Magnolia

Taraxacum spp, Dandelion

Vitis vinifera var. grafitica, Grapes

Sphaeralcea, Globe mallow

Flower Mandala, Mendocino

Achillea millefoliun, Yarrow

Cactus flowers

Viola spp.

"The soft, silent and humble heart, in the violets hidden sweetness breathes" was the unfinished needlepoint I found in my great-grandmother's belongings. The "hidden sweetness" could be the fleeting sweet scent of crushed flowers but there is a vaguely minty note that indicates the presence of methyl salicylates, the ester also found in meadowsweet, willow and species of gautheria also known as the primary compound in asprin. An oil can be prepared out of many of these plants, viola included, and applied topically for bruising and pain relief and is a useful, safe remedy for children.

(Protocol for) and "One Family's Experience with H1N1" by Kathy Eich

(Thanks to Kathy for sharing her story)

Disclaimer: It is important to note that our daughter has not been tested for H1N1. Our M.D., based on our verbal account of her symptoms and an H1N1 case he experienced, believes that she had H1N1. We plan to test her soon to verify this.

I share her emotional history because I believe it is applicable. Perhaps I need to tell the story. She is my daughter, not my client. And to write a case report seems insensitive. I also feel that, if she had not been my daughter, perhaps there are things I would have done differently. But what we did was in good faith. And no one else in our family, including our 4 year old, contracted the illness.

As an herbalist and aromatherapist, I was not about to be scared by a flu. And when our daughter began having symptoms of flu, I didn’t panic. Neither did my husband. We weren’t worried. We had skills and tools. And besides, our children had already taught us a lot about resilience.

But as we all know, you can practice for the earthquake, but you never know where the earth will crack, or which way the buildings will fall. And until you are dealing with someone who is very ill, all the skills, plans and studies in the world are mere tools for support, not end all be all answers.

Our daughter, Chaya, age 6, had had a tough year. A dear little friend of hers from our former hometown of Silver City, NM had died of cancer. And our family was a big part of his process, as he and his mother had lived with us through his bone marrow transplant. Grieving from the loss, she contracted a severe upper respiratory infection, which moved to be a lower respiratory infection. I treated her with Sambucol because she liked it, and it worked well. I also used yarrow, ginger and Echinacea root, and essential oil formulas, which will soon follow.

A month later, she came home from school a bit out of sorts, and by bedtime had a fever. Within 24 hours, her cough was horrible, she was vomiting, had diarrhea, and a fever of 104.8. The body aches, head aches, chills and lack of ability to stand soon followed.

Without judgment of what it was, we proceeded to do what we could to ease symptoms and get her through, with the thought that it could be H1N1. We do live in Wisconsin, after all, a place that has the second highest rate of flu contraction. Here is a list of how we dealt with the illness with herbs, homeopathics, and aromatherapy. None of it is truly proven effective against the virus.

1. Vomiting and upset stomach were severe in the beginning. Little was tolerated, so I did little. To prevent dehydration, and work with the fever, boneset, yarrow tea with raw honey by the tablespoon full every 20 min., as tolerated. Also used tablespoons full of Emergen-C as often as possible as tolerated. There are many things one could reach for here. But I chose what worked with her system. Elderberry and other herbs were not tolerated at this point. She would throw them up. All children and adults are different. Use what works, and is applicable.
2. Intestinal cramps were tricky: magnesium homeopathics helped, and were tolerated. By day 2 added weak dilution of Motherwort tincture; was excellent for the cramping in small doses, and helped with the cough.
3. No vomiting by day 3. Was able to take strong water decoction of elderberry, Echinacea and licorice root with a bit on honey.
4. Day 4 added weak water decoction of ginger.
5. She was able to take the Sambucol in small doses at this point, but not consistently. Peppermint tea well tolerated.

Aromatherapy and Her Cough
The cough was a difficult issue, for I could use few internal herbs in the beginning. But this is where aromatherapy comes in. I rubbed on her feet (a key component) and chest an essential oil salve of rosemary, ginger, eucalyptus citridora, eucalyptus globulus, lavender, clove and thyme. The base was arnica and jojoba oil. The essential oils were specific, but the base was not. It was just what I had.
Treat through the feet: The veins in the feet run directly to the heart and respiratory tract, and without foot rubs her cough was unmanageable.
In a cold water humidifier at night, I added cinnamon, eucalyptus globulus, lavender, spikenard, and thyme. My goal was to get her to sleep, but also use oils that inhibit lower respiratory bacterial and viral infections. Thyme and cinnamon are specific antagonists to pneumonia and bronchitis. Lavender and spikenard are anti-spasmodics. Another great anti-spasmodic is sweet marjoram, but I was out of that.
By day 6 our daughter was able to ride in the car. We went out to improve mood, and spent a lot of time telling stories hanging out in the back of the Subaru at the prairie preserves. She was still quite ill, but was able to nibble avocado sushi.

The Fever
The high fever, reaching 105 at times, lasted for 4 days. We were able to manage it to 102, but it didn’t get much lower then that until day 5. Along with the herbs yarrow and boneset, at night I gave her ¼ dose of Children’s Advil, and once during the day in the beginning. Some may disagree with that, but 105 temp with vomiting needs a push to be managed at times. She couldn’t get down enough fluid to assist the management. Her body aches needed more relief then alternatives could offer then as well.

Prevention
To prevent the rest of us from getting the flu, I made pots of ginger tea with honey, and our 4 year old took Sambucol. We washed our hands religiously; blankets, toys, and books were sprayed with a ½ vinegar ½ water solution. I also diffused an aromatherapy spray made with the same oils used in the humidifier, with the addition of vetiver and frankincense, in a base of distilled water and witch hazel. The dilution of this hand and air spray was 10% essential oil to 1/2 distilled water 1/2 witch hazel base.

Recovery
To assist her body in recovering, we have used burdock root as a food, dandelion root and ginger root tea with a bit of honey, St. Johns Wort tincture, and a drop of schisandra tincture here or there. It has been about 4 weeks now, and she is doing well.

Helleborus spp.

The Ranunculaceae plant family is home to both toxic and medicinal plants; some are both, such as aconite, which is used more widely as a prepared medicine in Chinese medicine than in Western herbal medicine. Goldenseal is also a member of this family, as is this specimen of hellebore seen growing in my Mom's garden. This is of course for its lovely flowers only (what look like petals are actually sepals, or modified leaves).

Interested in medicinal plants of the Southwest? Do you have VHS?

Charlie Kane's a cowboy at heart, an excellent herbalist and a good friend of mine. This documentary "Edible and Medicinal Plants of the Southwest" is a gem. I don't have VHS - so it goes out to the first one to claim it! Charlie teaches herb classes and sees clients in Tucson and the surrounding areas: http://www.tcbmed.com/

His new book, "Herbal Medicine: Trends and Traditions (A Comprehensive Sourcebook on the Preparation and Use of Medicinal Plants)" can be found on Amazon.

Gardenia jasminoides var. ....

This gorgeously-scented flower has a heavy sweetness associated more with the tropics, to which it is native, than the many unexpected places it grows such as this particular specimen blooming in front of my apartment. Called zhi zi in Chinese medicine, it is quite commonly used to clear heat in wide variety of manifestations, from infections to insomnia and topical inflammation.

Purslane, Portulacca oleracea

Although considered primarily a weed here in the U.S. this humble, low-growing plant is valued as a nutrient-rich salad green (eaten raw or cooked) and for its medicinal qualities in many other countries. Its use in both regards dates back to ancient time and particularly in Greeece archaeobotanical evidence of this plant has been found. Purslane has a delicious if slightly sour flavor and is quite unusual for its high content (more than any other leafy green) of omega-3 fatty acids, which are most commonly found in seeds and in fish.

California Poppy, Escholtzia californica

This California native, designated in 1890 as the California State flower, is a relative of the more famous (and more potent) Papaver somniferum also called the opium poppy. While the latex from the P. somniferum capsule is processed into opium, it's the roots of E. californica, also a golden-orange hue, that can be made into a tincture or tea and is an excellent remedy for insomnia.

Wild lettuce, Lactuca virosa

This relative of salad lettuce, while edible, is incredibly bitter. The milky latex which is visible when a stem or a leaf is broken, called lactucarium, resembles opium latex in both in appearance and effect and was widely used as a (milder) substitute when opium was unavailable. One of the most common uses for Lactuca is for sleep and an herbalist friend of mine would run the whole plant through her juicer, then dehydrate, powder and encapsulate, to excellent (if not labor-intensive) effect.

Kumquat, Fortunella japonica

Ceanothus (most likely) spinosus

The flowers, fresh or dried, contain saponins and can be used for their mild soapy qualities. It's the very tough roots however that are an unsung, very easily-found medicine, with a particular affinity for the lymph system and nodes. The tincture or a strong decoction can be used as a gargle for acute tonsillitis and as an adjunct herb internally for both mastitis and mononucleosis. Due to its anticoagulant properties this plant medicine is contraindicated for people on anticoagulants or with coagulation disorders.

Passiflora incarnata

Simply one of the best remedies for insomnia that I know of, Passiflora contains some interesting alkaloids, specifically harmalines, also found in syrian rue (Peganum harmala) and Banisteriopsis spp. (an ingredients in ayahuasca). While Passiflora is generally a safe herb to take, I recommend caution with people on MAO-inhibitors and similar medications.

Dandelion, Taraxacum off.

A salad green, a bitter tonic, a coffee substitute (the roasted root), a gentle diuretic, a mild laxative. The flowers are used to make dandelion wine, the leaves beer - this is a wild weed at its most potent yet least-appropriated.

Shephard's purse, Capsella bursa pastoris

Shephard's purse is both a gentle diuretic and an astringent, with the latter properties considered somewhat specific for the kidneys and excessive menstrual bleeding. Unlike most tinctures, this one has a particularly short shelf life, no more than a year.

Honeysuckle, Lonicera japonica, jin yin hua

The name "jin yin hua" can be translated from the pinyin to mean "silver gold flower", noting the appearance on the vine of both white and gold-colored flowers simultaneously. In Chinese medicine this herb is categorized to clear heat and relieve toxicity which would be similar to infectious disease or a fever due to bacterial or viral infection.

A lush Salvia apiana off Sunset

Cruciferae spp.

Wild radish, Cruciferae spp.

Oatstraw, Avena sativa

Free Fruit and Guerrilla Gardening in LA. Respect, yo.

http://www.fallenfruit.org/maps.html

http://www.guerrillagardening.org/gglinks.html

Chickweed, Stellaria media

Papaver spp.

Prickly pear (nopales), Opuntia I love you too.

Saguaro

Oro Valley

Loquat, Eriobotrya japonica, pi pa ye

Tree Tobacco, Nicotiana glauca, surrounded by grass and wild mustard

Calendula officinalis

Wildcrafting in Park City, Utah

Mallow, Malva sylvestris(?)

Horsetail, Equisetum hymenale(?)

Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare

Artichoke, Cynara scolymus