Natural Herbal Beauty

Creating a nontoxic environment and lifestyle are essential for optimal health. At the same time, no matter how pristine your environment, your body still needs to detoxify on daily basis. There are a number of powerful and effective ways of assisting your body in the process of purification. These practices will support your overall health and well-being, while helping you to feel younger and more vibrantly alive. (more…)

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…)

THIS WAS ONCE USED AS A SMOKING TOBACCO FOR ASTHMA: Mix 1 cup each of rosemary, coltsfoot leaves, eyebright, thyme and lavender. Crush and mix well. Roll into cigarettes or place mixture in a pipe for smoking. I don’t know anyone who has tried this recipe, but it was said to have been used quite often by Native Americans.

ASTHMA: Mix 1 tablespoon each of boneset, Irish moss, coltsfoot, mullein, thyme, rosemary, valerian, and lobelia. Add 1 teaspoon of the herbal mixture to 1 cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 15 minutes. Strain. Peppermint or cherry oil may be added for flavoring if desired. Drink 4 cups daily to obtain relief. (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…)

AIDS URINATION: Pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon tarragon and steep 15 minutes. Strain and sweeten. Drink several cups daily for 2 days.

TREATMENT FOR KIDNEY AILMENTS: Core and peel a pear, then puree it in the blender. Place the pear mixture in a pan and add 1 pint of boiled water. Stir in 1 /4 cup of honey. Drink often during the day for 2 days.

KIDNEY STONES: To help pass kidney stones, make a tea using 1 /4 teaspoon of dried parsley, 1 cup boiled water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Drink every day for at least a week.

TREATMENT FOR URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS: Put 2 teaspoons of sweet basil in 1 cup of boiling water. Steep 10 minutes. Drink this 2 times daily for 2 days. (more…)

During the last centuries, therefore, the interest in curative herbs was upheld, though it had become more of a special science. In the garden, the cultivation of vegetables introduced from abroad, the spread of landscape gardening, and of fascinating plant discoveries from abroad, combined to take the main attention from the herb border. Many old favourites were grown, however, rosemary, lavender and southernwood having a lasting appeal; and the scented pelargoniums were popular in Victorian times.

The great compilation of this century has been Mrs Grieve’s A Modern Herbal in two volumes, edited by Mrs Leyel, and published in 1931. (more…)

Red raspberry is one of the traditional “woman’s herbs.” It is noted for its ability to ease uterine and intestinal spasms, and can help prevent hemorrhage. Because of its relaxing action, it quickly relieves menstrual cramps and can even ease hot flashes. Red raspberry tea helps strengthen the uterine wall, relieve labor pains, and ease childbirth. But it is not for women only.

Red raspberry is considered a reliable treatment for fevers, colds, and flu, as well as stomach problems, including nausea and diarrhea. Mild enough for children, it promotes healthy skin and nails, bones and teeth, and helps heal canker sores.

There are those who claim drinking raspberry leaf tea leads to a loss of weight. This herb is even sold as a reducing tea. Unfortunately, there is not one smidgen of evidence supporting the value of red raspberry as a reducing aid. (more…)