Southside Shiatsu

Verbena hastata, Blue Vervain, beirbhéine ghorm in Irish ☘️ Gaelic is an excellent nervine, meaning it’s a good tonic for the nervous system. traditionally used in herbal medicine as a nerve tonic, relaxant, and digestive aid. An herb considered sacred to the Celts as well as an altar herb in Ancient Greece and Egypt a powerful herb of protection, emotional cooling, and energetic purification. Associated with the planet Venus and the element of Water, it is frequently used to soothe frayed nervous energy, release stubborn rigid control, and clear stagnant or negative spiritual influences.

Monarda punctata, or Spotted Bee Balm, also known as Oswego Tea is part of the mint (Lamamacea) family. contains high levels of thymol, giving it powerful antiseptic, antimicrobial, and carminative properties. Historically and in herbal medicine, weak teas, poultices, or steams made from its leaves and flowers to treat colds, flus, fevers, digestive upsets, and skin irritations. So anti-inflammatory like its cousin, bee balm.

Lobelia siphilitica, or Giant Blue Lobelia, is another wetland favorite. has a history in traditional herbalism for treating respiratory problems like coughs and bronchitis, reducing fevers, and inducing vomiting or sweating. Its species name comes from an old, unproven belief that it could cure syphilis. Modern medicine advises caution because the plant contains toxic alkaloids. The eclectics of the late 19th century used it as a way to reset the nervous system. Using it to cause vomiting to cleanse and reset. Treat this herb with care.

Liatris pycnostachya, or Prairie Blazing Star, also Cattail Blazing Star is a Blazing Star that loves the wetlands. A favorite of the pollinators, especially the butterfly 🦋. used by Indigenous North American tribes, including the Cheyenne and Plains groups, as a versatile herbal remedy. The tuberous roots and leaves were brewed into teas, ground into powders, or mashed into poultices to treat pain, fevers, swelling, and digestive issues. The roots mashed up and applied externally to treat measles and mumps. It contains Coumarin so can thin the blood and should not be taken if you’re on blood thinners.

Swamp rose mallow, Hibiscus moscheutos, is our own amazing native Hibiscus. Anti-inflammatory and good in many of the ways that Chinese Hibiscis is, it helps calm the mind by improving cholesterol and blood sugar levels and helps in lowering blood pressure. The flowers are harvested, dried, and made into a delicious, astringent tea.

Ah, our beloved hedge ruffian. With the Velcro style seeds hat stick to pet fur and kids clothes and hair in the fall. Burdock, Arctium lappa, or Meacan-dogha (mischievous plant root) in Irish Gaelic, starts out with those huge elephant ear leaves in its first year and its huge stalk full of purple blossoms that become those burs in its second year. The root, also called Gobo root, in China are world renowned for being an excellent blood cleanser that helps heal many skin disorders from eczema to psoriasis. The sliced root of a tasty addition to stir fries.

Ah, bee balm, sweet leaf, wild bergamot, how many names for our lovely Monarda fistulosa. Our own prairie wild oregano. Full of carvacrol and thymol. Amazing anti-inflammatory. Draws heat up from the depths. Makes an aromatic tea from the the lavender blossoms and leaves. Leaved and flowers can be chewed into a poultice to help the body heal from burns. The bees and other pollinators love it…helps tj fight the mites that cause colony collapse syndrome.

What will follow will be a report from my latest plant 🌱 walk out at Holland Lake in the Lebanon Hills Park District. Here is Elderberry. Ripe Sambucus Canadensis. The berries are ready to harvest and turn into that wonderful syrup many of our Grandparents had in their medicine cabinets, Great for boosting the immune system and in warding off colds, and the flu. If you’re making it yourself make sure you cook the berries down for a good 20-30 minutes because raw berries, along with the bark, leaves, and seeds, contain toxic cyanogenic glycosides and lectins that can release cyanide during digestion, causing severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Cooking breaks down these harmful compounds and makes the fruit safe and digestible.