Summer has arrived and so have the boo boo’s and owies. What is a Mama to do? Find out how to treat summer ailments naturally in this episode of the Christian Herbal podcast! After listening, be sure to download the “Naturally Treating Summer Ailments” chart to keep on hand all summer long!
Nettle or Stinging Nettle, Urtica dioica Family: Urticaceae Parts Used: aerial parts, roots, and seeds Constituents: chlorophyll, indoles-histamine and serotonin, acetylcholine-flavonal glycosides, quercetin, tannins, vitamin C, protein, fiber, iron, silica, calcium, potassium, manganese, sulphur, vitamins A, formic acid in the hairs causes the stinging sensation Actions: astringent, diuretic, tonic, hypotensive, nutritive, hypoglycemic, galactagogue, styptic Contraindications: Fresh nettle has hairs that…
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I first learned about bee balm infused honey last year as the last of the bee balm plants were going to seed. As my daughter and I were driving home this week, I was excited to see all the bee balms in bloom. When I pulled over to the side of our road, my daughter thought something was wrong. Nothing…
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I love “new baby” smell. Baby bath salts keep babies smelling like babies should! My first four children were born in hospitals and given the customary “first bath” within hours of their births. They were clean as a whistle and smelled wonderful…at least for a little while. By the next day their hair started feeling oiling and they needed another…
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Plantain, Plantago spp. Family: Plantaginaceae Parts Used: leaf, seeds, and root Constituents: iridoids, flavanoids, monoterpine alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, mucilage, oleanolic acids, plant acids The leaf of the plant contains vitamin C, B, folic acid, calcium, iron, potassium, and sulfur. The seeds of plantain are known to be a rich source of Omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin E. Actions: vulnerary…
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In herbal medicine circles, there is the saying “treat the nervous system first”. The last couple of weeks I have been studying the nervous system more in-depth and have begun to realize why this statement is so true. Many of the physical health problems we face are rooted in the dis-”ease” of the overtaxed nervous system. Nervous System Overview Physiologically…
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Mullein, Verbascum thapsus Family: Scrophulariaceae Parts Used: The dried leaf and flower are the commonly used part however herbalist Jim McDonald often uses the root. Constituents: saponins, volatile oil, flavonoids (hesperidin and verbascoside), glycosides (acubin), mucilage, tannins. Provides B vitamins, vitamin D, choline, sulfur, and magnesium. Actions: expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, vulnerary, anodyne, diuretic, sedative, anti-catarrhal, emollient, pectoral Contraindications: The…
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From before the time of Christ when Latin was the literary language in Europe, botanists have attempted to both classify and name plants in a way that both organizes the plants and describes the nature of the plant. It wasn’t until the mid-1700’s that a Swedish botanist by the name of Carl Linnaeus simplified and developed a universal system of…
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Over the last few years I have been learning to make all my own beauty care products in an effort to cut down on the harmful chemicals my family and I are exposed to. Not to mention I find great satisfaction in making my own products and becoming self-sufficient. A couple of years ago, I made this peppermint rosemary lip…
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