The Ninja: Traditional First Aid #2
After my first post on traditional medical treatments I had a slew of email requests for more information! Now, if you have been following this site for a while this year you should remember the 13 for 2013 article , one of my goals has been to improve my knowledge of edible wild herbs and plants along with the potential medicinal properties of the various items that grow in and around my area of the North east. So here are two more common plants that grow “Like Weeds” around my property! The first is one of my favorite berries:
Did you know blackberries (also known as bramble fruit) have useful healing properties? Of course they’re loaded in antioxidants and vitamins, but the leaves and roots have value, too. Native Americans have long used the stems and leaves for healing, while enjoying the young shoots peeled as a vegetable of sorts and the berries, either raw or in jams. The leaves and root can be used as an effective treatment against dysentery and diarrhea as well as serving usefulness as an anti-inflammatory and astringent, ideal for treating cuts and inflammation in the mouth.
Burdock or cocklebur, is a prickly, thistle-like plant that grows commonly in many parts of the world(I hate when I get these things on me!!). It can get fairly big and its leaves resemble the elephant ear plant. Though the burs often get caught in pets’ and livestock’s fur, don’t think of it only as an annoying plant. It is a highly effective treatment against poison ivy and poison oak.
Till Next time
Bufu Ikkan