Herbal Remedies

Herbal Remedies

By Arlene W. Correll

Well, our website was off line for about 5 days and now it is back, but still all screwed up. Finally, we are getting our Learn-america.com emails. I am not a happy gardener at this stage especially after all the money I paid. If I wanted it screwed up, I would have been able to do it quite easily by myself.

So, on the bright side I would like to share some herbal information and recipes with you.

On the practical side remember that the following information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. Keep all of your recipes out of reach of children, consult your doctor before ingesting any herbal remedies if you have an existing medical condition, if you are taking prescription medication, or if you are pregnant or nursing a baby.

Let’s start with Horehound. Horehound leaves are used to make tea or syrup for treating bronchitis and for relieving coughs and congestion associated with colds and flu. Horehound contains vitamin C, which contributes to its more general use in fighting colds. The tea is also used to treat occasional laryngitis and to soothe a sore throat.

The parts to use on the Horehound plant are the leaves. A typical preparation for tea is as follows: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain out herbs and drink 1 cup of liquid up to 2 times daily. You may sweeten with sugar, honey or lemon, if desired.

To make a Horehound cough syrup, make a tea by steeping 1 ounce of fresh or dried leaves in 1 pint of boiling water. Steep for only 10 minutes and then strain out the herbs. Measure the remaining liquid and combine with twice as much honey as tea. Mix well and bottle. This will keep in your refrigerator for up to one month. Typical dosage is 1 teaspoon at a time up to 3 times daily.

Winter Savory is mostly considered in cooking. However the fresh leaves of Winter Savory may be applied directly to the skin to soothe insect bites and stings. The leaves are also added to cooking dishes or used to make a tea to aid digestion, stimulate your appetite, relieve minor upset stomach and prevent gas. Savory’s mild astringent and antiseptic properties also make the tea useful for occasional diarrhea and mild sore throats. To make a tea, steep 1 teaspoon dried herb or 2 teaspoons of fresh herb in 1 cup boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. Stain out herb and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 3 times daily. One may also cool the tea and use as a gargle for a sore throat.

Sweet Marjoram leaves and flowering tops may be used to make a tea to settle the stomach and to relieve minor indigestive upsets. Marjoram’s stomach settling properties have led to its use in preventing motion sickness. The tea is also added to bathwater to help relieve congestion and hay fever as well as aches and pains. To make a tea, steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried Marjoram or 2 to 4 teaspoons of fresh Marjoram leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. Strain out herb and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 3 times daily.

For the bath prepare a strong tea by steeping ½ cup dried herb or 1 cup of fresh herb in boiling water for 10 to 20 minutes. Strain out the herbs and add the liquid tea to the bathwater. Or add a generous handful of fresh or dried herbs to a cheesecloth bag and let the bathwater run over the bag.

Lemon Balm Leaves antiviral, antibacterial and sedative properties give the herb a wide range of medicinal uses. Lemon balm is applied externally to cold sores, minor wounds, insect bites and added to bath water for a relaxing soak. Internally the tea is used as a mild sedative and anti-depressant as well as a remedy for indigestion, nervous stomach, colds, flu, fevers, and headaches. To prepare a tea, steep 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves or 4-6 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 to 15 minutes. . Strain out leaves and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 2 times daily.

For cold or herpes sores, soak a clean cotton ball in a strong Lemon Balm teas and apply to wounds, sores, or insect bites.

This tea also makes a good compress. Soak a clean cloth in Lemon Balm tea and apply to wounds, sores, and insect bites.

Just add a handful of fresh or dried leaves to a cloth bag and run the bathwater over it for a wonderful, soothing soak.

Summer Savory leaves are used to aid digestion, stimulate appetite, relieve mnor upset stomach and prevent gas. The herb is often added to cooked dishes, especially bean dishes for this purpose. However, the leaves may also be prepared as a medicinal tea. Summer Savory’s mild astringent and antiseptic properties also make the tea useful for occasional diarrhea and sore throats. When preparing a tea, simply steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. . Strain out herb and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 3 times daily.

When using as a gargle for a sore throat, simply gargle a cool Summer Savory tea.

Thyme leaves contain thymol, which increases blood flow to the skin. Thyme leaves are added to bathwater to soothe tense, painful or stiff muscles and to help heal sprains and bruises. A tea made with Thyme leaves is used as a digestive aid, as a cough remedy, particularly in cases of bronchitis and as a sore throat soother. Thyme contains antioxidants which are believed to help slow the aging process and the development of disease. When preparing a tea, simply steep 1 teaspoon of dried leaves or 2 teaspoons of fresh leaves in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes. . Strain out herb and drink 1 cup of the remaining liquid up to 3 times daily. As a gargle for sore throat or tonsillitis, gargle a cool thyme tea. For a bath, just add a handful of dried leaves to the hot bath water.

Hopefully, this little article will start you on your way to discovering the world of herbs and their many uses.

Just email me with any questions or if you are in the area, stop in and say hello. Please remember to ……

“Tread the Earth Lightly”… and in the meantime… may your day be filled with…

Peace, Light and Love,

Arlene W. Correll