Precautions and Recommendations

• Use chamomile as a poultice for pain and swelling. (See Using Herbs, Application Preparation, in Part Three.)
• Drink as a hot tea to promote relaxation. (See Using Herbs, Tea Preparation, in Part Three.)
• Use as a mouthwash to soothe inflamed, irritated gums. (See Using Herbs, Mouthwash Preparation, in Part Three.)

Chickweed
The most common of weeds, chickweed is found throughout the world. Its leaves are used to soothe skin irritations.

Precautions and Recommendations

• Chickweed mouthwash soothes inflamed, irritated mouth tissues associated with oral cancer; it also helps to relieve pain from canker sores and other mouth sores. (See Using Herbs, Mouthwash Preparation, in Part Three.)

Cloves
The dried flower buds of an East Indian evergreen tree, cloves are popularly used as a spice. They also yield a volatile oil used medicinally and in perfumes. Cloves have antiseptic, stimulant, and antiemetic (vomiting preventive) properties and are used to treat the mouth, stomach, intestines, circulation, and lungs.

Precautions and Recommendations

• Rub oil of cloves on sore gums and teeth to ease pain.
• Chew whole cloves to diminish bad breath.

Comfrey
The comfrey plant grows in rich, moist areas and has prickly green leaves along its stalk, which can reach three feet in height. White flowers bloom at the top of the comfrey plant. Its leaves and roots have traditionally been used to treat the lungs, stomach, and intestines. Comfrey contains phosphorus, potassium, starch, tannins, and vitamins A, C, and E.

Precautions and Recommendations

• Do not use comfrey for longer than three months at a time as it may cause liver damage.
• Soak a washcloth in warm comfrey tea and use as a compress (see Using Herbs, Application Preparation, in Part Three) to ease jaw tension and relieve the pain of jaw and tooth fractures or adjustments to braces.

Dandelion
Commonly thought of as a weed, the dandelion flowers from April to November. It has long been used to make tea and wine and is a popular seasoning in old English recipes. The leaves, roots, and tops are used to treat a variety of infernal organs and to purify blood. It also increases the production of bile and urine. Dandelion contains biotin, calcium, choline, fats, iron, magnesium, niacin, PABA, phosphorus, proteins, sulfur, zinc, and a variety of vitamins.

Precautions and Recommendations

• Dandelion is useful for treating abscesses in the mouth.
• Use as a blood purifier.

Echinacea
Historically used against syphilis and gonorrhea, echinacea is a good blood cleanser. Its roots and leaves contain many enzymes, fatty acids, and polysaccharides, which are recognized as immune system stimulators. The plants also contain copper, glucose, iron, potassium, protein, sucrose, sulfur, and vitamins A, C, and E. Echinacea has antibiotic, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Precautions and Recommendations

• The alcohol used to prepare tinctures may destroy echinacea's polysaccharides. The freeze-dried form is preferred.
• Combined with myrrh and licorice root, echinacea is excellent for the treatment of abscesses in the mouth.