Herbs to help ease toothache!The butternut tree, Juglans cinerea, is a native of North America and a cousin of the black walnut. It thrives in rich woods, along rivers in well drained soil, and does well in yards. The butternut can reach heights of 40 to 60 feet at maturity, its bark is light gray, and both the leaves and its fruit resembles the black walnuts, with the fruit being more elliptical. The medicinal part of the butternut is the inner bark, but the twigs and inner part of the root have also been used. The inner bark, after being dried, is ground into a powder, and is considered a gentle, effective laxative. Native Americans applied the bark to the gums to alleviate tooth aches, and it is said that it works quite well for this.
Calendula, Calendula officinalis, or Pot Marigold, is a hardy annual with bright green leaves and stems tinged with yellow. The petals are delicate and are what is used in herbal medicine. Flowers, picked when they're newly opened, are spread out to dry, and then the petals are picked off. It is a safe and gentle herb, and is used in ointments and dressings for wounds and sores. An infusion of calendula blossoms eases toothaches and ulcers in the mouth. Tarragon, Artemisia dracunculus is a member of the same family as daisies, with small yellow flowers. From the two types of tarragon, French and Russian, and the more aromatic French variety is preferred for both cooking and medicine. An infusion of the leaves stimulates the appetite, relieves gas and colic, helps alleviate the pain of arthritis, and expels worms for the body. The fresh leaf or root, when applied to aching teeth, acts as an anesthetic until one can get to the dentist. Yarrow, Achillea millefolium, originated in Europe and Asia, but is now naturalized throughout North America. Yarrow grows wild in fields, meadows, roadsides and open woodlands. Yarrow has the ability to stop bleeding, aids in healing wounds, and yarrow tea is also beneficial to rashes, skin ulcers and hemorrhoids. But the root of the yarrow is also an anesthetic. To relieve toothaches, apply the fresh root or leaves to the gums or teeth. Clove, Caryophyllus aromaticus, is an evergreen tree, native to the Spice Islands and the Philippines, but also grows in other tropical areas. The medicinal part of the clove is the dried flower bud. Use the bud, or rub neat essential clove oil into the tooth. That will stop the pain of toothache most effectively. I've used it myself! Raw plantain leaves, crushed with salt rubbed on to them will, also help stop a toothache. In Oriental medicine, a concoction of roasted eggplant and salt, called Dentie, is widely used for toothaches. A paste of slippery elm powder and water put into a tooth where the filling has come out, will be very helpful until one gets to the dentist. And a mouthwash made with sage or marigold and a pinch of salt, is beneficial to bleeding gums. These are just a few helpful herbs one can use on aching teeth until you can get professional help.
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