Many of our medicines and treatments are plant-based products that come from medicinal plants. There are several folklore remedies in which berries, leaves, roots, bark or flowers are consumed or processed to relieve an ailment. The majority of those treatments have been tested and deemed unreliable, but a few have turned out to be effective. Today there are several perennial medicinal herbs that are truly worthy.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, or Melissa officinalis, is a perennial with heart-shaped leaves and a flavor of lemons that is native to the Mediterranean. It has been a folklore remedy as a sedative to help treat insomnia and anxiety, and made into a tea to treat migraines and nerves. Today lemon balm is a topical treatment for herpes sores and can be used as a cream, a tincture or by steeping 2 to 4 tsp. of crushed leaves for 10 to 15 minutes in 1 cup of boiling water. Soak cotton balls in mixture when cool to the touch. It also can be taken internally as an aid to digestion and to lessen anxiety in Alzheimer's patients.
Red Clover
Red clover, or Trifolium pratense, is a perennial that grows 6 to 24 inches tall with oval leaves and purple or magenta flowers that bloom from spring to fall. Originally it was a Native American remedy for gout, cancer, liver and gallbladder problems, constipation and whooping cough. It also was made into a tea for use as a sedative and blood purifier. Today red clover is a hot flash remedy that is in many herbal menopause supplements.
Yarrow
Yarrow, or Achillea millifolium, grows under 3 feet in height and in summer has flower blooms of white, purple or pink. It is related to mums and chamomile. The flowers, stems and leaves are the medicinally useful part of the plant and they are used for menstruation trouble (cramps or irregularity), fever, inflammation, wound healing and for heartburn. It may cause miscarriage in pregnant women, so do not take if pregnant.
Mugwort
Mugwort, or Artemisia vulgaris, is a perennial with large furry leaves and gray flowers that bloom from July to September. It has a bitter taste and aromatic leaves. It started as a food flavoring, cancer treatment, digestive ailment tonic and a relief for "women's ailments." Today it is used as a juice for poison ivy treatment, a complement to some acupuncture treatments and as an antihistamine.
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