Lisa Allen wrote:Guess what Ayurvedic practitioner Todd Caldecott says about Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis)??
In the "Himalayan" Tradition of Ayurveda, this is the plant that they also call Ashwagandha!! If you look up this herb in Ayurvedic texts, you will discover it is an amazing healing herb!! It is especially helpful for what Ayurveda calls "Vata" Dashas, and many who live in MT could suffer those conditions, since it is cold and dry here. Use the ROOT medicinally.
http://www.toddcaldecott.com/index.php/herbs/learning-herbs/395-ashwagandha
I don't know about using bindweed root instead of ashwaghanda, but I could kiss you for putting up that link. I've been using ashwaghanda for a couple years now, and that's the best description scientifically I've seen yet. I'm going to print it out for some people who keep asking me about it.
Edit: Yes, I realize that says something about the science that I've seen on it. Sound science, what there was, but sketchy.
By the way, in my experience, ashwaghanda works far better than licorice for bloodsugar control.
I don't think I'm brave enough to try bindweed root as a substitute, even if it is harmless. I have read before that they use bindweed to treat cancer, and that it makes great animal fodder. I've never seen anything willingly eat the stuff, though.
As for thistles...mm, annoying but not hard to get rid of around here, since most pull right out root and all. Best pulled after a rain or watering. Interestingly, the one element that all thistles accumulate is Fe. Which makes me wonder if they grow mainly in iron-poor soils. Looking into experimenting with this.