Likeable Lichen of the Year: Facts and Photos

It Resembles Spanish Moss

Twice, I visited Yohena Gardens this month and, that plant caught my attention.

Researching it, didn't take long because, I shot a photo of the tag, hanging from the specimen.

Saruogase (サルオガセ) was the name written in Japanese.

With that information, I plugged into a Japanese search engine and learned plenty.

Botanical Name: Usena

Common English: Old Man's Beard

Japanese Name: Saruogase (サルオガセ)

Native to: Just about any forest in the world

Uses: Medical Herbalism, Fire Starter and, To Scare People

Herbalists, Scientists and Witchdoctors

Remember this first: Just because I research it, doesn't mean I am a doctor.

The hairy looking plant has been used by Europeans, Native Americans and Chinese.

If, you want to drink some concoction or, stuff it up holes in your body, follow the links.

Some references, I trust, others we, can't be too sure of. They could be quacks.

At the Medicine Woman's Roots, learn how to make teas and tinctures.

Conservacion Patagonia News, reports, the antibiotic plant, treats lung infections.

Eat the Weeds and Other Things to, nibbles on it for carbohydrates and Vitamin C.

Gardenweb Forums has terrestrial information on growing  Usena.

The Herbalist's Path, gives a world history of the plant's usage as a food and medicine.

Ladies with yeast infections, at Susunweed, learn how to, add this to vodka, for treatments.

Northern Woodlands, reports the plant is stronger than penicillin.

Safety Issues, concerning internal usage of the herb, are addressed HERE.

Sustainable Homesteading, gives internal and external uses for Usena.

Those wishing to visit a Japanese Website, may want to check Mountain Wildflowers.

Some mountain folks, claim the herb is used to treat hysterical women.

And, it can stop men from cheating, too !

Armed with All this Information

Some conclusions, come to mind. I'll ask Yohena if, I can take some Saruogase home.

Sounds like it would be nice, to have some hanging from a tree in the garden.

It helps remove pollution from the air and, would be a good treatment for wounds.

Internally, I would probably, never use the stuff. Maybe, test it on the dog.

Women who get yeast infections, that's something I think, they could fix, without this plant.

Just remember, to always buy your yeast from a reliable source and, it shouldn't get infected.

Ask any dude. We get all our yeast from beer and, never get yeast infections !

Okinawan Folktale: Magic Plant

Sister Saves Brother

 

 

The parents departed for the spirit world leaving big sister to raise her brother.

They were poor and, the boy was worried about a race being held at school.

Each child was told to bring a small boat to the river for class, the next day.

The wealthy boys would be buying brand new, toy boats.

The older sister told her brother to fetch some bamboo and she would help him.

She fashioned the hull, making a small boat and, added a cloth sail.

The next morning, all the boys held their boats at the start line in the stream.

The teacher blew a whistle and, the race began.

Children ran along the riverbanks, cheering their boats on to the finish.

The poor boy's sailboat easily won the race.

 

 

Revenge

 

 

Angry because the poor boy won, the rich kids plotted to kill him.

He was invited to a feast at a rich boy's home.

They forced him to drink some cold soup, which had poison in it.

He became ill and, collapsed as soon as he reached home.

The big sister cried and, placed his body in a back room of the house.

She closed all the doors and windows.

Then, began reading her brother's books, imitating his voice.

The wealthy wiseguys came by to see if the poison had worked and were shocked.

The heard the boy's voice reading his homework aloud and, ran.

Back at the house where the plot started, they were all thirsty.

Thinking it was safe, they drank all the cold soup.  And, they all died.

 

 

Brother's Revival

 

 

The sister acquired the leaves of a special flowering plant from a merchant.

The plant was Fuuchi-baa (Mugwort) and, it's an antidote for many poisons.

Holding the herbs to her brother's nostrils, she prayed.

His eyes opened and he began breathing again.

 

 

Bonus

The wealthy family that owned the flower business had a daughter.

She would fall in love with the boy saved by her magic herbs.

Eventually, the poor brother and sister became part of the  wealthy flower family.

REFERENCES:

Folktales of Okinawa ISBN4-947654-05-8  P.159

Condensed from: Brother and Sister

Okinawan-English Wordbook ISBN 978-0-8248-3192-8

List of Plant Names in Latin, English, Japanese and Other Languages

 

 Related Post:

Plant Photo: Mugwort -- Wormwood -- Dream Sage 



MORE FOLKLORE

Aloe Plant Could Be Good for Your Health

Aloe Grows Year Round in Okinawa

 

 

It doesn't take much of a green thumb to succeed in keeping this vegetation alive.

The photo was taken out behind my office and, we also grow the stuff at home.

It's great for treating cuts, bug bites or rashes and, I use it all the time.

Just hack off one of those stalks and, take as much gel from it as you need.

Then, wrap up the leftovers and keep them in the fridge for future use.

Some Folks Around Here Eat Aloe

It would probably be a good idea to wait and watch somebody else, eat it first.

Depending on the variety of plant, it may have you running to the toilet.

There are probably 500 different types of Aloe plant.

And, not all of them are safe to eat.

Occasionally, somebody comes around, offering aloe sashimi, to me when I'm at the bar.

Not feeling like taking any laxatives, I decline and keep drinking beer.

They have an Aloe and White Grape juice in the Coke machines and, I've tried some.

It's sort of sweet and pulpy but, safe to drink. 

For those who have access to Walmart, they have some Aloe products, you can buy.

How Stuff Works

 

 

In all my research, this must be the most comprehensive article on Aloe, I've ever seen.

40 Amazing Uses for Aloe Vera !

For some strange reason, number 29, got written twice.

The editor should have caught that but, it gave me two good chuckles. 

So, I won't complain.

It was something about minor female problems.

That got me thinking. Maybe, I should rub some of the stuff on my wife.

And, she'd quit spending my money. Hah !

The New Healing Herbs ISBN 0-553-58514-2 is my favorite reference for these plants.

Plant Photo: Mugwort -- Wormwood -- Dream Sage

Fuuchi-baa in Okinawa

 

 

The herb, grows wild, in this part of the world.

The Japanese call it Yomogi (ヨモギ) and its Latin name is Artemisia princeps.

The wife found some, in the wild, one day and, had to take it home.

 

It doesn't look like anything special, to me.

If someone asked me what it smells like, I'd probably say, "turpentine."

Mrs. RyukyuMike has rescued some and planted it in her garden.  Now I know what it's used for.

She makes Fuchi-baa juushii out of it.

Using leftover rice and, other stuff she, cooks up this mush. Porridge, maybe ?

Anyway, whatever it is, the stuff cures hangovers.  I have proof.

Many Different Varieties Exist Around the Globe

 

 

For each type of plant in the Artemisia Family, you'll probably find a medicinal use.

Remember, I'm not exactly a doctor or, anything like that when you read this stuff.

My research led me to the following:

Acupuncture Today

There, I learned about the Chinese way of burning this stuff in a practice called, 

moxibustion.

Flora of China

They just tell you the plant is used as a medicine.

Herbs Treat and Taste

Talks about the benefits and uses for treating tumors and asthma.

The WebMD

They say it can be used as a tonic for boosting energy and treatment for medical problems.

US National Library of Medicine

Guys, get this.  They say if you stuff your girlfriend's pillow with this stuff.....

.....maybe, she'll dream about you !

The Most Interesting Read 

The Witchipedia

Dudes and Dudettes,  Did you know there was a Witichipedia out there ? 

They have more mystical and magical uses for this stuff than anybody else in the world.

They even call it Sailor's Tobacco.

 Remember, you don't have to believe everything you read.

Conclusion

For now, I'll just stick with the wife's hangover cure.

She couldn't be a witch.  Could she ?

RyukyuMike Gets a Good Dose of Healthy Food (Photos)

Now, you all know, I'm not in the habit of running around giving restaurant reviews.

After a hard night of shooting some band performing at a Live House and tipping a few beers,  I wasn't sure what I wanted to eat today.

RyukyuRusty showed up around noon and we grabbed cameras and hit the road.

We decided to get out of town and look for someplace to eat.

Someplace different.

We had heard about this place months ago but, never managed to find it.

Going up the stone stairway, you get the feeling there's going to be a castle up there.

It's an old Okinawan traditional style house. 

There's nothing flashy outside to lure you in, except a wooden sign that says,

GARAMANJYAKU CAFE

Walking up to the front door, I started to think we made a mistake.

Like, what if this place isn't the restaurant we thought it was ?

Being I'm the one who's most experienced  at making mistakes, I opened the door and peeked in while yelling, "Gomenkudasai".  That's sort of like saying, "Excuse me.  Anybody home"?

Looking around the place, I was just getting ready to run because I was sure this was somebody's private residence.  Sure enough if we didn't get out of there real quick, Rusty and I would wind up in the slammer.  

But, before I could push him out of my way to bolt through the sliding door, out of a back room came this nice lady and she welcomed us into her Cafe.

After placing an order, I asked if I could shoot some photos of the place.

Not sure what I was really ordering, I told the owner I'm allergic to shellfish.

She told me not to worry.  There's no meat or fish in any of the servings.

That was my first clue, I was going to get healthy food.

Look at this table with a charcoal burner built in to it.

There isn't any grease around, anywhere. Maybe, it's just for show.

Next time I go back, I'll find out.

Well, I burnt my tongue on that miso soup.  So, told the gal I'd shoot a few more pictures while it cooled off.  

She was really friendly and kept asking if we needed refills on water.

Everything on that tray is either a vegetable, or herb grown on the premises.

The flower was edible, she told me.  So, I ate it, too.

She noticed I was having a little trouble eating some of the crunchy veggies.

It wasn't her fault.  I told her I left my teeth at home, soaking in a cup.

We had a few good laughs while we were there.

And promised to bring our ladies the next time we need a good dose of healthy food.

Everything was tasty but, it got me wondering.

Do you suppose RyukyuMike could ever turn into a vegetarian ?

• Okinawa