All Things Herbal

Archive for the ‘Herbs & Recipes’ Category

                                              Series of Herbal Handbooks

                       Update

Sage: The Herb of Immortality has been released and is now available in the bookshop. Marshmallow: The Soothing Herb, is at the proof reading stage and going slowly!   On target for the next one to start writing in a month called, Rosemary: The Aromatic Herb. You can see the wonderful photos of the books by Vanessa Cook from Cookoo Photography & Design by going to this link. The illustrations on this site and in the handbooks are also by Vanessa. If you would like to leave a comment go to this link.

                                   Herbal First Aid Kit

 I have used several of the following herbal remedies for myself and my family when the need has arisen such as crystallized ginger for morning sickness, eucalyptus oil for colds and flu, rescue remedy for emotional shock, tea tree oil and aloe vera straight from the garden for sunburn and found them very helpful.

Aloe vera

•  Aloe vera can be used for minor burns and sunburn. It will also heal the wound and broken tissue. The substance can be scraped out of the leaf of Aloe vera and applied to the wound. It will also ease the pain of the sunburn.

 Arnica

•  Arnica can be used on a bruise if the skin is not broken and can be bought and used in a cream or oil form. Caution: In high doses can be toxic so may not be suitable for use on children. 

Calendula Cream

•  Calendula possesses antiseptic and anti fungal properties meaning that it helps to heal wounds. It is a cream that can be produced in your home or alternately you can purchase it.

 Clove Oil

•  Clove oil has powerful antiseptic properties and can be used for the treatment of cuts and toothaches.

 Crystallized Ginger

•  This is particularly useful for motion sickness and morning sickness.

Eucalyptus Oil

•  Eucalyptus provides relief from colds, coughs and respiratory infections.

 Rescue Remedy

•  This remedy is useful for children. It is made up of five Bach flower remedies. Give this remedy to people suffering from shock and emotional upset.

 St John’s Wort Infused Oil

•  This will help heal minor burns and sunburn.

 Slippery Elm

•  Slippery elm powder can be used to make a poultice that will draw out splinters and bring boils to a head. Slippery elm is also a pain reliever.

 Tea Tree Oil

•  Tea tree oil also has antiseptic and antifungal properties and can be used for cleansing wounds.

 Witch Hazel Extract

•  Witch hazel can be used to aid healing of minor burns, sunburn and insect bites. Cuts can be washed with it to help cleanse them.

 Compresses

 A compress is made from a square of gauze or cheesecloth. Different compresses can be used for different problems:

• Comfrey and witch hazel are useful for healing sprains
• St John’s Wort can be used to heal deep cuts
• Comfrey and witch hazel can be used for soothing burns

 Pharmaceutical First Aid Kit Items

 Assorted bandages in a variety of sizes, bandage closures for sticking the edges of minor cuts and scrapes, triangular bandage for a sling, elastic wraps, rolls of gauze 2’ and 4’’ pads, adhesive tape, sharp scissors, safety pins, antiseptic wipes, disposable cold packs, tweezers, rubber gloves and a thermometer.

Reference 

Institute of Natural Healing. Herbal Medicine. Assignment 7 First Aid Remedies. 2008.

If you would like to comment on this post go to this link 

                              

                                     Ginger & Lemon Tea

                       Grated ginger tea is a pleasant way to help relieve the symptoms of colds and the flu. It helps sweat out the infection, reduce fever and clear catarrh. It helps stimulate your immune system and warms you up. It can be added to your usual cup of tea or make your own ginger tea as follows:

• Peel and grated some ginger about two teaspoons is a good amount
• Pour over boiling water and let stand for 5-10 minutes
• Strain and then flavour with honey and lemon juice

Ginger is helpful when feeling nauseous and can be used for travel sickness and is safe for morning sickness during pregnancy. Ginger also has anti inflammatory properties and helps relieve the pain of arthritis.

To comment on this post go to this link

                                                   

                  Lemon Balm Infused Oil

• 1 cup of oil
• 1/2 cup of fresh herb washed and dried
• Let stand for 4-5 days at room temperature and the herb will settle to the bottom. Put into clean jars, discard the herbs and store in the fridge for up to 6 months. 1

Try ading one clove of garlic cut in half to this recipe and drizzle over vegatables to be baked in an oven or skillet.

For more lemon balm recipes go to this link.

Reference

1. The Epicentre. Encyclopedia of Spices. Lemon Balm.

www.theepicentre.com/Spices/Lemonbalm.html

        

                   Lemon Balm Research

An extract from ‘Lemon Balm: The Neglected Herb’

A research project about Lemon Balm was finished for my Masters of Natural Therapies for Health and Harmony Colleges in January 2010. The aim of the research was to find out ‘What claims made by Folk medicine about Lemon Balm’s (Melissa officinalis) medicinal properties are supported by scientific evidence?’

 

The research was carried out across the United Kingdom, Turkey, Bulgaria, Iran and Germany and the project has shown that the claims made by Folk medicine about Lemon Balm are supported by scientific evidence.

The claim that Lemon Balm is a mood enhancer for depression, anxiety, nervousness and extreme emotional states can be said to be supported to some extent by the study on ‘Modulation of Mood and Cognitive Performance’ in 2003 by Kennedy et al which showed that mood could be modulated with single doses of Lemon Balm extract in healthy young volunteers. The 600 mg of Lemon Balm extract increased the mood and had a positive effect on calmness and alertness. [1]

The knowledge passed down through the generations, combined with experience, reaches many of the same conclusions as scientific evidence. Folk medicine cannot be easily discounted as a source of reliable information. What is scientifically proven and what is handed down by the generations are two different methods of arriving at a conclusion.

Find out more about the research and some recipes: Lemon Balm: The Neglected Herb.

If you would like to comment on the post send me an email

 

 Reference

                                  

  

   

  

                                   Lavender

Lavender: The first Aromatherapy Herb is now at the illustrator and will be released shortly. Here is a sneak preview of a recipe from the handbook for you to try. The book covers the history of lavender, scientific research, easy to follow growing information and recipes for your health, beauty, and fragrances in the home. Also learn the difference between the different types of lavender and which is the correct type for therapeutic use and cooking.  To be notified of its release, go to this link here

Lavender Fruit Salad

1 cup of thinly sliced strawberries

1 cup of cubed mango

3 kiwi fruits, peeeled and sliced in rounds

1 teaspoon fresh lavender flowers

1-2 tablespoons of fresh orange juice

In a small bowl, combine all fruits and lavender blossoms and serve immediately.

To comment on this post go to this link

Reference: Hummingbird Hill Farm at Brigade Bay Gambier Island. Recipes. http://hummingbirdhillfarm.net/recipes

                                                                                                            

            Garlic for Colds & Flu                                     

The cold weather will be approaching us soon and so will those nasty colds and influenza! I have read an excellent book called the “Garlic Cure” by the authors James F. Scheer, Lynn Allison and Charlie Fox. There has been a lot of research done on garlic and in particular aged garlic. It can be aged by a home formula, however, it has to be left on the shelf for a minimum of six months and it is better after three years. Aged garlic is made as a supplement by The Wakunaga Company and is called Kyolic.

The reason aged garlic is better than raw is because of the unique sulfur compound called S-allyImercaptocysteine –SAMC. Studies have shown that SAMC decreases the production of certain proteins that cause harm. This is only a brief overview of how it works and for more information you can usually pick the book up from the library.

‘When a influenza epidemic swept across the Soviet Union in 1965, a 500 ton of emergency supply of garlic was airlifted in, and government controlled  newspapers in Moscow and other major cities urged the people to eat more garlic because of its ability to prevent contacting the flu’ (p.4). 

It is the trace element selenium in garlic that contributes to a healthy immune system.

Research has shown that garlic is also an anti-fatigue remedy. ‘Test of energy and endurance have carried out on mice and those given the supplement of Kyolic performed 50% better than those without’ (p.7). “Egyptian laborers who constructed the Great Pyramid at Giza were issued a daily supply of garlic to renew their energy’ (p.6). 

 

Studies have shown that taking Kyolic Aged Garlic daily strengthens the liver and its functions, assuring enough transferase enzymes, and antioxidants to protect the liver cells from free radicals’ (p.12).

Research has also indicated that the intake of aged garlic extract can reduce stress (p.53).

Researchers have discovered that slowing prostate cancer by as much as 70% required ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the aged, liquid garlic extract taken two times daily with meals (p.20).

‘Dr Weiner, PH.D. has written that garlic and onion contains over 75 different sulfur containing compounds as well as “the bioflavonoids, quercetin and cyaniding”.

Aged garlic also includes the following: 18 amino acids, including every essential one, vitamin A, B-1, B-2, niacin, B-6, B-12, folic acid, C, and E: the minerals calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, sulfur -  many forms – and zinc as well as enzymes, fllavonoids, fructans, nucleosides, saponins, sterols and various other nutrients and health promoting properties: fructosil arginine, carbolines, s-allyl and s-allylmercaptocysteine’ (p.78).

‘Actually, aged garlic has some influence on an entire alphabetic list of ailments, as demonstrated by anecdotal evidence, clinical research, double-blind studies and much of the biochemical investigation reported in this book’.

Alzheimer’s disease, Breast cancer, Candida albicans, Diabetes, Type 11, Ear infections, Fever and fungus, Gout, Heart disease, Heitis, Jaundice, Kidney ailments, Leprosy and Lupus, Meningitis, Neuritis, Otis media, Pneumonia, Queasiness, Rheumatism, rhinitis,, Sinusitis, Typhoid fever, Urinary ailments, Vaginitis, Worms, Yeast infections, Zits’ (p.18).

In meantime you can use the raw garlic by chopping up 2 cloves and spreading it over your food, or on toast or bread as garlic butter. It will help to boost your immune system and stave off the colds and flu.

The Book “The Garlic Cure” also has healthy recipes including garlic and herbs and they are very easy to make.     

Reference: Garlic Cure. James F. Scheer, Lynn Allison and Charlie Fox. 2002.

To comment on this post go to this link

  

                                                           

                                                                   Fresh Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm’s lemony flavour makes it a favourite in a variety of culinary dishes. The fresh leaves make an attractive garnish and can be used to flavour to salads, fruit salads, herb butters, oils, soups, casseroles, chicken and fish. It is best to add the fresh Lemon Balm at the end of cooking for a few minutes to retain the flavour and nutrients. Make sure when fresh herbs are used in recipes for infused oils that they are rinsed and dried otherwise mould may be caused by water left on the herbs. A few fresh leaves can be used in place of lemon, peel and lemon grass in most recipes. Fresh Lemon Balm has a stronger lemony flavour than the dried version.

                                                      

                                                               Recipe

          Lemon Balm Tea (with fresh or dried leaf)

• 1 heaped tablespoon of dried leaves
• 2 tablespoons of fresh leaves for each cup of boiling water

    (or make sun tea by placing herbs and cool water in covered

     jar in the sun for a few hours), strain, add honey and/or lemon. 1

 Read all about Lemon Balm and find more recipes here

Reference

1. The Epicentre. Encyclopedia of Spices. Lemon Balm. Accessed online May 2, 2010 at 2.21 pm.                                                                              http://www.theepicentre.com