I first started writing this essay for myself, as a reference to put in my notebook volumes. Then I decided to try and get it accepted for publication in The Heirloom Gardener, a relatively new publication of Jeremiath Gettle and his Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Co. But soon, I realized that I do not have experience with medicinal herbs, so I certainly shouldn't write an article about them for a magazine. (Which is the very reason I started this whole project: to get familiar with herbs for health!) So now here I am with a somewhat rough draft of an essay. I am so very tired of this particular piece that I am ready to toss it, but instead I think I'll post it on the blog! :-) After all, I started work on it 2 years ago, so I should be ready to move on to new projects!! At any rate, here is what I found out; I hope the message gets through.
In today’s commercial society, people are used to the convenience of prepackaged and ready to use solutions to their everyday needs. Included under this umbrella is medicine, especially in relation to common temporary illnesses.
Almost everyone takes advantage of all the new (and tried and true) products available at the neighborhood drug store. And that’s not all bad, as some of the stuff there is OK. But for those who prefer to stick closer to the natural lifestyle, alternative options abound.
I cannot possibly go over all of them in this essay, and neither is it my intent to do so, but I would like to familiarize you with a lesser traveled path, one that is more work yet can also be more rewarding.
Surprisingly for the modern world, yet really age-old wisdom, the Creator in His all knowingness supplies everything we need to live our physical lives right in nature itself. Therefore it should not catch us off guard to learn that a cure for our cold is growing in the garden.
Many plants have medicinal properties and can be put to a wide range of uses. For example, consider the herb Lavender. Research suggests that while drinking a strong tea made from the leaves of the plant is calming for the mind during a busy day, cold tea applied to a washcloth makes a compress to relieve headaches. In addition, an infusion of lavender buds helps to relieve the pain of sunburned skin.
Another useful plant is called Comfry and it is often found growing wild in the woods (that’s where ours came from-see endnotes). An infusion of comfry leaves promotes healing of surface wounds, bruises and minor burns, while a decoction of the root (see definition list) can be used to stop the bleeding of small cuts.
“It’s tea time! Thyme tea time.” That’s all you need to say to settle an upset stomach or help soothe a sore throat. A thyme infusion will also relieve congestion and help stop the February sneezes.
If you occasionally have trouble digesting your meals, Anise or Sweet Basil may be just the thing you need! An infusion of either will aid in digestion, and a strong tea of Caraway seeds will help settle your upset stomach. More digestive helps include Lovage tea and the same made instead with Sweet Marjoram. Also, be sure to grab a cup of marjoram tea if you feel a cold or sore throat coming on as you can even use it as a gargle for mouth inflammations!
We’ve all heard of Catnip, but don’t we sometimes look over all this herb’s charming benefits? In addition to improving digestion, an infusion of dried Catnip leaves will lessen cold and flu symptoms, calm fevers, and stimulate the appetite while promoting a restful night. Sweet dreams……meow!
On the same note I’d like to mention that the Mints (Spearmint, Peppermint) also promote sleep, which I realize is something lots of folks already know about, thanks to Celestial Seasonings’ Sleepytime® tea.
Chamomile contains antibiotic properties, and extracts from this plant can stimulate the immune system. Sleep inducing and stress relieving, Chamomile tea is easy to make and quite beneficial. Just snip off portions of the leaves and flower buds, place in a tea bag or cheese cloth, and steep in hot water until desired strength is reached.
For people who experience pain caused by migraine headaches, it is believed that an infusion of Feverfew will reduce their occurrence, as will eating 3-4 leaves a day. To make them more palatable, try laying the leaves out on a saucer and drizzling honey on top of them. The added natural sweetness certainly isn’t all bad.
It is comical to see how these plants overlap each other in the wonders they can perform for our health. You really don’t need a large garden plot to ensure protection against sickness. Put in a few plants, care for them, harvest what they offer, and use it! You might just notice a difference.
Definition List
Tea: A beverage made by steeping the plant’s leaves in warm water.
Infusion: A drink made by steeping plants or plant extracts in hot water for 10-20 minutes, making it stronger than tea.
Decoction: A water extract of bark or roots prepared at a low boil for 10-20 minutes; stronger than an infusion.
Salve: A soothing or healing medicinal or cosmetic ointment generally made with healing substances such as herbs infused in oil, strained, and the herbal oil then solidified with wax.
Tincture: An extract of a plant made by soaking herbs in a dark place with a desired amount of glycerin, alcohol, or vinegar for two to six weeks. The liquid is strained from the plant material and then may be used therapeutically.
Et Cetera
Comfry is very invasive, and virtually impossible to dig up completely, so be sure to plant it where you want it to stay, and not too close to other plants.
Avoid using catnip if you are pregnant.
This is not meant to supercede the advice of a doctor...blah..blah.....blah...
Information taken from the books:
Your Backyard Herb Garden, Miranda Smith, Rodale
Herbal Remedy Gardens, Dorie Byers, Storey
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