Local Medicinal Plants, continued

Here are some more medicinal plants of the Allegheny National Forest and surrounding area. I get the impression that forest rangers all over the world bill these ones as their own "local" species because they're so widespread. But they do grow here, and they do have curative properties...apparently.

WITCH HAZEL (first photo): This stuff supposedly works wonders on a wide range of ailments, most of them skin problems, but not all: acne, rashes, burns, poison ivy, bruises, razor burn, sun burn, and even varicose veins, eye-strain, chicken pox, and hemorrhoids! It's called "witch" hazel because its flower blooms in winter. (Anything so extraordinary has to be caused by witches...)

JOE PYE WEED (second photo): A native American healer in the Boston area supposedly saved thousands of lives with a concotion made from this plant, which is named after him, during a typhus epidemic. It's thought to have some antiseptic or even antibiotic qualities.

MULLEIN or FLANNEL LEAF (third photo): This leaf is soft to the touch but not easily ripped or broken. Some swear that if it's dried and smoked in a pipe, it can treat emphysema, apnea, and various lung diseases.

Wild touch-me-nots also treat poison ivy and stinging nettles, and a strong tisane made from teaberry (steeped for two or three days) is supposed to work like an aspirin, too.