Folklore and "old wives' tales" of Plants Found in Nature

You can always find a thread of truth underlying “old wives’ tales” or folklore. Wild plants have been used for centuries in culinary recipes for flavor, as well as for medicinal purposes. Today a growing body of scientific evidence is confirming folklore. Below we have compiled some common wild herbs that have additional health benefits used in treating today’s illnesses.

• Chicory, Cichorium intybus: Roots and seeds are used to eliminate parasites such as intestinal worms, treat malaria, liver, and gallbladder disorders, regulate insulin in Diabetics, treat digestive problems and ulcers, skin eruptions, and swellings and inflammation.
• Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale: The entire plant can be used to treat digestive problems, aid in liver and gallbladder function, as a diuretic, blood purifier to detoxify the body, help to heal skin wounds, corns and warts, protect bones from Osteoporosis by increasing the density thereby strengthening the bone, stimulate the production of insulin in the pancreas to help regulate blood sugar levels, the diuretic nature helps eliminate toxins from the kidneys and urinary tract, prevent and treat Cancer by reducing free radicals in the body, prevent iron deficiency and anemia, as a diuretic to treat hypertension, boost immune system, aid in mastitis and lactation, and fight inflammation and arthritis.
• Goldenrod, Solidago: Leaves, blossoms and roots are used to treat various illnesses, however; be careful not to use its deadly look-alikes: groundsel, ragwort, stagger weed and life root. Goldenrod has astringent and antiseptic properties used to treat kidney and bladder infections, heal skin wounds, burns, open sores, as an aid to stop bleeding, treats the symptoms of seasonal allergies and colds by aiding in the relief of bronchial congestion, aids in stimulating the digestive system to calm the inflammation that causes diarrhea, boost the cardiovascular system, it’s antifungal properties are effective against yeast infections, an excellent anti-inflammatory to reduce pain especially in the joints caused by arthritis and gout.
• Plantain, Plantago major: As a poultice derived from the leaves to treat inflammation from insect bites, heal wounds, sores and rashes, used both internally and externally for snake bites, as a juice to calm inflammation of mucus membranes to treat cystitis, diarrhea, respiratory tract infection, ulcers and colitis, drinking plantain tea can help autoimmune diseases such as leaky gut, relief from tooth infection pain and swelling, as a gargle to help sore throats and swollen gums, and plantain seeds can be made into a tea to give relief for constipation and intestinal worms.
• Red Clover, Trifolium pretense: Can be taken as a dried herb, tincture or tea to relieve symptoms of menopause due to its phytoestrogen isoflavone content to reduce hot flashes and night sweats, may slow bone loss and increase bone density to prevent osteoporosis, aids in cardiovascular health due to its blood thinning properties which prevent clotting and increase blood flow, helps skin conditions such as: eczema, psoriasis and skin irritations. Use it with caution. The hormonal and anticoagulant effect may be undesirable for certain people.

Given the resurgence of interest in natural remedies, it is best to seek the advice of a professional when considering the internal use of wild herbs. If wild herbs are used incorrectly, wrong dosage or misidentified plant, there could be severe consequences to your health. Approximately forty percent of prescription drugs in the Western world are derived from plants that people have used for centuries, including the top twenty best-selling ones on the market today, demonstrating how “folk lore” has a very real role in modern medicine today. There are exceptionally good books available with proper identification, usage, and warnings of herbal use. Enjoy a hike in the forest with a field guide and start learning about these helpful herbs. Keep in mind that foraging is prohibited in Cincinnati Parks, but there are many private and public lands where permission can be granted.

Written by Kathy Bock