Bidens Pilosa - Xian Feng Cao
While pulling “weeds” earlier this week, I stopped to admire a nice patch of delicate white daisy-like petals dancing alongside several heads of annoying clinging needle-like spines.  The Spanish Needle plant is revered by few but to many it’s considered annoying because it is very invasive, and the seeds (those needle-like spines) like to hitchhike on our socks, pants and pets, and poke you when you’re least aware.  There are over 200 species in the world, and I swear it seems like they’ve all made their home in my garden. 

As pesky as this plant seems to be, its use here in the US dates back to the Seminoles who used the leaves to treat headache, fever & diarrhea, and the Cherokees who used it to treat worms and sore throat.  In Jamaica where I was born, the leaves are cooked down with other greens in dishes like “Calaloo” (one-pot meal of greens and meat), or made into a tea to treat dysentery, flatulence, colic and other stomach problems.  It has wonderful anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, and so you’ll see pots of tea made out of its leaves to treat symptoms of cold, flu and joint pain. In other countries like Africa, Asia & South America, it’s harvested for its diuretic and hepato-protective properties as well as the sap from crushed leaves is used to speed clotting on fresh wounds.  Our butterflies love this plant, and it is also very attractive to bees (I found out the hard way – ouch!), and the delicate white petals may be sprinkled on your salad for a healthy treat, or made into wine like they do in the Philippines.  Research studies are currently underway to look at the role of Spanish Needle  in treating cancer (except when grown in areas where they mine opal as the soil contains silica, the uptake of which  has been suspected to contribute to esophageal cancer - Source:  www.EatTheWeeds.com)

TCM:  Xian Feng Cao/Gui Zhen Cao
◦ Function:  drain Damp; clear Heat & purge Fire
◦ Actions:  reduce inflammation, clear Heat, remove toxicity & promote urination; invigorate Blood, dissipate Blood Stasis, reduce swelling, drain pus & generate flesh ; expel Wind-Heat; disperse Stasis, ease pain & treat cuts.
◦ Taste:  sweet, bland, bitter
◦ Temperature:  neutral
◦ Meridians:  Kidney, Urinary Bladder, Small Intestine, Liver, Spleen, Large Intestine
◦ Caution/Contraindications:  caution with Spleen & Stomach Deficient Cold; Contra in pregnancy!
(Source:  www.AmericanDragon.com)

Having your way with Spanish Needle:
I’ll again remind you, when you’re harvesting any kind of “weed” for culinary use, be sure of your source - you don’t want to eat plants that have been sprayed with pesticides or are randomly growing along the roadside as they’re probably not going to be the healthiest or best choice.  I have designated pots in my garden that I use to grow these medicinal/edible delights, and – like our ancestors – I always ask permission of the plant before picking, and thank them for their healing properties.  With Spanish Needle in particular, it is not recommended to use too much of this plant raw as it contains saponin. I would also suggest using the younger leaves in your dishes, as they are a little bit more palatable; older ones tend to have a more bitter and astringent taste.  For a delicious side dish, try boiling the leaves, drain, then sauté with olive oil, garlic and season to taste.  Mix in a few of the younger leaves with your salad, and garnish with the petals scattered over the top for a yummy feast for the eyes. Bon appétit!  Until next time, happy weeding, happy healing!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
* Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. 
                                                References
Bensky, Dan et al. (2004). Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica. USA:  Eastland Press Inc.
Foster, Steven & Hobbs, Christopher. (2002).  Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs.  NY:  Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gurudas.  (1998). The  Spiritual Properties of Herbs.  California: Cassandra Press
Heinerman, John.  (1996).  Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of  Healing Herbs & Spices. NJ: Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
Jilin, Liu & Peck, Gordon.  (2005). Chinese Dietary Therapy. Churchill Livingstone.
Ody, Penelope. (2000). The Chinese Herbal Cookbook – Healing Foods From East and West. Great Britain.
Pitchford, Paul.  (2002).  Healing With Whole Foods. California:  North Atlantic Books.
Sgrol dkar skyabs & Rinchen dbang rgyal. (2009).  Tibetan Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.
Tierra, Michael & Tierra, Lesley. (1998). Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine. USA:  Twin Lakes.
Swerdlow, Joel.  (2000).  Nature’s Medicine:  Plants That Heal.  USA:  National Geographic Society.
Warner, Monica. (2007).  Herbal Plants of Jamaica.  McMillan Publishers Ltd.
Yin-fang, Dai & Zhi-mei, Gong.  (1987).  Fruit as Medicine.  Australia:  Rams Skull Press.
Zhongbao, Zhu & Liu, Zhu. (2006). Chinese Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.

Hallo Aloe!
In 4 days, Summer will be officially in full swing here in Florida, but of course, I couldn’t wait.  Beach lover that I am, I lost track of time & ended up at the end of one recent beach outing with a NASTY sunburn! Ouch!  To the rescue: a fat, juicy Aloe plant.  Not necessarily in the category of “weeds”, some of my neighbors and friends find it a bother because they don’t know how to use it, and it can grow to be pretty large with somewhat pointy, sharp edges. Used as an herb in Chinese Medicine, it is known as Lu Hui (dried aloe vera juice), but the leaves of the aloe plant can also be used topically, as I quickly remembered on this sun-burnt day.  Way back in the day, it was nicknamed the “immortality plant” as it was buried as a gift with Pharaohs.  Legend also has it (according to Heinerman, 1996) that it was 1 of the herbs/spices used to preserve the body of Jesus Christ, and that when Columbus set sail for America, he wrote in his diary “All is well; aloe is on board” (Go Chris! =D)

Uses:
◦ Heal external wounds & infections due to its antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral properties.  I remember when I was growing up, Granny would slice open an aloe leaf, carefully scoop out the gel-like pulp & have us rub it all over our face, arms and legs (“Girl-child!” she‘d say; “you need to stay out that sun; come here – this is good for your skin”), or she’d put handfuls of it in our hair after shampooing as a natural conditioner.   Now I will caution you, some people can be sensitive to the aloe latex, so be careful to avoid contact with skin if you are allergic.  It is a very good topical for burns, insect bites and stings, and it’s also claimed to stimulate collagen synthesis & rejuvenate skin (check out the section of your sun-tan aisle next time you’re at the store).

◦ Juice of the inner leaf: stimulates insulin production so be careful if you’re on any anti-diabetic meds), and reduces high triglyceride levels.  I have seen the liquid form of aloe in the health food store, and I used to take a shot glass of it every morning, but as much as possible, I prefer to go natural so in our household, we again scoop out the gel inside & mix it in our juices or toss in with our blended greens for a great blood cleanser (not too much – it’s a little bitter so you might want to start off with small amounts and avoid the yellow sap – for other reasons as well: see below ;-)  A great link for delicious recipes that incorporate aloe can be found right there on social media: just google “aloe vera juice recipes” next time you’re on Facebook and you’ll find a bunch of yummy-licous treats using the gel of the aloe plant.

Caution:
This isn’t really recommended in pregnancy or lactating women, and you should probably avoid use during menstruation as it is very irritating to the intestines and will act as a strong “downward-draining herb (harsh purgative aka “laxative”). We also have to be careful with heart medicines (like Digoxin) or medicines that predispose you to losing potassium (like the diuretic Lasix).  If you have kidney problems & you’re using fresh aloe, you might want to also avoid the yellow pulp-like substance just under the leaves (aloe latex) as it has been reported to contribute to renal problems in high doses.  (Vogler & Ernst: British Journal of General Practice; October 1999; 49(447): 823-828.  Aloe Vera:  A Systematic Review of Its Clinical Effectiveness).  Now for my TCM students: 

Lu Hui (dried aloe vera juice)
◦ Channel/meridians: Large Intestine, Liver, Stomach
◦ Taste:  bitter, cold (kinda has a stinky smell too)
◦ Functions:  Drain Fire, guide out accumulations to treat constipation; dizziness, irritability & red eyes; kills parasites & roundworms

◦ Contraindications/Caution:  Pregnancy! Deficient Cold of Stomach/Spleen (your TCM doctor will diagnose).

Having your way with Aloe Vera:
Use topically for relief of minor burns, dry or itchy skin, or to refresh & tonify your face.  For a refreshing drink, be creative:  add gel or juice to your favorite combination of fruits and blend with coconut water for a healthy and tasty treat.  My favorite link for aloe recipes is www.aloeverajuicerecipes.com – they have a smorgasbord of creative & yummilicous recipes so you can have aloe ‘your way’.  Until next time, happy weeding, happy healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac, DOM
Acupuncture Physician

* Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. 
                                                References
Bensky, Dan et al.  (2004).    Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica. USA:  Eastland Press Inc.
Foster, Steven & Hobbs, Christopher.  (2002).  Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs.  NY:  Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gurudas.  (1998). The Spiritual Properties of Herbs.  California: Cassandra Press.
Heinerman, John.  (1996).  Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of  Healing Herbs & Spices. NJ: Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
Jilin, Liu & Peck, Gordon.  (2005).  Chinese Dietary Therapy. Churchill Livingstone.
Ody, Penelope.  (2000).  The Chinese Herbal Cookbook – Healing Foods From East and West. Great Britain.
Pitchford, Paul.  (2002).  Healing With Whole Foods. California:  North Atlantic Books.
Sgrol dkar skyabs & Rinchen dbang rgyal.  (2009).  Tibetan Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.
Tierra, Michael & Tierra, Lesley.  (1998).  Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine.  USA:  Twin Lakes.
Swerdlow, Joel.  (2000).  Nature’s Medicine:  Plants That Heal.  USA:  National Geographic Society.
Warner, Monica.  (2007).  Herbal Plants of Jamaica.  McMillan Publishers Ltd.
Yin-fang, Dai & Zhi-mei, Gong.  (1987).  Fruit as Medicine.  Australia:  Rams Skull Press.
Zhongbao, Zhu & Liu, Zhu. (2006). Chinese Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House. 

It's not yet summer but I just had to post this because of  how hot it is right now.  After spending an entire afternoon gardening in the sweltering Florida heat, I realized I had overdone it when I almost passed out from dehydration, heat exhaustion & low blood sugar.  To the rescue:  lovely watermelon – rind, pulp, seed & all.  Eaten as is or blended as a drink, watermelon is an excellent way to quench your thirst & clear Summer-Heat.  In Chinese Medicine, there is even a lozenge made from watermelon ‘frost’ that soothes sore throat.  Research also has shown that watermelon helps treat symptoms of jaundice, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.

Watermelon Fruit (Xi Gua; Citrulli fructus):
* Meridians:  Urinary Bladder, Heart & Stomach
* Taste/Temperature:  Sweet/Cold
* Functions:
a) Clears Summer-Heat & generates fluids to quench your thirst;
b) Promotes urination although the rind does a better job of this (so you’ll be going to the bathroom a lot!)

Watermelon Rind (Xi Gua Pi; Pericarpium Citrulli):
* Meridians:  Urinary Bladder, Heart & Stomach
* Taste/Temperature:  Sweet/Cold
Functions:
a) Promotes urination (more so than the fruit)
b) Clears Summer-Heat & drain Fire
c)  You can also rub it on your skin to help decrease acne blemishes.

Watermelon Seed (Xi Gua Zi Ren):
* Meridians:  Lung, Large Intestine
* Taste/Temperature:  Sweet, Neutral
* Functions:
a) Clear Lung & resolve Phlegm to treat chronic cough.
b) Often ground & taken as a ‘decoction’ with other herbals mixed in hot water to help diurese or clear urinary tract infections.  They’re also an excellent source of protein, vitamins, minerals and even some healthy fats.
c) Harmonize the Spleen & Stomach & relax the bowels to treat constipation (again: no long road trips after eating too much of these).

Note of Caution: 
If you have symptoms of excess Dampness or Deficient-Cold Stomach/Spleen (these are TCM diagnoses so your Acupuncturist can explain what that means), it’s probably not a good thing to eat a whole watermelon especially if you have weak digestion :-)  The same applies if you have excess or uncontrollable urination so don’t take any long road trips ;-D  

Having your way with Watermelon:
Chill, slice & enjoy as is.  Put chunks of watermelon in your water & sip throughout the day.  Pop in the blender for a quick ‘melonade’.  You can dry strips of the rind & later make a tea, or (if high blood pressure is not a problem) enjoy a tablespoon of pickled watermelon at your next summer outing.
Enjoy watermelon this summer, and until next time, Happy weeding! Happy healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac
Acupuncture Physician

* Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader.

 References
Bensky, Dan et al.  (2004).    Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica. USA:  Eastland Press Inc.
Foster, Steven & Hobbs, Christopher.  (2002).  Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs.  NY:  Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gurudas.  (1998).  The  Spiritual Properties of Herbs.  California: Cassandra Press. 
Heinerman, John.  (1996).  Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of  Healing Herbs & Spices. NJ: Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
Jilin, Liu & Peck, Gordon.  (2005).  Chinese Dietary Therapy. Churchill Livingstone.
Ody, Penelope.  (2000).  The Chinese Herbal Cookbook – Healing Foods From East and West. Great Britain.
Pitchford, Paul.  (2002).  Healing With Whole Foods. California:  North Atlantic Books.
Sgrol dkar skyabs & Rinchen dbang rgyal.  (2009).  Tibetan Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.
Tierra, Michael & Tierra, Lesley.  (1998).  Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine.  USA:  Twin Lakes.
Swerdlow, Joel.  (2000).  Nature’s Medicine:  Plants That Heal.  USA:  National Geographic Society.
Warner, Monica.  (2007).  Herbal Plants of Jamaica.  McMillan Publishers Ltd.
Yin-fang, Dai & Zhi-mei, Gong.  (1987).  Fruit as Medicine.  Australia:  Rams Skull Press.
Zhongbao, Zhu & Liu, Zhu. (2006). Chinese Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.

Dandelion
(Pu Gong Ying; Taraxaci herba)

Spring rains are a welcome sight in these parts of sunny Florida – they herald the greening up of golf-courses, a seasonal Liver cleanse, and time to hit the beach.  Yet all over my lawn are fat healthy bunches of lush green leaves topped off with a gorgeous yellow flower then later a poofy bud.  To my dismay, I came home one day to find all my luscious dandelion plants whacked away to nothing (the LoveOfMyLife thought he was being helpful by mowing the lawn &  getting rid of  the "weeds”.  Ahhhh….The lowly dandelion “weed” gets a really bad rep; but according to Ralph Waldo Emerson: “A weed is a plant whose virtue is not yet known". 

Did you know in herbal medicine, dandelion is 1 of the plants that is King of Detox, and is perfect as part of your detox cleanse especially at springtime?  Springtime in Chinese Medicine is associated with the color green, the Wood element, growth, and the Liver/Gallbladder system so it makes perfect sense to cleanse your Liver in preparation for a new season.   We use it in Chinese medicinal therapy for its antibacterial, hepatoprotective & immunostimulant effects, amongst other things.  It’s used to treat symptoms of abscesses, sores, visual disturbances, redness & swelling of eyes, jaundice or urinary problems, and can even promote lactation!  From a nutritional perspective, it’s a good green to incorporate in your diet as it’s loaded with iron, calcium and other minerals, is the richest source of Vitamin K,  as well as provides a little protein. Here’s a little bit of trivia for ya about dandelion:  the name comes from the French word ‘dent de lion’ meaning “teeth of a lion” because the edges of the leaves are jagged & look like the animal’s teeth.  So this is no ordinary weed my friends.  The roots are harvested in summer  to be used also as medicine, but in autumn they’re dried to  be later ground up & used as ‘coffee’.

* Meridians:  Liver & Stomach
* Taste:  Bitter, “sweet”
* Temperature:  cold
* Functions: 
a) Reduce abscess & dissipate nodules
b) Clear the Liver & clear the eyes
c) Clear Heat, resolve Damp & unblock painful urinary dribbling.

Note of Caution:
Dandelion greens may taste a little bitter to first-timers so choose fresh, younger, smaller leaves as they’re less harsh tasting.  Large doses of dandelion may cause a mild case of diarrhea so start off with a few leaves and gradually work up to its bold, sassy flavor.  Also be careful if you are on potassium-sparing diuretics as it can potentiate potassium toxicity.

Having your way with Dandelion:
Dandelion leaves make a great addition to a mixed greens salad, but make sure you buy organic dandelion (remember it’s a detoxing agent so no sense randomly picking dandelions from your neighbor’s lawn especially if it’s been treated with chemicals). Try including a handful  of leaves chopped up & mixed in with your next green salad.  Or if you are doing a detox smoothie, make dandelion leaves the bulk of the  formula and add other greens (like celery, lime, kale, spinach) with 1 small green apple or ¼ cup pineapple for sweetness.  So there ya go!  Pick some dandelion leaves this spring and  enjoy!
Until next time, Happy weeding! Happy healing!
Audrey Steele, L.Ac.
Acupuncture Physician

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition. The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. 

References
Bensky, Dan et al.  (2004).    Chinese Herbal Medicine – Materia Medica. USA:  Eastland Press Inc.
Foster, Steven & Hobbs, Christopher.  (2002).  Western Medicinal Plants and Herbs.  NY:  Houghton Mifflin Company.
Gurudas.  (1998).  The  Spiritual Properties of Herbs.  California: Cassandra Press
Heinerman, John.  (1996).  Heinerman’s Encyclopedia of  Healing Herbs & Spices. NJ: Parker Publishing Company, Inc.
Jilin, Liu & Peck, Gordon.  (2005).  Chinese Dietary Therapy. Churchill Livingstone.
Ody, Penelope.  (2000).  The Chinese Herbal Cookbook – Healing Foods From East and West. Great Britain.
Pitchford, Paul.  (2002).  Healing With Whole Foods. California:  North Atlantic Books.
Sgrol dkar skyabs & Rinchen dbang rgyal.  (2009).  Tibetan Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.
Tierra, Michael & Tierra, Lesley.  (1998).  Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine.  USA:  Twin Lakes.
Swerdlow, Joel.  (2000).  Nature’s Medicine:  Plants That Heal.  USA:  National Geographic Society.
Warner, Monica.  (2007).  Herbal Plants of Jamaica.  McMillan Publishers Ltd.
Yin-fang, Dai & Zhi-mei, Gong.  (1987).  Fruit as Medicine.  Australia:  Rams Skull Press.
Zhongbao, Zhu & Liu, Zhu. (2006). Chinese Herbal Legends. People’s Medical Publishing House.