• 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)

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.

Woodcutting by Dina Cormick

Mothers Day is this Sunday, 13th May, and we want to say thank you to all moms.

We have a few items which you can get from us at the Shongweni Market tomorrow morning.

Lip Balms:

• Grapefruit and Peppermint with Marula oil and beeswax: R21.00
• Lavender and chamomile with Aloe Ferrox and beeswax: R22.00
• Sweet Orange with Calendula and beeswax: R11.00

Tissue oil roll on:

• Marula: Which can be used to help treat dry, chapping skin, reduce skin redness, and improve the appearance of scar tissue: R29.00
• Rosehip: Which has been known to help reduce fine lines, help improve appearance of scars and reduce uneven skin tone: R25.00

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.

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.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil and Jojoba Oil

According to Ann Worwood, author of “The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy,” a mixture of eucalyptus essential oil and jojoba oil can be used to help get rid of pigmentation and dark spots on the face. Combine ½ tsp. eucalyptus essential oil with 4 tsp. jojoba oil in a small bottle or container and shake to combine. Gently massage a small amount of the mixture onto the affected area and leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing with clean water and washing with a mild cleanser. This treatment can be repeated daily unless it bothers your skin, and unused portions of the mixture can be stored in a dark, dry place for 30 days.

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.

Women’s Own Herbal Tea Blend: -
Salvia officinalis (Sage)
General tonic, rejuvenative, estrogenic (Caution: Avoid taking during pregnancy and when breast-feeding)

Melissa officinalis: (Lemon balm)
Carminative, antispasmodic, sedative

Rubus idaeus (Raspberry leaf)
Antispasmodic, calminative, tones reproductive system. (Caution: Avoid during first seven months of pregnancy.)

Lavandula officinalis (Lavender)
Relaxant, analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory.

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
Hormone regulating (Caution: Avoid taking during pregnancy.)

Valeriana officinalis (Valerian)
Mild sedative.

A very big thank you to Shaun Standeaven for doing the draw.

Congratulations to: Hannah Lee Kaiser who is our winner from the Shongweni Farmers Market.

Nayna Mistry from Polokwane who is our winner from ordering via the web.

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.