Medicinal Herbs - Blog Posts
Colocynth aka Vine of Sodom or colloquially known as 'Pie Melons'. Vines scrambled up a round bale and there you have it! The seed must have hitched a ride hundred and thirty years ago in someone's watermelon seed. (Kind of like Tumbleweed seed from the Russian Steppe hitched a ride in wheat grain) Originating in North Africa it tolerates great heat and drought, like our part of Texas, and was used as medicine by the ancient Egyptians.. too much will kill you but a little, supposedly, can relieve pain. Farmers hate them, cows don't eat them and pigs despise them.
Writing Reference: Medicinal Herbs
10 plants for your character's medicinal herb garden
PLANT — When to Plant — Conditions & Care — Medicinal Uses
ALOE VERA — spring/autumn — sunny site indoors; pot up as needed; do not overwater — fresh plant gel for minor burns and wounds
CALENDULA — spring/autumn — well-drained soil; full sun; remove dead flower heads — cream for cuts, scrapes, inflamed skin; infusion for fungal infections
COMFREY — spring/autumn — warm sunny site; moist soil — ointment or poultice for sprains and bruises (use the leaf only)
FEVERFEW — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, stony soil in sun — fresh leaf or tincture for headaches and migraines
LEMON BALM — spring/autumn — moist soil in sun; cut back after flowering — infusion for anxiety, poor sleep, and nervous indigestion; lotion for cold sores
PEPPERMINT — spring/autumn — sunny but moist site; do not allow to dry out — infusion for indigestion and headaches; lotion for itchy skin
ROSEMARY — spring/autumn — sunny sheltered site; protect with burlap in winter — infusion as a stimulating nerve tonic and to aid weak digestion
SAGE — autumn/spring — well-drained or dry, sunny, sheltered site — infusion for sore throats, mouth ulcers, and diarrhea
ST. JOHN'S WORT — spring/autumn — well-drained to dry soil with sun or partial shade — tincture for depression and menopause; infused oil is antiseptic and heals wounds
THYME — spring/summer — well-drained soil, may need a layer of gravel; sunny site — infusion for coughs, colds, and chest infections; lotion for fungal infections
Source ⚜ More: Notes & References
Who doesn't love herbs? Nature has blessed us with our own healing fuel.
