Bistort
polygonum bistorta

Root and leaves are used.

CONDITIONS
bedwetting
external and internal bleeding
bowels
cankersores
cholera
cuts
diabetes
diarrhea
dysentery
fevers
spongy gums
hemorrage
hemorrhoids
insect stings
jaundice
measles
regulates menstruation
mouth wash
mucus
plague
skin eruptions
small pox
spring tonic
tumors
vaginal discharge
expels worms
wounds

SOME MODERN HERBAL RECIPES
IN WHICH BISTORT IS AN INGREDIENT

Infants' Diarrhea Syrup
1 OZ. Bistort root
1/4 oz. Cloves
1/2 oz. Marshmallow root
1/4 oz. Angelica powder
1/4 oz. best Ginger powder
Bruise the root and cloves small.
Add 1 1/2 pint boiling water and simmer down to a pint.
Then pour boiling mixture upon the powder,
mix well and let it simmer for 10 minutes.
Allow to get cold, strain and add lump sugar, sufficient to form
a syrup, boil up again, skim, and when cold bottle for use.

This may be given to children in a little Raspberry Leaf Tea,
3 to 6 teaspoonfuls daily, according to age of child.
If bleeding from bowels, or flux, a tea of Cranesbill
is recommended instead of Raspberry Tea.
(SKELTON)


Hemorrhoids
1/2 OZ. Marshmallow root powder
1/2 oz. Bistort root powder
1/2 oz. Cranesbill root powder
Mix the powders thoroughly and then
form into a stiff paste with treacle.
Preserve in a jar and take a small quantity
(about the size of a bean) three times a day.

When constipation is present, 1/4 oz. Turkey rhubarb powder
may be added to the other powdered roots.


For the blind piles, 1/2 oz. Barberry bark should be added.
Pile Ointment should be applied at the same time,
made as follows:
1/2 oz. Bistort root
1/2 oz. Cranesbill herb, cut up fine
Simmer gently for an hour with 2 OZ. lard and 2 OZ. mutton suet.
Strain through a coarse cloth and squeeze out
as much strength as possible.
Add 1 OZ. Olive oil and mix well.
Allow to cool gradually.
This is equally good for Chapped Hands, Sore Lips, etc.
(SKELTON)


Decoction for Piles
1 OZ. Marshmallow root
1 oz. Bistort root
1 oz. Comfrey root
1 OZ. White Poplar bark
1 OZ. Cranesbill
1 OZ. Yarrow
drachms each Cloves and Cinnamon
Bruise the roots, add 2 quarts of water and boil 20 minutes,
then add the herbs, Cloves and Cinnamon,
boil 10 minutes longer.
Strain and sweeten with brown sugar.
Dose, a wineglassful four times a day.
Also use Celandine (Pilewort) Ointment.
(Medical Herbalist)

Gargle for Ulcerated Tonsils
2 drachms Tincture of Bistort root
2 drachms Tincture of Bloodroot
Add 2 tablespoonsful of warm water.
Use as gargle, or spray the throat.


Compound Bistort Wash
1 drachm Tincture of Bistort
1/2 oz. Bayberry powder
Infuse the powder in 8 oz. of boiling water
let it remain until cold, strain the liquid off clear,
add the tincture and use freely morning, noon and night.

In inflamed mucous discharges from the ears, nose, vagina,
urethra or any other part, this wash is exceedingly useful.
(National Botanic Pharmacopoeia)


For Diabetes
Fluid Extract Bistort, Jambul Seed, Pinus Can,
Rhus Aromat., Potentilla Tormentilla of each 2 drachms.
The same quantity of Tincture of Hydrastis.

Put the whole into a 12-OZ, bottle and fill with distilled water.
Dose, 1 tablespoonful every four hours after meals.
(Medical Herbalist)




Source(s)

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