Natural Herbal Beauty

When your liver works well so does the rest of your body, for the liver is your body’s chemical centre. It is responsible for clearing excess hormones, getting rid of chemicals that could undermine the immune system, and cleansing the toxicity that builds up from too much alcohol, poor food and taking drugs of all kinds. The liver’s ability to deep-clean the system helps protect your whole body from premature ageing and degeneration.

The trouble is that the modern world is literally full of potentially dangerous chemicals. We take them in through the chemically fertilized and highly processed foods we eat, through the air we breathe and the water we drink. (more…)

Anxiety and worries can lead to depression and unhappiness. Severe depression needs professional help but for minor “downs” lemon balm and borage can be especially uplifting, while St John’s wort is gaining in reputation as equivalent in effect to many orthodox drugs. These herbs can also be supportive for those undergoing professional treatment.

Old herbals often describe how even looking on cheerful plants can lift the spirits and “comfort the harte”. Perhaps it is worth remembering part of an old Persian poem:

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, And of thy store, three loaves alone are left,

Sell one, and with the dole

Buy hyacinths to feed the soul. (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…)

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…)

BLOOD-STRENGTHENING SPRING TONIC: Pour 1 quart of boiling water over 1 ounce each of burdock root, dandelion root, boneset herb, and sarsaparillas and boil for 15 minutes. Strain and drink 1 wineglass full 3 times a day. Continue treatment for 2-3 days. Refrigerate and drink cold. This is a great blood strengthener and purifier. It will also thin the blood while adding the extra, needed minerals.

TONIC FOR WOMEN: Mix 1 /2 ounce each of strawberry leaves, plantain leaves, raspberry leaves and comfrey leaves. Add ginger if desired. Mix well and pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture. Strain and sweeten if desired. Drink several times daily for about a week. (more…)

When we become aware of how much we are responsible for our own health, we soon realize that we are responsible for most of the illnesses that we contract. Health isvery definitely a positive force and disease is exactly what it says, dis- ease of the body.

In many cases, illness is caused by a faulty diet. We all need tonics to keep the body supplied with certain minerals and vitamins in order to keep our immune system strong and healthy. If the immune system is in good order, then it is able to fight off certain illnesses with which we all come into contact. Then, if we do pick up a bug, our bodies can respond to the invading organisms much faster and we are able to start the healing process much more quickly. We may not be able to avoid an illness, but we can influence the length and severity of it. And we can stop the secondary infections that are sometimes part of a specific disease. (more…)

Our pets give us unconditional love and loyalty and we should pay just as much attention to their diet and care as we do our own. Animals respond to the use of herbs better than humans do. Almost any herbal treatment that is fit for human use can be used for your pets. Reduce the dosage to adjust for the difference in size (your pets are usually smaller than you are) and give the herbs in capsule form. Capsules may take a little longer to work, but keep the treatment going until your pet shows improvement. (more…)