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Making your life greener - one bite at a time.

They are infused with life force which imparts and extra factor missing in synthetic vitamins and drugs. On the whole, herbal remedies are inexpensive, readily available and can be prepared at home or by 'cottage industry'.

Herbs contain naturally balanced levels of vitamins, minerals, trace elements, alkaloids and other active constituents, which all work together harmoniously in a potent but balanced way.

Rudolf Steiner said that plants are neither too easy to assimilate, as are animal products, leading to a lazy digestive system, nor too hard to assimilate, as are minerals, leading to possible harmful mineral build-up in the body.

Making your own herbal remedies, ensures maximum freshness and quality, which is often missed in commercial preperations.Using pure, unsprayed, organically grown or wild-crafted herbs which are not readily available on the commercial market.

Daily infusions of nourishing herbs such as nettle, raspberry leaf, oatstraw, and lemon balm are a wonderful way to add extra nutrients to your diet. We commonly turn to herbs in times of imbalance - but the use of herbs can also be a wonderful preventative ally.

Children and toddlers can benefit from them as a healthy alternative to sugary juice drinks. Herbs that help tame stress and anxiety can also play a huge part in keeping our systems in balance.

A convenient way to prepare your daily brews is to make them in the evening and let them steep overnight. In the morning you can strain out the plant material and refrigerate your infusion if desired, or carry it with you to drink throughout the day.

You can customize your daily brews based on specific needs. Following are some basic recipe ideas. As you learn more about specific herbs you can decide which ones best nourish your specific constitution.

Anemia Prevention Brew

1/4 0unce dried yellow dock root

Handful of dried nettle leaves

Handful of dried parsley leaves

A few pinches of dried Spearmint leaves

Combine herbs in a quart-size canning jar and fill with boiling water. Cover tightly and let it steep overnight. The Yellow Dock, Nettle and Parsley are all great sources of highly assimilable iron and the spearmint gives it a refreshing, minty taste.

Calcium-Rich Brew

Handful dried nettle leaves

Handful dried horsetail

Handful dried oatstraw

Combine herbs in a quart-size canning jar and fill with boiling water. Cover tightly and let it steep overnight.

Mineral Boosting Brew

Handful dried alfalfa leaves

Handful dried nettle leaves

1/2 handful dried oatstraw leaves

1/2 handful dried parsley leaves

Combine herbs in a quart-size canning jar and fill with boiling water. Cover tightly and let it steep overnight

A gentle remedy that is safe and soothing for children suffering from coughs and cold symptoms.
 
2 tablespoons dried chamomile

2 tablespoons dried elderflowers

1 teaspon dried hyssop

Mix all the herbs together and store in an airtight container

To make the tea.Place 2 teaspoons of the mixture in a non-metallic teapot.

Pour over 2 cups boiling pure water. Allow to steep for 5 minutes.

Strain add lemon juice to taste if desired.

Children 18 months - 3 years offer 1/4 to 1/2 cup of tea daily.

Over 3 years - offer up to 1 1/2 cups of tea per day.

Not suitable for children under the age of 18 months.

Any remaining tea may be stored in a covered jug in the refrigerator for up to 2 days, then must be discarded.

Joint Pain

Rosemary oil is a recognized treatment for joint pain and poor circulation in European countries such as Germany. A generous pinch of fresh or dried leaves, when used in teas and food would be good enough. But experts warn over the overdose of the herb, as too much of rosemary could increase blood pressure levels.

Migraines

Basil (Tulsi) helps in calming nervous irritability. The analgesic effect that basil provides, help relive tension headaches, and migraines. Infuse a handful of freshly chopped basil in a pint of water for 20 minutes. Strain and divide into two or three doses and drink as soon as the pain begins. Continue to drink this solution throughout the day. However, experts warn that the use of basil should be avoided during the initial 20 weeks of pregnancy, due to the possibility of a miscarriage.

Natural Antiseptic, Antibiotics and Antifungal...

Salt Water

As strange as this sounds, salt water is a highly effective antibiotic. Apart from organisms evolved to live in salty water, it is highly lethal to a large variety of common microbes. Next time you need to treat a sore throat, try gargling twice a day with a solution made from a teaspoon of salt dissolved in 300ml of lukewarm water. You will be amazed at the efficacy of this basic treatment. It goes without saying that salt water can be used as a topical treatment for other bacterial infections - just apply to the affected part for a few minutes at least twice a day.
 
Echinacea is another excellent  herb which both stimulates the immune system and inhibits growth of bacteria, viruses and fungi. These properties make Echinacea the ideal herb for treating infection and reducing inflammation.

Over 500 scientific studies have documented the effectiveness of this herb.

Echinacea

Is most often used for ear aches, strep throat and lymph gland problems. This herb is also known for helping to reduce the severity of cold and flu symptoms, and for lessening the duration of the illness during cold and flu season.

Fungal Infections

Tabebuia Impetiginosa (Pau d'arco bark) contains the active constituents Lapachol and Beta-lapachone, so known as naphthaquinones. Laboratory tests have demonstrated that both Lapachol and Beta-lapachone have anti-fungal properties as potent as the common antifungal drugs used to balance yeast levels in the body.

Goldenseal root is a highly effective antiseptic and antibiotic. It contains a compound called berberine which kills a wide range of germs including many types of bacteria, fungi such as those that cause candida (yeast) infections and ringworm, viruses, and various parasites such as tapeworms and Giardia. Berberine may also activate white blood cells, making them more effective at fighting infection and strengthening the immune system. For these reasons, berberine is used as an antibiotic and disinfectant, both externally and internally.

The usual dose is a third of a teaspoon with 1 glass of water, 3 times daily.

Note that like pharmaceutical antibiotics, Goldenseal should not be taken over a long period of time because it will also affect healthy bacteria. One can compensate by adding yoghurt or Acidophilus to the diet.

Garlic is considered by many to be a natural antibiotic, helping the body's auto-immune system cope with bacterial infection.

Garlic can also be used on the outside of your body, as an external topical application. This works wonderfully for killing fungus infections such as athlete's foot, vaginal yeast infections, and oral thrush. It is also effective as a treatment against staphylococcus and E. coli bacteria.

Garlic is another excellent aid in boosting the body's defences against the so-called winter ills and chills. Contains allicin, a powerful antibacterial and anti-fungal compound which gives garlic its hot and burning flavour. Contemporary studies reveal that it is a potent antimicrobial agent that effectively destroys drug-resistant bacteria. Raw garlic is a natural food that destroys harmful intestinal bacteria, leaving the intestinal flora intact to digest food.

Garlic Syrup

Peel and mince 1 lb. fresh organic garlic. Place in a wide mouth jar. Add equal parts of vinegar and distilled water to just cover the garlic. Close tightly, shake well and let stand for 4 days. Shake the container at least twice daily during this time. Add 1 pint of vegetable glycerine, shake well and let stand another day. Force through strainer. Filter liquid through linen cloth. For topical application use as is. If given as an oral medication add organic honey and stir until blended.

An alternative to the above recipe is to replace the vinegar in the recipe above with the following liquid, add 3 oz of powdered caraway seeds and 3 oz of sweet fennel seed to one quart of vinegar. Boil for 15 minutes closely covered. Strain and cool.

Garlic Paste

Peel and mash one raw organic garlic clove. Apply directly to bee stings or other inflamed insect bites or stings.

Garlic Plaster

Peel and mash several cloves into a paste. Spread onto cheesecloth or muslin. Fold to close. Apply to skin, taking care that the raw garlic does not come in contact with skin. This is useful for fungal rashes or boils.

Garlic Compress

Boil water. Peel and chop several cloves of organic garlic. Add to boiling water, turn off the heat, cover and steep for 15 minutes. Cool to less than 180 degrees. Soak small soft cloth in the liquid, wring slightly and apply. Cover with a dry towel and leave until the warmth is no longer felt. Replace with new warm cloth and repeat until tingling is detected (about 30 minutes). Useful for fungal rashes or boils. One resource says that this is effective for muscle spasms as well.

Ear Ache Remedy

Make garlic oil by slicing a peeled clove of organic garlic into a small quantity of olive oil. Heat briefly. Cool and strain to remove the chunks. Apply a few drops of warm garlic oil extract into affected ear and seal with a small bit of cotton.

Garlic Syrup can be used for cough and associated syptoms

One teaspoon. every 15 minutes until spasm is controlled followed by one teaspoon every 2-3 hours for the remainder of the day, then one teaspoon 3-4 times per day.

Garlic was the principal ingredient of the famous 'four thieves vinegar' is said to have originated with four thieves who confessed that they were able to rob the dead bodies of the victims of the plague while protecting themselves from infection by the liberal use of aromatic garlic vinegar.

Colds and Chills

Winter is the season for the 'common cold' and associated ills and chills. The use of herbs you can grow and pick yourself, along with an appropriate diet, rest and exercise, will go a long way to ensure you remain in good health through winter and early spring.

The simple combinations of peppermint, elderflowers and yarrow in equal parts, taken as a tea or tincture, will help to alleviate colds, fever and influenza.
Steep one heaped teaspoon of the dried herb mixture to one cup of boiling water in a teapot for 20 minutes. Can sweeten with a dash of organic honey or maple syrup if desired. Drink as hot as possible.

Peppermint is rich in volatile oils, including menthol, which help to relieve congestion in the head or chest.

For fevers, peppermint tea alone is very beneficial, but its effect is increased when taken with elderflowers.

Peppermint also helps to allay nausea, as well as being a soothing sedative to induce relaxation and sleep. It is only a mild sedative, however, and will not deal with persistent insomnia on its own.

The flowers of the elder tree (Sambucus nigra) work extremely well in combination with peppermint in the treatment of colds and fevers.
The elderflowers are rich in the mineral salt potassium chloride, a vital salt for dealing with the congestive of second stage of colds, flu and fevers.
Elderflowers are relaxing, calming and blood purifying, also help to induce perspiration.

Yarrow is a tonic and stimulant, serving to reinforce the body's vitality and strength.
It is useful in mild fevers. Yarrow contains the mineral salt iron phosphate (Ferrum Phos.), which is specific to control fever and inflammation. Iron phosphate is especially effective in treating infections, colds, flus and fevers aggravated by bacteria.

For a sore throat, take one tablespoon of garden sage, preferably red or purple sage. Add one teaspoonful cayenne pepper. Steep in a teapot with half a pint of boiling water for 20 minutes. Strain add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, two tablespoons sea salt and two tablespoons of organic honey. Gargle 4 -12 times daily and drink a tablespoon or two as often as needed.

Finally, don't forget your vitamin C intake when you feel a cold, fever or flu coming on. Apples, capsicum(bell pepper), blackcurrant, blueberries, cranberries, cherry, guava, goji berries, sapote, citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, and rose hips to name a few that have a high concentration of vitamin C. With fever, especially for young children, the fresh water from a young coconut is short of a miracle!

Nothing stated here should be considered as medical advice for dealing with a given problem. You should consult your health care professional for individual guidance for specific health problems. This page is for informational and educational purposes only, and is simply a collection of information in the public domain. Information conveyed herein is based on pharmacological and other records - both ancient and modern. No claims whatsoever can be made as to the specific benefits accruing from the use of any herb or nutrients.