 Goldenseal - a potent powerful antibiotic (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu January 26th 2012 @ 1:16 AM
Goldenseal is a potent antibiotic that is both popular and powerful.
‘This combination virtually guarantees controversy,’ according to the New Healing Herbs.
Goldenseal has active compounds that can affect people with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, kidney disease or history of stroke. Read More »
Neem Leaf - One of the top 7 Herbs for Colds and Flu (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu January 19th 2012 @ 1:13 AM
It’s an herb that is the Indian bug and germ killer.
Neem tree has been a mainstay of India’s traditional Ayurvedic medicine for more than 1,000 years.
Neem means the ‘bestower of good health,’ coming from the Sanskirt nimba and dates back to India’s ancient religious texts the Vedas, which called the tree sarva roga nivarini, meaning the ‘one that cures all ailments.’*
Neem has been used for centuries in India to treat a wide variety of skin conditions such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, warts, herpes, athlete’s foot, chickenpox and skin cancer.
Neem is an important ingredient in 75 per cent of traditional Ayurvedic medical formulas, according to the Neem Foundation based in Mumbai, India.
Neem has a reputation for use as a pesticide, killing or disrupting the reproduction of many agricultural pests.
It is effective with colds and flu as it has several important properties; it is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, antiseptic, anti-fungal and purifies the blood.
With these properties, Neem can boost immune function, improve liver function, detoxify the blood and promote a healthy circulatory, respiratory and digestive system.
Neem boosts the body’s macrophage response, which stimulates the lymphocytic system and boosts production of white blood cells.
As an anti-fungal, Neem’s quercetin content ( a polyphenolic flavonoid) helps to combat and reduce fungi and infections.
For treating colds, Neem is an expectorant that loosens and expels phlegm and congestion from the respiratory system. So its relieves dry cough, nasal congestion, bronchitis, laryngitis, pharyngitis and others respiratory conditions.
Neem leaf also has a reputation for improving dental health, as it kills bacteria that cause plaque, tooth decay and gum disease. The twigs of the tree have been used by millions of Indians as an antiseptic toothebrush.
Neem is often taken as a powder or in capsule form, either individually or as part of a formula. Read More »
Elderberry-Ginger Syrup for Colds and Flu (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Sat January 14th 2012 @ 3:00 PM
From the book, The Essential Herbal for Radiant Health by Holly Bellebuono, due out in March 2012. Read More »
Ginger-Top 7 Herbs for Colds and Flu (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu January 12th 2012 @ 1:47 AM
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) –the herb for nausea
Ginger is a beautiful tropical plant which is prized for its root that is commonly found in the produce aisle of the supermarket. While pickled ginger is popular with sushi and candied ginger is used in baking, this root of this herb is best known medicinally for reducing nausea and improving digestion.
Ginger is a stimulant that warms the blood and increases circulation. It helps improve digestion and is often brewed in a cup of honey-sweetened tea with mint to relieve nausea, motion sickness or morning sickness in pregnant women. Ginger is also useful for cramps and nausea associated with PMS.
Scientists now know that ginger contains digestion-enhancing enzymes very similar to those found in papaya fruit, another well known digestive aid.
Ginger enhances gastrointestinal motility while reducing spasms, dispels flatulence and promotes secretion of digestive juices such as bile.
For the circulatory system, ginger inhibits platelet-activating factor (PAF). While some of this naturally occurring substance in the body is essential for blood clotting and inflammatory processes, too much can lead to the development of conditions such as heart disease, allergies, asthma and inflammatory disorders.
Read More »
Elderberry for Colds and Flu (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu January 5th 2012 @ 12:19 AM
Elderberry is an amazing herb that helps the body fight viruses by boosting the immune system.
Elderberry had been used medicinally in medieval tmes but was forgotten over time.
However, it was resurrected in the early 1990s when researchers discovered its remarkable flu-fighting action.
This happened when Israeli researcheres, fascinated by the folk use of elderberry against flu, discovered that the purple berry substantially reduces replication of flu viruses.
The researchers made a syrup from the berry and used it to treat a flu outbreak on an Israeli kibbutz in 1993.
Those who did not receive elderberry took 6 days to recover, according to the book The New Healing Herbs.
But 90 % of those who took the elderberry syrup recovered in just 3 days.
The syrup used in this study is now widely marketed as Sambucol.
While it's commonly thought that elderberry attacks the flu virus, subsequent studies have shown this is not the case.
Instead, it boosts the immune system so the body can fight the flu virus more effectively.
Elderberry increases production of an important class of immune compounds known as cytokines.
While elderberry is known for treating the flu, it can also be used for the herpes virus and HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
Can elderberry be used for colds?
Elderberry contains antioxidants known as anthocyanins.
Antioxidants help boost the immune system which can help colds, however the berry is most effective for flus.
Contraindications: Elderberry is considered safe to use, however eating unripe, uncooked berries may produce nausea. Elderberry leaves and stems contain cyanide and ingestion has caused poisoning.
Read More »
Making Bath Salts (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu December 15th 2011 @ 1:52 AM
Making bath salts is an enjoyable and rewarding activity that can be done for oneself or to give as gifts.
Essential oils, either in combination or used singly, enhance the bath experience as the oils penetrate deep into the body.
The type of oil used will depend on the bath experience one wants - whether it's stimulating or sedating.
Ingredients
1 cup of epsom salt
1/4 cup sea salt
2-3 Tbsp. baking soda*
1-2 tsp. glycerin (optional)
1 Tbsp. finely ground regular oatmeal (optional)
1-2 Tbsp. dried herbs, (optional)
5 drops essential oil of choice, such as peppermint Read More »
Lovers Sitz Bath (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu December 8th 2011 @ 1:42 AM
This sitz bath provides 'blessed relief' for lovers bothered by chronic non-specific vaginitis or yeast.
1/2 oz. dried chaparral (Larrea tridentata) herb
1/2 ounce dried oak (Quercus spp) bark
1/2 ounce dried spilanthes (Spilanthes acmella or S. oleracea)
1/4 ounce dried marshmallow (Althea officinalis) root
1/4 ounce dried yarrow (Achillea millefolium) herb in flower
Optional: 1 ounce fresh periweinkle (Vinca) herb in flower
Boil one gallon of cold water. Add herbs, cover, turn off heat. Steep for 4-6 hours. Strain. Warm the liquid. Pour half (or a third) into each of two (or three) plastic dish pans. Bare those bottoms and sit - together- until the liquid cools.
Make fresh for each use; do not reuse. Best if repeated daily for 7-10 days.
Healing recipe by James Green - from the book 'Down There, Sexual and Reproductive Health, The Wise Woman Way by Susun S. Weed. www.susunweed.com. Read More »
Nutmeg Rolls (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu December 8th 2011 @ 12:41 AM
These rolls are spiced with nutmeg for a festive treat during the holiday season.
Roll Ingredients:
1 cup butter, softened
2 tsp vanilla
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
Cream butter with vanilla, gradually beat in sugar, then blend in egg. Mix together with flour, nutmeg & salt. Add to butter mixture & mix well. Divide into 14 equal portions.
On sugared board shape each piece in roll 12 inches long and 1/4 inch wide. Cut in 2 inch lengths and put on greased cookie sheet. Bake in preheated 350 farenheit oven for 12 minutes. Cool on rack. Spread with frosting, sprinkle with nutmeg.
Glaze Ingredients
1/3 cup butter
1 tsp vanilla
2 tsp rum or rum extract
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons light cream (or substitute soy or almond milk)
Spread the glaze over the cooled rolls and enjoy. Read More »
Oatstraw's Amazing Benefits (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Thu December 1st 2011 @ 1:00 AM
c. 2011, Susun S Weed Read More »
Healing Sitz Bath (HerbladyMarilyn)
posted Wed November 23rd 2011 @ 11:24 PM
This healing bath soothes inflamed and tender tissues, heals trauma and lubricates.
2 oz. (60 gm) dried or 8 oz. (250 gm) fresh mallow or comfrey roots, leaves and/or flowers.
2 quarts/litres of cold water Read More »
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