4 Herbs for Home Use

4 Herbs for Home Use

Written by: Jill Spirithorse

Different Methods of Treatment

Topically – Applied directly to wounds or used in a poultice (a soft, moist mass of material, typically of plant material, applied to the body to relieve soreness and inflammation and kept in place with a cloth.).

In Capsule Form – for consistent dosage.

Tea – Such as chamomile which is very relaxing and soothing to help you fall asleep. Is effective when used during times of upper respiratory distress, sore throat, etc.

(Avoid Chamomile if you have allergies to the Daisy Family)

Cooking and garnishes – Of course using herbs in your prepared meals, such as sage and rosemary are often used on poultry.

Aromatherapy – Ex. Rosemary can boost memory.

There is absolutely no substitute for a well-balanced diet. These herbal preparations are meant to work in harmony with a nutritious diet. The four specific herbs I will cover in this article include hawthorn, echinacea, sage, and raspberry Leaf.

 Why Herbs? 

Farmacy or Pharmacy? Your Choice!

The truth is, our bodies and nature work best together, when in a natural rhythm. This way we can give ourselves and the planet a chance to heal.

When we start creating GMO crops used in agriculture or creating new chemistry combinations, it usually comes with unexpected and dangerous consequences for health.

Take a look at a prescription drug side effects list and you’ll understand. One prescription leads to another to treat the side effect of the first drug you were prescribed.

Pretty much all our ailments can be healed through proper alignment of mind, body and spirit by living in harmony with natural rhythms. Even your genetics are expressed according to what you eat, drink, breathe and think.

• Muscle pain and damage – The most common statin side effect is muscle pain. You may feel this pain as a soreness, tiredness or weakness in your muscles. The pain can be mild discomfort, or it can be severe enough to make your daily activities difficult. For example, you might find climbing stairs or walking to be uncomfortable or tiring.
• Very rarely, statins can cause life-threatening muscle damage called rhabdomyolysis (rab-doe-mi-OL-ih-sis). Rhabdomyolysis can cause severe muscle pain, liver damage, kidney failure and death. Rhabdomyolysis can occur when you take statins in combination with certain drugs or if you take a high dose of statins.
• Liver damage –  Contact your doctor immediately if you have unusual fatigue or weakness, loss of appetite, pain in your upper abdomen, dark-colored urine, or yellowing of your skin or eyes.
• Digestive problems –  Some people taking a statin may develop nausea, gas, diarrhea or constipation after taking a statin.
• Rash or flushing
• Increased blood sugar or type 2 diabetes  – It’s possible your blood sugar (blood glucose) level may increase when you take a statin, which may lead to developing type 2 diabetes.
• Neurological side effects – The FDA warns on statin labels that some people have developed memory loss or confusion while taking statins.

The proceeding was a selection of an actual side effect list for Statin Drugs often used to treat high cholesterol.

There is a NATURAL solution…

Hawthorn

• This herb has been used medicinally for the heart since the first century.
• Extracts of hawthorn berries, leaves and blossoms also contain compounds that have a tonic effect on the heart and vascular system.
• Hawthorn tea is good for nervous tension and sleeplessness.
• Hawthorn has been studied for its use in treating health concerns related to the heart and blood vessels.

This includes…

• Congestive Heart Failure
• Irregular Heartbeat
• Chest Pain
• Low and High Blood Pressure
• Angina
• High Cholesterol

A meta-analysis based on data from 14 studies concluded that a hawthorn extract offers “significant benefit” as a treatment of chronic heart failure. Specifically, symptoms including shortness of breath and fatigue were significantly alleviated. Avoid if you have Allergies to the Hawthorn plant.

Echinacea

• It is also known as the American coneflower. They are found only in eastern and central North America, where they are found growing in moist to dry prairies and open wooded areas.
• Echinacea is a very popular herb and people commonly take it to combat the flu and colds. It is in the daisy family – if you have allergies to the daisy family avoid its use.

Other Benefits Include…

• Cleansing and Purifying the blood.
• Reduces Fever.
• Clears Acne, Eczema, Boils, sores, infections and also used to help speed up recovery of wounds.
• Eliminates Inflammation in the Intestines and stomach.
• Topical Remedy for bites and stings of insects.
• Tea is a Good Mouth Gargle for Oral Health and Tonsillitis

4 Herbs for Home Use

• Myrrh amplifies these healing properties when paired with Echinacea.
  

Sage

We know the Spiritual Properties, let’s cover Mental and Physical…

Healing Properties…

• Good gargle for tonsillitis or ulcers in the throat and mouth.
• One of the best remedies for stomach troubles, gas in the stomach and bowels.
• Helps Stabilize and Control Blood Glucose (Sugar)
• Useful in Liver and Kidney troubles.
• Will stop bleeding of wounds and is very cleansing to old ulcers and sores.
• Wounds heal faster when washed with Sage tea.
• Tea is good for Measles.
• Very Soothing to the Nervous System.
• Will relieve headaches.
• Will make hair grow, if roots have not been destroyed.
• Tea is good for a Dandruff Remedy.
• Good for all kinds of Lung trouble, colds, flu, asthma, coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia.
• Good for relaxation and sleep.
• Anti- Inflammatory

Raspberry Leaf

Known as the women’s herb. The specific combination of nutrients in raspberry leaf makes it extremely beneficial for the female reproductive system.

It is naturally high in magnesium, potassium, iron and b-vitamins which make it.

• Helpful for nausea, leg cramps, and improving sleep during pregnancy.
• It strengthens the uterus and pelvic muscles.
• Helps ease the symptoms of PMS, endometriosis, and it is helpful for couples who are trying to conceive.

A strong raspberry leaf tea or tincture will also…

• Sooth sunburn, eczema, and rashes when used externally.
• Swishing with a tincture or infusion of Raspberry Leaf is great for the gums and can help alleviate the symptoms of gingivitis or gum disease.

Methods of Acquiring

For smaller amounts like tea, you can find good quality affordable brands, such as Traditional Medicinals Tea, in most grocery stores. I prefer to blend my own. To blend your own, you can organically grow your own or wild harvest. You can also buy in bulk from a good reputable herb wholesaler. Always buy organic herbs and avoid countries of origin that include China and Japan.

Don’t Like the Taste? Try Capsules…

There are some pre-filled supplements on the market but for a good quality one, they can get very expensive and sometimes those still contain fillers.

With a wise investment in a capsule machine, in the size of your choice, you can make many of your own supplements. You can make larger quantities, for very little cost. This method also provides a steady dosage for those treating chronic health conditions.

To fill your own capsules…

• Capsule Machine (I use size “00”)
• Corresponding Size Empty Capsules
• Bulk Herbs
• Glass Container
• Clean kitchen counter surface.
• Kitchen Scale

If you plan to use herbs in food and prepared dishes…

Try buying living herbs which can be found in some grocery stores or try growing your own! 

If you are going to use them in cooking is to purchase organic fresh cut or dried herbs.

Herb Options

• Fresh cut
• Living herb plants
• Dried
• Essential Oils (properly diluted, not for consumption)
• Supplement Capsules

Ways to Improve Body’s Absorption of Helpful Herbs

• Take with Coconut Oil 1 tsp. with a meal.
• Black or Cayenne Pepper. Use on your food or put a small percentage in your capsules or tea.
• Take or incorporate with a meal and consume plenty of water.
• Eat a well balanced natural diet.
• Herbs are helpful but work at full capacity when the body is getting proper nutrients through diet.

Chemically Treated vs. Organic Herbs

Unlike other crops sprayed with pesticides and herbicides. Herbs are often not washed at all before they are dried or sold fresh to consumers for consumption or in supplement form.

So conventionally grown herbs and spices maintain close to 100% of the chemicals that were used to grow them.

Organic is your best bet.

Important Factors to Consider Before Buying Herbs!

Country of Origin. ex. China, Japan.

Heavy Metal Contamination, such as Lead & Mercury, is Common in China due to lax Environmental Regulations and many factories producing toxic waste, that often pollutes the water supplies used for irrigation on farms, this includes organic products from China. It’s Estimated that 90% of China’s Rivers are severely polluted, which are often used as sources for irrigation.

Since Japan’s Nuclear Disaster in 2011, Extremely High Levels of Radiation have been released into Japan’s air, water and soil.

The U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Middle-East and some parts in Asia have tighter regulations on the environmental standards and organic labeling of herbs and food products. These are usually good countries or origin to look for!

If you would like advice about using herbal medicine, consult an expert in botanical medicine.

Dr. Andrew Lucking is a great Naturopathic Doctor located in Minneapolis.

Disclaimer: Everything I have said here was researched of my own volition. I am not a Doctor or Nurse and can not give you medical advice. I can share with you my experience and research on what has worked for me and many others for hundreds of years. However, As I stated earlier, These Remedies are most effective when sources of human toxins ( i.e. neglectful food choices, toxic cleaning agents around your home) are eliminated.

Sources

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-sage.html

www.drweil.com/drw/u/REM00040/Hawthorn-Dr-Weils-Herbal-Remedies.html

Kloss, Jethro. Back To Eden. Lotus Press; Enlarged 2nd edition (January 21, 2004)

Learn More:

http://natural-herbal-remedies.net/medicinal-plants-and-their-uses/