Feeling Better with the Natives

With all this talk of germs and illness, I thought a little medicine was in order. There are several native plants in Utah that have medicinal properties. We may not use them anymore, due to commercial products, but it is always nice to know what various plants can be used for.

Ephedra viridis - Green Mormon Tea
Not only does it have unique green stems with tiny leaves, our native Ephedra (with only low levels of Psuedoephedrine) helps with the common cold, clears congestion and other respiratory ailments, and urinary tract infections.

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Artemisia tridentata - Bigtooth Sagebrush
It is true, that "weed" that grows everywhere in Utah has medicinal uses. Sagebrush has been used to treat headaches, diarrhea, sore throat, vomiting and even bullet wounds (don't try that one at home). The made a tea of the leaves and used it for hair tonics and bee stings. The tea also worked for night sweats.

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Rosa sp. - Rosehips
We are so trained to deadhead the roses that we fail to benefit from rosehips. They are quite edible, and are supposed to be tasty. They are high in Vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Rosehips are also good for cleansing and colds and the flu. 

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Achillea millefolium - Common Yarrow
This little flower is another one that is good for helping with the common cold, flu, and fevers. It can also help with painful menstruation. It has even been known to help reduce bleeding. 

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Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed
This is one of the ecologically "IN" plants. As the food source for Monarch Butterflies it is critical to the survival of Monarchs. Asclepias was named for the Greek God Asklepios - herbalist and physician. Butterfly Weeds are known to treat lung ailments. A few more of these planted around and we would all be breathing easier.

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