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| | From:  LustreofHope (Original Message) | Sent: 12/12/2007 1:41 PM |
Winter Medicine Chest Basil is a gentle fever reducer Lavender can allay nausea. I make a lovely "belly balm" tea for really 'dickey tummies', made up of basil, catnip, comfrey, peppermint, witch hazel and passionflower. It is excellent for stopping belly aches, cramping due to gas, bloating, nausea, diarrhea, and anxious stomach. It can also quiet the indigestion that often follows holiday parties and over-indulgence. I keep batches of Balance tea (lavender, chamomile and rose petal) on hand for anxiety and insomnia due to over-stimulation. Peppermint as an inhalant can recuce nasal congestion. (pour just-finished- boiling water over the leaves, dried or fresh, and place a towel over the head and breathe the vapors). The same effect can be achieved with both camphor and eucalyptus. Just keep eyes closed as it can sometimes be too strong for the gentle eye tissues, and they can water or sting. The simple act of smelling peppermint or lavender can calm stomachs, nerves and minds in cases of anxiety. Lavender aromatherapy can reduce many of the symptoms of travelling sickness, such as headaches, nausea and anxiety. Perfect on a cotton ball in a zip-loc baggie to open and smell as needed during flights or even time spent waiting at the airport (train station, or in the car on the trip). Gentle enough to encourage the kids to have a whiff. I also use it constantly on summer vacations, as it also helps ease and heal sunburns. For those who suffer from season affected disorder, or simply the Gray Sky Blues, the scent of orange oil will revive weary spirits. I encourage those who have this condition to use Orange oil products so that while they clean, they are also uplifted. Other scents which affect and improve mood are clary sage and ylang ylang. But nothing beats orange oil for beating depression. |
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Several herbs are effective for treating not only the symptoms of too much winter, but the causes of colds and flu�?Impaired immunity to virus/bacteria, maintaining blood circulation and warmth, ensuring vitality of the lungs and reducing the build up of congestion in the body.
Ginger: Ginger is used for the prevention and treatment of various forms of nausea. These include motion sickness, the nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (morning sickness), and post-surgical nausea. Note: If you are pregnant or undergoing surgery, do not self-treat with ginger except under physician supervision. Weak evidence suggests ginger might be helpful for osteoarthritis. Ginger has been suggested as a treatment for numerous other conditions, including atherosclerosis, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, high cholesterol, burns, ulcers, depression, impotence, and liver toxicity. Stops cough and stops vomiting. In traditional Chinese medicine, hot ginger tea taken at the first sign of a cold is believed to offer the possibility of averting the infection. |
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Elderflower: Elder flowers are highly effective in managing upper respiratory congestion and infections. Picked from the elder tree in mid to late summer, they seem to capture the dry warmth of this time of year, perfect for drying up that runny or blocked nose. These tiny pale white flowers have a delicate floral taste and contain flavonoids and small amounts of mucilage and tannins, a perfect combination for soothing healing and protecting mucous membranes. An old tradition was to make fresh Elderflower wine in summer ready to drink in winter…Food as medicine?!?
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Yarrow: Yarrow's principle action is on the circulation. As the cold of winter slows down and redirects blood circulation, Yarrow dilates blood vessels allowing increased blood flow, oxygen and warmth to surface tissues (like the skin and mucous membranes). This enables the immune cells to function at their peak, warding off infection and keeping channels clear and open. The whole flowering tops are used in a tea or other forms in mild fevers or minor congestion where circulation is a concern. |
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Sage: Sage is a most powerful and effective herb for treating sore throats. The different essential oils in sage exert an antiseptic effect in the respiratory tract and helps to keep both the throat and lungs free of infection. The additional effect of stimulating digestion aids to minimise congestion in other parts of the body, making fresh sage a valuable ingredient to winter recipes. |
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Rose hips: Rose hips form in Autumn following the rose flowers of summer. They are the fruit around the rose seed, full of nutrients to protect the seed during winter until the arrival of spring�?Let them do the same for you. As a rich source of Vitamin C and flavonoids Rosehips aid with nourishing you for defense against colds and flu. |
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Echinacea: First used by the Indigenous North Americans who harvested the plants for extensive use in the treatment of infectious wounds and burns or eruptive skin complaints. It enhances the phagocytic activity of white blood cells- identifying and retiring bacterial, viral and fungal infections, in addition to the clearance of these from the lymphatic system. Higher doses are often used for affecting acute immune responses. |
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Mullein: The leaves of Mullein are used as a soothing expectorant, facilitating easier removal of lung congestion. This action is ideal during or after colds where the persistence of dampness or mucus impairs adequate lung function and clearance. Mullein soothes and strengthens the mucosal membranes of the respiratory system where these have been painful, irritated or sore from infection. |
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Astragalus: To be used after colds or infection to rebuild immunity, Astragalus is a sweet tasting herb effective in restoring both resilience to future respiratory infections, and efficiency of metabolism to ensure optimal nutrition for immune reserves to fight off those winter chills. This herb is the best for restoring energy to the body very quickly. |
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Thyme: The pungent oils found in Thyme are an effective anti microbial in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taking Thyme, people often note tasting it on their breath as the oils permeate through the respiratory system to reduce the proliferation of viruses during infections. It also warms the digestion and reduces metabolic congestion, aiding to clear the body of conditions for infection. |
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Garlic: Garlic was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians, chewed by Greek Olympian athletes and thought to be essential for keeping vampires at bay! But it is also good for zapping bacteria, keeping your heart healthy, warding off coughs and colds. Garlic is an antibiotic that can actually kill infecting bacteria and at the same time protect the body from the poisons that are causing the infection. It is known that the most sensitive bacterium to garlic is the deadly Bacillus anthracis which produces the poison anthrax. Even the forefather of antibiotic medicine Louis Pasteur acknowledged garlic to be as effective as penicillin and late studies showed similar activity to a more modern antibiotic, chloramphenicol. Even the blood of garlic eaters can kill bacteria and it is also reported that the vapour from freshly cut garlic can kill bacteria at a distance of 20 cms! |
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Fenugreek: Soothes sore throat pain and coughs. From ancient times through the late 19th century, fenugreek played a major role in herbal healing. Then it fell by the wayside. Now things are once again looking up for the herb whose taste is an odd combination of bitter celery and maple syrup. Modern scientific research has found that fenugreek can help reduce cholesterol levels, control diabetes and minimise the symptoms of menopause. The ancient Greeks fed this herb to horses and cattle. The Romans then started using it, too, calling it "Greek hay." (In Latin, "Greek hay" is foenum-graecum, and that evolved into "fenugreek." ) As fenugreek spread around the ancient Mediterranean, physicians learned that its seeds, like many seeds, contain a gummy substance called mucilage. Mixed with water, mucilage expands and becomes a gelatinous soother for irritated tissues. |
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Marshmallow: Marshmallow stimulates the immune system and the production of white blood cells. It also soothes inflammation, slows production of mucus, and reduces sugar levels in the body. |
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