Medicine plants

[Firecrest]

In the UK, what plants can be used for minor problems such as headache,diaharrea, cramps, tiredness and alike? I remember Mr Mears citing a plant which was good for relieving headaches, and I know feverfew is supposed to do this to, but I don't remember what it was. Id like to try some natural remedies for headaches because I get alot of them

But do most of these kinds of remedies really work? I read in a book on old english superstitions that many plants are used to treat alements simply because they look like a part of the body, such as kidney shaped leaves being used to treat urine infections and alike. And lets face it, some things we know to be false such as cramp balls getting their names because carrying one supposedly relieved cramp, or eating a cooked mouse prevented bedwetting. should be really be as suspicious of plant medicine as we are of these things we can see are so self evidently false to the modern mind?

[Spamel]

Chewing on willow barks inner cambium layer will help relieve mild pains and headaches, you really can taste aspirin when you chew it, the salasillic (sp?) acid tasting just like aspirin does. Plantain is supposedly a fantastic cure all, but again I have no real experience in this. Wild medicine is something I would really like to learn, along with the wild food aspects that would probably go hand in hand. I'm just crap at IDing plants!

[JonnyP]

I have this as an interest and have loads of books on the subject, but need sleep, so will ave a looksy for you tomorrow.. From memory, chamomile is a relaxer and can help with headaches..

[Scotty]

Yarrow for headaches, greater plantain for stings and bites, willow for various, witchhazel for skin complaints

[MrEd]

Originally Posted by spamel

Chewing on willow barks inner cambium layer will help relieve mild pains and headaches, you really can taste aspirin when you chew it, the salasillic (sp?) acid tasting just like aspirin does. Plantain is supposedly a fantastic cure all, but again I have no real experience in this. Wild medicine is something I would really like to learn, along with the wild food aspects that would probably go hand in hand. I'm just crap at IDing plants!

Aspirin is derived from salicyclic acid, so yeh that would prob do the trick! Bear in mind aspirin is a blood thinnner (anti coagulant) aswell so good if you have heart troubles.

wild medicine, interesting!

[JonnyP]

Feverfew seems to be one of the best for headaches. Also mentioned is meadowsweet, wood betony and rosemary and a tea or tincture made from any or all of them is recommended in my herbs for common ailments book.. It also says that headaches are often caused because of another problem you may have, so maybe a trip to see your GP would be best..

[ZDP-189]

What plant is good for hangovers? Willow bark, I guess, but what else?

[Bernie Garland]

I'm told this plant is a cure all

Bernie

[JonnyP]

Originally Posted by ZDP-189

What plant is good for hangovers? Willow bark, I guess, but what else?

Hair of the dog...

[JonnyP]

Originally Posted by ZDP-189

What plant is good for hangovers? Willow bark, I guess, but what else?

Just had a look for you and raw cabbage is mentioned and also rosmary tea.
From my own experence, plenty of water is good..