Herbs and Medicinal Plants

Sooth Those Aching Muscles!

2011-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:00

This topical cream is applied up to 3 times daily, directly to sore joints and muscles.
5 ounces emulsifying wax
2 1/2 ounces vegetable glycerin
2 1/2 ounces water
1 ounce dried cramp bark
20 drops tea tree essential oil (optional)

Melt the wax in the top of a double boiler. Stir in the glycerin, water, and herb. Simmer, stirring occasionally for 3 hours. If you hurry the emulsifying process, the water and wax will separate.
Strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or fine sieve. Stir slowly and continuously until it cools and sets. You can discourage mold growth, by mixing tea tree oil before transferring the cream to a sterilized dark glass jar. You can store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

Catnip and Chamomile Tea

2011-08-26T22:45:00.000-07:00

Chamomile and Catnip tea is used to treat IBS(Irritable Bowel Syndrome). What you do is you mix 1 level teaspoon of dried catnip and 1 rounded teaspoon of dried chamomile. Steep the mixture for 10 minutes in 1 cup boiling water. Let cool for 5 minutes, then drink(if cool enough). Do this three times a day and it should at least sooth IBS.

Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)

2011-08-09T08:51:00.000-07:00

Tansy:
A warm infusion of this herb is used to treat colds, fevers, la grippe, and agues. It is also used for nervous disorders. Extrenally, tansy tea is very good for swellings, tumours, inflammations, sciatica, bruises, freckles, and sunburns.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

2011-08-08T08:16:00.000-07:00

Thyme:This herb is great for the nervous system and is often used to treat hysteria, headache, and some nervous disorders. It is also used to treat children's colic, colds, irritable stomach, dyspepsia, flatulence and ill-diposition. The oil of thyme is applied directly to the tooth to treat toothache.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)

2011-08-07T08:16:00.000-07:00

Peppermint:
Peppermint is my absolute favorite herb! I love the smell! Its great! It can be made into a great tasting tea and if the bruised leave or the essential oil to a bruise not long after your skin is hit, it will take away the pain for a while and, in most cases, heal the area so that there will be no bruise. The Menthol fumes of this herb can also help to relieve head colds, congested lungs, and bronchial and sinus problems. Peppermint is also used to cool the skin, reduce fever, improve digestion, and relieve nausea. Some believe that a peppermint and catnip tea can treat pneumonia.

Juniper (Juniperus communis)

2011-08-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Juniper:
The berries, both dried and fresh, are used for food and also medicinal purposes. Medicinally, juniper is used to treat coughs and shortness of breath, cramps, convulsions, gout, dropsy, and ague. It is also used to strengthen thee nervse and is often used for epilepsy.
An infusion of juniper berries is used to treat arthritis and digestive problems, such as flatulence. Juniper tea is also used to treat kidney and bladder problems.
Topically, a berry infusion is used to treat eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions.

Insomnia Pillows (Hops pillows)

2011-08-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

Insomnia Pillows, as I like to call them, are made of hops. To make them gather enough dried hops to fill a pillow case or cloth bag. Put the hops in a glass bowl and lightly sprinkle them with a solution made of water and a little glycerin, this is to minimize the noise made by the dried hops. Then fill your pillowcase or bag with your hops and either tie it with a ribbon or sewing it closed.

Hops (Humulus lupulus)

2011-08-04T22:49:00.000-07:00

Hops:
Besides being used to help preserve beer, hops are also used to relieve pain and fever, and it is also a digestive aid. It is also used in an ointment for skin irritations. It is also suppose to help fight insomnia. For this a pillow is made out of this herb. Tomorrow I will being telling you how to make said pillow. So stay tuned.

Sorrel (Rumex acetosa)

2011-08-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

Sorrel:
The fresh leaves are used in salads and in soups. Medicinally, the root in the form of powder or a decoction is used to treat jaundice, gravel, intestinal worms, as well as kidney and bladder stones. Externally, sorrel leaf juice mixed with cider vinegar is used for ring worms, boils,etc.
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Marigold (Calendula officinalis) salve

2011-08-03T06:44:00.000-07:00

As I promised, here is the recipe for the topical application of Marigold.
What you do is melt 1/4 pound lard, white shortening , or petroleum jelly in a pan. Add 1/4 pound marigold flowers. bring to a boil and boil for 5 minutes. Strain liquid into glass container to cool (It will solidify as it cools). Put on lid and refrigerate.
This salve can be used as needed. It is great for burns, cuts and scratches, and acne.

Borage (Borago officinalis)

2011-08-02T08:16:00.000-07:00

Borage:
It has been used for kidney and bladder problems, to soothe sore throats, to help reduce fevers, and as a poultice to soothe skin inflammations. It is also thought to help head colds, bronchitis, and respiratory infections, and in general because it is an anti-inflammatory. The flowers are used in infusions for all the listed above. Borage is also used for culinary purposes.

Comfrey (Symphytum officinale)

2011-08-01T08:16:00.000-07:00

Comfrey:
This wonderful plant is one of my favorites. It is used to help heal wounds and to ease the pain of the involved areas. It is great for torn tendons and bruises, which you use a poultice of fresh or dried leaves for. You can also use these poultices for pulled muscles or boil the roots and use the jelly like substance that you get after simmering for a while in the same way as the poultice. Both the poultice and the boiled root will help ease the pain of pulled muscles and the like.
Comfrey should NEVER be taken internally. Comfrey is toxic to the liver when ingested.

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

2011-07-31T08:59:00.000-07:00

Marigold:
This very strong smelling flower is planted in many gardens to keep bugs away for vegetables. Infusions made from the flowers is used to treat stomach cramps, diarrhea, ulcers, and fever. Topically, marigold is used to heal skin inflammations, such as acne, wounds, and burns.
Next week I will be posting the recipe for the topical cream.

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

2011-07-30T20:20:00.000-07:00

To start I just what to make it clear that I take absolutely no responsibility for anything that happens if the readers of this blog use any information in this blog. And I recommend consulting with a certified health adviser first. Now that that is over with, lets get on with the fun part!
Catnip:
When most of us think of Catnip, we think of the family cat. We all know that most cats can't resist the smell of catnip, but catnip has many uses. It is most often used for feverish colds, it helps to produce perspiration without raising the heat of the system, and helps the patient get to sleep. It also helps with trouble in the nervous system, such as nervous headaches and hysteria. Stomach problems have also been helped by catnip.
One fun fact before I finish this post: Catnip is used in the book series Warriors, where it is called Catmint.