Natural Healing Herbs

Did you know that natural healing herbs were the first medicines man used? The healing properties of herbs are still being used today to make all kinds of homemade remedies.

Some people start growing medicinal herbs just so they can make homemade herbal medications. There is a whole list of medicinal herbs that can be used for this purpose.

Before I go any further, let me just say that you should never replace medicines prescribed by your doctor with homemade herbal remedies! As with anything else, you should consult your doctor before taking any kind of herbal remedies and cures!

The strong active ingredients in some herbs can be dangerous if you use them inappropriately. It's also hard to gauge the strength of an herb. This is because the medicinal qualities can vary depending on how much rain or sun there's been or other factors during cultivation.

CAUTION: There are some natural healing herbs such as Pennyroyal that are highly toxic if taken internally, so be very careful and always use common sense when making any kind of herbal remedy. Also do not use remedies in old herbals! Research has shown that many are harmful.

Hopefully I haven't scared you off from using herbs to make homemade herbal remedies. The truth is there are so many benefits to using natural healing herbs. Though today we depend primarily on commercial medicines, herbal remedies can still sooth a cough or ease a headache as well as any over-the-counter medication.

Pharmaceutical companies also use many types of medicinal herbs (or synthetic variations) in over-the- counter and prescription medicines.

Infusions and Teas

Making herbal infusions and teas is one of the most popular ways to harness the healing benefits of herbs. Many people can use herbal teas with no ill effects. Chamomile for instance is a great sleep aid, and a cup of peppermint tea can help sooth an upset stomach.

Infusions are simply very strong teas that capture the oils in various herbs. Infusions are made by steeping the herbs for at least 20 minutes in a tight container.

How often you take an infusion really depends on what you're taking it for. If you're taking it for a sleep aid, you should only take it once about 15 minutes before you go to sleep. If you're taking it for muscle tension or headaches, you should be taking it two or three times a day between meals.

Herb infusions that are not used right away should be refrigerated immediately. Even refrigerated herbs should not be kept longer than three days.

Making Herbal Decoctions

What is a decoction? It's a method of extracting compounds from dissolved chemicals, or plant material.

Herbal decoctions are made by crushing the herbs to release the compounds within the plants tissue, then gently simmering the herbs in water. Decoctions are typically made from the plants roots and tend to be stronger than infusions or herbal teas.

Decoctions also need to be refrigerated if you're not going to use immediately. They also need to be thrown away after three days.

Always make sure to pay close attention to the directions when you're making decoctions; they will vary depending on the herbs used. For example, there are many recipes that will call for simmering the herbs until the water in the pan is reduced by half. This is done to concentrate the medicinal ingredients.

This works well with some herbs such as comfrey, but valerian root can loose valuable oils to evaporation during the simmering. If you are using valerian, you should cover the pot to ensure the oils won't evaporate.

Again, always be sure you understand the recommended uses of the various herbs you may be using for your concoctions. Comfrey root for example, makes an excellent skin salve, but research has shown it to be a carcinogen.

Please, if you are ever unsure whether it's safe to use a particular herb, contact me through my contact page, and I will do my best to respond as soon as possible.

Making Herbal Solves And Oils

Herbal solves can be used medicinally as well as cosmetically. Solves are made by combining an herbal decoction with vegetable oil, beeswax, and either gum benzoin or tincture of benzoin.

The gum benzoin or tincture of benzoin acts as a preservative, so you can keep your salve stored in a cool, dark location, for many months.

Some natural healing herbs, such as lavender and calendula are used interchangeably. A lavender solve can relieve the symptoms of eczema, softens skin as it is healing from burns, and helps clear bronchial tubes when applied under the nose.

Calendula blossom salve also softens skin and can be used as a post-gardening treatment for your hands. Comfrey salve is even more curative! This is one of the best healing herbs for treating rough, dried hands, due to the elements.

Herbal oils are another way to harness the power of natural healing herbs. You can help keep your skin soft and supple with herbal oils made from any of the herbs used in salves.

Because oils are lighter than solves, you may find that you enjoy them more for daily use.

Making Herbal Tinctures

Tinctures are basically concentrated doses of herbal remedies. In the list of herbs page, only betony and feverfew are used in tintures.

Betony tincture is widely used to help relieve headaches, while feverfew is believed to help relieve migraines.

Because of their strength, tinctures should be used in small doses - squeezing 10 to 15 days from a glass medicine dropper under your tongue.

One dose is usually all that's needed; if not wait several hours before taking a second. Make sure you don't exceed four doses in a day.

Tincture will last up to a year if stored in dark colored jars.

Make sure to check back often for more information on natural healing herbs and their many uses.