Posted by Nathan on 23rd Aug 2020
Mullein (Flowering Tops: UC Gill Tract Farm, Albany, CA)
In these times of wildfires, there are many herbal allies that can support keeping your lungs healthy and immune system strong. Here are a few of my favorites:
These can all be brewed as a tea, together, individually, and/or in simple combinations of two or three herbs can provide both symptom relief and overall health support.
Pine Needle (pine, spruce, and fir needles all work). Note though that Norfolk Pine and Yew Pine are poisonous, so if you're plucking them from trees, make sure you know what Norfolks and Yews look like.)
Grindelia (also known as Gumweed)
Elecampane (Inula helenium)
Our livers are definitely getting taxed by all the toxins in air right now. Liver detox and liver protective herbs like Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) seed, Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus) (leaf or root), Dandelion (Taraxicum officinale) (root or leaf), and/or Burdock (Articum lappa) root would be good choices to add to the mix.
Inula heleniumLatin Name: Inula heleniumCommon name(s): Elecampane, Elf Dock, Horseheal, Velvet Dock Family: AsteraceaeBotany: Elecampane grows up to 4 to 5 feet tall, and blooms from June to August. It has bright yellow flowers, and fairly large, downy leaves. Habitat: Elecampane is an adaptable perennial, but prefers more moist soil, and shadier locations. History/Folklore: The name helenium from Helen of [...]
Verbascum thapsusLatin Name: Verbascum thapsusCommon name(s): Mullein, Great Mullein, Common Mullein, Cow’s Lungwort, Wollen Blanket Herb, Mary’s CandleFamily: ScrophulariaceaeBotany: Mullein produces a rosette of leaves during its first year of growth. The flowering stalk grows during the second year, and can grow as tall as 6 to 8 feet. Habitat: There are nearly 300 species of Mullein native [...]
Aralia californicaLatin Name: Aralia californicaCommon name(s): California Spikenard, Western Aralia, California Ginseng, Elk Clover Family: Araliaceae Botany: Aralia, a member of the Ginseng family, is a deciduous perennial that can grow up to 10 feet high. It has large leaves, and yellow-greenish flowers that bloom in mid-summer, and mature into blue-black berries in early fall. According to herbalist Michael [...]