Semester 3, Week 4, Day 1

I have won the battle of the kitchen table! For now...  I'll post pics at the end of this if I think of it.  I'm working on breakfast as I type so I will take breaks.  LOL How our parents survived our children without zip ties, I have NO idea. Now if I could just zip-tie the laundry room door closed somehow since she has defeated every attempt I have made...  I had her not interested in going in there for a few days but I weeded the herb bed the other day (not very well) and I accidentally broke off a piece of Rosie (my rosemary bush, yes she deserves to be named) and my peppermint plant.  The laundry room is the only room I can grow plants so I have these cuttings in there trying to root them.  She saw them now she keeps trying to go in and play with the "pretty flowers".  It doesn't help that they both smell really good....  LOL  Nothing like having to run to protect your plants!  LOL  I'm very glad she likes them.  When we go outside she needs to pick a flower and eat some blackberries.  It's going to break her heart when they are out of season...  I don't take my son out much yet.  She is a handful by herself so we go out when he's napping.  He takes really good naps.  This morning, I strained my chamomile tincture.  I have noticed the mixtures that are really thick tend to hold the alcohol smell longer so I'm thinking I need to stir them more to determine if they are done or not. Lesson learned.  I have not gone into the classroom yet to see what's due this week but I know at least 2 essays, 2 discussion boards and 2 tests.  Fun times!  LOL It have gone back and forth on which herb to discuss today.  I want to stick with the ones I have fixed the herbarium on so I'm thinking yellow dock right now then buchu and it will give me time to fix some of the others.  Buchu comes from Africa and I found it very interesting. If I recall correctly, yellow dock is everywhere. Below is the important information and, as always, over the next few days, I will explain the actions and constituents.

Constituents: Mills and Bones (2010) state there are moderate levels of anthraquinone glycosides (chrysophanol, emodin, frangulin, and chrysophanein).  Hoffman, 2003, says anthraquinone glycosides (nepodin, physcion, emodin); tannins and oxalates (p. 578).

Therapeutic Actions: mild laxative, cholagogue, depurative. Clark (2011) also states yellow dock is an astringent, good for diarrhea (65).Clark (2011) suggests using it as a decoction or tincture to treat digestive problems such as constipation and indigestion and skin problems (demulcent) such as eczema and psoriasis (58). Hoffman, 2003, says Alterative, laxative, hepatic, cholagogue, tonic.

Indications: Used on skin conditions to include psoriasis, jaundice and constipation (mild action).

Safety, Precautions and Contraindications: There is potential for intestinal obstruction. Do not use when pregnant or lactating.  Ulbricht (2010) also states there is potential for allergies; especially if there is a ragweed allergy already present. Clark (2011) mentions there may be issues with oxalates and not to consume this herb while suffer from kidney stones. Hoffman (2003) says this may cause vomiting and it may potentiate other laxatives (p. 579).