11 herbs you can plant in your herb garden and use for first aid
YARROW
Yarrow is an important herb to have in storage in your home. The comment was made that it would be one of the only things that work against the coming plagues, which would be flu type diseases. Yarrow is unsurpassed for flu and fevers.
- Used abundantly at the beginning of a cold it will usually break it up within 24 hours.
- Especially good for fevers-produces perspiration. Opens pores and has relaxing action on skin.
- For fever must be drunk warm or take capsules with warm water or peppermint tea. Yarrow tea is bitter to the taste, but effective.
- Good for all childhood diseases. A yarrow ointment or tea is used for sores, including chicken pox and smallpox, also old wounds.
- Helping to glandular system. Regulates and tones liver.
- Relieves kidney and bladder problems, infections and mucus discharge from bladder.
- Equalizes circulation.
- Used in fomentations for external hemorrhoids or inject one ounce of tea in a retention enema for internal hemorrhoids.
- Corrects diarrhea in infants.
- Healing and soothing to all mucous membranes.
- Benefits respiratory problems, including bleeding from lungs.
- Combined with sage, it is good for profuse or irregular menstruation.
Catnip
Catnip is highly prized in the treatment of children’s ailments.
Catnip is another aromatic which many parents have found beneficial for their children. It also stimulates the body, settles the stomach and soothes the nerves. One famous herbal team is the combination of Catnip with Fennel, which has long been used as a remedy for colic, gas, and indigestion in children. - A common ditch bank weed loved by cats.
- Used effectively for fevers and to alleviate the symptoms of childhood diseases.
- Good for stomach gas or cramps, aids in digestion.
- Used for babies and young children for colic, stomach pains, teething and fevers. Helps clean out mucus in the body.
- Used in enemas to bring down fever, eliminate mucus, relax the colon and ease colon cramping. Catnip enemas also help relieve the aches of flu.
- A very effective enema combination is catnip and garlictogether in the same bag. Catnip's usefulness in an enema has been explained, with the powers of garlic (fights infection, eliminates mucus, kills bacteria, viruses and parasites, and improves peristaltic action) the two are a powerful enema combination.
Peppermint
- One of the oldest and most popular remedies for simple colic and minor bloat in children and adults.
- Good for all digestive problems, helps stomach pain caused by indigestion and is soothing to the stomach.
- Expels stomach and colon gas.
- Excellent for fevers, flu, diarrhea, ulcers, and colitis.
- Strengthens nerves and heart muscles.
- Cleanses and tones the body.
- Can be used instead of aspirin for headaches.
- Can take the place of coffee for a stimulant.
- Promotes relaxation.
- is one of the few oils that are safe to take internally or apply to the skin undiluted.
- A few sprigs of peppermint makes an effective deterrent to ants. As the list above indicates, a small bottle of peppermint oil can be thought of as a "medicine cabinet in your pocket," and can be used as an emergency remedy for a myriad of conditions. Never leave home without it.
Red Raspberry leaf
Red Raspberry is used as a basic herbal foundation for all female organs and problems. It is in many female combinations.
- Strengthens wall of uterus and entire female reproductive system.
- Decreases profuse menstrual flow.
- Good during all months of pregnancy. Alleviates morning sickness and nausea. Has been used as a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor. Assists labor, makes delivery easier and relieves after pains. Tones and regulates before, during and after childbirth.
- Increases and enriches milk for lactation, can be combined with marshmallow tea.
- Raspberry tea is mild and pleasant to taste. It is good for stomachaches and bowel problems in children. For diarrhea in babies.
- Soothing to stomach and bowels and cankerous conditions of mucous membranes in the alimentary canal.
- High mineral and vitamin source.
Garlic
Garlic is called nature’s antibiotic. It contains allicin, a natural antibiotic. One milligram of allicin has a potency of 15 standard units of penicillin. It is effective against toxic bacteria, viruses, and fungus. Garlic contains more germanium, an anti-cancer agent, than any other herb. InRussia, garlic was found to retard tumor growth in humans.
- Active against staphylococcus and E. coli bacteria.
- Good to take for all diseases (anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral, anti-cancer) including contagious diseases.
- Protects against infection.
- Has detoxifying effects on all the body systems.
- Improves, tones, and strengthens entire physical condition. Has rejuvenating effect on all cells.
- Builds endurance and energy.
- Strengthens body defenses against allergens.
- Has soft oils that help to emulsify plaque and loosen it from arterial walls.
- Contains selenium which helps arteriosclerosis.
- Strengthens blood vessels.
- Equalizes blood pressure, high or low.
- Has a sugar regulating factor.
- Taken internally one of the most effective herbs for killing and expelling parasites.
- Used in enemas. Besides being used as a straight garlic enema, it is excellent to combine with Catnip for a Catnip/Garlic enema. The catnip pulls mucus, and soothes the cramping of the colon, etc. The garlic kills the germs and parasites, improves peristaltic action, and also pulls mucus.
Aloe
· helps sooth skin injured by burns, irritations, cuts and insect bites.
· helps moisturize and soften the skin.
· helps speed the healing of skin wounds, burns and other injuries.
· helps (when taken internally)with constipation, diarrheaand other intestinal problems. · speeds and improve general healing when taken internally.
· helps kill fungus and bacteria.
· improves the effectiveness of sun screen products.
Chamomile
Another excellent activator for children is Chamomile. Chamomile helps to settle the stomach and calm the nerves. Chamomile is probably one of the very best nervine herbs for children. It aids digestion, expels gas from the bowel, soothes the nerves and reduces inflammation.
Lavender
Lavender has a wonderfully relaxing effect on the mind and body and makes a good remedy for anxiety, nervousness, and physical symptoms caused by stress such as tension headaches, migraine, palpitations, and insomnia. It also has a stimulating edge to it, acting as a tonic to the nervous system and restoring vitality to people suffering from nervous exhaustion. The relaxing effect of lavender can be felt in the digestive tract, where is soothes spasms and colic related to tension and relieves distension, flatulence, nausea, and indigestion, and enhances the appetite. As a tea, oil inhalation, or vapor rub, lavender is effective for colds, coughs, asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, flu, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. A warm compress will relieve chest congestion, and help with bruises and insect bites. In a tea or tincture, it can also be taken for stomach and bowel infections causing vomiting or diarrhea. Hot lavender tea causes sweating and reduces fevers. It helps to detoxify the body by increasing elimination of toxins via the skin, and with its mild diuretic action, through the urine.
Echinacea
Echinacea is often put in combinations with other herbs. It is an excellent infection fighter and is used as a powerful natural antibiotic.
- Especially good in glandular infections and problems. A good cleanser for glands and the lymphatic system.
- One of the best herbs for helping enlargements and weakness of the prostrate gland.
- Used in ear aches, strep throat, lymph glands.
- Effective blood purifier. Used for blood poisoning and poisonous spider and snake bites.
- Used in combination with goldenseal, Yarrow andCayenne to form a powerhouse infection fighting formula. Also combined with myrrh in place of goldenseal for people with hypoglycemia.
- Works well with chickweed to help weight loss.
Arnica
Arnica can be used externally in a muscle rub, cream or diluted tincture to speed the healing of wounds, bruises, sprains and swellings, and increases resistance to infection. It is wonderful for calming children who may have fallen over, bumped their heads, or hurt themselves. Applied over any unbroken surface it will ease pain, relieve rheumatic joints and stiff muscles, and painful, swollen feet. Not to be taken internally or used on broken skin.
Yellow Dandelion
The dandelion we are talking about really is that little yellow weed in your lawn. All its parts are used – the leaves, flower and roots. It can be used fresh in green drinks and salads. Dandelion is commonly thought to be one of the “bitter herbs” recommended in the Bible. Its young leaves have been gathered and eaten as a pot herb or as an addition to salads for centuries.
It has been used to aid digestion, relieve liver distress, and to treat all manner of ills from dropsy, jaundice, and kidney stones to warts and psoriasis. Culpeper states, “It is of an opening and cleansing quality, and therefore, very effectual for the obstructions of the liver, glass, and spleen. It opens the passages of the urine, both in young and old, powerfully cleanses, and doth afterwards heal them.”
Dandelion is an extremely effective diuretic, but without the common side effect of mineral depletion prevalent with diuretic drugs.
Dandelion is rich in many nutrients, particularly in bio-available minerals.
It enriches breast milk in nursing mothers, benefiting both mother and child.
The plant helps control blood pressure by reducing excess fluids in the body as well as by the presence of mannitol, a substance commonly prescribed in Europe for hypertension.
Last week was the first time in almost a year that I saw canned pumpkin on the grocery store shelves. I was pretty shocked that the pumpkin shortage has gone on as long as it has. I told myself that I would make my own pumpkin puree this year if I couldn't get my hands on any. Actually there are some places that still cannot get canned pumpkin. So if thats how it is in your area then this post is for you.
The whole process was really simple, but I did run into one problem I hadn't planned on. The skin was so hard that I couldn't even cut the pumpkins. I just assumed pie pumpkins were a different texture then regular Jack o Lantern pumpkin. So to solve that problem I just roasted the pumpkins whole for about 20 minutes to soften up the skins. After they cooled a bit I cut off the stems and cut each pumpkin into pieces.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Slice pumpkin in half and remove stem. You can cut it in quarters if you want, or just leave it halved.Using a spoon, scrape out all of the stringy stuff and the seeds. (save the seed if you want to toast them) Spray a foil-lined baking sheet with non-stick spray. Place your pumpkin cut-side down on the sheet.
Cook pumpkin in a 350 degree oven for about 45 minutes or until its tender when pierced with a fork. When done, remove from oven and let cool on the baking sheet. Using a spoon scrape out the flesh and discard the skin/rind. It should be easy to scoop right out, Place pumpkin pulp in a food processor and process until smooth. I used the blade attachment to my Cuisinart hand mixer. You can also just mash it with a fork or potato masher.
If the pumpkin puree is a bit watery you can strain it through a small strainer.
If not using immediately store pumpkin puree in the freezer.
These are also commonly called “old fashioned”, “thick cut” or “porridge” oats. To produce them, oat groats are steamed and then rolled to flatten. They can generally be found wherever oats are sold. They take longer to cook than do the quick cooking oats, but they retain more flavor and nutrition. This is what most people will call to mind when they think of oatmeal.
These are the “just add hot water” or microwave type of oat cereals and are not at all suited for a long term food storage program. They do, however, have uses in “bug out” and 72 hour food kits for short term crises. Generally the more you process a food the less nutritious it becomes,instant oats are best avoided if you want to get the full benefit of this grain.
Weight Control - As the soluble fiber of oats is digested, it forms a gel, which causes the viscosity of the contents of the stomach and small intestine to be increased. The gel delays stomach emptying making you feel full longer which helps with weight loss. New research suggests that children between ages 2-18 years old who have a constant intake of oatmeal lowered their risk of obesity. The research found that the children who ate oatmeal were 50% less likely to become overweight, when compared to those children that did not eat it.
Blood Sugars - Eating oats can spread the rise in blood sugars over a longer time period.
