Nature Tip 002: Grocery Store Herbalism 101
Nothing in this post is a recommendation.
I once had a UTI and it was AWFUL.. Like terrifying and painful and I thought I was going to die, Awful. I had experienced them before and they are THE WORST. Then you add the torture of going to a doctor or the ER just to be told to wait out the medicine working for 3 days.. Bye, Felicia. I always though “There has to be more that they can do for these things! That pain is like no other.” And there was. There is more we can do, but not that they can do. THEY don’t have the tools for quick individual healing, that’s not how western medicine works. We are brainwashed from the time our mother’s give birth to us until we die - that doctors are God and that we NEED doctors. That they hold “all” the answers. But doctors are actually just PRACTICING medicine on us and they usually only know one very specific niche thing and that is still learned from with mass data studies and trials. They’re gathering data for the big Pharma companies and for their own practice. They’re not healing and caring about us. They are not plant experts. Those people are the keepers of THE secrets. Those are the people I ask for help before I pop something with unknown side effects into my body that mask instead of cure.
Plants have been on this planet for about 700 million years. I think I’d rather first get my information from someone who studies our plant counterparts - the species that have been here way longer than we have - over someone who can hardly muster up som bedside manner for a 7 figure salary while I feel like I am about to die. These people makes $300 for talking to me for 3 minutes and writing their signature on a big Pharma prescription. Something is very wrong with that system and I don’t really want to support it anymore. It is very obvious when a doctor genuinely cares about your individual problems….it is very very rare. How bizarre is that?!
So while I thought of running to a doctor at first sign of this pain, because of the brainwash I was raised on, the thing was, it was a Friday afternoon. And I didn’t want to go to the emergency room for this because all that did was rack up a huge bill for nothing but a prescription that would take days to work. I mean even if you have insurance you STILL pay up the a$$ for an ER visit. What is the point of the insurance again? So lame. Sorry, I digress. But at this point I was over trying with the “system” to get me out of this hell, quickly. I needed a wizard. So I phoned someone who I knew cared about me and has ancient wisdom, our Seastar Goddess Yoni Mentor – Sabrina Vedete.
It’s interesting how we call people who use a mass solution/data for treating individual’s pain; doctors. And how we cannot call people who actually look at our being as complex multi dimensional individuals to treat us, as qualified health practitioners. I don’t really care what we call them, and neither do they. Yet whoever they are, that is who I am going to first when I am sick. Often we call them witches, or woo woos, or healers, or homeopathic medicine partitioners. The irony is, they’ve always cured me, while doctors have masked my issues for years sometimes and just wracked up medical debt. In fact, most of my medical issues stemmed from other unresolved medical issues previous doctors didn't catch or even caused. So I wanted to use plants and when Sabrina helped me heal myself faster than I could have gotten to a doctor and gotten a prescription filled, something in me changed for good. I realized when she shared this parsley secret with me, that a true healer puts healing within your own control, they give you tools to continue your healing without them. That, to me, is a real doctor.
She told me to go to the store and buy fresh parsley. Boil it. Strain it. Drink the liquid. As much of it as I could. And I did. And I was better within hours. I was shocked. And annoyed. What is up with our healthcare system? I get it, we need surgery and doctors for acute pain, but for the rest of it, we need plants. I felt like I got Doctored. Isn’t it ironic that the verb of doctor means “to change the content or appearance of (a document or picture) in order to deceive; falsify.” The more I try to use the western healthcare system, the more I realize how much of a façade it is. A deceiving and complicated and expensive process that causes lingering suffering instead of quick healing. Warning, I also did drink the parsley water after the infection cleared and it was not healthy - I could feel that it was hurting me instead of helping me after the pain subsided. You’re welcome to DM me for more details about that. I realized that the parsley truly had a purpose to heal me. I wondered, what else can I buy at the grocery store that can heal me in half the time as Pharma with none of the side effects.
Why have we lost touch with the true healers of humans – plants? What we breathe in they breathe out and vice versa. Why wouldn’t there be a plethora of other benefits to our symbiosis?? There are. Why don’t we know them all? Well we do, but we have to search it out and find those who know. Why didn’t I know that boiling parsley could cure me that quickly until I was 37 years old? The real reason (besides living in a patriarchal system that has decimated anything feminine) is because plants take time to grow. And that takes up space and costs money. And to have medicine just waiting for people in plant form – wouldn’t be scalable, sellable, highly profitable. So we synthesize the plants, fungi, bacteria, water. We fill them with filler and then we give those out to people based on group studies that is often more heavily tested on men. That is why, as women and men, we should all learn to be our own healers, know all our options for healing, and know the basics of plants at a minimum. Let us study and learn plant medicine, starting with grocery store bought herbs. Let us read books like The China Study, which teach us that plant-based diets eradicate a plethora of modern-day diseases. Let’s have our own gardens and live with medicine that can cure most of our ailments, right next to our homes.
Today, I’m brining to you lessons in herbs and what you can use them for. Herbs you can buy at just about any grocery store to try to heal yourself before you jump to strong antibiotics and medicines that have lasting side effects. Now I am not a “doctor” I do not hold a doctorate nor am I a “qualified” practitioner of medicine, so this is NOT medical advice. This is spiritual guidance for living a cleaner and more powerful life. This is a message to people to wake up and literally use your roses and noses. If you’re sick, then yes you should call a doctor or someone trained in homeopathic medicine, as I cannot be trusted to provide perfect information for your individual healing on this blog. Always you should go to someone who will care about you personally, like Sabrina or her herbalist sister Arielle. This blog is a form of entertainment. It is also a way for you to open your mind and heart. Before you use herbs, you should take an allergy AND food sensitivity test to make sure you won’t hurt yourself in your healing journey. These are both beneficial for you to have anyways in your life. Because repeatedly consuming foods you are even just sensitive to, not necessarily allergic to, will cause inflammation and inflammation is the surefire path to disease and discomfort. This knowledge is power.
Now, for those ready to learn about plants, here is some grocery store herbalism for you. This article is from joybileefarm.com.
First I’m going to share a bit about my favorite plant – Lavender. Not only is it my favorite color but this plant is a natural anti-septic. I use it in my Dr. Bronner’s Lavender soap, my EO Natural Deodorant spray – French Lavender, and in my laundry detergent. While I use Lavender and Geranium essential oils instead of perfume (frangrance can have over 40K dangerous chemicals in it – listen to the podcast with Cassandra). I use a diluted essential oil for my own scent, I love Geranium too for smell but I think the health benefits of using Lavender are like no other. In long, I love Lavender, and Lavender loves us!
A few tips before we begin - 1. Tea bags are made of plastic. If you want to make teas with any herbs, buy them loose leaf and make sure they’re organic so you do not get pesticides on your healing plants power. 2. Do not use essential oils direct on your skin. You can use coconut or jojoba oil to cut them.
Taken from https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet/what-are-possible-benefits-lavender-must-know-facts-about-therapeutic-plant/
May Help Improve Sleep
Insomnia is a nagging problem that keeps you tossing and turning throughout the night. Cutting out caffeine and getting more exercise might help induce sleep. But sometimes these efforts and others remedies don’t work. As a result, you end up a groggy mess in the daytime.
If you’re willing to try anything for a restful night’s sleep, a study published in March 2017 in the British Association of Critical Nurses found lavender essential oil to be an effective remedy in improving the sleep quality of intensive care unit (ICU) patients who had difficulty sleeping. (2)
So if you’ve tried other sleep remedies to no avail, place a few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow before going to sleep tonight. Just be sure not to ingest it, or any other essential oil, for that matter, as doing so may pose health harms.
Could Help Treat Skin Blemishes
A variety of essential oils are also excellent for dermatology use, including lavender. In fact, if you have acne, eczema, or skin inflammation, applying lavender oil to affected areas may play a role in treating blemishes and ease inflammation, according to a paper published in May 2017 in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (3) For those with sensitive skin, dilute the essential oil in water or a carrier oil.
The antioxidant activity of lavender may also contribute to wound healing. (3)
Just be sure to check with your dermatologist before adding lavender to your skincare regimen, to ensure it won’t interact with any of the medication you’re currently taking.
May Offer a Natural Remedy for Pain
Some people reach for over-the-counter pain relievers when dealing with acute or chronic pain. And depending on the severity of pain, you might seek a prescription from your doctor.
Before going the traditional route to help ease pain, try aromatherapy with 2 percent lavender essential oil that is diluted in water. One study found lavender to be an effective remedy for postoperative pain. It can function as a pain reliever because the oil contains linalyl acetate and linalool — anti-inflammatory components that are found in many essential oils. (4,5)
Lavender also contains polysaccharides. Another study published in the journalPhytotherapy Research stated that plants containing these molecules are “the most potent in curing inflammatory diseases,” which includes arthritis and rheumatism. (6)
Meanwhile, other research suggests lavender aromatherapy may be used during labor to reduce the intensity, though not the duration of, pain. (7)
Reduce Blood Pressure and Heart Rate
Chronic high blood pressure puts added stress on the heart, increasing the risk of health complications like stroke and heart attack. But a small study published in 2017 in the Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research found that when 40 people inhaled lavender essential oil after open-heart surgery, they reduced their blood pressure and heart rate, suggesting the oil had a positive effect on their vital signs. (8) Yet the authors note more research is needed on this possible benefit — namely, a randomized controlled trial, the gold standard for medical research, with a larger sample size.
Could Relieve Asthma Symptoms
Because of the anti-inflammatory effects of lavender, it may also improve bronchial asthma. A study on mice published in July 2014 in the journal Life Sciences found that lavender essential oil had a positive impact on respiratory health, relieving allergic inflammation and mucus hyperplasia. Whether the same effect would be seen in humans remains unclear. (9)
Lessens Menopausal Hot Flashes
Hot flashes (or hot flushes) are a common menopause symptom that affects many women. It causes a sudden feeling of heat over the body, and it can make the face flushed and trigger perspiration.
But lavender aromatherapy for 20 minutes twice a day may help reduce menopause flashing and improve quality of life, according to a study published in September 2016 in the Journal of Chinese Medical Association. (10)
Help Combat Fungus Growth
There are also a number of studies highlighting the potential antifungal activity of lavender. Studies suggest lavender essential oil may be effective in inhibiting the growth of certain types of fungus, such as C. albicans. The oil could also act as remedy for treating athlete’s foot and ringworm, which are also caused by fungus, according to previous research. (11,12)
Potentially Promotes Hair Growth
In yet another study, lavender essential oil applied to the backs of mice once a day, five times a week, for four weeks, resulted in an increase in their number of hair follicles and a thicker dermal layer. This leads researchers to believe that lavender could potentially be used as a hair growth promoting agent, though more research is needed. After all, you aren’t a mouse. (13)
What Is Lavender’s Effect on Stress Levels?
Everyday stresses can take a toll on your mental health. The greater your anxiety level, the higher the risk for headaches, depression, and low energy.
The good news is that lavender may help lift the black cloud hanging over your head and give your mental outlook a much-needed pick-me-up. There’s plenty of research that suggests lavender has positive effects on mood, stress, anxiety, and depression.
For example, a randomized controlled trial published in February 2018 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine found that premenstrual syndrome symptoms improved in women who inhaled lavender essential oil. (14) They experienced lower anxiety, depression, and nervousness. Likewise, another randomized controlled trial, published in October 2017 in the International Journal of Nursing Practices, found that reflexology massage treatments with lavender essential oil offered psychological benefits, decreasing both anxiety and depression. (15)
What Are Some of the Different Forms of Lavender?
Lavender is available in different forms. For example:
Lavender Oil Nectar extracted from the flowering plant is used to create a fragrant oil. The oil can be massaged into the skin, placed in a diffuser, or applied to a pillow or cotton swab and inhaled for aromatherapy.
Lavender Plant This is a sweetly scented perennial plant. It adds color to a garden and gives off a sweet aroma. (1)
Lavender Capsules or Supplements You can also purchase lavender as a supplement in capsule form. Take as directed for medicinal benefits — just be sure to work with your healthcare provider to ensure the supplement won’t have negative interactions with any medication you’re taking. Also, know that supplements aren’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Lavender Tea This form of lavender can offer a calming beverage that helps ease anxiety and promotes sleep. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's MyPlate guidelines lists lavender tea as a healthy additional to your meal plan. You can purchase lavender tea, or make your own by steeping fresh lavender buds in boiling water for about 15 to 20 minutes. (16,17)
https://chestnutherbs.com/lavenders-medicinal-and-aromatherapy-uses-and-lavender-truffles/Another great article for Lavender uses.
Geranium information https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/geranium.html
NOW for the Grocery Store list of herbs and what they can do for you!
1. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger root is found in the produce sections of many grocery stores and Asian markets. It is a tropical plant that can be grown in a pot in temperate climates and brought indoors in winter. It needs a long growing season to multiply its roots. It is a spice used in Asian cooking and for gingerbread, predominantly for its carminative qualities. Ginger aids digestion quells nausea and relieves stomach spasms. It is an effective treatment for travel sickness and can also be used effectively for morning sickness during pregnancy.
You are probably aware that ginger is helpful for digestion, but did you know it is also useful in other complaints. It is also a stimulant for the cardiovascular system, encouraging circulation. It is also an antiseptic that can help in ailments of the respiratory system.
Ginger is a stimulant, carminative, rubefacient, diaphoretic, aromatic, emmenagogue and sialagogue.
Ginger tea is effective in relieving sore throat, sinus congestion and coughing during the flu or a cold. You can increase its effectiveness by combining ginger with lemon juice, flax jelly, and honey in the treatment of colds and flu.
Ginger is effective in increasing circulation when used externally. Make a massage oil by combining ginger oil, beeswax, olive oil, and cocoa butter to a thick paste. Keep it in a sealed jar and use it for cold muscles, cramping, or combine it with cayenne pepper, rosemary, and balm of gilead for arthritis relief.
2. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Another medicinal herb, Turmeric can be found in the produce section of Asian markets and health food stores. It looks similar to the ginger root and can usually be found near ginger.
Turmeric has a long history in herbal medicine and has been used to fight inflammation. According to a paper from the University of Maryland, it lowers two enzymes in the body responsible for inflammation. It has also been used in the treatment of cancer for its superior antioxidant abilities. It stimulates bile secretions and improves digestion. It is used in Europe for stomach complaints. It is antibacterial and antiseptic, as well.
You can use the fresh root, by grating it and adding it to food or in tea. Turmeric powder (#ad) is also used in herbal medicine. The powder comes from the root that has been boiled and dried. If you don’t like the spicy taste of turmeric, you can put it in capsules and take it in pill form, or use the tincture.
It has a bright yellow colour and is the colouring agent in American mustard. It is used extensively as a textile dye in Asia for its bright yellow colour.
3. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)
Cinnamon is well known for its spicy warmth, which combines well with tree fruits and bland grains, like oatmeal. It is a digestive aid and an appetite stimulant. Clinical studies have shown that using up to 6 grams of Cinnamon a day can help diabetics control blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol in the blood. (Khan A, Khattak K, Sadfar M, Anderson R, Khan M. Cinnamon improves glucose and lipids of people with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2003;26:3215-3218.) Read more Cinnamon has also been shown to help with weight loss.
4. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Mint (Mentha x Piperita)
Mint has a long list of maladies that it is the recommended treatment: indigestion, colic, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, depressed appetite, menstrual cramps, abdominal and gall bladder pain, sinus congestion. Peppermint is strongly antibacterial and helps in reducing inflammation of the gums and mouth. It is cooling. Use it dried in tea, or in steam to clear sinus passages and relieve chest congestion during a cold.
While you can find mint in the herbal tea or spice section of your grocery store, it is very easy to grow in zone 3 and higher and 4 plants will give you an abundance of mint for year-round use. When looking for varieties to grow, true peppermint is stronger than spearmint. You will want to begin with root cuttings or plants, as it doesn’t grow true from seed.
Peppermint essential oil is an inexpensive essential oil to have on hand for making organic cleaning products. It fills the room with the heady, cheerful, stimulating aroma of peppermint and is antibacterial, too.
Peppermint, along with Rosemary and balm of Gilead makes a good massage oil for the relief of arthritis in the feet, and hands. Keep it away from your eyes.
5. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum
annuum)
Sold in the spice section of the grocery store, cayenne is the dried and ground fruit of the hot pepper. Several varieties are effective. Cayenne is one of the hotter specimens. Any hot pepper that you grow in your garden can be used. Cayenne is stimulant, carminative, tonic, sialagogue, rubefacient, anti-catarrhal, anti-emetic, anti-microbial, and diaphoretic. The capsaicin helps reduce pain.
Cayenne helps to ward off coughs, helps in the treatment of cancer for its antioxidant properties and helps in stomach complaints. It promotes sweating and so helps in the treatment of fevers. It regulates blood flow, equalizing and strengthening the heart, arteries, capillaries, and nerves. It is a general tonic. When added to an ointment and used externally, it helps increase circulation to hands and feet and works to reduce the inflammation of arthritis. One of the cayenne’s active ingredients is “capsaicin”.
Capsaicin has very powerful pain-relieving properties when applied to the skin. It reduces the amount of substance P, a chemical that carries pain messages to the brain, in your body. When there is less substance P, the pain messages no longer reach the brain, and you feel relief. Capsaicin is often recommended for topical application for the following conditions:
· Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, as well as joint or muscle pain from fibromyalgia or other causes
· Nerve pain from shingles and other painful skin conditions (post-herpetic neuralgia) that happens even after the skin blisters have gone away. Research is mixed, and it may be that it works for some people and not others. Check with your doctor to see if trying this topical treatment is right for you.
· Pain after surgery, such as a mastectomy (breast removal for breast cancer) or an amputation
· Pain from nerve damage in the feet or legs from diabetes, called diabetic peripheral neuropathy. However, capsaicin doesn’ t seem to work for peripheral neuropathy from HIV.
· Low back pain. Several studies suggest capsaicin cream can reduce lower back pain. However, homeopaths may not prescribe a capsaicin gel as the first treatment, because other homeopathic remedies have fewer side effects. (University of Maryland)
Get my recipe for Cayenne-Ginger Salve for mild to moderate pain relief.
Pepper Spray Recipe
To make 100mL of pepper spray, follow the directions below. Always wear gloves when handling cayenne. Avoid contact with eyes and mucus membranes. Do this in a well-ventilated spot or even in an outdoor kitchen, as the fumes can cause breathing difficulties for pets, and small children that are in the room with the simmering spices.
1. Get 100g hot chilli powder and 200mL vodka.
2. Mix the two in a 2 cup container.
3. Run the mixture through a sieve to make sure there’s no solid chilli powder left, and then put it in a stove-burner-safe container.
4. Put your container on the burner until the ethanol boils and evaporates. You’ll have an orange solution of wax consistency left.
5. Now add 20mL of mineral oil, or enough to give you a viscous liquid.
6. Now you can put it in a bottle. You can buy spray bottles at the dollar store, or pressurized bottles online (for more on homemade pepper spray) For bear spray you will want to use a pressurized bottle. Test the bottle before you plan to rely on it in a life-threatening situation.
6. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile)
Side note from me- I love this fact - 80% of people can fall asleep within 10 minutes of drinking chamomile! Skip the sleep meds (now directly linked to Alzheimers and dementia) and opt for plants and nightly rituals (kundalini breathwork) before bed!
Chamomile is found in the section of your grocery store where you find herbal teas. It is useful for its relaxing, calming properties as well as its ability to ease stomach pain and colic. It is gentle enough to be used with children.
Chamomile is good for calming the nerves, inducing sleep, and relieving an upset stomach. It is anti-spasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, vulnerary, aromatic, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, nervine, sedative, and tonic. When used externally it reduces inflammation, and swelling and speeds wound healing. Use the cold tea as a mouth wash in mouth inflammation, a gargle for sore throats, or an eye-bath for sore eyes. Use it as a hair rinse with fair hair to accentuate blond highlights.
This is another natural dye that gives a sunny yellow to textiles when used with an alum mordant.
7. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Cloves (Syzygium aromaticum)
A powerful antiseptic, a mild anesthetic, and digestive stimulant, clove oil and clove spice have been used for centuries. It is the spice that is used by your dentist to deaden the pain in your gums before he inserts the needle. It is a useful antiseptic for toothache, both deadening the pain of toothache while dealing effectively with the bacterial infection. Clove essential oil is available in the pharmacy section of your grocery store. The dried flower buds are sold in the spice section. Cloves are stimulating to the digestive system, and reduce nausea.
8. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme has strong antibacterial and antiviral properties while strengthening the immune system to fight disease. It is found in the spice section of the grocery store as dried, crushed leaves, or as a ground powder. The dried leaves retain their strength longer than the dried powder, when in storage.
Thyme helps sluggish digestion. It can be used externally to help heal wounds, and internally for respiratory and digestive infections. When used as a gargle, it soothes sore throats and irritating coughs. It is an expectorant and reduces coughing and unnecessary spasm. It is used medicinally in the treatment of whooping cough, bronchitis, and asthma.
Easy to grow in your own garden in temperate zones.
9. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Oregano (origanum vulgare)
Oregano — the spice that you can buy in the grocery store, is used in Italian cooking. But did you know that it is also useful for coughs and colds? It’s an immune booster and cough remedy. Put a tsp. of dried oregano, along with some thyme in a tea ball and make an infusion the next time you feel a cold coming on. I learned this from some WWOOFers from France that stayed at the farm. This is the oregano that the essential oil is steam distilled from.
Oil of Oregano, on the other hand, is mountain oregano, or wild marjoram, containing the same herbal benefits as Thyme but on a more subdued note. It is easy to grow, but also available fresh or dried at your local grocer. It is antibacterial, antiviral, and carminative. It is useful for the treatment of respiratory complaints and wound healing. Oil of oregano is also recommended for the treatment of warts, mouth ulcers, and toothache. While using it leaves the taste of pizza in your mouth, a strong tea made with the leaves can be made more palatable with honey.
10. Medicinal herbs from the grocery store – Sea Salt
While salt isn’t an herb, per se, it is an important adjunct to your home medicine chest. It is antiseptic and useful in the treatment of sore throats, sinus congestion, tonsillitis, and toothache. A mouth wash and gargle are made with 1 tsp. of sea salt in 1 cup of warm water. Sea salt contains several trace minerals, not available in table salt, and these minerals add to salts effectiveness for minor complaints. I use Celtic sea salt, but any sea salt made from the evaporation of water from natural sea flats will have adequate amounts of trace minerals including magnesium.
This just scratches the surface of the medicinal benefits that can be found in your grocery store and your kitchen cupboards. Every homesteader should become familiar with the healing benefits of herbs both from the garden and the kitchen cupboard, for those times when immediate relief from pain or discomfort is necessary. Many times herbal remedies can save you money and are more effective than prescription medicines. For serious complaints please see your doctor.
More Herbal ideas from commonwealthherbs.com
Mentioned in this episode:
The Holistic Herbalism Podcast, episode 1: I’ll Have What They’re Having + Apples & Oranges – (discussion of orange peel starts around 20:00)
The Holistic Herbalism Podcast, episode 142: 4 Medicinal Mushrooms: Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Lion’s Mane
Herbal Community Care Toolkit – Chock-full of grocery store herbs & common “weeds”, this course is about making herbalism accessible for everyone.
Herbs discussed include: basil, ginger, orange peel, blueberry, shiitake.
Not sure what to do with your herbs once you’ve got them home? Our Herbal Medicine-Making course has dozens of methods for you to explore! Learn to make teas, tinctures, poultices, salves, liniments, spice blends, and much more. This self-paced online video course includes access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions so you can connect with us directly!
Below is a copy/paste from https://thehomesteadinghippy.com/herbal-medicine-chest-beginners/
Also Rosemary Gladstar offers an incredible course here. She also writes amazing books that I use regularly.
Vodka, brandy or nonalcohol menstruums. You can use food grade glycerine or apple cider vinegar. These are a must for making herbal tinctures, as they “pull” the medicinal qualities from the herb. Normally, for alcohol, you would use 5 mL of liquid for every gram of dried herb.
Since it’s medicinal, you NEED to measure by weight. For glycerine and apple cider vinegar, you would use 3mL of that liquid PLUS 2 mL of water for each gram of herb.
Garlic-most households will already have fresh garlic in their kitchen for culinary uses. Garlic also has medicinal qualities to it that make this a MUST have on hand. Garlic infused olive oil is great for ear aches, or even used on warts.
You can also assist the body in shortening the life of a cold or flu by liberally adding this to your food. Again, letting “food be your medicine” is a great choice. My mother in love used to feed my hubby raw garlic on buttered bread when he was sick. It wasn’t his favorite, but he felt it worked at getting him over being sick sooner.
Chamomile
Chamomile is considered a cure-all by many homesteaders! It is often used as a calmative and sedative, as it can ease anxiety and promote relaxation. In Europe, it is also used to heal wounds and reduce swelling. You can use chamomile in a tea or as a compress, but it may increase drowsiness in some cases.
Feverfew
Feverfew, as the name might indicate, is often used to treat fevers. In many cases, it is effective against migraines and arthritis, but you need to be careful about taking to much as it can cause digestive upset.
Ginger
Ginger is very beneficial when it is used for nausea, motion sickness, and other digestive problems. It can relieve pregnancy-related nausea, too.
Gingko
Gingko leaf extract has been used for centuries to treat bronchitis, tinnitus, and asthma. It can also improve memory. Why exactly gingko works isn’t exactly clear to scientists, but the general recommendation is that you should only use extract from the leaves> The seeds contain a toxin that can cause seizures.
Ginseng
Both a tonic and an aphrodisiac, ginseng is a common homestead treatment. You can’t use it with certain medications, though, like nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
Goldenseal
This root is used to treat eye and skin irritations as well as diarrhea. It is a powerful antiseptic that can also be used to prevent colds. Be careful taking too much as it can cause gastric irritation.
Milk thistle
This herb is often used to treat liver problems and high cholesterol. There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that it may reduce the growth of cancer cells, too.
Saint John’s Wort
This natural antidepressant that can be found on many homesteads. It does cause some sensitivity to light in high doses, so if you are already prone to sunburn, you might want to stay away from this one.
Valerian - Be warned for a certain amount of the population Valerian causes nightmares - myself and my mom both had this experience.
Valerian root is often used to treat sleeplessness and relieve anxiety. There is some research to back this up, so it’s a good option fi you are looking for a way to get some better sleep.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a popular medicinal herb. It is used as a tonic and an astringent. It also smells great, so it’s one of those herbs you won’t mind having on hand.
Black cohosh
This herb is often used to treat arthritis and related muscle pain, but it’s actually a good herb to have on hand if you are a woman, too. Black cohosh is said to treat some of the symptoms of menopause and even menstruation, too.
Celery
Celery seed is often used as a diuretic. You can of course consume the other parts of the plant, too, but the seeds are the most effective.
Burdock
If you’ve got burdock hanging around, you’re in luck. Often viewed as a weed, burdock is actually an awesome herb to have in your medicine cabinet. It can address low blood sugar and is also a way to lower blood sugar. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is used as a treatment for symptoms of the common cold, like sore throat.
Borage
Borage is a great herb for treating a variety of issues. It can help with respiratory and cardiovascular issues but can also help heal some gastrointestinal upset.
Calendula
Who doesn’t love the beautiful calendula plant? Also known as marigold, this plant is a good one to have around to decorate your home as well as to keep in your medicine cabinet. It can help soothe your skin and even treat wounds.
Cayenne
Cayenne pepper is made out of the chili pepper. It’s a common ingredient in many foods and is also an effective medicine. It contains tons of Vitamin C, so it can help reduce cholesterol levels while at the same time combat viruses and bacteria. It can also reduce pain and swelling with its heat. The same theory applies to capsaicin, also derived from the chili pepper.
Lemon
Not technically an herb, lemon is a fantastic ingredient to have in your medicine cabinet. You can use the whole lemon or the essential oil of the lemon. It has a long history in Chinese and Indian medicines and it is commonly used to treat sore throat and coughs.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn berries have been used for centuries to fight heart disease. Some studies have suggested that they can be used to relieve kidney and digestive issues.
Turmeric
This spice probably isn’t one you’ll be able to grow at home, but it still is a good option for using in your traditional medicine cabinet. It can help heal arthritis pain and regulate menstruation and it’s a common ingredient in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines.
Horsetail
Commonly viewed as a weed, this plant has been used since ancient Greek and Roman times, when it was used to heal ulcers and stop bleeding. It can also treat tuberculosis and kidney issues.
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is tough to grow at home, but if you’re able to grow eucalyptus indoors or even outside (especially if you live in a warm growing zone), take advantage of this. Its oil is a great treatment for coughs and colds – it’s actually used in a variety of over-the-counter products, like cough drops.
Licorice Root
Licorice root is extremely helpful in treating issues like sore throat, infections caused by viruses, ulcers, bronchitis, and more.
Hyssop
Hyssop has some pretty powerful gastrointestinal benefits. You can use the leaves or the seeds and it will help heal colds, sore throat, asthma, respiratory problems, and even digestive issues like gas.
Jasmine
This beautiful, sweetly-scented flower offers many benefits to herbalists. It is an excellent skin remedy, used as both an anti-inflammatory and anti-septic agent.
Bay Laurel
Bay leaves, or bay laurel, can be used as astringents or as salves for open wounds. It’s also a great ingredient to keep on hand if you like a regular massage – the essential oil can relieve rheumatism. If you inhale the essential oil, it may be helpful in treating earaches, too.
Flaxseed
Flaxseed is often used as a laxative. You can use the seeds or the oil – it will also help with arthritis pain.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a great crop to grow if you have livestock you need to feed – like chickens or rabbits – but it’s also a great ingredient to have hanging out in your medicine cabinet, too. Alfalfa can help lower cholesterol and treat a variety of kidney and other urinary tract problems.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has been used for centuries all over the world. It is an effective antibacterial and antifungal agent. I keep some in the house specifically for cleaning, but it can also be used topically.
Lemon Balm
This plant – not related to the citrus fruit lemon, which I mentioned above – has some pretty potent powers when used as a digestive aid or a sleep aid.
Holy Basil
I used to think that holy basil was the same thing as regular basil -not the case! This variety of basil, also known as tulsi, is used for a variety of conditions. It can be used as an ingredient in cosmetics but it can also be consumed in a tea or mixed with ghee. It has potent anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.
Oregano
Oregano is another good herb to have on hand. It is commonly used in folk medicine to cure respiratory and stomach problems. It’s a good cleaning agent and can also relieve a sore throat.
Rosemary
Plain rosemary, as well as rosemary essential oil, also is a powerful antibacterial and antifungal agent. This herb has been used medicinally since ancient times, and while it’s most effective when inhaled, it is also useful when used orally or topically, too.
White Willow
White willow is one of the best plant-based sources of salicylic acid. It can relieve pain just as well as aspirin – it has the same active ingredient! However, you need to exercise caution when consuming white willow. Just as salicylic acid in aspiring, it can cause some destruction of the stomach lining if consumed to excess.
Sage
Sage has been shown to improve cognitive functioning. It can also help boost your immune system.
Purslane
Commonly considered a weed, purslane actually has powerful anticandidal, antifungal, and antibacterial properties. So the next time you see it in your garden, don’t toss it out! Save it.
Comfrey
Another common garden “weed,” comfrey has some pretty powerful benefits when it comes to using it to reduce inflammation. Be careful about how much you consume – it can be toxic in high doses.
Dandelion
Dandelion root is often used to treat liver diseases, spleen problems, and kidney diseases. It tastes fantastic when served in a salad, or you can make your own wine! Although that may negate some of the medicinal benefits, I suppose.
Clove
Cloves aren’t just useful for scenting the house during the holidays, using in baking, or repelling garden pests – they also have some medicinal benefits. You can take cloves for an upset stomach or use them as an expectorant. Clove oil is also often used to treat toothache.
Thyme
Thyme is an expectorant and antispasmodic agent. It can treat heavy coughing and also bronchitis. It also is an effective cleaning agent!
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle can be taken internally, via tea or just consumption of the fresh leaves, to treat issues related to the urinary tract and kidneys. It can also help heal issues related to cardiovascular health and the flu.
Blueberries and Cranberries
Yes, blueberries, and cranberries too! If you have a blueberry patch on your homestead, you’re in luck. This tasty fruit is a powerful antioxidant and is also believed to relive urinary tract problems. Many people use cranberries to treat urinary tract problems, but it can also treat diarrhea, stomach ailments, and other issues.
Mullein
Mullein is effective at fighting bacteria, as it has glycyrrhizin compounds. These are concentrated in the flowers, so you should keep some of these on hand.
Continued reading and ideas fom The Root Circle.com
At our most recent Utica Herbal Study Group we discussed the ways in which herbal medicine can be low-cost and accessible. One of the primary offerings of plant-based remedies is that they provide supreme healing to common folks regardless of socio-economic status. Plants grow wild everywhere, even in cities, and many herbs are also considered foods and can be bought right in the grocery store. Many grocery store herbs are inexpensive and can even be purchased with food stamps.
Another, often overlooked, source of herbal medicine happens right in most of our spice cupboards. Cooking herbs and spices can usually be found bottle up and forgotten in our corner shelves and wall racks. There is hardly a household or, at very least, a neighbor or family members household where one can't find a few basic herbal jars of magic already waiting for us in the kitchen. Cooking with herbs is one of humanities oldest traditional methods of supporting health and immunity. These remedies can be added to soups and stews or simply made into teas, compresses, rinses.
Below is a list of herbs that can be found in the grocery store, some of the medicinal properties of common cooking herbs, and the recipes that were included in the hand-out at Herbal Study Group. Although it is ideal that we find herbs, spices, and foods that are organic or locally grown, it is just that; an ideal and not always possible. During this discussion I highly encouraged our group to consider that the potential stress and anxiety that can be caused by the need for ONLY organic or locally grown is not necessarily healing and that, in any discussion of medicine that is accessible, our capacity to adapt and innovate is also central. Working class folks may not always have the resources of privilege, time, or money to chase or seek the perfect products. Sometimes whatever is available is just perfect!
:: From the Shopping List ::
Ginger
Garlic
Burdock Root
Parsley
Basil
Apple Cider Vinegar
Lemon
Honey
Molasses-iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamin B6, and selenium.
:: From the Spice Cupboard ::
Parsley (Petroselinum sativum)
- source of vitamin C, B vitamins, iron, beta-carotene, chlorophyll
- slightly bitter, crispy and salty taste that indicates the presence of minerals and sodium.
-Carminative and diuretic
Basil (Ocimum basilicum)- high in vit A and C
-is pungent, removes heat and toxins from the bloodstream, liver and intestines
-relieves melancholy, anti-spasmodic,nervine, nervous indigestion, anti-gas, alleviates nausea,antiseptic, lowers fevers
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
-most powerful, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory herb
-reduces inflammation in irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, chrons disease, sinus infection, arthritis, excema, asthma
-is a natural antibiotic, has moderate cholesterol lowering action and is antioxidant
-helps improve intestinal flora and aids in the digestion of protein
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
- pungent,warming, decongestant, warms the stomach to improve digestion, increase bile secretion, improves fat digestion and movement of food through the tract, reducing stagnation, irritation and gas
-normalizes blood sugar
-when cooked with meat it helps the body better digest and assimilate the meat, thus detoxifiying it
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)
-antibacterial,antifungal, carminative(dispels gas), antihemorrhagic, normalizes blood sugar
-used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, vomiting and nausea
-influence over the microorgaisms associated with botulism, staph infections, alfatoxin, e. coli, and candida.
Anise (Pimpinella anisum)
--carminative(gas-expelling), moistening, nourishing, emollient(softening), warming, and anodyne(pain-relieving)
-calms and builds the nervous system
Garlic (Allium sativum)
--lowers cholesterol and blood pressure
-stimulates immune system
-antibacterial antiviral
-treats ulcers, bacterial diarrhea, sinus infection, ear infection
- effective for antibiotic-resistant pneumonia
-more than 220 studies have correlated ingestion of garlic with lower rates of stomach, intestinal and other cancers
Kelp
-10 to 20 times the minerals of land-based plants
-Eating 3-5 grams(1 gram=.035of an oz.) of most dried, unrinsed seaweeds will provide the RDA of 100-150 micrograms.of iron
-high in iodine and potassium, increases underactive thyroid function and alkalinizes blood
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) ***thymo= Greek for strength
-antibacterial, atimspasmodic, antifungal, antiviral,carminative, diaphoretic, expectorant
-currently used for spasmodic coughs associated with bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, copd, and emphysema
Cumin (Nigella sativa)
-seeds help us absorb and use nutrients
-is carminative and helps increase elimination of metabolic waste via the liver, large intestine, lungs, lymphatic system, skin and kidneys.
Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens, Capsicum annuum)
-increases circulation to the extremeties
-improves digestion and sluggish bowels
-restores health to blood vessels and normalizes bp
-shown inhibitory activity against Helicobacter pylori, and studies show that people who regularly consume hot peppers have a lower incidence of duodenal and peptic ulcers than
those who do not
**Contra-indicated for peptic ulcers, acid indigestion, esophageal reflux
Rosemary(Rosmarinus officinalis)
-antioxidant, circulatory tonic(mild), cerebral tonic and stimulatory to the brain, improves memory, enhances the cellular uptake of oxygen
--Liver/gallbladder tonic for impaired fat digestion. Rosemary enhanced the activity of two liver enzymes(GSH-transferased, NAD(P)H-quinone reductase) when included at very low levels in the diet of rats.
Sage (Salvia officinalis)
-bitter, astringent, slightly heating, pungent
-diaphoretic, expectorant, nervine, astringent, alterative, diuretic, carminative, antispasmodic
-antiseptic, clears congestion, lowers cholesterol
Oregano (origanum vulagare)
-antispasmodic, calms nervousness, irritability and insomnia
Black pepper
- warming, energizing and stimulating,
-sinus infections, colds
Cloves (Eugenia caryophyllum)
-pungent and aromatic
-stimulates circulation, raises body temperature, improves sluggish digestion and nausea
-stimulant, expectorant, carminative, analgesic, aphrodisiac
-heating and energizing
Coriander (Coriandrum sativum)~cilantro seed
-bitter, pungent, cooling,carminative, aromatic, warming(leaf is cooling)
-antispasmodic, eases diarrhea and chronic indigestion
-helps eliminate toxic chemicals and wastes through kidneys
Cardamom (Elattaria cardamomum)- pungent, bitter, sweet, aromatic, warm, dry
-relieves bloating, nausea, vomiting, acid reflux, loss of appetite and flatulence, poor absorption, asthma, loss of taste
-helpful for food allergies and hypersensitivities
-expectorant
-antidotes poison, neutralizes mucus forming properties of milk and detoxifies caffeine in coffee.
Mustard Seed (Brassica Alba and Brassica Nigra)- irritant, stimulant, diuretic
-stimulates circulation and if rubbed on skin will help alleviate joint and muscle pain
-diaphoretic so used for fever, colds and influenza the same way as ginger and cayenne pepper
:: Recipes ::
Hot Ginger Compress
******For strains, sprains, and muscle and joint injuries. Do not use if there is an active infection or excessive inflammation.
-Make a tea with ½ a cup of chopped fresh ginger or 2 tbsp. of dried powder to a quart of water. If using fresh ginger simmer for 20 minutes. If using powder simmer for 5 minutes
- Use a dish towel large enough to cover the painful area, dip in tea and place hot compress on area
-Keep the tea hot, and dip a second towel as soon as you apply the first so that there is a constant source of heat on the affected area at all times
-do this until the area becomes red
Garlic Oil
*** A wonder for ear infections and pain as well as for regularly lubricating sinus passages. Do not use if there is any sign of blood or a burst ear drum. Also, do not use if the child has tubes in their ears. I highly recommend purchasing an otoscope so that you can look for yourself.
Mince or chop fresh garlic and put in appropriate sized pan or oven safe dish. If using stove top use a double boiler or heat diffuser.
Cover garlic with olive oil.
Heat gently…do not boil for up to 24 hours.
Strain through cheese cloth.
Use 4 to 5 drops per ear of warm oil. Be sure to check temperature on the inside of your wrist before putting in ear.
Herbal Tea for Colds
-1/4 juice of a lemon
-1/4 tsp. powdered Ginger
-1/4 tsp. Anise seed
-1/4 tsp. Fenugreek seed(for sinus infection)
-1/8 tsp. Thyme(especially for coughs)
-1/2 tsp. minced fresh garlic
-dash of cayenne pepper
-raw honey
*you can add 1 tsp. of White Pine Needles if you have some
*Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the herbs and steep for 10 minutes
*Drink 3 cups per day
Hot Ginger Foot Bath
***Do not use for children under 4 years old or if there is a fever.
Grate or chop fresh ginger or use dried ginger powder. Begin with 1-2 Tablespoons of ginger to a tub of hot water. Water should be as hot as you can stand but DON’T BURN YOURSELF!
Soak feet until water begins to cool. Remove your feet before it gets too cool. Have a towel ready to dry your feet and put on a pair of warm socks. I warm them by my woodstove.
Fire Cider
1 part Garlic
1 part Horseradish
1 part Onions
½ part Fresh ginger
Cayenne to taste (just a few grains will do)
Honey to taste
Apple Cider Vinegar.
Chop fresh garlic, onions, and horseradish into small pieces. Grate fresh ginger. The amounts and proportions vary according to your particular taste.. If unsure, start with equal amounts of the first three ingredients and roughly half part ginger the first time you make this; you can always adjust the flavors in future batches. Chop enough of the first four ingredients to fill a quart jar approximately half full. Put in wide mouth quart jar and cover with Apple Cider vinegar (keep vinegar about two to three inches above the herbs). Add cayenne to taste (just a small amount or will be too hot!). Let sit two to three weeks. Strain and discard spent herbs. Add honey to taste (add the honey after you strain the rest of the herbs).
Fire Cider should taste hot, spicy and sweet. Great as a winter time tonic and/or as a remedy for colds and coughs. I loved to take little shot glasses as a tonic and often people use it as salad dressing and/or on rice or steamed vegetables. It’s quite tasty!
