CELRY, CHAMOMILE & CHICKWEED USE AS HERBS

Common name: CELERY

Botanical name: APIUM GRAVEOLENS

Family: UMBELLIFERAE 

Part used: Seeds

Constituents and uses: Celery seeds have a beneficial action on the kidneys. They help to stimulate the removal of waste products from the body via the kidneys and promote the flow of urine to ' flush through' the urinary system. Both of these action are useful in arthritis, rheumatism and gout where the accumulation to acids in. The body either triggers or irritates the condition.

The main constituent of the seeds is the characteristically scented volatile oil. This is also antiseptic to the urinary system, useful in the treatment of kidney infections and cystitis. Celery is an excellent cleansing food, but the plant contains less of the active therapeutic constituents than the seeds. Take the seeds as an infusion, 3 times daily.

Common name: CHAMOMILE- GERMAN

Botanical name: MATRICARIA RECUTITA

Part used:COMPOSITAE

Part used: Flowers

Constituents and uses: There are two kinds of Chamomile used medicinally. The German Chamomile is the most widely available and has very similar properties to the other, which is known as Roman Chamomile. Both have a similar scent, emitted from the oils in the pants. 

The title 'Mother of the Gut' 

Suggests the respect in which German Camomile is held. It is anti- inflammatory, and will help soothe gastric irritation, dyspepsia, flatulence and colic: it also has a bitter constituent which helps stimulate an under- active digestion. It has a gentle relaxing influence on the nervous system generally, and is particularly useful where nervous tension is affective the digestive system. It may help women suffering from painful periods, and is useful in any problem with children where an over- excitable nature is causing difficulties. It is taken as an infusion as required  - it makes a pleasant alternative to ordinary tea. It can be obtained as an essential oil - a drop of this can be taken on a sugar cube or in honey. This can be diluted 1:20 with almond oil and used as an anti- inflammatory message oil. Alternatively it can be added to a bowl of hot water and used as a steam inhalation for irritation and inflammation in the respiratory tract.

Common name: CHICKWEED

Botanical name: STELLARIA MEDIA

 Family: CARYOPHYLLACEAE

Part used: Leaves: dried or fresh

Constituents and uses: This abundant weed can be eaten fresh, in sandwiches, and is a good source of iron. It is used for its therapeutic value as an anti-irritant when applied to the skin. It soothes and heals damaged skin, and reduces itching and irritation in rashes and eczema. It can be applied as a poultice, or obtained in an ointment base for use on small areas of skin. If the affected area is large, a. Strong in infusion can be added to the bath water to cover the whole surface on the body. The fresh plant, if available, should be used in preference to the dried form.