Health through God's Pharmacy E-Book

Maria Treben

• Herausgeber: Ennsthaler
• Kategorie: Ratgeber
• Sprache: Englisch
• Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2018

Seitenzahl: 285

Beschreibung

The book about herbs, which was first published in 1980, has become a phenomenal success. So far, The Publisher Ennsthaler Verlag has sold over eight million copies of the book which has become a classic among health guides and has been translated into 25 languages. It gives a detailed description of 31 herbs, ranging from agrimony to yarrow. The author explains how to prepare teas, tinctures, body pastes, baths and juices. These herbs are native plants, such as yarrow or ribwort that grow in meadows and woodlands, and are very robust. The enormous success of Maria Treben is most likely based on the fact that she has restored an ancient knowledge that had already largely been forgotten. Comprehensive instructions and sought-after personal advice from Europe’s most popular herbalist on the use of medicinal herbs.

Leseprobe

Maria Treben

Health through God’s Pharmacy

Advice and Proven Cures with Medicinal Herbs

PUBLISHER ENNSTHALER STEYR

The information contained herein is not presented with the

intention of diagnosing or prescribing, but is offered only as

information for use in maintaining and promoting health in

cooperation with a physician. In the event that the information

presented in this book is used without a physician’s approval,

the individual will be diagnosing for himself.

No responsibility is assumed by the author, publisher or

distributors of this publication for use of the information

contained herein in lieu of a doctor’s services.

No guarantees of any kind are made for the performance or

effectiveness of the preparations mentioned in this publication.

Translated from the German

www.ennsthaler.at

ISBN: 978-3-7095-0077-4

All rights reserved

Copyright © 2007 by Ennsthaler Verlag, Steyr

Ennsthaler Gesellschaft m.b. H & Co KG,

4400 Steyr, Austria

Published by Ennsthaler Verlag, Steyr

Cover design, layout by Damian Keenan, Heidelberg

Colour plates and drawings by Robert Schoeller, Vienna

E-Book: Zeilenwert GmbH 2018

This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part,

by mimeograph or any other means!

Maria Treben 1907–1991

Preface

At a time, when the majority of mankind has moved away from life’s natural ways, when illness, caused by a changed attitude to life, threatens, we should turn again to medicinal herbs which God in His Greatness has provided for us since time immemorial. The Abbé (Father) Kneipp in his books says: “There is a plant for every illness!” Everyone is able to improve his or her health by the timely gathering and use of herbs, be it as a tea drunk daily or as a course of treatment, using the extracts as a friction or a compress, as an addition to baths, as a poultice and so on. Once the decision to use herbs is taken, it is wise to start with herbs which purify the blood, such as Chicory, Dandelion, Ramsons, Speedwell and Stinging Nettle. Such treatments are never harmful, when the herbs are used exactly as prescribed. If they bring only slight or no relief and help, it might be possible that field disturbances exist in the home or workplace. In this case an experienced diviner should be consulted, to find the areas which are free of disturbances.

At the first signs of discomfort, fever and other clear symptoms of an illness, it is essential to consult a doctor immediately for diagnosis and advice. It is also essential to have the course of a serious illness and the healing process controlled conscientiously by a doctor.

The modern medicine is slowly starting to turn to the field of natural healing emerged at the 25th International Congress for Continuing Education of the German Federal Chamber of Doctors and the Austrian Chamber of Doctors in March, 1980, in Badgastein, Austria, in which approx. 1500 doctors participated.

Dr.Carl Alken, professor at the University of Saarland, West Germany, explains modern medicine’s increasing awareness of the curative properties of nature as follows: “After World War II, doctors were virtually powerless, for example, in cases of tuberculosis and renal failure. Then came the big change with the introduction of antibiotics – and today we have to deal with the negative consequences of the partly excessive and wrong use of this ‘Blessing’. To this is added the immense increase in fungus diseases caused by too much medication and by other environmental influences which upset the normal biological balance.”

For years I have been following medical conferences and conventions, the conclusions of which are also covered in newspapers. Many responsible doctors warn of the overuse of pills. Time and again it is pointed out, how dangerous pain killers can become. Many people take them without medical supervision and this sometimes causes serious damage to organs. For example, medication for lowering the blood pressure, taken for a long period of time, is conducive to breast cancer, as established by three research teams, working independently of each other in Boston, Bristol and Helsinki.

I would like to tell you about the effects and medicinal properties of plants and share with you my experiences of the last few years since this book was first published in Austria and Germany, and give you a helping hand on your way to health. To find a way out of the hopelessness of ill health by one’s own strength and free will is, thanks to nature’s medicinal herbs, humanly elevating. To win back one’s health, and to bear responsibility for oneself, elevates human dignity to such a degree that the sick person is taken halfway to recovery from the hopelessness of his sick life.

Time and again I have been asked how I acquired the knowledge and use of herbs. I cannot give a precise answer. As a child I spent my school holidays with the family of a forest ranger, where I experienced, well beyond my age, the interrelationships of nature. I was able to distinguish the different plants and knew their names, but then the significance of medicinal plants was unknown to me. My mother, an enthusiastic Kneipp follower, strove to let us children grow up in a natural way.

When I was a young girl two experiences impressed themselves on my mind. A 40 year old widow, mother of three children, had leukaemia (leukemia) and was discharged from hospital as incurable with about three days to live. Her sister, anxious about her, went to see a herbalist, taking a sample of the sick woman’s urine. The herbalist said, quite startled: “Only now you bring me this morbid water!” – the herbs she gave, to be used by the sick woman, helped. A medical examination 10 days later showed no sign of leukaemia.

Another similar case occurred at the same time. A 38 year old woman, mother of four children, suffered from leukaemia and hers was a hopeless case too. She, too, used the appropriate herbs. Every day she prepared a tea and kept it in several jugs. Whenever she passed a jug, she took a sip, thinking: if it does not help, it does no harm either. The medical examination 10 days later showed no sign of leukaemia!

These examples show how important it is to drink large amounts of herb tea every day, when suffering from a seemingly incurable illness. From then on I was certain that medicinal herbs can bring relief even for serious diseases.

In 1961 my dear mother died and since then I have the distinct feeling of being pushed into herbalism. Gradually I acquired knowledge and experience. It was as if I was guided by a higher power. The Virgin Mary, especially, helper of the sick, was showing me the way. My trust in Her, prayers said before an old wonderful painting of Her, which I acquired in a strange way, have always helped, when I was in doubt.

So I endeavour to not only show you the herbs and their medicinal properties, but above all the omnipotence of a Creator in whose hands we exist. In sickness, we look for His help and comfort and use the humble herbs He has provided; it is He who guides us, so we may live according to His will.

I would like to emphasize finally that I have tried hard in every respect to present all my experiences for man’s utilization. I have a favour to ask: Do not ring me, write to me or come to see me! The precise index in this book will put you on the way to using the right herbs.

Another thing: I do not sell herbs and therefore do not take orders. Herb farms, special chemists and health food stores provide them.

Grieskirchen, May 1980

Maria Treben

Measures and Weights

TEMPERATURE

C.

F.

100 °

212 °

Boiling point

90 °

194 °

80 °

176 °

70 °

158 °

60 °

140 °

50 °

122 °

40 °

104 °

30 °

86 °

20 °

68 °

10 °

50 °

0 °

32 °

Freezing point

LINEAR MEASURES

1 millimetre

(mm.)

≅

0.04

inch

1 centimetre

(cm.)

≅

0.4  

inch

1 metre

(m.)

≅

39.4  

inches

1 inch

(in.)

≅

25.4  

millimetres

1 foot

(ft.)

≅

30.5  

centimetres

1 yard

(yd.)

≅

0.9  

metres

WEIGHTS

1 gramme

(gm.)

≅

15.4

grains

1 kilogramme

(cm.)

≅

2.2

pounds

¼ pound

(lb.)

≅

120   

grammes

1 ounce

(oz.)

≅

30   

grammes

LIQUIDS

1 litre

(l.)

≅

1.8

pints

1 pint

(pt.)

≅

0.6

litres

Contents

Cover

Title

Imprint

Preface

Measures and Weights

Contents

GENERAL INFORMATION

The right way to gather, store and prepare herbs:

Gathering

Drying

Methods of Preparation:

Herb Teas (infusions – cold infusions)

Tinctures (Essences) – Fresh Juices – Plant Pulp

Herb Poultices – Ointment and Oils – Herb Baths (full bath – sitz bath)

Swedish Bitters Compress

Words in British / American English diction

MEDICINAL HERBS FROM GOD’ S PHARMACY

Agrimony

Bedstraw

Butterbur, Umbrella Plant

Calamus, Sweet Flag

Calendula, Marigold

Camomile

Coltsfoot

Comfrey

Common Club Moss

Cowslip

Dandelion

Golden Rod

Greater Celandine

Horsetail

Indian Corn

Lady’s Mantle

Mallow

Mistletoe

Plantain, Ribwort

Ramsons

Sage

Shepherd’s Purse

Speedwell

Stinging Nettle

St. John’s Wort

Thyme (Wild Thyme)

Walnut

Small Flowered Willow-herb

Wood Sorrel

Yarrow

Yellow Dead Nettle

Swedish Herbs (incl. “old manuscript” and recipe of the “Small Swedish Bitters”)

Heart Wine (incl. recipe)

An excellent Tea Mixture for the family table

ADVICE FOR VARIOUS DISORDERS

Acne – Amputation (“ghost pain”)

Appendix, irritation of – Appetite, lack of (in children) – Arthrosis and Arthritis

Atrophy of the bones

Bad Breath, furred Tongue – Bladder, weak Cataract and Glaucoma

Constipation

Diabetes

Erysipelas – Eyes, weeping – Facial neuralgia

Emphysema

Fistulas – Gall stones

Goitre – H(a)emophilia – Hair, beautiful

Hay fever – Hearing disorders caused by colds – Heart and Circulation disorders

Hiccups – Kidneys = Gravel in the bladder, Kidney stones – Menstruation

Miscarriages – Multiple sclerosis

Muscular atrophy

Nailbed, infection of the – Nails, injured or brittle – Night sweats

Oedema (Edema) or Swellings caused by retention of fluid in the tissues – Phimosis – Prolapse of the Uterus

Psoriasis

Receding gums and loose teeth – School report, poor (of children) – Shaking palsy (Parkinson’s disease)

Shingles – Sleep, fitful (in children)

Spinal injuries – Strawberry marks – Stroke (prophylactic measures)

Stroke (after a stroke with paralysis)

Tremors – Whitlow – Worms

ADVICE FOR MALIGNANT DISEASES

Diseases of the Bone – Diseases of the Breast

Diseases of the Intestines

Diseases of the Kidneys

Diseases of the Larynx – Leukaemia (Leukemia)

Diseases of the Liver and Cirrhosis of the Liver – Diseases of the Lungs – Diseases of the Lymph glands

Diseases of the Ovaries and Uterus

Diseases of the Pancreas – Diseases of the Skin

Diseases of the Stomach

Diseases of the Testes – Diseases of the Thyroid gland – Diseases of the Tongue

Tumours (benign and malignant tumours)

Important hints

Colour plates

General Information

The right way to gather, store and prepare herbs

Gathering

A knowledge of herbs is essential for gathering. Gathering should be undertaken at the right time, at the right place and in the right manner.

Experience shows that best results are obtained with freshly picked herbs, which are absolutely essential for success with serious illnesses. Fresh herbs can be picked in early spring, sometimes from the end of February till into November. Some are even found during winter under the snow (e.g. Greater Celandine), if one knows where to look.

For winter a not too large supply of dried herbs is stored. For this purpose they are gathered at the time of their greatest vigour.

For FLOWERS this is the beginning of flowering.

For LEAVES before and during the time of flowering.

ROOTS are dug out in early spring or autumn.

FRUITS are gathered at the time of ripening.

At the same time observe the following hints: Pick only healthy, clean plants free from pests. Gather herbs on sunny days in dry condition, when the dew has evaporated.

Fields and meadows treated with chemical fertilizer, the banks of dirty, contaminated waters, railway embankments and the neighbourhood of heavy traffic roads and motorways (highways) and of industrial plants, are no places for gathering.

Treat Nature with consideration! (Don’t pull plants out by their roots, don’t make a mess.) Some plants are protected by law. There are enough herbs with the same effectiveness which are not protected (e.g. Auricula – Cowslip).

Do not crush flowers and leaves while gathering and do not use plastic bags and containers. The herbs begin to sweat and later become black during drying.

Drying

The herbs are not washed before drying. They are spread thinly on cloths or unprinted paper and dried as quickly as possible in the shade or in warm, ventilated rooms (attics). Roots, barks or very fleshy parts of plants are often dried in a warm oven. The oven temperature should not exceed 35° C. = 95° F. It is best to cut roots which are well washed (Mistletoe and Willow-herb are also cut) before drying.

Only fully dried herbs – they crackle and break when bent – can be stored for winter. For storage, glass jars or sealable cartons are the most appropriate. Plastic and metal containers are to be avoided. The herbs should be protected from light (use coloured glass jars, green being the most appropriate).

Keep a supply for one winter only. With time the herbs lose their healing power. Every year presents us with a new harvest of herbs.

Methods of Preparation

HERB TEAS

INFUSIONS: Fresh herbs are cut and the prescribed quantity placed in a teapot or other non-metallic container. Water is brought to the boil and poured over the prepared herbs. Fresh herbs are steeped for a very short time only (half a minute will suffice). The tea has to be quite light; light yellow or light green. Dried herbs are steeped somewhat longer (one to two minutes). A tea prepared in this manner is substantially more wholesome and also more pleasing to the eye.

Roots are placed in the required amount of cold water, brought to the boil and steeped for 3 minutes.

The daily requirement of tea is poured into a thermos flask and the prescribed quantity sipped during the day. In general one takes one heaped teaspoon of herbs in one quarter litre of water (= 1 cup), or otherwise as prescribed for the individual plants.

COLD INFUSIONS: Some herbs (e.g. Mallow, Mistletoe or Calamus) should not have boiling water poured over them, as their healing power is lost through the influence of heat. A tea from these herbs is obtained by cold infusion. The prescribed quantity of the respective plants is steeped in cold water eight to twelve hours (mostly overnight), then warmed (to drinking temperature only) and the daily requirement kept in a thermos flask, rinsed beforehand with hot water. A cold infusion mixed with a hot infusion provides a means of extracting the most of value from medicinal plants. The herbs are steeped overnight with half of the prescribed amount of water and strained in the morning. The other half of the prescribed amount of water is brought to the boil, poured over the herb residue and strained again. Cold and hot infusions are now mixed. The active substances which are soluble either only in cold or only in hot water are obtained in this way.

TINCTURES (ESSENCES)

Tinctures are also extracts, which are won with 38% to 40% strength corn or fruit spirits. A bottle or other sealable container is loosely filled with the appropriate herbs and rye whisky or vodka poured over them. Leave standing well sealed in a warm place (ca. 20° C. = 68° F.) for fourteen days or longer, shake frequently, then strain and squeeze out the residue. Tinctures are taken internally as drops diluted with herb tea or applied externally as compresses or massages.

FRESH JUICES

Fresh juices of herbs are suitable for taking internally in drop form or for dabbing on affected parts of the body. They are made fresh daily. Poured into small bottles and well sealed, they will keep for a few months, however, if stored in the refrigerator.

PLANT PULP

Stems and leaves are crushed to a pulp on a wooden board with a wooden rolling pin. Spread on a piece of linen, place on the affected part of the body, bind with a cloth and keep warm. This poultice can remain on overnight.

HERB POULTICES

In a pot bring water to the boil, hang over it a sieve in which are laid fresh or dried herbs, and cover. After some time, take the softened, warm herbs, put them on a lightly woven cloth and place on the affected part. Everything is covered with a woollen cloth and bound fast with further cloths. No feelings of cold should arise. Very effective are warm Horsetail poultices. Warm poultices are left on for two hours or overnight.

OINTMENTS AND OILS

Two heaped double handfuls of herbs are finely chopped. 500 gm. of lard are heated as if for frying schnitzel. The herbs are stirred into this hot fat, allowed to crackle briefly, stirred around, the pan is removed from the hot plate, covered and cooled overnight. The next day the whole is warmed lightly, filtered through a linen cloth and the still warm ointment poured into previously prepared glass jars or ointment pots.

Oils are prepared as follows: Flowers or herbs are loosely placed in a bottle up to the neck, cold-pressed olive oil is poured over them till the oil stands two finger widths above the flowers or herbs. Let stand 14 days in the sun or near a stove.

HERB BATHS

FULL BATH: The appropriate herbs are steeped overnight in cold water. One bucketful (6 to 8 litres) of fresh herbs or 200 gm. of dried herbs is needed for a bath. This is heated and strained the next morning and poured into the bath water. Soak in it for 20 minutes. The heart must be above the water. After the bath do not dry off but wrap yourself in a bath towel or robe, go to bed and lie there for one hour perspiring.

SITZ BATH: For a sitz bath take only half a bucketful of fresh herbs or approx. 100 gm. of dried herbs and proceed as for a full bath. The bath water must cover the kidney region. Observe the instructions for the particular herbs.

The water from the full bath as well from the sitz bath can be re-warmed and used twice more.

SWEDISH BITTERS COMPRESS

A piece of cotton wool or gauze, of a size compatible with the affected area, is dampened with drops of Swedish Bitters and laid on the affected area, which has been well covered with lard or Calendula ointment to prevent the alcohol drying out the skin. Over this a somewhat larger piece of plastic may be placed to protect the clothing, then a warm cloth or a bandage is tied over the whole. The compress is left to take effect for two to four hours, depending on the illness and tolerance. If the patient can tolerate it, the compress can remain on overnight. After removal of the compress the skin is powdered. Should sensitive people develop skin irritations the compress must be applied for a shorter period or discontinued for a while. People who are allergic to plastic may dispense with it and only use the cloths. In no case should one forget to grease the skin before applying the compress. Should itching occur, use Calendula ointment.

With these compresses it is not necessary to lie in bed, for, if the area is well bandaged, one can sit or move about the house.

WORDS IN BRITISH / AMERICAN ENGLISH DICTION

Abbé = Father

haemorrhoid = hemorrhoid

anaemia = anemia

homoeopathic = homeopathic

diarrhoea = diarrhea

leucorrhoea = leucorrhea

gynaecologist = gynecologist

leukaemia = leukemia

haematoma = hematoma

oedema = edema

haemophilia = hemophilia

oesophagus = esophagus

haemorrhage = hemorrhage

seborrhoea = seborrhea

Medicinal Herbs from God’s Pharmacy

Agrimony

(Agrimonia eupatoria)

COMMON NAMES:

Sticklewort, Cockle Burr, Church Steeples.

It grows in sunny dry places, on hedgebanks, on sides of fields, woods and paths, on wastelands and near ruins. Its small yellow flowers cluster on slender spikes, similar to the Mullein. The whole plant is covered with soft hair, the leaves near the ground are often 10cm. long and pinnate. Agrimony, which can reach a height of 80cm., belongs to the same family of plants as Lady’s Mantle. The plant is gathered when in flower, from June to August. The history of this herb, as with many others, goes back a long way and it was known to the Ancient Egyptians. Agrimony has great healing properties for inflammation of the throat and mouth. Remember this in cases of tonsillitis, throat disorders, thrush or inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth. Gargling with this tea clears the voice for singers and public speakers.

The leaves are excellent for anaemia and wounds and are used successfully for rheumatism, lumbago, digestive trouble, hardening of the liver and spleen disorders. Drink up to 2 cupfuls a day.

Everyone should make the effort to have an Agrimony bath once or twice a year (see “directions”). Children with scrofulous sores should have one daily. Agrimony, because of its astringent and healing qualities, is one of our most valued herbs. Dr.Shi erbaum says: “A cup of Agrimony tea drunk three times a day is a remedy for enlargement of the heart, stomach and lungs as well as kidney and bladder disorders, if you drink it over a period.” Agrimony ointment, which is used in a similar way to Calendula ointment, is of benefit in varicose veins and sores on the lower legs (see “directions”).

For disorders of the liver mix 100 gm. of Agrimony, 100 gm. of Bedstraw and 100 gm. of Woodruff (Asperula odorata). Drink a cup of this tea on an empty stomach and sip 2 cupfuls during the day.

DIRECTIONS

INFUSION: 1 teaspoon of Agrimony to ¼ litre of boiling water, allow to draw for a short while.

HERB BATH: 200 gm. of herbs for 1 bath

(see General Information “bath”).

INFUSION FOR LIVER DISORDERS: Blend equal parts of Agrimony, Bedstraw and Woodruff. Use 1 heaped teaspoon to 1 cup of water, infuse for a short time.

OINTMENT: 1 heaped double handful of finely chopped leaves, flowers and stems to 250 gm. of lard (see “ointments” in General Information).

Bedstraw

(Galium verum)

COMMON NAMES:

Clivers, Goosegrass, Yellow Bedstraw, Maid’s Hair, Cheese Rennet, Hedge Bedstraw and Lady’s Bedstraw.

There are several species: Galium aparine, commonly known as Clivers or Goosegrass, grows in meadows, fields and hedges and reaches a height of 60 to 160cm. Its leaves are placed in whorls and the flowers are greenish white. The stem is covered with little hooked bristles by which it fastens itself to nearby plants.

Galium verum, the True Bedstraw called also Yellow Bedstraw, Maid’s Hair, Cheese Rennet, grows in some parts in higher altitudes and in other parts on dry banks, chiefly near the sea. It has small bright yellow flowers on upright stems and grows to a height of 60cm. This plant exudes a strong honey-like odour and is best gathered in July.

Galium mollugo, Hedge Bedstraw, has dainty yellow white flowers with a faint honey-like odour. It is found on banks and near paths and is mostly prostrate at the time of flowering.

I want to emphasize again that fresh herbs have a greater medicinal value. Even in winter the fresh shoots of Galium mollugo are found under the dry grass in snow-free places.

All three species have similar medicinal qualities and are used the same way. Bedstraw tea rids the liver, kidney, pancreas and spleen of toxic wastes. When suffering from a disorder of the lymphatic system, one should drink this tea daily. It is also beneficial for anaemia, dropsy and stitch in the side. Used externally this tea is of benefit in many skin disorders, wounds, boils and black-heads. It makes an excellent wash for the face as it tightens the skin. The freshly pressed juice of Bedstraw, brushed on the affected parts of the skin and left to dry, is very beneficial.

In popular medicine Bedstraw is recommended for epilepsy, hysteria, St. Vitus dance, nervous complaints, suppressed urine, gravel and stones. For goitre, gargling with this tea throughout the day is effective. A woman told me she had not only lost the goitre, but her thyroid gland is now also working normally.

Every year I meet my friends, a couple from Vienna, at a “Kneipp” spa. When we got together in 1979, I found that the woman had a rather noticeable goitre. She was afraid of an operation. I recommended Bedstraw. This is infused and, still warm, is deeply gargled as often as possible daily. In February 1980 we met again at the “Kneipp” spa and behold, the goitre was no longer there. Overjoyed she told me that her husband had repeatedly collected fresh Bedstraw for her. From the beginning she perceived that the goitre became gradually smaller until it disappeared completely.

In recent times, cases of constriction of the vocal chord have increased. It appears these cases are caused by a virus. Gargling and rinsing with Bedstraw tea brings swift relief. According to the Swiss Abbé Kuenzle, it is also a reliable remedy for serious kidney disorders, even if other remedies have failed – especially if Bedstraw is mixed in equal proportions with Golden Rod and Yellow Dead Nettle. In this case the effect shows very quickly. He talks of 14 days. The tea is infused, and half a cup is taken on an empty stomach 30 minutes before breakfast, then the rest is sipped throughout the day. For serious disorders 4 cups a day are taken.

In old times, Bedstraw was very much esteemed by women for disorders of the uterus. To ease child-birth, it was laid in the bed in their difficult hours. As the story goes, this was later attributed to the Virgin Mary. As “Our Lady’s Bedstraw”, She placed it in Her bed. From another legend, She placed it as a soft pillow in Jesus’ crib. A Silesian legend tells that She took it, as it was not eaten by the donkey. There is truth in this. Although cows like to eat it, pigs and donkeys won’t touch it.

The Abbé Kuenzle tells in his writings of a 45 year old man who suffered from a serious kidney disorder which worsened. Finally one kidney had to be removed, the other one was also affected and did not function normally. The man then began a treatment with Bedstraw tea. Daily he drank 4 cups of the previously mentioned tea mixture of Bedstraw, Golden Rod and Yellow Dead Nettle. Frequently he sipped his tea, whereupon his complaint completely cleared up. This same tea mixture is used for all kidney disorders.

While the noted botanist, Richard Willfort, in his book “Health through Medicinal Herbs” points out that rinsing with and drinking Bedstraw tea is an excellent remedy for cancer of the tongue, just as the freshly pressed juice mixed with butter is a remedy for cancerous growth and cancer-like skin disorders, Dr.Heinrich Neuthaler writes in “The Herb Book” the following about Bedstraw: “The white flowering Bedstraw is recommended for cancer in some districts even today – a nonsense that cannot be opposed strongly enough.”

For your judgement on this matter, I would like to place before you, esteemed reader, a few experiences with Bedstraw. About 10 years ago I learned of a dentist who suffered from cancer of the tongue. After the operation he lost a lot of weight and was to have had X-ray therapy in Vienna. I recommended gargling with Bedstraw tea. A week later I learned that the therapy was no longer necessary and that he recovered more and more from the illness. In a short time he was well.

Somewhat later I heard from a 20 year old woman who also suffered from cancer of the tongue. She was advised to consult a doctor in Carinthia (Austria). He promised her that she would get well within 5 years and gave her a herb tea which she showed me one day. I recognized it as Bedstraw. To save her the expense of going to Carinthia, I showed her the Bedstraw growing wild, so that she could gather it herself. She recovered from this terrible illness.

Still another example: It was at the end of March when a young woman from Vienna told me that her mother, 63 years old, was very ill and was to have a second operation on April 19. Six months before, a cancer-like tumour suddenly grew in her larynx. The doctor had hidden the truth from her, telling her it was a goitre and thus she had her first operation. For six months everything went well. But then she experienced terrible pain in her left arm which continued day and night. Her hand was swollen, arm and hand were without feeling so that she could not even hold a piece of paper. To ease her pain, the doctor who performed the first operation advised a second operation on April 19, as previously mentioned, in which he intended to cut the nerves between the neck and the collar bone to at least free her from the worst of the pain. He said that medically there was no other help. Despite that, I recommended that the woman drink Bedstraw tea and gargle with it. Besides, I recommended a tea mixture of 300gm. Calendula, 100gm. Yarrow and 100gm. Stinging Nettle (1½ litre per day, every 20 minutes 1 sip) and also rubbing with Bedstraw ointment. You can imagine my happy surprise when I learned that the pain had subsided after 4 days. Up to April 19, the woman had regained feeling in her arm and hand and was able to move both. The doctor was astounded when the daughter asked him not to perform the second operation. He was visibly impressed when she gave him an accurate account of the herb treatment. He said: “Your mother should continue with it.” After a time, I was told the woman was doing very well and looking after her family of six.

By treating cancer-like growths healing is possible. In recent times there has been an increase in malignant skin disorders that show as dark, sharply outlined rough marks. Presumably it is a question of infection. In this case treatment with fresh juice of Bedstraw and Calendula ointment is successful. Without doubt, a blood cleansing tea of Calendula, Stinging Nettle and Yarrow should be used with it.

A woman from Upper Austria had a small lump on the floor of the palate and terrible pain in the whole area of the mouth. Through rinsing with Bedstraw tea, the lump disappeared after four days and with it the pain.

The assertion that the use of Bedstraw for such illnesses is nonsense cannot be justified. Certainly it is not the herbs alone that bring help; it is God Almighty who assists in it. Finally everything lies in God’s hands!

DIRECTIONS

INFUSION: ¼ litre of boiling water is poured over 1 heaped teaspoon of Bedstraw, infused for a short time.

FRESH JUICE: Fresh Bedstraw is washed and, still wet, put into the juice extractor.

OINTMENT: Sufficient fresh juice is stirred into butter (room temperature) to provide an ointment-like consistency. Store in refrigerator.

Butterbur, Umbrella Plant

(Petasites officinalis)

COMMON NAMES:

Bog Rhubarb, Flapperdock.

Butterbur grows on the edges of rivers and woods, in ditches and marshy meadows. It is much larger than the Coltsfoot, which belongs to the same family. The leaves grow to hat size, are slightly scalloped and covered with grey down on the underside. The dirty-white to pale pink flowers, shaped like little baskets, sit densely on the upper part of the stems.

The fever reducing roots, which had gained a great reputation during the time of the plague, are gathered before the time of flowering. The tea promotes perspiration and is used for fever, shortness of breath, gout and epilepsy. 1 to 2 cups are sipped during the day.

The large, fresh leaves are applied not only for sprains, dislocations and sore feet, but also for every kind of burn, malignant ulcer and wound.

DIRECTIONS

INFUSION: One level teaspoon of roots is soaked in cold water overnight, warmed and strained in the morning.

APPLICATIONS: Fresh, washed leaves are crushed and applied. This is repeated several times a day.

Calamus, Sweet Flag

(Acorus calamus)

COMMON NAMES:

Sweet Sedge, Sweet Rush, Sweet Root, Myrtle Grass, Sweet Myrtle.

This aquatic plant grows by ponds, lakes, marshes and the banks of quiet waters. The rhizomes out of which numerous swordshaped leaves shoot up to 1 metre high, creep horizontally through the mud at water’s edge. The flat scape carries in its middle a cone-shaped, greenish to brownish yellow spadix. The root, the thickness of a thumb and up to 1 metre long, has a pungent, bitter taste when fresh. When dried the taste is milder. The roots are gathered in early spring or late autumn.

Calamus roots are not only used, because of their strengthening effects, for overall weakness of the digestive system and flatulence as well as colic, but are also helpful for glandular disorders and gout. The roots stimulate a sluggish stomach and intestine and dissipate excess mucus. As well one can recommend them for slow metabolism and under activity of the intestine, anaemia and dropsy.

Extremely thin people, who have lost weight but not through lack of good food, should drink Calamus root tea and occasionally take a Calamus root full bath. Calamus improves the appetite, helps in kidney disorders and is a good remedy for cleansing the whole system. The tea even helps children who suffer from indigestibility of grain,