Hydrangea root was used by the American Indian (esp. Cherokee) as a remedy for kidney and bladder stones and is currently being studied as a treatment for malaria. ‘Annabelle’ and ‘Grandiflora’ are commonly available cultivars. Propagation is best by softwood cuttings in May-June or by division in late winter or early spring. Smooth Hydrangea is hardy in zones 4-9.
Although ginger originated in India and China, the root is now cultivated all over the world as a spice, food alternative, and medicinal herb. The plant can be propagated through rhizome division and then harvested after about 10 months.
Comfrey contains allantoin which is a cell-proliferant which helps repair damaged tissue. It promotes the knitting together of bones and ligaments. The herb also contains rosmarinic acid which is an anti-inflammatory property.
There have been reports of people developing problems with their liver and kidneys. In most cases the people were taking either Chaparral capsules or drinking excessive amounts of Chaparral tea. Some people were reported to have had previous liver disease. It is possible that these could be individual reactions to the herb. The strong taste of Chaparral is disagreeable to most people. This makes it hard to take too much internally before getting nauseous.
How Burdock is used and how it Works: Burdock promotes flow of secretions of the body without irritating qualities. It has a gentle laxative effect and stimulates digestive action within the stomach.
Mature branches were once bundled and used as brooms by butchers. Young shoots were eaten as food. Early physicians used the roots as a diuretic in the treatment of urinary problems. It was also used to treat menstrual bleeding, bladder stones, jaundice, and headache. Butcher’s broom decreases vascular permeability.