Americorps Project Proposal:

Yarrow: Yarrow extract has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory

, astringent, antispasmodic, expectorant, diuretic, carminative, and stimulating properties.

YARROW FOR SKIN: Yarrow has strong moisturizing action on the skin. Yarrow is
good for skin as it is rich in tannins and flavonoids and has skin soothing benefits. For
oily skin and acne, yarrow tonic for skin and scalp is very beneficial.

YARROW FOR MIND: Yarrow herb has beneficial effects on the nervous system, as it
treats problems like headaches and mild migraines.

YARROW FOR STOMACH: Yarrow is good for gastrointestinal system as it treats

stomach cramps of intestinal origin.

YARROW FOR BLEEDING: As mentioned above, hemostatic properties of yarrow

have been known since ancient times, as it helps in immediate stoppage of bleeding.

YARROW FOR CIRCULATORY SYSTEM: This herbal plant is beneficial in

improving problems caused by poor blood circulation for example hemorrhoids and
varicose veins.

YARROW FOR FIBROIDS: Antiseptic properties of yarrow help in disinfecting fibroids

and wounds.

YARROW FOR STRENGTH: Yarrow is a general strengthener as it stimulates renewal

of blood.

YARROW FOR MOTOR SYSTEM: Yarrow relieves back pain and pains caused by
rheumatism and headaches.

YARROW FOR TOOTHACHE: Yarrow root is an anesthetic and helps in relieving

toothache. It is interesting to note that old roots of yarrow are much more effective in
relieving tooth pain than new roots. To get rid of toothache, apply a paste of old roots and
leaves of yarrow directly to the gums or painful teeth. Also, bark of yarrow tree is
beneficial for the same purpose.

Some yarrow products available in the market are yarrow balm for the body, yarrow
cream for hemorrhoids, yarrow foot cream, yarrow skin toner, yarrow astringent and
lotion.

Yarrow can be used for upper respiratory phlegm, eczema, hay fever, mild asthma,
nosebleeds, cuts and scrapes, reduce fevers and varicose veins.
Upper respiratory phlegm- First you have to make an infusion from the flowers of the
plant. You will need 75g fresh flowers to 2 cups water. Put the flowers in a teapot. Then
pour hot water over them. Let them sit for 10 minutes. Then strain into a cup. Store the
rest in a cool place. Dosage: 1/2 cup three times daily.

Eczema- Make the infusion as described above and use it as an external wash.

Hay fever and mild asthma- Put the fresh flowers in boiling water and inhale the steam.

Nosebleed- Take a fresh leaf from the yarrow plant and insert it into your nose.

Cuts and scrapes- Wash fresh cut leaves and wrap on your cuts and scrapes.

Reduce fevers- Make an infusion as described above. But instead of the flowers you use
the aerial parts of the plant. Dosage: 1/2 cup three times daily.

Varicose veins- Make an infusion out of the aerial parts of the plant. Soak a pad in the hot
infusion. Hold the pad on the varicose veins to soothe them. When pad cools or dries
repeat the process. Infusion should always be used hot.

http://herbalisl.blogspot.com/2009/10/yarrow-achilles-heal.html

he infusion of the leaves takes care of Stimulates appetite and helps and in
digestion, promotes flow of urine, reduces or eliminates fever, softens inflamed
parts, powerful remedy for pulmonary problems, coughs, and other respiratory
problems, used for various kinds of muscle pains and inflammation of joints, used as
a tonic, regulates menstruation.

 The decoction of the leaves is used as a tonic. it is good especially for women
after delivery, in doses of two tablespoons every w hours.

 Externally, the decoction is applied as a lotion for falling hair and baldness.

Edible and Medicinal plants of the West

Bugleweed

• Traditionally, this herb has been used to cure coughs and respiratory disorders. It
is also thought of as a natural remedy for sleeplessness. Bugleweed is a natural
source of phytochemical compounds, including various tannins; lithospermic
acid; lycopine; flavonoid glycosides; phenolic derivatives such as caffeic acid,
chlorogenic acid, ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid; essential oil; magnesium; and
resin. Bugleweed’s medicinal properties are said to be due to the presence of
lithospermic acid, as well as the other organic acids in the plant’s extract.
 The Herb Bugleweed
(Lycopus virginicus)
Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora
2nd Edition (1913)

• American bugleweed (Lycopus virginicus) and its European counterpart

gypsywort (Lycopus europaeus) were widely used in folk medicine for and
treating anxiety, tuberculosis and heart palpitations. Bugleweed extracts were also
utilized by gypsies of old as a cosmetic as this herb is a major component for
manufacturing black dye, hence the common name “gypsywort”.
• Extracts from this herb are thought to aid in normalizing heart rate, which is
indicative of its potential as an alternative treatment for tachycardia.
• Bugleweed is used as an alternative treatment to hormone therapy. Components of
the plant may lower the levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone and thyroxine.
This action could be due to the inhibitory effect of the herbal drug on the binding
of the antibodies to the thyroid gland.
• Bugleweed herb is commonly used as a natural treatment for some symptoms of
Grave's disease, such as palpitations and convulsions. The herbal activity is
sufficient for mild cases of the disease and is considered safe for long term
administration.
• Bugleweed is traditionally used to stop iodine conversion in the thyroid gland and
can be used as a natural treatment for hyperthyroidism and related diseases.
• Bugleweed extracts mainly affect the vascular tissues, as well as the sympathetic
nervous system.
• The leaves of bugleweed may also be used as a natural cure for wounds and
abrasions.

Bugleweed herb can grow to two feet in height and bears clusters of white, bugle-like
flowers with purple spots. The clusters connect the stems to the leaves. The elongated
leaves are purple in color initially and then turn green as they unfold. It blooms during
the months of June, July, August and September, and bears fruit from August to October.

TARGET AILMENTS:
Take internally for:

* nervousness

* insomnia

* premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

* tension and pain in the breast (mastodynia)

* overactive thyroid

* irritating coughs of nervous origin

* tightness of breathing, shaking and heart palpitations of nervous origin

* Graves’ disease

PREPARATIONS

Over the counter: Bugleweed is available in liquid extract, medicinal tea, tincture,
capsules, dried herb, and homeopathic tablets in health food stores.

Tincture: Take 2-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

At home:

Infusion: Pour one cup of boiling water over 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried leaves and let
infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Parts used: The leaves and flowers of the bugleweed herb are dried and used
medicinally.
Ifeoma Nwoke

Swindler Cove Healing Plants

Introduction: Historically, plants have been utilized for a variety of reasons such as food
and for ornamental purposes. Plants have also been used for medicinal purposes in
healing various ailments using methods such as brewing and extraction. Given that
people all over the world have learned to use plants for medicinal purposes, the ultimate
goal of this project is to take a closer look at the plant life in Swindler Cove and delve
into their various healing properties. The following is a list of goals for this project:

Problem Statement:
Goals
Project Description
Budget

• To compile a list of twenty essential plants in the Swindler Cove Park area and
document specifically ways in which these plants can heal various ailments.
o Possibly categorize the plants by the ailments that they can cure

• To create a photo catalog of these plants in order to facilitate identification

• To create a large map of the Swindler Cove Park that specifies where the plants
are located using numbers or markers

• To create a section that explores a specific category of plants whose different

parts (leaves, leaves, fruits) can be used for healing and medicinal purposes.

• To create recipes of how the plant can be used in order to promote healing. These
recipes would include ways to make such concoctions such as brews, teas, and
extracts. For example: Strawberry leaves may be taken as a tea. To make the
infusion pour boiling water over 1 gram of crushed strawberry leaf, steep for 5-10
minutes, and then strain. For diarrhea, drink several cups per day. (1 teaspoon
crushed leaf = ca. 1 gram).

• To possibly look at various plant combinations that may enhance healing

properties

• Include information on how to extract the plant parts in a sustainable manner, in

order to keep the plant intact. List out steps in order to ensure the survival of the
plant

• Give the historical/cultural background about the various plants and how people
discovered the healing properties of the plant