Medicinal Plants, Part 2

Here’s the next installment about these common garden and backyard medicinal plants.

Dill seeds can be mashed and steeped in boiling water to create an infusion for treating indigestion, urinary tract infections, e. coli and some suggest even high blood pressure. The seeds can be chewed to freshen the breath.

Fennel seeds in an infusion treat gas, acid stomach and aids digestion. The seeds can be powdered and used as a flea repellant. There is an estrogenic effect from the seeds which caused them to be used to stimulate menstruation and post-birth milk production.

Garlic juice can be applied to skin infections. One medium clove of garlic is equal to penicillin for some uses. When treating an infection use 2 – 3 cloves a day. To treat high blood pressure eat 3-10 cloves per day. (This mainly works for HBP that is aggravated by people…eating that much garlic pretty much guarantees that everyone will stay far FAR away!...kidding). It’s also be used to treat: athlete’s foot, fungal infections, diabetes, stomach cancer, lead poisoning, worms, insect bites and as an antibiotic. To get rid of “garlic breath” chew parsley or fennel.

Iris roots and rhizomes can be used to treat abscesses, painful infections, swollen lymph and thyroid glands, excessive salivation and constipation.

Marjoram leaves and flower tops have been used to treat menstrual cramps and to aid in digestion.

Marigold flowers can be used in a poultice or infusion to treat chilblains, burns, scalds and stings. It also has antiseptic and antibacterial properties and has been used as an anti-fungal and to treat impetigo.

Click here for more information about medicinal plants.