24 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
Rich in rutin, this tree’s leaves not only help strengthen the walls of the
vascular system but, as a strong antiviral, make a wonderful tea for
treating fl u, colds, coughs, and more. It is used for the treatment of
malaria all over the world.
juniper (various species)
Parts used: leaf and berry
This is another antimicrobial plant with a particular affi nity to the urinary
tract. The leaves of this shrub are used; make them up as a tea. A few
juniper berries can also be used over a short term.
pine (various species)
Parts used: needle and resin
As a prime antioxidant, a cup of tea a day made from the needles will
keep your body literally “alive.” Pine is also a strong antiviral and anti-
infection aid.
ginkgo (ginkgo biloba)
Part used: leaf
Favored for its ability to enhance brain and memory functions, ginkgo
also has prime immunosupportive chemistry as well as vascular
maintenance properties. A simple tea can be made at any time of year
from the leaves, but late summer yellow-green ones are the best.
Book List
Advanced Treatise on Herbology by Dr. Edward E. Shook (Hastings, UK:
Society of Metaphysicians Ltd., 1928)
A Field Guide to Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and
Christopher Hobbs. The Peterson Field Guide Series (Boston: Hough-
ton, Miffl in Co., 2002)
Forest Gardening by Robert Hart (Bideford, UK: Chelsea Green Publish-
ing Co., 1996)
Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook by James Green (Berkeley, California:
Crossings Press, 1996)
Herbal Renaissance: Growing, Using, and Understanding Herbs in the Modern
World by Steven Foster (Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith, Publisher, 1984)
Rolling Thunder by Doug Boyd (New York: Dell Publishing, 1974)
Tom Brown’s Guide to Wild Edible and Medicinal Plants by Tom Brown Jr.
(New York: Berkeley Books, 1985)