How to Make Medicinal Vinegars & Oxymels Medicinal vinegars (Vinegar Extracts) have been around since ancient times, and were an excellent way to preserve and dispense herbs before distilled spirits were known about. While the advantages of using vodka or brandy to make your herbal tinctures are many – including greater potency and longer shelf life, there are those who wish to avoid alcohol for personal reasons or due to the higher cost, making vinegar extracts ideal for them to create. Vinegar extracts (also known as “aceta”) are weaker than alcohol based tinctures, so the required dose is higher. Making a Vinegar Extract: According to my well loved book, Making Plant Medicine by Richo Cech, the standard formula to follow is 1 part dry herb to 7 parts vinegar. Cover tightly, shake and store in a cool, dark place to macerate for about two or three weeks, shaking daily. Dry herbs generally make a stronger extract than fresh and have a longer shelf life. Vinegar Extracts (aceta) have a shelf life of around 6 months, if not longer.
20 of the Best Antiviral and Antibacterial Herbs and Plants Ever! Photo credit: bigstock.com Depending on your age, your mother or grandmother most likely used some type of herb or plants to help heal you when you were sick without you realizing it, or perhaps you just didn’t appreciate it at the time. For many of us, it’s not until we have our own children that we realize that we don’t want to put chemicals and other toxic things into those precious little bodies. Especially when it comes to antibiotics or antiviral medicines. Before using these antiviral or antibacterial herbs, you would be wise to consult a herbalist for exact dosing instructions as everyone’s body, especially children’s, are unique and different herbs should be consumed in different quantities and in different ways, such as teas or tinctures. If you are under a doctor’s care or if you are taking prescription medication, always consult your doctor before beginning any herbal program. 1. Yes, we are talking about the same little herb you have in your kitchen. 2. 3. Continue to Page 2
Usnea - an herbal remedy for strep throat and staph infections. Usnea is a lichen rather than a plant. Lichens are unusual combinations of algae and fungi that work together as a single organism. It can be found growing on old trees in the cool damp of the forest. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this is an epiphytic herb, meaning that it grows abundantly on other trees without taking any nutrients from the tree, and instead gets its nutrients from surrounding air and moisture in rain or on the surface of the host tree. Key Medicinal Uses Internally Usnea aids the immune system when used in a tonic. It can help those suffering from chronic fatigue, herpes, HIV and other conditions with a depressed immune system. Externally Usnea can be used as a mouthwash, a gargle or in lozenges to aid inflammation of the oral mucus membranes. Other Uses It is used as a fixative in perfumes that have a mossy note to them. Herbs to Combine/Supplement Usnea combines well with Echinacea as an immune booster. Parts Used Cautions Preparation and Dosage
Sarsaparilla Benefits & Information Sarsaparilla is the common name for Smilax ornata (formally smilax regelii), which has been used medicinally to treat everything from chronic pain to toe fungus. It has likely been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes of South America but was first introduced to Europe near the end of the Dark Ages. Today, it is still a popular supplement ingredient and medicinal treatment for a wide variety of internal and external health conditions. Description of the Plant This prickly vine is native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. A sarsaparilla root typically measures between six and feet in length. Uses Sarsaparilla root is globally recognized for medicinal properties. Sarsaparilla first came to Europe in the 1400s as a medicine discovered in South America and brought back via boat. Sarsaparilla is also consumed for pleasure in drink and pickled form. Today, sarsaparilla roots is available most readily in health food stores. Active Ingredients Preparation
untitled 12 Herbs to Curb Heart Palpitations - NaturalON Photo credit: bigstock.com Although some people experience rapid heartbeats, missed heartbeats, and even irregular heartbeats, these are not signs of true heart trouble, but rather a symptom from another underlying problem such as hormone fluctuations, certain prescription drugs, anxiety or panic attacks, excessive caffeine consumption, menopause, or even an overactive thyroid gland. If you are experiencing irregular heartbeats, be certain that you check with your doctor or cardiologist first to be sure that you do not have heart disease or any other type of heart issue. Once your doctor has given you the OK, check out this list of the top 12 herbs that are known to help calm those heart palpitations that are caused by things other than heart disease or heart malfunctions. 1. Lavender Many heart palpitations are caused by anxiety or panic attacks. 2. This is a great old fashioned herb that will lower a fast pulse and control the sudden thumping of the heart. 3. Continue to Page 2
'Miracle Grass' Encourages Longevity While Dispelling Disease By Carolanne Wright Contributing Writer for Wake Up World More potent than ginseng, jiaogulan is a powerful antidote to aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, stress and fatigue. It even helps to maintain proper weight. Known as an immortality elixir, this herb has been used for centuries throughout Asia. Jiaogulan is a top notch tonic for modern life too — a true herbal champion for healthy and dynamic living. First recorded in the Materia Medica for the Salvation of Starvation during the Ming Dynasty in China, jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) was the go-to herb for a variety of ailments. The secret to longevity and absence of disease The Chinese mountainous region of Guizhou is famous for its sheer number of centenarians. Jiaogulan is also recognized as a general health elixir that supports endurance and strength while alleviating fatigue. Formidable anti-cancer tonic Jiaogulan works on several levels to prevent and heal cancer. Incomparable adaptogen Article Sources
Top 7 Surprising Reasons Why Coriander was so Popular in All Ancient and Modern Civilizations - Tiptop Home Remedies Mostly people use coriander for cooking, but also many of them don’t know other ways how to use it for improving their health. When it comes to the health benefits of coriander (also known as cilantro), it also includes various treatments for high cholesterol levels, inflammation of the skin and other disorders, anemia, menstrual cycle disorders, smallpox, blood sugar disorders, as well as certain benefits in eye care. This herb is full of Magnesium, Vitamins B, A and C and also Iron. Also very important essential oils are present in it. Almost all parts of this plant are used, the seeds, leaves, stems, essential oil, and roots, they can help with some digestive problems, coughs, bronchitis, also joint pain and rheumatism. 1) Coriander is a great source of powerful antioxidants, so it can fight successfully certain oxidative damage. 3) It is very good and beneficial in the treatment of diabetes. Do you eat coriander or use it while cooking?
Build Strong Immune System and Kill All Kinds of Bacteria Using Live-Forever Plant - Tiptop Home Remedies Latin name: Sempervivum tectorum The plant which is called Houseleek and also live-forever plant is known amongst some people and cultures in the world, mostly as a cure for ear infections, but its usage is much bigger and diverse. Houseleek Many Uses and Benefits Freshly squeezed juice from this plant is helping in the treatment for stomach ulcer (Peptic ulcer), it calms the inflamed mucous membranes, it helps with headaches, asthma, bone aches, it strengths the organism, it helps with the regulations of the blood pressure, normalizes the heart work and bloodstream. It is also used in a treatment of high temperature and fever, nose bleeds and many other disorders. If you mix the juice with honey, it can be very useful for some wounds inside the mouth and the nipples. When it comes to Phytotherapy, the tea from Houseleek plant is used for reducing the blood sugar levels. So far, there are no side effects that can be associated with the usage of the Housekeeper plant.
A Guide to Vietnamese Herbs | Luke Nguyen's Vietnam on SBS Vietnamese cooking is renowned for its use of fresh herbs. Look for them in your local Vietnamese or Asian market, as there is really no substitute for their unique flavour and aroma. To keep the herbs fresh, wrap the herbs in a damp cloth and keep refrigerated. Here is a list of essential herbs with descriptions and their medicinal qualities. Sawtooth Herb/Sawtooth CorianderVietnamese: Ngò GaiTasting notes: Strong coriander flavourCulinary uses: Eaten raw - used in soups and saladsMedicinal: Used in tea to stimulate appetite, soothes stomach pain, improves digestion. Rice Paddy HerbVietnamese: Ngò Om Tasting notes: Citrus with mild cumin flavourCulinary uses: Sour soups, salads, compliments dishes containing cumin.Medicinal: Antibacterial qualities Perilla /Shiso LeafVietnamese: Tía Tô Tasting notes: Earthy, bold and musky – a mint/basil combinationCulinary uses: Eaten raw in a variety of soups, salads and meat dishes.
How to Make Homemade Oleander Extract How to Make Homemade Oleander Extract by Tony Isaacs Please note: Although properly prepared oleander extract has passed FDA safety trials and safe commercial oleander-based supplements are available, raw oleander plant is very toxic. Materials Needed: · Rubber gloves · Garden Trimmers (such as small hedge trimmers or rose trimmers) · Plastic trash bag or a large plastic shopping bag · Large cooking pot · Plastic or metal strainers (colanders) · Paper towels or filters · Coffee filters · Steel tongs and/or steel screen or strainer type cooking ladle · 20-ounce plastic water bottles or brown glass bottles · Vodka or apple cider vinegar (organic non-distilled is best) for preservative. · Flavoring (if desired) such as boysenberry pancake syrup To make your own potent oleander soup: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. For Skin Cream or Lotion: For a basic oleander skin cream, slowly boil the original brew down to a light syrup, condensing the liquid and making it thicker at a less than boiling temperature.
How to grow and use comfrey for gardening and medicine (NaturalNews) The medicinal value of comfrey has been known for many centuries, and the plant is also very useful in maintaining permaculture systems. Comfrey is a native European plant that can be found growing wild in parts of the United Kingdom. Wild comfrey is found in the damp grasslands of Europe but is also cultivated widely in the United States and elsewhere and can be found growing wild in the eastern United States. The plant has long "hairy" leaves, and its flowers can be pink, blue, violet or cream-colored, depending on the variety. Comfrey is easy to grow and plays an important role in permaculture development, due to its "dynamic accumulator" properties. From NorthCountryFarmer.com: These plants have extremely deep tap roots which mine nutrients from the different layers of the soil profile. Comfrey leaves can be used to help activate compost heaps due to their rich nitrogen content. Comfrey was used in ancient times to treat many human ailments. Sources: