www.susunweed.com
WEED WALK WITH SUSUN WEED - short
One of my first, and still one of my favorite, reasons for learning
about plants was to become more in tune with my environment: the weather,
the flows of water, the places of special energy, Mother Nature herself.
The woods are lovely and deep, and there are many mysterious and powerful
plants there, but they are special allies for special times. (Speaking
of which, the Russian government, I am told, in desperation this February,
went to consult with the witch Baba Mat, The Wise Old Woman Who Lives
In The Land Of Many Tall Trees Beyond The Black Mountains. She is rumored
to be an excellent herbalist and the only one who can save Mother Russia.)
And while I like to walk in the woods, the plants I find myself using
on a daily basis are the weeds right under my feet - in gardens, yards,
driveways, playgrounds, hospitals, fence rows, institutions, and campuses.
These ordinary plants have abilities that seem miraculous to me.
Shepherds's purse (Capsella bursa pastoris) is an annual in
the mustard family. Cut the top half of the plant when it has formed
its little heart-shaped "purses" and make a tincture to stop
bleeding. Midwives dealing with postpartum hemorrhage and menopausal
women who bleed heavily praise the prompt effectiveness of dropperful
doses (1ml).
Cleavers (Gallium aparine) is a persistent, sticky plant which
grows profusely in abandoned lots. To strengthen lymphatic activity
cut the top two-thirds of each plant while it is in flower (or setting
seeds) and tincture it in 100 proof vodka. I find it unsurpassed for
easing tender, swollen breasts, PMS symptoms, and mild lymphedema. It
is also reduces allergic reactions. I use 15-25 drops (0.5 - 1 ml) as
often as every half-hour for 4-5 hours or as needed.
Chickweed (Stellaria media) has secret dissolving powers. Ovarian
cysts, dermoid cysts, lumps in the breast and elsewhere can't hold their
own against her slippery ways when a dropperful (1 ml), is taken 4-5
times a day, persistently, for many months. And have you tried chickweed
pesto? It vibrates with antioxidant power!
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) is a persistent perennial
of lawns and gardens and one of the best-known medicinal herbs in the
world. All parts - the root, the leaves, the flowers, even the flower
stalk - strengthen the liver. A dose of 10-20 drops of the tincture
(0.5-1 ml) relieves gas, heartburn, and indigestion, as well as promoting
healthy bowel movements. A tablespoon of the vinegar works well, too.
More importantly, taken before meals, dandelion increases the production
of hydrochloric acid in the stomach, thus increasing bio-availability
of many nutrients, especially calcium. And the oil of the flowers is
an important massage balm for maintaining healthy breasts. (There's
lots more information on dandelion in Healing Wise.)
Dock, also called yellow dock, curly dock, and broad dock is
a perennial plant, which my Native American grandmothers use for "all
women's problems". I dig the yellow roots of Rumex crispus or R.
obtusifolius and tincture them; I also harvest the leaves and/or seeds
throughout the growing season to increase blood-levels of iron, reduce
menstrual flooding and cramping, and correct hormone levels.
Groundsel (Senecio vulgaris) and Ragwort (Senecio jacobea) are
some of the world's most ancient healing plants, having been found in
a grave 60,000 years old. You can use the flowering tops and leaves
to make a tincture which acts slowly to tonify the reproductive organs,
ease PMS, and stop severe menstrual pain. A dose is 5-10 drops (0.2-0.5
ml) per day; used only once a day, but for at least 3 months. (A larger
dose is used to speed up labor.)
Mallows (Malva neglecta, M. parviflora, M. sylvestres) are surprisingly
deep-rooted. The flowers, leaves, stalks, seeds, and roots are rich
in sticky mucilage which is best extracted by soaking the fresh plant
in cold water overnight or by making a medicinal vinegar. The starch
is extraordinarily soothing internally (easing sore throats, upset tummies,
heart burn, irritable bowel, colic, and constipation) and externally
(relieving bug bites, burns, sprains, and sore eyes).
Plantain, also called ribwort, pig's ear, and the bandaid plant
is a common weed of lawns, driveways, parks, and playgrounds. Identify
it by the five parallel veins running the length of each leaf. Use it
to make a healing poultice or a soothing oil widely regarded as one
of the best wound healers around. Not only does plantain increase the
speed of healing, it also relieves pain, stops bleeding, draws out foreign
matter, stops itching, prevents and stops allergic reactions from bee
stings, kills bacteria, and reduces swelling. A first-aid kit in a leaf!
I use a generous application of plantain oil or ointment on sprains,
cuts, insect bites, rashes, chafed skin, boils, bruises, chapped and
cracked lips, rough or sore hands, baby's diaper area, and burns.
St. Joan's/John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) This beautiful
perennial wildflower may be hated by sheep farmers, but herbalists adore
it. The flowering tops are harvested after they begin to bloom (traditionally
on Solstice, June 21) and prepared with alcohol, and with oil, to make
two of the most useful remedies in my first aid kit. Tincture of St.
Joan's wort not only lends one a sunny disposition, it reliably relieves
muscle aches, is a powerful anti-viral, and is my first-choice treatment
for those with shingles, sciatica, backpain, neuralgia, and headaches
including migraines. The usual dose is 1 dropperful (1 ml) as frequently
as needed. In extreme pain from a muscle spasm in my thigh, I used a
dropperful every twenty minutes for two hours, or until the pain totally
subsided. St. Joan's wort oil stops cold sores in their tracks and can
even relieve genital herpes symptoms. I use it as a sunscreen. Contrary
to popular belief, St. Joan's wort does not cause sun sensitivity -
it prevents it. It even prevents burn from radiation therapy. Eases
sore muscles, too.
Self heal (Prunella vulgaris) This scentless perennial mint
is one of the great unsung healers of the world. The leaves and flowers
contain more antioxidants - which prevent cancer and heart disease,
among other healthy traits - than any other plant tested. And as part
of the mint family, self heal is imbued with lots of minerals, especially
calcium, making it an especially important ally for pregnant, nursing,
menopausal, and post-menopausal women. I put self heal leaves in salads
in the spring and fall, make a medicinal vinegar with the flowers during
the summer, and cook the flowering tops (fresh or dried) in winter soups.
Yarrow (Achellia millefolium) This lovely perennial weed is
grown in many herb gardens for it has a multitude of uses. Cut the flowering
tops (use only white-flowering yarrow) and use your alcohol to make
a strongly-scented tincture that you can take internally to prevent
colds and the flu (a dose is 10-20 drops, or up to 1 ml). I carry a
little spray bottle of yarrow tincture with me when I'm outside and
wet my skin every hour or so. A United States Army study showed yarrow
tincture to be more effective than DEET at repelling ticks, mosquitoes,
and sand flies. You can also make a healing ointment with yarrow flower
tops and your oil or fat. Yarrow oil is antibacterial, pain-relieving,
and incredibly helpful in healing all types of wounds.
Susun Weed
PO Box 64
Woodstock, NY 12498
Fax: 1-845-246-8081
For permission to reprint this article, contact us at: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Susun Weed - PO Box 64, Woodstock, NY 12498 (fax) 1-845-246-8081
Visit Susun Weed at: www.susunweed.com
and www.wisewomanbookshop.com
Susun Weed’s books include: |
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Wise Woman Herbal for the Childbearing Year
Author: Susun S. Weed. Simple, safe remedies for pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, and newborns. Includes herbs for fertility and birth control. Foreword by Jeannine Parvati Baker. 196 pages, index, illustrations.
Retails for $17.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
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Healing Wise
Author: Susun S. Weed. Superb herbal in the feminine-intuitive mode. Complete instructions for using common plants for food, beauty, medicine, and longevity. Introduction by Jean Houston. 312 pages, index, illustrations. Retails for $21.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com |
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NEW Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way
Author: Susun S. Weed. The best book on menopause is now better. Completely revised with 100 new pages. All the remedies women know and trust plus hundreds of new ones. New sections on thyroid health, fibromyalgia, hairy problems, male menopause, and herbs for women taking hormones. Recommended by Susan Love MD and Christiane Northrup MD. Introduction by Juliette de Bairacli Levy. 304 pages, index, illustrations.
Retails for $27.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
For excerpts visit: www.menopause-metamorphosis.com
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Breast Cancer? Breast Health!
Author: Susun S. Weed. Foods, exercises, and attitudes to keep your breasts healthy. Supportive complimentary medicines to ease side-effects of surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, or tamoxifen. Foreword by Christiane Northrup, M.D. 380 pages, index, illustrations. Retails for $21.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
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Down There: Sexual and Reproductive Health the Wise Woman Way
Publication date: June 21, 2011
Author: Susun S. Weed
Simple, successful, strategies cover the entire range of options -- from mainstream to radical -- to help you choose the best, and the safest, ways to optimize sexual and reproductive health.
Foreword: Aviva Romm, MD, midwife, 484 pages, Index, illustrations. Retails for $29.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
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Abundantly Well - Seven Medicines
The Complementary Integrated Medical
Revolution
Publication date: December 2019
Author: Susun S. Weed
Seven Medicines build foundational health and guide you to the best health care when problems arise.
Includes case studies, recipes, exentsive references and resources. Introduction by Patch Adams illustrated by Durga
Yael Bernhard 352 pages, index, illustrations Retails for $24.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
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Susun Weed's Video & CD's: |
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Weeds to the Wise DVD Video
Visit Susun's farm for a weed walk. Hear her talk on the Three Traditions of Healing. Make infusion with her. Fun! (1 hour VHS video) Please note: this VHS video tape is in NTSC format which may not be compatible with video players outside of the USA and Canada. Retails for $29.95
Order at: www.wisewomanbookshop.com
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Susun Weed's "It's Time"
Wise Woman Center
25th Anniversary Celebration CD
GODDESS CHANTS CD
Visit www.goddesschants.com to hear all the songs, read lyrics &
learn about the artists.
18 Wise Woman Songs & Chants from the heart
Price: $15.00
Order this CD in our Bookshop
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For Wholesale orders see our terms
letter or contact us at:
Ash Tree Publishing PO Box 64 Woodstock, NY 12498 ~ Phone/Fax:
1-845-246-8081
Website: www.wisewomanbookshop.com ~ E-mail: susunweed@herbshealing.com
Susun
Weed, green witch and wise woman, is an extraordinary teacher with
a joyous spirit, a powerful presence, and an encyclopedic knowledge
of herbs and health. She is the voice of the Wise Woman Way, where common
weeds, simple ceremony, and compassionate listening support and nourish
health/wholeness/holiness. She has opened hearts to the magic and medicine
of the green nations for decades. Ms. Weed's Six herbal medicine
books focus on women's health topics including: menopause, childbearing,
and breast health. Visit her site www.susunweed.com for information on her workshops, apprenticeships, correspondence courses
and more! Venture into the
Menopause site www.menopause-metamorphosis.com to learn all about the Menopausal Years the Wise Woman Way. Join Susuns Mentorship site for personal one on one mentorship!
We also invite you to visit our commerce site www.wisewomanbookshop.com to learn about our Wise Woman publications, workshops, correspondence courses. As well as online courses at Wise Woman School.
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