next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects
Dear All, Apr 30, 2007
Thoughts of herbal medicines bring to mind a recipe for Spring Tonic
that, according to family tradition, my Great great great grandfather
learned from the local Indians (Kings County) shortly after he moved
here in 1761. Although late in the year, it is time to dig it out
(refresh the screen) because I have made none for 5 years or so and had
even forgotten where the notes were. And some on Naturens may be interested.
No doubt the recipe has strayed a bit from the original and when I
learned by helping make it numerous times (late March or early April),
the required quantities of each ingredient were fairly vague;
much White Pine (inner white bark of vigorous branches; _Pinus strobus_),
much Wintergreen (open grown healthy leaves; _Gaultheria procumbens_),
less Prince's Pine (open grown healthy leaves; _Chimaphila umbellata_),
less Witch Hazel (green & white inner bark of vigorous growth;
_Hamamelis virginiana_) and
even less Black Cherry (green & white inner bark of vigorous growth;
Prunus serotina).
So using remembered taste as a guide I formalized amounts for two
approaches (about 40 years ago), finely ground dried material and
fresh/unground material.
FINELY GROUND DRIED MATERIAL
2 Tablespoons Wintergreen
1 Tablespoon White Pine
1 Teaspoon Witch Hazel
1 Teaspoon Prince's Pine
1/2 Teaspoon Black Cherry
Simmer in 20 ounces of water for 30 minutes; strain or decant.
FRESH/UNGROUND MATERIAL
1 Quart Wintergreen leaves & stem
Bark from 5' of 1" diam White Pine branch
Bark from 4' of 1/2" diam.Witch Hazel branch/stem
1 Quart Prince's Pine leaves & stem
Bark from 8" of 1/2" diam. Black Cherry branch/stem
Simmer for 30 minutes with enough water to cover. Pour off and save. Add
water again to cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Pour off and combine.
Drink one ounce slowly before meals. Taste is less puckery if it is
warmed.
Because Bearberry (_Arctostaphylos uva-ursi_) leaves have the same
pharmaceutical effects as Prince's Pine, I have sometimes used Bearberry
as a substitute.
Good health,
Dave Webster, Kentville
next message in archive
no next message in thread
previous message in archive
Index of Subjects