Swedish bitters…So what is the big deal?

Just recently, I have had the need to use Swedish Bitters for various minor ailments: -

  • Irritable bowel caused by stress…Swedish bitters (25 drops in a quarter glass of water-3 times a day).
  • Mouth ulcer-probably also stress related…Swedish Bitters (applied topically 3 times a day. Within 3 days it was almost gone and 7 days later, not a sign of the ulcer.)

I have also heard that applied topically it can relieve inflammation (Haemorrhoids, acne, leg ulcers etc). I have an inflamed baby toe…I wonder if it can help that?

Here is some more interesting information about Swedish Bitters: A tincture that Essential Herbal Products highly recommends.

  • Take this bitter tonic to stimulate digestion, appetite, bile flow – and maintain healthy digestive function.
  • Aloe, senna and rhubarb in this product helps maintain regularity with their scientifically-proven laxative action.
  • Oral use: take 10 to 20 ml of Swedish Bitters in 100 ml of water/juice/herb tea 30 minutes before meals to relieve indigestion symptoms such as heartburn, abdominal discomfort and flatulence (ideal after a rich heavy meal).
  • Contains black cohosh, clinically-proven to relieve premenstrual discomfort and menopausal symptoms such as night sweats and mood swings (take 21 ml twice daily in 100 ml water/juice/herb tea) .
  • External use: soak a piece of gauze in undiluted Swedish Bitters for the healing/repair of skin and to relieve insect bites, swellings and inflamed joints (apply for 2-4 hours and cover with bandage).
  • Apply to forehead or back of head/neck for 15 minutes for the temporary relief of headaches.
  • Gargle: for the relief of a sore throat or toothache (add 60 ml Swedish Bitters to 250 ml of lukewarm water)

 Information taken from: (http://www.naturalhealthorganics.com.au/Swedish-Bitters-Tincture-pr-834.html)

 

Inflamed joints?…Arthritis?…Devil’s Claw can help…

Devil’s Claw

Family Name: Pedaliaceae

Botanical Name(s): Harpagophytum Procumbens

Popular Name(s): Grapple Plant

Parts Used: Dried Roots

Habitat: Devil’s Claw is a native plant of southern Africa, especially the Kalahari Desert, Namibia, and the island of Madagascar.

Description: Devil’s claw is a tender trailing perennial with tubers and many round to oval-shaped stems. The leaves have white, hairy undersides. Solitary, red to purple flowers, shaped like trumpets appear in spring followed by the characteristic large, hooked and claw-like fruit.

Uses: Devil’s claw is used internally to treat rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia and problems involving the gall bladder and pancreas. It is also very effective in treating lower back pain, as well as digestive problems, loss of appetite and the treatment of pain during and after childbirth or labor. Devil’s claw is used externally to treat swollen, arthritic joints as well as boils, sores and skin ulcers.

This information taken from: http://www.herbsguide.net/devils-claw.html

This YouTube video is a short, interesting look at a Zimbabwean traditional healer explaining how to retrieve the Devil’s claw tubers.

Grapefruit/Peppermint and Marula oil Lip Balm…

This lip balm is fast becoming a firm favourite with friends. It is quite hard, so next time I may add a little more Marula oil to soften it a little. Yet, one friend said that she enjoyed it being hard as it is still very moisturising and a little goes a long way. The peppermint Essential oil gives the balm a slight tingle on ones lips, which is not unpleasant.

This recipe was taken from a you tube presentation by mountain Herbs and then adapted for our south African climate and oils that are more local. The following recipe makes 50ml, which we placed into 5 little 10ml balm tubs. Please note that we sell this lip balm if you do not wish to make your own.

Grapefruit and Peppermint Lip Balm

  • 16ml Beeswax
  • 33ml Marula oil
  • 20 drops Grapefruit pure essential oil
  • 8 drops Lime pure essential oil
  • 2 drops Peppermint pure essential oil
  • Place beeswax in a double boiler (for such small quantities i used a small glass jar placed into a small pot of gently bubbling hot water).
  • Add Marula oil once the wax is all melted. The wax will harden when it comes into contact with the colder oil. Keep it in the hot water and gently stir until it is all melted again.
  • Take off the heat and stir in the essential oils.
  • Decant into the containers of your choice.

Are you in need of an energy boost?… Do you wake up tired?…

Here is a recipe for a green smoothie. The video is advertising a certain blender, but my dear old faithful does a good job. I have written out the recipe below if you don’t have time to view the video.

Green Smoothie for energy (It says for anti-aging as well, but we’re not doctor’s or nutritionists to be able to make such a bold claim)

Ingredients

  • 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • the juice of 1 lime
  • The juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 2 apples (Cored but skin left on)
  • 1 handful parsley
  • 1 teaspoon peeled, crushed ginger
  • 3 sticks chopped celery

Method

  • Place spinach in blender and blend, add cucumber and blend well.
  • Add juice of lemon and lime together with the apples. Blend
  • Add parsley and ginger and celery and blend well together.
  • Pour into a large glass and enjoy. Drink this for breakfast for a healthy, energetic start to your day.

Lavender and orange essential oils can be safely used with children…? Here’s how…

In this very short you tube presentation, sundae explains why only these oils are safe enough for little children. (A spray recipe follows below the video)

 

 

Calming aromatherapy room spray for kids. 

200ml spray bottle

10ml vodka/rice vinegar to help the oils mix with the water.

10 drops lavender pure essential oils

10 drops sweet orange pure essential oils

5 drops bergamot

Lavender or sweet orange hydrosol (or you can use distilled water)

Pour the vodka/rice vinegar into the bottle

Add the essential oils and gently mix together

Add the hydrosol or distilled water

Screw the spray nozzle on, shake well and spray.

Do you struggle with headaches?… Try this essential oil remedy to help…

In this you tube video, Amanda Crawford explains how to blend lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus and peppermint pure essential oils together to make an excellent all round headache reliever.

Please be advised to put the oils into a base oil such as grapeseed oil or sweet almond oil as the pure essential oils alone will burn your skin. For the 60 drops of oil that she describes, you will need a dark bottle with 30 ml carrier oil (Grapeseed/sweet almond) to which you will add the essential oils.

Using pure essential oils in the kitchen…? Here are a few tips…

  • When washing out the fridge, freezer or oven, add 1 drop of lemon pure essential oil to the final rinse water. This deodorizes without permeating the appliance with an aroma.
  • When washing down surfaces, use one of the following:- eucalyptus, lavender, lemon or thyme pure essential oil. 1 drop directly onto the cloth or 7 drops in the rinse water. Use this to wipe down work surfaces, cupboards, sinks, tiles or paintwork.

Our birthday month is coming to an end…do you stand a chance of receiving one of our Home care kits?

The month of March has been our birthday month and we have shared the joy with you. Any purchases made by you during this month have gone into a draw and the person whose name is randomly chosen on 31st March will receive our home care kit to the value of R128.00.

One person who has bought products from the Shongweni market and one person who has bought products via our web address, will receive a kit. The Shongweni draw will take place on Saturday 31 March at 10am. Christine Standeaven, the manager of the market will do the draw. The draw for the web customers will take place at the same time.

We will post the results on our website.

A stark reminder to protect our future | Greenpeace Africa

To be more aware individuals and communities, we need to be aware of all aspects which affect our environment and the people. At Essential Herbs we know that optimal health includes healthy soil and healthy water.

From the Land of the Rising Sun: A stark reminder to protect our future | Greenpeace Africa.

Are you lactose intolerant?.. Looking for an alternative to dairy milk?…Almond milk can be a delicious alternative…

In the following video, Rick explains how to make a delicious almond milk. I have personally made this milk, adding a little honey and a touch of vanilla and would highly recommend it.

Don’t throw away the almond fibre left over at the end, store it in the freezer and when you next make some biscuits (cookies), add the fibre for a delicious almond flavoured biscuit.