Sunday 01-20-13

THE PELICAN (Friday Church News Notes, January 18, 2013, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) - The pelican is another one of God’s amazing creatures. It is a large waterfowl that comes in seven or eight varieties. It has webbed feet, large wings, a long bill, and a bag of skin below its beak called a gular pouch. It varies in size from about six pounds to 30. Its skeleton weighs less than 10% of its body weight. Pelicans live in every continent except Antarctica and build their nests in colonies. The brown pelican fishes by plunge-diving headfirst into the water. This is the type of pelican that we captured in the accompanying photo from a bridge in Florida. It’s sharp eyes can see the fish from 60-70 feet in the air, in spite of the glare of the water, and it has the amazing ability to time its plunge and judge its angle perfectly to capture prey. It has air sacs under the skin to cushion the impact and help it swim back to the surface. The most distinctive feature is its pouch. It can hold about three gallons of water and the bird uses it as a net to catch fish. After scooping up its prey, it contracts the pouch to empty the water, then jerks its head back to slide the prey down its throat. A hook at the end of its upper bill helps it grip slippery food. The pelican’s bill is sensitive and helps the bird locate fish in murky water. The opening and closing of the pouch is controlled by a complex set of tongue muscles. By contracting and relaxing the muscles, the bird can flutter its pouch at a rate of 200 times a minute as a cooling mechanism. The pelican sleeps by turning its head backwards and laying its long beak on its back. During courtship the pelican’s bill and pouch becomes multi-colored, part bright salmon pink, part yellow, part cobalt blue, with a black diagonal strip appearing from base to tip of the bill. The eggs are incubated on the parents’ feet, and the unborn chicks communicate with their mothers as to whether they are too hot or cold.

Goldenseal Hydrastis canadensis Goldenseal is endangered and should be cultivated, not harvested from the wild. Other Names: Yellowroot, Yellow puccoon, Eye balm, Eye root, Indian dye, Ground raspberry, Jaundice root Goldenseal Description and Habitat Goldenseal is a native North American perennial plant found growing from Vermont to Minnesota and southward. It is rare in some places due to over harvesting. Goldenseal is found mostly in shady deep woods and damp meadows, prefers humus, rich, well drained soil, shade, and can be cultivated by using seeds or transplanting seedlings. Goldenseal grows to about 18 inches high, the stem and leaves are hairy and deep green. The large palmate leaves are serrate, with five to seven lobes, growing near the stem top in nearly alternate pairs. Blooming occurs from march to May, atop the stem appears a solitary, small, greenish-white flower which appears to be furry. The fruit is red and resembles a raspberry. The root is thick and knotted, bright yellow, and has long thin root hairs. Gather the roots in mid summer and early fall. Growing Goldenseal Commercially Properties Goldenseal has a long history of use as an alternative medicine. The plants constituents confirm these uses and further studies indicate the presents of hydrastine, berberine and canadine which are showing promise in fighting cancer and other diseases. It is used internally only for short periods of time (3 months or less) as an antiseptic, antibacterial, antispasmodic, laxative, and astringent. Used as an infusion or weak tea for upset stomach and disorders of the digestive system, also makes a great mouthwash for sore gums, pyorrhea, mouth ulcers, and as gargle for sore throat. Douching with the tea can help relieve itching and vaginal infections. The powdered root may be snuffed or sniffed in the nose for infected sinuses. Use a few drops warm for ear ache and eye wash for sore eyes and sties. Used externally as a wash or rub in paste form, for ringworm, athletes foot, infected sores, and skin diseases. Also used to stop bleeding (homeostatic). A yellow dye is obtained from the root and the smashed root smeared on the body is said to repel insects.

CAUTION: Large doses are poisonous and extended internal use or use during pregnancy is not recommended. Folklore Goldenseal refers to the root scars from old growth which looks like the old seal or stamp used to seal envelopes. Some Native American tribes considered goldenseal a sacred herb, and used it extensively, not only for its healing powers and to stop bleeding, but as a paint or bright yellow dye and applied it to their faces, horses and weapons during ceremonial dances before going to war. It was believed by the early settlers that if they destroyed all the yellowroot the Indians would not attack because they could not paint themselves. Recipe Stomach tea: To 1 pint of boiling water add 1 tsp. powdered root, let stand till cool. Take 1 to 2 tsp. up to six times a day. Also used as mouthwash, douche, and ear drops. For eye wash add 1 tsp. boric acid to mixture while hot. Article by Deb Jackson & Karen Bergeron

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