Natural Herbal Beauty

Everyone experiences unexpected injuries and illnesses at one time or another, and quick treatment may be essential both to alleviate pain and to prevent the problem from escalating.

Bruises

Place anything cold on the affected part as soon as possible, and leave for about 10-15 minutes. An ice pack, a bag of frozen peas from the freezer, or simply a washcloth soaked in cold water will do.

Arnica is the best remedy for mild to moderate bruising, and hypericum for severe bruising. Apply either as a cream over the entire area after icing and drying the bruise. The homeopathic remedy arnica 6c will also help, or if the bones under the bruise feel sore, symphytum 6c (alternatives are ruta and bellis per). For a black eye, lachesis 6c is best. In all cases, take one tablet every hour for four hours. (more…)

Footbath to Increase Lymph Circulation

Alternating hot and cold footbaths is another pleasurable method for increasing lymphatic flow. Gravity naturally pulls lymph down to your feet, and the stimulating effects of hot and cold water help to move stagnant lymph. You’ll need two buckets, each one large enough to hold both of your feet. Fill one bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate, and fill the other with cold water. (more…)

Use this herbal rinse after shampooing and conditioning to freshen your scalp and give body to your hair.

Normal hair (dark): Rosemary, sage, lavender Normal hair (light): Chamomile, calendula Dry hair: Chamomile, comfrey

Oily hair: Nettle, yarrow, thyme, sage

Dandruff: Sage, thyme, nettle, lavender (more…)

You’ll need:

2 deep buckets large enough to hold both of your feet

2 tablespoons powdered ginger rosemary essential oil

Alternating hot and cold foot baths help to stimulate lymphatic flow and also relieve tired, aching feet and legs. Fill one bucket with water as hot as you can tolerate and stir in the powdered ginger, and fill the other with ice cold water. Use buckets large enough to comfortably hold both of your feet with the water at least covering your ankles. If possible, find buckets deep enough so that the water will reach to the middle of your calves. The higher the water reaches, the more it will assist lymphatic flow. (more…)

Description: a vigorous, hardy perennial with round, lobed leaves and purple, five-petalled flowers, appearing throughout the summer and autumn. The plant will grow to 120 cm.

Parts used: aerial parts collected during flowering Actions: anti-bacterial, anti-tussive, demulcent, possible immune stimulant, mild laxative

Common mallow with its lobed leaves and bright purple flowers is a not unattractive common garden “weed” and hedgerow plant: it will, however, self-seed enthusiastically, so needs treating with caution in the garden.The botanical name derives from both the Latin malva and the Greek malake, which mean “soft” — a reference to its medical properties rather than to any particular softness of its leaves. (more…)

Description: common plantain (P major) is characterised by its rat tail-like flower spikes and basal rosette of fleshy, rounded or ovate leaves. It grows to around 15 cm high and is commonly found in gardens and pavement cracks. Ribwort plantain (Planceolata) is taller, up to 75 cm, with more pointed, lance-shaped leaves with three to five prominent ribs. Its flowers are dark rust with clear white feathery stamens and appear from late spring to early autumn.

Part used: leaves (more…)

Marsh woundwort Stachys palustris

Description: hardy perennial with tuberous roots and hairy, lanceolate leaves. It has dark red or purple flowers in summer borne on tall spikes flowering from the base. It has an unpleasant smell when crushed. Parts used: aerial parts, collected while flowering Actions: antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, styptic, tissue healer

Country names often provide a clue to a plant’s healing action and marsh woundwort is no exception. Gerard called it “clown’s woundwort” with the “clown” suggesting that the herb was widely used by the common people. (more…)

Herbs have a long tradition of use for easing the pains of childbirth and the ills of pregnancy: for generations of women they were the only available remedies and much folklore — as well as hard scientific evidence — testifies to their efficacy. Today few women in the West have the opportunity to use herbs in this way: childbirth has become a much more orderly and monitored affair.

Using herbs in pregnancy also needs caution: many contain chemicals that will cross the placental barrier, so it is unwise to take any remedies in the first three months unless you really have to. The list of herbs to be avoided in pregnancy is already long and growing as potential new hazards are identified and, frequently, exaggerated. Many herbs are, however, perfectly safe to use and even most of those which should be avoided in high, regular doses are fine in moderation. (more…)

SWEETEN BREATH DURING COLDS: Chew fresh parsley during a cold. This not only freshens the breath during a cold, but rids the mouth of any bad odors anytime. Parsley also gives you the extra vitamins you need while suffering through a cold.

FEVER WITH COLDS: Take 1 ounce of elder flowers or white yarrow and add 1 ounce of peppermint leaves. Simmer the leaves in 1 pint of water for 30 minutes. Strain and drink by the 1/2 cupful during the day, as long as fever is present.

COLDS WITH FLU SYMPTOMS: Mix 1 cup each of plantain, black elder flowers, juniper berries, rosemary, Irish moss and peppermint. Steep 1 teaspoon of the herb mix in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain, reheat and sweeten. Drink twice daily. (more…)

BONESET FOR SINUS CONGESTION: This may take several days to loosen up congestion. Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of boneset. Cover and steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink with every meal and before bed.

TO CLEAN SINUS PASSAGE DURING A COLD: Add 1 ounce mullein herb and 1 tablespoon of balm of Gilead to a kettle of boiling water. Inhale the steam.

TO CLEAR STUFFY NOSE: Place several trays of ice cubes in a basin of water and place only the toes in the water until numb. Sounds crazy, but it works.

STUFFY NOSE: Put 1/4 cup lemon thyme in 1 quart of water. Boil and inhale the steam. This clears a stuffy nose. (more…)