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California Plants:An Herbal Remedy Guide

Compiled by Tristan Palmer

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• Disclaimer• Types of Remedies• Anxiety & Nervousness• Bacterial Infections• Bladder Problems• Bruises• Bug Bites & Bee Stings• Burns• Cough• Cuts and Scrapes• Headaches• Insomnia• Joint & Muscle Pains• Poison Ivy & Poison Oak• Respiratory Problems• Toothaches

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Disclaimer• Certain herbs may be employed in more

ways than one. The method used to extract the active compounds has a lot to do with the medicinal effect it will produce. It’s important to administer the plants in the proper manner in order to reach their desired effects; different types of concoctions will yield much different results from one to another, and some may be harmful if applied in an improper manner. Each remedy can be made using herbs found in California. Detailed pictures are included to help locate and identify the herbs that will be used if samples are needed. And remember, it’s always best to have a holistic approach to medicine rather than to assume one culture’s treatments are inferior to that of another.

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Types of Remedies• Distilled Oils: Oils extracted from whole

plant material. Leaves or flowers are placed in a copper still while steam passes through the plant matter, separating the fatty oils from the greens.

• Poultices: Finely chopped herbs soaked in water or oil which is wrapped in gauze and applied directly to the affected area. Wear until it dries out. Flour may be added if the solution requires a thicker consistency.

• Salves: An infusion of essential oils with melted-down beeswax to give it a balmy consistency. Once cooled down it can be used as an ointment for topical applications.

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Types of Remedies (continued)• Teas: An herbal blend leached out from

plant material using hot water.

• Tinctures: Mashed up herbs soaked in alcohol. When the solution has been leached out by the alcohol it is drained from the plant matter and applied orally. Takes at least 6 weeks, but the longer the solution sits in alcohol solution the more potent it will be.

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Anxiety & Nervousness• Herb: California Poppy

• Application: Apply tincture orally or brew in a tea for a milder effect.

• California Poppy slows down the central nervous system, inducing a sense of tranquility in the patient.

• In high doses it can induce sleepiness because of its sedative properties.

• Relatively safe in high concentrations.

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While not native to the Americas, the California Poppy has become the state flower of California and is

now easily found throughout the state.

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Bacterial Infections• Herb: Oregon Grape and Plantago

• Application: For internal bacterial infections, add 5-20 drops of Oregon Grape tincture in water or apply under tongue.

• Oregon grape contains the alkaloid berberine, an effective anti-bacterial compound with anti-inflammatory properties.

• Apply Plantago salve if an open wound is infected. It’s very effective at fighting bacteria.

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Not part of the grape family, however the state flower of Oregon produces berries similar in color, shape and size to

vineyard grapes.

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Bladder Problems• Herb: Juniper

• Application: Brew tea from crushed juniper berries or ingest 5-20 drops of tincture orally.

• Kumeyaay used the berries, leaves, and bark in teas to treat bladder infections, colds, flu, fever, high blood pressure, and constipation.

• A compound called juniperin in the berries is a naturally occurring diuretic, making it perfect for all sorts of bladder troubles.

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Juniperin should be avoided by pregnant women as concentrated extracts have been linked to miscarriages.

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Bruises• Herb: Yarrow

• Application: Rub Yarrow salve on bruised area until healed.

• Helps break up the stagnant blood that causes the discoloration of a bruise.

• Also eases the pain of a bruise.

• Conversely, fresh Yarrow leaves cause the opposite effect that a prepared concoction would; fresh leaves encourage blood clotting and can be used for nosebleeds or cuts.

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Greeks referred to the Yarrow plant as “The Military Herb” and never went into battle without it. Achillea

Millefolium gets its name from the Greek hero Achilles.

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Bug Bites & Bee Stings• Herb: Plantago

• Application: Rub Plantago salve directly on insect wound.

• Reduces any itching or swelling that may occur as a result of a bite or sting.

• Helps remove a bee stinger if it breaks off under the skin.

• Is antibacterial and can be applied directly to an open wound.

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Although it is a hardy native to Europe and Asia, plantago has since spread to every state in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii.

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Burns• Herb: St. John’s Wort

• Application: Rub St. John’s Wort salve directly onto minor burns.

• St. John’s Wort contains antibacterial properties due to its moderate levels of hyperforin and hypericin.

• The salve will sterilize the burn and kick-start the healing process.

• Also helps neutralize some of the pain associated with burns.

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St. John’s Wort is not native to the Americas and is considered an invasive weed because it is poisonous to livestock. Yet this also means it’s prevalent and easily

available for herbalists looking to utilize its many values.

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Cough• Herb: Elderberry

• Application: Take 5-20 drops of Elderberry tincture orally.

• Acts as an expectorant to break up mucus from the lungs.

• Make Elderberry tinctures only from the pulp and skin of ripe elderberries.

• The leaves, branches, and roots are

known to be a diuretic and can cause nausea in low doses. It can also be used to treat constipation and urinary problems for this same reason.

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Elderberry contains a cyanide-inducing glycoside in every part of the plant except the berries. Traces of cyanide will be left in the body if any part of

the plant is used other than the berries.

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Cuts & Scrapes• Herb: Plantago and Yarrow

• Application: Plantago salve or mixture of Plantago and Yarrow in a poultice. Apply both directly to wound.

• Do not use a poultice if the wound needs to be cleaned. The yarrow’s healing properties will clot the blood and trap the bacteria within the healed area.

• A Plantago salve will help draw out dirt, shards of glass, splinters, or anything else that is embedded in the skin.

• The Plantago salve will also ease any itching or soreness.

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Headaches• Herb: California Poppy

• Application: Brew in a tea or drop 5-20 drops of a tincture under the tongue.

• Best to drink tincture with lots of water. Dehydration is a common cause of headaches.

• As always, California Poppy remedies may cause drowsiness.

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Insomnia• Herb: Common Skullcap

• Application: Orally ingest 5-20 drops or brew in a tea for milder effects.

• Scutellaria Galericulata contains such valuable compounds such as scutellarin, catalpol, and tannins.

• These compounds come together to induce a calming effect on the nervous system.

• Skullcap is an herbal alternative for ADD and ADHD.

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The limitations for skullcap are seemingly endless due to its properties related to treating hysteria, neuralgia, and drug and alcohol withdrawals.

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Joint & Muscle Pains• Herb: Arnica

• Application: Distill essential arnica oil and massage into affected joints; or make as a salve and apply directly until healed.

• Contains a derivative of thymol, which is clinically shown to dilate subcutaneous blood capillaries deep within sinuous tissues.

• This means it is an effective anti-inflammatory which eases swelling, and reduces hematoma after surgeries.

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Arnica is a very effective remedy for acne and for the scars left by acne.

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Poison Ivy & Poison Oak• Herb: Plantago

• Application: Either a salve or a poultice can be applied to the skin.

• If possible, wash the affected area with soap and water before applying any treatments in order to clear away residual saps and oils.

• The Plantago herb contains psyllium which is known to reduce itching and swelling.

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Respiratory Problems• Herb: California Poppy and Elderberry

• Application: Brew California Poppy in tea to ease the sore throat that accompanies most respiratory problems.

• The California Poppy will offer a soothing effect from the taxing nature of chest colds.

• Take 5-20 drops of Elderberry salve to break up stubborn mucus buildup.

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ToothachesTooth Pain Related To Infection:

• Take 5-20 drops of Oregon Grape tincture orally to fight infection.

• Rub Plantago salve directly on the infected area to fight bacterial growth on external parts of the gums.

• Brew California Poppy tea or 5-20 drops of tincture to relieve pain.

Tooth Pain Related To Nerves:• First, add 10 drops of St. John’s

Wort tincture to glass of water and rinse mouth with solution.

• Then rub St. John’s Wort salve directly on gums.

• St. John’s Wort is shown to limit muscle and nerve receptor’s reuptake capabilities, thereby inhibiting pain.

• Also recommended to brew California Poppies or take 5-20 drops of tincture for pain, if needed.