Chicory – The Painkilling Plant You Should Grow in Your Backyard
This is the wild plant that Native Americans used to look for more than any other. They’d harvest and use chicory to make a natural painkilling extract for a wide range of physical discomforts, especially stiff and achy joints. And so can you! The root is rich in chicoric acid (CA), a plant compound with potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties but no risk of addiction. If our pharmacies ever run dry, having even a small patch of chicory growing in your own backyard will provide relief.
In present day Egypt, the root of the chicory is still valued as a traditional folk remedy for treating tachycardia – rapid heartbeats in a person.
The root of the chicory is utilized in traditional European folk medicine; the root is mainly used in the role of a mild and non irritating general herbal tonic. The root was also employed as a general herbal diuretic remedy and particularly valued for its laxative effect. In terms of therapeutic value, the chicory root remedy has a similar action to that made from the root of the dandelion herb – botanical name Taraxacum officinale.
Traditionally, the chicory is stated to benefit the liver by protecting it from the effects of excess coffee, the chicory is also said to be a counter stimulant alleviating the deleterious effects of drinking excessive amounts of coffee.
Remedies made from the chicory are a very effective and mild bitter tonic to alleviate problems affecting the digestive tract or the liver. In herbal therapy, the remedies made from the chicory are used to treat various rheumatic complaints and disorders such as gout.
The chicory herbal remedy boosts the functioning of the stomach and the liver, while cleansing and detoxifying the urinary tract at the same time.
Quick Backyard Remedy Add 1 Tbsp of ground chicory root to your coffee or tea. It’s a prebiotic and natural laxative that will help move things along and regulate your bowels.
Yarrow – The Backyard Wound Healer.
Yarrow is a common herb that has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. The plant is native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and has been naturalized to many other parts of the world. Yarrow has a long history of use in folk medicine, and the leaves and flowers of the plant have been used to treat a variety of ailments.
Today, yarrow is still prized for its healing properties, and is commonly used in herbal teas and tinctures. In addition to its medicinal uses, yarrow is also a popular ornamental plant, and is often seen in gardens and bouquets. Whether grown for its beauty or its health benefits, yarrow is a versatile and useful herb that has been cherished for centuries.
Flowering yarrow, Achillea, in close-up
Luckily, I found some yarrow and wrapped it around the wound. The bleeding stopped in minutes, and my wound healed so well that now there’s barely a scar left. Since then, I always carry a pouch of dried yarrow with me, just in case. A yarrow tincture, when applied to your skin, acts as a natural and effective way to repel mosquitos and other insects.
Quick Backyard Remedy If you ever get a toothache, try chewing on a fresh yarrow leaf as it will numb the area and provide needed relief.
California Poppy – Better Than Sleeping Pills
