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Page 69
when digestion is sluggish. The cold infusion of the bark may be helpful as a wash in cases of eye inflammation.
Preparations & dosage: Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1 to 2 tsp. of the dried bark and leave to infuse for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink 3 times a day. Tinctures: Take 1/4 tsp. 3 times a day.
Wild Indigo: Baptisia tinctoria
Part used: Root.
Actions: Antimicrobial, anticatarrhal.
Indications: Wild indigo is an herb to be considered wherever there is a focused infection. It is especially useful in the treatment of infections and catarrh in the ear, nose and throat. It may be used for laryngitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis and catarrhal infections of the nose and sinuses. Taken both internally and as a mouthwash it will heal mouth ulcers and gingivitis and help in the control of pyorrhea. Systemically it may be helpful to treat enlarged and inflamed lymph glands and also to reduce fevers. Externally an ointment will help infected ulcers and ease sore nipples. A douche of the concoction will help leucorrhea.
Preparations & dosage: Decoction: Put 1/2 to 1 tsp. of the dried root in 1 cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink 3 times a day. Tincture: Take 1/4 tsp. 3 times a day.
Wild Lettuce: Lactuca virosa
Part used: Dried leaves.
Actions: Nervine, anodyne, hypnotic, antispasmodic.
Indications: The latex of the wild lettuce was at one time sold as ''Lettuce Opium," naming the use of this herb quite well! It is a valuable remedy for use in insomnia, restlessness and excitability (especially in children) and other manifestations of an overactive nervous system. As an antispasmodic it can be used as part of a holistic treat-

 
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