The Home Herbalist » Herbs

Take Time to Smell the Lavender

Belle — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:21:56 +0000

This blog has certainly been neglected of late, which makes me wonder where time goes. As the routine of each night begins I can hardly believe that another day has gone by so quickly. There must be a black hole somewhere out there in the universe that has the sole purpose of sucking in time.

Of course the more busy we are the more time flies and therein lies the secret to achieving a much more manageable and enjoyable pace of life. Slowing my life down is the process I’m in involved in at the moment and why I have time to write this blog.

Most of us, especially women, tend to take on more than can be realistically achieved. Take my life for example – as you know I’m a medical herbalist and tutor of the online Home Herbalist courses. As if this isn’t enough my husband and I live on almost six acres and we’re building a house. For the last two years he’s been working away and has only been home six days a month so apart from treating patients, teaching the home herbalism courses, and maintaining the website I’ve had to take over the responsibilities of owner builder while my husband has been away as well as maintain the property. This has been an overwhelming experience, which has left me little time to enjoy the other part of my life – art.

My biggest problem though is the ‘feeling’ I have to get every thing done as quickly as possible – hurrying and rushing! This has now been resolved in a most delightful way thanks to a very understanding husband and our daughters who have given me excellent advice.

What I’ve done to achieve this bliss is to prioritize what I have to do, stop rushing about, make time for those things I enjoy, and stop feeling guilty if I take time out to do a painting, sculpture, walk through the garden or sit quietly in the moonlight.

My first priorities are my herbalism clinic, teaching The Home Herbalist courses, writing this blog and maintaining the website (all things I love to do), the next is building the house and following these are property maintenance and cleaning the car etc. The most important thing though is that I’ve stopped rushing and hurrying to get jobs done and I’m making time for the other things that give me pleasure without feeling guilty. What I can’t get done in a calm and unhurried way today I will do tomorrow.

We can all do this and enjoy a more relaxed pace of life, a life that allows us time to smell the lavender.

Roman Chamomile Essential Oil

Belle — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 11:09:13 +0000

This is a delightful essential oil that helps to calm and sooth the mind and body and ease irritability.

As a massage blend it’s very useful for balancing the female reproductive organs helping to regulate menstruation, ease premenstrual tension, and relieve painful menstruation.

Because Roman chamomile (Anthemis nobilis) essential oil is anti-inflammatory it can be used in a massage oil blend to treat skin allergies such as eczema and to relieve skin irritations. It’s also deodorizing and helps to lighten fair hair.

Make a massage oil blend and rub in to the neck and shoulders to help relieve insomnia, migraine headache, stress and tension. It can also be massaged in to any part of the body to help relieve aches and pains and over the abdomen in a clockwise direction to help ease the discomfort of indigestion.

Add a few drops to a child’s bath to help relieve upset tummies, teething, and fretful moments.

Other conditions that benefit from applications of a massage oil blend made with this essential oil are flatulence, rheumatism, and gout.

Warning: Use with care if suffering from low blood pressure.

Cedarwood Essential Oil

Belle — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 05:09:41 +0000

Highly valued since ancient times, Cedarwood essential oil has calming, astringent and drying actions that make it useful for the treatment of many conditions and beneficial for skin care.

In ancient Egypt beauticians valued this oil for its preserving qualities so it comes as no surprise that it’s still used today for regenerating and preserving the skin as well as restoring hair.

Derived from two species, Juniperus virginiana and Cedrus atlantica, genuine Cedarwood essenital oil has the aroma of a freshly cut tree that gives a delightful restful effect of being in a forest. Its relaxing and regenerating properties help to release long-term anxiety and reduce stress.

Conditions this remarkable oil benefits include hair loss when combined with rosemary, psoriasis, dermatitis, eczema, and dandruff as well as those that affect the respiratory system such as catarrh, bronchitis, mucous congestion, and sinusitis. It’s also an excellent deodorizer, which makes it ideal for foot baths.

Other uses for Cedarwood essential oil include direct application to help oily skin and heal shaving nicks; diluted it can be used to treat pimples and acne as well as part of a blend for skin and facial applications. After washing hair add a couple of drops of the oil to the final rinse water to treat dandruff, seborrhoea and maintain a healthy scalp. For respiratory problems and to calm tension and stress use the oil in a vapouriser, a therapeutic bath or as a steam inhalation. Its refreshing woody aroma makes it a popular ingredient in men’s toiletries.

Warning: Do not use during pregnancy.

Bergamot Essential Oil

Belle — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:03:41 +0000

If you suffer from nervous tension, anxiety or depression then you will find the uplifting qualities of Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) essential oil very beneficial. This oil, popularised in Italian medicine folklore, is made by pressing the fresh peel of a fruit that resembles a miniature orange first grown in Bergamot, a small village in northern Italy.

As its botanical name suggests, Bergamot essential oil is light with a delightful floral and citrus aroma and yellow-green colour. It has astringent and antiviral actions that give it many uses.

Conditions that this oil treats includes those mentioned above as well as stressful states, adult colic, anorexia nervosa, dermatitis, intestinal parasites, eczema, dermatitis, sores, and wounds. It relieves cramps, premenstrual tension and symptoms; symptoms of acne and cold sores and is helpful for post-natal stress. Use it to heal oily skin and skin conditions of nervous origin; diluted in water it can be rinsed in the mouth to help with bad breath and relieve the discomfort of mouth ulcers. It’s also highly antiseptic and cleansing.

Warnings: Do not use for Berloque dermatitis or externally when exposed to ultra-violet light. It may increase skin photo sensitivity and be irritating to sensitive skin. Do not use before exposure to sun.

Use only as directed and seek advice from your health care professional if symptoms persist.

Herbalism and Essential Oils

Belle — Mon, 24 May 2010 12:06:22 +0000

For most of my life I’ve been involved in herbalism both professionally and in my daily life. To me herbalism – whether practiced by a home herbalist, professional herbalist or someone who just enjoys herbs – embraces all uses of herbs from adding interest and colour to gardens to healing illness.

One very popular and beneficial way to use herbs is utilizing their essential oils for massage, healing, and to provide a pleasant and aromatic atmosphere in the home. Although the term ‘Aromatherapy’ was not adopted until the twentieth century, the use of essential oils for healing has been known for thousands of years. Around two thousand years ago Hippocrates, the Father of Medicine, understood the benefits of aromatic baths and massages for restoring mental and physical health.

Essential oils used in aromatherapy are not only distilled from herbs but also from trees, flowers, and bushes. I frequently use these delightful oils when prescribing treatment for my patients and at times the treatment wouldn’t have been successful without their addition. Balancing mind, body, and spirit is so important for treating all conditions whether the primary concern is physical or mental. All cases must be treated holistically.

Following are some wonderful remedies made with essential oils.

To clean scrapes and cuts add 2 drops each of the essential oils of tea tree, bergamot, and lavender to 90mls of filtered or distilled water.

For minor burns add 10 drops of the essential oil of lavender to 90mls of almond carrier oil.

To ease aches and pains add 20 drops of of lavender, 15 drops of orange, and 10 drops of marjoram to 90mls of olive or sweet almond oil.

Bruises can be treated with 20 drops of lavender, 10 drops of sandalwood and 15 drops of juniper added to sweet almond oil.

To help induce a restful sleep add 2 drops each of lavender, sandalwood, and orange to a warm bath or to 90ml of sweet almond oil to use for a relaxing massage.

Some of my favourite blends include these for babies:

To help heal and prevent nappy rash add 20 drops of lavender to 90mls of olive oil and apply at each nappy change.

For cradle cap blend 20 drops of cedarwood to 90mls olive oil and apply after each bath or whenever baby’s hair is washed. Dry the scalp well before applying.

There are many ways essential oils can be used for treatment in the home so I will add remedies as time goes by.

Essential Oils for the Emotions

Belle — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 12:27:06 +0000

Essential oils are not only very beneficial for physical problems but also for the mind, emotions, and spirit. To know true health is to have the mind, body, and spirit nicely balanced or in harmony.

There is much focus these days on physical health yet the mind, and especially the emotions or spiritual aspects of our being are generally neglected. If there is a problem it’s usually shut away to be dealt with at a later date or when there is more time. There are some lovely essential oils that work on the emotional and spiritual level, which means any problems can be helped in a pleasurable and time saving way. Following is a list of emotional problems and corresponding essential oils that will help to dispel them.

Releasing Anger: Chamomile, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Calming Anxiety: Bergamot, Geranium, Lavender, Neroli, Basil

Relieving Boredom: Basil, Frankincense, Peppermint

Enhancing Confidence: Frankincense, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vetiver

Clarifying Confusion: Rose, Lemon, Cypress

Uplifting Depression: Bergamot, Clary Sage, Patchouli, Ylang Ylang

Calming Emotional Instability: Bergamot, Geranium, Neroli

Releasing Jealousy, Envy, and Resentment: Juniper, Thyme, Rose

Dispersing Fears: Frankincense, Lavender, Sandalwood

Releasing Frigidity: Chamomile, Clary Sage, Ylang Ylang

Soothing Grief: Marjoram, Rose

Relieving Insomnia: Bergamot, Lavender, Marjoram, Neroli, Orange

Settling Impatience, Irritability: Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Ylang Ylang

Releasing Mental Fatigue/Helping Poor Memory: Basil, Rosemary, Lemongrass, Pine

Calming Nightmares: Bergamot, Frankincense, Sage

Releasing Stress: Bergamot, Lavender, Neroli, Rose, Sandalwood, Myrrh

Healing Emotional Wounds: Chamomile, Rose

To use these essential oils for their corresponding emotional problems apply them as a single remedy or a blend in a vaporiser, added to pure water as a room spray, or in a carrier oil for massage. They can also be applied to a tissue or handkerchief and sniffed as often as desired.

For massage oils always use the ratio of 5 drops of essential oil to 10 ml carrier oil; don’t use them directly on the skin and follow directions on the labels.

Lavender Scones

Belle — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 08:12:16 +0000

Some time ago I was fortunate enough to be invited to a morning tea at a pretty lavender farm where there is a shop selling all types of products made from lavender including lavender wine. On the menu at the coffee shop were lavender scones…of course I couldn’t resist them.

They were served with vanilla flavoured cream and the combination was delicious. Lavender flowers provide a delightful delicate flavour in foods if they are used sparingly.

Not long after I tried these scones I tried to find a recipe for them but had no luck so I added lavender flowers to my favourite scone recipe and served the scones nice and hot with vanilla flavoured cream sweetened with a little icing sugar.

2 cups self raising flour

½ teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons lavender flowers

60g butter

¾ cup milk (approx)

a little extra milk to glaze

Grease a scone tray and sift flour and salt into a mixing bowl. Add lavender flowers . Rub in butter with fingertips then add sufficient milk to form a light dough. Turn out on to a floured board and knead lightly . Roll out to 1cm thickness and cut into shapes or use a small cutter. Place on tray and glaze with milk. Bake in a very hot oven (450ºF/230ºC) for 10 minutes or until brown and well risen. Makes approx 21.

Fresh lavender flowers can be used to make lavender vinegar and flavour jams while small amounts of dried or fresh flowers can be combined with savoury herbs to add to stews and soups.

Because of their bitter taste lavender flowers aren’t a good choice for crystallised flowers.

Elderberry Flower Fritters

Belle — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:44:18 +0000

These fritters make a delightful and delicately flavoured dessert, especially when served with double cream or vanilla ice-cream.

12 clusters of elderberry flowers

¼ cup plain flour

1½ cups water

1 egg

Oil for deep frying

Cut the stalks from the flower clusters leaving a small stub. Mix the flour, water, and egg together in a food processor or blender or if you don’t have these you can gradually whisk the water in to the flour and then the egg.

Heat enough oil to just cover the flowers to 190°C. If you don’t have a thermometer or deep fryer you can test the heat of the oil by dropping in a small cube of bread; if it browns in 1 minute then you will have the correct temperature.

Dip each cluster in to the batter and carefully slip it in to the oil. Cook them until they are golden brown turning them with a slotted spoon. Remove from the oil and drain on paper towel. Sprinkle with a little icing sugar if desired.

This recipe will serve four.

What is Pet Grass?

Belle — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 23:34:49 +0000

Pet Grass (Dactylis glomerata)

If you have pets such as dogs, cats, and guinea pigs, you’ve probably noticed them eating this grass in your yard unless of course it’s always maintained and there is no place for weeds or grass to grow long.

Pet Grass (Dactylis glomerata) has been described as pet medicine and is even very good for birds. It contains high levels of vitamins and minerals so it’s a perfect natural supplement for your pets whether they have four legs or wings. It’s a perfect breath freshener for dogs and will assist cats with eliminating fur balls.

Let it grow in your garden or grow it in containers if you live in an apartment or don’t have a garden. Wherever it grows make sure it’s handy for your pets so they can chew on it whenever they need to.

This health-giving grass grows in full or part sun to a height of 30 cm (1ft) and likes well drained soil; water and fertilize regularly.

Herbal Teas

Belle — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 07:10:44 +0000

Over the years I have tried many herbal teas, I call them teas because they are tea substitutes made the same way as tea. Herbal infusions are used to extract the medicinal properties from herbs so they can be used therapeutically while herbal teas are used for a ‘quick fix’ or just to have a refreshing drink.

Lemon balm tea is great when you’ve had a big day and need to relax and unwind. Add a little mint to it to help you rejuvenate if you still need to prepare dinner and so-on. Taken just before bed, lemon balm will give you a restful sleep.

Chamomile will help ease an upset tummy caused from stress or nervousness and it will help calm nerves as well as help you sleep. It’s also very good for children and you can add honey and milk to it if they prefer.

Sage tea made with hot milk and sweetened with honey is excellent for those sleepless nights and it’s also another good one for restless children.

Cinnamon tea is delicious and is very warming when feeling chilled or feel the need for comfort. It will also help warm the stomach and digest food after a heavy meal.

Ginger tea is great for a bloated and/or a nauseous tummy and for warming the body. It’s also a good pick-me-up and helps with morning sickness.

Lemon grass tea tastes delicious and is very refreshing. I like it on its own or added to tea leaves in a pot. It’s also very refreshing on a hot day and is useful when feeling a little tired.

Mints make lovely refreshing and cooling teas. They are particularly good in summer for refreshing and rejuvenating a tired, hot body.

Rosemary tea gives a clearer head when doing bookwork, studying, or anything that needs a great deal of concentration. It’s also warming and calming.

Parsley tea is great if you feel that you’ve eaten or drunk too much of the wrong thing as it helps to flush out toxic material from the body system. It’s also very refreshing and nutritious.

Sometimes I like to blend my teas, for instance, I will add mint to parsley tea if I feel my digestion is sluggish and need a general pick-me-up. I also like to combine ginger and cinnamon when I feel chilled – I wouldn’t have them on a hot day as they are very warming.

Milky tea with a good sprinkle of cinnamon is a delicious night-cap that helps give a relaxing sleep; it’s also very good throughout the day to help calm the nerves.

Dill is another herb that can be taken as a tea to help expel gas and relieve a bloated stomach.

Parsley leaves combined with chopped shallots and made as a tea will help flush out and cleanse the urinary tract when suffering from cystitis.

Pregnant women should be careful of how much herb tea they drink; always check to see if any particular herb is safe during pregnancy before having too much of it.

I’ll add more herbal teas here as time goes by.

Until my next post stay healthy, happy and wise!