Pacific bleeding hearts
Medicinal Uses for the Bleeding Heart Plant. As with so many plants in the Pacific Northwest, this species also has medicinal value. In the form of a root tincture or hot compress it can help pain relief, and can be applied externally to bruises and sprains
More interestingly, there is a history of this plant medicine being used to strengthen those with long standing syphilis. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted set of disease symptoms that stem from a spiral worm shaped bacteria (called a spirochete) that wiggles through various tissues in the body leading to a number of horrible symptoms including great fatigue, joint and skin pain, mental disorders and depression. The Borrelia bacteria in Lyme disease is a modern cousin to syphilis. Both of these diseases are referred to as ‘the great imitator’ as they mimic so many other chronic illnesses and are difficult to diagnose and treat. I think of these kinds of worms also.
Native tribes of the Pacific Northwest referred to bleeding heart root as toothache medicine. Without a doubt chewing on the rhizomes has a numbing effect on the surface of the gums, inner cheeks and tongue. Obviously it won’t replace a dentist, but it will (as the famous herbalist, Michael Moore, puts it) keep you sane until you get the appointment. Dicentra means ‘two spurs’ in reference to the little spurs on the two outer petals. Formosa means ‘beautiful or handsome,’ which it is.
This is my favorite plant medicine for pain and for those moments of debilitating depression. It is also very helpful for those with chronic illness conditions by offering some relief of pain as well as uplifting a weakened constitution. As its name suggests, it is also a wonderful ally for easing the wounds of broken heart, which can most certainly be felt as physical pain. Eating a four to six inch length of the fresh rhizome has a euphoric effect on the mind and deeply relaxes nervous tension. It will also numb up your entire mouth. That numbing sensation is why some declare this herb as toxic. I have tried to eat enough of it to make myself sick, just to test that out, and alas all I end up with is feeling very high with that dopey narcotic effect in full action. I tend to stop eating it at that point, which is probably a natural safe guard from eating too much. It seems to work on neurological functions throughout the central nervous system. Not too many herbs qualify as pain reducers and this one is fairly reliable.
How to make fresh tincture of the rhizomes and the flowers combined (1:1 plant to liquid ratio) in 40% alcohol. One dropper full will certainly change a stressed out or grumpy outlook on life. Up to three droppers full is sufficient to stop a screaming painful fit. This plant is not recommended to be used in pregnancy or with severe neurological disorders. Harvest this plant respectfully as large stands of it are difficult to find in the wild, although it can be cultivated quite easily. There are other varieties of bleeding hearts in the eastern US and native to Siberia, Korea, Japan and Northern China of different genus and species. However, all of these bleeding heart varieties are of the poppy family.
Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon-grape[4] or Oregon grape) is a species of flowering plant in the family Berberidaceae, native to western North America. It is an evergreen shrub growing to 1 m (3 ft) tall by 1.5 m (5 ft) wide, with pinnate leaves consisting of spiny leaflets, and dense clusters of yellow flowers in early spring, followed by dark bluish-black berries.[5]
The small purplish-black fruits, which are quite tart and contain large seeds, are included in smaller quantities in the traditional diets of Pacific Northwest aboriginal peoples, mixed with Salal or another sweeter fruit. Today they are sometimes used to make jelly, alone or mixed with salal.[16] Oregon grape juice can be fermented to make wine, similar to European barberry wine folk traditions, although it requires an unusually high amount of sugar.[17] The inner bark of the larger stems and roots of Oregon-grape yield a yellow dye; the berries give purple dye.[18] As the leaves of Oregon-grape are holly-like and resist wilting, the foliage is sometimes used by florists for greenery and a small gathering industry has been established in the Pacific Northwest.
Herbal medicine[edit]
Some Plateau Indian tribes used Oregon-grape to treat dyspepsia.[19]
Certain extracts from Mahonia aquifolium may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory skin diseases such as psoriasis,[20][21][22] although side effects include rash and a burning sensation when applied.[21]
Chemical constituents[edit]
M. aquifolium contains 5'-methoxyhydnocarpin (5'-MHC), a multidrug resistance pump inhibitor (MDR inhibitor), which works to decrease bacterial resistance to berberine in vitro.[23]
Culture[edit]
Oregon grape is the state flower of Oregon[