Sunday, May 20, 2012

Plants of Yesterday


We live on a homestead ranch. I have a big yard and have planted a lot of different flowers and plants. There are many plants, though, that have had a home here for a very long time. There are many perennial plants that were very common on the ranches of yesterday. They continue to thrive in my yard, whether I want them or not.

I decided I would keep these plants contained and let them grow in certain areas. Therefore, I wanted to know a little about them and their uses. I have provided informational links if you click on the name of the plant. 


We have a lot of horehound growing and it just seems to pop up everywhere. I pull a lot of it out.

Today most herbalists still recommend horehound for relief of minor respiratory symptoms that result form bronchitis, colds, flu, and sinusitis. Horehound is available in many commercial preparations, including cough syrup, lozenges, and teas. If you’re in the United States, don’t expect to find these products with the cough suppressants in the drugstore, though, although horehound is still included in some products used to treat sore throats. 



Hop vines climb our woodshed and it takes a lot to keep them under control. I keep thinking we should harvest them and do something with them. I found there are several uses....

Besides beer, what are hops used for?

In herbal medicine, hops have a long history of use as a relaxant and sleep aid. In many cultures, pillows stuffed with hops are given to people who have difficulty sleeping, and they may be added to remedies and herbal teas which are designed to promote healthy sleep. In addition, hops appear to have a beneficial effect on the digestion, and many people which chronic gastrointestinal complaints incorporate them into their diet as a result.



This is not one of my favorites, but I continue to let it grow...It is pretty until it gets to big...This is what I found out about this plant...

This herb is a favorite first aid remedy. It contains a compound called allantoin, which when applied to the skin accelerates the healing of tissue and the closing of wounds.

When fresh leaves or roots are applied to a wound it causes it to contract and close quicker and inhibits the opportunity for infection while minimizing scarring.

Comfrey leaf has a long history of use to promote the healing of bones and wounds, as well as internal use to treat a wide variety of ailments from arthritis to ulcers. Its use in Chinese traditional medicine spans over 2000 years.



I do have pretty much every old time plant in my yard, including this one that many consider a weed. 

Its uses...
The herb has a long history of use in folk & traditional medicine as a remedy for disorders often reduce by aspirin, such as fever, headaches and few of the accompanying symptoms such as depression & nausea . European & Greek herbalists traditionally used it to ebb fevers. As its common name imply's, it was once popular for reducing fever .Feverfew has also been used as a treatment for headaches , arthritis and digestive problems. Scientific studies has supported the use of feverfew as a remedy for migraine headaches .Feverfew have chemicals include parthenolide and tanetin , both of which work effectively to mitigate migraine. Feverfew is not a treatment for acute migraine attacks.

So I have chose to keep these plants along with the Hollyhocks, vinca and sweet peas because I know they were planted and cared for by the generations past. I am sure they were planted for a reason and used for that very reason...

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