancreas and liver problems/acne/skin diseases/anemia/age spots/water retention/low blood pressure/heart burn/insomnia/cramps and much much more
Can mix young leaves in salad but root is most potent part of plant. Boil 1 teaspoon of powdered root into 1 cup of water – drink between meals
Dwarf Poinciana:
Soak leaves in a hot bath to treat sluggishness and depression
Ginger – tons that we already know add in about any tea but also supposed to be good substitute for coffee!
Gumbo Limbo
Ingest the bark for fever/vomiting/parasites/kidney & bladder problems/cold/flu/sunstroke
Cut 10×30 cm piece of bark and then chop and boil it in about 4 L of water for about 10 minutes – tea can also be used for skin wash!
Hibiscus – best for cramps!
Hoja de estrella –
Only externally – sore muscles/skin problems/acne and pain/swelling/ headaches
Maceration by crushing leaves with fingers/blenders or boil 2 handfuls in 4L of water for about 10 minutes
Horsetail – also easily found as pill in supermarket
Kidney/bladder problems – prevent hair loss, stimulate nail growth, strength teeth/bones/skin, also used as skin wash
Lemon grass – good as tea but also used to ward off mosquitos when brewing!
Noni – easiest to find in “wild” smells awful!! (from experience also tastes horrible raw..)
Run on skin to absorb facial oil or to dry out pus from infected sore or boil
Also relieve symptoms of arthritis/diabetes/remove head lice (also pokeweed & rat killer tree good for lice)/or to staunch bleeding from deep cuts
Drink after you strain and blend fruit with pineapple or a citrus OR make a poultice (grind up more or less) and apply to skin
Papaya: Eat or make into juices (with aloe vera too!) to treat host of digestive problems or use rind of fruit to heal skin problems or “simply as a beauty treatment” – sap of trunk good for treating warts
Passion Flower – easy to spot
“Emergency herb for nervous disorders, particularly insomnia, hysteria, depressions, and nervous headaches” also ground seeds good for deworming agent
“Half-fill a glass container with leaves then top off with vodka. Seal the container and shake the bottle vigorously once a day for three weeks. Decant the liquid and store in a dark bottle for future use. Use 15-60 droplets per day for about a week. Use sparingly to avoid overdoses.”
Prickly pear cactus – very easy to grow in kitchen
Pulp used to treat skin disorders and digestive problems – also used as an INSECT REPELLANT
Prep:
Carefully peel the rind from the stem segments and chop the inner pulp into small squares. Soak the pulp in water overnight. In the morning the liquid will be very mucilaginous. Drink 3-4 glasses per day between meals. ALSO use chopped pulp to make a meal called nopal from Mexico – peel stem segments, cut the pulp into squares then coat pulp with breadcrumbs and bake!
Sansevieria:
SNAKE BITES – chew on leaves to remedy venomous SNAKE BITES –
Can also drink or use as skin wash much like aloe vera – also used to feed chickens and keep them healthy..
Jessie's High Horse 