MATERIA MEDICA

From Deb's forthcoming book, How To Move Like A Gardener: Planting and Preparing Medicines from Plants

ASHWAGANDHA

Latin Name: Withania somnifera
Common name: Ashwagandha, Winter cherry
Family: Solanaceae
Place of Origin: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka
Part used: Root
Energy: Warm
Flavor: Bitter, sweet

Cultivation: Grown as an annual in New England. Start seeds indoors in late
March or early April in a 70-75 F greenhouse, in a warm window sill, or on a
heat mat. Seeds need light and warmth to germinate. Carefully press the
seeds into organic potting soil. Avoid covering the seeds with soil and keep
them moist by watering with a gentle spray nozzle or mister. In Avena¹s
greenhouse we use 3 inch deep pots when planting ashwagandha seeds and place
plastic domes atop the seed trays to keep the seeds moist. Seeds germinate
in 7-14 days. Seed quality and adequate heat enhance germination. You can
also purchase seedlings from mail order companies (see Appendix _).
We transplant individual seedlings into 4 inch pots when they reach 1-2
inches in height. Once the plants reach 4 inches in height, and there is no
longer any danger of frost, we transplant the seedlings, 8 inches apart,
into a hot sunny location in soil that is well-drained. We mulch the
seedlings with straw and rarely water them. They thrive without much water.
Ashwagandha is transplanted into a different garden bed for three summers
before circling back around to a bed it was previously grown in.

Harvest: In mid-October we first collect the seeds (ideally on a fruit day,
biodynamic calendar) when their outer coat is red, dry them on paper towels,
and store them in glass jars. Following the biodynamic calendar we dig the
first year ashwagandha roots on root days, wash and chop them, and lay them
out to dry in a drying room where no other herbs are drying. The smell of
good quality ashwagandha roots is strong and we prefer to keep them
separated from other drying herbs. Once the roots are dry they can be made
into tea, tincture or ground into a powder. Herbalist David Winston says the
dried root starts to lose its activity after two years. Pg 141, Adaptogens

Annual in temperate zones. Herbaceous perennial in the tropics.

Actions: Adaptogen, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-tumor, mild
astringent, nervine, immune amphoteric, rejuvenative, reproductive tonic

Indications:
Gynaecology: Excellent post-partum energy tonic and as a stimulant for milk
production. Tones uterine muscles. Can be used as part of a formula for
women with dysmenorrhoea or amenorrhoea. Eases a variety of peri-menopausal
and menopausal symptoms including insomnia, anxiety, agitation,
restlessness, fatigue, cloudy thinking, and muscle pain.
Immunity: Adaptogenic and rejuvenative tonic. Beneficial to people with
autoimmune conditions such as rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, cancer, and
chronic connective tissue disorders. Appears to have both immunosuppressive
and immune tonic qualities, bringing a depleted, overly stimulated or
stressed body back into balance. (pg 133, Pole, Adaptogens, pg 140) Donald
Yance recommends using ashwagandha during and after radiation therapy as he
says it ³significantly increases white blood-cell count, reducing leucopenia
caused by radiation and immune suppressive drugs.².Pg 127, Herbal Medicine,
Healing and Cancer
Nerves: Calming and strengthening to the nervous system without
over-stimulating. Tonic to the central nervous system. Effective for nervous
and depleted conditions such as anxiety, nervous exhaustion, impaired
memory, insomnia, ADHD, and chronic debilitation due to physical and mental
overwork. Calms the mind and promotes a deep, restful sleep.
Reproductive: Female and male reproductive tonic. Increases sperm motility
and sperm count.
Tissues: Improves poor muscle tone. Beneficial to children and the elderly
who suffer from emaciation and anemia. Rich in iron, use the powdered roots
in warm milk with black strap molasses for women with iron-deficient anemia.
(Winston, pg 140) Useful for people who feel debilitated and/or have a low
body weight. Helpful for reducing inflammation and strengthening muscle tone
post-surgically.
Thyroid: Useful in hypothyroid disorders. Enhances endocrine function.


Preparation and Dosage

Powder: 1/2-1 tsp powder in 4-8 oz of warm dairy (or oat, nut or seed milk)
with honey, once or twice per day. Mix the powder into honey or ghee if you
do not drink milk. Ayurvedic practitioners recommend using ashwagandha
powder in a ³reproductive tissue building carrier²; milk, ghee, almond milk
and honey.
Pg 134, Pole Ashwagandha powder can be mixed in a 50/50 ratio with organic
ghee and taken in teaspoon doses, 2-3 times per day.
Tincture (1:3 or 1:5): made from dried roots, take 1/4-1 teaspoon, 3 times
per day.

Herbalist and author Anne McIntyre has been coming to teach Ayurveda at
Avena Botanicals for many years. Our favorite bed time drink is warm almond
milk with ashwagandha powder, rose water, a pinch of cardamom (enhances a
meditative state), and honey. Deliciously relaxing. Anne says taking
ashwagandha consistently for a year will give you the strength of a horse
for the next 10 years.

Safety considerations: Not recommended during acute infections, or for a
person with severe congestion or high ama (thick coated tongue, chronic
constipation). Because of the roots warming qualities it may be too heating
for people who run hot. May potentiate action of barbituates. (Adaptogens, p
141) Traditionally used in India in small amounts, less than 3 grams/day,
during pregnancy to calm a restless fetus and strengthen the mother. Pg 39,
Herbal Therapy and Supplements In the west it¹s use during pregnancy is not
recommended because of possible spasmolytic activity to the uterus. Best to
consult with your midwife and Ayurvedic practitioner if pregnant. ³The
evidence contradicting its use during pregnancy is limited and questionable,
and Ayurvedic practitioners have used it traditionally during pregnancy²
writes Aviva Romm, pg 202, from her book Botanical Medicine For Women¹s
Health.
Avoid using if you have an allergy or sensitivity to plants in the
nightshade family (ie: tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant). Consult your health
care practitioner if you have hyperthyroidism before using ashwagandha as it
stimulates the thyroid.
Long-term safety: No safety issues expected.

Bibliography


Lad V, Frawley D. (1986). The Yoga of Herbs. Santa Fe, NM: Lotus Press.

McIntyre, A. The Complete Woman¹s Herbal. (1994). New York, NY: Henry Holt
and Company, Inc., and Herbal Treatment of Children: Western and Ayurvedic
Perspectives. (2005). London: Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann.

Pole S. (2006). Ayruvedic Medicine. London: Churchill Livingstone.

Romm A. (2010) Botanical Medicine for Women¹s Health. St Louis, Missouri:
Churchill Livingstone.

Tierra L. (2003). Healing With the Herbs of Life. Berkeley, CA: Crossing
Press.

Trickey R. (2003). Women, Hormones and the Menstrual Cycle. Crows Nest NSW:
Australia: Allen and Unwin.

Winston, D, Kuhn M. (2001). Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Philadelphia,
PA: Lippincott.

Winston D, Maimes S. (2007). Adaptogen: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and
Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Yance D. (1999). Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer. Chicago, IL: Keats
Publishing.


ASTRAGALUS

Latin Name: Astragalaus membranaceus
Common Names: Milk Vetch
Family: Fabaceae
Place of Origin: China
Part used: Root, 4 year old
Energy: Slightly warm, moist
Flavor: Sweet

Cultivation:
The small kidney-shaped seeds have a hard outer coat and will germinate more
effectively if aided by rubbing with sandpaper, soaking overnight in water,
or by placing the plant pots or trays on bottom heat. Sometimes I use a
rhizobium inoculant (available from seed companies) to enhance germination.
In Avena¹s greenhouse we sow the seeds in 50 plug trays in late March. The
seeds are light dependant so gently tamping them into organic potting mix
works best. Germination generally occurs in 5-10 days. Be aware of mice.
They love to nibble at astragalus sprouts. We transplant the seedlings into
4 inch pots when they are 2 inches tall and then plant them outdoors in late
June, spacing them 12-18 inches apart. Astragalus prefers well drained soil
that is not high in nitrogen. It is an excellent herb to plant as part of a
4 year crop rotation for improving the quality of the soil. Being a member
of the pea family, astragalus helps to fix nitrogen. We grow astragalus on a
south-facing slope that has excellent drainage and in an area we rarely
water. Be sure to not over-water or over-fertilize this wonderful herb. W

Harvest: We collect astragalus seeds in October before the papery outer
layer opens and dry them in a paper bag hung in our herb drying room. We dig
four year old roots (on a root day) in mid to late October. The long
yellowish tap roots can grow to be 3-4 feet long. We use a transplanting
spade (longer and thinner than a standard spade) for digging roots as it is
important to dig a deep, steep-sided hole and obtain as much of the whole
root as possible. The outer bark of good quality astragalus is thin and the
roots feel firm and a bit flexible. Once our roots are washed and chopped,
we lay some out to dry and the rest are decocted fresh in water for 12 hours
before being ground and made into a tincture.

Perennial, hardy to minus 15 F.

Actions: Adaptogen, antioxidant, chi tonic, diuretic, hepato-protective,
immune tonic, lung tonic

Indications:

Cardiovascular: Improves cardiac blood flow. Herbalist David Winston
recommends combining astragalus with other Chinese herbs (Salvia
miltiorrhiza, Angelica sinensis, and Corydalis yanhusuo) for treating angina
and congestive heart failure. FOOTNOTE, PG 149, Adaptogens

Digestion: Strengthens digestion and metabolism. Increases appetite.

Gynaecology: Aviva Romm discusses the use of astragalus in a treatment
protocol for women with HPV (human papilloma virus) and chronic cervicitis.
She combines an external herbal treatment for genital wars with an oral
tincture containing astragalus root, ashwagandha root, reishi mushroom,
Echinacea root and usnea lichen for boosting the immune system. Pg 269,
Botanical Medicine for Women¹s Health Excellent herb for lifting prolapsed
organs-uterus, rectum, bladder, hemorrhoids- and for raising the energy of
women who feel physically and mentally exhausted. In Traditional Chinese
Medicine (TCM) astragalus is used to reduce menopausal sweating and night
sweats. FOOTNOTE, PG 148, Adaptogens

Immunity: Use in tea and in soup stocks throughout the fall and winter to
strengthen immunity and build a resistance to colds, flu, bronchitis,
pneumonia, and other externally contracted conditions. Chinese herbalist
Lesley Tierra says ³In cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, astragalus
protects adrenal cortical function; decreasing bone marrow suppression,
increasing white blood cell count, lessening chemotherapy and radiation side
effects, and inhibiting spread of tumors². (Lesley Tierra, L.Ac., O.M.D,
Healing With The Herbs of Life, pg 52)

Liver: Protects the liver against toxic substances, including carbon
tetrachloride (pg 127, D. Yance), and prevents liver damage caused by
medications and viruses. (FOOTNOTE, PG 149, ADAPTOGENS)

Lungs: Strengthens chronically weak lungs, treats shortness of breath.
Skin: Useful for people with first, second or third degree burns.

Preparation and Dosage:
Decoction: Simmer 4 tablespoon of dried root in 16 ounces of water for 30
minutes. Steep 1-2 hours. Drink 2-3 cups per day.
Soup stock: Simmer IMMUNE SOUP DIRECTIONS NEEDED
Powder: 1/2-1 tsp, mixed in hot water, warm milk, or in hot cereal, one to
three times per day.
Tincture (1:4): 1/4-1 tsp, three times per day.

Safety considerations: Not recommended during acute infections, such as
cold, flu, fever or pneumonia.


Bibliography

Hoffman D. (2003). Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Romm A. (2010) Botanical Medicine for Women¹s Health. St Louis, Missouri:
Churchill Livingstone.

Schaefer P. (2011). The Chinese Medicinal Herb Farm. White River Junction,
VT: Chelsea Green Publishing.

Tierra L. (2003). Healing With the Herbs of Life. Berkeley, CA: Crossing
Press.

Winston, D, Kuhn M. (2001). Herbal Therapy and Supplements. Philadelphia,
PA: Lippincott.

Winston D, Maimes S. (2007). Adaptogen: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and
Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Yance D. (1999). Herbal Medicine, Healing and Cancer. Chicago, IL: Keats
Publishing.




BURDOCK

Latin Name: Arctium lappa
The genus Arctium is derived from the Greek arktos, Bear. Many indigenous
people revere the Bear as a great herbalist and collector of medicinal
plants.
Common Names: Beggar¹s buttons
Family: Asteraceae
Place of Origin: Temperate Europe and Asia
Parts used: root (gathered in fall of first year or very early the following
spring), and seed
Energy: Cooling
Flavor: Bitter, sweet, oily

Cultivation:
Direct seed, 2-3 inches apart and 1/2 inch deep, into raised beds in early
spring as soon as the soil can be cultivated. Choose garden beds that are
easy to dig and where the soil is deep. Some people use wooden sides when
forming their raised beds as burdock can grow a long taproot and be
challenging to dig. Seeds germinate in 1-2 weeks. Mulch young plants with
straw.

Harvest: With a transplanting spade, dig the roots in October or November,
once the plant has died back, following the biodynamic calendar. Take good
care to loosen the soil around the roots before attempting to unearth them.
With extra patience the root will emerge unbroken. Roots have a thin, light
brown outer skin and are white and fleshy within. Wash the roots before
storing or processing. They can be stored whole in a plastic bag in the
refrigerator for several months for cooking purposes. In Avena¹s
apothecary, we tincture burdock roots fresh. Roots can also be chopped and
dried for winter and spring time teas. Burdock root is found growing wild in
many places in the northern hemisphere. As with any wild-crafted herb, be
sure its environment is clean and safe to harvest from, and that you have
properly identified the plant.

Actions: Alterative, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, liver tonic, lymph tonic,
nutritive

Indications:

Digestion: Bitter taste stimulates digestive activity, rebuilds strength and
vitality, lessens sweet cravings, and relieves gas, indigestion and
constipation. Mucilaginous qualities of the root lubricate lower
gastro-intestinal tract tissue and help ease gastritis and irritable bowel
syndrome. Burdock root contains inulin, a rich source of
fructo-oliogosaccharides (FOS), which enhances the growth of healthy bowel
flora. As an alterative, burdock root has long been revered for its ability
to remove accumulated waste from the body and bring the body into a balanced
state of health.
Gynaecology: Useful in formulas for women with a prolapsed uterus and as a
nutritive herb for women in menopause.

Kidneys: The roots mild diuretic action on the kidneys help clear the blood
of harmful acids, and reduce fluid retention, urinary calculi, and low back
pain.

Liver: For women, the health of the liver is significant because it helps
break down and eliminate excess levels of hormones like estrogen. A
congested liver is less able to deal with peak levels of sex hormones,
resulting in a wide range of discomforts such as breast tenderness, water
retention, depression, frustration, anger, fatigue, and sluggish digestion.

Lymph: Decongestant for lymph tissue; use as part of a formula for enlarged
and tender lymph nodes, lymphedema, fibrocystic breast tissue, and mastitis.

Skin: A tincture of burdock seed can be taken internally for treating
psoriasis and other dry, crusty, and scaly skin conditions. Burdock leaf can
be applied externally to heal wounds and ulcers.

Preparation and Dosage:
Decoction: 3-4 TBL of fresh or dried root to 3 cups of water, simmer for
10-15 minutes, then steep 30-40 minutes, drink 1-3 cups/day
Tincture: (1:4), fresh or dried root, take 1/4-1 teaspoon, 3-4 times per day
Soup stock: Simmer

Safety considerations: Diarrhea. Not recommended to use concurrently with
insulin or with oral anti-diabetic agents because of possible increased
hypoglycemia.(Kuhn and Winston, Herbal Therapy and Supplements)






SOLOMON¹S SEAL

Latin Name: Polygonatum biflorum, P. biflorum var. commutatum, P.
multiflorum (native to Europe)
Common name: True Solomon¹s Seal, Giant Solomon¹s Seal
Family: Ruscaceae, formerly in the Liliaceae Family
Place of Origin: North America (eastern deciduous forests of U.S. and
Canada), other species are found in Asia and Europe
Parts used: Rhizome
Energy: Cool, moist
Flavor: Sweet, slightly acrid

Cultivation: Fresh (undried) seeds can be sown into a prepared seed bed
(forest soil) in the fall. Seeds need to freeze and thaw through the
winter and early spring months and can take a few years to germinate.
(Horizon Herbs sells fresh, prestratified seeds) This plant is hardy to
minus 40 F. I have found it simpler and easier to purchase seedlings from a
reputable native plant nursery. My first seedlings came from Prairie Moon
Nursery in Winona, Wisconsin. True Solomon¹s Seal is commonly found growing
around old New England farmhouses. I have tried transplanting older roots
without much success. The Solomon¹s seal bed growing in Avena¹s garden
receives morning shade and afternoon sun and is protected from deer who
enjoy munching the luscious stalks. The rhizomes have spread thickly over
several years, creating a crowded mat-like bed. Richo Czech from Horizon
Herbs says ³root restriction is relished².
I hope more herb growers will organically grow beds of solomon¹s seal for
herbal medicine makers. This herb has great medicinal value.

Harvest: I waited seven years before harvesting any rhizomes from Avena¹s
bed. I harvest the rhizomes in the fall once the stalks have dried up and
the berries have dropped. I use a clean sharp knife for slicing the rhizomes
and a hori-hori and small border fork for lifting the rhizomes out of the
soil. I prefer to tincture the juicy rhizomes fresh. For making oil we chop
the rhizomes and dry wilt them for 24 hours before infusing them in organic
olive oil at 100 F for two weeks.

Matthew Wood writes in The Book of Herbal Wisdom ³The horizontal rhizome
under the ground, with the vertical stalk rising up from it indicates a wolf
medicine. ŠThe Wolf Medicines usually have a ninety-degree angle in their
construction, indicating an affinity to making profound changes or turns in
life. They help bring a person to a transformative place, or help them go
through a change, or help them adapt to a change that has already occurred.
The ninety-degree angle represents joints in the organism, and key-joints in
the path of life.² (pg 402, 404)

Actions: Chi tonic, demulcent, kidney tonic, nutritive, rejuvenative,
restorative to muscular system.

Indications:

Digestion: Nutritive and lubricating. Moistens and soothes the mucosa lining
of the intestines and helps relieve dry constipation and gastritis.

Gynaecology: Lubricating and healing to dry vaginal tissue and cervicitis.
Emotionally supportive for women experiencing menopausal changes. Cooling to
women with hot flashes or who feel emotionally over-heated. Use in
combination with other herbs to prevent or treat a prolapsed uterus.

Muscular skeletal: Reduces inflammation, tightness and pain. Strengthens,
tones, lubricates, and repairs injuries to the tendons, ligaments,
attachments and joints. I have found taking the root tincture over several
months to resolve my own and other gardeners tendonitis (located in the
forearms), to resolve overly-tight or overly-loose tendons, ligaments,
attachments and joints and relieve repetitive use injuries such as carpal
tunnel syndrome. I always add solomon¹s seal root into a formula for broken
bones. David Winston says it helps ³nourish cartilaginous tissue and heal
old, poorly healed trauma injuries. It can be of benefit for torn rotator
cuffs, compressed discs, mild tears of the meniscus or ACL and Sacroilica
joint pain². (class notes)

Respiratory tract: The rhizome¹s moistening and demulcent properties soothe
dry coughs and dry, irritated lung tissue.

Preparation and Dosage:

Decoction: Simmer dried root, 1 tablespoon per 8 ounces of water, 10-15
minutes. Steep another 30-45 minutes before drinking. Drink 1-2 cups per
day.
Powder: The mucilaginous roots are not easy to powder. A special grinder is
needed so as to not gum up the rotating blades. I often give the powder to
people using this medicine for more than 5-6 months. Mix 1 tsp into warm
(not overly hot) cooked cereal or blended in a green drink.
Tincture: (1:5) ____%alcohol. Take 1/2 tsp, 2-3 times per day. Herbalist
Matthew Wood uses small doses, 1-5 drops daily.
Oil: Use as often as needed for muscular skeletal conditions.

Safety considerations: Berries are toxic.

Bibliography:

Garran, Thomas Avery. (2008). Western Herbs According to Traditional Chinese
Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Wood, Matthew. (2009). The Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World
Medicinal Plants. Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic Books, and The Book of Herbal
Wisdom (1997)