Natural Herbal Beauty

Symptoms

Sty: a red, hot, tender, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful swelling near the edge of the eyelid.

Chalazion: a relatively painless, smooth, round bump within a fat gland of the eyelid.

Call Your Doctor If

Either type of swelling does not subside within a few weeks.

The swelling interferes with your vision. you have pain in the eye.

You have recurrent sties. A sty can be a symptom of other ailments such as diabetes and chronic skin problems.

CAUTION：Although some alternative treatments may be helpful in relieving and preventing eyelid infections, never put any preparations in the eye itself unless specifically directed to do so by a physician. The surface of the eye is easily damaged by some antiseptics and medications. When applying any lotions or compresses to the eyelid, keep your eye closed. (more…)

To make sure of the highest degree of purity and potency in your herbal ingredients, visit one of the larger herb shops or health-food stores in your area. Pick one with a lot of traffic and a knowledgeable staff, then be guided by staff members’ expertise.

Here’s one more word to the wise: Don’t congratulate yourself on searching out the lowest-priced herbal ingredients to brew your healing teas. This is one instance where quality and care in processing show up in price. Expect to pay a little more for the best. And don’t begrudge it. If you want your teas to be of full benefit, spend for quality ingredients. (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…)