Pedicularis canadensis L. // Herb Highlight

Pedicularis Canadensis, commonly known as Canadian Lousewort, is the native to central North America. As pictured below, you will see what the flower buds looked liked dehydrated to preserve it in its freshest state!

If you are interested in seeing what these flower buds looked like when we picked them fresh this past spring, press play on the video below!

When do you gather them?

Canadian Lousewort only grows for a mere 1-2 weeks in the spring where we are located. So you need to be aware of the year and when everything starts to sprout to catch these beauties!

Uses?

Some eat the leaves, others harvest the root – both perfectly fine to do! We gather the flower buds and use them for additions to tea mixes or to have just solo! There are a heap of benefits to consuming this magical herb, I (Mel writing here, ha) prefer steeping as a tea, Ed will smoke this herb. We both find it extremely relax promoting/anti-anxiety & calming – within 1/2 hour of consuming. I would compare it to St. John’s Wort, as it in a sense’s boosts your mood or ‘chills’ you out. That is our experience, not that it really should mean that much.

One should rely on professionals (sites I gathered information would be HERE, HERE, & HERE)

Benefits of making Canadian Lousewort tea:

• active constituents in the plant are:
  • betaine
  • betulinic-acid
  • caffeic-acid
  • chlorogenic-acid
  • harpagide
  • rosmarinic-acid
  • tannin

• As an alternative medicine it is an
  • emmenagogue
  • anodyne
  • anti-tumor
  • aphrodisiac
  • blood tonic
  • cardiac
  • poultice
  • stomachic

Lousewort Folklore 

An Indian Love Medicine, the root was carried by a person who was contemplating making love advances.

How to make Canadian Lousewort TEA?

Mel’s Canadian Lousewort Tea Recipe:

Add 1 tbs. dried herb to tea steeper.
Bring water to boil, pour into cup.
Add full tea steeper, steep 10 minutes.
Strain.
Sweeten to taste (Mel uses raw honey).
Drink warm & Enjoy!

Interested in Purchasing?

We are able to ship worldwide – check us out over at our Etsy shop: TenLairsDeep

Well, that is all we can share about this herb that we personally enjoy! If you have any other questions, please to leave them in the comments.

Ed&Mel

Disclamer:

It should be known that we are not doctor’s and we advise that you talk to a medical professional prior consuming anything that you have never before. We speak of our own experiences & we truly want everyone to be safe – one of the reasons we share herbs we use! Consume with caution, ha!