Natural Herbal Beauty

Herbal Formula for ECZEMA

Include the following in the diet: sprouts (especially mung beans and alfalfa), apricots, dried beans, lentils, fresh grated beetroot, Brazil nuts, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage, mealier, mealie-meal, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, guava, horseradish, lemons, lettuce, mustard greens, oranges, parsley, peaches, pecan nuts, green peppers, sweet potatoes, honey, soya beans, spinach, tomatoes and watercress.

Make a standard brew tea using Salad Burnet, Calendula (leaves and flowers), Lavender or Nettle. Drink daily. (more…)

Herbal Formula for DETOXIFICATION

After over-indulgence of alcohol, incorrect eating, smoking, or in times of anger, stress and anxiety, the following herbs will help rid the body ofharmful toxins.

Include the following in the diet: celery, parsley, sage, salad burnet, fennel, thyme, rosemary, watercress, radishes, beetroot, melons (particularly watermelon), sunflower seeds, sesame seeds and apple cider vinegar. (more…)

COLDS

Include the following in the diet: Vitamin C (500-1 000 mg daily), carrots, dandelion greens, spinach, oranges, grapefruit, guavas, horseradish (freshly grated root on bread), onions, chives, green peppers, elder flowers, cabbage, elderberries, Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, turnips and watercress.

Make a standard brew tea of any of these herbs: Wilde als, Thyme, Sage, Lemon balm (melissa), Bergamot, Violet (good for a blocked nose), Verbascum, Elder, Lucerne, Winter savory, Borage, Peppermint or Yarrow. Use as a gargle and drink at frequent intervals until the symptoms ease. (more…)

BURNS

Arum lily

Apply a fresh leaf to the area.

Bulbinella (Bulbinefrutescens)

Squeeze out juice and apply to the burn.

Aloe

Apply the inner, jelly-like leaf to the painful area. (more…)

BLOOD CLEANSER

Include the following in the diet: fresh chicory, chives, crab-apple, grapes, fresh green mustard, nettles (make a standard brew tea and add to soups and stews), sow’s thistle, parsley, pumpkin and radish.

BLOOD PRESSURE

Take care to eat fresh green salads daily.

For high blood pressure include in the diet: barley, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chives, cucumbers, endive, garlic, guavas, onions, oranges, parsley, peaches, pears, sweet peppers, purslane, pineapple, spinach, squash, strawberries, tomatoes, yarrow and cayenne pepper. (more…)

Arthritis

Include the following in the diet: oats, vitamin B, celery, comfrey, parsley, mustard, nettles, feverfew. Avoid red meat, alcohol and starchy foods. Replace refined flours with oats, mealiemeal and popcorn.

Comfrey

Make a tea (60 ml chopped leaves to 250 ml boiling water). Stand, steep, then drink when cool enough to tolerate. Sweeten with honey and a little apple cider vinegar. Drink daily. (more…)

Minor stomach upsets with abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting affect most of us at some time. They can often be associated with food poisoning, an excess of rich food or too much alcohol; in such cases soothing herbs like slippery elm and marshmallow can bring relief. Other stomach upsets are linked to chills, when warming herbs such as chili and ginger can be useful.

For some, the problem can be stress related, with any increase in nervous tension or anxiety levels usually accompanied by digestive problems; relaxing carminatives can be useful in these cases. The wide range of herbal relaxants offers plenty of choice depending on individual need and tastes, but a good mixture for nervous tummies is:

• 2 parts chamomile flowers
• 2 parts lemon balm herb
• I part lavender flowers
• Use 1-2 teaspoons of dried mixed herbs per cup of boiling water, infuse for 5 minutes, strain and drink. (more…)
   

Circulatory problems and chilblains

Poor heart function can contribute to numerous circulation problems which may include severe pain in the legs while walking (intermittent claudication) and Buerger’s disease (common among heavy smokers); this can eventually lead to gangrene and necessitate amputation.

Among more minor circulation problems are chilblains, which are generally associated not with failing hearts but with cold, as the body responds to falling temperatures by constricting blood supply to the peripheries in order to keep vital organs and deep tissues warm.

Wearing adequate clothing on cold days is the easiest way to avoid occasional chilblains, while habitual sufferers can improve their circulation with stimulating herbs like ginger, cinnamon, horseradish and chili.

Recent research suggests that ginkgo can improve the peripheral blood circulation, although it is more traditionally regarded as stimulating the blood supply to the brain. (more…)