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| in a warm place at least two weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain and bottle. Store in a cool, dark place. |
| DANDELION (Taraxacum officinale). The familiar dandelion, from woody root to toothy leaf, is one of nature's most medicinal plants. Dandelion is a tonic herb for the digestive tract, a blood cleanser and a diuretic. Eat its fresh leaves in salads and drink dandelion tea for improved liver function. Michael Tierra notes that serious cases of hepatitis have been cured with the use of dandelion tea in combination with dietary restrictions in as little as one week. |
| Dandelion's bitter taste stimulates the production of bile. According to herbalist John Lust in The Herb Book, its fresh juice is most effective, but dandelion tea will also act as a liver tonic. To make dandelion leaf tea, steep 2 teaspoons dried leaves in 1 cup boiling water; let stand 10 minutes. To make dandelion root tea, combine 1 tablespoon chopped root with 1 cup water, bring to a boil, simmer over low heat in a covered pan for 10 to 15 minutes, remove from heat and let stand an additional 5 minutes. Drink before meals. |
| EPAZOTE (Chenopodium ambrosiodes). Also known as wormseed, this strongly scented herb is popular in Mexico and Guatemala as a seasoning for corn, black beans, fish and other foods. One small sprig supposedly renders beans ''gas free,'' and the tea is used to relieve flatulence. Now naturalized in the southern U.S., epazote is sold in some markets as a seasoning for Mexican food. |
| FLAXSEED or L INSEED (Linum usitatissiumum). The crushed seeds of blue flowering flax are demulcent, mucilaginous, emollient and mildly laxative. They are used to treat inflamed mucous membranes, kidney irritation, gravel and painful urination. Flaxseeds can be ground and added to breads, cereals and other foods or sprouted and used as a salad ingredient. Flaxseed oil is a popular food supplement that adds essential fatty acids to the diet. |
| FO-TI or HO SHOU WU (Polygonum multiflorum). Fo-ti, a member of the buckwheat family, has an important place in |
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