First Aid Kit - Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum

Aka.: St. John's Wort, Amber, Goatweed, Johnswort, Klamathweed, Rosin Rose, and Tipton weed.

Continuing with our Homeopathic First Aid Kit, an introduction to Hypericum a plant native to Europe, western Asia, and North Africa.

Another healing plant known not only as a weed, but noxious at that, is a great remedy for injuries, especially of fingers and toes (body parts rich in nerve endings).  Fingers crushed from slammed doors, lacerated wounds after medical procedures, and tailbone injuries respond well to this remedy.

Hypericum means "sub heather" indicating its relationship to the heather botanical family.  Perforatum is Latin for "perforated."  Hyperieum is derived from the Greek and means 'over an apparition,' a reference to the belief that the herb was so obnoxious to evil spirits that a whiff of it would cause them to fly away.  Folklore has it that the plant would be hung in homes, during the midsummer festival around the Summer Solstice and the day of Saint John (June 24th) to ward off evil.  The Wort in St. John's Wort means plant.

When holding the leaves up to a strong light, you will discover diaphanous dots suggesting that the leaf is perforated.  The dots are not holes, but a layer of essential plant oils and resins.  The petals of the bright yellow/orange flower are also covered with black dots.  If these dots are rubbed between your fingers they will be stained red, which will not cause any discomfort in the way of a rash or eruption.  These dots contain the plants most active healing qualities.

The stem of Hypericum has dark streaks with two raised lines which make it look as if it were pressed flat.  A serious condition that mirrors the dark streaks of Hypericum's stem, is Lymphangitis an infection, when left untreated, will develop red-lines or streaks extending up the arm or leg.

St. Johns Wort is known to contain Melatonin and Serotonin, because of this, many people over use it in its gross form as an herb to relieve insomnia, depression and anxiety.  The use of Hypericum homeopathically in these situations will be discussed in an article on this blog at a later time. 

© Lynn Cremona 2012, all rights reserved.

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. 

 
First  Aid Kit - Bryonia alba                                                                                                                 

aka: White Bryony,  Wild Hops, Devil's Turnip

Bryonia is a member of the gourd family and found in Western Asia and Northern Africa as well as the rain forests of South America..

All parts of Bryonia alba contain byonin, which is poisonous and may cause illness or death. Forty berries are fatal to an adult human, so no grazing please !  A milky sap produced by the plant will cause a mild to severe skin irritation if handled without gloves.. The root resembles a large turnip, and has a very bitter taste and smell.  It is considered a noxious weed, grows as a vine and has been known to choke and kill large trees. 

Even something this poisonous and destructive can be employed homeopathically to bring relief to those suffering from a number of ailments, in addition to the ones discussed in this article.

The homeopathic remedy is made by expressing the juice from the fresh root dug up before the flowering time.  The juice is then diluted and prepared according to homeopathic pharmaceutical procedures, creating a healing remedy from what was a poisonous  plant.

All illness and injury symptoms requiring Bryonia alba are made worse from movement and the sufferer wants to stay absolutely still.  The injured party will cry out sharply, due to their sensitivity to the pain. A "Strange Rare and Peculiar" symptom of Bryonia is that the person feels better from applying pressure or lying on the painful area. You can read more about "Strange, Rare, and Peculiar" in an article, appearing earlier on this blog.

If you ever come across someone who has fractured a rib after violent coughing, Bryonia will both quell the cough and ease the pain emanating from the fracture.

© Lynn Cremona 2012, all rights reserved.

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. 

First Aid Kit - Bellis perennis

Bellis perennis

aka: Common Daisy, English Daisy or Bruisewort

The more this daisy is cut, trampled on and bruised, the better it grows!

The flower closes at night and reopens in the morning.

It is native to northern, central and western Europe.

Bellis is Latin for "pretty" and perennis is Latin for "everlasting"

It's healing powers have been known and respected for centuries. Military surgeons of ancient Rome made tinctures from the extracted juice of these daisies, bandages soaked in this solution were used to heal the wounds of soldiers after battle .

The plant is often considered a weed by those who prefer lawns and is sometimes referred to as a Lawn Daisy.  Don't underestimate the medicinal value of this little "weed".

It is a valuable healing agent for :

Overworked muscles

Bruises or blows to the female breast

Lameness as if sprained with great soreness, sensitivity to being touched, and swelling.

Useful when it seems that an internal organ has been bruised.

Surgical injury to muscles, nerves, joints and ligaments with intense soreness.

Often used when Arnica fails to relieve deep tissue trauma, when a serious black and blue discoloration remains longer than 3-4 days.

The injury feels better when a heating pad is applied, whereas Arnica is better with cold applications to the injured area.

Please refer to prior article on Arnica on this site.

© Lynn Cremona 2012, all rights reserved.

The information on this Web site is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care.