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| painful experience) for relief form sciatica, lumbago, neuritis and arthritis. |
| Oatstraw (Avena sativa) |
| Both oats (the familiar grain) and oatstraw (the plant's grass) are nutritive tonics for the nervous system, recommended for internal and external use in the treatment of nervous exhaustion, irritability, stress and general debility, all conditions that can accompany inflammatory disease. Though not a specific for these disorders, oats play an important supportive role. A calming tea made of equal parts oats or oatstraw, chamomile and lemon balm is both mild and effective. Oatstraw is harvested green, when the plant is young, or golden and mature. Both types are made into tinctures and sold dried for tea. Which is better? Herbalists disagree, so try both and see which you prefer. In addition to brewing oatstraw tea for drinking (I teaspoon tea per cup of boiling water), brew an extra strong infusion (1/4 to 1/2 cup dried tea per quart) and add it to your bath at bed time. Oatstraw baths are delightfully aromatic and relaxing. |
| Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum americanum) |
| The bark of the prickly ash tree stimulates circulation, though it is slower acting and more gentle than |
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