Our Blog has a New Section!
Discover all you need to know about the Healing Properties of Herbs and Crystals.
PREVIEW the Page HERE:
OR
access the Healing Properties Page via the Navigation Bar at the top of Our Website
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
An Excerpt from Our New Section
HEALING PROPERTIES
of
HERBS and CRYSTALS
On this page you will find simple and complex descriptions on the Healing Properties and Common Uses for Herbs and Crystals.
In Section One you can browse
charts and photos of easy to understand quick guides that will provide
you with basic information on each crystal or herb.
In Section Two I will go more in depth into each of the crystals and herbs that I work with.
This section is fully searchable. To use the search feature simply press the Ctrl and F keys on your keyboard in rapid succession and type in the word you are looking for.
This is a dynamic project, I am always adding to it. Please bookmark this page and come back for more and updated information.
Thanks for stopping by.
SECTION ONE
SECTION TWO
This section is not divided into sections,
it is in alphabetical order, and is fully searchable by pushing the
Ctrl and F keys on your keyboard in rapid succession.
LAVENDER
Sleep: a sprinkle or a sachet under your pillow at night guarantee a
lovely trip to dreamland; try a cup of soothing lavender tea for ultra
relaxation
Headache: massage into your temples, or use on of our Lavender Eye Pillows to soothe away the pain
Freshener: place in a bowl or diffuser in any room makes for a most welcoming home
Bath: soak your cares away buy adding a handful to a warm bath
Laundry: yes, laundry!
TEA:
oooh yummy...and good for the tummy too. Just add two teaspoons of
lavender flowers to steaming boiled water. Add a sweetener such as
wildflower honey for a special treat.
Anxiety: Lavender, in tea form, has been used for ages to calm a worried mind and body
Tummy: Lavender in tea helps immensely with a colicky tummy, gastritis and calms flatulence
Mood: It has been suggested that lavender has mood stabilizing properties and promotes an overall feeling of well-being
Skin:
safe to use topically, a tincture or tea of lavender helps disinfect
wounds and sores and soothes insect bites and sunburn, and has an
anti-inflammatory effect to aid in psoriasis and eczema
Oral Care: try swishing lavender tea in your mouth for sweet smelling fresh breath
Hair: unsweetened lavender water/tea makes an excellent hair rinse, helps with hair loss and dandruff
Pain:
lavender, in tea form, and under medical supervision, is used by many
to aid in the pain of cancer, arthritis and backache. As mentioned
above, headaches too!
Breathing: aromatic lavender has been said to
help with bronchial difficulties, soothe the respiratory tract due to
colds and allergies. Steam some dried flowers in plain water and inhale
the vapors.
Personal Care: ladies.....a tincture or water (tea,
unsweetened) of lavender is used Externally for personal freshness and
as an antiseptic wash
Antioxidant: lavender has been used throughout the ages as a powerful antioxidant to slow and counter the effects of aging
Insect Repellant: use as lavender water or rub flowers on skin to help keep those skeeters away
Athlete's
foot: Soak in lavender water (cooled, unsweetened lavender tea) to
soothe the irritation, add a few flower heads to your shoes to keep
fresh all day long
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SPIRULINA
or
BLUE GREEN ALGAE
Mother Natures' Super Food. This
nutrient packed powder is composed of a collection of single celled,
spiral shaped organisms with an incredible ability to survive in a wide
range of environments. Spirulina cell walls are also not made up of
cellulose as in other algae, but are in fact composed of complex sugars
and proteins.
A power packed supplement, it is often added to
fruit smoothies or taken in capsule form. Used as a pre-meal supplement,
it is believed to aid with nutrient absorption. It is also popular
among athletes and body builders as it can help improve stamina and
strength .Modern herbalists sometimes prescribe Spirulina to pregnant
women because of its wide array of nutrients. Some studies, including
those done by the FDA, have indicated that it can help lower blood
glucose and lower harmful fat levels, therefore it may be useful in
treating diabetes.
Spirulina has a slightly salty, freshwater
aroma and taste and may take some getting used to. Because of this, some
prefer to have their Spirulina encapsulated for easy ingestion.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
VALERIAN ROOT
AKA Valerian, Tobacco Root, Garden Heliotrope, All-Heal
Valerian Root, also known as Valerian, Tobacco Root, Garden Heliotrope,
and All-heal, is widely used as a sleep aid and sedative, anti-anxiety
potion and even as a muscle relaxant. While effects are often seen
immediately, it sometimes takes a few weeks to work its most effective
magic. Some herbalists also recommend valerian for treating digestive
issues from stomach pain to irritable bowel syndrome.
Valerian is
often combined with other herbs traditionally known to promote sleep
such as st. johns wort, lemon balm, hops, passionflower, chamomile, and
lavender. The advantage of valerian over tranquilizers such as Valium
and Xanax is that it reduces sleep latency, the time required to fall
asleep, without a period of bedtime drowsiness and without creating a
hangover or grogginess the next morning. Valerian has greatest effect in
treating chronic insomnia, rather than short-term sleeplessness.
In
tea, valerian tastes sweet and spicy if somewhat bitter, but the aroma
calls for combining with more pleasant smelling herbs. To prepare tea,
steep in hot steamy, but NOT boiling water, as boiling may drive off the
lighter oils. As a sleep aid, drink a cup or two about 30 minutes to
two hours before bedtime.
Dosage for the treatment of insomnia
ranges from 300 to 600 mg of liquid root extract, or the equivalent of 2
to 3 g of dried valerian root. Lower dosages are typically used for the
treatment of nervous tension and when the root is used in combination
with other supplements.
Anyone who has experienced the unpleasant
"dirty socks" odor of the roots would be surprised to learn that the
pink or white flowers are actually quite fragrant. Because of its
bitter, somewhat unpleasant taste and odor, Valerian is commonly taken
as a dietary supplement in capsule form. If you would like your valerian
root encapsulated, I can do that for you at a very nominal cost. (just
search for *encapsulate your herbs*) in our shop.
Valerian offers:
Acetic acid
ascorbic acid
beta-ionone
calcium
caffeic acid
magnesium
manganese
quercitin
valeric acid
Valerian
root is not believed to carry a risk of dependency, however,If you use
valerian for several months and suddenly stop using it, although rare,
you should watch for withdrawal symptoms such as headache, insomnia,
racing heart, and general grouchiness. Instead, reduce dosage of a
period of about a week.
The American Herbal Products Association
(AHPA) gives valerian a class 1 safety rating, indicating that it is a
safe herb with a wide dosage range. Some people, however, experience
adverse reactions to valerian. Rather than feeling the calming or
sleep-inducing effects, they suddenly feel nervous, anxious and restless
after taking the herb and may experience heart palpitations.
Valerian
root should not be taken if you are pregnant or nursing, if you suffer
from liver disease, or if you are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors
(MAOIs). Valerian root has the potential to interact with other
medications, and may not be recommended in those cases.
Medication Interactions With Valerian Root:
Valerian
root may cause drowsiness if taken with prescription medications such
as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), benzodiazepines,
narcotics such as codeine, barbituates such as phenobarbitol, and
over-the-counter cold and sleep remedies.
The supplement may also
interfere with the effectiveness of medications broken down in the
liver, such as allergy medications, cholesterol medications, antifungal
medications and cancer medications.
Side effects of valerian root are rare but may include headache, upset stomach, daytime drowsiness, and dizziness.
Risks Associated with Valerian Root:
Unlike
prescription sleep medications, the supplement should only be used
under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional, and
caution should be exercised if taking the supplement over an extended
period of time. Do not operate heavy or dangerous machinery until you
know how the supplement affects you.
Other supplements for social anxiety disorder:
Chamomile
Kava Kava
Passion Flower
Rhodiola Rosea
St. John's Wort
Winter Cherry
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
BLUE VIOLET LEAF
Traditionally used as a tea, the dried leaf can also be sprinkled on
salads, soups and other goodies. A warm Blue Violet Leaf Tea can
soothe a headache, relax your mind and body, and ease aches and pains.
Sip slowly to relieve a dry sore throat.
Blue Violet Leaf is
best known for supporting the natural health of our upper respiratory
system and lungs. A tea or tincture of Blue Violet Leaf works naturally
to clear the respiratory tract of excess mucous and phlegm, helping
bring relief to those suffering with the common cold, chronic
bronchitis, asthma and COPD. Folk lore has it used in symptomatic
relief of whooping cough. Blue Violet Leaf is well known by
Herbologists for supporting and maintaining a healthy blood supply as
well as naturally detoxifying the blood and body It works hard to
relieve headaches, promote healthy skin, support a healthy nervous
system, boost the immune system to fight infection and reduce swelling
in lymph nodes (glands). As an added bonus it assists the body into a
state of natural relaxation....great for insomniacs or those suffering
with anxiety.
Ingesting Blue Violet on a regular basis has been
said to help relieve common skin such as boils, pimples, psoriasis,
eczema, and acne. In addition, make a simple soak in the same manner as
you would make tea, cool slightly, soak a cotton cloth and apply to the
affected areas of the skin as a 20 minute warm or cool soak; this can
help to improve skin integrity.
Containing a major component of
salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, Blue Violet Leaf has
been used effectively to relieve muscle and joint pain and inflammation.
Even severe headaches have been calmed by the use of Blue Violet Leaf.
Used externally as an herbal antiseptic, Blue Violet Leaf's
disinfectant properties are often included in eye and mouth washes and
sore throat gargles.
To Make Tea
Fill pot with cold water and bring to a boil.
Add dry tea or herb to your reusable cotton drawstring teabag (included) (experiment with amounts for the taste you prefer)
Tie the bag securely
Steep in steaming hot, not boiling water for 10 minutes to gain full taste and nutritional benefits
Contraindications:
Copiously large amounts of Blue Violet Leaf ingested as a supplement
(many times normal daily usage amounts) may cause nausea and vomiting
because of the irritant effects of saponins, substances found in
numerous plants such as ginseng and spinach, and often used as
pharmaceuticals, nonetheless, they can be harsh on the digestive system.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Cultivated as far back as
ancient Egypt, peppermint is still being used for medical purposes
today. Most commonly used in herbal teas and capsules, the leaf itself
is also chewed as a breath freshener. Old lore also holds that it is
quite good for stimulating visionary dreams and psychic ability.
Modern
herbalists use peppermint to aid in digestion, relax intestinal
muscles, reduce cramping and reduce nausea and heartburn, thus calming
the stomach. Also used as natural respiratory relief and reduce
inflammation, benefiting those with irritable bowel syndrome,
diverticulitis and Crohn’s disease. Some herbalists believe that
peppermint can also inhibit bacterial growth.
Use as alternative medicine, as a yummy tea, in your recipes. Great all around herb!
Hot
or cold tea is an excellent way to enjoy the benefits of our Organic
Peppermint Leaf. Follow these simple steps for a yummy treat.
~ Boil water.
~ Pour the boiling water over about two tablespoons of dried leaves.
~ Cover and let steep for ten to twenty minutes
~ Pour leafy-tea into strainer over a mug, straining out the leaves
~ Add sweetener of your choice and enjoy!
ALTERNATIVELY
and even easier, you can use one of our natural cotton reusable tea
bags and simply steep a couple of tablespoons of tea within the bag in
an entire pot of steaming water.
HINT: any tea tastes best when not boiled after the leaves are added.
