Healing Herbs

Research into the usefulness and value of herbs in healing is proving that the ancient herbs and spices mentioned in the Bible really can help heal health problems according to an article in a popular women's magazine.

Saffron, a Middle Eastern spice, eases depression. It also can help regulate your monthly cycle and increase libido.

Myrrh, a tree resin, eases pain. It has a natural anesthetic property that numbs pain signals in the brain.

Frankincense contains a mood-boosting chemical which eases anxiety and depression. The smoke from frankincense incense also boosts oxygen levels to the brain, giving you a quick energy boost.

Hyssop, an herb used for thousands of years as an antiseptic and disinfectant, treats respiratory problems, allowing you to breathe more readily. Phytochemicals in the flowering plant break up congestion, loosen phlegm, and eases swelling.

Cumin has been used for thousands of years to prevent and ease indigestion. It contains more than 100 chemicals that prevent gas and bloating, stimulate enzymes and flush out toxins from the intestines.

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Helpful teas to use:

Ease heartburn with marshmallow root. It contains a gel-like substance that coats the digestive tract and blocks the stomach acids that cause heartburn.

Holy Basil, not the basil in your spice rack, boosts production of dopamine and serotonin which promote happiness and tranquility.

Dandelion, which we all consider a nuisance weed in our yards, is actually a flowering herb. It can speed up the time it takes your liver to filter out alcohol so you feel much better much faster with your hangover! Additionally, if you know you're going to drink some wine, drink a glass of prickly pear juice about 6 hours before hand and it will extremely reduce or even prevent a hangover entirely.

The Indonesian herb, Gotu Kola, increases concentration and beats fatigue, even if you haven't slept much the night before. It boosts oxygen and circulation to the brain keeping you alert and preventing brain fog.

Oolong tea eases the bloat from overeating and helps flush out excess fluids and sodium.

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From an article in Women's World:
The set of techniques the Chinese believe helps them become in sync with the world and their surroundings, is called Tao, pronounced "dow" and meaning "path or way".
1. Taoism teaches the principle of wu wei, meaning effortless effort. Essentially, it says to follow your gut instinct when making decisions. If you make decisions based on what someone else wants you to do or because it is what you "should do", your own internal resistance can get in the way of success.
2. Taoism urges people to be like water. When water meets an obstacle, it doesn't give up or stop, instead, it flows around, seeps under, or runs over to get to the other side. In other words, don't force your issues, see if you can feel your way around it be seeking alternate solutions to the problems.
3. Don't beat yourself up over mistakes made. Tomorrow is another day, life is a moving journey.
4. Taoism encourages yu, ample amounts of free and easy wandering. Take a few minutes each day to do something fun - play with a pet, call a friend, read a chapter in a book, whatever you feel is fun for you.
5. A Taoist motto says "Talking about a path is not walking a path; thinking about life is not living". When you're stressed, ground yourself by focusing on your actions and senses.... live in the moment and experience it. Focus yourself on the smell of the flowers, the sound of coffee getting chewed up in the grinder, whatever you're doing at the moment.
6. According to the Tao, "the more we realize we're part of the vastness of nature, the easier it is to put problems in perspective and the happier we'll be". This notion could explain the beautiful gardens that are usually seen at Asian homes.

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Cures from the kitchen for stress
Foot bath and massage:
6 c milk, 1/4 c honey, 2 packets of instant oatmeal
Warm the milk and honey. Allow mix to cool until comfortable to the touch. Pour into a large basin then sprinkle in the oatmeal. Dip feet in and massage the oatmeal all over them.

Scalp treatment:
1 Avocado, 1 can coconut milk
Scoop out the fruit into a blender. Pour in the coconut milk and puree. Work the conditioner through your hair and scalp with your finger pads for 10 - 30 minutes. Rinse and style as usual.

Facial:
1 c canned pumpkin, 1 t honey, splash of milk
Blend all the ingredients together and apply to a clean face uisng gentle circular motions (avoid the area around your eyes). Relax for 10 minutes and splash warm water on your face to rinse. Pat dry and moisturize.

Massage away anxiety:
2 -4 drops of vanilla extract, 1/4 c grapeseed oil, 1/4 c glycerine
Pour all ingredients into a resealable bottle and shake vigorously. Drizzle on to the pads of your fingertips. Then, using circular motions, massage your body starting at the base of your neck, the the outside of your shoulders. Massage the center of your palm and gently tug at each finger.

Body Scrub:
2 t cocoa powder, 1 c brown sugar, 1 c sweet almond oil
Blend cocoa and br sugar. Drizzle in oil. In the shower, massage the scrub on warm, wet skin, rinse and pat dry.

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Home Remedies
Asthma:
Drink a cup of coffee! It opens airways and prmotes breating well enough until you can get to you asthma meds. Coffee can prevent asthma attacks altogether.

Cough:
Dark chocolate quiets coughs 33% better than coughmeds containing codeine and lasts a full four hours.

Cold:
Chicken Soup. Yep, Grandma knew best! It helps relieve and even cure a cold.

Eyesight:
Eating just one carrot a day slashes your risk of macular degeneration almost in half. Other orange fruits and vegetables, like sweet potatoes and canaloupe have sight saving beta carotene too.

Hiccups:
Put a teaspoon of white granulated sugar in your mouth and let it dissolve. The granules irritate teh phrenic nerve, which is responsible for the hiccup reflex and cause the diaphragm to immediatley stop spasming.

Burns:
If you get a burn in the kitchen, pour some honey on it. It is more effective at healing and has antibiotic properties that kill the germs that cause infection.

Sore Throat:
Have a piece of pineapple! It's loaded with bromelain and vitamin C. Bromelain is deactivated by heat, so use fresh pineapple, not canned.
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