The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Speedwell

Starting point is 00:00:00 Hey, y'all, welcome to this week's show. You know, every now and then, you run across a really common and useful herb that, for really unknown reasons, has fallen out of use. And one of those that's definitely, that's the case with, is Speedwell. It's a Latin name is Veronica Officianalis. Now, this herb is mentioned in a lot of the old herbs. And it's one of the ingredients in the great Swedish bitters. And as I've mentioned before, officinalis means it was included in the pharmacopoeia of medieval medicine, the officina. That's where the medicinal herbs were prepared and stored in monasteries, where the doctors' offices and hospitals of the time.

Starting point is 00:00:43 So when Linnaeus formalized the Latin name of plants, he used the term officinalis to indicate it or commonly used medicinally and listed in the pharmacopoeia of European traditions and herbal medicine. However, I really hadn't had much contact with Speedwell. Like I said, it's just an herb that seems to have fallen out of use. So I turned to my herbal library, and I was really not even able to find a mention of Speedwell in any of a dozen or so modern herb books. The most recent listing I could find for it was written in 1970s. It's just a brief mention in the Rodale herb book that says Speedwell was a tonic, alternative, and diuretic. it's using coughs, cat, or on skin diseases. So, you know, basically skin and lung herb.

Starting point is 00:01:34 And that was it. That's it. From like 1970 on, nothing. So check out some of the old herbals and started with Deiscorides. And, you know, well over 2,000 years ago. He wrote of at least a couple of herbs that could have been Speedwell. But it wasn't really clear. His old Greek names for the herbs can be a little confusing.

Starting point is 00:02:02 More than likely the one he called Germander Speedwell was a different plant than Veronica Fishanales. That would be Veronica Chamadris, however, they're in the same family. And there are several members of the Veronica family. Some of them are used as ornamental plants. Brother Aloysius listed both of those herbs in his book, saying that Speedwell proper, Veronica Officianalis was used in Manassican German folk medicine for indigestion, migraine, congestion of blood in the head, asthma, spitting blood, dry cough, cancer, chronic chest complaints,

Starting point is 00:02:38 chronic catara, consumption, lung ulcers, eczema, itching, mucus, dizziness, foul stomach, stomach aches, stomach aches, stomach cramps, bladder complaints, hematuria, gravel, kidney pain, blockages of the liver and spleen, scabies, difficult urination, mucus in the respiratory organs, sores, ulcers, congestions, and chronic skin complaints. So obviously, a very useful herb, and I just can't understand why it kind of fell out of favor. But Maria Trebin gives an interesting story about how valuable this herb was believed to be in ancient times. She said that when the Romans conquered the Germanic lands, they learned from the old Teutons, I guess that's what you pronounce that, about the great value of this much esteemed herb. The Romans,

Starting point is 00:03:25 as I read in, old herbal, must have been convinced if this herb's great value. If they wanted to compliment an acquaintance or a friend, they said he had as many good qualities as Speedwell. This saying, I remember one day when a gentleman told me of the high cholesterol leveled his blood. He had been to hospital several times. I recommended Speedwell two cups per day. My pleasure was great when six months later he told me the doctors were surprised that there was no high cholesterol when shortly ago they gave him a checkup. I'm reading from Maria Treven's book, held from God's pharmacy. I want to mention that as of yet to date, there has never been a proven, scientifically proven causal link between high cholesterol and heart disease.

Starting point is 00:04:16 No scientist, to the best of my knowledge, and my research was accurate as of at least a year or so ago, And I talked just a couple months ago with a real expert in the field. And she said, no, high cholesterol has never been proven to show any negative health benefits. Negative health effects. Now, low cholesterol will kill you. So you may want to look into that, you know, kind of question the science a little bit there. If your doctor's recommending a statin or something, they can have horrible side effects. Now, of course, if your doctor says, you know, I'm not going to argue or disagree with your doctor.

Starting point is 00:04:52 I don't give medical advice, but I would strongly suggest doing some research. I mean, your brain is essentially comprised entirely of cholesterol, mostly. I mean, cholesterol, some water, and, you know, some proteins and the nerves that go through there and all that. But cholesterol, when people take cholesterol-reducing drugs, sometimes it does show to cause brain shrinkage. and dementia and frozen shoulder syndrome, personality and mood changes. I would really seriously do my own research if I had an issue with cholesterol. I do not, and I hope I never do. So she says, this traditional herb is a favorite addition to teas that cleanse the blood, and together with fresh stinging metal tops, it heals chronic eczema. It is especially recommended for senile

Starting point is 00:05:52 What's that word? Purities? P-U-R-I-T-I-E-S. I don't know what that means. But anyway, she says, weak people tolerate it as a stomatic of gentle action, which also stimulates digestion. Fluids and mucus in the stomach

Starting point is 00:06:07 and intestinal disorders are eliminated. Speedwell is efficacious for old dry bronchitis, for chest complaints. A tea made from equal portions of lungwort, that's pulmonary officinalis, Coltsfoot, plantain, and Speedwell sweetened with honey or raw sugar. I would like to point out that Speedwell has a great medicinal value for nervousness

Starting point is 00:06:28 caused by mental overexertion. One cup drunk before going to bed through its soothing effect is highly beneficial. The Abe Kunzel, that's Father Kunzel, you know, I did the translation of his book herbs and weeds, recommends his soothing tea for people who have to work a lot with their head. It brings good memory and disperses dizziness, mixed with celery roots at rectalienes. rectifies weak nerves as well as depression. Even for jaundice and gravel in the bladder,

Starting point is 00:06:55 rheumatic and gout pains of the limb, Speedwell is very effective. A priest relates, my memory lapses disappeared surprisingly after drinking a tea, prepared of equal amounts of Speedwell and horsetail, two cups a day. I had become uncertain and worried

Starting point is 00:07:09 when during sermons I forgot important words. The herbs have helped very quickly. For jaundice, liver and spleen disorders, I recommend the following mixture. Dandelion, wild chikery, Woodruff and Speedwell. Two cups of this unsweetened tea or sip throughout the day. The fresh juice prepared from the flowering plant is recommended for chronic skin disorders, especially for X-Men.

Starting point is 00:07:33 One teaspoon of the juice taken three times a day. I recommend Speedwell in old herbals that is praised as a wound herb for all-in-flamed, non-healing wounds, especially wounds near the shin bone. The wound is washed with a decoction of Speedwell and that a compress made from freshly prepared infusions are applied. wrapped up warmly and left on overnight. People who suffer from rheumatism and gout should try the easily prepared speedwell tincture. This tincture is used externally as a friction. Internally 15 drops of water of the tea are taken three times a day. Be sure to drink a tea prepared from freshly picked herb over a period of over,

Starting point is 00:08:11 no, of the freshly picked herb for a period every year. Speedwell not only prevents arterioschorosis, it gives the value of new elasticity through its purifying action. Therefore, take my advice. Okay. So I went to my go-to website for a quick herbal reference. It's Plants for a Future, Natural medicinal herbs.net. And it states, the leaves and roots are alternative. Alternative means gradually brings you back to health, essentially.

Starting point is 00:08:37 So alternative, mildly diuretic, mildly expectant, stomatic, and tonic. They have been employed in the treatment of pectoral and nephritic complaints. That's so chest and kidney disorders. hemorrhages, skin diseases, and treatment of wounds, though the plant is considered obsolete in modern herbalism. Now, why is that? I don't know. I went to the physician's desk reference for herbal medicine. That's the one your doctors should be using. Most doctors will totally dismiss herbs totally. But if there is one that actually has the sense to check the physician's desk reference, he'll find that herbs do have medicinal uses and can be contraindicated with certain medications.

Starting point is 00:09:19 And he should certainly have this book on his desk and be looking at it, but most won't. And it is a huge, probably a seven-pound book at least. I mean, it's just massive. So anyway, they said the physician's desk reference for herbal medicine lists speed well as effective. in the treatment of ulcers and wounds. Under unproven uses, it states, speedwell preparations are used for diseases and discomfort of the respiratory, respiratory, I don't know why it's going to be so trouble. Gastrointestinal and lower urinary tracts. It is also used for the liver and kidneys and treat gout and rheumatic complaints. In addition, speedwell is used internally to improve

Starting point is 00:10:07 metabolism as for blood purifying and for nervous agitation. Externally, the herb is used as a gargle for inflammation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa, promotion of wound healing, chronic skin complaints, itching and sweating at the feet. Can sip of water here. No hazardous, no health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction with proper administration of designated therapeutic dosages. and there's tons of medical research in the book.

Starting point is 00:10:41 I mean, papers and studies and all that. So pretty interesting, but, you know, I was left to ponder why such as useful and apparently safe. According to the modern physician's desk reference, herb has fallen out of use, especially since Maria Trevin said it was very popular and came to us through the Roman and Germanic traditions, which is, you know, usually our go-to herbs, you know. So Gerard in England said that there were four types of Speedwell, and he doesn't really differentiate, but he said the decoction of Veronica drunk, solderth and healeth all fresh and old wounds, cleanseth the blood from all corruptions and is good to be drunk for the kidneys, and against scurviness and foul spreading tatters, and consuming and fretting sores, the smallpox and measles. The water of Veronica distilled with wine, and read as is sealed so often until the liquor wax of a reddish color prevaileth against the old cough, the dryness of the lungs, and all alters and inflammation are the same. So like I said, he just

Starting point is 00:11:47 doesn't tell us which one. Coal pepper, with his usual nod to astrology and folk tradition, says Venus governs this plant. And it is also reckoned among the voluntary plants used both inwardly and outwardly. Venus means a herb is good for women and vulnerable. means wound healing. It is likewise pectoral and good for coughs and consumptions, and is helpful against the stone and strangury, and as also against pestilential fevers. An infusion of the leaves drank constantly in the manner of a tea, is greatly recommended as provocative to venery and a strengthener. It has been called a cure for barrenness taken for a long time in this manner. and I guess that's why he considers it a women's herb.

Starting point is 00:12:35 So lastly, Maude Greve writing 1930s, says the common speedwell is native of the old world, but is abundantly naturalized in the eastern United States where it grows in open grassy places, and that is true. It's an herb you should be able to find in the wild, and if not, you can certainly grow it in your garden. She says in this country, that would be England, it is generally found on heath, s'mores, dryheads, hedge banks,

Starting point is 00:12:59 and in coppices where it is very commonly and generally distributed. She describes it. Of course, it's easier just to look up the picture on, you know, the internet. Al Gore's amazing internet. Constituents, well, we won't get into all that. Yeah, various alkaloids and such. We don't really need to know that for our purposes. But under medicinal actions and uses, she says, this species of Veronica retained a place among our recognized remedies until a comparatively late period and is still employed in herbal medicine. Its leaves possess the stringency and bitterness.

Starting point is 00:13:38 Among the Welsh peasantry, great virtues are attributed to the speedwell. The plant has diaphoretic, that means, helps with fevers, alternative diuretic expectorant and tonic properties, and was formerly employed in pectoral and nephretic complaints, hemorrhages, disease of the skin, and the treatment of wounds. Modern herbalists still consider that an infusion of the dried plant is used when coughs, catarot, that's congestion, et cetera. And it is a simple and effective remedy in skin diseases. So I can find absolutely no reason why such a helpful and beneficial herb fell out of use,

Starting point is 00:14:10 such a common herb. But, you know, it's one I'm adding to my herb garden. With all those benefits associated with it, I guess we just need to bring it back in. Spread the word about Speedwell. So that we're doing for this week. Y'all, have. a great week. Remember my new book is available through, let me see, what's the name of the books? First of all, it's available through Sophia Institute Press, and it's herbs that heal, Catholic home remedies. And it's useful for everybody. You don't have to be Catholic to get used out of it. It's a great book. But Sophia is a Catholic publishing company. So that's the title we went with. You'll have a great week. Let's try to stay out of this heat as much as you possibly can.

Starting point is 00:14:58 and I will talk to you next time. The information in this podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat any disease or condition. Nothing I say or write has been evaluated or approved by the FDA. I'm not a doctor. The U.S. government does not recognize the practice of herbal medicine and there is no governing body regulating herbalists. Therefore, I'm really just a guy who studies herbs. I'm not offering any advice. I won't even claim that anything I write or say is accurate or true.

Starting point is 00:15:29 I can tell you what herbs have been traditionally used for. I can tell you my own experience and if I believe an herb has helped me. I cannot, nor would I tell you to do the same. If you use an herb anyone recommends, you are treating yourself. You take full responsibility for your health. Humans are individuals and no two are identical. What works for me may not work for you. You may have an allergy, a sensitivity, an underlying condition

Starting point is 00:15:53 that no one else even shares and you don't even know about. Be careful with your health. By continuing to listen to my podcast or read my blog, you agree to be responsible for yourself, to your own research, make your own choices, and not to blame me for anything ever.

The Prepper Broadcasting Network - Herbal Medicine for Preppers: Speedwell

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