Tag: skin diseases

Herb of the Day for July 21 is Bittersweet

Herb of the Day

Bittersweet

Medicinal Uses: The bark of the root is used.  The root-bark tea induces sweating and is diuretic and emetic. Externally the bark is used in an ointment for burns, scrapes, skin eruptions.
Bittersweet is a narcotic herb containing solanine and in large doses can paralyze the central nervous system. Bittersweet is used to treat skin diseases, bronchial conditions and asthma.  

Magickal uses: This is a masculine herb. It is ruled by the planet Mercury and its element is Air. Shepherds hung it as a charm around the necks of their animals as protection from evil.

Properties: narcotic, exportant, diuretic

Growth: This is a climbing, twining shrub. It grows up to 50 feet in height. The leaves are ovate to oblong, sharp pointed and fine-toothed. The flowers are greenish and in clusters, May to June. The fruit capsule is scarlet to orange, splitting, to reveal scarlet seeds. The stems are green and slightly hairy at first but become woody with age. It grows in hedges, wasteways and swamps. Bittersweet is found in North America and Europe.

All parts of this plant including the berries are potentially toxic.
Source:
Author: Crick

Herbology Definitions

Herbology Definitions

Alterative – Producing a healthful change without perception
Anodyne – Relieves pain
Anthelmintic – A medicine that expels worms
Aperient – Gently laxative without purging
Aromatic – A stimulant, spicy
Astringent – Causes contraction and arrests discharges
Antibilious – Acts on the bile, relieving bilousness
Antiemetic – Stops vomiting
Antileptic – Relieves siesures
Antiperiodic – Arrests morbid periodic movements
Anthilic – Prevents formation of stones in urinary organs
Antirheumatic – Relieves rheumatism
Antiscorbutic – Cures or prevents scurvy
Antiseptic – aims at stopping putrification
Antispasmodic – Relieves or prevents spasms
Antisyphilitic – Having affect or curing STD
Carminative – Expels gas in the bowels
Carthatic – Evacuating from the bowels
Cephalic – Remedies used in diseases of the head
Cholagogue – Increases flow of bile
Condiment – Improves flavor of food
Demulcent – Soothing, relieves inflammation
Deobstruent – Removes obstruction
Depurative – Purifies the blood
Detergent – Cleansing to boils, ulcers, wounds etc
Diaphoretic – Produces perspiration
Discutient – Dissolves and heals tumors
Diuretic – Increases flow of urine
Emetic – Produces vomiting
Emmenagogue – Promotes menstruation
Emollient – Softens and soothes inflamation
Esculent – Eatable as food
Expectorant – Facilitates espectoration
Febrifuge – Abates and reduces fever
Hepatic – For diseases of the liver
Herpatic – Remedy for skin diseases of all types
Laxative – Promotes bowel action
Lithontryptic – Dissolves calculi in urinary organs
Maturating – Ripens or brings boils to a head
Mucilaginous – Soothing to all inflammations
Nauseant – Produces vomiting
Nervine – Acts specifically on nervous system, stops nervous excitment
Opthalmicum – For eye diseases
Parturient – Induces and promotes labor at childbirth
Pectoral – For chest infections
Refrigerant – Cooling
Resolvent – Dissolves boils and tumors
Rubifacient – Increases circulation and produces red skin
Sedative – Nerve tonic, promotes sleep
Sialogogue – Increases secretion of saliva
Stomachic – Strengthen stomach, relieves indigestion
Styptic – Stops bleeding
Sudorfic – Produces profuse perspiration
Tonic – Remedy which is invigorating and strengthing
Vermifuge – Expels worms from the system