Raspberries, Rubus occidentalis L.
Rattlesnake Master, Eryngium yuccifolium
Rauwolfia, Rauwolfia serpentina
Redbud tree; Eastern Redbud, Cercis canadensis L.
Rose., wild rose, wringled rose, Rosa spp., Rosa rugosa Thumb.
ROSEMARY, Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Raphanus sativas L.
Cruciferae
Food: Common root vegetable. Biting addition to salads, finger food, edible green (leaves).
Medicine: Fresh roots typically as a homeopathic preparation to treat oily skin and to improve digestion.
The root is considered choleretic and antiviral. Used in most traditional medicine venues: Chinese use it to treat coughs, abdominal pain, dysentery, diarrhea.
Commission E approved for dyspepsia, coughs, bronchitis.
In Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine is used to treat headache, dyspepsia, nausea, gas, gall bladder complaints, neuralgia and urinary tract disorders. Leaves and seeds diuretic, much like other edible members of this family. Seeds as a digestive aid, laxative, carminative, emmenagogue and stimulant. Leaf juice high in vitamin C (antiscorbutic), stimulating, laxative. Juice used to treat stones. Root eaten to treat urinary problems. Root pureed into a syrup used to treat upper respiratory complaints: hoarseness, cough, bronchitis, chest complaints.
Chemistry: Albuminoids, carbohydrates, sulfur compounds, fixed and essential oils, some aresenic in root, glucosides, enzymes, methyl mercaptan, pelargonin, purple color is malvin chloride.
Ragweed, Annual (common) Ragweed and Greater Ragweed
Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., Ambrosia trifida L.
Asteraceae
The pollen of these plants are the principle cause of hay fever, so stop blaming goldenrod.
Not Edible
Medicinal: Ambrosia trifida L. Native Americans rubbed crushed leaves on insect bites, hives. Also, leaf infusion to reduce fevers (febrifuge). Root chewed to lower anxiety, confusion, fear of the night. Below: Common or Annual Ragweed, Ambrosia artemisiifolia L. Crushed leaves used on bites and stings. Infusion to reduce fevers. Juice used between toes to treat fungi, sores. Poultice over wound to prevent blood poisoning. Root decoction to treat menstrual problems.
Control: Plant hardy, native perennial plants to displace ragweed.
Senecio jacoboea
Asteraceae
Medicine: Toxic plant, contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are extremely destructive to liver tissue (hepatotoxic) and carcinogenic. Dried aerial parts processed and the extract is put in lotions to treat rheumatic arthritis. Internal uses of this drug should be avoided do to toxic chemistry
Chemistry: Pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
WARNING: TOXIC CHEMISTRY.
Rubus occidentalis L.
Rosaceae
Uses: (photo and information)
Food: Jams, jellies, fresh fruit. Pureed. Pies, other desserts.
Medicine: Ellagic acid from raspberries is under study as an anti-cancer agent.
Ellagic Acid Fights Cancer
Chemistry: Ellagic acid a naturally occurring phenolic compound from raspberries, strawberries, grapes, walnuts, pecans and cranberries is an anti-mutagen, anti-carcinogen and inhibitor of cancer. Raspberries contain about three times as much ellagic acid as strawberries and walnuts (approx: 1500 micrograms/gram dry weight in raspberries). Dr. Daniel Nixon of Hollings Cancer Center suggests that 150 grams or one cup of raspberries slows growth of abnormal colon cells in humans, may prevent and destroy development of cells infected with human papilloma virus the cause of cervical cancer and in laboratory studies ellagic acid breaks down (apoptosis) human leukemia cells. Much of the ellagic acid is in the seeds, thus it is necessary to puree the fruit. This leads me to believe that, although walnuts have only one third the amount of ellagic acid as raspberries, it may be more bioavailable. If I were to use ellagic acid against cancer I would puree raspberries and strawberries, stir in some crushed walnuts, and use the blend on my high fiber Paleo waffle.
A study is currently underway evaluating the effect of ellagic acid from raspberries on women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS). About 10% of all Pap smears in the United States present ASCUS. This represents 5 million females. These women infected with human papilloma viruses (types 16 and/or 18) are at risk of developing cervical cancer. The more invasive, immature metaplastic form of ASCUS is found in approximately one million American women. In the study, women with ASCUS will receive either a placebo or raspberry puree in dosages providing a detectable tissue level in the cervix.
Ellagic acid in test tube studies inhibits the mutagenic activity of aflatoxin B1.
Rauwolfia, Indian Snake Root
Rauwolfia serpentina
Apocynaceae
Medicine: sedative, hypotensive, cardiac sedative (lowers heart rate). Root extraction is used to slow rapid heart beat, calm nerves (nervine), calm hysteria. Primary proven uses to treat insomnia, sedative for nervousness, hypertension.
Commission E approved for herpertension and nervous insomnia, nervousness.
Chemistry: Contain bitter alkaloids: reserpine, isorauhimbine, rescinnamine, reserpinine, ajmaline, serpentinine, serpentine, raubasine, ajamlicine and indole alkaloids, also, raupine, sarpagine
Contraindications: Nasal congestion, cotton mouth (dry mouth), slow heartbeat, may lead to depression. Do not use while operating an automobile or machinery. May also cause erectile dysfunction. Drug interactions with alcohol, neuroleptics, barbiturates and certain cardiac glycosides. Do not use with levodopa.
WARNING: TO BE USED ONLY WITH THE AID OF A SKILLED HOLISTIC HEALTH PRACTITIONER. DRUG USE IS RESTRICTED IN SOME COUNTRIES.
Redbud tree; Eastern Redbud
Cercis canadensis L.
Leguminoceae, sub family Caesalpinioideae
Description: Leaves simple, heart shaped, flowers irregular, pealike flowers.
Uses: (photo and more information)
Food: I eat the flowers in spring and a little later the young fruiting bodies.
The flowers are tart and go well in salads, pancakes, fruit dishes. The pods are best dipped in a batter and cooked tempura style.
Medicine: Native Americans used the inner bark and root for respiratory congestion, pulmonary congestion, whooping cough. According to Duke in his Handbook of Northeastern Indian Medicinal Plants, the Delaware used the inner bark infusion to prevent vomiting and to reduce fevers.
wild rose, wringled rose, dog rose
(Rosa spp.) (Rosa rugosa Thumb.)
Rosaceae
Description sprawling or climbing shrub with thorns, conspicuous flowers and famous for the fruit the rose hip (photo and information).
Uses:
Food: Flower petals are edible as is the fruiting body. Flower petals may be candied: mix high proof alcohol with sugar until hypertonic (sugar no longer dissolves in solution) solution. the whip egg white into alcohol. Use an artists brush to paint petals with egg white alcohol mixture. Rose water may be extracted from rose petals with an inexpensive over the counter still. See video Cooking with Edible Flowers for details. Rosewater may be used to flavor desserts, pie crusts, chicken dishes. It is also used as a wash to protect for the skin.
Medicine: Fruits are eaten as a source of vitamin C, also to treat diarrhea. Bark tea also used for dysentery. Decoction of bark used to treat worms. Root tea used as an eye wash. Flora tea used in China and by this author as stimulant and tonic: may promote improved circulation, reduce rheumatic pain, stem dysentery and relieve stomachache.
Chemistry: Essential oils, phenolic compounds (flavonoids), Vitamin C in fruit.
ROSEMARY
Rosmarinus officinalis L.
Lamiaceae
USES: (Photo, more)
Food: soups., sauces, cheese, meat especially lamb and game, excellent add to gravy. Place under legs, in body cavity of chicken when roasting. Try adding a little to Japanese/Chinese flavor principles (see flavor principles) for preparing a yaki tori. marinade.
Needle tea is change of pace, opens your mind!
Medicine: Tonic, analgesic, nervine, anti-inflammatory, astringent, carminative, stimulant. Antioxidant rosmanol, food preservative. Essential oil is antibiotic.
Commission E approved for treating blood pressure, dyspepsia, appetite loss, rheumatism.
Chemistry: Rosmaricine is stimulant and analgesic. Rosmarinic acid may reduce availability of thyroid hormone (treating hyperthyroidism). Bioflavonoids are anti-inflammatory. Flavonoids strengthen capillaries. Volatile oils act as a stimulant when applied to skin (in baths, essential oils).
As food and tea may stimulate circulation to brain, may improve memory and concentration.
May raise blood pressure, improve circulation. may stimulate adrenal glands and reduce stress. Uplifting.
Preparation: Essential is heated in warm water and effused into room. Tincture is made in a 1:5 ratio that is one part herb to five parts alcohol (Everclear cut in half with water or 50% alcohol). When using fresh herb: tincture 300 grams rosemary leaves to one liter of alcohol (dried herb use 200 grams to a liter of alcohol). Or 150 grams fresh herb to 1/2 liter alcohol, or 75 grams fresh rosemary to 1/4 liter alcohol. Many fresh plant herbal preparations using alcohol are in a 1 to 1 ratio. A fresh Echinacea extraction may be made for example from 5 ounces of Everclear alcohol (190 proof, 95% alcohol) to 5 ounces of plant flowers and leaves. Blend, puree. Sit the extraction in a refrigerator for a minimum of six hours up to two weeks, then strain off through panty hose or cheese cloth... After a day or two the liquid extraction can be carefully poured off or siphoned from the dregs of plant material that gather at the bottom of the jar. For much a more detailed discussion of herbal preparation techniques go to Herbal Preparations and Nutritional Therapies Section.
Use alcohol as a rub. For stress use drink 2 ml twice daily. For headaches use an infusion use 30 grams of fresh leaves to 1/2 liter water (500 ml). Dried leaves use 20 grams to half liter of water. Make like tea, put herb in pot and pour over just boiled water, cover, let infuse for ten minutes.
Used to treat baldness, improve memory, cure colds, alleviate stress.
Digestive antispasmodic.
Chemistry: volatile oils: cineole, camphor, camphene, borneol. Rosmaricine, rosmarinic acid, tannins, rosmanol, deterpene picrosalvin. Flovonoids apigenin and diosmin.
Wildlife/Veterinarian: Aromatic oil (volatile oils) attracts moths repels other insects.
Ruta graveolens L.
Rutaceae
Uses: (Photo/More)
Food: Leaves in small amounts as a spice, sprinkle like pepper. Flavoring agent. Commonly available at Mexican markets in the United States, ask the proprietor how they use it.
Medicinal: Bioflavonoid rutin reduces capillary fragility. Leaves stimulates uterus, relaxes spasms, digestive aid, strengthens capillaries. Also, internally for menstrual problems, colic, epilepsy, arthritis. This is a favorite condiment used as medicine by Mexicans and Mexican Americans. Worm killer, anthelminthic. Easily purchased at Mexican markets. Ask sellers how they use it.
Chemistry: Bioflavonoids including rutin.
Side effects: Skin irritant causing blistering especially when exposed to sun. Toxic in large doses. Be careful. See a Native American (southwestern) holistic practitioner to help you with the use of this plant.
Amounts: I use like pepper on soup dishes...Very small amounts. Helpful on beans with epazote. Homeopathic preparations as recommended on bottle for eye strain, weak eyes, backache, tennis elbow, sprains and bruises. Dried whole herb used in infusions, liquid extracts and powdered capsules. Mexican markets sell bottle of chopped whole herb.