ⓕⓡⓔⓔⓑⓞⓞⓚ › Indian Herbalogy of North America | Page 95

Dose: Place 1 tablespoonful of Chaparral leaves and small twigs into a glass screw-top jar. Pour 1 pt. of boiling water over this, cover and let stand overnight. Do not refrigerate, do not remove surface settlement. Drink a quarter of the liquid ½ hr. before each meal and at night time.
To some, the strong taste of creosote is unpleasant as a tea. Different strengths of tablets are available. Tablet form, 1 before each meal and 1 at bedtime. When using the loose tea in the above amounts, approximately 40 per cent of the available properties is extracted with total daily intake around 200 – 250 mg. Herbalists combine other herbs with Chaparral as case requires. Externally: Our Indian nation of Papoga, Pimas and Maricopas of the south-western states boiled the leaves and branches for bruises and rheumatism. In some areas salt was added to the boiled herb for the above. The dry heated leaves and branches were applied as a poultice for chest and other body pain. Young branches were sharpened, placed in the fire until hot, then inserted into tooth cavities to relieve pain. Veterinary: After the resins have been obtained for commercial use as a preservative, the leaf residue is fed to livestock. It contains as much protein as Alfalfa.
“ In springtime if an old cow can pull through until the greasewood puts out tender shoots she will get fat, shed off her old rough winter coat, and be glossy and pretty in four weeks, and she will bring her calf and be able to nurse it into a fine animal. This drama of life I have witnessed year after year for the past 50 or more.”— Ralph W. Davis, N. D., H-O-H, August 1971.
CHERRY BARK Prunus virginiana, L.( N. O.: Rosaceae)
Common Names: Wild Black Cherry Bark, Choke Cherry. Features: This large fruit tree is native to North America and is found in Canada, Florida, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Louisiana, Texas.
The outside bark is blackish and rugged. The young branches are smooth, red or purplish; flowers appear after the leaves in May and June, followed by the delicious Cherry in August. The bark has a distinct aromatic odour, resembling bitter almond when macerated in water; the taste is astringent and agreeably bitter. The young, thin bark is the best; very large or small branches should be rejected. Stem bark is collected in the autumn and carefully dried; slouching dead tissue, if present, should be removed. Will keep well in tightly closed containers in a dark place. Solvent: Hot or cold water. Medicinal Part: The young thin bark. Bodily Influence: Mild tonic, Soothing astringent, Sedative, Pectoral. Uses: Wild Cherry bark is extensively used in cough medicines as a vehicle base. This agent is useful in many other classes of disease. For diarrhoea of children it is excellent in the form of syrup and may be pleasantly combined with neutralizing cordial; lack of stomach tone causing indigestion will be greatly relieved. Cough, Bronchitis, Scrofula, Heart palpitation( should not be used in dry cough), Dyspepsia, Hectic fever, debility of old or protracted and enfeebled cases of congested feeling of phlegm in the throat and chest. It contains a small amount of hydrocyanic acid. The Cherry contains malic acid, and is high in life-giving properties.