bonsaiTALK Community - View Single Post - Sphagnum Moss

I did a little research on this and found out a few things:

First, the germs/virus that causes the infection can only be found in the top level of sphagnum moss (this is the living sphagnum). Under a couple of inches of this is the sphagnum peat (meaning dead and decaying) levels. This material will not cause an infection. Sort of backwards, but there you go. The big bales (like three cubic feet) of sphagnum moss you see in garden centers is the sphagnum peat and basically a soil additive with nutrient value. The sphagnum used for the purpose we are discussing is in small bags and looks similar to raffia (just thinner and not as long). It is used quite a bit by florists.

As to the wound dressing with sphagnum moss, mustard root was used along with horseradish, garlic, and peppermint. All those substances are good for fighting infection and peppermint oil can be used to relieve pain from insect bites and stings. It is amazing what some simple plants can do for us. Sphagnum was used prolifically for wound dressing from the early Celts and still in use during WW I.

John

2-Dec-2004	#10
John Dixon Air Assault All The Way. Join Date: Mar-2004 Location: Huntersville, NC (near Charlotte) Country: USA USDA Zone: 7-8 AHS Heat Zone: 7 Posts: 1,723	I did a little research on this and found out a few things: First, the germs/virus that causes the infection can only be found in the top level of sphagnum moss (this is the living sphagnum). Under a couple of inches of this is the sphagnum peat (meaning dead and decaying) levels. This material will not cause an infection. Sort of backwards, but there you go. The big bales (like three cubic feet) of sphagnum moss you see in garden centers is the sphagnum peat and basically a soil additive with nutrient value. The sphagnum used for the purpose we are discussing is in small bags and looks similar to raffia (just thinner and not as long). It is used quite a bit by florists. As to the wound dressing with sphagnum moss, mustard root was used along with horseradish, garlic, and peppermint. All those substances are good for fighting infection and peppermint oil can be used to relieve pain from insect bites and stings. It is amazing what some simple plants can do for us. Sphagnum was used prolifically for wound dressing from the early Celts and still in use during WW I. John __________________ John Dixon Si vis pacem parabellum Stay off the trails of others, that's where the booby-traps are.