Over the next four weeks, I am going to tell you how you can make your own herbal first-aid kit from common herbs that are readily available. Sources of the herbs include your kitchen, garden, fields, woods and occasionally, herb or natural food stores. I will teach you techniques for herbal medicine making as well
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As unlikely as it may sound, the unimposing tealeaf might be the answer to bioterror worries—most notably anthrax and ricin attacks. Researchers have already learned of green tea’s ability to protect against anthrax, and now, new studies indicate that black tea may offer a similar protection against ricin. Unfortunately, drinking a cup of tea cannot
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I first became interested in herbs when I was pregnant with my third child. My first two pregnancies were highly medicalized affairs that left me feeling emotionally unsatisfied and disconnected from my own body. When I discovered I was pregnant again, I resolved to do things differently. I hired a nurse-midwife for my care and
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Those pesky, but delightfully bright flowers that pop up all over your lawn are tremendously useful. You can eat every part of the plant, roots, leaves, and flowers and they are good for you. Dandelions are a flowering plant that many of us have learned to label as a weed. It is native to North
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In an effort to use all of your resources and to save money, don’t neglect the “weeds” that are growing in your backyard or in the forests or fields on your property. The wild areas around your home should abound with plants that are more than just additional greenery. Many natural and native plants are not only edible, but make excellent teas. These teas are tasty and also nutritious or medicinal. People have been using wild plants for teas and tonics for thousands of years, but much of the knowledge escapes most of us. It’s
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We have been hearing about the health benefits of tea for years now. Whether, black, green, or white, tea is a powerhouse of nutrients, antioxidants, and other compounds. And it tastes delicious and provides a little boost of caffeine and the comfort that only a warm beverage can bring. Numerous medical studies have found that tea contains compounds that exhibit anti-cancer properties. This does not mean that drinking tea will prevent anyone from getting cancer, but it certainly can’t hurt. Other potential benefits include supporting and maintaining weight loss, reducing the risk of heart disease,
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There are two different plants that bear the common name bee balm: Monarda Didyma and Monarda Fistulosa. Both are grown for their scent, color, and usefulness. M. Fistulosa, the lavender-colored Wild Bergamot – also known as Oswego tea and Horsemint – grows in open, airy fields and has flowers that attract bees and other pollinators. Its flavor is sharper and mintier than M. Didyma. Native Americans used wild Oswego Tea medicinally for stomach ailments and bronchial problems. It was also used as a food enhancement or flavoring. Oswego tea was a staple for early settlers
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If you ever come to my house, almost inevitably you will be offered a cup of tea. And tea is no small thing here either. An array of flavors, moods, cures, and energy levels are available upon request. Oh yes, and do you want flavoring, sugar, honey, or milk (evaporated, sweetened condensed, or perhaps just
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