Natural Herbal Beauty

Making your own herbal infusions, decoctions, and tinctures is easy. Herbal infusions and decoctions are basically teas prepared in a specific way to maximize the healing properties of the herb. They are similar to teas, in that the fresh or dried herb is steeped or simmered in hot water. Herbs are best prepared in glass, porcelain, earthenware, or enamel-coated steel pots. You can use stainless steel, but avoid aluminum or nonstick cookware. (more…)

You’ll need:

2 tablespoons nettle

2 tablespoons red clover blossoms

2 tablespoons lavender flowers

2 tablespoons linden flowers

10 drops lavender essential oil

12-inch square piece of muslin or cotton handkerchief

Stress increases the production of internal toxins and hinders the body’s detoxification processes. Purification, healing and rejuvenation are more easily accomplished when the body and mind are relaxed. Herbs are wonderful allies not only for detoxification, but also for soothing and calming the body, mind, and spirit. This fragrant bath combines the purifying properties of nettle and red clover blossoms with the relaxing properties of lavender and linden blossoms. (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…)

SHEPHERD’S PURSE (Capsella bursa-pastoris): The entire plant is used. It has a stimulating effect upon the uterine muscles. Also used in cases of diarrhea for humans and animals because of the astringent properties. It has hemostatic properties (stops bleeding), so it is useful for all kinds of hemorrhages affecting the uterine, lungs, stomach and kidneys. Shepherd’s purse also increases the flow of urine and is helpful in removing mucous matter from the urine.

SOLOMON’S SEAL (Polygonatum officinale): The root is the part used as a diuretic and it also has mucilaginous properties that help when vigorous expectoration is expected during bronchial disorders.

SPEARMINT (Mentha spicata): Leaves and flowering tops are used. Great for treating colic and disturbances of the alimentary system. Used as a diuretic, also. (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…)

Salves need a preservative because they are often used for cuts and wounds and as such need to be free from bacteria. A good preservative to use is tincture of benzoin, which you can purchase from your local drugstore. It is inexpensive and is necessary for the preparation of your salves. Choose stainless steel, glass, or earthenware when you are looking for bowls or containers in which to mix or store your herbal preparations. The containers you use to store the mixtures should be airtight and sterile.

It is helpful to know what the basic ingredients of a salve are. The ingredients used to make the salves are: the herbs you plan to use, an oil, beeswax, and the preservative. The best kind of oil to use is olive or sesame. Do not use the drying oils, such as soybean and linseed. (more…)

Boneset has been used to improve the condition of the mucous membranes of the alimentary and bronchial systems, the bowels and the liver. It was also used by Native Americans as a diaphoretic, based on the belief that sweating out the toxins will help you heal. It grows in swamps or along the banks of rivers and streams, so could be used for colds, influenza or other “wet”diseases.

It’s history is interesting. It was used by early herbalists to set bones. The leaves were softened with water, wrapped around the injured area, and then bandaged tightly, often with a splint. This was a very primitive way of dealing with broken bones and should

NOT be used today. See your doctor for any bone break. There can be serious complications from broken bones, so don’t fool around— get proper medical attention. (more…)

Using herbs for healing is important. When you take herbs, you allow nutrients to enter the body’s system and that sometimes reduces the symptoms of some diseases. Herbs nourish, detoxify and stimulate the system.

The stimulating herbs help to increase the production of enzymes and hormones. They can stimulate the kidneys, helping them to remove harmful toxins from the body. Some of the herbs attract the toxins to them and then the toxins are passed through the system and out of the body. Many herbs will kill invading organisms and bacteria. (more…)

Because menopausal symptoms are the result of the depletion of estrogen hormones, you need to make a recipe that will nourish both the adrenal glands and the ovaries. The adrenal glands carry on the production of this hormone when the ovaries are missing.

A recipe to deal with menopausal symptoms should also include herbs that have estrogen-like properties. Wild yam root, black cohosh root, and licorice root are examples of this. We are not trying to replace the missing estrogen. We are teaching the body to replace the missing hormones; we are teaching the body to make it’s own substitute. (more…)

There are many ways to use nature’s medicinals. No matter what method is employed, the idea is to release, extract, and activate all the useful properties of the plant. For the most part, that’s accomplished with liquid. In other words, even poultices, plasters, and ointments start as teas.

A word of caution. Never use tap water. There are just too many chemicals in tap water that can interact with and alter the working properties of healing teas. Always use bottled water when preparing home remedies. (more…)