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Herbs for HealthCHAMOMILE
This is the daisy-like herb used in teas to calm and relieve anxious feelings. It’s also a great stress antidote. Chamomile tea helps relieve inflammation and can be used to soothe sore gums. It makes a great once-a-week face rinse (and is mild enough for most babies). To perk up puffy eyes, dip cotton pads in cool chamomile tea (use a tablespoon of fresh leaves to a cup of boiling water and steep for 3 minutes, then strain and cool) and place over eyes. Lie back and relax for about 15 minutes, redipping the pads midway. Chamomile is apple scented with a citrus hint. Try mixing half chamomile and lavender for a soothing tea. LAVENDERThe Latin meaning of this sweet herb means “to wash”. Its fresh, clean aroma is unmistakable. I love using lavender in the bath because its astringent action is useful before applying moisturizer. I like putting lavender flowers into generic bath oil. Lavender is a calming herb and is very antiseptic. Pure essential oil of lavender is good on cuts, burns and bites (and buy oil which has been made from English lavender – it’s more potent than the French is). It uplifts moods and can help banish the blues. I also like to make a lavender and rose petal sugar, along with other sweet herbs. I use fine granulated sugar and layer it with sweet herbs. You can either process the sugar in a food processor, or strain before using. LAVENDER EXFOLIANTAll the rage now, exfoliants (which remove dead skin cells from the skin) have been used for centuries. The best sugar to use is raw but granulated works OK, too. A bit of grated ginger is good in here, also. Another herb that works well is the pot marigold, or calendula. 1 teaspoon lavender leaves and/or flowers In food processor, blender, or coffee grinder (and if using grinder, do this in batches), process lavender and sugar until lavender is finely ground. Mix with oil to make a paste. If adding grated ginger (about ¼ teaspoon), add it now. Blend well. Use as a body and facial scrub , avoiding eye area
LEMON BALMThis perennial member of the mint family has a clean, soothing scent. LEMON BALM SCRUB To ¼ cup clover honey, add ¾ cup oatmeal (for soothing), 2 tablespoons corn meal (for cleaning) and a tablespoon of lemon balm, minced. Use as a body scrub, avoiding eye area. MINTSThere are so many kinds of mints. Any one will work, with peppermint being the strongest and spearmint more on the sweet side. Mint is used as an uplifting herb and is great for the digestion. MINT AND ROSE BATH SPLASH Steep petals and leaves for a couple of weeks in the vinegar. You’ll know it’s done by the fragrance. Sometimes this takes up to a month. Strain and rebottle, adding water. Use 1/3 cup in each bath. LEMON VERBENAActually a deciduous shrub, lemon verbena is a sweet lemon herb. The leaves are very tough so if you use them in cooking, either pull them out after cooking, or chop them fine. It is one of the few herbs that retains its aroma for years; a great addition to potpourri. SWEET HERB POTPOURRIBefore placing in containers, make sure herbs are dry. Mix together a handful of each: ROSE GERANIUMOne of my favorite old-fashioned herbs, there are many varieties and scents, from true rose to citrus, to pine scented. I always add rose geranium to my bath salts, herbal sugars and powders. Try chopping up some rose geranium leaves into your next batch of muffins or shortbread – wonderful!!!! SCENTED WASH CLOTHSAn old-fashioned way of saying “Welcome to our Table”. Dampen a pretty washcloth or napkin. Fold it in half. In the center place a few sweet herbs. Enclose the herbs by folding again. Place in microwave on high for a minute and let each guest open a fragrant, healing cloth to cleanse themselves before or after eating. ROSEMARY:Not a sweet herb, but I always include it for “remembrance”. Rosemary actually helps the memory, and is antiseptic and a good and lavender is a skin-smoother, while chamomile, of course, makes you relax. GREEN TEA AND HERB BATH FOR SORE MUSCLES Place into a large tea ball or cheesecloth/muslin square (tie with
long ribbon) ROSEMARY TONICSteep a couple handfuls of fresh rosemary sprigs in a bottle of wine for 4 days; serve as a cordial. Or float 1 or 2 sprigs in a glass of wine for 1 hour. Rosemary’s healthful properties include taming headaches and tummies OTHER GREAT ADDITIONS TO BATHS: Cornmeal is a wonderful cleanser, while finely ground oatmeal is soothing to the skin. FRESH FRUIT COMPOTE WITH SWEET HERBS 1 pineapple, peeled and chunked Toss fruits together gently. Toss in a few tablespoons each of sweet herbs – your choice of: rose geranium, lavender, lemon balm, mints, pineapple sage, lemon verbena, edible flowers such as petunias, pansies, violas, roses, fuschias, carnations; STEVIAthe darling of the herb world – 30 to 1000 times sweeter
than sugar, non-caloric, diabetic safe and natural)
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