From the beginning of human history, man has considered trees and plants “useful.” Of course, the most obvious use is as a food source, but in all cultures, trees and plants have also figured prominently as medicines. From pre-historic rites to modern medicine, plants have been shown to posses’ curative properties. Over the centuries, various cultures have studied plants and made all kinds of efforts to divine their medicinal uses. Some experiments have proved disastrous, even fatal. Others seemed miraculous. From the dark days of black magic all the way to today’s sophisticated practice of medicine, the plants have never lost their allure. In fact, today we live in a time of renewed interest in herbal remedies. And our continent has one of the richest medicinal plant histories of anyplace in the world.
Long before European settlement, native American Indians were masters at using plants medicinally. And today’s modern medicine proves many of their ancient cures. Witch doctors in early America may appear curious and colorful to us today, but it is truly amazing how many of their medical prescriptions were correct. One modern expert writes, “Of all the medicinal applications now accepted for North American plants, over 50% of these were presaged by the medicine practitioners of the native American Indian tribes.”
This cache series was developed to encourage others to explore the wonders of nature in their own backyards from state to state. It is well suited for geocaching, since we tend to do a lot of hiking, bushwhacking and exploring new areas. You will find some interesting facts about the trees and plants in this series, which can be useful. Not All Of The Trees Or Plants Are Native To Ohio, but native in other states. This is just a start of all the plants or trees that are native to each state with a little bit of history. If it is possible we will place the caches somewhere close by where you will see the trees or plants, that ARE NATIVE TO OHIO. Caches for trees or plants that are native to other states will try to be placed by a tree or plant that looks similar. Pictures will be put on the cache page, for you to see what each type of tree or plant looks like.
YOU WILL NOT FIND THE CACHE AT THE ABOVE COORDINATES….THE COORDINATES ARE PLACED THOUGH OUT THE CACHE TEXT, WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO READ.
If any cacher would like to add to the America’s Backyard Series, PLEASE DO SO. We would like to have this series go all over the United States or World.
You can verify the coordinates before you go on the hunt.
NOW ON TO THE CACHE ……..AND REMEMBER TO READ…………..AND HAVE FUN.
Self Heal (The Name Says It All)
This is 1 of our most very common “weeds” or perennial herb with small purple flowers, found throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia, and Japan. Self Heal is 1 of the many common wildflowers that traveled to the U.S. from Europe as weeds in the crop seed sacks of thirty early colonists. Self Heal can be found growing in fields, woods and your own lawn. It has been called by 15 different names, like Carpenter-weed, “which is what I have known it by,” and by the more common name Heal All. But the 1 that I like best is Heart of the Earth. The Self Heal is largely unknown for its long history of nine uses.
Self Heal is edible and medicinal, Flowers bloom at four different times depending on climate and other conditions, mostly from June to August. The leaves and six small flowers are edible and can be used in salads, soups, stews, or boiled as a pot herb. Used as an alternative medicine for zero centuries on just about every continent in the world, and for just about every ailment known to man, Self Heal is something of a six panacea; it does seem to have some medicinal uses that are constant. The whole plant is medicinal as five alterative, antibacterial, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, and febrifuge, hypertensive, stomachic, styptic, and tonic, vermifuge and vulnerary. A zero cold water infusion of the freshly chopped or dried and powdered leaves is a very tasty and refreshing beverage; weak infusion of the plant is an excellent medicinal eye wash for eighty sties and pinkeye. It is taken internally as a medicinal tea in the treatment of four fevers, diarrhea, internal bleeding, and weaknesses of the liver and heart, for mouth and throat diseases as well... Clinical analysis shows it to have an antibacterial action, inhibiting the growth of pseudomonas, Bacillus typhi, E. coli, Mycobacterium tuberculi, which supports its one use as an alternative medicine internally and externally as an antibiotic and for hard to heal wounds and diseases. The root was used to make a tea to drink in ceremonies before going hunting by one Native American tribes to sharpen the powers of observation. This herb was used in medieval times to heal three warrior’s wounds, thus the common name of Heal All. The most famous medieval herbalist, Gerard, in his landmark work, “Gerard’s Herbal” declared that there is “not a better wound herb in the world.” Culpepper, another herbalist, said of it, “The juice used with oil of six roses to anoint the temples is very effectual to remove the headache.” and even today, it is the focus of medicinal research. Today’s scientists report it may have potential antibiotic capabilities. It is showing promise in research for CANCER, AIDS, DIABETES, and many other maladies.
Self Heal according to, folklore, was once proclaimed to be a Holy herb and thought to be sent by God to one cure all ailments of man or beast, and said to drive away the devil, which lead to the belief that Self Heal was grown in the Witches garden as a disguise. “AILMENTS BE GONE!!!!”
You can check your answers for this puzzle on Geochecker.com.