American Ivy
Cetraria islandica
Five Leaved Ivy
Iceland Lichen
Iceland Moss
Ivy
Jasmine
Jojoba
Juniper
Juniperus communis
Vitis Hederacea
Wood Vine
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Iceland Moss Cetraria islandica
aka: Iceland Lichen
This isn't actually a moss, it is a type of lichens found on barren and stony
ground, especially in colder areas.
Medicinal: Iceland Moss, a lichen, has been used for centuries to treat all
kinds of chest ailments. It is used to nourish the weak, elderly, and weakly
children.
Growing: Iceland Moss grows in cold, humid mountain areas and wooded areas. It
grows to 4 inches tall. Demulcent, tonic, and nutritive when deprived of its
bitter principle. Excellent in chronic pulmonary troubles, catarrh, digestive
disturbances, dysentery, advanced tuberculosis. Decoction, B.P. 1885, 1 to 4 OZ.
Ground, it can be mixed with chocolate or cocoa.
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Ivy Vitis Hederacea
aka: American Ivy, Five leaved Ivy, Wood Vine
American Ivy is a creeper that is familiar because of its fast growth and
beautiful autumn colors. The stem is climbing, reaching out and fastening itself
with tendrils. The flowering branches are pretty and aromatic. The leaves are
divided into five leaflets. The flowers are in small clusters, yellowish green
to whitish gree, and open in July. The part used medicinally is the bark and
twigs. A tincture is made of the fresh young shoots and bark, which are chopped
and pounded to a pulp, mixed with 2 parts by weight of alcohol, and left for 8
days in the dark before being strained and filtered off.
Medicinal: Stimulating, diaphoretic and cathartic. Many virtues were attributed
by our forefathers to this plant. Its berries have been found of use in febrile
disorders, and were regarded as a specific against the plague and similar
disorders, for which they were infused in vinegar. During the Great Plague of
London, Ivy berries were given with some success for their antiseptic virtues
and to induce perspiration.
In India the leaves are used as an aperient, and a resinous matter that in warm
climates exudes from the bark of the main stems (and may be procured by wounding
them) is considered a useful stimulant, antispasmodic and emmenagogue. This gum
possesses mildly aperient properties. Dissolved in vinegar it had the reputation
of being a good filling for a hollow tooth causing neuralgic toothache.
The leaves have a very unpleasant taste. Taken inwardly in infusion, they act as
an aperient and emetic, but are sudorific. They have been given to children
suffering from atrophy. The juice is said to cure headache, when applied to the
nostrils. An infusion of the leaves and berries will also help with a severe
headache.
The fresh leaves of Ivy, boiled in vinegar and applied warm to the sides of
those who are troubled with the spleen, will give much ease. The same applied
with Rose-water, and oil of Roses to the temples and forehead eases headaches.
Cups made from Ivywood have been used, from which to sip hot or cold water for
diseases of the spleen.
A decoction of the leaves applied externally will destroy head lice in children,
and fresh Ivy leaves bruised and applied will afford great relief to bunions and
corns.
The leaves have also been employed as poultices and fomentations in glandular
enlargements, indolent ulcers, etc.
A decoction of the leaves has been used as a black dye.
The berries possess much the same properties as the leaves, being strongly
purgative and emetic. An infusion of the berries has been often found useable in
rheumatic complaints and is reported to have cured the dropsy.
The dried bark is also used in a decoction. When stripped from the branches
(after the berries have ripened) and dried in the sun, it occurs in quilled
pieces 2 to 3 inches long and from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter, externally brown
with enlarged transverse scars, the fracture showing a white bark with coarse
flattened fibres in the inner portion. One ounce of the bark to a pint of
boiling water is taken in wineglassful doses.
Magical: Ivy is grown to grow up the ouside of the home to act as a guardian and
protector. It is worn by brides to bring luck to the marriage.
Growing: Ivy has many different varieties, and most will adapt to many different
soil and Growing conditions. American Ivy (Virginia Creeper) grows throughout
North America.
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Jasmine N.O. Oleaceae and Jasminaceae
The flowers are white or yellow, tubular. White Jasmine is native of India, and
is a climber, capable of reaching well above 12 feet with adequate support. It
blooms from June to October, and the flowers are very fragrant.
Medicinal: The extract or oil is used extensively in aroma-therapy for
relaxation. An oil obtained by boiling the leaves of this EasternJasmine is used
to anoint the head for complaints of the eye, and an oil obtained from the roots
is used medicinally to arrest the secretion of milk. In China, a decoction of
the leaves and branches of JASMINUM NERVOSUM is taken as a blood-purifier.
Magical: Jasmine is used in love sachets and incenses. It is used to attract
spiritual love. A drop of the essential oil in almond oil, massaged into the
skin, is said to overcome frigidity. Carrying, burning, or wearing the flowers
attracts wealth and money. If burned in the bedroom, Jasmine will bring
prophetic dreams. Jasmine can also be used in teas.
Growing: Jasmine is best grown indoors in pots. It is an evergreen vine. It
likes bright light, but no direct sun, some support such as a trellis, lots of
water, and occasional fertilizing.
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Jojoba
Medicinal: Jojoba oil from the seed has been used to promote hair growth and
relieve skin problems for centuries. It is effective in treating dandruff,
psoriasis, dry and chapped skin. It is also very good for Sensitive skin types.
Jojoba is a great massage oil. You can use it for removing makeup. It can be
used as a leave in hair treatment while in the sun or as aftershave moisturizer.
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Juniper Juniperus communis
The ripe fully dried fruits and leaves are used. Juniper is a small shrub,
usually 6 feet tall, though it can grow to 20 feet or more in certainly
conditions. It likes sandy soils and dry areas.
Medicinal: Juniper has been used to clear uric acid from the body. It is high in
natural insulin, and has the ability to heal the pancreas where there has been
no permanent damage. It is useful for all urinary infections and for water
retention problems. Juniper is used externally as a compress to treat acne,
athlete's foot, dry skin, and dandruff. Oil of Juniper is given as a diuretic,
stomachic, and carminative in indigestion, flatulence, and diseases of the
kidney and bladder. The oil mixed with lard is also used in veterinary practice
as an application to exposed wounds and prevents irritation from flies.
Spirit of Juniper has properties resembling Oil of Turpentine: it is employed as
a stimulating diuretic in cardiac and hepatic dropsy.
The fruit is readily eaten by most animals, especially sheep.
The chief use of Juniper is as an aditiont to diuretics in dropsy depending on
heart, liver or kidney disease. It imparts a violet odor to the urine, and large
doses may cause irritation to the urinarypassages. An infusion of 1 oz. to 1
pint of boiling water may be taken in the course of twenty-four hours.
Magical: Juniper is used to protect from accidents and theft. Grown at your
doorstep, it will offer your home protection. It is used in incenses for
protection.
Growing: Junipers of all species are adaptable to many Growing conditions. They
are low-maintenance plants. Choose a species suited to your landscape needs, to
avoid problems later, as some folks plant them with no regard for their eventual
size, and sometime find they have a nuisance on their hands as the plant
matures. If you want berries, you must plant a male and a female juniper.