~Herbs and Roots~

I have already dedicated a post to natural remedies but I have since discovered sooooo much more!  Here is the Herbal Remedies 2nd edition!  


Marshmallow Root,Ginger, and Dandelion Root:  I am grouping them because I use them to treat my husband for the same thing alternating them!

Dandelion root   



Dandelion root is one of the safest and most popular herbal remedies. The specific name, officinale, means that It's used medicinally. The decoction is a traditional tonic. It’s supposed to strengthen the entire body, especially the liver and gallbladder, where it promotes the flow of bile, reduces inflammation of the bile duct, and helps get rid of gall stones. This is due to its taraxacin. It’s good for chronic hepatitis, it reduces liver swelling and jaundice, and it helps indigestion caused by insufficient bile. Don't use it with irritable stomach or bowel, or if you have an acute inflammation.

The modern French name for this plant is pissenlit (lit means bed) because the root and leaf tea act on the kidneys as a gentle diuretic, improving the way they cleanse the blood and recycle nutrients. Unlike pharmaceuticals diuretics, this doesn't leach potassium, a vital mineral, from the body. Improved general health and clear skin result from improved kidney function. One man I spoke to even claims he avoided surgery for urinary stones by using dandelion root tea alone.

Dandelions are also good for the bladder, spleen, pancreas, stomach and intestines. It’s recommended for stressed-out, internally sluggish, and sedentary people. Anyone who's a victim of excessive fat, white flour, and concentrated sweeteners could benefit from a daily cup of dandelion tea.

How I use in our family:

Dandelion Root Tea:

3 generous Tbs of Dandelion Root
1 quart biling water
1 tbs agave nectar

Over a quart mason jar I pout hot water over bag or mesh tea ball and let steep for 20 minutes.   Add agave when taking out the ball and seal.  I let get to room temp and refrigerate.  My husband literally takes shots of it when he is feeling a tummy situation coming on.  And I am so happy that it works.  Keeps for up to 1 week in fridge!

Where to buy?
http://www.amazon.com/Starwest-Botanicals-Organic-Dandelion-1-pound/dp/B003AYEHGQ


Marshmallow Root 

• Marshmallow root has a long history dating back thousands of years as an herbal remedy for cough, sore throat and other respiratory problems such as bronchitis and whooping cough (pertussis). This is due to the large amounts of mucilage found in the flower as well as the root.

The Herb Marshmallow Root
(Althea officinalis)
• Recommended uses include that of diarrhea and indigestion; along with chronic diseases that cause these such as Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Gastroesophageal reflux disease.
• Weight loss has been promoted when taking marshmallow because it swells when mixed with fluid, prompting the stomach to have a feeling of more fullness.
• This herb has shown to be helpful in almost all problems related to inflammation of the digestive tract; including peptic ulcers, hiatus hernias, mouth ulcers, enteritis and colitis.
• External uses have shown to be very effective as well. Laboratory tests from the 1960’s concluded that marshmallow root has anti-inflammatory activity on the human tissue indicating that this herb could be helpful in treating cuts, scrapes, and other wounds, as well as a remedy for eczema, psoriasis and pinkeye.
• Marshmallow roots form an imperative ingredient of ointments and creams that are effective in cuing boils and other bodily abscesses.
• Roots may be formed into a mouthwash and used to treat inflammation. It is in this form that the roots can be extremely helpful in aiding the irritation of teething infants. The root may also be peeled fresh and given to infants to chew on.  

In our family I use it for

Donny's Tummy Tea:

3 generous Tbs of Marshmallow Root
1 quart boiling water
1 tbs agave nectar

Over a quart mason jar I pout hot water over bag or mesh tea ball and let steep for 20 minutes.   Add agave when taking out the ball and seal.  I let get to room temp and refrigerate.  This is our go to for when acid reflex is in effect!

Where to buy?
Bulk spice section of natural food stores normally carry marshmallow root.  Or you can just purchase the tea!
  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000HB9TOU/ref=asc_df_B000HB9TOU2407440?smid=A3HV63EQPFPPOA&tag=sdcbing6-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000HB9TOU


Nettles Leaf      

The known benefits of organic nettles leaf are extensive, as this plant has truly been used for centuries on end. Currently, there are several well-known, well-documented benefits of organic nettles, including:

• Female tonic, especially for young women beginning menstruation and older women in menopause.
• May assist the body in the detoxification of chemicals and heavy metals
• Helps to reduce water retention, and is particularly helpful for PMS and menorrhagia, a condition where there is heavy menstrual flow in women.
• Helps Stimulate mothers milk, and increases energy after childbirth.
• Natural testosterone booster which aids in increased vitality in men.
• Diuretic that increases uric acid secretion, while at the same time, resisting nighttime bathroom urges. Great for urinary problems and bed-wetting issues.4
• Sterols, one component of nettles, reduce the activity of DHT, a type of testosterone, causing enlarged prostate.5
• Anti-inflammatory capacities act to help many of the symptoms related to arthritis. The robust amounts of boron and silicon minerals reduce pain of osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. The leaves can be made into a paste to be rubbed directly on painful areas of skin for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.
• Anti-hemorrhaging qualities for internal bleeding, as well as small cuts and wounds
• Anti-asthmatic for both bronchial and asthmatic difficulties, helping to clear constricted bronchial and nasal passages6
• Magnesium components moderates the pain of Fibromyalgia
• Contains natural antihistamines. Wonderful for hay fever and allergies
• Natural kidney and adrenal-gland tonic
• Powerful analgesic
• Depurative agent

How nettle is used in our home:

Nettle Healthy Hair Tea:
Drink nettle tea every day for strong, healthy hair. Put 1 cup of H20 into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Add 1 tablespoon of dried nettle leaves into a heat-proof mug. Pour the boiling water over the nettle leaves. Steep the nettle tea for 15 to 20 minutes. Strain the tea through a mesh strainer into a clean mug.  Add 1 tablespoon of sugar or 1/2 tea agave to the tea if desired for extra flavor.

Nettle Hair Tonic 1):
Make a nettle hair tonic that will add shine and luster to your hair, and improve its thickness. Add 1 cup of nettle leaves and 3 cups of water into a pot. Bring to a boil and and simmer for 10 minutes. Massage into your scalp and hair every other night.

2)

Prepare a nettle treatment to help strengthen your hair and eliminate dandruff. Put into a blender 1 cup of aloe vera gel, 4 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon of nettle oil or tea, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary essential oil and 1/2 teaspoon vitamin E oil. Blend until smooth. Store the nettle hair treatment in an airtight container. Massage a small amount into your scalp once each day.

Where to buy?

I use leaves for nettle because I like to make tonics and teas!  Either the bulk spice or herb section of the natural food store or here is a big bulk bag from amazon!  I would try the natural food store first so you can get a smaller amount and make sure that it works before buying so much! 

http://www.amazon.com/Starwest-Botanicals-Organic-Nettle-Sifted/dp/B001A1RS58/ref=sr_1_2?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1362605299&sr=1-2&keywords=nettle+leaves 

Elderberry: 

Elderberry, is a fruit-bearing shrub native to Europe and North America. With a long history of use in folk medicine, elderberry has been researched in the past twenty years for its medicinal benefits, especially for its antiviral, immune booster qualities, as well as for possible effects on loosing weight.

Immune System Booster

The elderberry shrub typically grows to about 10 feet tall and shows yellow and white blossoms in early summer, followed by deep blue or black berries which usually ripen around September.

According to Michael Murray, ND, author of "The Pill Book Guide to Natural Medicines" only blue and black berries have medicinal properties and have been used in folk medicine since the time of the Romans. Elderberries are rich in flavonoids which are natural compounds with antioxidant qualities that protects cells against damage or infections. Elderberry also contains vitamin A, B, significant amounts of vitamin C and amino-acids. All these nutrients can help you stay healthy and prevent diseases, by boosting your immune system.

Here are a number of other benefits that have been associated with elderberry tea. For example, this tea might help with respiratory conditions that are caused by a buildup of mucus, such as colds, bronchitis, and asthma problems. It helps clear the system out, reducing fever and easing these side symptoms of colds. The tea might also help with any allergy symptoms that are similar to the flu, and is helpful when cleansing the body of toxins. This is often used to cleanse the liver and kidneys, and in fact you will often see elderberry listed in detoxification pills or health programs. For those suffering from rheumatic pain or arthritis, some studies show that elderberry tea might help bring about faster relief. This also might help when there is an outbreak of chicken pox or measles, as the anti-inflammatory properties of the berry help to reduce these eruptions on the face and body. Although the berry is considered generally safe, it's still a good idea to ask your health care professional if you are nursing or pregnant before taking this tea. If flu symptoms don't clear up after several days of use, you might want to use stronger medicine. However, this is a great natural remedy for many ailments.

 
 Elderberry Remedy:

•  1/2 cup dried elderberries
• 3 cups of water
• 1 cup of agave

1.) Place the berries in a saucepan and cover them with the 3 cups of water. Then, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for a half hour.  After 1/2 hour SMASH up the berries. Then, strain the mixture through a mesh strainer.  Add agave, bottle the syrup in a air tight mason jar and store in fridge for several months!

You can give the elderberry syrup by the teaspoon (kids love it) every 2-3 hours while sick, or even use it regularly in their food, such as on pancakes!  I would not give to kids under under 2, but if you do add the syrup to hot water.

Where to buy?

For whole berries to make cough and pancake syrup this is a great buy.  I also check with my natural food stores first.  Often they have it in bulk spice section!

http://www.amazon.com/Elder-Berries-Whole-Organic-Frontier/dp/B000UVUHXY/ref=sr_1_1?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1362605150&sr=1-1&keywords=whole+elderberries

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Way-Elderberry-Capsules-100-Count/dp/B000MXE1K0/ref=sr_1_4?s=hpc&ie=UTF8&qid=1362605248&sr=1-4&keywords=whole+elderberries


Holy Basil:  

Is an important symbol in the Hindu religious tradition and is worshiped in the morning and evening by Hindus at large. The holy basil is also a herbal remedy for a lot of common ailments. Here're top fifteen medicinal uses of tulsi.

Healing Power: The tulsi plant has many medicinal properties. The leaves are a nerve tonic and also sharpen memory. They promote the removal of the catarrhal matter and phlegm from the bronchial tube. The leaves strengthen the stomach and induce copious perspiration. The seed of the plant are mucilaginous.

K so let me break it down Holy Basil helps remedy all these things:
Stress
Sore throat
insect bites
mouth infections
Heart disorder
kidney stones
childrens alinments
respiratory disorders
skin disorders
teeth disoders
headaches
eye disorders

K um if that is not enough for you to try it I don't know what is ;)!  LOL
I got turned onto Holy Basil about 3 years ago to help manage my stress and anxiety!  I have to say it works wonders.  Holy Basil and Rescue Remedy are the two things I go to if I am just feeling overwhelmed.  Some people take it Daily, I take it when it is needed.  As should you do with everything.  I  think the reason that people don't get what they are seeking out in herbs is largely based on their dosages.  As with everything your body can become accustomed to something making that remedy less of a remedy!  Alternating the things you need 3 months here and there is the way to feel and get the benefits without making your body reliant or lose the effects.

Where to buy?

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0009F3RTC/ref=asc_df_B0009F3RTC2407544?smid=A2WWL3K64V1HHA&tag=sdcbing76-20&linkCode=asn&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B0009F3RTC


Maca  

Maca root is used for fertility enhancement, male and female menopause, stamina, endurance, and hormone related problems in both men and women.

As well as Maca is thought to regulate the metabolism, and is growing in popularity as a natural way to help the body produce stable energy instead of the temporary energy lift associated with strong stimulants. Athletes find maca useful as a natural way to enhance energy, stamina and endurance.

 The native people of the Andes used Lepidium meyenii as a remedy for anemia, tuberculosis, stomach cancer, sterility and other reproductive and sexual disorders.

For example, men have used it for impotence, erectile problems, and increased testosterone levels. Women have used Maca Root for hot flashes, a HRT alternative, perimenopause, and PMS associated problems. It will not cause ovaries to atrophy, unlike HRT, as it stimulates the body to produce its own hormones, instead of supplying the body with hormones.

Maca Root works so effectively for both men's and women's hormonal imbalances because instead of supplying plant hormones (like phytoestrogens), it acts on the hypothalamus-pituitary gland. This hormonal pathway produces precursers to male and female hormones, as well as affecting the adrenal glands. Maca does not necessarily stimulate it, but acts in a regulatory manner, so whether your body is producing too much or too little of a particular hormone, consuming Maca will balance your system.

This stuff is where it is at for women that feel irregular in their moods during their ovulation, it also has aided many of women in fertility!

Where to buy:

For the Maca you can use capsules or powder.  I tend to lean towards extracts.  Here is the one I use and it is just added to my tea or water and chugged!

http://www.herbdealer.com/macamart/proddetail.php?prod=FG00001



Last but not least is Cinnamon!  Yup just cinnamon!

Cinnamon has long been a popular spice in baking and cooking. Research has found that it is not only delicious but it's healthy, too. Just make sure that you're buying true cinnamon and not cassia, which is often sold as cinnamon in stores.  I personally take 2 cinnamon tablets daily!  

Here are 10 Health Benefits of Cinnamon that may make you want to include it in your diet every day.

Lower Cholesterol
Studies have shown that just 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon per day can lower LDL cholesterol.

Blood Sugar Regulation
Several studies suggest that cinnamon may have a regulatory effect on blood sugar, making it especially beneficial for people with Type 2 diabetes.

Yeast Infection Help
In some studies, cinnamon has shown an amazing ability to stop medication-resistant yeast infections.

Cancer Prevention
In a study published by researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Maryland, cinnamon reduced the proliferation of leukemia and lymphoma cancer cells.

Anti-Clotting
It has an anti-clotting effect on the blood.  This is what I really am happy about since Factor 5 is ramped in my family as well as my husbands!

Arthritis Relief
In a study at Copenhagen University, patients given half a teaspoon of cinnamon powder combined with one tablespoon of honey every morning before breakfast had significant relief in arthritis pain after one week and could walk without pain within one month.

Anti-Bacterial
When added to food, it inhibits bacterial growth and food spoilage, making it a natural food preservative.

Brain Health
One study found that smelling cinnamon boosts cognitive function and memory.

It also helps with diabetes, and metablolsim, I really can't sing cinnamons praises enough!  And it is so simple to take because it tastes good and is safe to take with all your other supplements and vitamins daily!

Where to or how to buy?

I use capsules and most drug stores or even natural grocery stores carry cinnamon capsules.  If you can't find capsules you can put a teaspoon ground cinnamon in a large glass of water!  But capsules are best

http://www.amazon.com/Natures-Bounty-Cinnamon-1000mg-Capsules/dp/B001G7QFW8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362604764&sr=8-1&keywords=cinnamon+capsules 

So for me herbs and roots wise these are the ones that we have in our house ALWAYS.  Supplement wise, which I will be doing a post on soon, I am a calcium taker because women in my family have osteoporosis, pre-natal because I nurse, garlic, 2 cinnamon,cranberry, and a  B-12 ingester!   Depending on my mood and how I am feeling or what I feel my body needs I occasionally dabble in Holy Basil, Maca, Nettle, turmeric, the list goes on but it is based on what I am feeling!  I think more people should look into herbal remedies before gobbling up chemicals!  I challenge you to see if there is a herbal remedy first, stop running to the pharmacy the minute a Doctor prescribes things, (unless it is an antibiotic because you are seriously sick of course) lol!  For the everyday aches and things that you can change herb-ally by all means try it.  You will be amazed at how with herbs you can treat, and prevent so many problems.  Natural and cheap.  The way I like it!  If you have anything to add, please leave a comment, questions please email me at earthyconsumer@yahoo.com  and feel free to follow my herbs and roots boars on Pinterest!

http://pinterest.com/earthyconsumer/gifted-apothecary/

http://pinterest.com/earthyconsumer/herbs-roots-and-oils/

Tread Lightly pals!