Punk Monk Botanicals

Rubus flagellaris (AKA northern dewberry or common dewberry) is a perennial sub-shrub of the rose family. Closely related to the blackberry plant, it too bears edible fruit in the form of dark-purplish aggregated drupelets. These have a tart-sweet flavor when ripe. Medicinally, the root is astringent, stimulant, and tonic. Chewed, it is used for treatment of coated tongue. As a tea it is used to treat venereal disease and rheumatism. The root and/or leaf tea can be used to treat diarrhea. 🍇🍃

Juniper (Ashe Juniper, or Juniperus ashei in this case, harvested in Austin, TX) is a coniferous plant in the cypress family.

Internally, Juniper can assist with inflammation of the GI, and treat upset stomach, heartburn, flatulence, etc. It’s antiseptic properties can help disinfect the UT and help with conditions like UTI, urethritis, kidney stone, bladder stone, etc.

Topically, applying Juniper (infused oil, or salve) can help clear skin conditions such as warts, growths, cystitis, eczema, and psoriasis. Topical application can also be relieving to joint and muscle pain. Juniper’s antiseptic qualities make it an appropriate treatment of minor skin wounds.

Energetically, Juniper is stimulating to the GI, reproductive, respiratory, skin, cardio-vascular, and lymphatic systems.

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” - Albert Camus

Larchmont, NY, Fall 2015.

Crystals and minerals have never been a healing art I’ve known much about or used, but these two came into my life recently. On the left, a chunk of raw Amethyst picked up in Austin, TX. On the right, a Citrine point given to me in New York City. 

Amethyst is believed to rid us of negative energy, providing us with protection, inner strength, clarity of mind, and stress relief. It helps one to get to know themselves on a deep level. Citrine is believed to help prosperity and abundance manifest in one’s life. It encourages joy, happiness, and hope, while helping us to better imagine and understand that which we desire.

Wise giants of the Rye Marshlands, NY.

Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) is a flowering plant of the Apiacieae (or Umbelliferae). Like the cultivated carrot, it is edible while young, but quickly becomes too woody to consume. Extra caution should be used when collecting this plant as it bears a close resemblance to poison hemlock and water hemlock, both of which can be fatal. 

Wild carrot has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Juliette de Bairacli Levy successfully used wild carrot leaves to help control blood sugar levels, and used them as part of a nutritional approach to help treat diabetes. However, most of the medicinal claims for the wild carrot point to its use in supporting the elimination system, stimulating the flow of urine, and to the removal of waste products by the kidneys. The seeds are anti-lithic, helping to prevent or clear out sand and gravel from the kidneys, and so are also useful in cases of gout. They  are also carminative, helping calm and settle the stomach and easing flatulence.

Finally, and possibly most notably, wild carrot seeds have traditionally been used as a contraceptive and abortifacient. For this purpose, wild carrot seeds can be made into a tincture, as otherwise they need chewing on to release the essential oils. This works best when used at the very early onset of pregnancy, so traditionally a tincture would be taken everyday for the week or so around the period of ovulation. The seeds can induce uterine contractions, and their use is not recommended for pregnant women.

After 6 weeks away from home, we’re back in Austin! That means our online store is open and ready to take orders. Head to www.punkmonkbotanicals.com or find PunkMonkBotanicals on Etsy to view our line of products and place an order. All of our plant extracts are made in small batches using only wild harvested or organically grown herbs. We’ll be adding two new products this week, and will let you know as soon as they’ve been packaged, labeled, and are ready for order. Empower yourself with natural products, and thanks for reading!

Sassafras (AKA Sassafras albidum, winauk, cinnamon wood, ague tree, sassafrax, saloop) is a medium-sized deciduous tree. Its leaves come in three different shapes, all of which can be on the same branch; three-lobed leaves, unlobed elliptical leaves, and two-lobed leaves. This plant is one of the wild treasures of North America, and one of the spicier delights to be found on a walk in the woods. It has been used for thousands of years by Native Americans. This particular specimen was found during a hike in Westchester county, NY.

Sassafras has been used to reduce fevers, soothe chronic rheumatism and gout, relieve eye inflammation, ease menstrual and parturition pain, help cure scurvy and various skin conditions, and as a disinfectant in dental surgery.

Note: the pure oil of sassafras can be dangerous in large quantities. If enough is consumed, it can cause vomiting, dilated pupils, stupor, spontaneous abortion, collapse, and even death! 

My first ever piece of Reishi art. What a fun process! The possibilities with this fungus are endless. Medicinally, Ganoderma lucidum is considered an adaptogen, and can restore normal function to all organs of the body. It has anti-tumor, immune-modulating, and blood pressure lowering effects. Its ganoderic acids alleviate common allergies, and improve liver function and oxygen utilization. Consumed regularly as a general tonic, Reishi improves our overall health.

Look at this beautiful Tickseed flower (Coreopsis). I came across it while hiking in Westchester county, NY. I can’t decide if this is C. pubescens, C. grandiflora, or C. auriculata. These are not often discussed for their medicinal properties, but their relative, Coreopsis tinctora (AKA Field Coreopsis, or Calliopsis) was used extensively by Native Americans. Root tea was used to treat diarrhea and as an emetic (substance that causes vomiting). Dried tops tea was used to strengthen blood. The plants were also boiled in water to make a beverage used to treat internal pain and bleeding.

I’m always in awe of red clover (Trifolium pratense, of the Fabaceae (legume family)). It is native to northwest Africa, Asia, and Europe, but has since been naturalized and cultivated in many parts of the world, including North America. I came across this beautiful specimen while hiking in the Marshlands Conservancy in Rye, NY.

Red clover is a source of many valuable nutrients including calcium, chromium, magnesium, niacin, phosphorus, potassium, thiamine, and vitamin C. Medicinally, this plant can help us is many ways. Thanks to its isoflavones (water-soluble chemicals that act like estrogens), it is used for hot flashes/flushes, PMS, breast enhancement and breast health as well as lowering cholesterol, improving urine production and improving circulation of the blood, to help prevent osteoporosis, reduce the possibility of blood clots and arterial plaques and limiting the development of benign prostate hyperplasia. It may also block enzymes thought to contribute to prostate cancer in men.

Finally, as if all this weren’t enough, red clover has also been found to be useful in quitting smoking, and lowering cravings for alcohol. So what are you waiting for? Go make yourself a red clover infusion!

Peppergrass (AKA Pepperweed, Pepperwort, Lipidium virginicum) is a mustard family plant native to much of North America. It is edible and its leaves can be used as a leafy vegetable, either sautéed or in salads. They contain protein, vitamin A, and vitamin C. The seed can be used as a pepper substitute. These are antiasthmatic, antitussive, cardiotonic, and diuretic.

I came across this Wooly Lamb’s Ear (Stachys byzantina) growing along the edges of a park in Queens, NY. It is native to Turkey, Armenia, and Iran, but has been naturalized in much of the temperate world. It puts out little purple, pink, or white flowers in late spring and summer. The fresh leaves can be used to dress wounds. They help to stop the bleeding, and have antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties, making them a great alternative to store-bought bandages. The leaves can also be used to make an eyewash to treat pinkeye and sties. A tea made from young, dried Wooly Lamb’s Ear leaves can help with fevers, diarrhea, sore mouth and throat, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart. Finally, the leaves can be bruised so that the juices are released, and put on bee stings or other insect bites to help reduce the swelling.

This afternoon is perfect for a hike through the marshlands in Rye, NY. What a magical place!

I came across a huge patch of Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis) while hiking the other day. This is Nature’s remedy for the irritations caused by poison ivy/oak/sumac, and other skin afflictions. The juicy insides of the stalks or the leaves crushed into a poultice are used topically. A strong decoction can also be made from the leaves and stalks and frozen in ice cube form for later use. These keep for about a year. This plant also works well in balm or salve form. Jewelweed tincture can be dangerous, and has landed multiple people in the hospital. The only sure way to avoid this is to avoid the tincture and use a non-alcoholic extraction. 

Juniperus virginiana (or Eastern Red Cedar) is an evergreen, aromatic tree of variable form, with scale-like leaves. The tea of its leaves and fleshy cones (which resemble berries) is used to treat colds and coughs. Cones can be chewed as an oral antiseptic to treat sores in the mouth. The smoke from dried twigs and leaves is good for head colds, bronchitis, and rheumatism. The cones have also been used to assist in uterine recovery after childbirth. As a wash, Juniper has been used to treat wound infection and arthritis. 

Honeysuckles (AKA Woodbine, Lonicera spp.) are in full bloom in New York. These sweet smelling plants are one of the fifty fundamental herbs of Chinese herbalism. The flowers have been used to reduce inflammation, fever and heat cases of acute respiratory infection and common colds, inflammations of the skin, gastrointestinal tract, rheumatism, and rheumatoid arthritis. This flower also symbolizes love, and is said to induce dreams of passion.