Traditional Healing Herbs are gentle, nature‑centered ways of easing the symptoms of flus, colds, and digestive upsets, of working with chronic maladies, and of giving first aid for minor accidents such as cuts, bruises, and stings. For thousands of years, people have relied on plants for healing. Gathering summer plants for winter remedies is part of the year’s rhythm. There’s a pleasant satisfaction, too, in preparing herbal remedies for your family, your friends, and yourself. Among the joys of summer can be growing and gathering beneficent garden herbs, drying them in big fragrant bunches for winter teas, and preparing a collection of herbal tinctures, syrups, oils, ointments, and cosmetics. In winter, we can use summer’s bounty to keep ourselves healthy.
Also known as lion’s mantle or nine hooks. Velvety lobed leaves and clusters of small chartreuse flowers on mounding, 12 inch perennial plants. Grow in sun or light shade.
Traditional Healing Uses: A woman’s herb used to relieve menstrual cramps, excessive bleeding, and the side-effects of menopause; also used to promote appetite and as a treatment for wounds, laryngitis, and diarrhea. Lady’s mantle tea has served as a douche for mild vaginal irritations, a wash for wounds, a mouthwash for sores, and a gargle for laryngitis.
Harvest: Collect and dry leaves and flowering shoots in July and August.
Preparation: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 2 teaspoons of dried herb and infuse for 10-15 minutes. To treat diarrhea or to use as a mouthwash, boil the mixture for several minutes to strengthen the dose.
Take a look at all our Traditional Healing Herbs in this amazing flip-book! Or click here for a poster.
