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| alternative to orthodox antidepressants. Recent interest has also focused on hypericins, found in the plant, which have a beneficial effect on the immune system and have been used in AIDS treatment. Drink a cup of St. John's wort tea (made by mixing 2 teaspoons of the dried flowering tops to a cup of water) for menstrual pain, insomnia, and mild depression. |
| Caution: Prolonged use may increase the photosensitivity of the skin in sensitive individuals, although actual clinical reports of such incidences are extremely rare and the herb is regarded as safe in moderate use. Prolonged depression generally requires professional help; do not depend on self-help remedies. |
| Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica) |
| Nettles sting because the hairs on their stems and leaves contain histamine, which is a potent skin irritant. Thanks to its ability to ''rob the soil" and concentrate minerals and vitamins in its leaves, nettle is a good nutrient and makes a healthful spring tonic as well as a good supplement for iron-deficient anemia. |
| Description: A coarse perennial with ovate, toothed leaves covered with hairs. The flowers are small and green and hang in drooping clusters up to four inches long. The plant has creeping yellow roots and can be difficult to eradicate. |
| Parts used: Aerial parts, roots. |
| Actions: Antiseptic, antirheumatic, astringent, blood tonic, diuretic, expectorant, galactagogue, hypotensive, lowers blood sugar levels, important source of minerals, clears uric acid. |
| Uses: Nettles can be used externally in washes or hot infused oils for irritant skin rashes or as the base for massage rubs for rheumatism. Internally, nettle tea (made by adding 1 heaped teaspoon to a cup of boiling water) is also a popular folk remedy for rheumatism and can help to relieve the acute painful stage of gout. In pregnancy, nettle tea provides a useful additional source of calcium and |
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