Download Urban Herbology – River of Herbs Project Stinging Nettle (Urtica

Urban Herbology – River of Herbs Project
This information is not intended as a field guide or as medical advice. This walk is regarding historical & traditional uses of some
plants found locally which are also helpful to gardeners. My other walks are more related to foraging and how local herbs may be
used to help common ailments. Please see www.urbanherbology.org for links to the events which I run.
10 Plants for a River of Herbs
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) Duizendblad. Woundwort, Nosebleed. Tones blood vessels.
Protects nearby plants and people from sickness & spells. Increases potency of other herbs in
blends. Leaves all year, unique, finely feathery and aromatic when bruised. Hold over eyes to
increase intuitive powers. A renowned witch’s herb. Sister plant Sneezewort “Seven Years
Love”, eaten by the newlyweds. Astringent and antiseptic. Very useful as a wound herb.
Elder (Sambucus nigra) Vlier
Flowers and ripe berries are tasty and medicinal. Flowers are a classic fever remedy. Dry
some in summer for use in winter. Add a spoonful to hot water, make a tea and sip freely
for fever. Berries, renowned for building resistance to colds, flu etc. Make a simple honey
or syrup if you can harvest enough before the birds find them! All green parts contain a
toxin. Make an Elder leaf infusion (v. strong tea - 8 hours) and use as a bug spray on
seedlings. Can make whistles, beads, wands, new plants etc. from short lengths of the plant. Soft pith filled
stems that are easy to hollow out - for bug hotels!
Wormwood (Artemisia absinthum) Absint-Alsem
Roots emit a chemical that inhibits growth of nearby plants (and bugs). Very tolerant of dry
sandy soil. An endangered plant in NL yet it loves Amsterdam streets. Makes a great
tincture for many digestive complaints – worms, diverticulitis, Chrone’s, stomach cramps
etc. Bug repellent (oil, infusion, tincture). Malaria - WHO advise it to be grown & used in
high risk regions (Best antimalarial variety is Sweet Annie). Delicious Absinthe flavoured
schnapps (tincture) is easy to make. Wormwood contains a delicious yet mind altering toxin
so must use only in moderation.
Comfrey (Symphytum x uplandicum, Symphytum officinalis) Smeerwortel
Boneset. Contains allantoin (stimulates cell growth and anti-inflammatory) in leaves and
roots, also mucilage (huge amounts), phenolic acids, steroidal saponins (roots). S. officinale is
toxic throughout (Symphytine), it has strongly winged stem & white flowers, usually by water.
Stem bent at leaf joints. S. asperum hooked bristles on stem, without wings. Flowers pink
then rich blue. S. uplandicum (photo) purplish flowers, short wings on stems, not usually by
water. Upright. Liver toxins in in roots.
Uses: Only external use is generally recommended although most research has been on S. offinicinalis. Roots
and leaves used for remedies but in city I only use foraged leaves.
To speed and improve wound healing. Especially known for assisting healing of broken bones, tendons and
ligaments, skin trauma, boils, burning urine, scars. Internal and external repair. Post-surgery recovery. Ulcers
in gut and from varicose veins. Dry lung complaints (not good for damp lung complaints). Combines well with
Slippery Elm powder. Root mucilage to speed healing, clean out old wounds (poultice). Strong tea to stop
internal bleeding. Wrinkles, lung health, digestive health, bone health – infusion. Breast problems during
feeding, safe externally as ointment or poultice.
If using internally ensure only leaves of S. uplandicum are used.
Young leaves were traditionally eaten as a cooked vegetable (sometimes blanched like witlof), now not
recommended although Henry Doubleday bred out the toxin from S. uplandicum leaves so it could be
enjoyed safely as a war time vegetable.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) Brandnetel
All parts edible. Diuretic, expectorant, pain reliever, general health tonic (gradually builds
up your store of nutrients), Iron and Protein rich. Used for anaemia, arthritis,
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www.urbanherbology.org
www.riverofherbs.org
Lynn Shore, 2013
Urban Herbology – River of Herbs Project
rheumatism, hay fever and other allergic disorders, kidney problems, and malabsorption syndrome. Improves
goiter, and mucous conditions of the lungs. Helps combat exhaustion, fights infection. Great as a regular food.
Infusion (8 hours – 1 cup dried herb in 1 litre boiled water, strain and drink within 24 hours) is very useful to
many people. Can be drying to some people. Seeds can make you feel “speedy”.
Dandelion (Taraxacum officinalis) Paardenbloem
Piss-a-lit (diuretic!). Whole plant edible. Leaves tasty raw or cooked (like spinach) flowers
make a great infused honey. Renowned as a blood and liver tonic, reduces serum
cholesterol, and uric acid levels. Improves function of liver, spleen, stomach; improves
menopausal symptoms. Often helps with anaemia, boils, breast tumors, liver diseases,
constipation, fluid retention and rheumatic conditions. Here’s a useful link:
http://urbanherbology.org/2011/04/26/dandelion-taraxacum-officinale-ways-to-eat-it/
Dock (Rumex sp.) Zuring
All useful but especially Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus). Avoid oxalic acid containing plants if
you have gallbladder, gout or rheumatism issues. All to use it only in moderation. Can be
used for cheese making - can split milk to curds and whey. Astringent roots, purgatives,
laxative, alterative, liver tonic (clears congestion and builds up its strength), chronic skin
conditions, piles, bleeding, general health. “Blood purifier”. Historically for restraining
cancer progression through system. Reduces swollen glands in groin. Tincture it or make a
honey / syrup from roots. Infuse the seeds in Rum, historic for breast and chest disorders.
Jaundice. Cures the sting of Stinging Nettle (as does Plantain better). Very high in vitamins A
and C. A dyeing herb (yellow gold to tan from the roots).
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) Echte Valeriaan
Used historically as an antiseptic now used mostly for nervousness & insomnia. All parts
but especially the roots. Easy to grow in moist ground. Very attractive plant but its scent is
an not agreeable to everyone. Ants seem to love to live near the root system, cats may go
crazy for it (like catnip) and the Pied Piper of Hamlyn is thought to have carried it to attract
rats. Tincture the plant (all parts possible), make a relaxing hot chocolate by adding a pinch
of chopped leaf, sprinkle the tiny flowers on night-time drinks etc. I keep a small jar of the dried root by my
bed and sniff it, to relax me when I cannot sleep.
Borage (Borago officinalis) Komkommerkruid
For courage! High levels of Calcium, Potassium and Mineral salts. Works on adrenal
gland. Makes you feel good. Lie on the ground beneath it when in full bloom on a clear
summer day and see the translucent blue stars. Then try not to feel good! Beware eating
too much, as with cousin Comfrey, it does contain a liver toxin. Tastes of cucumber,
hence the Dutch name. Float flowers on drinks, in jellies, eat a leaf now and then in salad.
Leave most flowers for the bees and it should self-seed. Beautiful big plants.
Chamomile - Kamille
Roman Anthemis nobilis/Chamaemelum nobile
German Matricaria recutita
Apple scented leaves. Favourite herb of the ancient Egyptians. Insomnia, asthma,
relaxation, fevers, fragrant lawns, cut flowers, tea. Infused oil is easy to make (olive oil, 6
weeks in the dark, strain. Keeps up to one year). Use for relaxing massage or to condition
fair hair once in a while. Roman Cham. is the lawn herb, German is the tall one for
flowers. Both are therapeutic.
Creative Commons License
www.urbanherbology.org
www.riverofherbs.org
Lynn Shore, 2013