Category Archives: natural health

What can Herbal Infusions do for you?…Herbal Infusions for happy, healthy bodies and minds

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This week I have been taking a little time to learn more about herbal infusions and what they can do for one’s health.

This is what I learnt:-

  • Infusions are different to herbal teas. Herbal teas are brewed for just 10 minutes and infusions are brewed for a minimum of 4 hours.
  • The benefits are vast as the longer period of time extracts more macro and trace minerals and many vitamins for our health.
  • Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions. (Susun S. Weed)

So, this week I have decided to make one herbal infusion per day. (Just enough to make one cup). I have been alternating Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)  , Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and Sage (Salvia officinalis). The benefits that I have experienced thus far are: less headaches, calmer emotions, a more regular tummy – and that’s just in five days. I have also not had a sinus attack this week-very good news.

How do I make the infusion?

  • Measure out 8 grams of the chosen herb.
  • Place it in a glass jar (250ml) that has a tight fitting lid.
  • Once the water has boiled and the bubbles have subsided, fill the glass jar up to the neck.
  • Give the herbal mixture a good stir, place the lid on and leave for four hours or overnight.
  • Strain and drink straight away.
  • Remember to put the leaves in the compost.

Anxiety and Depression can be very debilitating and can affect us without warning…for different reasons…grief, divorce, stressful work…the list is endless…

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Herbs for Treating Anxiety and Depression

Valerian is used for general anxiety and nervousness with irritation. It also helps in treating the insomnia that occurs as a consequence of anxiety. Valerian is also useful in the case of heart failure accompanied with palpitations and a sense of fear. As a tranquilizer, Valerian is used alone or in combination with other herbs, as a tea or tincture.

 Lemon Balm is the cure for sleepless nights. It shows antidepressant properties and removes bad thoughts, nightmares and rolling over in bed. The main medicinal ingredient of this plant is essential oil which refreshes and calms strained nerves. Lemon Balm can be used alone or in combination with other plants.

Lavender shows soothing properties, and it can be used as a tea or essential oil which should be left to evaporate. Thanks to its pleasant scent lavender essential oil creates a special atmosphere. Lavender potions are recommended for the treatment of the nervous system diseases. This herb eases anxiety, tension, palpitations, hysteria, stress, depression, insomnia and headache.

Chamomile tea is an old and proven tonic for reducing the tension and relaxation.

Thyme is an ingredient of many medications because it has beneficial effects on the nervous system. It relaxes, reduces anxiety and mental tension providing a good sleep. It contains tannins, bitter substances, essential oils and phenolic compounds.

St. John’s Wort  may be applied in the form of tinctures, oils, extracts and teas that positively effect on general mental state – reduce depression, anxiety and insomnia. This herb contains tannins, hypericin, resin, anthocyanins, essential oils and azulene.St. John’s Wort is more recommendable than synthetic drugs because it doesn’t cause addiction and any harmful side effects.

Essential Basil oil is used for treating depression, mental exhaustion, melancholy and increased mental effort. Place a drop on a hanky/tissue and breathe in as and when needed. Or, place 3 drops on a burner in your work or living space.

 

 

Watch the following clip for more information on some of these herbs and some others which have not been mentioned in the above blog.

Tea Tree and Thyme complete the basic care kit…

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Tea Tree: This a strong antiseptic oil which is non-poisonous to humans.It also has strong anti-viral, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. It is very useful for a range of conditions from ringworm to athlete’s foot.

 

 

Thyme: This oil has anti-viral, antibiotic and antiseptic properties and must be used with great care. Over-use of this oil can stimulate the thyroid gland and lymphatic system. Even with this strong warning, it is a vital oil in the basic care kit because of its strong anti-viral properties. When flu is doing the rounds it is an excellent oil to burner in the room diffuser. It helps in the elimination of toxic wastes from the body. It is also excellent at discouraging parasites and insects from invading your home.

Could your short term memory do with a little boost?… Comfrey leaf infusion is a good ally…

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Susun Weed explains in detail how to make this infusion. Please note that 2 quarts is equivalent to 2 litres (8 cups) and 2 ounces is equivalent to 4 tablespoons (60ml). If you would like a copy of this infusion recipe, please contact us and we will email it to you.

Is a healthier lifestyle one of your New Years Resolutions?… Try this fantastic, simple dish…

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Adding more raw, organic food to our diet can be very beneficial. We add much needed minerals and vitamins to our bodies. This You Tube video shows a simple pasta marinara recipe using marrow (zucchini) for the pasta and a mixture of tomato and bell peppers for the sauce. Enjoy, and have a healthy, happy 2012.

Lavender, Thyme and Neem…All used in one day and all successfully…

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Today has been a day for using a number of our essential oils.

This morning my husband showed me his back…It was RED! He had been gardening yesterday and had done so shirtless and without any sunscreen. Thank goodness for the healing power of Lavender. This is truly an all round healing herb and essential oil. I applied the oil neat to his back. It immediately relieved the burning and prickling sensation. A couple of hours later, the redness had subsided to a degree. More will be applied before bed tonight.

I was busy baking spiced Christmas biscuits today. The delicious smell attracted the troop of monkeys who regularly use our yard as a walk through. They decided to investigate more closely and one little teenager tried to slip into the kitchen. A few drops of Thyme essential oil on a scrap of cloth and hung at the kitchen door soon had the troop moving on to their usual daily routine. (I think that any strong smelling essential oil will work in the same way. It is too strong and pungent for their delicate noses).

After the biscuits were baked, it was time to clean the container, and pots and pans cupboards. To my horror, I found that wood borer had found a home in the corner of the container cupboard. I immediately went and did some research on the marvelous neem oil, and yes, it can relieve us of our unwanted wood-eating guests. The oil was painted straight on to the wood. The smell was very strong to begin with, but the cupboards were left open for a couple of hours and now they can be re-packed.

Life with herbs and oils is definitely an exciting and challenging adventure.

Love and light to you all.

Sue

Difficulty sleeping seems to affect many people…Here are a few natural alternatives which we find very beneficial…

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Valerian Tincture: What can it do for you?
• It has a gentle sedative action on the central nervous system.
• It is anti-spasmodic and works as a gentle muscle relaxant. (It has been known to help with: neuralgia, muscle cramps, intestinal colic, irritable bowel syndrome, period pain and migraine
• It has a strengthening action on the heart and can be used for heart palpitations and high blood pressure linked to anxiety and tension.
• Can help relieve flatulence.
• It can promote a restful sleep.
(Information taken from aromatherapy and natural health)

Sleep Eezee herbal tea: For those who prefer using something that does not contain alcohol. It contains a blend of the following herbs which promote a good nights sleep with no adverse side effects. Wake up feeling refreshed.
• Passiflora (Passion flower leaves)
Properties/actions: sedative, hypnotic, anti-spasmodic, diaphoretic, painkilling
A wonderfully relaxing herb that has been known to bring a restorative and refreshing sleep
• Melissa officinalis: (Lemon balm)
Properties/actions: carminative, nervine, sedative, antioxidant, antiallergenic
It is known to calm and uplift tension
• Mentha: (A variety of mints)
Properties/actions: carminative, nervine, relaxant
It helps to ease tension.
• Matricaria recutita (Chamomile)
Properties/actions: relaxant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic
It calms anxiety, soothes irritability. It also relieves tension and inflammation in the digestive tract.
(This herbal blend is put together by a South African herbalist and comes highly recommended by myself -Sue)