This is a lovely tea to drink just for taste’s sake, but it’s wonderful for calming irritated nerves, overheated children (and adults), and addressing any seasonal digestive issues as often happens with summertime bouts of diarrhea. It won’t dry up secretions to the point of causing suppression, but it will cool the body, reduce a fever, and gently lessen any excess loss of fluids. [Get the recipe!]
For those of you that don’t know I am a health science witch, studying Nutrition and Naturopathy. I am doing a module at the moment on Flower Essences, which is a healing modality which works on emotional energetics. You make the essence by soaking your chosen flower in a glass bowl of purified water in the sun until the petals go transparent, you then reduce and suspend the essence in a mixture of brandy and water. You take the essence by dropping the liquid under your tongue or on your chakra points. You know Resuce Remedy? It’s the same shiz. For my assignment I had to make one and write about the process, so I thought I would share it with you here.
I planted this passionflower vine when I first moved into my house four years ago. A very close family relative had always grown passionflowers and I remember thinking that it was a special and important plant to grow.
I have recently done a lot of self-work, physically and spiritually. I have been doing cleanses and seeing healthcare professionals to sort out various imbalances in my homeostasis which were all based around my pelvis. Then more recently I have been working on treating my energetic body. I am booked in to do a ten-day meditation retreat in December, and part of my preparation for that was to take a break from my chronic marijuana smoking habit. This was so I wasn’t withdrawing at the retreat, but also to gain autonomy over my mental state without the constant influence of a drug. I use marijuana to encourage creative thinking, and also to treat my anxiety. I knew that quitting would have a big impact on my mental and emotional well being. The herb when taken as a tincture is considered to be a hypnotic, sedative and is also believed to help metabolise drugs in the liver during the withdrawal process. I believe that the essence of the flower would surely also help relieve some of my symptoms of withdrawing from weed such as anxiety and insomnia.
As part of my energetic healing I saw a kinesiologist (the appointment randomly, but not randomly, ended up being at 11am on 11/11) who worked on treating my sacral chakra, as my body was telling them that my imbalances were based around pelvis with creativity and sexuality being central, and that I needed to pull divine energy through my crown chakra to regain the balance again. I felt the urge to tell her about my desire to make and use a passionflower essence, and after doing muscle testing on me they agreed and suggested I put seven drops on my crown and sacral for thirty days morning and night as treatment. Upon researching the flower and its use as an essence I found that its qualities really resonated with me. The flower is named because of it’s resemblance to the crown of thorns worn by Jesus during their crucifixion. It’s about understanding the need for personal suffering to be able to accept a higher conscious state to connect with our true purpose of service on this planet. It is believed to clear kundalini energies as well as encouraging natural and peaceful sleeping patterns.
Subjective Impact
I’ve been taking my essence for one week now and have noticed a series of subtle changes. The biggest thing I noticed was how manic I would be if I forgot to take the essence. The evenings that I forgot I wasn’t able to sleep for hours, and the sleep that I did get was erratic and restless. And then when I had forgotten to take it in the morning I have also been quite crazed and restless, ending up feeling very agitated and frustrated. But since taking the essence consistently I’ve been more drawn to sitting at my alter to turn inwards for meditation, as well as being more committed to my yogic practices. And asides from occasionally feeling like I would enjoy a joint in a few social situations, I have not experienced any really consuming cravings for the drug, and have barely even craved tobacco alone. Since taking the tincture consistently for a few days and nights I have also slept better, woken up feeling more refreshed, and have been able to remember my dreams more clearly. I don’t attribute all of these results purely from the flower essence, because it takes more than one element to change a whole, but I would definitely say that it has been helping me on some level.
The Grindelia flower is the most widely used part of the Grindelia plant, but the whole aerial part can also be used, for therapeutic herbal remedies.
In 1875, Mr. Jas G. Steele of San Francisco made relevant research available and published a report on the effectiveness of Grindelia in the treatment of bronchial asthma.
The research was presented to the American Pharmaceutical Association in 1875 and since then, Grindelia has been seen as a possible treatment in the management of asthma and many other respiratory illnesses.
The use of Grindelia in modern times is also for the relief of respiratory illnesses.
Aside from bronchial asthma, it is also effective in relieving thick mucus secretions thereby restoring airways.
Herbal remedies for pancreatitis consist of many effective organic components that have a multi-target effect on the disease.
Experiments on animals found that these herbal formulas have a significant impact and that they can be used as an adjunctive treatment for pancreatitis.
Follow-up studies on patients with pancreatitis showed that these remedies are effective in treating both acute and chronic pancreatitis.
Medicinal Herbs for Psoriasis Treatment and Relief
The use of medicinal herbs and herbal remedies for treating psoriasis and other skin diseases, such as eczema, have become more and more popular in the recent years and when the conventional medical treatments fail or do not work many people look for alternative therapies such as herbal medicine.
Herbs for psoriasis which enhance the performance of the body’s immune system and the liver can have beneficial results.
They can help to provide relaxation and to clear the blood of impurities by supporting the liver, adrenal glands, the intestine, and the lymphatic system.
Blue cohosh was once used extensively as a medicinal herb by several native American tribes, and many of the herb’s uses were soon adopted by the European settlers.
It was primarily used for ailments related to women’s health, especially during labor and birth. The herb was used to reinforce contractions and restore or speed up slow labor due to lack of muscle strength in the womb.
It was also considered to have relaxing effect during labor and to relieve anxiety and pain during pregnancy.
Current application of blue cohosh as herbal medicine does not differ significantly from the traditional use.
The herb is still considered by some herbalists and midwives as a tonic for the womb and a remedy that can relieve pain in the uterus and fallopian tubes.
Adrenal fatigue is a condition that has been covered in medical literature for over 100 years. In recent years, however, the prevalence of adrenal fatigue has increased.
A condition that occurs as a result of stress over prolonged periods, adrenal fatigue has symptoms that may feel similar to chronic fatigue, but it cannot be healed with sleep and rest alone.
The common symptoms associated with adrenal fatigue include feeling lethargic, a general feeling of being unwell, tiredness where you may feel “wired,” and poor sleep quality.
While plants and herbs can help to treat adrenal fatigue, these need to form part of an overall healthy lifestyle with quality food, exercise, and adequate sleep. To learn more about the benefits and uses of medicinal herbs for adrenal fatigue CLICK HERE:https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/adrenal-fatigue-herbs.html Post link
In the Amazon, bitter melon is used in cooking and also as a medicine. The fruit and the leaves are added to beans or soups for producing a bitter or sour flavor.
As far as the medicinal uses are concerned, bitter melon has been used by the American natives for a long time as a treatment of diabetes; to prevent measles, hepatitis; to get rid of worms and parasites and the topical applications are used for healing wounds.
It is in fact used in many parts of South America for a wide range of ailments such as malaria, measles, skin problems just to name a few.
It is also used as an aphrodisiac and it is known for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Herbs with the Most Promising Supportive Information for Treating Dementia
t the moment, there is no cure for dementia. Still, there are few conventional medicines that are known to slow the progression of the disease.
Medicinal herbs intended as a treatment should never replace any conventional medication or therapies and should be regarded as an addition or as a supportive therapy.
A large number of patients in the developing world with dementia, where the use of herbal medicines are often the mainstay of therapy, coupled to a global upswing in the use of natural preparations, underscores the need to fully characterize and understand how medicinal herbs can be used in the management of dementia.
While the effects of these natural remedies are varied, it appears that herbs may be useful in the treatment of dementia in three separate ways:
1. Increasing blood flow to the brain.
2. Decreasing the destruction of neurotransmitters critical to proper brain function.
3. Decreasing the level of agitation known to accompany dementia.
In general, when using medicinal plants as a treatment for any disease, caution should always be a key factor, since herbs can interact with other herbs, medications or supplements.
Hay Fever – Herbs for Seasonal Allergies (Allergic Rhinitis)
Approximately 20% of Americans suffer from hay fever (allergic rhinitis) or seasonal allergies.
The primary part of the body affected by this allergic reaction is the membrane that lines the nasal passages making them swell.
This causes nasal discharge, sneezing, itching, and difficulty breathing.
The allergic reaction is brought upon by airborne materials; commonly pollen of grass and trees in the spring, and ragweed in summer and fall.
It is a good idea to use herbal remedies and supplements for hay fever as a preventive tool before spring and summer arrive instead of treating the symptoms of hay fever as they arrive.
Herbs for Eczema Treatment – Application and Benefits
Medicinal herbs for eczema treatment focus primarily on the underlying causes and most herbal practitioners view eczema as a symptom of not only one but rather numerous other health-related ailments.
There are many medicinal herbs for eczema that have a great reputation as a treatment but which one to choose will vary depending on the underlying cause.
Herbal remedies for eczema will usually both involve herbal preparations topically to ease any discomfort and internally to treat the underlying causes.
Topically, herbs for eczema will usually combine antiseptic herbs and herbs that soothe the inflamed area.
Internally, herbs for eczema treatment will mostly address digestion with a focus on improving the function of the liver and the gut wall to boost the body’s natural absorption and elimination by improving the digestion.
Although the leaves, bark, and flowers have been used in traditional herbal medicine, it is the big, shiny brown nut of the horse chestnut tree which is of greatest medicinal interest.
From them, an extract is obtained which is used to strengthen the walls of the blood vessels so that blood flow from the veins in the legs back to the heart improves.
The dried conkers contain 3-6% of a mixture of triterpene saponins, known by the common name aescin (escin).
It is aescin which is considered the main active ingredient responsible for the strengthening effect on the veins and capillaries.
Standardized extracts made from the conkers usually have much higher concentrations of aescin (usually 16-20%) than the conkers do in their natural state.
And this is just the short list. Gotu kola has been a “go to” herb for herbal practitioners in Ayurveda, Chinese Traditional Medicine, Kampo Medicine (Japan), Thai Traditional Medicine, Indonesian Traditional Medicine, Hawaiian Traditional Medicine, and many others.
Some of the above traditional uses for Gotu Kola have been proven out in clinical research. Some have yet to be proven out.
Dandelion was first mentioned for its medicinal qualities in the works of Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries.
Dandelion is traditionally used as a general tonic, for constipation, for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, and eczema, and as an herbal remedy for diseases like psoriasis.
Traditional herbalists use dandelion as a treatment for arthritic conditions, including severe conditions such as osteoarthritis, disorders such as gout, and chronic joint pain.
Dandelion has been used for centuries as an herbal treatment for jaundice and the yellowing of the skin that is associated with liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver disease.
Dandelion was first mentioned for its medicinal qualities in the works of Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries.
Dandelion is traditionally used as a general tonic, for constipation, for inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, and eczema, and as an herbal remedy for diseases like psoriasis.
Traditional herbalists use dandelion as a treatment for arthritic conditions, including severe conditions such as osteoarthritis, disorders such as gout, and chronic joint pain.
Dandelion has been used for centuries as an herbal treatment for jaundice and the yellowing of the skin that is associated with liver dysfunction, cirrhosis, hepatitis and liver disease.
Stevia, a quick summary, 5 health benefits and 1 remedial use!
The Stevia plant is used as a substitute for Sucrose and other calorie rich Sugars/Sugar substitutes, when used to sweeten something it adds no calories and is up to a hundred times sweeter than Sucrose in the same concentration.
It is extremely helpful for diabetics and people who suffer from blood sugar level problems as it does not raise the glucose level in the blood.
It grows natively in Paraguay & Brasil where it has been used as a medicine and sweetener for centuries.
Some studies and revelations have found that it maybeslightly carcinogenic but even if this is true, due to it’s sweetness potency only a small amount is needed and this ends up making it a safer and healthier alternative to other sugars and alternatives.
There are many reasons why it is safer, such as the lack of calorie intake, lack of sugar high and addiction, less problems for diabetics, the damage sugar can cause is totally absent. Also the many health fears over Sugar substitutes such as Aspartame are also absent.
Another great point about Stevia is that you can easily grow it on your land and at home, and it is easy to add to dishes, it would be much more complex (and unhealthy) to grow and process your own Sugar canes in comparison.
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Five health benefits
1. Stevia in it’s whole form is packed full of many anti-oxidants, quercetin, flavonoids, tannins, triterpenes, caffeic acid, kaempferol, and more!
2. Great for Diabetes control due to it not raising blood sugar levels.
3. As opposed to Sucrose, Stevia actually helps to aid oral health even fighting decay in some cases. It helps to keep bad bacteria in the mouth at bay also meaning less risk of abscesses and more nasties.
4. Despite the potential revelation for it being slightly carcinogenic, some of the antioxidant compounds found within it are actually known to be very capable in Cancer prevention.
5. It reduces stress on the cardiovascular system due to relaxant properties. This can lower blood pressure and help to prevent Cardiovascular diseases from developing in the long term.
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A remedial use for Stevia
To relieve symptoms of IBS and poor digestion such as heartburn and indigestion, drink a cup of Stevia tea after a big meal. In Paraguay & Brasil it has been used to aid digestion and gastrointestinal complaints for hundreds of years!
A few drops of tea tree and lavender essential oils
Combine the infused, coconut, and soybean/beeswax in a double boiler over a low heat, until melted and combined. Remove the mixture from heat and let cool for a few minutes, but do not let it solidify! Stir in the essential oils until well mixed, then pour into an airtight container. Let harden and cover. Apply to skin as needed!
Lavender - calming, harmony, love and peace//helps anxiety, fatigue, headaches, insomnia and stress.
Tea Tree Oil - cleansing, protection, clarity, and strength //helps clear acne, ingrown hairs, calluses, warts and rashes.
I’ve come down with the flu and this is what I’m drinking to help keep the symptoms at bay:
Add a tablespoon of honey to hot water, stir to dissolve (soothes sore throats).
Add 1/3 of a lemon’s juice, stir to combine (high in vitamins, boosts immune systems).
Take a small sprig of thyme and let it steep in the mug (known for ability to fight colds and flus).
You can witchy it up like I did by thanking the ingredients, asking a deity for their blessing or imbuing the brew with healing, strengthening intentions.
I recommend drinking hot and inhaling the steam to clear your airways. Stay healthy this change of seasons, lovelies!
[always do your own research regarding health benefits and allergens- your safety is most important]
