Helpful Links

Oooh it's been far too quiet here lately, but I've been busy...busy...busy!!

(I'm working on something exciting, but it's not quite ready.)

Really quick, though, I want to share with you all a few neat herbal links that I discovered:

• The Herbal Encyclopedia | Alphabetical listing of healing herbs, with information about medicinal and religious uses, and cultivation. Also provides articles about safety, storage, remedies, etc.

• Annie's Remedies | Over 400 detailed herb descriptions and hundreds of home remedies. Learn how to get a good nights sleep, cure a cold, lower your blood sugar, etc.

• Wellness Mama | 10 Health-Boosting herbal teas

• Practical Stewardship | 3 Natural Deodorant Alternatives

• Amazing Graze Farm | The Spices of Life: Practical tips on storing your herbs and spices.

Also, don't forget that you can search herbs on Pinterest and come up with some awesome links!

Blessings,

The Herb Girl

This Week's Herbal Challenge + Linkup

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Tuesday Tip #1

Herbal Rotation for Healing

For optimal healing, maintain dosing in a 6 day on, 1 day off pattern.

Also, take an entire week off every 6 weeks.

By following these rules, your herbs will more effectively kick your body into its healing mode.

Question from Facebook...

"Do you grow or forage herbs? If so, how do you preserve them?"

Herbal Highlight | Burdock

This weeks herbal highlight features an herb that is often overlooked because of it's common weed label. But for those with circulatory problems, toxicity, diabetes, hyperglycemia, and skin diseases there is great help to be found in it's medicinal properties.

So, without further ado, I would like to introduce you to Burdock.

Blessings,

The Herb Girl

Burdock
Scientific Name: Arctium

Medicinal Uses: Detoxifying, Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Fungal, Anti-Inflammatory

Blood purifier. Promotes good circulation.  Used in the treatment of Skin Diseases (i.e. acne, abscesses, psoriasis, eczema, and carbuncles), Diabetes and Hypoglycemia (contains inulin, which strengthens the liver), Crohn's Disease, and to alleviate the body's distress from Chronic Fatigue.

Constituents: Up to 50% Inulin, polyacetylenes, volatile acids (acetic, proprionic, butyric, isovaleric), non-hydroxyl acids (lauric, myristic, stearic, palmitic), polyphenolic acids, and tannins. [source]

Preparations: Tea (most common), Tincture, Capsule

Sometimes eaten raw.

Portions Used: Root (most common), Leaves and Fruit

Identification: Often mistaken as a common weed, Burdock grows strong and sturdy with annoying burrs.  The plant grows relatively tall, growing 3-6 feet, and can be about 1.5 feet in diameter at the base.

Burdock is easily identified by it's large, wavy, heart-shaped leaves that are green on the top and whitish on the bottom.  Its prickly purple ball flowers (burs) on the tips bloom between June and October.

Thrives along river banks, roadsides, fields, and disturbed habitats.

Sources:

Edible Wild Food

Wikipedia

Chronic Lyme's | Herbal Treatment

The most efficient and sure way to stop Lyme's Disease in it's tracks is to catch it early.  Unfortunately, because of misdiagnosis, that doesn't often happen.  The next best is to start on an herbal regime today - as in yesterday.  Even if you slightly suspect that you might have Lyme's, begin taking herbs as soon as possible.

Teas. Tinctures. Salves. Use them all!

So which herbs work?  To be honest, I'm still learning about herbal treatment for Lyme's, so I'm constantly discovering and researching which herbs have provided results.

Alright, so let's jump right in to the treatment options that I'm currently researching.
I made this recipe into a tincture.

• 1/2 c. Cat's Claw
• 1/2 c. Olive Leaf 
• 3 Tbls. ImLife Mix (Olive leaf, Burdock root, Echinacea root, Pau D'Arco bark, Dandelion root, Nettle leaf, Red Clover tops, Cat's Claw bark, Butcher's Broom root.)
• 2 Tbls. Vinegar of the 4 Theives Mix*
• 2 Tbls. Echinacea Root
• Charcol Filtered Vodka

I followed the "Ticked Off!" recipe that Shoshanna from the Bulk Herb Store shared on her Youtube Channel, but made a couple of changes in my recipe.  

I buy all of my herbs through the Bulk Herb Store, because they are all organic and from a trustworthy source.

Blessings,

The Herb Girl

*If you are known to have an allergic reaction to wormwood, do not use the vinegar of the four thieves in your tincture.  Not sure if you're allergic?  Read this.