Before pharmacies and drug stores were created, there were apothecaries. Aphotecaries dispensed medicines, including herbal remedies and often functioned as pharmacists and doctors. Their skills with herbs made them reliable resources for people seeking healing from any ailment. Apothecary gardens provided herbs to aid healing. The art of apothecary continues in this modern era. Herbalists today grow their own herbs and treat ailments just as their foremothers-and fathers.
In anticipation of how busy our family will be in the coming weeks and months, and in between packing, I have been working on adding to our family's herbal apothecary. In fact, I spent this past weekend making a few items and thought it would be a good idea to share my progress with you in the hopes that it encourages you to want do the same for your family.
One only needs to look at the most recent "news" headlines to be reminded of the fact that things are changing very quickly. Now more than ever families are realizing the need to take concrete steps towards becoming MORE self-sufficient in all areas of life, but especially where our health and wellness is concerned. And that basically means that we must take responsibility for ourselves and our families because the harsh reality is that no one is coming to save us... no one! So as we continue see the theater show play itself out, we should not be distracted but rather be focused on what steps we need to take towards self-preservation. Ask yourself "how prepared is my family, not IF but WHEN we have little (to no) access to supermarkets, pharmacies, etc.?" Your family's future well-being will depend on your response.
One aspect of self-preservation and self-sufficiency involves taking responsibility for our health NOW. And one of the ways we can be prepared is by gathering herbal remedies that we can rely on for maintaining wellness now and have them available for when minor illnesses strike. This is again only one of the many steps towards being self-sufficient, but it is one that is certainly worth taking seriously as so many questionable laws are being implemented at record speed.
I encourage you to become familiar and gain basic knowledge in the preparation and usage of herbs. Having a collection and knowledge of herbs and essential oils will allow you to create everything from remedies for headaches to homemade face moisturizers that not only saves money in the long run but ensures your long term health as you are not assaulting your body with toxic chemicals and hormone disruptors. You can create herbal teas, salves, tinctures, syrups, liniments, poultices and more. Some of these herbal remedies can be stored for months and even years, depending on the carrier used.
Basic Herbs and Their Uses
You likely have some of these growing on your yard or land and don't even know it. If you do not, you can find these herbs at Mountain Rose Herbs or online. You can use them fresh instead of dried, but you will want to double the amount since dried herbs are more concentrated than fresh.
- Lavender- anti-inflammatory, soothing, insect repellent, soothes headaches, aids sleep and relaxation.
- Peppermint- fever reducer, good for digestion, invigorating.
- Spearmint- aids digestion, reduces bloating, antioxidant, invigorating.
- Milk Thistle- promotes liver function, gallbladder, detox, lowers cholesterol, antioxidant.
- Elderberries- treats flu.
- Fennel- good for digestion and bloating, diuretic, flea repellent, soothes coughs.
- Rosemary- memory, circulation, anti-carcinogenic.
- Chamomile- Soothing, good for digestion, colds, aids sleep.
- Nettle- high in protein, iron and vitamins.
- Ginger- nausea, diarrhea, digestion, arthritis, soothing, treats inflammation.
- Calendula -internally for digestive disorders like gastritis, esophagitis or colitis, rheumatic disorders, gynecological problems, externally for skin disorders like eczema, acne, minor burns, sunburn, fungal infections, thrush .
- Hyssop -for bronchitis, coughs, fevers, flu, chesty colds, antiviral.
- Cayenne -circulatory stimulant, tonic for the heart, digestive aid, endorphins releasor, rich in Vit A and C, supports immune system, topical pain reliever for arthritis, bursitis, muscle and joint aches.
My Favorite Essential Oils
I will be the first to admit that high quality essential oils are not cheap. But I consider them an investment in my family's long-term health and over the years I have accumulated a diverse selection that I have come to rely on for our family's wellness. I personally prefer to use Young Living essential oils especially when the essential oil will be used internally. However a great source for essential oils is Mountain Rose Herbs. Whatever your choice, just be certain that the essential oils you purchase are of superior quality and that they are therapeutic grade and do not include fragrance oils.
- Grapefruit- energizing, brightens dull skin and harm dilutes toxic build up, helps with water retention
- Lemon- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, detoxifying, energizing, brightens dull skin
- Orange- antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, diuretic, aphrodisiac, detoxifies, boosts immunity
- Clary Sage- mild antidepressant, astringent, aphrodisiac, digestive, sedative
- Rosemary- antibacterial, hair growth, mental activity, respiratory problems, pain reducer
- Lavender- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, calms anxiety, blood circulation and respiration,
- Peppermint- indigestion, respiratory problems, headaches, nausea
- Spearmint- antibacterial, anti fungal, insect repellent, restorative, stimulant
- Eucalyptus- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, decongestant, stimulating
- Tea Tree- antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, insecticide, stimulant, helps with wounds healing, detox, relieves pain
Carriers
The carriers noted below are relatively inexpensive and easy to find and with the exception of the Vodka, can be found here.
- Vodka (80% to 100% proof)- for tinctures and aromatherapy mists
- Coconut, Almond or Olive Oil- for salves and balms
- Vegetable glycerin - for tinctures
- Raw apple cider vinegar - for tinctures
- Raw Honey- for syrups and oxymels
- Beeswax- for salves and balms
Recommended Books To Get You Started
I strongly recommend that you acquire at least one good reference book for learning how to brew and blend your herbs. There are many available online and at your local library. I have also found quite a few excellent herbal books at our local thrift store for practically nothing. Some of my personal favorites that I refer to often are listed below.
I accomplished much this weekend, but I still have a few to add to my ever growing list. I plan to get these done within the next two weeks. Here is a quick list of the ones I still have to complete:
Chickweed tincture - for cysts (esp. ovarian cysts), infections, dissolves and consumes bacteria.
Stinging Nettle tincture - for adrenals and kidneys.
Oat straw tincture - for the endocrine system.
Burdock root tincture - blood purifier, tonic for liver, lungs, stomach, uterus, joints, kidneys.
Prostate Tonic tincture - I will be using a combination of herbs that nourish and protect the prostate gland
Deep Sleep tincture - This will be formulated using herbs that help relieve insomnia.
Children's Stress tincture - I will use a combination of herbs that are safe for children to produce a gentle calming remedy for stressful or challenging times.
All of this information may seem overwhelming at first, but the intention is to at the very least get you thinking about it. Start thinking about the positive effects that doing this can have on your family. To get started all you really need are some basic herbs, essential oils and various carriers that will allow you to take advantage of their healing and soothing uses. Getting started is usually the most challenging part, but I promise you that once you do, you will wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
NOTE: This information is not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Keep all herbs out of reach of children and pets. Special care should be taken by pregnant and/or lactating women when handling herbs.
I find that sometimes the most nourishing foods are also the most simple and easy to make. Butternut squash is one of my favorite winter squashes. Not only is it savory and rich in flavor but its nutritional benefits are note worthy. It is full of Vitamin A (1 cup of butternut squash provides 160% of the RDA), it is high in Vitamin C, Manganese, Calcium, Magnesium and Potassium. It is truly the perfect comfort food as the cold weather slowly starts to set in. I had some butternut squash on hand and wanted to come up with a fuss free meal. My family was quite pleased with the results. This soup was so creamy and light that everyone couldn't stop at just one bowl. The addition of ginger made it spicy, warming and healing, while the coconut milk added an amazingly sweet and velvety texture.
This recipe is VERY forgiving. Feel free to experiment by incorporating your favorite spices and making it your own!
Ingredients:
Organic Butternut Squash (cubed into medium pieces) - 20 oz.
White onion - 1/2 cup
One large garlic clove
Organic coconut milk* - 1 can
Cumin - 1/4 Tsp
Seal salt - 1 Tsp
Raw butter (if you do not have access to raw butter use regular butter - never margarine!) - 2 Tablespoons
Fresh ginger - 2 Tablespoons
Optional for garnish:
Cilantro (finely chopped)
Coconut (shredded)
This made 4 bowls
Step 1 - Melt butter in a large saucepan over medium heat. Cook onion until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Add ginger, garlic, sea salt and cubed butternut squash; cook stirring occasionally for about 8 minutes. Reduce heat and allow to cook until squash is tender.
Step 2 - Allow cooked butternut squash to cool. Place butternut squash into Vitamix or blender. Add coconut milk and cumin. Cover and blend.
(*You can adjust how thick you want the soup by adding more or less coconut milk).
Serve and garnish with freshly chopped cilantro and shredded coconut. Enjoy and do share your results if you decide to try it!
I have been experimenting with herbal rinses for the last several weeks and must say that I truly love the results. Beautiful and healthy hair depends on a healthy scalp. Herbal rinses are great for every hair type. They are very simple to make and add extra nutrition that nourish the scalp, while adding to your hair's natural vitality. Another added benefit is the shine, conditioning effect and healthy appearance they provide to your hair.
Comfrey for instance, has a conditioning effect on the hair and scalp, as it is rich in an extract, allantoin, that helps to encourage natural cellular regeneration. Calendula soothes the scalp and is an excellent rinse for hair. Horsetail is rich in silica and is a traditional remedy used to restore vitality and shine to lackluster hair. Rosemary is a shine booster and encourages hair growth.
One of my favorite combinations (and the one shown above and to the left) is that of nettle, rosemary, chamomile, calendula and horsetail.
Instructions:
1) I infused my selected herbs with 2 cups of boiling water in a bowl.
2) I then allowed the herbs to stand and cool for about 20 minutes, then strained. Instead of discarding the herbs you can use them in your compost.
3)I added the strained liquid to my scalp as I used my frizzy hair shampoo bar. (If you use liquid shampoo you can add the liquid to your liquid shampoo up to a maximum ratio of 50 percent. Remember that the more you add, the thinner the shampoo will be).
4) I used the excess infusion as a final rinse.
This herbal hair tonic can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week.
After my raw ginger cookie fiasco, I am happy to report that the raw cheese recipe I said I was going to attempt was a culinary success. After looking at what seemed like a hundred different recipes online, I decided to go with this super easy one. It was extremely quick to make and I just love how versatile it is. You can serve this raw cheese sauce as a dip or a spread or you can form the cheese into a ball. To make a cheese ball, simply refrigferate it for an hour, coat it in chopped nuts, herbs or anything you like. Serve with crackers and enjoy!
I will definitely be making this one again!
Don’t you just love those foodie blogs that contain awesome recipes and gorgeous photos? You know, the ones with the images that not only make you drool but give you a jolt of confidence in believing that you too can accomplish such a masterpiece. Truth be told, I love real food. In fact, I consider myself a culinary enthusiast and love eating real food as much as I enjoy making it. I have an expansive and diverse palate, but am drawn to recipes that are simple and uncomplicated. And while I love to cook, baking (or in this instance, raw dessert making) is definitely not my forte. But for some odd reason I still like to try, perhaps thinking that it will come to me with time.
Last week, I came across this awesome looking raw cookie recipe. It had all of my favorite things (ginger, cardamom, coconut, flax seeds). And more importantly, it looked simple - my #1 criteria for attempting anything new in the kitchen. I was determined to try it with my daughter this weekend. We rarely consume white flour, so I thought this would be the perfect treat for all of us. I was pleased to see that I had most of the ingredients on hand and only had to venture out to get the Coconut Manna (btw, if you haven’t tried it yet, you should… it is to die for!).
So we get started with the prepping. Everything was going well. That is, until I realized that I couldn’t find the raw coconut flakes I thought I had. You see, we are moving in a few weeks and everything that is not used daily has been packed away. I went through at least 5 boxes in an attempt to find them, before I decided to run out and get more. So I return with my coconut flakes and we continue our adventure. Then my Vitamix decides to burn out on me. This usually happens when I am dealing with dry ingredients while using the wet blade. That should have been my que to stop, but I am not a quitter. I gave the Vitamix a few minutes to rest and continued. We finally mixed the dough and proceeded to the next step. We now had the task of flattening out the dough with a rolling-pin and cutting it into pretty little shapes. Easy enough, right? Then I suddenly remembered that …yep!...the cookie cutters are also packed away. “No problem”, I said to my daughter, “we’ll just improvise”. And improvise we did, and when it was all said and done we ended up with … um… raw cookie crumb.
My assistant refused to even try the cookies. To her defense, she is very picky and if something does not look “right” (and let's face it, these "cookies" did not look right) she will not try it. But my 3-year-old son is more adventurous. He tried a piece (I mean a crumb) and gave it thumbs up. Ok, he actually gave it ONE thumb up but that made it all worth it.
There is no moral to this story. And my outcome is in no way a reflection of the recipe itself. The raw cookie dough IS absolutely delicious. So good in fact that it is almost all gone and I plan to freeze the rest and eat it with ice cream. I would like to think that this recipe would have turned out better for me if I had my cookie cutters or if my Vitamix had not behaved so badly, but why kid myself? And in case you are wondering, no, I probably will not be attempting this again. I don’t know about you, but I only like repeating recipes I am mildly successful with. However, if this recipe appeals to you I hope you try it and let me know how it worked out for you. Considering my huge fail, I can at least live vicariously through your success.
P.S. - I am planning on making a raw cheese sauce tomorrow for dinner. It is not dessert, so I am quite optimistic. I will let you know how it goes.
In my early to mid 20s I had a long love affair with hair gel and mousse. They were my favorite go to products when I wanted to get that coveted “wet look” that was so in back then. I was seriously hooked on Stiff Stuff. There, I said it. Unfortunately, I did not become informed on the dangerous ingredients found in styling and beauty products until much later in my womanhood. I was painfully made aware of their damaging effect on my reproductive health when I decided to start a family. I often think back on the many health sacrifices I made, all for the sake of looking good.
According to the Environmental Working Group the most toxic styling gels contain cetereth-25, methylparaben, PEG-8 Methicone, PEG-7 Glyceryl cocoate, and fragrance. Of all the ingredients listed, fragrance is one of the most harmful. According to Environmental Working Group, fragrance has moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity. Other ingredients have evidence of neuroticism, allergies or immunosystem toxicity, organ system toxicity and biochemical or cellular level changes. The most toxic hair styling gel on the database is Pantene Pro-V Frizz Control Treatment. One ingredient listed is DMDM Hydantoin, which, among other known hazards, is a human skin toxicant.
Fortunately for me and my children, I know better now. And as they say, “when you know better you do better”. Yes, knowledge (when applied) IS power! So today, I am going to share with you how you can very easily make your own hair gel using two natural ingredients, <strong>at a fraction of the cost</strong> when compared to toxic commercial gels. This gel is great for ALL hair types, but especially for those with curly, frizzy or natural hair.
If you are a DIYer you already know that making your own products at home can be very rewarding. Doing so can have a positive effect on our health and on the environment because as we reduce the amount of chemicals we put into our bodies, we also reduce the amount of chemicals being released into the atmosphere and consequently, into our water supply. And this is definitely a good thing! So I do hope you give this simple recipe a try.
What you will need:
¼ organic raw flax seeds*
2 cups of filtered/spring water
white knee-high stocking
small pot
spoon
thongs
glass jar
(optional) herbs (I am using fresh Rosemary here, but you do not have to use herbs at all. If you would like to use herbs but do not have access to fresh herbs you can use an herbal tea bag of your choice).
(optional) You will note that I am also enhancing my gel by adding 1 tsp of jojoba oil, 1 tsp of castor oil, ¼ tsp Vitamin E, ¼ tsp of Rosemary essential oil. (*Make sure you get raw, unflavored flax seeds that have not been toasted or flavored with spices.)
How to make gel:
Step 1. Take ¼ cup of organic raw flax seeds and 2 cups of filtered/spring water and place in small saucepan on stove over medium-high heat.
Bring to a rolling boil.
Once it starts to boil stir and turn down low and allow to simmer.
Step 2. You will notice that the liquid will start to thicken. Continue cooking for an additional 5 min. The gel will get even thicker once it cools, so a runny consistency while it's still on the pot works well for me.
If your hair is extremely curly, you may find it easier to apply a looser gel. Go ahead and take the gel off of the heat while it is still runny. Conversely, if your hair is not curly, let the gel thicken as much as you want. It will provide a stiffer hold if you let it get thick.
Step 3. Affix knee-high around the container you will store gel in (we prefer to use a glass jar)and pour the gel onto the opening of the stocking.
Use thongs to squeeze excess gel through stocking. If you do not have thongs you can use your clean hands so long as the gel has been allowed to cool a bit for you to handle without burning yourself. Continue straining until you've gotten as much of the gel through the stocking as you can. Do not throw away the seeds. You can (1) get one more use out of them by doing a second batch when this one is done. Simply place seeds in a small container in the fridge until ready to use, (2) if you are a foodie, you can make flax seed crackers by dehydrating them in your recipe or (3) you can use them on your compost pile.
Step 4 (Optional) You can customize the gel (as I have done) by adding other healing and moisturizing ingredients.
Not only did I add fresh Rosemary to the pot to infuse the gel, but I added Vitamin E, jojoba oil, castor oil and Rosemary essential oil. Rosemary is an excellent herb and essential oil to add because it is known to strengthen and condition hair strands, it stimulates hair growth and increases circulation to scalp, softens and increases shine, thickens hair strands, prevents premature graying and baldness, relieves itchy and irritated scalp and dandruff. Other essential oils that we love to use which have beneficial properties for the scalp are tea tree, lavender and eucalyptus. Make sure that you whisk any additives well into the gel so that they are distributed throughout.
Step 5. Place your container in the refrigerator. If refrigerated, the gel will keep for approximately 2.5 weeks. Use on dry hair or smooth it through wet hair after a shower.
This gel is so gentle and healing that I even use it on my 5 year old with great results. Just knowing that this hair gel contains ingredients you can actually pronounce and virtually consume with no ill effects, should motivate you to make it AND use it with great confidence!
Thanks to independent studies like this one , many mothers are becoming aware of the dangers that sodas and soft drinks pose to our health and that of our growing children. The long term health effects of corn syrup alone is enough to give one pause for concern. But face it, as much as WE might want them to, you can’t possibly expect children to want to drink water ALL THE TIME (not without complaining that is)! So, what’s a mama to do?
Well let me share with you what has been working for our family: herbal teas! Simple enough right? In fact, so simple that it seems our family has become mildly addicted. I have been monitoring our intake as of late and we have been going through quite a bit of home brewed herbal tea per week! I have even discovered that by adding a certain herb, I can get them to try just about any of my herbal infusions that they otherwise would refuse to try. We have really enjoyed our herbal teas during these recent warmer months. Poured in a nice glass, with ice and a straw, to the little ones it feels like they are indulging in something they ought not. For the colder months we simply warm the herbal teas, and they are just as yummy. In fact, the children just love the warming sensation of our lemongrass and ginger herbal tea during the winter months.
Here are our favorite pairings:
Lemongrass and Ginger
Chamomile and Hibiscus*
Peppermint,Chamomile and Hibiscus*
Red Rasberry and Hibiscus*
Rose petals and Hibiscus*
Lemonbalm, Peppermint and Hibiscus*
Nettle, Peppermint and Hibiscus*
*You will notice that we pretty much add Hibiscus to all of our brews. THIS is my secret herb. Besides its health benefits, Hibiscus gives the herbal tea a gorgeous red hue which makes it very appetizing for the little ones since it looks like a “fruit punch” drink. We lightly sweeten our herbal teas with fresh stevia, organic powdered stevia or raw honey (not recommended for children under 6mths old). Absolutely NO processed sugar is necessary!
If you are not doing this for your family already, I encourage you to give herbal teas a try. You will be pleased with the results. Herbal teas are a simple yet healthier alternative which will allow you to eliminate or reduce the intake of processed sugars and corn syrup. Herbal teas are also very effective in calming children down, helping them sleep, aid in digestive disturbances, strengthening the immune system, as well as assisting in fighting a cold, flu or fever.
We encourage you to always buy local and organic whenever possible. We love supporting other entrepreneurs as much as possible and encourage you to do the same. Our Hibiscus comes from Supreme Wellness and I must say that their Hibiscus is by far one of the best quality I have tasted. However, if you do not have access to organic herbs in your local or extended community, you can order them from here.
How I make our herbal tea:
(Step 1) Begin by heating two quarts (one quart if you will be using a one quart mason jar) of water in a pot (do not bring to a boil).
(Step 2) While the water is heating up, take your mason jar and place two tablespoons of your selected herb(s) into jar. This is also a good time to add a handful of fresh stevia if that is what you will be using to sweeten your tea.
If you prefer honey (we recommend raw honey from a local source), add it to your mason jar now so that the honey is melted by the hot water.
(Step 3) Add the hot (not boiling) water to the mason jar and allow the herbs to get to know each other.
(Step 4) If you are using powdered stevia you can add this once your herbal tea cools down. Be sure to allow the tea to come to room temperature before placing in the refrigerator. Once at room temperature, you may want to strain the herbs before placing the jar in the refrigerator. We leave our herbs in, as we prefer to strain as we pour to allow for a stronger infusion.
More About The Herbs We Love:
1. Chamomile - soothes the stomach, relieves bloating and indigestion, calms the mind, relaxes. Some people are allergic to chamomile and should avoid taking the tea. People who find it hard to go to sleep should drink a cup of chamomile tea before going to bed.
2. Ginger - energizer, stimulates and soothes the digestive system, known to aid people experiencing nausea, has anti-inflammatory properties.
3. Hibiscus - known to lower blood pressure, reduce high cholesterol, strengthen the immune system (it’s rich in Vitamin C), known to reduce hypertension. A recent study reveals that hibiscus tea is rich in antioxidants, which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals.
4. Lemon balm - known as a very effective tonic that calms nerves and anxiety. Cold lemon balm tea bags help relieve cold sores, or genital sores caused by the herpes simplex virus. Contains several properties, which control herpes and also regulate the thyroid. Lemon balm when mixed with peppermint can calm an upset stomach, sooth the digestive track and reduce flatulence. Drink lemon balm tea if you suffer from nerve pain. Drinking lemon balm tea also helps strengthen memory and brain functions and also uplifts one’s mood.
5. Lemongrass - known to aid digestion—primarily due to a substance called citral, also the active ingredient in lemon peels. Though typically enjoyed unaccompanied by other herbs, it can also be blended to create lemon-flavored teas like Lemon Zinger.
6. Nettle - known as one of nature’s best remedies for an assortment of ailments including anemia, high blood pressure, rheumatism, arthritis, coughs and colds, congestion, urinary tract infections, and kidney and bladder problems.
7. Peppermint - known to help digestion, reduce flatulence, nausea and digestive issues, motion sickness. The natural mint flavor of the herb helps to freshen your breath. Other health benefits of this tea are control of muscle aches and chronic pain, clearing of congestion and mild coughs, mild asthma and reduction of stress.
8. Red Raspberry - known as a tonic for pregnant women, as well as those trying to conceive. Due to their high vitamin and mineral content, the leaves of red raspberry plants are considered as an ideal herbal remedy for a number of ailments like flu, gum disease, diarrhea, vomiting, and menstrual cramps.
9. Rose petals/rose hips - known as one of the best plant sources of vitamin C, which is important for the immune system, skin and tissue health and adrenal function. Consider reaching for this tea next time you need a health boost.
More Articles:
What Soft Drinks Are Doing To Your Body
Disturbing Side Effects of Soda
Safe dosages for children under the age of 6 and for persons with liver or kidney disease have not been established.
For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
|
