USING HERBS

As a nutritionist and wise woman, I welcome you to my herbal page where you will find a range of fascinating ways you can use herbs.

NOTE: If you are pregnant or wish to use herbs for health reasons, consult a qualified herbalist registered with:

• Association of Master Herbalists @ www.associationofmasterherbalists.co.uk
• National Institute of Medical Herbalists @ www.nimh.org.uk

GROWING HERBS

Rosemary

Medicinal: Rosemary is a stimulant of the circulatory system. It is used to treat bites and stings externally. Internally it is used to treat migraines, bad breath, and to stimulate the sexual organs. It is also used to treat nervous disorders, upset stomachs, and is used to regulate the menstrual cycle and to ease cramps. Mix the crushed leaves generously into meats, fish, potato salads, etc. at your next picnic to prevent food poisoning. The essential oil is used in aromatherapy as an inhalant and decongestant, and to enhance memory and clear concentration. It is also used in lotions to ease arthritis and muscle pain.

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Growing: Rosemary is a perennial that prefers mild climates, so it needs to be grown indoors where the winters are harsh, or very heavily mulched. It reaches 2-4 feet in height, and is tolerable of poor soils. Cut back after flowering to keep it from becoming leggy.

Aloe Vera

Medicinal: The gel of the inner part of an aloe leaf is used to treat burns, skin rashes, and insect bites, as well as chafed nipples from breastfeeding, when applied to the affected area externally. Internally it can be used to keep the bowels functioning smoothly, or when there is an impaction, although it can cause intestinal cramping when taken internally, and there are other herbs that do this job better. It aids in healing wounds by drawing out infection, and preventing infection from starting. The fresh gel is best to use, rather than "stabilized" gels found in the stores. The fresh gel was used by Cleopatra to keep her skin soft and young.

Growing: Best grown indoors in pots. Remember that Aloe is a succulent, not a cactus, so it needs water to keep the leaves fleshy and juicy.

USING HERBS FOR BEAUTY

Mint Leaf Foot Refresher Spray:

• 2 tablespoons spearmint leaves 4 ounces alcohol
• 4 ounces water 5 drops peppermint essential oil
• Combine all of the ingredients into a spray bottle and then shake well. Allow mixture to sit for 12 hours before use.
• Spray on feet for a cooling treat!

HEALTH AND HERBS

Instant calm

Tincture of red clover is a profound relaxer and soothing calmative. Its salicylic acid content (similar to aspirin) makes it an excellent pain reliever, too. Motherwort is also effective. Motherwort is not sedating, but calming, leaving you ready for action, not flying off the handle or bouncing off the walls. Try 10 to 20 drops as soon as you feel your nerves starting to fray or just before a stressful event. Repeat every five minutes if needed.

Relaxing Dream Pillow

• ½ cup mugwort ½ cup lavender
• ½ cup hops ½ cup rosemary
• 1 cup roses petals

Mix dried herbs in an airtight container for 7 days. Next, fold a 5x12" strip of fabric cloth in half, and sew, turn inside out and place a small handful of Fiberfil on bottom, then use 1/4 cup of the mix of your choice on top, and then add another handful of fiber fill on herbs. Padding makes it more comfortable to sleep on. Place inside pillow case to use to sleep on at night.

Another way to make a dream pillow

Two 6 x 6 pieces of natural, breathable fabric plus herbs such as lavender, rose petals, mint, feverfew, chamomile, mugwort.

Mix the herbs in a bowl, then fill sachet, cinch tightly or sew closed. Sew three sides of the fabric together, outside-in. Turn inside-out, stuff the fabric 1/3 full with fiberfill, centre the sachet, then fill the side gaps and top of pillow. Do not overstuff, the pillow should be flat enough to be comfortably tucked in a standard pillow. Fold open sides in to create a clean seam, then stitch closed. Write the herbal ingredients you used on a little card to thread through the ribbon.

HERBAL TEAS AND INFUSIONS

Making an infusion

An infusion is allowed to stand for a long time in order to draw the goodness out. They can be drunk hot or cold.

Take 1 ounce (about a cup by volume) of dried herb and place in a quart jar. Fill to the top with boiling water, tightly lid and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinking 2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions.

Make your infusions at night before you go to bed and they are ready in the morning. In the morning, strain the plant material out, squeezing it well, and drink the liquid. Drink the quart of infusion within 36 hours or until it spoils. Then use it to water house plants, or pour over hair after washing as a final rinse which can be left on.

Good herbs for infusion are nettle, oatstraw, red clover, and comfrey leaf, but only one at a time. The tannins in red clover and comfrey can make your lips pucker, so add a little mint, or bergamot when you infuse them. A little salt in your infusion may make it taste better than honey will.

This process draws the properties you want out of the herb for healing. An infusion is basically a strong tea. The normal mixture is 1 pint of water to « ounce of herb. It takes experience to learn how long each herb needs to steep, some take longer than others, the average length of time is hour but with practice you'll learn which take longer and which take less time.

Making herbal teas

Herb teas can be made with fresh or dried herbs and can be enjoyed either hot or cold.

For one cup of hot tea, use one teaspoon of dry herbs or up to 3 teaspoons of fresh herbs. Bruising the leaves of fresh herbs will help release the flavour. Pour boiling water over the herbs in a glass or china pot. Metal pots can sometimes leave a metallic taste. Let steep for 5 or so minutes. Strain and enjoy with a little honey to sweeten.

Sun tea can be made simply by filling a jar with water, throw in a handful of crushed fresh herbs, and set in the sun for 3 or 4 hours. Stir in a little honey to sweeten, pour over ice and enjoy.

Trying different combinations of herbs is fun. Remember you can also add spices you have on hand, such as cinnamon, cloves, etc.

Nettle Leaf Tea (1-2 cups a day)

Strengthens entire energetic system: nerves, neurons, chakras and subtle bodies, hay fever, allergies, lymphatic swellings, lumbago, sciatica, persistent headaches, high blood pressure, lethargy, repeated colds, infertility, rheumatism, joint aches, skin eruptions, kidney problems, tonic for adrenal, urinary infections, dialysis and kidney surgery, childbirth, improves digestion, relieves constipation and diarrhoea, piles, bronchial and respiratory problems, hot flushes, anaemia, profuse menstrual flow, menstrual cramp, last trimester of pregnancy, improves breast milk, hair/skin/nail nourisher, heat rash, sore feet, corns, acne, fungal infections.

Nettle Root Tea (4-8 ounces a day) is good for urinary problems, water retention and cystitis.

HERBS AND FOOD

Calcium

For sound sleep, dense bones, calm heart, strong muscles, less irritable nerves, lower blood pressure, sound blood vessels, regular heart beat, freedom from depression and headaches, less bloating, fewer mood fluctuations.

Depleted by: Coffee, sugar, salt, alcohol, cortisone, enemas, unfermented soy products, antacids, too much phosphorus.

Food Sources of Calcium: Yogurt, raw-milk cheese, dark green leaves; nuts, seeds, tahini, seaweeds, vegetables (especially sweet potatoes, cabbage), dried beans, whole grains, whey, salmon, tuna, sardines, shellfish.

Herbal Sources of Calcium: Valerian, kelp, nettle, horsetail, peppermint; sage, uva ursi, yellow dock, chickweed, red clover, oatstraw, parsley, black currant leaf, raspberry leaf, plantain leaf/seed, dandelion leaf, amaranth leaf/seed, lamb’s quarter leaf/seed.

Vitamin B complex

For healthy digestion, good liver function, emotional flexibility, less anxiety, sound sleep, milder hot flashes with less sweating, steady heart beat.

Depleted by: Coffee, alcohol, tobacco, refined sugar, raw oysters, hormone replacement, birth control pills (deplete B6 especially).

Food Sources of B vitamins: Whole grains, well-cooked greens, organ meat (liver, kidneys, heart), sweet potatoes, carrots, molasses, nuts, bananas, avocados, grapes, pears; egg yolks, sardines, herring, salmon, crab, oysters, whey.

Herbal sources of B vitamins include red clover blossoms, parsley leaf and oatstraw.

HERBAL HOME CARE

• Rose and Lavender Potpourii
• Dried rose petal leaves Scented geranium leaves
• Dried lavender flowers Orris root powder
• Few drops geranium oil Ground cinnamon
• Whole cloves

Mix ingredients and seal in a large jar for at least one month before using.

HERBAL OINTMENTS (thanks to Yona Williams)

When creating an herbal ointment, it is important to note that they will contain oils and fats, but no water. Unlike a cream, they are not created to blend into the skin, but instead create a separate layer. When the skin is soft or already weak, an ointment works well. This is why an ointment is used to protect skin from ailments such as diaper rash, where additional moisture is required. In the past, ointments were once created using animal fats, but today petroleum jelly and paraffin wax are the common ingredients of today.

Before you begin to create an ointment, gather the following equipment:

• glass bowl saucepan (or double boiler)
• wooden spoon jelly bag and string (or muslin bag and winepress)
• jug rubber gloves
• sterilized airtight dark glass jars with lids

The parts of the plant that is used to make ointments can be both fresh and dried. The standard quantity to make an ointment is 500 grams of petroleum jelly or soft paraffin wax or 60 grams of dried or 150 grams of fresh herb. When applying an ointment, you should rub a little into the affected parts two to three times per day.

1 First, melt the jelly or wax in a bowl over a pan of boiling water or in a double boiler. Add the herbs and heat for two hours or until the herbs become crisp. The ingredients should not be allowed to boil in the pan. Next, pour the mixture into a jelly bag that is fitted with a string (or with an elastic band) that is placed over the rim of a jug. A muslin bag and a winepress are also used in making an herbal ointment. If you are using a jelly bag, then it is suggested to wear rubber gloves because the mixture will become hot.

2 You will then squeeze the mixture through the jelly bag until it collects into the jug. Lastly, quickly pour the stained mixture into sterilized, airtight dark jars while it is still warm and melted. Your ointments will last for about three to four months when stored in a cool place in your home.

A few herb selections to consider when making an ointment include:

• Aloe: long-term use remedy
• Arnica: treats bruises, sprains, and frostbite (when only used on skin that is unbroken)
• Chamomile: eczema and other skin conditions caused by allergies
• Chickweed: irritant eczema, corns, boils, and splinters
• Cowslip & Primrose: sunburn and skin blemishes
• Elderflower: chapped hands
• German Chamomile: the flowers of the plant are used to fight insect bites, wounds, itchy eczema, as well as anal or vulval irritation
• Plantain: the leaves of the plant are used to combat dry eczema, wounds, burns, and hemorrhoids
• Red Clover: the fresh flowers treat lymphatic swellings
• Stinging Nettle: the aerial parts are used to treat hemorrhoids and eczema
• Witch Hazel: cuts, scrapes, bruising, irritated varicose veins, and hemorrhoids

HERBS FOR MAGICK

Sacred Space Herb Sachet

• 2 parts jasmine 2 parts rose petals
• 2 parts rosemary 1 part bay
• 1 part cinnamon (stick or powdered) 1 part fennel
• 1 part rock salt

If you use a part of your home for meditation or magickal work, hang this sachet there to retain positive energies. Before meditation or magickal work, take the sachet down and bless the area with the sachet to release those positive energies. Use a violet cloth tied with a silver and gold cord.

HERBAL LINKS

Australian Flower Essences Bach Flower Remedies Diploma in Stress Management: Blended Learning Diploma in Quartz Crystal Healing Diploma in Wellness Coaching Diploma in Flower Essence Therapy One Day Crystal Healing Course Reiki I Reiki II Reiki III (ART) Reiki III (Master / Teacher) Other Courses One Day Relaxation and Meditation Course