SILVERWEED


Silverweed has the highest content of vitamin C of all the weeds.
The plant is rich in tannins, bitter, flavonic substances, mineral salts & essential oil. Because of these properties silverweed has many benefic effects, being astringent, spasmolitic, analgesic, anti-diuretic, cicatrizing & haemostatic.

Both the roots & the leaves are mildly astringent so that their infusion helps to treat diarrhea & the fluxes of women, making also with honey a useful gargle.

Silverweed is known for its antispasmodic activity & it has been used frequently to treat menstrual cramps.
Also, its high tannin content makes it a useful treatment for sore throat, oral & skin ulcerations & bleeding.
Silverweed is especially useful for treating diarrhea & ulcerative colitis, since the tannins have antibacterial action & help to heal the intestines, while the antispasmodic effect reduces intestinal contractions.
It is also an excellent remedy for cramps in the stomach, heart & abdomen.
Silverweed can also be used for treating uric lithiasis, vaginal leaking, skin ulcerations & anemia.

In case of kidney stones & arthritis, a longer tea treatment is recommended using this plant.
The tea is also useful as an external astringent for malaria, cystitis, palsy, shingles, itch, sciatica, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, quinsey, epilepsy, toothache, bleeding gums, mouthwash, fever & throat sores, hoarseness, cough, ague, colds, flu, canker sores.

A strong infusion of silverweed, if used as a lotion, will check the bleeding of piles.

Externally, the plant is used under the form of local washing in cases of leucorrhoea.
For treating skin ulcerations & gum inflammations, poultices can be applied, imbued with tea.

The dried & powdered leaves have been successfully administered in ague, the more astringent roots have been given about 1.3 grams & upwards.
As a diuretic, silverweed has been considered useful in gravel.
Jaundice: fresh plant, 100 g or more may be taken 3-4 times daily.

In Chinese medicine it is a commonly used remedy for diarrhea, especially if accompanied by blood dischargehemorrhages, including menstrual bleeding & blood in the urine due to infection or gravel.
The decoction has been used for ulcers in the mouth, relaxation of the uvula, spongy gums & for fixing loose teeth, also for toothache & preserving the gums from scurvy
The decoction, tea & tincture (made with water or milk) are used for enteritis & inflammation of the mucous membranes in the mouth & bleeding gums, canker sores, dysentery.
The tincture is good for sealing hemorrhages, for leucorrhea & for fevers.
Diluted it makes a good mouthwash & gargle for sore throat.

The root is used for chronic & infectious catarrhal enteritis, quinsey, epilepsy, toothache, dysentery & jaundice.
Especially helps intestinal problems where diarrhea & constipation alternate.
Externally, used to help heal wounds, sores, ulcers, bruises & relieves pain.

When added to bath water, it will stop bleeding from piles, boils, ulcers, sores & wounds.

PRECAUTIONS:

The consumption of silverweed is not recommended in chronicle, renal & hepatic affections.
The tea should not be consumed on an empty stomach because it causes irritation of the gastro-intestinal mucous.


RECIPES:

Decoction:

Boil 2 tsp herb in 1 cup of water or milk.

Mixed tea:

Mix equal parts of silverweed, lemon balm leaves & chamomile flowers.
Steep 1 tsp of the mixture in 1/2 cup water.
Take 1 - 1 1/2 cups a day, a mouthful at a time.

Infusion:

Use 1 tsp of the dried herb in 1 cup of boiling water.
Cover & steep for 30 minutes, strain.
Excellent gargle for sore throat.

Silverweed tea:

is obtained from the herb's leaves, sometimes also adding the roots.
2 tbsp of leaves are added to 500 ml of water.
After 10-15 min, strain & drink while warm during the period of a day, in 3 portions, after the main meals.

1 tbsp of the powdered herb may also be taken every 3 hours.

Compresses: 

1 tbsp of the herb, boiled in a cup of milk, has been recommended as an effective remedy in tetanus or lockjaw. The tea should be drunk as hot as possible. 

BEAUTY:

A distilled water of the herb was in earlier days much in vogue as a cosmetic for removing freckles, spots, prevent scarring from smallpox, pimples & for restoring the complexion when sun-burnt.
  
The complexion is washed with an infusion :
2 tsp of crushed plant add
300 ml of boiling water, cover, leave it to cool down.

MAGIC:

In ancient China, this herb was used in magic for casting spells & as a love-divining herb.
It is used to attract luck & money.
Additionally, it is found in many recipes for protection & uncrossing, such as herbal baths.
Carrying a bit with you allegedly serves in getting others to grant you favors.



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