Medicine and Salves
Below is information on often used plants and herbs that were used for medical use. (Including creating salves for skin irritation)
Birch Bark
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Birch bark is traditionally used for building canoes but has been used for medicine as well. Teas and ointments were made from the birch. To achieve this the leaves, roots and bark were crushed.
For skin irritation, the Birch bark was crushed and mixed to create a salve.
The leaves of Birch are said to contain chemicals that increase water loss through the urine. Birch bark is also high in betulin and betulinic acid which was an active ingredient when treating skin irritation.
The pharmacological properties of betulin protect the liver from toxic chemicals and reduce the toxic effects of radiation and chemo therapy.
For skin irritation, the Birch bark was crushed and mixed to create a salve.
- Cleansing the body
- Eliminates urinary tract infections
- Sleeping aid for insomnia
- The oil extracted from the Birch is known to help skin irritation
- Purifying blood
The leaves of Birch are said to contain chemicals that increase water loss through the urine. Birch bark is also high in betulin and betulinic acid which was an active ingredient when treating skin irritation.
The pharmacological properties of betulin protect the liver from toxic chemicals and reduce the toxic effects of radiation and chemo therapy.
Tea Tree (Melaleuca)
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The Aboriginal people of Australia often chewed Melaleuca leaves to help relieve headaches. The leaves are also steamed to give off an aroma to destroy general sickness (headache, cough, sneezing. ect)
Today Tea Tree oil is extracted from Malaleuca (tea tree oil) and is used to help mild cases of acne and athletes foot. Tea tree oil is also sold and used to help eliminate warts and is an active ingredient in minor burn treatment.
Take a look at the PDF for more information
Today Tea Tree oil is extracted from Malaleuca (tea tree oil) and is used to help mild cases of acne and athletes foot. Tea tree oil is also sold and used to help eliminate warts and is an active ingredient in minor burn treatment.
Take a look at the PDF for more information
![](http://www.weebly.com/weebly/images/file_icons/pdf.png)
melaleuca-information-sheet.pdf | |
File Size: | 216 kb |
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Aloe Vera
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Aloe Vera has been use for more then 5, 000 years, and traces of it have been found in numerous civilizations (traditional Chinese medicine, ancient Mediterranean civilization, ancient Egypt, Greece and more. Traditionally it was used for sunburns and soothing the skin and treating wounds. It is due to the chemical compound, saponin which is an antimicrobial agent.
This information is from: Indian J Dermatol. Aloe Vera: A Short Review. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Date Unknown. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- Vitamins: It contains vitamins A (beta-carotene), C and E, which are antioxidants. It also contains vitamin B12, folic acid, and choline. Antioxidant neutralizes free radicals.
- Enzymes: It contains 8 enzymes: aliiase, alkaline phosphatase, amylase, bradykinase, carboxypeptidase, catalase, cellulase, lipase, and peroxidase. Bradykinase helps to reduce excessive inflammation when applied to the skin topically, while others help in the breakdown of sugars and fats.
- Minerals: It provides calcium, chromium, copper, selenium, magnesium, manganese, potassium, sodium and zinc. They are essential for the proper functioning of various enzyme systems in different metabolic pathways and few are antioxidants.
- Sugars: It provides monosaccharides (glucose and fructose) and polysaccharides: (glucomannans/polymannose). These are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant and are known as mucopolysaccharides. The most prominent monosaccharide is mannose-6-phosphate, and the most common polysaccharides are called glucomannans [beta-(1,4)-acetylated mannan]. Acemannan, a prominent glucomannan has also been found. Recently, a glycoprotein with antiallergic properties, called alprogen and novel anti-inflammatory compound, C-glucosyl chromone, has been isolated from Aloe vera gel.7,8
- Anthraquinones: It provides 12 anthraquinones, which are phenolic compounds traditionally known as laxatives. Aloin and emodin act as analgesics, antibacterials and antivirals.
- Fatty acids: It provides 4 plant steroids; cholesterol, campesterol, β-sisosterol and lupeol. All these have anti-inflammatory action and lupeol also possesses antiseptic and analgesic properties.
- Hormones: Auxins and gibberellins that help in wound healing and have anti-inflammatory action.
- Others: It provides 20 of the 22 human required amino acids and 7 of the 8 essential amino acids. It also contains salicylic acid that possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Lignin, an inert substance, when included in topical preparations, enhances penetrative effect of the other ingredients into the skin. Saponins that are the soapy substances form about 3% of the gel and have cleansing and antiseptic properties.
This information is from: Indian J Dermatol. Aloe Vera: A Short Review. National Center for Biotechnology Information. Date Unknown. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
Sage (Artmisia ludoviciana)
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The Aboriginals used Sage for its cleansing smoke and also used as a salve to treat various skin conditions, sore throats, and fight respiratory and stomach ailments. When Aboriginals used sage they often combined it with steam vapour and inhale to treat respiratory conditions.
Cedar
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Cedar was also widely valued for its healing abilities. Yellow Cedar bark, which has anti-inflammatory properties, was frequently applied as a dressing for wounds, as a tourniquet, or to ward off evil. Many beliefs and taboos are also associated with the cedar tree. The leaves were made into salves that were mixed with animal fat that would help sooth stiff joints. Aromatic, astringent, diuretic.