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Page 67
acid excretion from the kidneys. It is particularly important as a preventive for those who form urate stones.
Preparations and dosages: Tincture (fresh plant, 1:2; recent dry plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 20 to 60 drops. Standard infusion of recent plant, 2 to 4 ounces. All forms to 5x a day.
Contraindications: Although theoretically a cholinergic and bradycardic plant, it really seems quite harmless in actual usage. Best to avoid in pregnancy, since shepherd's purse has the distinct potential to heighten oxytocin binding. It is, therefore, a widely used birthing herb.
Skullcap
(Scutellaria spp.)
Part(s) used: Flowering herb.
Therapeutic effects: An effective analgesic for pain caused by nerve irritability.
Preparations and dosages: Herb: Tincture [fresh plant, 1:2, recent dry plant, 1:5, 50% alcohol] 20 to 60 drops. Standard infusion of recent herb, 2 to 6 ounces. All to 3x a day. Bad taste alert!
Contraindications: Probably should not be combined with other drug depressants or where a stronger approach is needed. Since you would presumably use a fresh preparation, you may experience a harmless temporary anesthetizing of the lips, fingers or toes. The herb's bitterness can induce gastric irritation in a few folks as well. Probably perfectly safe in pregnancy.
Slippery Elm bark
(Ulmus rubra)
Part(s) used: Inner bark.
Therapeutic effects: A soothing demulcent for inflamed membranes, used either internally or topically.
Preparations and dosages: 2 grams in tea, 4x a day as a suspended cold infusion.

 
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