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!]
I was out riding my bike when I came across these elderberry shrubs. I noticed that most of the berries were very ripe. Only a few clusters were immature. I didn’t have my foraging gear with me at the time so I had to go back for them and I knew I couldn’t put it off. I had to act right away.
When I went back I managed to get a good amount. I picked the whole clusters not the individual berries. So when I got home I had to process them to get the berries off the stems. To make it easy some people freeze them first. I have never tried it that way. I used the fork method. That’s when you use a fork to comb through the clusters knocking off the berries from the stems. That worked very well!
There are many recipes to choose from and I’m sure they all have their place. I made a very basic elderberry syrup which consists of 2 parts elderberry tea (decoction) and one part honey (raw is best) I mixed that with 1 part 100 proof vodka. You can use any type of alcoholic drink, brandy, bourbon, etc.. You just have to make sure that the final product has at least 20% alcohol if you want a super long shelf life. Without the alcohol the syrup will have a relatively short shelf life. With the alcohol the shelf life becomes almost infinite.
I went one step further with the vodka. I used the 100 proof vodka to tincture the echinacea then mixed the tincture with the syrup. It’s a very popular combination. Both elderberry and echinacea boost the immune system, but echinacea is an antibacterial, and elderberry is antiviral so you have all of the bases covered. The echinacea doesn’t seem to affect the taste too much at all.
Echinacea fights inflammation, bacterial and viral infections. It is good for the immune and the lymphatic systems. It is helpful for allergies, colds, flu and other infections. You can read more about echinacea for colds here.
Elderberry
According to Nutritional Healing, elderberry fights inflammation and relieves coughs and congestion . It enhances immune system function, lowers fevers and soothes the respiratory tract. It is very effective against flu viruses.
Here’s something you don’t see very often! A whole field full of Echinacea and Wild Bergamot.
Echinacea
I have never seen echinacea in the wild before! I see it all the time in people’s yards mostly to add beauty. Although some grow it to make medicine or use it to make a medicinal tea. It is also known as Purple Coneflower or Echinacea Purpurea. Of the many varieties of Echinacea this variety is said to be the most medicinal. It is native to North America, but not Connecticut. The purple Coneflower plant is a hardy plant that usually grows 2 -4 feet and rarely grows up to 6 feet tall. The flower usually grows to be about 3 to 4 inches wide. It has little or no smell. The Root is the most potent part of the plant, but the whole plant can be used. It is recommended to use the flowers and leaves so the plant can continue to grow.
What medicine is echinacea used for?
Echinacea is an herbal supplements which can be used as treatment for the common cold, herpes simplex infection (topical), immunostimulant, psoriasis (topical), upper respiratory tract infections (viral), urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infection, skin wounds (topical), and for skin ulcers (topical).
Wild Bergamot
This is the first time I have ever found Wild Bergamot growing in the wild. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is very similar to regular bergamot (shown in the last 2 pictures) However there are some differences. One of the differences is that the color is always the same dull pastel purple on the wild variety. Where as the regular bergamot comes in many colors including the bright scarlet as shown in the last two pictures. Also the smell is a little different on the wild vs the cultivated varieties. The cultivated seems to be stronger and nicer smelling.
Bergamot is also known as Bee Balm, and orMonarda. It is a member of the mint family as you can tell because of the square stem and the smell of the flowers.
What can I do with wild bergamot?
Leaves, stems and flowers of Wild Bergamot are edible. They can be used as a garnish or in salads raw or cooked. Leaves are used to make tea and as a garnish. But stems, flowers, and leaves can be used as a seasoning herb in soups, stews.
Medicinal use of Wild Bergamot:
An infusion is used internally in the treatment of colds, catarrh, headaches, gastric disorders, aching kidneys, to reduce low fevers and soothe sore throats. Externally, it is applied as a poultice to skin eruptions, cuts etc and as a wash for sore eyes, and more.
I think we’ve all had to contend with this plant at one time or another. The older seed pods become entangled in your hair or your dog or cat’s fur, and seems impossible to remove. That’s probably why this plant is found all around the world.
Heidi talks about her favorite medicinal and culinary herbs. At the very end of this video, Heidi tells how she and her husband were both on thyroid medication for fifteen years each. Seven years ago she weened them both off the medication using medicinal herbs. The doctors say once you’re on thyroid medication you’re on it for life. Now they’re doing just fine without the prescribed medications thanks to the natural herbal approach.
I remember when I was a non-believer I would hear how some religions do not believe in doctors. I would laugh and say, haha, how stupid they are for thinking that way. Now I see doctors in the same way I see lawyers, and that ain’t good!
The root of balloon flower is considered to have the following health properties; astringent, anti-inflammatory, digestive, expectorant, antitussive, analgesic, antibacterial and slightly sedative.
The use of balloon flower in herbal medicine is primarily associated with lung and throat related ailments and the herb is often combined with Chinese licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) in that regard.
The root of the plant is used to treat cough, excessive mucus formation in the throat, sore throat, the common cold, flu, bronchitis, abscesses of the mouth and throat, dysentery and pains in the intestinal region.
‘Being organic’ is the talk of the town now. We go to herbs for everything, starting from any physical ailment to boosting up fertility.
Natural herbs are specifically useful for women in different ways. May it be any disorder related to PMS, gynecological health or breast cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.; common herbs which are available naturally create a significant difference. Right?
So why not rely on them throughout the important nine months of your life?
However, there’s a significant caution out there in terms of consuming anything while being pregnant. You need to always check the safety of anything before you have it.
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.
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.
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.
The medicinal perennial herb belongs to the plant family Rosaceae.
The genus name “Filipendula” has been derived from two words – “filum,” which means “thread” and “pendulus,” which means “hanging.”
This perhaps describes the root tubers, which hang characteristically from the roots. The specific epithet name “ulmaria” denotes “elm-like”; however, this plant does not appear like the elm!
Filipendula ulmaria is believed to have various medicinal properties such as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, diaphoretic diuretic, hemostatic, sanative, stomachic, and tonic.
The fresh root is frequently utilized in a small amount in many homeopathic preparations for various ailments.
The active ingredients present in this medicinal plant are essential oils, flavonoids, phenolic glycosides, salicylic acid, and tannins.
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.
“Chamomile” comes from Greek meaning “ground apple” because of its fragrance. The Romans used it as incense, and the ancient Egyptians used it for cooling fevers; they dedicated it to the sun god, Ra. To the Anglo Saxons, it was one of the nine sacred herbs.
Chamomile prefers sandy, slightly acidic soil as well as direct sunlight, but if it gets too hot too often, it prefers shade. To harvest, cut the flower heads as they form and hang or leave on cloth to dry. In tea, dry chamomile goes a longer way than fresh chamomile.
MEDICINAL: *Chamomile may cause allergic reactions in those allergic to ragweed. Do not use if you are on blood thinners, as some constituents may have an anticoagulant action*
Chamomile tea:
2 tsp Chamomile flowers in one mug of boiling water. Cover and steep five minutes. It tastes bitter, so honey, sugar, and milk can be added to improve taste.
Chamomile tea soothes the mind and body to prepare for sleep. It is safe for use with children and helps with teething stress and colic; to soothe a fretful baby, place them in a warm bath/infusion of chamomile (caution: babies are very sensitive to skin irritation, so make sure that the child isn’t allergic beforehand). For anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness, drink before bedtime (can be mixed with milk and honey). Infuse chamomile flowers in warm milk for a skin cleanser that fights acne and moisturizes. Use once a week, and within a week of making.
Chamomile is an antispasmodic and a muscle relaxer; it is good for reducing inflammation and muscle spasms. It is especially useful with menstrual cramps (drink two to three cups daily). When used topically, it can speed the healing of cuts, scrapes, blisters, and burns; it is also helpful with rashes, eczema, and inflammation of the skin. To treat, add it to a salve, rinse the affected area with tea, or add a few drops of essential oil to bath water. FOR BURNS: Do not use ointment/essential oil. Use a light lotion or gentle compress; oils hold in body heat and don’t let the burns heal, and the strength of the essential oil may irritate the burn. Eye inflammations can be soothed with a cool compress or a soaked chamomile tea bag.
It aids in digestion, soothes the bowels, aids with morning sickness, and relieves restlessness associated with pregnancy. To help with any of the above, drink a cup of tea on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, hot or cold.
If another plant of any kind is weak or ailing, place a chamomile plant near it to help it thrive; it can also be watered with an infusion of chamomile.
MAGICAL:
Chamomile is used in spells of money, peace, love, tranquility, and purification. It is a good protection herb; to keep unwanted entities or energies from passing through, use an infusion to wash thresholds (doors and windows). Sprinkle the powdered flowers around you or your home to remove spells cast against you and prevent fires/lightning. Use it in a ritual bath before performing protective spells. A bath can also increase your attractiveness to the opposite sex, or be used to release grief, pain, anger, or loss. Washing hands with chamomile water before betting/gambling will improve luck. Add in sachets for luck and money or tuck some into a wallet to increase cash flow. Place chamomile flowers near a weak or sick person to ease the sickness. Use in meditation incense. In a banishing ritual, sprinkle an infusion of chamomile around you and wash up with the cold tea to keep negativity away from you. In candle magic: anoint a green candle with the tea or oil for good luck and money, and anoint a black candle for banishment or exorcism.
Other names: Ground apple, Whig plant, Maythen
Gender: Masculine
Element: Water
Deities: Cernunnos, Ra, Helios, Jupiter, Lugh
Zodiac: Leo
Helps to cleanse and invigorate the throat chakra (5th).
Chamaemilum mobile
Roman chamomile, perennial, about 4 to 12 inches tall, daisy-like flowers with turned down petals, has an apple-like fragrance. Usually used in Britain/UK.
Matricaria recutita
German chamomile, annual, up to 20 inches tall, daisy-like flowers. Usually used in the USA.
Spent the last 2 days making my own little herb dictionary It’s my dream to live in a little cottage in the woods with a room full of herbs to use for tinctures or teas {mine}
