A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HERBALISM

A BEGINNERS GUIDE TO HERBALISM

Advice to the Beginning Herbalist Student:

Herbalist, like midwifery skills, is one of the oldest parts of
teaching within
the craft, but is also one where we have lost a huge amount of
information and
where science has yet to catch up. Every pagan culture has utilized
the
herbal-ism of its particular region, and I have found no one source or
teacher
who could possibly know about every herb that grows on the Earth. Yet
today we
have the opportunity to perhaps achieve this within a lifespan or
two, using the
electronic communications at our fingertips. Science is now slowly
beginning to
learn the importance of the natural herbs in healing, but they will
take
centuries to figure it all out because of the way they go about
things, unless
nudged.

The first step in herbal-ism is to gather the tools you will need, and
that is
the main point of this first message. I have found the following
useful and in
many cases vital to learn and practice the use of herbs.

A Good mortar and Pestle, one of stone or metal is preferred. If wood
is used
you will need two, one for inedible and one for edibles - make sure
they do not
look identical, as you do not want to accidentally poison anyone!!!

Containers: Although you can buy dried herbs over the counter in many
places
these days, do not store them in the plastic bags they come in, as
these are
usually neither reusable nor perfectly airtight. Rubbermaid style
plastic
containers are good, but expensive. I have used glass coffee and
spice
jars/bottles to good effect, as well as some medicine bottles. The
more you
recycle the better ecologically, just make sure they have been
thoroughly washed
and dried before placing anything inside them.

Labels: This is vital! None of us in this day and age can possibly
recognize
each herb in its various forms simply by sight. Always label your
containers as
you fill them, and if possible date them when they were filled so you
don't keep
spoiled stock on the shelf.

A Tea Ball: A good metal tea ball of the single cup size can be very
useful in
the long run when your are experimenting, and when you are making
single person
doses of teas and tonics.

Cheesecloth: Useful for straining a partially liquid mixture and
occasionally
for the making of sachets.

A Good Sized Tea Kettle: preferably one that will hold at least a
quart of
water.

A Good Teapot: for simmering mixtures. I use one from a Chinese
import store
that has done me well.

A good cutting board and a SHARP cutting knife, for just herbal work.

A notebook, of some sort to record the information in as you go, both
successes
and failures. Always record anything new you try that may or may not
work, and
also and research information you get from various sources.

An eyedropper.

White linen-style bandages: Some ace bandages are also useful in the
long run.

A metal brazier, of some sort, or a metal container that can
withstand heavy
usage and heat from within or without, useful for several things
including the
making of your own incenses. NOT aluminum!!

Reference sources, Shortly you should see a list of books that I have
read from
in the past that I consider useful, build from this as a starting
point to
others and to your teachers help.

Thats it to start, you'll pick the rest up as you go. Take your time
studying,
take lots of notes, compare your sources and your own personal
results on each
herb and on herbal mixtures of any kind.

HERBS INDOORS

Many herbs will grow well in pots on sunny windowsills, in window
boxes, hanging
baskets and in tubs or barrels in a sun room or on a balcony. There
should even
be enough space on one large, south-facing windowsill to grow a
selection of the
basic flavoring herbs or a row of scented herbs that can be used for
making
tisanes. If you have a sun room or balcony, then 4 tubs planted with
mixed
annuals and perennials and a good proportion of evergreen herbs for
winter
picking could provide most of the fresh herbs needed by a small
household, as
well as being decorative and sweetly scented.

Light and Temperature

The first necessity is light. Few herbs suitable for indoor growing
will thrive
in the shade. Most need sunlight for at least half the day, so set
them in a
south facing window, if possible, otherwise one facing east or west.
It is
possible to grow herbs in a shady room under special fluorescent
tubes, which
should be set about six inches above the top of the plant.

Temperature is important. It is useless to attempt to grow herbs
directly above
a radiator or stove in an airless kitchen that is often steamy and
full of
fumes. Ideally, there should be warmth during the day, lower
temperatures at
night and some humidity. In a centrally heated house, humidity may be
lacking so
keep a bowl filled with water above the radiator or near the herbs. A
direct
draft may harm the plants though fresh air is necessary.

Clay and Plastic Pots

Plastic pots are often used today, being cheaper, lighter and less
likely to
break than clay. But there are some advantages in using an unglazed
clay pot,
the most important being that excess water will evaporate through the
clay walls
so the roots are not likely to become waterlogged. Drowning by over
watering is
the most common fate of indoor herbs. Another advantage is that the
moisture
content in the soil can be discovered by tapping a clay container
sharply; it
will give a ringing sound if the soil is too dry and a dull thud if
too wet.
Whether plastic or clay, the container should have an adequate
drainage hole and
be stood in a saucer or tray. A layer of gravel in the tray will
ensure that the
pot never sits in stagnant water.

Boxes and Barrels

Wooden boxes or barrels make good containers if you have the space.
Boxes should
be at least 10 inches deep. Saw barrels in half and use them as tubs,
or cut
several holes about 2 inches across in their sides and grow a herb
from each
hole. If you use a large barrel in this way, put a narrow tube of
wire netting
down the center from top to bottom, before filling it with earth. By
watering
down the tube, the moisture will spread evenly through the soil; with
no tube,
the lower plants may suffer from drought. Do not creosote the insides
of wooden
containers to sterilize them as the fumes may damage the plants,
instead make a
small fire of newspaper inside the container, just sufficient to char
and
sterilize the surface of the wood.

Hanging Baskets

To make the best use of all available space and light, plant a
hanging basket
with herbs, the upright species in the center and trailing mints and
thyme's,
nasturtiums or ground ivy round the edge. Special clay bowls or wire
baskets can
be bought for this purpose or even an old kitchen colander will do.
To contain
moisture, line the wire basket thickly with sphagnum moss or hay, or
with a
plastic sheet, before filling it with earth.

A large, unglazed, terra-cotta bowl with 6 or 7 2-inch holes bored in
it will
make an ideal hanging onion pot, if you can buy one or have one made.
Fill it
with earth, plant chives in the top and press the bulbs of Welsh
onion into the
holes. You will be able to cut the hanging green shoots throughout
the winter.

Soil, Water, Food, and Care

Put a layer of broken crocks or stones in the bottom of large
containers before
filling them with soil and sprinkle a few spoonfuls of granulated
charcoal over
them to prevent the soil souring. Then, fill with a standard potting
compost
bought from a shop or good, loamy, garden earth mixed with a little
coarse sand.
Sterilize the garden earth for an hour in the oven if you wish, to
kill insect
eggs and weed seeds.

Be careful not to over-water, especially during the winter when plans
are resting
and should not be stimulated into unseasonal growth. It is best to
water in the
morning so that excess moisture can evaporate during the day and to
use only
tepid water. During the summer, it may be necessary to syringe the
leaves of
broad- leafed herbs such as sweet basil with tepid water to prevent
them from
flagging. The leaves of herbs in city window boxes will also need
occasional
syringing to prevent their pores becoming clogged with grime and
fumes.

Each spring, spread a little well-rotted compost over the earth in
the herb
container and water well. If any other food is needed, use a herbal
fertilizing
tea.

Although the restricted light and space will prevent herbs from
growing as large
indoors as they would outside, they will need regular cropping or
trimming to
keep them compact and controlled. Pinch out the center shoots to
encourage bushy
growth and cut off any runners. Examine the drainage hole regularly
and if root
fibers are showing, transfer the plant to a larger pot.

What to Grow

Many people will want to grow culinary herbs indoors that cannot be
bought fresh
and do not dry well. Three large pots, 12 inches in diameter, filled
with the
annuals, chervil, basil, and coriander, will provide a good mixture
with strong,
distinctive flavors. Sow their seeds directly into the pots in the
spring in
moist, fairly rich soil, and thin out the seedlings. The chervil and
coriander
will begin to shoot and grow leggy soon after midsummer, but basil,
especially
the compact bush basil, will continue into the winter months.

Sweet marjoram and summer savory also grow well indoors and are both
annuals.
For a basic supply of perennial, evergreen culinary herbs, plant
thyme species,
winter savory, a clump of Welsh onions and the prostrate rosemary.
Decorative
dwarf golden sage can be included, and the biennial parsley. None of
these are
invasive herbs and can be planted together, but mint needs a pot of
its own and
plenty of moisture. If you have room for a deep tub or barrel on a
balcony or
roof, then it may be possible to grow tall herbs such as angelica,
deep-rooted
caraway or horseradish; otherwise these species are obviously
unsuitable for
indoor growing.

Another series of pots or a large box could be used for growing herbs
for
tisanes. Plant peppermint and lemon balm (whose roots may need
confining), the
annual German chamomile, the little rock hyssop, lady's mantle and
trailing
ground ivy.

Herbs grown for their scent might include dwarf lavender species,
clove
carnation, dwarf santolina and upright and trailing pelargoniums.
There are
literally hundreds of pelargonium varieties, each with leaves of a
different
scent and shape, and all make admirable houseplants, being easy to
grow and easy
to propagate from cuttings. Use the leaves to flavor custards, creams
and
gelatins and in potpourri mixtures.




SEVERAL WAYS OF PREPARING HERBS FOR USE

Notes: Always keep a record of the work you do. If using herbs for
healing,
remember you are NOT a doctor, use them only for adjuncts not
replacements for
medical treatment. The traditional Herbal Crafts person will meditate
as the work
is done and after it is completed, in this way learning is continued.

The Water in the following preparations is brought to boiling then
poured over
the herb, the herbs are NOT boiled in the water, for that would cause
a
breakdown of the vitamins and minerals in the herbs that are so vital
to the
healing process.

Making An Infusion

This process draws the properties you want out of the herb for
healing. An
infusion is basically a strong tea. The normal mixture is 1 pint of
water to «
ounce of herb. It takes experience to learn how long each herb needs
to steep,
some take longer than others, the average length of time is hour but
with
practice you'll learn which take longer and which take less time.

This is the easiest method.

Making A Decoction

This is much the same as an infusion (tea) except you are working
with a much
more solid herb such as thick pieces of root or bark which can't be
ground up or
the remedy calls for a much stronger dose..

This is the one case where you should BOIL THE HERB. In fact that's
the whole
process. Make sure that no steam escapes or the vital oils will go
away with it.
Also (of course) never use any metal when doing ANY herbal remedies.

If you will have more than one ingredient in the decoction begin by
boiling the
toughest then work down. Start with cold water and after boiling for
what you
consider long enough allow it to steep usually for at least 30
minutes.

Making A Poultice

This is used when you need to apply the herbs externally such as for
a burn or
for acne. Yes it's messy but often essential for healing. Pour
boiling water
over the herbs using just enough to dampen them or evenly cover the
plant
matter, you're not trying to extract anything from the herb only to
moisten it.
When it is all evenly wet remove it with a strainer and place between
2 pieces
of gauze (cheesecloth also works well if folded several times). You
then apply
the gauze with the herbs inside to the affected part and allow the
moisture with
the herb essence to pass within the person.

Making An Ointment

This method involves mixing the herb(s) with a fixative such as
olive oil or lard, shortening. This is done by heating the fixative until it is
quite warm
and adding the ground herbs to it. Once mixed up the mixture can be
heated more
than once and allowed to cool, Once you are satisfied that all the
goody has
been removed from the herb the whole mixture should be strained and
put into a
storage container then allowed to cool. This is the same procedure
used to make
salves.

Making A Wash

Same as an infusion (tea) except you use it externally.

Making A Tincture

These are used when long term storage is required. It requires
alcohol of at
least a 75% grade which can be safely ingested. Place the following
in a jar
which can be tightly sealed.

1-4 ounces of the herb 8 ounces of alcohol (drinkable!) 4 ounces of
water

Seal the jar and keep it safely out of the light for 2 weeks. Each
day at least
once, check it and make sure that you loosed the mass of herb inside
the jar by
swirling it about. Continue this process until at the end of the 2
weeks the
alcohol has extracted all the constituents without need of heat. This
process is
best begun on the new moon and completed on the full.

AROMATHERAPY - The Art of Herbal Scents...

Aromatherapy, the art of healing with aromatic plants, or with the
oils of those
plants, was well known to the ancient ones. The Egyptians, the Romans
and the
Greeks all practiced it as an integral part of their medicinal lore.
Wise women
and men treasured the secrets of precious scents and applied them
with great
skill. The Romans massaged themselves with sweet-smelling unguents
before
plunging into their elaborate baths. The Greeks assigned a godlike
virtue to
each plant, and by inhaling the fragrance, they believed they would
assume the
attributes of that god. During the Plague of Europe's 17th Century,
the
perfumers who dispensed the pine, cypress and cedar incense that was
burnt in
the streets and in the hospitals to mask the dreadful odors, those
perfumers
were UNTOUCHED by the virulent disease that annihilated great masses
of the
population.

Of course, medical science has come a long way. Many treatments that
were used
in the past have been supplanted by more modern, more scientific
methods. But,
have they thrown out the baby with the bathwater? About a hundred
years ago, the
great medical minds of the world decided that this herbal scent
business was
just so much superstition, and that such old-wive's tales had no
place in Modern
Medicine. Since that time, no medical practitioner would recommend
scent, with
the exception of the menthol-type scents burnt or inhaled for
respiratory
complaints, which were already known to be so effective that to
forbid them
would place a seal of unbelieveability on the entire edict. All other
scent-
medications were scorned, even though they had proven to be a very
effective
means of well-keeping. And the public, believing the medical
profession to be
infallible, went along with it. Today, aromatherapy is enjoying a re-
birth in
the holistic spirit of New Age Medicine.

The mind plays a major role in all bodily ailments, as proven by
recent
research. That is not to say that the mind can cure the body of all
its
ailments, but fragrances that can alter the patient's emotional state
may be
able to leave the way open for a beneficial cure, by accepted means.
In other
words, why leave anything to chance? What would it hurt to smell an
herb when
you have a headache? Would it infringe upon the noble Medicine Man's
territory
if we sniffed flowers when our tummies hurt?

IF YOU NEED MEDICATION, TAKE MEDICATION. But, be sure you need it.
Are you
taking medication because it is required by your condition, or are you
popping pills you bought over the counter to self-cure a 'minor'
problem?
Illnesses that are stress-induced, like asthma, headache, and
depression respond
very well to inhalation therapy. Skin disorders, respiratory
ailments, digestive
problems and backache can respond to inhalation and massage with
scented oils.
The same way a lovely perfume evokes memories, or desires, all
fragrances cause
the brain to respond in some way. If the fragrance brings about a
sense of
relaxed wellness, who is to say that that is not the healing element?
Aromatic
bathing enhances the benefits of the scents used as inhalants or
tactile
medicants.

Along the same lines, the inhalation of a burning scent, if purely
made, would
have the same or maybe a more readily-absorbable effect. So, take
stock of the
fragrances available to you, in the forms of incense, oils,
potpourris and even
teas. Even if they don't heal what ails you, they can make you feel
more
relaxed, more well. And isn't that what you wanted, after all?

What follows is a list of fragrances and the ailments they have been
reputed to
affect. I have tried to use only the herbs, plants and seeds you can
find most
easily in your garden, in the supermarket, and at the corner fruit
stand. Also,
below are some guides that will help with your plans.

An aromatic tea is to be consumed close to the nose, so as to
continuously
inhale the healing aromas while you drink the beverage.

When you use oils for massage, you will need to know the areas of
greatest value
for that massage. We suggest you consult a chart that shows the
accupressure
/acupuncture points, used by the great Chinese practitioners for
centuries of
healing.

A foot soak is reputed to be nearly as beneficial to the body as a
whole-body
soak, since the feet will absorb the medicating herb and propel the
journey
upward into the body of the healing element.

Inhaling is done over a bowl of boiled water in which the herb or its
oil are
floated, while you lean over it with a towel over your head to
simulate a steam
tent.

A compress is either cool or warm, but always damp, with the herb
impregnated
within, and is laid gently upon the area, not rubbed or massaged or
moved about
in any way. For this reason, compresses work quite well for burns,
wounds and
sores. You can burn an herb in many ways.

A purchased herbal incense works well. Or you could place the dried
herb on any
burning incense, or an open fire. Scented candles also provide the
same scent.
Essential oils dropped judiciously upon burning coals will do. You
must only
decide whether you want just the scent in the air, or if the smoke is
what you
feel will benefit. Burning always gives a dry scented air, as opposed
to
steaming, which provides a damp scented air.
LEGEND:

T - Aromatic Tea, also known as Tisane

W - Bathe (Make a tea and add it to your bath

M - Massage with a scented oil

C - Compress, wet, either warm or cool

S - Steam (Best way is with a humidifier)

B - Burn

I - Inhale, either the smoke or the steam, but also the aroma of the
other
methods

F = Foot Soak, with a stronger tea blend than in the bath


SCENT, PRODUCT, HEALTH, CONDITION, AND METHOD OF USE

Alfalfa

Water Retention (T);

Arthritis (T,C,M);

Cholesterol Reduction (T)

Almond

Infant/Child skin care (M,W);

Coughs, Colds (M,I)

Anise

Meditative frame of mind (B,T);

abates nightmares (T,M)

Baby's Breath

Healing frame of mind (B)

Barley

Skin care (W,M)

Basil

Bronchitis, Colds, Internal Cleansing (B,I);

Antiseptic (C)

Depression (M,W);

Fainting (I);

Nervousness, Insomnia (T,B);

Fever (T,M,W,S,C);

Indigestion, Nausea (T,M);

Mental fatigue,Peaceful frame of mind (B,T,M,W);

Hormone Stimulant (M,T,C);

Insect Bites (C,W);

Migraine (B,C,W,T);

Stimulant (T);

Weight Loss, Skin Care (M,W)

Bay

Antiseptic (W)

Decongestant, Colds (S,I,W,T)

Internal Cleansing (B,I)

Hair Loss (M,W)

Cajeput

Antiseptic, Acne (W,S)

Pain Relief, Neuralgia (M,C)

Insecticide, Lung Congestion (B,I)

Caraway

Calm, Healing frame of mind (T,B,M,W)

Catnip

Nervousness, Headache (T)

Hysteria, Insomnia (T,B,M)

Fever, Hives (W)

Stomach Upset, Hiccups (T,I,S)

Cayenne

Fever, Internal Disinfectant (T)

Cedar

Internal cleansing (B)

Lung congestion, Expectorant (B,M,I,W,S)

Digestion (I)

Antiseptic, Astringent, Eczema (W,C)

Sexual Response (M,B)

Sedative (B)

Chamomile

Burns (C)

Depression, Nervous Tension, Calm (T)

Nausea, Fatigue, Insomnia (T,W)

Diarrhea, Indigestion, Menstrual Cramps (T,M)

Eczema, Rheumatism, Arthritis (M,W,C)

Fainting (I)

Fever (C,T,W)

Headache, Migraine (M,I,)

Weight Loss, Cellulite (T,M,W)

Infant skin care, Inflammations (W)

Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Menopause (M,W,T,B,S)

Pain Relief, Neuralgia (C,W,M,T)

Sore or Weak Eyes, Sores, Wounds (W,C,S)

Hysteria, Relaxant, Appetite Stimulant (T,B)

Cinnamon

Healing frame of mind (M)

Bedwetting (B,S)

General Weakness (T)

Spasms, Circulatory Problems (W,F,M,C,T)

Impotence (M,B)

Infections (W)

Citrus

Weight loss, Skin care (W,M,T)

Cloves

Calm (T,B,I)

Muscle Tension, Spasms, Pain Relief (M,W,S,C)

Toothache (T,C)

Insect Repellent (B,C,W)

Stimulant (B,T,M)

Infections, Antiseptic (W)

Nervousness, General Weakness (T,W,S)

Cough, Colds, Gargle (T,W,S,B)

Cocoa

Depression, Calm, Heartache (T)

Coconut

Internal cleansing (M,W,I)

Comfrey

Water retention (T)

Cumin

Peace, Calm (B,I,S)

Cypress

Water retention, Cellulite, Menopause (W,M)

Varicose Veins, Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Coughs, Sinus, Flu, Colds (I,C)

Cramps, Muscle Tension (M)

Wounds, Sores, Cuts, Acne (W,C,M)

Rheumatism, Arthritis, Aches & Pains, Spasms (F,C,M,W,S)

Nervousness (S,B,I)

Deodorant, Astringent (W)

Dandelion

Blood weakness, Water retention (T,W)

Eczema (W)

Dill

Hiccups, Health maintenance (T,I)

Eucalyptus

Asthma, Bronchitis, Cough, Flu (I,C)

Sinus, Migraine (M,W,I)

Burns (C)

Diarrhea, Indigestion, Kidney/Urinary Infection (W,M)

Sore throat, Laryngitis (I,S,C)

Rheumatism, Aches & Pains (M,W,F)

Antiseptic, Wounds (C,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Fever (C,M)

Fennel

Colic, Constipation, Cystitis, Flatulence, Indigestion (T,W)

Nausea, Weight loss, Reducing hunger pangs (T,W)

Health maintenance (T)

Fern

Depression (W)

Gardenia

Calm (B,I,M,W,F,S)

Garlic

Asthma, Hypertension (C)

Intestinal Worms (T)

Antiseptic, Antibiotic (W)

Toothache (M,T,C)

Insomnia (T,W)

Coughs, Colds, Congestion (T,M,C,S)

Geranium

Water Retention, Cellulite (M,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Varicose Veins, Circulation Problems (W,C)

Astringent, Wounds, Fractures (W)

Burns  (C)

Neuralgia, Pain Relief (M,W,F,C)

Hormone Stimulation (M,B)

Fatigue, Exhaustion (M,W,F)

Ginger

Health Maintenance (T)

Menstruation (T,C)

Hyacinth

Depression, Heartache, Grief (I,B,M)

the Pain of Childbirth (I,S,M)

Hyssop

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colic, Flu (I,S,F,C)

Eczema (W)

Fever (W,C)

Indigestion, Rheumatism (M,W,C)

Jasmine

Good spirits, Peace, Calm (B,S,I)

Meditative frame of mind (I,B,W,T)

Juniper

Water Retention, Hemorrhoids (W,C)

Rheumatism, Gout (C,M,F)

Stimulant, Energizer (W,B)

Antiseptic, Sores, Wounds (W)

Colic, Cough (T,S,I)

Exhaustion, Fatigue (F,M,W)

Kidney/Urinary Infections, Cellulite (M,W)

Constipation (M)

Diarrhea, Flatulence, Indigestion (T,C)

Eczema (W,C,S)

Lavender

Burns, Eczema (W,T,C)

Wounds, Spasms, Acne (C)

Hemorrhoids, Insect Repellant (W,C)

Calm (T)

Sore throat, Nausea, Diarrhea, Nervous tension (T,I,S)

Depression, Headache, Migraine (W,B,T,I)

Hair Loss, Cellulite, Weight Loss, Menopause (M,W)

Rheumatism, Fatigue, Exhaustion (M,W,F)

Fever, Pain Relief (M,C)

Lemon

Rheumatism, Gout (W,F)

Aging Skin, Acne, Antiseptic, Astringent (W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Water Retention, Gastric Distress (T,I,S)

Lemongrass

Weight loss (T)

Marjoram

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds (I,S)

Constipation, Indigestion (M,T)

Colic, Headache, Nervous tension, Depression (M,W,T)

Health maintenance (I,B)

Insect Bites (C,W)

Menstrual Cramps (M)

Nutmeg

Meditative frame of mind (T,M,B,I)

Parsley

Rheumatism (M,C,W)

Water Retention (T)

Peppermint

Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds, Flu (T,I,S,W)

Colic, Indigestion, Nausea, Morning Sickness (T,M)

Mental Fatigue, Shock (T,W)

Toothache (W,C)

Fatigue, Weight Loss (T,C)

Headache, Migraine (M,I,W)

Insect Repellant (B,C,W)

Cooling, Fever, Nerves (M,C)

Spasms, Pain Relief  (C)

Pine

Sinus, Bronchitis, Flu, Decongestant (I,C)

Hormone Stimulant (M,B)

Fatigue, Aches & Pains, Rheumatism, Gout (B,C,M)

Infection, Antiseptic (W)

Water Retention (I,W)

Rose

Calm, Peace, Depression, Insomnia, Fatigue (T)

Nausea, Heart, Liver, Uterus, Stomach (T)

Weight Loss, Infant skin care (M,W)

Sex Drive/Libido (M,B)

Headache (W,M,I,T,B,S,C)

Astringent (W)

Rosehips

Weight loss, Nervous tension (T)

Rosemary

Depression, Healing frame of mind, Stimulant (T)

Asthma, Colds, Flu, Decongestant (M,W,F)

Constipation, Diarrhea, Cellulite (T,M)

Fainting, Headache (T,M,I)

Rheumatism, Gout, Arthritis, Aches & Pains (M,F)

Weight Loss, Migraine (M,W)

Exhaustion, Fatigue (T,M,W,F)

Hormone Stimulant (M,B)

Sores, Burns (C)

Antiseptic, Skin, Astringent (W)

Fumigant (B)

Heart, Sickliness (T,M,B,I,S)

Sprains, Pain Relief (M)

Saffron

Meditative frame of mind (B,T)

Sage

Asthma, Bronchitis, Cold (T,I,S)

Burns, Eczema (W,C)

Fainting, Low Blood Pressure (T,M,B)

Flatulence, Headache, Indigestion, Diarrhea (T)

Sore throat, Cough (T,I,S,C)

Toothache, Weight loss (T,W)

Menopause, Cellulite, Aches & Pains (T,M,W)

Menstrual Cramps, Nervousness, Hair Loss, Trembling (T,M)

Fatigue (W,M)

Memory, Ability to Learn (B,T)

Spearmint

Depression, Heartache (T)

(Use Spearmint for the same reasons as Peppermint, but Spearmint is
less
powerful and better for children.)

Thyme

Heartache, Depression, Calm (T)

Internal cleansing, Kidney/Urinary Infections (W,M)

Asthma, Bronchitis (I,S)

Fainting, Restore Energy, Renew Spirits (B,I,T)

Rheumatism, Weight loss (M,W,C)

Cellulite, Aches & Pains (W,F,M)

Insect Bites, Antiseptic, Inflammation, Infection (W,C)

Wounds, Sores, Cuts (C)

Constipation, Intestinal Parasites (T,M)

Fatigue (T,B,M)

Spasms, Hair Loss, Digestion (M,W,T)

Turmeric

Peace, Calm (T,B)


HERBAL CURES

(Courtesy of Jeanne Rose)

Bruises-

Witch Hazel Extract:

Soak 1 oz. witch hazel leaves and twigs combined in 2 cups of
alcohol. Shake
daily. Strain. Use full strength on bruises. (You can dilute with
water and use
as a mouthwash also.)

Yerba Santa Poultice:

Good for severe bruises and swelling too. Mash the leaves of a Yerba
Santa,
then soak them in water, and apply while still hot to the bruise.
Cover the
leaves with a CLEAN cloth.

Burns-

Mari-Gilly Water for Burns and Sunburns:

An Actual Case History from the Author:

"One day while lighting the oven the book of matches took fire in my
hand and
stuck there. After shaking it off, I dug into my herbal closet. I was
looking
for a remedy I had made a month before. Amateurishly I had preserved
it beneath
a layer of oil, and it was colorful with mold. I filtered it out and
plunged the
badly burned hand in the liquid. Within two minutes the pain was
gone. In 20
minutes the hand was wrapped in cloth and no longer painful. There
were no
blisters of any kind, but within three days a black, horny layer
appeared where
the blisters might have been. Very ugly. In another week, this peeled
off, and
once again the hand was smooth,
pink, soft, and completely unscarred."

The recipe for the miracle is:

Simmer one handful of balm of Gilead buds and one handful of marigold
flowers in
an enamel or glass pot with water to cover. Do not boil. After 15
minutes remove
from heat, strain and pour liquid into a clean and sterile jar. Add a
layer of
olive oil to cover. Do not let the oil and liquid mix. It will keep
for a few
months. To use: Hold breath (as liquid does NOT smell good) and pour
through
filter paper or paper towel. Use directly on burns, sunburns, and
other similar
problems.

Marshmallow-Comfrey Oil:

Simmer 1 handful of crushed marshmallow root and 1 handful of Comfrey
root in 1
cup of white wine in an enamel pot. Cover. Simmer for 20 minutes.
Strain. When
cool apply to burns and sunburns.

Warts-

Note: All these cures will work for pimples, zits, and corns too.

Stolen Apple Cure:

Get an apple. Cut this apple into as many pieces as you have warts.
Rub one
peace onto 1 wart, and repeat with all warts. Wrap up the apple bits
in a piece
of cloth, then bury the whole thing. When the apple bits have rotted,
the warts
will be gone.

Dandelion Juice:

Gather together, many dandelions, this includes stems, heads and
leaves. Squeeze
them. Apply their milky fluid to the wart or corn.

Oil of Thuja:

Apply this oil to a wart. An infusion used as a wash on the warts
will work too.
(Note: Thuja is also called White Cedar)

Marigold Juice for Warts:

Take a fresh marigold, squeeze out the juice and apply it directly to
a wart.
Let the juice dry. Make applications until the warts fall off.

Milkweed Juice:

Take some fresh milkweed, squeeze it, and apply this milk to the
warts. The
indians say that it will entirely cure warts with just a very few
applications.

Bronchitis-

If you use tobacco products, try this instead. Try chewing a
combination of
gentian root and chamomile flowers every time you feel the need to
smoke, then
try these tea recipes.

Manzanita Cider:

Crush a handful of manzanita berries and bruise a handful of the
leaves, and
pour over 2 cups of boiling water. When settled, strain off the
liquid and use
throughout the day as a drink.

Horehound Tea:

Take 1 oz. of the green herb, 1 oz. of honey, and 1 pint of boiling
water.
Cover, and set aside until cold. Drink 4 oz. at a time for a cough.

Other Herbal Teas:

Try a combination of coltsfoot, mugwort, and culeb, with lemon and
honey.

Try a snuff of golden seal; small pinch of the golden yellow powder
snuffed into
each nostril is sometimes very efficacious in the treatment of
bronchitis. If
your respiratory passages are particularly painful, slippery elm tea
is an
excellent demucelent.

Sinus Infections-

Golden Seal Snuff:

Take powdered golden seal and snuff a bit into each nostril whenever
needed.

Herbal Inhaler:

In a small bottle add 10 drops of each of the following oils. Carry
it around
with you and sniff the scent of these fine aromatics whenever you
wish to clear
your nasal passages.

Eucalyptus, Lavender, Rosemary, Bay Leaf, and Cloves -or- Peppermint

Sore Throats-

Dirty Sock Cure:

During the winter, when you get a sore throat, wrap your dirty wool
sock around
your throat every night and the soreness will soon disappear.