June 6, 2013
Peppermint
Peppermint is best known for its beneficial effects on the digestive system and strengthening action on the stomach and liver.
It calms and relaxes smooth muscles and eases stomach pain, indigestion and nausea.
Its analgesic properties bring pain relief to headaches and all kinds of cramps.
Peppermint is widely used as a flavouring agent in food and cosmetics like shampoo.
Peppermint is a hybrid perennial herb which grows up to 30-90 cm tall. The stems are erect and square-shaped like most mint plants, and it has creeping root stocks called ‘stolons’ that grow rapidly. The leaves are sharply toothed, pointed, and in midsummer dense clusters of tiny pink-purple flowers appear. Mints prefer moist shade with partial sun.
It is invasive and spreads quickly so it is best grown in pots if you don’t want it taking over.
| Common Name
|
Peppermint herb
|
| Latin Name
|
Mentha x piperita |
| Family |
Lamiaceae(Mint Family) |
| Parts Used |
Perennial- herb picked all season |
| Target Organs |
Digestion, Nervous System, Liver/gallbladder, Stomach, Respiratory, Muscular |
| Common Uses |
Digestion: Fortifies liver, stomach, and intestines. Stomach upset, gastritis, indigestion, nausea, colitis, Crohn’s, relaxing digestive, infection, inflammation
Respiratory: infections, bronchitis, sinusitis, cooling, colds, flu, coughs, nasal catarrh, pain,
Nervous: migraines, headaches, stress tension, itching,
Muscular: relaxes smooth muscle, arthritis, neuralgia, aches and pain, sciatica, bruises, inflammation |
| Properties |
Analgesic, antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, anti-emetic, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (local, systemic), antiseptic, anti-galactagogue antispasmodic (digestive, general, respiratory), antiviral, anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing expectorant, febrifuge, nervine relaxant, stomachic, tonic tranquilizer, vasodilator, vulnerary.
|
| Constituents |
Essential Oil: 2%
Monoterpene alcohol: Menthol 30-70%,
Ketone: menthone,
Aldehydes:
Esters: methyl acetate,
Oxide: 1, 8 cineole
Monoterpenes: menthene, phellandrene, azulene, limonene, pinene
Other: tannins, bitter |
| Cautions |
Medium strength: Do not use with epilepsy, convulsions, during pregnancy, breastfeeding, dry conditions, gastric hyperacidity or with children under the age of two. Older children, seniors take breaks. Essential oil: Do not store with homeopathic remedies. Do not use in a bath, it may cause hypothermia. |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 1-4ml
Tea: 1-2 tsp. infuse 10-15 minutes |
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April 29, 2013
1. Accept yourself. We are all imperfectly perfect and perfectly imperfect, just accept all the things that you think are flaws. The mirror reflects the whole picture. What parts are you concentrating on? Are you fixated on a mole or wrinkle while not getting any exercise? Focus your awareness and free yourself from self-criticism while still taking proper self-care. Don’t hold yourself to others ideals about what they think beauty is. Everyone has natural beauty.
2. Stop caring what other people might think about you. True happiness is to be yourself away from the negative constraints and limits of others. True freedom is not letting others weigh you down with their Issues. Surround yourself with positive people who not only accept you for who you are, but encourage and support you.
3. Become immune to criticism. Look behind where the criticism is coming from and what is motivating it. Realize their fixation on weight, a mole or wrinkle is their body issue and it has nothing to do with you. Realize this is their projection and don’t take it personally. Some people just want to feel superior at any cost. Wear your stretch marks from having children like a badge of honour, some women can’t experience the miracle of giving birth. Women are not dolls. Everyone has wrinkles, stretch marks, cellulite, moles, so remember be kind to each other we are all human.
4. Eat a diet high in natural organic plant-based foods and avoid gluten, refined sugar, processed fake ingredients and unnatural foods. Eat food as medicine and you will look and feel great!
5. Stay consistently active for healthy mind and body balance. Do yoga, bike, walk in nature, dance or join a sports team or group to help encourage you. You will be more motivated if you are having fun and have other people around you that are enjoying it too. You don’t have to be “beach bikini summer body” ready to enjoy the beach! Being active on the beach creates “beach bodies.”
You are now bathing suit summer body ready! Go out and enjoy yourself!
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April 23, 2013
Joe-pye or Gravel Root (Eupatorium purpureum) is related to the north american species boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum) and chinese orchid grass (Eupatorium Pei Lan). Sometimes Gravel root is called purple boneset, but do not confuse the two, they are a related but are a different species. Gravel root grows in moist conditions like boneset does, but Gravel root is best known for its use as a urinary tonic, and boneset for its amazing ability to treat fevers.
Joe pye regulates fluid metabolism and addresses toxicity by moving it out of the kidney bladder urinary system. It has pain-relieving and cooling properties, making it good to use for urinary infections and painful urination. It is also used to harmonize the reproductive system for both sexes.
Spotted Joe-pye (Eupatorium maculatum)
Spotted Joe-pye herb growing in Canada.
| Common Name |
Joe Pye / Gravel root |
| Latin Name |
Eupatorium maculatum/ purpureum |
| Family |
Asteraceae |
| Parts Used |
perennial herb blooms summer, harvest top part summer later part/fall root |
| Target Organs |
Urinary, prostate, reproductive |
| Common Uses |
Urinary system: all urinary prostate conditions, prostate urinary tonic, gout, rheumatism, urinary incontinence, stones, oedema, cystitis,Reproductive tonic: both sexes, delayed irregular |
| Properties |
prostate urinary tonic, diuretic, antiseptic, antilithic, relaxant, anaesthetic, astringent, antirheumatic |
| Constituents |
.07% volatile oil, resin, yellow flavonoids: euparin, eupatorin; oleoresin eupurpurin, saponins, tannins, essential oil, calcium oxalate, albuminoids, wax |
| Cautions |
mild remedy use caution with dryness present, best used with urinary demulcents |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 2-4 mls take formulationRoot decoction 6-12g: 1-2 tsp 10 min |
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April 19, 2013
Greater Celandine is a very hardy perennial that likes moist woodlands and transition areas. It is a native to subarctic Eurasia and became established throughout Eastern North America.
I grew Celandine from seed and transplanted in the garden not knowing what an aggressive invasive it was, but it is pretty and definitely shade tolerant.
I have lots of celandine medicine now after “weeding” a little. The stems ooze a yellow latex that stains. The latex is used to get rid of warts, and any skin condtions, injuries or infections. Harvest the top 50% just before or when it flowers in May or June, or use the leaves anytime. It is a potentizing herb that is best used in an herbal formulation mixed with demulcents and soothing herbs to counter any skin, mucus membrane irritations. Caution is strongly advised.
| Common Name |
Celandine (Greater) herb/ flowers/ root |
| Latin Name |
Chelidonium majus |
| Family |
Papaveraceae (Poppy) |
| Parts Used |
Perennial – herb/ flower- May- June root-fall |
| Target Organs |
Digestion, liver/gallbladder, spleen, |
| Common Uses |
Liver/ gallbladder: infections, gallstones, spasms, jaundice, hepatitis, Digestive conditions : IBS, constipation, digestive disturbances,Spleen conditions: dysfunction digestion
Skin/Immune: infections, skin conditions, spasms, warts, rhematic conditions, cancer (especially skin, stomach, colon, liver)
Secondary use for soft tissue injuries and coughs |
| Properties |
antineoplastic, anodyne, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, hepatic, bronchodilator, stimulating cardiac, diaphoretic, hypotensive, immune stimulant, narcotic, pancreatic, sedative, spleenic, uterine stimulant, vulnerary, diuretic, antispasmodic, purgative, anti-inflammatory, depurative, appetite stimulant, laxative, cholagogue, purgative, |
| Constituents |
Isoquinoline alkaloids: chelidonine, sanuinarine, berberine, allocryptopine, sparteine, stylopine, chelamine, magnoflorine, crytopine, chelerythine, protopine, coptisine; organic acids: chelidonic, malic, citric acid, flavonoids, essential oil, saponins, proteolytic acid, carotenoids, latex, |
| Cautions |
Do not use in pregnancy, lactation or for infants. Fresh herb may cause irritations to mucus membranes. Large doses may cause vomiting and diarrhea. Berberine can cause depressed heart function and chronic low pressure with long term use. Dried herb has less caution, but fresh is best used in a formulation up to 25% with combined demulcents. Do not exceed 2-3 month use. |
| Dosage |
Formulation Tincture: 2-4ml Dried Tea: 2 tsp 10 min |
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April 12, 2013
Treating Ant, Bee, Wasp Stings Naturally
Remove stinger if present. Baking soda neutralizes the formic acid of the sting. An acid and a base neutralize and balance each other. Formic acid is present in bee, wasp stings and ant bites and stinging nettle stings.
Peppermint essential oil will help ease pain and inflammation while providing antiseptic action along with baking soda to balance the ph level. Lavender and tea tree essential oil work well too.
Recipe:
Mix 2 drops of Peppermint, or Tea tree, Lavender essential oil
with 1 tablespoon of baking soda and enough water or witch hazel to form a paste.
You can add a bit of white clay if available, it help absorbs toxicity.
***If a bee sting allergy is present go to a hospital immediately, anaphylactic shock can be fatal.
Ants usually bite and don’t leave a stinger like a bee or wasp does, but if it does leave a stinger in, remove it as fast as you can no matter how! And then treat it with this baking soda recipe as fast as you can. It is important to remain calm. Put baking soda on right away while creating essential oil baking soda paste.
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April 11, 2013
Use essential oils to deodorize, disinfect and make your laundry smell superfresh naturally.
In the Washer:
Add essential oils to eco-friendly liquid or powder laundry soap. Alternatively you can make your own laundry detergent with soapwort and herbs.
Always use phosphate free laundry detergent it is better for you and the environment.
Place 5-10 drops of essential oil of your choice in ¼ cup of laundry detergent.
Add it to your wash in cold water.
Use Borax or Hydrogen peroxide (H202) for stains, they brighten and whiten naturally. Add ½ cup of borax to boost laundry detergents cleaning power. Borax is found in the laundry aisle in the supermarket.
In the Dryer:
Add a few drops to fabric dryer cloths, or an old facecloth or natural cloth that you can use over and over, and add it to your clothes dryer.
If you want your laundry to smell like the essential oils, put more drops on the cloth right before the end of the cycle.
Excerpt from my e-book Essential Oils and the Five Elements
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February 12, 2013
Ginger is a perennial reed-like plant with annual foliage that can reach 3-4 feet and grows in hot climates. Clusters of white and pink buds bloom into white flowers.
Ginger is one of the five noble spices along with cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and black pepper, and has a long history of medicinal and culinary use.
The rhizomes are the fleshy roots used in cooking, pickling, beverages and medicine.
Ginger essential oil is the best natural remedy for motion sickness and nausea. It is also a great remedy for colds, fatigue and poor circulation.
The CO2 extraction has more constituents that make it hotter than the steam distilled oils and shouldn’t be used in the bath.
It is a hot stimulant and exercise caution.
| COMMON NAME |
GINGER |
| Latin Name |
Zingiber officinale |
| Family |
Zingiberaceae |
| Country of Origin |
Native to Asia, China, West Indies, India, Jamaica, |
| Volatility |
Base note |
| Extraction |
Steam distilled or CO2 extraction of rhizomes (roots) |
| Colour |
pale green yellow, darkens with age |
| Aroma |
warm, spicy, sweet, pungent |
| Caution Contraindications |
May irritate skin, very warming. Do not put CO2 extraction into a bath or take internally, it is very HOT. |
| Primary Uses |
Digestion: stimulates appetite, relieves cramps, indigestion, ulcers, constipation/diarrhoea, liver congestion, motion/travel sickness, nausea, heartburn, gas
Circulation: warming, stimulating,
Cardiovascular: regulates blood pressure,
Respiratory Immune: fever, flu, colds,
arthritis, fatigue
|
| Properties |
Antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antirheumatic, antispasmodic (digestive) appetite stimulant, blood pressure normaliser, cardiac, warming carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, febrifuge, immune stimulant, nervine, pancreatic, rubefacient, stomachic, neural peripheral vasodilator, hot stimulant, |
| Constituents |
Monoterpene alcohols: >.5% gingerol, gingerone, zingebernol,
Sesquiterpene: 50% camphene, bisabolene,
Sesquiterpene alcohols:
Monoterpenes: zingiberene 20-30% B-pinene, limonene, phellandrene,
|
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February 12, 2013
Ginger is such a staple at my house, especially in the colder months because of its warming capabilities. I cook with it, make tea, use the tincture and essential oil. Ginger essential oil is the best anti-nausea remedy for travel sickness and upset stomach. I always travel with ginger essential oil especially if I’m travelling by boat. I mix it with peppermint essential oil to balance the heat with the cooling of the peppermint which is a great anti-nausea in its own right. It is my favourite combination for travel.
Ginger is very popular in many culinary arts and is also used medicinally as a warming stimulant to treat all kinds of digestive and respiratory complaints. It treats colds, digestive upset, soothes the stomach and is especially good for cold conditions like chills, colds, flu, and poor circulation.
| Common Name
|
Ginger rhizome |
| Latin Name
|
Zingiber officinale |
| Family |
Zingiberaceae |
| Parts Used |
Perennial – rhizome |
| Target Organs |
circulatory, cardiovascular, digestion, liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, reproductive |
| Common Uses |
Digestion: stimulates appetite, relieves cramps, indigestion, ulcers, constipation/diarrhoea, liver congestion, motion/travel sickness, nausea, heartburn, gas
Circulation: warming, stimulating,
Cardiovascular: regulates blood pressure,
Respiratory Immune: fever, flu, colds,
arthritis, fatigue
|
| Properties |
Antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory(local, systemic) antioxidant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic(digestive) antithrombotic, antiulcerogenic, aperient, appetite stimulant, blood pressure normaliser, cardiac, warming carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, febrifuge, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, immune stimulant, nervine, pancreatic, rubefacient, stomachic, neural peripheral vasodilator, hot stimulant, |
| Constituents |
Sesquiterpene: camphene -50% bisabolene,
Monoterpenes: zingiberene 20-30% pinene, limonene, phellandrene,
Monoterpene alcohols: >.5% gingerol, gingerone, zingebernol,
Sesquiterpene alcohols: |
| Cautions |
mild remedy: Hot stimulant |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 5-10% in formulations
Tea: 2 tsp. Grated fresh steep 10 min
Essential Oil |
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January 7, 2013
Basil is an annual herb that likes full sun. It is best known for being used in Italian cooking and making pesto
Basil is easy to grow in the summertime either from seed or seedlings. Do not store basil in the fridge it does not like the cold and will turn an off colour. Trim the stalks and store in a pint glass with water on the counter which makes it easier to use in cuisine.
| Common Name |
Basil herb |
| Latin Name |
Ocimum basilicum |
| Family |
Lamiaceae (Mint) |
| Parts Used |
annual herb picked all through summer |
| Target Organs |
digestion, nerves, respiratory, urinary, reproductive system |
| Common Uses |
Digestive conditions: digestive upset, gas, bloating, inflammation, liver congestioninfections, digestive, IBS, mucus colitis, nausea, pain,
Nervous system: tension, stress, nervousness, fever, headache, exhaustion, depression, fatigue(mental, physical)
Respiratory: flu, congestion, coughs, colds, sinusitis, asthma
Reproductive system: infertility, Nutritive
Head: headaches, earache (external use only with essential oil), migraines
Used as insect repellent and for treating insect stings and bites. |
| Properties |
Anti-inflammatory, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant, digestive, relaxant, nervine, nutritive, hepatic, carminative, stimulant, warming, tonic, |
| Constituents |
Phenylpropanoids: eugenol, trans methyl isoeugenol,Monoterpene alcohols: linalool, geraniol,
Oxide: cineole
Phenol: methyl chavicol-40-50% Methyl ester: methyl cinnamate,
Monoterpenes: pinene, camphor, ocimene, mycrene, terpinolene,
Sesquiterpenes: caryophyllene, terpinolene;
Tannins 5%, saponins, flavones, ursolic acid |
| Cautions |
Mild remedy. Do not use during pregnancy |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 2-4ml Tea: 2 tsp steep 10 min
|
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December 18, 2012
Siberian ginseng/Shigoka root has demonstrated in studies that it normalizes blood sugar and blood fat cholesterol levels, increases resistance to infection, protects against drug and radiation toxicity, potentiates sex hormone activity in both sexes improving reproductive capacity, and reduces blood clotting. It helps to balance and restore immune, endocrine and reproductive systems being a tonic to the body over-all.
Siberian ginseng/Shigoka root is native to North east Asia and Russia but does grow in North America, just not commercially. It has some of the same constituents as ginseng, looks similar and has the same family but it is not classed as a true ginseng. Siberian ginseng is not from the (Panax) Ginseng Genus like Ginsengs but it is used in similar ways like all adaptogens. The other common name is Shigoka root. All Ginsengs improve adaptive response to any type of stress, boosts immunity, balance sugar and fat levels in the body and provides antioxidants and phyto-nutrients. It is commonly used by Russian athletes.
| Common Name |
Shigoka/ Siberian ginseng root |
| Latin Name |
Eleutherococcus senticosus |
| Family |
Araliaceae |
| Parts Used |
Perennial- older root picked in the Fall |
| Target Organs |
Endocrine adrenal pituitary, circulatory, immune, |
| Common Uses |
Adaptogen Tonic for fatigue, chronic stress, adrenal exhaustion, reproductive tonic, diabetes, immune tonic, toxicity, normalize blood sugar levels, normalizes blood pressure, normalizes blood fats, chronic fatigue syndrome, drug radiation toxicity, artheroschelorosis, UTI, HBP /LBP, pancreatic |
| Properties |
Adaptogen, immune tonic, adrenal tonic, male/female reproductive tonic, anti-toxic, antineoplastic, antiallergenic, anticatarrhal, antibacterial, anticarcinogenic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, astringent, blood pressure normalizer, cardiac, diaphoretic, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, nervine, pancreatic, nervine, vasodilator, circulatory stimulant, thyroid tonic, |
| Constituents |
triterpenoids saponins: eleutherocosides |
| Cautions |
mild remedy: Do not use with extremely high blood pressure, pregnancy or lactation |
| Dosage |
Fresh or Dried Tincture: 1-4ml Tea: 1-2 tsp infuse 10-15 minutes |
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