Rudbeckia hirta aka Black Eyed Susans for Medicine

 

 A friend took me foraging last week! I was able to bring a few plants home for my garden. I cut the plants back to give them the best chance of survival. I will use the flowers and leaves for medicine.

These showy flowers are commonly planted in flowerbeds, but most gardeners do not realize it is a living first aid kit. Black-eyed Susan (BES), Rudbeckia hirta, is a member of the Aster family. While R. hirta has been less extensively studied, it can be used in many of the same ways as its more well-known cousin, Echinacea purpurea. The Southern Herbalist Darryl Patton stated in a class I took that he considers it a good substitute for echinacea. 

I have found one notable difference in my research. While Echinacea is an immunomodulator (balances and regulates the immune response), my research says Rudbeckia hirta is considered an immunostimulant (ramps up the immune response). One would use Echinacea over R. hirta when trying to calm a cytokine storm (exaggerated immune response to the point it is harmful to the body). People with immune system dysfunction would want to use wisdom and caution when using BESs for medicine. 

Black Eyed Susan has been used for colds, flus, upper respiratory infections, wounds, sores, skin infections, snake bites, mild inflammatory conditions (sore throats, swollen glands, muscle aches and stiffness, and burns), and to stimulate a weak immune response. While there is not much research, traditional folk medicine and Native American uses suggest that multiple Rudbeckia species were used similarly to R. hirta.

I have been studying and practicing herbal medicine and foraging for wild edibles since the early 1990s. My herbal education blends extensive self-directed study with formal training through two herbal schools, complemented by numerous classes and active engagement within the online herbal community. As a clinical herbalist and herbal educator, it is my joy and calling to help others discover the many benefits of the plants growing right beneath our feet. I encourage everyone to do their own research and always check for contraindications. -Wendy aka Wendy2Bear aka Mama Asbell

Triangle Orache aka Saltbush aka Atriplex spp

Triangle Orache (Atriplex prostrata) grows all over the US and other parts of the world. There are no toxic plants in the Atriplex genus. Atriplex is in the same family (Amaranthaceae) as the more commonly known wild edible, Lamb's Quarters. 

The young, tender leaves are delicious and salty, which is where it gets the nickname "Saltbush." Those little leaves never make it to the house to be used in a salad because I eat them right off the plant. The older leaves are tougher and bitter, but they are still OK to use in small amounts as a pot herb, in a mix of sauteed greens, or as part of a green powder. 

Like spinach, the older leaves of Atriplex are high in oxalates, so consuming them with calcium will help prevent absorption. I use stinging and wood nettles, which are very high in calcium, in my green powder mixes to reduce the amount of free oxalates. One could add cheese to a soup or salad to help bind the oxalates. 

Atriplex is a good source of Vitamins A and C, magnesium, iron, and calcium. My notes do not have a lot of medicinal information on this plant. I have PDFs of very old herbal texts showing, it has been used to treat digestive and kidney ailments, purify the blood, and has been used externally for bug bites, stings, tumors, etc. What I see is that it has been used mainly for food for humans and livestock.

I have been studying and practicing herbal medicine and foraging for wild edibles since the early 1990s. My herbal education blends extensive self-directed study with formal training through two herbal schools, complemented by numerous classes and active engagement within the online herbal community. As a clinical herbalist and herbal educator, it is my joy and calling to help others discover the many benefits of the plants growing right beneath our feet. I encourage everyone to do their own research and always check for contraindications. -Wendy aka Wendy2Bear aka Mama Asbell

Virginia Pepperweed aka Peppergrass

Peppergrass, primarily Lepidium virginicum L. (commonly called Virginia pepperweed), is another plant I use when I can find it. I've been munching on these since I was a child. This one was growing in a planter on my deck. It is a wild edible in the Brassicaceae (cabbage, radishes, cauliflower, broccoli, bok choy, turnip, etc) family. Its leaves, seeds, and young shoots are edible and were foraged by Native Americans and early settlers. The young greens are similar to arugula or watercress and are often added raw to salads or cooked as a pot herb (usually added to food that is cooked in a pot). The seeds can be ground as a pungent spice substitute, resembling a combination of mustard and black pepper. When harvested at the right time, it is tasty! The seeds need to be harvested while green because they lose flavor as they turn tan.

Lepidium virginicum has stimulating, diuretic, and expectorant medicinal effects. The whole plant, especially the seeds and aerial parts, was used in decoctions or tinctures to treat respiratory issues like coughs and asthma, as well as urinary tract problems. It has also been used to promote sweating in fevers, acting similarly to other mustard herbs. The Cherokee used it to "thin the blood" and relieve colds and congestion.

Peppergrass contains compounds which are known for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Glucosinolates yield isothiocyanates which have been studied for potential anticancer properties. Some studies say the antibacterial properties of Lepidium species are effective against common pathogens. FYI, there are 158 pages of results on PubMed when you search "Lepidium."

I have been studying and practicing herbal medicine and foraging for wild edibles since the early 90s. As a practicing herbalist and herbal educator, it is my joyful mission to help others realize the many benefits of what is growing right under their feet.

Sweet Gum, Grape Leaves, Storax, Resveratrol, Viruses

A friend asked me about Sweet Gumballs. I figured I'd share this here in case it helps someone else:

If the sweet gumballs are not in season, you can use the leaves, stems, and inner bark to extract the antiviral properties. I learned that by listening to and taking notes from the old Tommy Bass videos. The gumballs have higher amounts of storax, but there is a moderate amount in the leaves, stems, and bark. Just use a higher herb-to-solvent ratio. The same is true with a lot of herbs. For example, higher amounts of resveratrol (antiviral) are in grape skins, but you can also get it from the leaves. 

Have you ever been sick and then there is a point where everything just gets worse...congestion becomes heavier, aches and pains increase a lot, fever is high and won't go down? Or you just can't get rid of it, and it lingers? That can be a mild to moderate cytokine response. Grape leaf tea will help calm that down. I pick them and dry them for that purpose. When the new crop of grape leaves comes in, I add the old ones to my green powder mix, since resveratrol is an antioxidant. 

There is a joyful noise in our home.

First, you should realize I have had children run to me with all manner of exciting nature finds, including snakes, big insects, and spiders. Brandon asked for a green snake, and I, thinking he'd never find one, said yes. Not too many weeks later, he ran inside with an arm and a slithery thing outstretched. I climbed the couch backward. Caleb has no fear of snakes.

There are many more stories, but know when a youngun' rushes towards me with something in their hands, I've learned to GIVE GROUND and ask questions later. So, when Emily came running in with a big bundle in her shirt, hoping for a reaction, she got one. I was bolting to the other side of the room before she could say 'TURKEYS!!"

She fell to the floor on her knees, laughing at me.

Mind you, I play back. I might get C-Dawg to help me with this one. It's joyful and fun in this home. I am very thankful for #6 and #7, who came later in my reproductive years and are such a tremendous blessing.

The Lord is faithful and leads us to good places...if we are willing to follow.

Being attacked for doing your best?

I wrote this to encourage a young friend of mine who is facing so much criticism and nastiness for starting a home-based business. She is a young mother trying very hard to help her family. Relatives and others are tearing her down and telling her she will not succeed, and are starting rumors that she is operating without a business license. 

If you are also facing a lot of hostility while trying to do something good, maybe this will encourage you:

The truth shines while the jealous whine. I've had those types of people in my life. Emphasis on "had." 

No weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from me, declares the Lord. Isaiah 54:17

Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Psalm 37:5-6

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. Proverbs 31:25

False accusations don’t define you. God sees and honors the truth.

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord. Romans 12:19

A lion doesn't lose sleep over the opinion of sheep.

Those who are mature in Christ like to see others succeed and encourage (build up) each other. They let go of grievances with others because of all Christ has forgiven them. They are more focused on growing and serving the Lord (themselves) than what others are doing. Destruction (tearing down) is the work of satan. Christians who have dealt with what you are facing should rally around you, encourage you, and help promote your business. Look at the ones helping you and encouraging you. THOSE are the relationships to focus on.

Abundant Mercy

In Ephesians 2, we are told He is RICH IN MERCY, 

and in Lamentations 3, we are told His mercies 

never come to an end. 

I am so very thankful for that!!

Happy July 4th!!

HAPPY 4th of July!

to our family and friends

near and far, 

old and new,

close and estranged

from The Asbell Family!

Thank You Father for making us American citizens and giving us the freedom, privileges, and responsibility you have blessed upon us!
May we conduct ourselves as worthy servants and bring YOU glory!

Dear Reader, Our world faces many challenges now and in the future, but I am still very thankful to be an American where I have experienced great freedom. No matter where you live, I hope you know the freedom that comes from knowing Christ.

John 8:36

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.