Natural Herbal Beauty

THE GROWING MEDIUM

Remember that a good potting soil for herbs (or any container-grown plant) should be light in texture and porous enough to insure good drainage and an adequate oxygen supply. It should hold a lot of water and nutrients without becoming compacted around tender roots, but shouldn’t retain moisture so long that root rot can develop. The pH and nutrient content should be balanced and the mix must be disease-free to insure healthy plants. If you’re really getting into this and want to get your plants off to a healthy start, the following recipe will yield an excellent potting soil:

Super-Charged Potting Soil*

15 parts (shovels, buckets, or any container
measured by volume) topsoil
5 parts horticultural grade vermiculite or peat moss (more…)

In days gone by, more people cultivated their own ingredients for healing teas than shopped at the apothecary. Every family had a kitchen garden for vegetables and an herb garden for medicines and seasonings. Today, many people grow culinary herbs—sweet basil and thyme, for example—on a sunny kitchen windowsill. Plucking a few leaves of freSh basil or scissoring off a frond of pungent thyme to throw into a pot bubbling on the stoveadds incomparable flavor.

In this day and age, only a lucky few have the space needed for vegetables or the time required to tend a family-sized plot. On the other hand, almost everyone has room for an herb garden, even if it’s just a small space on the patio or an old bookcase next to a window. This is for those of you who want to try your hand at growing, harvesting, drying, and storing your own herbs. Cultivating the medicinal plants you need to brew your own healing teas can be very rewarding, and it’s easier than you think. (more…)

This alkaline herb is a well-known detoxifier with anti-inflammatory properties. It sweetens the stomach and is especially helpful for cleansing the liver. Alfalfa fights colon disorders, urinary tract infections and ulcers. A cup of alfalfa tea daily may bring relief from rheumatoid arthritis. Because it enhances pituitary function, alfalfa has long been used against diabetes.

DESCRIPTION AND PARTS USED

Alfalfa is primarily known in the United States as superior cattle fodder (which it is). (more…)

Garlic is a very useful broad-spectrum whole-body detoxicant that fights infection of all types. This ancient herb supports the immune system and has antibiotic, antifungal, antimicrobial, and even antiviral properties. It strengthens blood vessels, helps regulate blood pressure, and reduces cholesterol. Garlic is useful in the treatment of arteriosclerosis, asthma, arthritis, cancer, circulatory problems, digestive disorders, liver disease, and ulcers. It combats sinusitis, helps relieve cold and flu symptoms, and may even help you sleep.

DESCRIPTION AND PARTS USED

Garlic is so well-known it needs no introduction. This perennial plant, a member of the lily family, is cultivated around the world. The cloves tucked inside the bulb hold the active elements. Garlic is appreciated both for its medicinal qualities and for the intense and distinctive flavor it brings to food. (more…)

Anise is a diuretic (increases urine) and carminative herb, useful for expelling gas, eliminating colic, relieving abdominal pain, sweetening a sour stomach, preventing nausea, and improving digestion. Anise soothes a hacking cough, helps clear congestion, and relieves cold symptoms. When taken by nursing mothers, it stimulates and improves milk production, and may—with just a few sips—help ease a colicky baby. When permitted to dissolve in the mouth, anise candy fights motion sickness. (more…)

Burdock is a valuable blood purifier and immune system stimulant with the potential to aid liver and gallblader function. It settles an upset stomach and stimulates the production of digestive juices. Burdock has been used to relieve gout since medieval times. When used externally as a wash, burdock is beneficial for skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and canker sores. It also soothes itchy, irritated hemorrhoids. (more…)

Honeybee pollen has been used for centuries as both food and medicine. It is called the “world’s only perfect food” because quality blended bee pollen contains every nutrient the human body requires. Bee pollen is a champion energizer that fights fatigue, combats cancer, eliminates depression, stimulates the reproductive systems of both men and women, and eases digestive and colon disorders. It has documented antibiotic, antiviral, antiseptic, and antifungal properties. (more…)

Capsicum, more familiarly known as cayenne pepper, potentiates all other herbs. This champion blood cleanser improves circulation, benefits the kidneys, lungs, spleen, pancreas, heart, and stomach. Cayenne has been used as a digestive aid and is one of the herbalist’s specifics against nausea. With its anti-inflammatory properties, it is helpful in rheumatism, arthritis, and migraines. Cayenne even quickly relieves common cold symptoms.

Externally, cayenne has been used to good effect in ointments and salves for centuries. As a rubefacient, it produces penetrating heat to bring relief to aching muscles and painful joints. (more…)

Angelica is credited with being a stimulant that has carminative (inducing expulsion of gas) and antispasmodic properties. Since ancient times, angelica tea has been given to rheumatics and those who suffer from cold hands and feet because it helps stimulate blood flow. As an antispasmodic, angelica fights PMS and menstrual cramps. Angelica is a time-honored expectorant (promoting expulsion) that fights bronchitis, loosens phlegm, and helps make seasonal allergies more bearable.

DESCRIPTION AND PARTS USED

Angelica atropurpurea is a biennial with purplish stems and large green-tinged white flowers that appear during its second year of growth. It flourishes in rich loamy soil and loves moist bottom- lands, where it can attain a height of five or six feet. The medicinal properties of this striking plant are most concentrated in the seeds and root, although the stalk and leaves are sometimes used. (more…)

Astragalus, pronounced ah-strag-ah-lus, enhances immune function, aids adrenal gland function, strengthens weak lungs, and is considered an excellent tonic tea that tones up the entire system. It increases metabolic function, promotes healing, and energizes tired glands. Because astragalus has diuretic properties, it is helpful in reducing edema, especially if the kidneys are involved. (more…)