VALERIAN (Valeriana officinalis)

PART USED: Root

PROPERTIES: Nervine, Sedative or Stimulant—for most people Valerian is relaxing but is highly stimulating (to the point of crazy) for some

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Nervous, Brain, Cardiovascular, Muscular, Skeletal

POSSIBLE USES: managing stress, insomnia, calming erratic heart beat, headaches, anxiety, convulsions, colic, muscle cramps, improving circulation, shoulder, neck and muscle tension, menstrual pain and cramping

Valerian was known as “all-heal” in the Middle Ages and is still referred to by that name in older herbal texts.

Valerian’s main impact is on the nerves, brain, liver, and heart. Because it heals and rebuilds in these areas, people feel calmed, strengthened, and uplifted by this herb. This is one of the best herbs in the world for helping people sleep and helping them cope with high levels of stress. Valerian reduces mental over-activity and nervous excitability, and helps people who find it hard to stop the mental chatter and get to sleep. Valerian is beneficial for almost any stress-related condition and has a calming, rather than heavy sedative, effect on the mind and body.

Valerian contains large amounts of calcium and comes with its own supply of magnesium so the calcium is readily absorbed and made available to build bones, strengthen nerves, and relax the smooth muscles.

©Copyright Butterfly Expressions 2020, 2021

WHITE OAK (Quercus alba)

PART USED: Bark

PROPERTIES: Adaptogenic, Antilithic, Astringent, Anti-inflammatory, Emmenagogue, Antimicrobial, Hemostatic/Styptic, Diuretic

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Structural, Endocrine/Glandular, Digestive, Mucous membranes, Integumentary

POSSIBLE USES: diarrhea, burns, cuts and wounds, dental/oral care

White Oak is one of the most valuable astringent herbs because it is useful for both external and internal bleeding and wound healing. White Oak heals damaged and inflamed tissues of the skin, mucous membranes, stomach, and intestines. A tea of the bark makes an excellent wash for gum infection, a gargle for sore throats, and a corrective for diarrhea. White Oak has proven to be an excellent remedy for gangrenous and other seriously infected flesh.

White Oak is one of the few herbs I have even seen listed (and had any success with) as an antidote for drug reactions and chemotherapy side effects.

©Copyright Butterfly Expressions 2020, 2021

WHITE PINE (Pinus strobus)

PART USED: Bark

PROPERTIES: Expectorant, Demulcent

SYSTEMS AFFECTED: Respiratory, Urinary, Skeletal

POSSIBLE USES: colds, bronchitis, croup, laryngitis, urinary tract infections, broken bones, bruises

White Pine was an essential part of Native American herbal lore. Its use was adopted by the Europeans when they arrived in America. They drank a tea made from the bark and the needles to ward off disease. This makes perfect sense since the brew would have been high in vitamin C.

White Pine is considered to be a remedy for coughs and congestion due to colds, bronchitis, flu, or laryngitis. The expectorant properties are nicely offset by the demulcent properties, helping the body to first expel phlegm and then heal the irritated tissues. As a poultice, White Pine speeds the healing of wounds and sores. The tea is excellent for kidney and lung ailments.

©Copyright Butterfly Expressions 2020, 2021