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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Jerakeen on November 21, 2003, 00:02:31
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Does anyone grow any medicinal herbs like Devils Claw, Feverfew etc as this is an area I am interested as well (I run a natural health shop!). Just wondered how easy it is to get seeds/plants to get started?
Bec
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I don`t know about Devil`s Claw, but I have seen Feverfew among the herb collections in a local Garden shop (one of the well know seedsmen but can`t remember which one).
I grew Feverfew from seed many years ago. It seeded all over the garden and took me years to eradicate it.
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Suffolk Herbs - of all the 'regulars' - probably have one of the best selections. For instance, they have echinacea - devil's claw?
Not a supplier, but an interesting site - purplesage.org.uk? - Tim
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Sorry I should have said I run a Natural Health PET shop!
Bec
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I too have grown feverfew from seed very easy, I have the single flower one at home will grow in any soil a very good herb to have. Havent come across DC so cannot advise.
Teresa
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Tim, I think you have a wire crossed somewhere. Devil`s Claw (also known as Grapple Plant) is the Harpagophytum procumbens - family Pedaliaceae - native to South Africa. Echinacea is the Purple Coneflower - family Compositae
The herbal remedies derived from these two are entirely different, and used for entirely different purposes.
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Hi Jerakeen,
We have treated our dogs with herbs a few times - the most efficacious has been eyebright for....eyes. Garlic and elderflower for mange and eczema (elderflower seems to be good for a lot of ailments). Pyrethrum for fleas. Also, comfrey - absolutely brilliant for all breaks,also arnica- bangs and bruises. I keep reading about something called cat grass (not sure what it is but someone will be i am sure. Catnip (nepeta.... can't think of any more just now but I know there are more. Have you come across Juliette D'Bairclai-Levi (I know that is not how you spell her name but I cannot track down my herbalism for dogs (and also she does one for children and horses) Terrific book. Oh yeh, Shepherd's Purse is a good natural disinfectant.
Enjoy the lottie, Suzy
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Hi Bec...and welcome!
Have you tried growing silybum marianum ?
One of my absolute favourites !
I grow it for ornamental purposes only, never fancied eating it, but apparently has various medicinal uses, particularly effective in protecting the liver from toxins.
Have lots of fresh seed if you or anyone else would like to give it a try!!
(http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=387e49b1-529a-329f-4416-31f042cc3562&size=lg)
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Thanks, Hugh - note my ?? after my offering - the info came from 3 different sources on the net!! Can't trust a soul? - Tim
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Tim, it`s obvious that you don`t have cupboards full of part used packets of the damned stuff like we have. If there`s a herbal concoction on the market, we`ve got a half used packet of it stached away.
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I've got this friend, a homeopathic horse-doctor-type-chappie who lives in Glos (he's also got a smallholding & gardens organically)...anyhow, a couple of years ago he came to visit me - as usual I'd oversown lettuces & there were so many and they were bolting so fast I needed to padlock the garden gate...well, you know that white-y sap that's in the stem of bolting lettuces? Wonderful 'nerve' tonic for stressed out horses, apparently. He took the lot.
When their times came, I asked him to put both my cat and dog 'to sleep' - didn't ask what it was he gave them - digitalis is springing to mind? but may not be, it was a long time ago - point is, both did, in fact, go to sleep very peacefully, in my arms, with no horrid visit to a vet's, and never woke up. - Lishka
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- you're right, Hugh - I rely on freshly ground curry powders to keep my circulation going! - Tim
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Hi Alishka - apparently (reading on the bus home tonight) latex from bolted lettuce was at one time used as a substitute for opium or laudanum!!!!
Happy/hippy/hoppy horses!
All best - Gavin
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Whatever were you reading, Gavin ???
So that's what it was all about! My friend wouldn't tell me - I'll be keeping the next crop for myself, I think - come to think of it, did I read that Oz was growing salad in his wardrobe now? ::) - Lishka
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That's the bit I was reading on the bus!!!!
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A colleague at work gave me some Valeriaan to grow - has nice flowers apparently and you can use the roots to make a relaxing tea he said.
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Take care BB don't drink it in vast quantities, or you 'll be so relaxed you'll be falling in a heap on the floor.
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You're absolutely right Budgie!................careful with the dosage BB ..... unless you want or need ;) to be turned into a Zombie for a few days!! ;D ;D
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It's only a tiny thing at the moment - I expect it'll be ages before it reaches the size to actually be able to use. Thanks for the warnings though - I promise to be careful.