diy health.

For many minor health issues, medicinal herbs offer the safest and most effective cures. Common medicinal herbs can be purchased in bulk at local food coops, harvested from gardens, or wildcrafted. To dry herbs, place them in a single layer on a tray or a screen, or hang them up on a clothes hanger or line. Just be sure to leave them somewhere dark and dry. Once your herbs are dried, store them in glass jars for later use. Here are some common medicinal herbs that I have found to be helpful.

Borage: Anti-inflammatory. Borage helps to reduce fevers and is used for the regulation of metabolism and the hormonal system. Borage is also taken as an anti-depressant. The flowers can be eaten, or the plant can be used as a tea or tincture.

Chamomile: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antispasmodic. Chamomile helps digestion, calms the nerves, and soothes menstrual cramps. Chamomile is great as a tea for drinking or as a compress on infected eyes, irritated skin and sunburns.

Lavender: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antiviral. Lavender tea can be used to calm the body or as a sleep aid before bed. Lavender oil applied to the temples can help ease headaches and lavender oil in salves can soothe the skin. The essential oil is also great for cleaning because of its antiseptic properties.

Lemon Balm: Antibacterial. Antiviral. Lemon balm is a calming herb, used to relax the nervous system and reduce stress and anxiety. It also helps with digestion, depression, headaches and insomnia. It can be used as either a tea or tincture.

Peppermint: Analgesic. Peppermint helps stomachaches, indigestion and nausea by relaxing the digestive system. It also relieves headaches, anxiety and tension. The essential oil is an analgesic that can relieve tooth pain and arthritis when applied topically.

Raspberry Leaf: Astringent. Raspberry Leaf is an effective aid for menstrual cramps and childbirth pains because it strengthens and tones the uterine and pelvic muscles. It also stimulates milk flow, regulates menstruation and helps with diarrhea. Best taken as a tea.

Rose Scented Geranium: Anti-inflammatory. Rose Scented Geranium helps to soothe the intestines and the stomach. It can also be used topically for treating poison oak. It is usually taken as a tincture.

Rosemary: Antibacterial. Antispasmodic. Analgesic. Antiseptic. Rosemary can help with headaches, indigestion and fatigue and is a stimulant to the nervous system. In addition to medicinal teas, rosemary is often used in balms to treat muscle pain and arthritis.

Stinging Nettles: Anti-inflammatory. Diuretic. Nettles are incredibly rich in vitamins A, C and D, and high in iron and calcium. They are also known to help with allergies, arthritis, anemia and kidney problems. Nettles are a wonderful health tonic that can be taken as a tea, or steamed (to disable the stingers) and eaten like spinach.

Thyme: Antibacterial. Antimicrobial. Antiviral. Antiseptic. Thyme is used to relieve sore throats, coughs and colds and to get rid of intestinal parasites. It can be taken as a tea or a tincture. The diluted essential oil can also be used as an antifungal and a disinfectant to wash wounds.

Yarrow: Astringent. Yarrow is most often used for colds, flues and allergies. Yarrow is known to reduce fevers and is also useful for cleansing the urinary and kidney tracts. Yarrow can be taken as a tea or tincture and an application of fresh leaves will stop bleeding and help to heal wounds.


How to make your own herbal remedies:

1. Infusions
Infusions, or medicinal teas, are similar to beverage teas except that more herbs are used and the herbs are steeped for longer, in order to extract more of the plants beneficial properties.

-Boil one cup of water for every teaspoon of dried herbs you’ll be using.
-Place herbs in a clean jar and pour the boiling water on top.
-Let steep for several hours.
-Strain out the herbs and refrigerate your tea.
-Drink within a few days.

2. Tinctures
Tinctures are plant extracts. Tinctures are usually taken by adding 20-30 drops of the solution to a glass of water.

-Add one cup of chopped dried herbs to a large clean
-Cover the herbs with 5 cups of the highest proof vodka you can buy, or apple cider vinegar for a slightly less potent but non-alcoholic tincture.
-Put a lid on the jar and let it sit in a dark place, shaking the jar occasionally.
-After two weeks, strain out the herbs using cheesecloth and then use a funnel to place the liquid into dark bottles. Find bottles with droppers or use an eye dropper to measure the solution each time you take it.

3. Salves
Salves are healing balms or soothing ointments used on the skin.

-Place 2 oz of dried herbs and 1 cup of olive oil in an enamel pot.
-Stew the herbs and oil on low heat for 3 hours, stirring occasionally.
-Strain out the herbs using cheesecloth and return the oil to the pot. Add 1 oz of grated beeswax and stir until all the wax is melted.
-Use a funnel to pour the salve into small jars. Seal and let cool.

Instructions for making these 3 herbal remedies are from recipes found in Make Your Place by Raleigh Briggs- an excellent guide to natural cleaning and health.