The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook_ A Home Manual - James Green [17]
Yellow Dock is a hepatic liver stimulant and laxative. As a laxative, its activity lies somewhere between the bile stimulants (Dandelion, Oregon Grape) and the more strongly laxative anthraquinone group (Bitter Aloe, Senna, Buckthorn). Its combination of liver-cleansing properties and laxative effect seems to assist the body in dealing with the metabolic wastes often associated with a low-fiber, high-fat, and meat diet. As a cholagogue, it stimulates the flow of bile and has a therapeutic effect on jaundice when this is due to congestion. Yellow Dock is a wonderful alterative for treating oily and exudative skin conditions. It seems to work through the liver and bowel to help remove metabolic wastes from the blood. By improving the liver’s ability to metabolize wastes and fats it takes the burden off of secondary pathways of elimination, such as the skin.
Gobo is a young and tender Burdock root commonly used in Japanese cuisine and available in many local produce sections.
GREEN’S 5 ADDITIONAL HERBS AND THE FUNGUS
Burdock is a “deep food” and alterative that moves the body to a state of well-nourished health, promotes the healing of wounds, and removes the indicators of system imbalance such as low energy, ulcers, skin conditions, and dandruff. As a diuretic and alterative, it works through the liver and kidneys to protect against the build-up of waste products and is considered to be one of the best tonic correctives of skin disorders. Burdock is a classic remedy for skin conditions which result in dry, scaly skin and cutaneous eruptions (eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, boils, carbuncles, sties), as well as also being helpful in relieving rheumatism and gout. As a mild bitter that stimulates digestive juices and bile secretion, it aids appetite and digestion and is well used in anorexia. Externally, it is an exceptional fomentation or poultice to promote the healing of wounds and ulcers, especially when also taken internally on a regular basis.
Oat spirit is the commuter’s green angel. She graciously feeds the nervous system of those who overwork themselves, function on nervous energy (and caffeine), are chronically under stress, simply burned out, and possibly a bit depressed by it all.
Ginkgo is first and foremost a vasodilator. It improves circulation to the brain and periphery and has a normalizing action on the vascular system, making it important in all conditions stemming from poor circulation. It improves circulation to all poorly nourished areas. It enhances memory by improving nerve cell transmission and brain metabolism by increasing the utilization of oxygen and glucose. As a brain tonic, free-radical scavenger, and anti-oxidant, it helps prevent cardiovascular damage and counters the general effects of aging.
Oat is one of the best nerve tonics for feeding the depleted nervous system of those who overwork and undernourish themselves, or for those who function on nervous energy (or caffeine) for too long without replenishing their reserves. Oat is specific for the individual who is chronically under stress and is simply burned out. Its anti-depressive activity is specific for nervous exhaustion and debility when associated with depression. It is a nutritive that is well used for convalescence following any prostrating disease and/or nervous breakdown. Externally, it is demulcent and vulnerary, making a soothing bath for use in neuralgia and irritated skin conditions.
Saw Palmetto is a nutritive tonic whose influence is directed toward the entire reproductive apparatus. It works cleverly as a remedial tonic that stimulates the nutrition of the nerve centers upon and through which it operates. For the male, this action