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Page 52
| Therapeutic effects: A simple and effective astringent and hemostatic, useful internally or topically. |
| Preparations and dosages: Tincture [1:5, 50% alcohol, 10% glycerin] in 1/2 to 1 teaspoon doses. Strong decoction, 1 to 4 ounces, both to 4x a day. The whole herb as a standard infusion as needed. |
| Cubeb Berries |
| (Piper cubeb) |
| Part(s) used: Unripe dried berries. |
| Therapeutic effects: An aromatic disinfectant; like eucalyptus, it affects both the urinary tract and lungs. |
| Preparations and dosages: Tincture [1:5, 80% alcohol] 10 to 30 drops. Capsules, #00, 1 to 3. To 3x a day for up to a week. |
| Contraindications: Active inflammation, nephritis or a history of same. Cubeb berries scent the urine harmlessly. Extended use is discouraged and it may be contraindicated in a delicate pregnancy, just to be safe. |
| Dandelion |
| (Taraxacum spp.) |
| Part(s) used: The root, gathered in the fall of the first year or the spring of the second year, preferably gathered from areas with distinct, cold winters. The leaf should be gathered in the spring, while still in active flowering. I prefer the root as a medicine. |
| Therapeutic effects: Like burdock, chicory and couchgrass, dandelion stimulates sodium excretion by the kidneys (with subsequent increased fluid excretion). This makes it very useful as a volume diuretic, particularly for sodium retention from kidney excess and anabolic stress. Like burdock it also helps cool an overheated metabolism. Because it stimulates bile secretions (without warming or irritating the liver), it is mildly laxative as well. |
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