The Pharmacy In The Forest
(Page 5 of 8)
8 parts valerian root
6 parts hops
3 parts peppermint leaves
3 parts hibiscus flowers
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It is best to soak these herbs overnight in lukewarm water,
heat up to drinking temperature in the morning, and then
strain them off. The results are excellent. One of the most
remarkable things about valerian is that it is calming, yet
does not inhibit concentration and awareness. Can the same
be said of any chemical tranquilizer?
Valerian seems to totally fascinate and hypnotize cats, so
store it carefully if there are felines about the house.
Camphorated Oil
We are always searching for relief from cold symptoms
including the inflamed sinuses and clogged nasal passages
that usually accompany a cold. Old-time drugstores used to
carry a compound called "camphorated oil" which, when
applied to inflamed or clogged areas, gave almost immediate
relief. It has long disappeared from the shelves and
several young pharmacists whom I talked to never heard of
it.
Camphorated oil is a combination of two medicinal herbs,
camphor and cottonseed oil. The camphor tree is native to
eastern Asia and grows as tall as 100 feet. It is also
cultivated in the warm subtropical regions of the United
States. The aromatic leaves are harvested and the oil is
extracted and distilled into colorless camphor crystals
which are shipped all over the world. Some pharmacies still
carry small amounts of camphor for compounding. Cottonseed
oil, sometimes also called sweet oil, may be found in
natural food stores and at times in hardware stores.
To make your own super-decongestant, place about half an
ounce of camphor crystals in a Pyrex glass with a matching
lid. Add a cup of cottonseed oil and gently warm until all
camphor crystals have dissolved in the oil. Do not heat
beyond this point. Then cover the container with a lid and
allow the mixture to cool. You have compounded a very old
prescription which is still very effective.
Podophyllum and Benzoin
Warts on the skin can be extremely irritating and there are
numerous commercial preparations which may work with
varying degrees of success, though they'll cost you. One of
the best preparations for wart removal is also a mixture of
two natural sources: podophyllum and benzoin.
Podophyllum powder is obtained from the May apple, a
perennial herb 6-18 inches high usually found in patches in
wooded areas of the eastern United States. May apple is
sometimes called mandrake, devil's apple, hog apple,
umbrella plant, and wild lemon. It may be obtained front
herbal outlets or natural food stores, if you are unable to
locate any near you in nature c . Benzoin comes from a
large tree grrowing in the Far East. It was brought to
Europe in 1498 by the Portuguese navigator Vasco da Gama,
who had obtained it from the peo ple in those regions.
Tincture of benzoin, which is an alcoholic solution, is a
yellow ish-brown fluid. Many drugstores carry it on their
shelves in two-ounce bottles.
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