Vinca major, big leaf periwinkle at Deer House

Vinca major, Family: Apocynaceae Dogbane family

periwinkle, bigleaf periwincle.

I was finding this plant growing all along the riparian areas up at Deer House. I had actually been looking for other plants, and was a little bit taken back how this periwinkle had taken over the riparian areas pushing out palleo mint, the St. John's wort, aralia, and lobelia. 

The more I looked into perriwinkle the more I found it a medicinal plant in its own right certainly prolific. Too prolific yes, yet it is here to stay and I guess I better learn how to use it.

    I was really touched by the beautiful purple flowers that were brilliantly set off by the twining trailing shiny green leaves of the periwinkle.

   The leaves, and seeds of the periwinkle contain vincamine, a precursor to the chemical vinpocetine, which is used medicinally to naturally enhance memory in aging minds.1,2

The old English form of the name, as it appears in early Anglo-Saxon Herbals, as well as in Chaucer, was 'Parwynke,' and we also find it called 'Joy of the Ground.' In Macer's Herbal (early sixteenth century) it is described:

'Parwynke is an erbe grene of colour

In Tyme of May he beryth blo flour,

His stalkys ain (are) so feynt and feye

Yet never more growyth he hey (high).'

And we are also told that 'men calle it ye Juy of Grownde.'

The plant is astringent, bitter, detergent, sedative, stomachic and tonic[4, 7, 21, 53, 165, 238]. It contains the alkaloid 'vincamine', which is used by the pharmaceutical industry as a cerebral stimulant and vasodilator[238]. It also contains 'reserpine', which reduces high blood pressure[238]. It is used internally in the treatment of excessive menstruation, abnormal uterine bleeding, vaginal discharge and hardening of the arteries[238]. It should not be given to patients with constipation[238]. It is applied externally to vaginal discharge, nosebleed, sore throat and mouth ulcers[238]. The plants are cut when flowering and dried for later use[238]. The fresh flowers are gently purgative, but lose their effect on drying[4]. A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh leaves[4]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhages[4].

Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) aerial plant and its synthetic alkaloid vinpocetine have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain. Vinpocetine may be able to enhance cognition in patients with dementia, and enhanced memory and learning in patients with vascular dementia.

"it's a late comer, more recent arrival to america's, but then so am I, yes Vinca major.

Michael Moore

VINCA MAJOR , V. MINOR(Periwinkle)

HERB. Tincture [Fresh Herb 1:2, Dry Herb, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 20-40 drops, to 2X a day.

Kiva Rose a clearheaded New Mexican herbalist writes eloquently about the weeds. In this case a town weed. It's true we can't escape or go back, the box was opened now we deal with it, or escape in fantasy. So using these prolific invasive species that just take over is critical and important as they're here to stay like we are and they're not going to go away. 

• Periwinkle (Vinca major) – The astringent flowers and leaves of vining, groundcover-like Periwinkle are an effective vascular tonic, serving to tighten up the tissue of the vascular system wherever there is laxity. Based on this same systemic tonifying action, I frequently utilize Vinca as a vasoconstrictor for certain kinds of migraines."-Kiva Rose, blogpost Weedwifery -http://bearmedicineherbals.com/aha

 Medicinal Plants by  Charles Kane: "like caffeine though. Winkles vasoconstricting effect on peripheral blood vessels, it can be useful in diminishing the pain and sensitivity of an acute stage migraine headache. Systemically as well the plant lessons passive hemorrhaging. Used to quell bleeding from hemorrhoids,

nosebleeds, and urinary tract injury. Profuse menstruation as well as mid cycle bleeding, also diminishes under perry Winkle use" -Charles Kane

"Venus owns this herb, and saith, That the leaves eaten by man and wife together, cause love between them. The Periwinkle is a great binder, stays bleeding both at mouth and nose, if some of the leaves be chewed. The French used it to stay women's courses. Dioscorides, Galen, and Ægineta, commend it against the lasks and fluxes of the belly to be drank in wine."

Nicholas Culpeper, 1653

. "Vinca minor has a stimulating action on the circulatory system and improves the blood flow through the brain. It is noted to be helpful in the treatment of headaches, dizziness, impaired memory, tinnitus and hearing loss (Bartram, 1998), as well as cerebral arteriosclerosis which can lead to dementia due to insufficient blood flow to the brain (Chevallier, 2001). By increasing the blood flow to the brain, Vinca minor may be beneficial for treating conditions which are caused by poor cerebral perfusion such as vascular dementia. This condition is caused by an obstruction in the circulation to the brain which results in insufficiency of blood to the tissues and the brain cells die (Alzheimer’s Society, 2008). Vinca minor’s beneficial effects may be explained by the action of the constituent vinpocetine (an indole alkaloid), which has been isolated in the plant. Vinpocetine has been shown to enhance oxygen release of haemoglobin and therefore increase the amount available to cells (Tohgi et al, 1990). This action, along with its vasodilating effect is considered to be responsible for its success in the treatment of cerebral hypo perfusion (Tohgi et al, 1990)."- Jennifer Gould

"Lesser periwinkle (Vinca minor) aerial plant and its synthetic alkaloid vinpocetine have been shown to improve blood flow to the brain. Vinpocetine may be able to enhance cognition in patients with dementia, and enhanced memory and learning in patients with vascular dementia." -Jennifer Gould

References/Quotes

[1]F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956

Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[4]Grieve. A Modern Herbal.

Not so modern (1930's?) but lots of information, mainly temperate plants.

[7]Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants.

[238]Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.

Macers Herbal 

De Viribus Herbarum

Macer Floridus 1477

Materia Medica, Michael Moore

http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/MatMed5.pdf

Complete Herbal

Nicolas Culpeper 1653

Kiva Rose, blog post "Weed Wifery"

 http://bearmedicineherbals.com/aha

Vincamine article at NIH.gov , , (): The health benefits of vincamine and related compounds, which are sold as drugs in Europe, relate to the treatment of primary degenerative and vascular dementia. As a dietary supplement, vincamine is promoted as a nootropic.,  

HerbalGram . Evidence of Benefits from Herbal Preparations for Improving Cognition and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in the Elderly , , (04-30-2012): 

“Identifying the benefits of Vinca major (Greater Periwinkle) and Vinca minor (Lesser Periwinkle) in a Modern Herbal Practice. With a historical review of the herbs and analysis of current use by herbal practitioners.”

Scottish School of Herbal Medicine and the University of Wales for the award of BSc(Hon) in Herbal Medicine.

-by Jennifer Gould

http://www.reconnecttoself.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/JenGold-Dissertation-2008.pdfg

Meeting Valeriana arizonica at the Deer House

Valeriana arizonica, Family: Caprifoliaceae, formerly Valerianaceae.

 Arizona valerian or tobacco root.   Valeriana arizonica is a showy plant with basal leaves and clusters of muted but distinctly purplish flower balls. When you look at the showy flower cluster balls closely you'll see, lobes, white stamens (usually 3), anthers extend beyond lobes,  5petals with the anthers extending beyond the lobes. It was found at 6500ft at the upper Deer-house on an upper elevation moist, shady, north facing slope. This is a yin place, female, dark, grounded and nourishing, supportive. 

   

Valeriana arizonica is an indicator species of this place, the Upper Deer House, the north facing slope shade place plant community. It's one of the earliest plants to bloom in the spring at upper deer house, then the basil leaves are some of the last green to be found peeking out of the first snows of the fall. The leaves and roots are what are used and depending on the time of the year it's going to have a little bit different medicine going on. The active ingredients are called valepotriates, research has confirmed that these have a calming effect on agitated people, but are also a stimulant in cases of fatigue. It's a good plant medicine to know and work with. It can help you wind down when your thoughts are going spinning in circles and you're trying to go to sleep and you need to rest. It's been called a nervine and a tranquilizer but it's more than that. Valerian  is a plant person. She is a friend and a kind of lover that opens for us doors and windows into where we need to be.

    It's been used around the world east and west north and south as a friendly nervine, useful both for sleep and rest , also like many plants it goes where it needs to go in terms of the body system. You can look it up and read up on Valerian and find out what people have said about it and they said quite a bit. And it's good to use as John Slattery teaches a 4 directions approach towards herbs utilizing the oral history, the written history, the scientific studies and our own experience with the plant itself in the place where it grows. This is John Slattery's 4 directional approach to herbal medicine

     If you try to put our medicine road plants into a box, the deeper you look you find out your box is getting bigger and including the whole place. Either, you end up with a very big box. Either, your box expands and explodes to include the whole world or else you totally give up your journey of exploration with herbs. That's what happens because the plants are much bigger than any box we can devise with our conscious word based discursive thinking, box building minds. That's what plants do, they open up for us windows and they allow us to grow in the way that our deepest nature wants us to grow. You just hang out with the plants and talk plant story and in that conversation that's where the medicine is. That is the medicine road,  talking plant story with the plant. Just like the plants who are people, we are people and even though we've been domesticated and bred and have all our agonies, glories, sorrows and joys that we drag around with like baggage and balls and chains behind us, still we are self directed and self organizing beings. Everything in the amazing towering sheltering oak is contained in the small acorn. And we are the same. We are no different. Your whole story with all it's amazing twists and turns was contained in that first kiss of lips meeting lips and the warm breath and tangy smell that brought your father and mother together. Your whole journey was that kiss, your whole journey was in that riveting eye first locked eyes. They looked at each other and you were there, in that. You are a self-directed energy moving with its own agenda because it is self-thus. And the days that we walk aboveground the sights  that we see are precious. It's a special time right now and it will not come again just like the plants blooming up at Deer House. They have their roots in the ground and their hair and bodies are in the patchy dappled sun light. When you meet a plant you are forever changed by that meeting. Because the plant is meeting you! You've met the plant and now the plant sees you. The plant feels you and reaches out to you this is what it is, this is what we're doing. You are tasting the plant and the plant is tasting you. Michael Cottingham says that the definition of herbal medicine is change. The herbs change us, they produce change. They bring change.  They facilitate changes. Just like the medicine grounds of Deer House, our bodies are wild, self-directed creatures and they are self-thus, they are self-directed with their own organization based upon their nature. 

    You are learning about the plant leaning down close to it and tasting it. The plant is tasting you. We are eating and being eaten. Nothing is lost and nothing is gained. It is all about being present listening and realizing that we are being heard. We have voices we have mouth's and we have ears. We can speak and we can listen.

     Gary Snyder said, in Practice of the Wild: "Coyote and Ground Squirrel do not break the compact they have with each other that one must play predator and the other play game. In the wild a baby Black-tailed Hare gets maybe one free chance to run across a meadow without looking up. There won't be a second. The sharper the knife, the cleaner the line of the carving. We can ap-preciate the elegance of the forces that shape life and the world, that have shaped every line of our bodies—teeth and nails, nipples and eyebrows."

    Our big heads and conscious mind with all our big ideas have all sorts of ideas and plans to do this, to go here, to become this, yet the plants with the roots going deep into the earth are calling us. They are like girlfriends, sisters , father and cousins that we meet at parties or we meet in our daily life and what we need to is conversation with the plants. We need to talk plant story with the plants, with that north facing cool hillside sometimes covered in snow. Sometimes bursting forth in springtime with balls of purplish flowers. And like all conversations they go back-and-forth, not just one way. If it's one way then it's a monologue.

Conversation is both talking and listening, the only thing we're doing  is talking plant story. We're talking plant story. We are a little bit drunk and tipsy and we're talking about things that we usually don't talk about at work or while we're driving our cars, we are having some fun with the plants it's a special time. Yet we're not alcoholics or drug addicts, but sometimes we party with the plants and talk story. It's just what we do. We're listening to songs. Some of the songs are songs that we've written ourselves. So we play a few chords on our banjo and sing some old songs that we heard from years ago. Sometimes we shake the rattle and listen to the drum beating in the heart of earth mother. Sometimes our songs are drinking songs and sometimes they are serious songs but they're all songs and they're all worth singing. Some of the songs are songs that the plants themselves are singing, and we need to listen to both. We need to sing the songs and we need to listen to the songs. 

    Like all plants they're living beings, they're friends, they're family and they're working on many different levels, and in many different ways in the body, in the emotional heart and the mind.  

Valerian  can also energize and restore when it needs to and when the body needs that sort of energy it will be that sort of energy. i know that in some people it actually has a stimulant effect kind a paradoxical thing and often times you see plants doing this kind of thing, playing around. Valerian and all plants have for that matter, their own agenda outside of our conscious minds with our words and thoughts and plans,  it's leading us where we need to go and it's that confidence that we need to bring forward with the plants,  with our plant medicines to go to that place where we need to be. Plant medicines take their own way through our body and they'll do one thing in one person and something else in another based on the person's energetics, connstitution, and needs at any particular time. As soon as you know one plant and think you have it figured out it is something else. It will show you it has another place that it will take. Another journey and another destination. This is bioreregional herbal medicine because we're not dealing with chemicals were not dealing with drugs, we're dealing with the spirit of a place and a way to take that spirit of the place into our bodies.

     

References:

Conversations:

 talking plant story

John Slattery 

Tucson, AZ

Michael Cottingham 

Silver City, New Mexico

Practice of the Wild: Essays by Gary Snyder

North Point Press 1990

http://terebess.hu/zen/mesterek/The-Practice-of-the-Wild-by-Gary-Snyder.pdf

Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West

by Michael Moore

Museum of Mexico Press 2003

The Plant Healers Path

by Jesse Wolf Hardin with Kiva Rose

Plant Healer Press 2012

www.PlantHealerMagazine.com

Phlox, jojoba and Junior Thompson

Phlox tenuifolia

family Polemoniaceae

Desert phlox growing together with jojoba. They support one another these plants growing together. These plants support one another the one is so strong and everywhere. The other one is there but needs a lot of help so we can stand in the sun and grow. I was taken back by the beauty of the phlox supported by the jojoba.

 I understood that we need to be open to support one another. Some of us with different talents, different strengths. 

     I just spent a couple days in ceremony with Randolph "Junior" Thompson  and ate a lot of medicine and I was thinking of how I need to change my life.

How I need to gather songs and flowers and listen to the words of the flowers are singing. May be the medicine already changed my life and brought me to a new appreciation of sobriety and sober living. I need to do something different something that will bring these plant medicine songs to people. These plants are songs. These plants are singing and you can listen to their songs and invite them into your heart. 

    These two plants growing together touched my heart, because my heart is open. The azèè shima, brought back from the medicine garden Texas by Daniela and Junior, the fresh strong medicine of this amazing plant. Praying for the water, praying for the water of the Gila River and all the waters that we drink to nourish and restore bodies. I'm seeing what the rain brought here in the desert, bringing up these flowers, raising up the songs. how these flowers support one another.

I realize that I've been supporting only myself and haven't been true to my calling. We need to support one another like these Plants support  one another so that we can grow and be who we need to be.

      

    I was recently spending some time with Simmondsia chinensis

at about 3500ft/1067m, you can see the opposite leaves, the pairs erect-ascending, dull green, and yellowish-green male flowers are borne in clusters. Their upward tilted leaves are opposite, the pairs erect-ascending, dull green, simple, entire, coriaceous(leathery; stiff and tough, but somewhat flexible) evergreen, obscurely pinnately veined, elliptic to oblong- they maximize their position for photosynthesis in the early morning and late afternoon hours, during the midday sun avoiding the harsh heat their leaves thus deflect the sun. I was sampling pollen when i saw the vine phlox

growing here supported by jojoba.

The Phlox corolla narrowly funnelform, brilliantly highlighted by the dull green Simmondsia background looking vibrantly white creamy colored, the soft lobes , obtuse to truncate. Leaves linear to narrowly lanceolate, flat, glabrous(without surface ornamentation such as hairs, scales or bristles) The inflorescence with 2-3 flowers pedicelled delicately in yellow green; pedicels sparsely glandular to short pilose.

    I saw a lot of things with the medicine. I spoke to several people that have passed on that I needed to say, "Thank you, good morning. I missed you since you've been gone. I've been here learning about the plants, just like I told you I would." I asked the medicine to give me some more years here, because there's a lot of work to do and people need to hear about these plants and use them for medicine. I need to learn so much more and spend time with these plants where they grow. I need to spend enough time with them that I can hear what songs they have to sing and bring them back for the people that need help.

     These two plants grow together and they support one another, even though very different it works. It works because our creator is made it that way the things that are very different work together to help one another. 

     It's been about 25 years since I sat in the tipi, we're back at square beauty with grandfather Bennett, and back at Aneth, Utah with the Fats and the black horse clan. A lot of things of changed I was much more of a young man then now I'm much more of an old man although there are still parts of the young man here. 

      'Junior' and Leeroy said, "you've got to go to the plant, bring some tobacco done with the plant till the plant what you need. Tell the plant what you need for and why you're gathering it so you can make good medicine. The plants, the water, everything that our Creator brought us. Everything the Creator put here, they're all here to make it a better day, make it a good morning and feel really good when you wake up. Be grateful for everything, for waking up. Every day commit and promise  sober living because that's what the medicine wants us to do,  to be clean and sober.

     

Little messages and teachings are everywhere if you just open up your eyes and spend some time with this creation, if you want to know what the flowers, what the plants can do, look at them, watch them, listen to them. Talk to the plants because you're part of our family, listen to them, here with they have to say. Every plant is singing a song and that song can help you on your way. If you want to work with the plants then you have to listen to what they have to say, ask them what you need, tell them you have a need and that's why you're picking them it's why you were going to use them in this way.

Diabetic Ulcer Protocol by Paul Manski

Here is a protocol for dressing diabetic ulcers and in this case the amputation of the toe. I would like to thank my teachers John Slattery and Michael Cottingham for both guiding me to the plants and teaching me how to make these medicines. The purpose of this blog is to give some guidance on how to use the herbs which I recently sent to someone requesting them.

      One of the most important elements of dressing diabetic ulcers is to provide a moist wound bed, for debris enemy meant and development of healthy granulation tissue. It's also important to have a an anti-microbial dressing in place which does not antibiotic based and does not develop antibiotic resistance.

Commonly in place or silverdine based ointments and creams and silver impregnated dressings. I wanted to develop a protocol based on plants growing in my bio region which is the desert Montagne sky Island biotic province of Arizona and New Mexico.

     At first I was leaning towards a ointment with antimicrobial properties with a oil/beeswax base. However as I thought it over I began to realize that the beeswax could prevent the development of granulation tissue on the diabetic ulcer so instead I utilized in oil based anti-microbial infused oil containing the following orbs so that the possible infection would not be sealed in by the beeswax or prevent the formulation of granulation tissue in the wound bed.

       Infused Oil. was mixed in a blender with the following dried herbs: I used a base of organic cold pressed grape seed oil. I mixed as much of the herbs as I could put in 16 ounces of the oil without the blender bogging down, I wanted a very powerful anti-microbial oil.  I created a very thick slurry that I let sit for two days and then strained.

     2 parts:Yerba mansa root-Anemopsis californica; 2parts:Oregon grape root, Mahonia- Berberis haematocarpa; 2parts:Larrea tridentata -Creosote bush; 1/2 part:Arizona cypress- Cupressus arizonica; 1/2 part Juniperus communis creeping high mountain juniper;

1 part:Estafiate- Artemesia ludoviciana; 1 part:elephant tree, torote and copal resin-Bursera microphylla; 

    I mixed up the oil till it was fairly warm and then let it sit for two days before straining and filtering the oil.

   

For the dressing  I am using Usna, old man's beard that I gathered previously from an Arizona Cypress in the Sierra Blanca. Usnea, how's a long tradition in itself I was an antimicrobial topical dressing for wounds.

    Moist Dressing: My concept for the moist wet dressing with the Usnea, is to create an isotonic herbal solution, apply it to the Usnea and use the moistened Usnea with the infused oil. 

Take the following herbs 1 handful of Yerba mansa root-Anemopsis californica; 1 handful of Oregon grape root, Mahonia- Berberis haematocarpa; 1 handful of western yarrow-Achillea lanulosa and boil them together to make 8 ounces of liquid. Boil the mixture of herbs, bring to a rolling boil, then cover and simmer for 20 minutes. Let the mixture cool to room temperature and strain. Reserve the liquid in a clean sterile jar. To the 8 ounces of liquid add 1/4 teaspoon of salt making an isotonic saline solution.  An isotonic solution  is about 0.9 percent or 9g per 1000ml of fluid. It is about 1/4 tsp. of salt per 8 oz. of water. So by adding 1/4 teaspoon of salt to the 8 ounces of strange herbal mixture you will then have an isotonic solution.Pour the herbal mixture over the Usnea.  Keeping the Usnea moist, then apply the infused oil to the moistened Usnea dressing. Place the moistened Usnea dressing now impregnated with the infused oil directly on the wound bed. Cover the Usnea impregnated dressing with a 2 x 2 and gauze. The dressing should be changed twice per day. I am thinking that the reserved liquid could be saved for 2 to 3 days and if you have any questions you could re-boil it let it cool and use it in this way for several days. You can also apply the infused oil with a cotton ball directly to the wound bed. You could also use sterile cotton apply the liquid isotonic herbal solution in the infused oil in place of the Usnea. 

     Herbal Red Root Tea: (also called a decoction)

I also provided some dried red root, Ceanothus fendleri to make a tea or herbal decoction, which is a fancy way of saying a strong tea. 

Directions for making the redroot tea or decoction  are as follows. Take a handful of the dried red root chips, place them in 1 quart of water, bring the water to a rolling boil, cover, then turn down the heat and boil for 20 minutes at low heat. Strain out the Red Root chips. Save the chips, this is some strong fresh redroot and I am thinking that you can make at least two batches of the tea so use them again. Have the patient drink 1 quart of this red root tea a cup or so at a time throughout the day.

    To this red root tea you will add the alcohol tinctures that I provided. If you look at the small one ounce medicine dropper bottles you will see that they are labeled as follows. 

1oz Red Root tincture(Ceanothus fendleri)

1oz Ocotillo tincture (Fouquieria splendens)

1oz Yerba Mansa root tincture(Anemopsis californica)

Once you make the Red Root tea, or decoction add one squirt of each tincture, red root, ocotillo and Yerba mansa to the tea. A quart will make 4 cups of tea. So drink the tea four times a day, adding the tinctures to the tea each time the patient drinks a cup. 

     These herbal tinctures and the tea together are designed to stimulate the lymph  system, encourage the movement of fluid from the lower extremities, where you said that he had some edema going on. The Yerba Mansa is an herb that besides having strong antimicrobial properties also it has anti-inflammatory properties very useful in the condition of the diabetic foot ulcers and toe amputation. 

References:

Anemopsis californica, Medicinal Plants of the Southwest 

by Andrea Medina (ANTH457 Summer 1999 & Hort300 Fall 1999)

http://medplant.nmsu.edu/yerba.html

http://www.itmonline.org/arts/usnea.htm

Herbal Antibiotics: Natural Alternatives for Treating Drug-resistant Bacteria

By Stephen Harrod Buhner

Michael Cottingham, private conversations and online

https://m.facebook.com/michael.cottingham.Herbalist/posts/279318355612074

Usnea:The Herbal Antibiotic

by Christopher Hobbs

Botanica Press Capitola, CA

http://www.christopherhobbs.com/wp-website/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Usnea-booklet-text.pdf

John Slattery: both personal conversations, written material, and online

http://www.desertortoisebotanicals.com/hello-world-2/

Ohlone Medicine

By Chuck Smith

http://www.cabrillo.edu/~crsmith/OhloneMed.html

Chuck Smith, Cabrillo College, 1999

First Flower-Erodium cicutarium, Witch's comb and Cowboy's Needle

My heart slept in cold for winter. i almost forgot full moon rises.

I look up and remember Ancha white with snow.

i know that in the moist, fertile earth now there is a becoming.

i mark time, for  change is my and our nature. i forgot sorrow, there is work to be done and medicine to be made.

The first ones are special, like so many years ago first kiss.  Body firm yet alive like wet earth giving with a dynamism of roots that spring back.

Her breath like apples and close to her a spicy ripeness like licorice Glycyrrhiza lepidota, woody and earthy full. A perfect carrot scent like fresh osha. Her hair the color of red silty mud, or a tincture of Mahonia bloodroot, Berberis haematocarpa

clear water catches the eye.

Every direction there is green growth, mountains forever.

At the tops of the sycamore there abouts cottonwood swells up at tips tender edges.

Underneath is this little one, pink green, tiny and easy to miss. 

Family: Geraniaceae

Erodium cicutarium subsp. cicutarium

Alfilerillo de pastor, Peine de la bruja, Aguja de vaquero ...(witch's comb, cowboy's needle) Later she will comb her hair and when she's done riding we may mention the cowboy, her friend for plans and seasons to come. 

As bioregional herbalists we examine the water in the rain and the plants especially the medicinal plants as they come through the round of spring time. Ambrosia spp, bitter and sweet resembling estafiate as it pokes through January's earth, looking forward and back like it's namesake, Janus.

In the area that is spoken of by the Gila River, by the salt River, and by the sky islands that sing into the sky. Speaking medicine gardens as they fall and rise through this place.  Cañagre, Rumex hymenosepalus

We look for the signs first in our hearts and then where our hurts breathe and sleep on the ground moist with rain the first flowers of spring.

When the days enlarge and the nights decline. We know that at this time new things will happen and we bless them this plant is the first, or one of the first flowers of spring time in my bioregion.

-translated from Spanish...."dried, 2 tbs cup astringent, diuretic and hemostatic used for uterine bleeding(tea), The root and the leaves have been used to encourage milk production.

Externally, the plant is used for cleaning insect bites, bites and other skin infections. Animal experimentation on this plant has shown to induce the production of interferon and antiviral effects. The infusion is used in gargles against infection of the tonsils, toothache, swelling of the throat, swollen gums, and astringent."

This is a direct quote from Los Remedios by Michael Moore, "As a urinary tract herb, a strong cup every few hours for mild bladder and urethra in fractions with sharp pain. A strong cup of the team relieves premenstrual water retention. Secondary uses: it's astringency makes it helpful for sore throat's, nausea, and diarrhea, as well as an effective wash for infected scratches and abrasions. It is one of the more widely used baths for arthritis. Preparation and dosages. Simple tea up to four times a day. Standard infusion 3 to 4 fluid ounces to four times a day. Toxicity: little. Usefulness: high." 

REFERENCES:

-Los Remedios:Traditional Herbal Remedies of the Southwest

Michael Moore, Red Cranebooks 1992

-Saul Casteñeda Dìaz, "Usos de la Vegatación Forestal Fanerogámica de San Miguel Pipilloa, Tlaxaca, México"

-translated from Spanish

Sroka Z, Rzadkowska-Bodalska H, Mazol I. Antioxidative effect of extracts from Erodium cicutarium L. Z Naturforsch [C] . 1994 Nov-Dec; 49 ( 11-12 ): 881-4 .

Zielinska-Jenczylik J, Sypula A, Budko E, Rzadkowska-Bodalska H. Interferonogenic and antiviral effect of extracts from Erodium cicutarium. II. Modulatory activity of Erodium cicutarium extracts. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) . 1988; 36 ( 5 ): 527-36

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Ulcerative colitis protocol by Paul Manski

Ulcerative Collitis formula 

& protocol: by Paul Manski

Here is my colitis protocol,

this tea and protocol is based off the bioregional model of using local plants in the Salt/Gila River's province to heal an address issues of health. The herbs mentioned all are native to my bioregion and reflect my focus as a bioregional folk herbalist. All the herbs have a tradition of being used for digestive issues. They are drawn from the curandera, below is Teresita, a curandera who lived along the frontera and is buried in Clifton, AZ.

Mexican tradition of herbalism in the southwest and the Denè or Navajo tradition. Along with the tradition of Southwest herbalist Michael Moore, John Slattery and Michael Cottingham, who I have studied with recently. 

 The base is a standard infusion quart:

Tea

Base 50% dry wt either pagué

or yerba de negrita.

 The other 50% is combination 25%

castilleja/paintbrush, 

25% plumajillo/Achillea, 

To the tea add:tincture pazotillo, tincture

Yerba mansa, tincture 

Mahonia, 1 dropper full each

Drink 8oz of tea four times a day 

pazotillo, Conyza canadensis,

Canadian Fleabane:

i would use flesh plant tincture added to tea

yerba mansa, Amenopsis californica:

i would add fresh root tincture to tea

Castilleja integra, Hierba de conejo (Indian paintbrush) castilleja lanata, flor de Santa Rita

: i would add to tea 1:4 or 25% dry infusion

Pagué, Pectis papposa,

Fetid marigold

i would add as tea 1:4 or 1:2, 25%-50% of tea

plumajillo, yarrow, Achillea millefolium,  'little feather': i would add fresh plant tincture or 1:4, 25% of tea

Yerba del negrita Malvacea family, Sphaeralcea spp., or Malva neglecta: i would have this herb as 50% of tea/infusion base

Algerita,  Yerba de Sangre, Berberis spp, Mahonia haematocarpa or Berberis repens: add fresh plant tincture to tea