Preparing Herbal Remedies
Herbal Remedies And Their Preparation
These days natural herbal remedies are becoming increasingly accessible. Herbs are used in many types of preparations that can be taken orally or used topically.
Specific herbs have specific uses associated with them. These uses have come to be known over years of use and have been handed down from generation to generation. In recent times, scientific studies have proved that certain herbal remedies work for specific illnesses.
Herbal remedies are available in several different preparations for internal or topical use.
Herbal Remedies For Internal Use:
Internal herbal remedies are taken orally. They can be prepared in many different ways:
Infusions: Infusions are the most popular way to take herbal remedies. Infusions are preparations that use water as a solvent to mix with botanicals.
The mixture may be started out hot or cold. Hot water infuses the herbs more readily so most infusions are started hot and then cooled down for later use, the mixture being steeped, rather than boiled. Tea is actually a form of infusion. Infusions are generally the weakest preparation used in herbal remedies.
Decoctions: A decoction is similar to an infusion in that water is used. However, the herbs are boiled and then squeezed into a container. The resulting liquid is more concentrated than an infusion and has a greater potency. herbal remedies made from decotions often contain alcohol to prevent spoiling.
Tinctures: Herbal tinctures are prepared by allowing herbs to steep in liquids for long periods of time to produce a solution. The herbs are steeped for several weeks in dark glass containers containing water, vinegar, alcohol, or glycerin. Once the herbs have broken down and dissolved the mixture is then strained to produce a tincture. Herbal remedies as tinctures are usually taken in food or drinks.
Syrups: Similar to a tincture, a syrup is a thicker liquid. Syrups are most often taken alone as herbal remedies. For example, cough mixtures are often prepared as a syrup. Syrups generally have higher concentrations of herbs and care should be taken to follow the directions properly.
Capsules and Tablets: The most highly manufactured way to produce herbal remedies, supplements are available in tablet form for almost any herb known.
Herbal Remedies For Topical Use:
Salves: Salves are herbal remedies that are applied to the skin. They are generally thick creams that persist on the skin, providing a protective barrier and helping to keep moisture in. Salves have protective qualities that shield the skin from the harsh effects of the external environment. Popular salves include those made with calendula, St. John’s Wort, and comfrey.
Ointments: Ointments are similar to salves, but are thicker in consistency. They are used topically on the skin and are particularly good herbal remedies for minor skin irritations and burns.
Poultices: A poultice is a traditional preparation of fresh or dried whole herbs. The herbs are mashed into a paste and applied topically to the affected area. The herbs can be moistened and heated and then applied to the skin. Your victorian ancestors would have applied herbal remedies using poultices and such preparations are still useful today. A crude herbal preparation method, poultices are great for instant use and can use parts of the plant that aren’t normally used, such as the root and stems.
Compresses: A compress is similar to a poultice. Fresh or dried herbs are mashed and mixed with water to make a paste. The paste is then applied to the skin or put into a small bundle, often in fabric, to be held against the skin.
Oils: Infused oils are made by combining herbs with oil, usually extra-virgin olive oil, and warmed on a low heat. This mixture is then steeped for at least a fortnight, then strained and bottled. Infused oils provide useful herbal remedies for skin irritations and are also commonly used as massage oils.
Choosing Herbal Remedies
When you are choosing herbal remedies there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, make sure you understand what you want the product to do, read the label. Sometimes there are additional ingredients that may be unnecessary for your ailment. Always choose herbal remedies that most closely identify with your disorder.
Smell the product to discover how much of the herb is actually in the product. This is especially true with creams and salves. If you can’t smell the herb then chances are there is not enough of it in the product to help you.
Always check for an expiration date on purchased herbal remedies.
Always store herbal remedies in a cool, dry, dark cupboard. Exposure to light can break down the mixture. Many herbal remedies are sold in dark containers to help keep light from affecting the product.
Alway know what herbal remedies you’re taking, what they contain and why you're taking them. Although herbal remedies are natural they can be very powerful and interactions can occur, consult your doctor if you are in any doubt.
Effective Weight Loss With Herbs
Effective Weight Loss With Herbs
Calorie restriction through dieting often turns out to be a roller coaster ride that can make you feel miserable and actually reduce your chances of losing weight. A truly effective weight loss plan should energise and motivate you towards making long term lifestyle changes.
Eating a healthy diet and getting plenty of excercise is a far more effective weight loss plan to adopt. Add weight loss herbs to the mix and you can really watch the pounds melt away. Incorporating a few effective weight loss herbs will boost your metabolic rate and motivate you to reach your goal in losing weight.
Herbal supplements that encourage effective weight loss can work more efficiently if you cleanse your body of toxins first, try using a chlorella supplement as a detoxifier. Chlorella is a blue green algae and one of the most nutritious foods that exist.
Chlorella is invaluable in the early stages of an effective weight loss plan by helping rid your body of heavy metal toxins and providing a boost to your energy levels and immune system. However, you may feel a bit overcast and muggle headed for a few days as toxins are released from your cells, this should tell you that the chlorella is working for you.
Correct diet is a major factor in effective weight loss. Five or six small meals a day according to your nutritional type will keep your metabolism revved up. Get plenty of fibre and exercise regularly, exercising three times a week for thirty minutes each time will massively increase your chances of effective weight loss.
Laying off sugar and grain based carbohydrates such as bread and pastry should go without saying. A truly effective weight loss plan has no room for junk food, just do without for a few days and any cravings will soon disappear.
Which herbs To Use For Effective Weight Loss?
Thermogenic herbs stimulate your metabolism and promote fat burning in the body, incorporating a few of these in your diet will support and promote an effective weight loss regimen.
- Cayenne pepper contains a substance called capsaicin, which helps to stimulate digestion and motivate metabolism.
- Green tea contains caffeine and epigallocatchetin gallate to stimulate metabolism and should be part of any effective weight loss plan.
- Seaweed, or kelp, is a natural thyroid stimulant, that can boost metabolism. (see your doctor if you have a thyroid disorder)
- Nettle tea is considered to be a thermogenic herb.
- Ginseng tea boosts digestion and enhances a healthy appetite.
- Cinnamon helps to normalise blood sugar levels and insulin response.
- Mustard seed is considered to be an effective weight loss herb.
Tip: If you don't like the flavour of pure ginseng tea try blending a little ginseng with your green tea, it's delicious and the two together can give you quite a lift when they're consumed as part of an effective weight loss plan.
Continue using the herbs along with natural organic diet and you'll find you have an effective weight loss plan. Give it thirty days and see how you feel, you'll be surprised how easy effective weight loss can be on you.
Search For Chlorella For Effective Weight Loss In Our Store
Buy Organic Chlorella For Effective Weight Loss From Indigo Herbs Of Glastonbury
Herbal Remedies For Sinusitis
Herbal Remedies For Treating Sinusitis Attacks
A sinusitis attack can linger for two or three weeks or more, causing physical symptoms and emotional distress. Many consumers these days choose herbal remedies to treat sinusitis attacks.
Sinusitis is a very common disorder that affects people of all age apart from the very young. Herbal remedies can treat the symptoms, including congestion, headaches, and pressure in the face.
Sinusitis can feel awful, a runny nose, blocked feeling in the face, a headache that just won’t go away and general fatigue are the main symptoms. Its like having the physical symptoms of a bad head cold for what seems like weeks on end.
Unlike a viral or bacterial infection, a sinusitis attack just means that your sinuses are inflamed. Herbal remedies can help your sinuses return to health much faster, however a bacterial sinus infection will often require antibioticts to clear the infection before herbal remedies are used.
Unfortunately antibiotics do nothing to prepare the body for a recurring sinusitis attack. They also tend to compromise the amount of good bacteria living in your sinuses that can help ward off further infection.
Thankfully, herbal remedies can provide a natural balance and strengthen your immune system, enabling you to fight off future sinusitis attacks.
Echinacea In Sinusitis Herbal Remedies
The key to avoiding sinusitis and sinus infections is in using herbal remedies to develop a strong and healthy immune system. Echinacea is one of the best herbal remedies and immune booster for reducing inflammation and protecting your sinuses from bacterial infection. A dose fo 150-300 mg or a teaspoon of echinacea fluid extract in a cup of water will be ample to prepare sinusitis herbal remedies.
Echinacea can also be taken as a tea throughout the day, but don't overdo it.
Goldenseal is another herbal remedy used to treat sinus infections. Goldenseals immune-enhancing properties assist the natural flow of mucus, helping with the elimination of toxins. You can start your treatment with a 250-500 mg dose or a teaspoon of goldenseal fluid extract in a cup of water.
Other herbal remedies used for sinusitis treatment
Nettle and licorice are also used as herbal remedies in sinusitis attacks, use them in the same doses as the goldenseal treatment. Whichever herbal remedies you use to treat sinusitis, you should make every effort to fortify your immune system so that you are able to fight off infection if you are presented with a sinusitis attack in the future.
Green Tea – What Is It And Is It Good For You?
Green Tea Benefits
Both green and black teas are made from the camellia sinensis plant, which is dried and oxidised or steamed into popular teas, such as green tea, black tea or oolong tea.
After picking, tea leaves are wilted and then undergo a period of oxidisation.
Green tea is the least oxidised having been steamed or roasted to prevent the oxidisation process.
Black tea leaves are allowed to completely oxidise, whilst the processing time of oolong teas falls somewere in between the two.
Green tea leaves contain many beneficial polyphenols, the most important being the catechin chain epigallocatechin gallate which is held responsible for much of the antioxidant activity of green tea. Green tea also contains carotenoids, tocopherols and ascorbic acid so can help increase your antioxidant intake. Minerals, which include chromium, manganese, selenium and zinc are also present in green tea.
Green Tea Studies
Studies have shown that green tea polyphenols contain more antioxidants than are found in fruit and vegetables. These antioxidants are powerful allies in the fight against degenerative ailments such as cancer or alzheimers.
Green tea can also defend against other ailments such as abnormal blood clot formation, high cholesterol levels and diabetes. Green tea polyphenols are also known to help weight loss and defend against halitosis and dental cavities.
A regular green tea intake can also improve skin conditions and help reduce your chances of developing skin cancer. By using green tea tea extract in lotion form, it is possible to use it as a sunscreen.
Green tea is known to slow the growth of existing tumors and boost the immune system, reducing your chances of contracting colds, throat infections and flu.
Green tea contains caffeine, so if you drink a lot of tea consider alternating caffeinated and decaffeinated teas to prevent the jittery side effects of a high caffeine intake. Some experts consider green tea to be healthier than drinking plain water.
Both green and black tea offer us many health benefits and desirable nutrients. By adding these teas to your diet, you can increase your chances of a healthier lifestyle and decrease your chances for contracting diseases and some types of modern-day cancers.
Ginseng Tea, The Natural Tonic
Ginseng Tea And Its Remarkable Effects
Ginseng tea consumption is widespread throughout the world, paricularly in asia. Ginseng tea is drunk for its excellent flavor and its many health benefits.
The word “ginseng” originates from the Chinese term “jen-shen,” which means, “in the image of man.” The ginseng root has several tapered limbs extending from its main trunk and can resemble the human body.
The name refers to a group of herbs from the plant family Araliacae. There are the three main types of ginseng: American(Panax quinquefolius), Oriental (Chinese or Korean), and Siberian (Eleutheroccus senticosis). Traditional Chinese medicine believes that each type of ginseng has different healing properties.
Ginseng contains complex mixtures of carbohydrates and essential vitamins and minerals. Compounds called ginsenosides have been identified as the main active components of ginseng. In traditional chinese medicine, ginseng has a “cooling” effect, making it useful in the treatment of fever, respiratory tract disorders, and blood circulation problems.
Studies show that the ginsenosides, the active ingredients, are responsible for the many health benefits of ginseng. There are above 20 different ginsenosides, each of which is believed to have different effects and benefits. This is why ginseng is used by people all over the world as a general tonic and alternative medicine.
People drink ginseng tea because they believe that it:
- reduces fatigue and increases stamina
- increases the formation of red blood cells and helps in cases of anemia
- lowers blood sugar levels and helps prevent diabetes
- normalises pulmonary functions, supressing coughs and helping with tuberculosis and asthma
- improves mental conditions, helping to prevent neuroses
- speeds up blood alcohol clearance
- reduces the effects of alcohol intoxication
Ginseng As An Adaptogen
Ginseng is often used as a general tonic and physical and mental performance enhancer. It is referred to as an “adaptogen” because it strengthens our ability to combat physical and mental stress. Several studies show that it is able to reduce the symptoms of fatigue in both sexes. Many clinical studies show that people who take ginseng or ginseng supplements are able to overcome higher levels of emotional and physical stress.
Additionally, a regular intake of ginseng may reduce one's chances of developing different cancers, especially cancers of the lungs, liver, and ovaries. Reports often conclude that people who use it on a regular basis, feel better and are more alert. Ginseng may also lead to memory improvements and sharpen other mental faculties. For maximum results, some users of ginseng tea blend their ginseng with gingko biloba or regular green tea.
Ginseng is also taken as a supplement to improve sexual performance and is believed to be effective in helping increase sperm production. Recent medical studies show that ginseng enhances libido and sexual performance. Ginseng promotes the release of nitric oxide and improves the blood flow in the penis and, in doing so, enhances sexual pleasure and performance.
Ginseng may affect blood sugar levels and stimulate the immune system, always consult your doctor before treating yourself with herbal remedies.
The Amazing Health Benefits Of Green Tea
Green Tea And Its Health Benefits
People have been drinking green tea for a very long time. The Chinese (who are credited with its discovery) have been using green tea for medicinal purposes for about 4,000 years, they've used green tea for just about everything, from losing weight to treating depression!
Modern day scientists have studied green tea and reported that it reduces the chance of contracting some types of cancers, along with positive effects on our bodies such as an increase in energy levels.
Green tea has been linked to lowering our chance of contracting other diseases as well, such as cardiovascular disease and arthritis, it can even help lower our cholesterol levels. Using green tea can also help with minor aches and pains such as headaches and joint pain.
Green Tea Catchetins
Green tea contains catechin polyphenols, which are believed to be the ingredients that give us all of these wondrous health benefits. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is the most powerful of these catechins. EGCG as an antioxidant is about 25-100 times more potent than vitamins C and E
These catchetin polyphenols are found in the leaves of the camellia sinensis plant, which is made into our green tea. Catchetin polyphenols are thought to inhibit cancer cells from growing to form the many types of cancer we see today, without damaging any tissues in the process. Polyphenols are considered to be very powerful ant-oxidants, which promote healthier body processes.
Green Tea For Losing Weight
Green tea is also known for helping some people lose weight, by increasing energy levels and promoting a faster metabolism. It’s an all-natural answer to your diet program without the side effects of controversial supplemental diet pills.
Green tea can also provide you with a healthier oral hygiene regimen. It helps prevent plaque from forming, while keeping bacteria under control so it doesn’t get out of hand and cause halitosis. With all of the reports of harmful effects that some treatments cause, green tea is an attractive option.
Drinking green tea is a natural, safe way to provide these health benefits. If you want to keep your body truly healthy, give green tea a try. The ancient Chinese did – and they used it for almost all of their medicinal needs.
There is a Wikipedia article on green tea here
Naturopathy And Herbs
Naturopathy And Herbs
These days, more and more people are taking their health into their own hands and using naturopathy to treat their medical conditions.
Taking a natural approach, using herbs and other non-synthetic treatments, gives consumers a whole body healing approach, rather than the dominant single-symptom treatments doctors seem so fond of in modern medicine.
How Naturopathy Works
Naturopathy allows you to treat your body as a whole and to put it back on track to good health. It combines the mind, body, and spirit in all treatments. The aim of Naturopathy is to get your internal and mental state back in balance so that you have a stronger ability to stave off infection and heal faster than usual.
For thousands of years, our ancestors have practiced naturopathy because it’s all they knew and had on hand before the emergence of pharmacological prescriptions.
Naturopathy Today
Herbs are being used today in conjunction with naturopathy when spiritual rituals are used to treat human illnesses. Your body was designed to be able to heal itself, as is evident with the natural antibodies you produce when infection strikes. But sometimes you need a boost, and herbs deliver what the body sometimes can’t.
Naturopathy uses herbs to help the body heal faster by boosting its natural abilities, not introducing foreign substances into the body that you eventually build up an immunity to over time.
You’ll notice that if you follow the teachings of naturopathy, you won’t be sent on your way with a herb or two in your pocket to take care of the problem. Instead, you’ll be encouraged to live a better life spiritually and mentally, as well as take care of your physical health in all areas, such as diet and exercise. You will be following the time honoured principals of naturopathy.
Herbs can only do so much healing. If a consumer isn’t willing to take the necessary steps to eliminate bad things from their diet, or implement a positive outlook on life, then the problems ailing them will continue to return time and time again.
Those who use herbs to continue on a path to naturopathic treatments are people who believe in non-toxic therapies. Synthetic prescriptions are not natural to the body, and can sometimes produce disabling side effects on their own.
As the medicinal form of naturopathy develops even further over the coming years, you’ll see an increase in the number of other treatment paths who use the whole body approach of naturopathy and believe in treating the person, not the prognosis.
There is a Wikipedia article on naturopathy here
Herbs: Growing Your Own Culinary Herbs
Herbs: Growing Your Own Herbs
Could you use a constant supply of fresh, delicious culinary herbs from your own kitchen garden?
If so, you'll first need to decide which herbs you're going to grow. The most popular culinary herbs include rosemary, sage, basil, dill, mint, chives, and parsley among others. Take a look round your kitchen to see which herbs you cook with on a regular basis.
Most culinary herbs don't like saturated ground so your herb garden should have very good drainage, and for convenience, it should be close to your kitchen door. If you live in a wet area take care that you don't plant your herbs too close to the wall. Water draining from the wall or an overflowing gutter during regular heavy rain could wash out your herb garden.
Buy Herb Plants Or Sow Your Own Seeds?
Should you grow herbs from seed or buy established herb plants fom a nursery? Well, most herbs are easy to germinate from seed - even if you've never grown anything from seed before. Buy true to type seeds rather than F1 varieties if you want to save the seeds for future sowings. Just sow them indoors or in a greenhouse and you'll have vigorous growth from most herb varieties in a few days. Once your herb plants are strong enough, replant them to your herb garden. If you're planning a container herb garden you can sow them directly into the containers.
Buying established herb plants from a nusrsery or garden centre is considerably more expensive than growing from seed, especially if you need a large number of plants. If it's late in the season or you only need a couple of plants then it's quick and easy, but you will gain far more satisfaction (and save more money) growing your herb garden from seed.
Harvesting Your culinary herbs
Your herbs should be well established by several months before you harvest them. The law of delayed gratification is at work here. By growing unabated your herb garden will produce healthily for years to come. If you're going to snip a bit here and there because fresh herbs are just so delicious... Stop! Think of your herb garden, and how beautiful it and productive it will be if you give it chance to grow for a few months. Once your herb garden has become established then it's ok to snip.
Harvest your herbs just before, or around flowering time by cutting whole stems from around a third of the way up. The best time of day is in the morning, after the dew has gone but before the sun is strong. At this time the volatile oils in your herbs will be strongest. Allow a few stems to go to seed if you want seeds for the following year.
The only exception to this is mint, if you let mint go to seed you won't have a culinary herb garden next year - you'll have a mint garden! - it's that vigorous. To keep your mint under control grow it in a container of it's own and collect the seeds by hand.
Once you’ve harvested your herb garden you can preserve your herbs by drying or freezing. You can slowly air dry herbs by tying the stems into loose bunches and hanging them where they won't be knocked or disturbed. alternatively, you can spread them out in an oven at an extremely low temperature. Tender bright green leafy herbs such as basil, corriander or parsley retain their flavours much better if you freeze them. To store dried herbs for later use sealable glass jars
Other than that, there really isn't much to it. As long as your drainage is good, a culinary herb garden is easy to start and easy to maintain. If you're used to working on a traditional vegetable garden you'll find that cultivating herbs is really no work at all.
Arthritis Treatment With Herbal Remedies
Arthritis Treatment With Herbal Remedies
Arthritis can be a life altering disease for many people. This chronic swelling of the joints, which causes stiffness and pain, isn’t just reserved for the over 60s either – arthritis also affects children all over the world. Herbal remedies are becoming increasingly popular in arthritis treatment.
Alfalfa is a herb often used for arthritis treatment. Alfalfa tea can be effective in relieving arthritis symptoms when taken continuously for two to three weeks with a seven to ten day break between periods of consumption.
The Angelica herb is also used for arthritis treatment because it contains anti-inflammatory constituents and muscle relaxants as well as natural pain-relievers. Angelica is also taken in a tea concoction, with the same frequency and breaks in treatment as the alfalfa remedy.
Black cohosh, a tall perennial plant of the buttercup family that grows in eastern and central areas of the United States is sometimes used in Arthritis treatment for Pain Relief. Black Cohosh has similar qualities to aspirin, containing small amounts of salicylic acid. It acts as an anti inflammatory and includes anti-spasmodic constituents.
Boswellia, yet another herb used in arthritis treatment, is similar to an over the counter or prescription-level non-steroid anti-inflammatory. It’s better than synthetic drugs in arthritis treatment, however, because it doesn’t give the user ulcers after long-term use.
Celery is another plant that can be used in arthritis treatment. Celery seeds and other portions of the plant contain over 25 anti inflammatory compounds, as well as providing massive amounts of potassium. A deficiency in potassium is often implicated in arthritic pain.
If celery doesn't float your boat, how about using the herb Devil’s claw or even Epsom salt? Both have anti-inflammatory properties and can help alleviate swelling and pain, symptoms that are particularly aggravating to someone suffering from arthritis.
Other Herbal Remedies Used In Arthritis Treatment
There are many other herbs that help in arthritis treatment, such as feverfew, ginger, American ginseng, hop tea, licorice, mustard plaster, oregano, pineapple, red pepper, rosemary, sesame seeds, stinging nettle, turmeric, wild cucumber bark, wild yam, willow, wintergreen, and yucca. Many of these herbal supplements for arthritis treatment can be found in our herbal store
In arthritis treatment some of these herbs are used topically, as the minerals are absorbed into the skin, while others are ingested internally for maximum benefits. As with all arthritis treatment medications, you should consult your doctor before undergoing herbal arthritis treatment, especially if your existing treatment involves taking other medications prescribed by your doctor.
NHS direct have a useful page on the type of medications prescribed by doctors in arthritis treatment here.