Natural Herbal Beauty

Basil: Sweet, spicy scent. Basil is a potent stimulant that increases circulation and eases muscle and joint aches and pains. It alleviates indigestion, and has antiseptic and expectorant properties and helps to treat congestion, coughs, and colds. Basil is excellent for relieving fatigue and nervous tension. Do not use during pregnancy.

Cypress: Spicy, balsamlike scent. The diuretic action of cypress helps to relieve water retention and cellulite. It also improves circulation and is helpful for arthritis. (more…)

Today most people believe that colds, flu and coughs are caused by bacteria and viruses. In other ages mysterious “venoms” were to blame, while the Chinese describe colds in terms of attack by external evils — wind, cold, damp, dryness, heat and fire. Whatever the cause there are always some people who will “catch anything going”, while others seem to go for years without the slightest hint of a sneeze. Perhaps John Harrison in his book Love Your Disease has a point:

The common cold is not a disease, so much as an institution. It is employed skilfully and effectively by those who don’t want to be particularly ill but want a period of incapacity. Having achieved that incapacity they can change whatever’s troubling them…in this way the common cold or any minor respiratory complaint is used to rebalance the psyche and the internal organs. (more…)

LOBELIA(Lobelia inflata): Use the herb after the seed capsule has opened. Used for asthma and bronchial disorders. Caution: As little as 50 mg of the dried herb has caused poisoning symptoms.

MARSH MALLOW (Althaea officinalis): The root is used to soothe inflammations and irritations of the urinary and alimentary systems. Will help to dispel hoarseness and tickling of the throat as well as help in all bronchial disorders.

MULLEIN(Verbascum thapsus): The flowers and leaves are the parts used most of the time. Every part can be used. Used for bronchial problems as well as to inhibit the growth of certain bacteria. It is great to use during colds, as it has antibiotic properties. (more…)

CLEAVERS (Galium aparine): The entire herb is useful. A strong diuretic, it is used to dissolve deposits in the kidneys.

RED CLOVER(Trifolium pratense): The flowering tops are used. Great blood purifier and tonic. Most skin disorders are caused by impurities of the blood and this tea should be taken on a regular basis if you suffer from pimples, boils or other skin eruptions.

COLTSFOOT (Tussilago farfara): The leaves are the part used. This herb binds to toxins in the system and helps to eliminate them. Great expectorant.

COMFREY(Symphytum officinale): Roots and leaves are used. Great expectorant, demulcent, and emollient. Great tea for internal as well as external use. (more…)

While we all get colds at one time or another, we can minimize the severity and length of the illness by the condition we keep our system in.

Diaphoretics cause the patient to perspire and increase blood circulation, thus helping the system to get rid of accumulated poisons and toxins in the body.

Expectorants can and do help the body in dispelling mucus from the system.

Demulcents soothe irritated and inflamed areas, thus allowing the body to heal.

Put the patient on a light diet during the illness and while recuperating. If the patient is in a weakened condition, do not use a strong stimulant. Give clear broths and tonics to build the strength back up. (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…)

A tincture is nothing more than a highly concentrated liquid extract of herbs. A tincture can be applied externally or taken internally. The kind of herbs you choose to put in your tinctures depends upon what conditions you need to heal. For example, you would make a tincture of comfrey root to heal and clean sores, because comfrey has pain-killing properties and it also aids in cell rejuvenation. If you are choosing herbs to use in a tincture that will be taken orally, be careful to choose “safe” herbs, ones that you know you can safely ingest. (more…)