the Plantago. Folk Medicine: Usually prepared as a tea from the fresh or dried herb, or as conserved juice of freshly picked leaves and flowers with the faithful vodka( Nastoika) after they have extracted the day’ s supply of the fresh plant. Seeds are used for inflammation of the stomach, intestines, ulcers and to reduce stomach pain. Their use coincides with the Fathers of Antiquity for all stomach conditions, gastritis, loose bowels, stomach ulcers, internal wounds, abscesses and internal bleeding. To induce appetite a drink of Plantain is given, also for kidney, bladder and heart conditions, coughs, tuberculosis of the lungs, red inflamed skin, headache and snake bites. Plantain is rich in minerals and Vitamins C, K, and factor“ T” which helps to stop bleeding( Medicine, Moscow, 1963). Clinical Testimonials: After observation of many cases of stomach sickness, it was found that chronic ulcers responded to treatment with the fresh juice of Plantain, or Nastoika( C. A. Minsoyan, A. J. Perihanian, E. C. Rudakova, M. J. Sumtzeva( Mrs.)). Also used for dysentery, dyspepsia( A. A. Goremik, Mrs.); to correct acid condition of the stomach and regulate secretion of the stomach( N. J. Krivtzova, Mrs.); the Russian Ministry of Health recommends Plantain for chronic colitis and acute stomach conditions of gastritis, enteritis, enterocolitis( Moscow University, Moscow, 1963). Externally: Extensive clinical research and experiments have proved that fresh Plantain juice is suitable for dressing wounds, ulcers, furnicles, boils( M. P. Rasman) and as a powder for abscesses, ulcers, wounds of bleeding and chronic skin conditions( Bello-Russ. Academy of Science, 1965).
PLEURISY ROOT Asclepias tuberous, L. N. O.: Asclepiadaceae)
Comman Names: BUTTERFLY WEED, SWALLOW WORT, WIND ROOT, TUBER ROOT, PLEURISY ROOT. Features: A handsome perennial herb of the Asclepiadaceae family, common in dry, gravelly and sandy soils throughout the United States and Canada. The large, irregular, yellowish-brown, tuberous roots have a nauseous, bitter taste when fresh, but are better when dried. The hairy stems, which rise to a height of 2 – 3 ft., bear alternate, lanceolate, hairy leaves, dark green above and pale beneath. The flowers are numerous, erect and of a beautifully bright orange-yellow colour, flowering in June and August, and are followed by erect, long, narrow, pubescent pods. Ascepin is the active principle. Medicinal Part: The root. Solvent: Boiling water. Bodily Influence: Pleurisy root is used for the condition which the name suggests. The influence is active to the accumulated, excessive, life-weakening mucus build-up of pleurisy, pulmonary and gastro intestinal tract. Uses: Pleurisy root is much used in decoction and / or infusion for the purpose of promoting perspiration and expectoration in diseases of the respiratory organs, inflammation of the lungs, catarrhal affections, consumption. It mitigates the pain and relieves the difficulty of breathing without being a stimulant. The root is also used for acute rheumatism and dysentery, colds, la-grippe, all bronchial congestions, bilious and burning fevers.“ It is especially a child’ s remedy, being feeble in its action in small doses, though quite certain. When freely given, it is one of the most certain diaphoretics we have, even in small doses of one drop it will markedly increase the true secretions from the skin”( Dr. Lloyd Feller).