Medicinal Monday – Chamomile Tea

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is one of the most widely used flowers and effective medicinal teas known. The gentle action of this herb makes it suitable for children and adults, and can be safely used on a regular basis. It is widely used for stomachaches, insomnia, sore throats, cramps and teething children. Matricaria recutita, or German chamomile contains the highest concentration of the essential oils responsible for giving chamomile its healing power. The medicinal use of chamomile dates back to the Romans, who relied on its antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. It is also said that the Egyptians dedicated Chamomile to their sun god and valued it over all other herbs for its healing qualities. Except for the small risk of allergy, Chamomile is one of the safest herbs to use.

Photo by Justin and Elise

Preparation of Tea:

• In a teapot, place 1 tsp. of chamomile flowers per cup of water.
• Boil the water, then let it cool slightly (using boiling water will cause the various therapeutic compounds in chamomile to evaporate).
• For best results, steep the tea less than 5 min.

Therapeutic Effect:

• The healing effect of chamomile is primarily due to the chamazulene and alpha-bisabolol in its essential oil.
• Chamomile has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antibacterial effects.
• It calm the nerves and induces sleep.
• Chamomile tea can be used in healing compresses or added to bathwater.

For treatment of gastric problems:

• The essential oils in chamomile combined with other ingredients, such as sulfur and calcium, help relieve gastrointestinal inflammation.
• To ease pain and stimulate the digestion, drink 3 or 4 cups of freshly prepared tea daily for a period of several weeks.

For relief of intestinal cramps:

• The flavonoids in chamomile tea can prevent gas and relieve cramps.
• For menstrual cramps, a chamomile tincture is better because its flavonoid concentration is a third higher than that of the tea.

Medicinal Uses:

For eye problems:
A Chamomile tea compresses helps relieve eye pain, eye strain and eyelid inflammation.

• Soak 2 cotton pads in lukewarm tea and place them on the eyes for a few minutes.

Warning: Strain the tea thoroughly to remove any pieces of chamomile flower.

For inflammation, restlessness and insomnia:
A chamomile tea bath provides quick relief from skin inflammations, restlessness and insomnia.

• Add 1 qt. of chamomile tea to a bathtub full of warm water.
• For insomnia, take the bath before bedtime.

For menstrual cramps:
A chamomile tincture can alleviate menstrual cramps.

• Add 2/3 oz. of chamomile flowers to 1 ½ oz. of 100 proof alcohol and let it steep for 1 week.
• Strain and store in a dark vial.
• Take 10 drops in a glass of water.

For flu and cough:
The germicidal effect of a chamomile vapor helps destroy the germs that cause flu and alleviates coughing.

• Pour 2 qt. of hot water over 2 cups of chamomile flowers.
• Cover your head with a towel and inhale the vapors.

Warning: Do not use if you suffer from cardiovascular disease.

Healing Tea mixtures:

For gastric complaints:

• 1 oz. chamomile
• 2/3 oz peppermint
• 1 oz. caraway seeds
• 2/3 oz. angelica

Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 10 min and strain. This soothes the gastro intestinal tract and stimulates digestive activiy, making it useful for stomachaches or a too full feeling.

For Cystitis:

• 1 oz. chamomile
• 1 oz. yarrow
• 1 oz. sage

Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep the mixture 5 min and strain. The anti-inflammatory components relieve bladder pain and urinary discomfort. Drink as much as you wish daily until the inflammation has healed.

For skin problems

• 1 oz. chamomile
• 1 oz. dandelion
• 2/3 oz. fennel

Use 1 tsp. of the mixture per cup of hot water. Steep 5-10 min and strain. This medicinal tea blend stimulates metabolic activity, which helps promote the healing of inflammatory skin conditions, such as abscesses, boils and acne.

Warning: Chamomile has been known to cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to ragweed or other members of the daisy family.

References:

• The Complete Guide To Natural Healing

Note: Consult with a Physician or certified herbologist if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the herb listed above.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Hump Day Herbs - Nettle

Nettle

Botanical Name: Urtica Dioica

Folk Names: Ortiga Ancha, Stinging Nettle


Photo by Anni&John

Nettle, is a perennial herbaceous, native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and North America, and is best known as a member of the genus Urtica. It has several hollow stinging hairs called trichomes on its leaves and stems, which act like needles that inject histamine and other chemicals that produce a stinging sensation when in contact with humans and animals.

Nettles have been associated with death and burial customs. During the Bronze Age, burial cloths have been found that were woven of its fibers. In the highlands and the islands of Ireland, people believed that nettle grew from the bodies of the dead. The Welsh believed, if fresh Nettles were put under the pillow of a sick person and stayed green, the person would live, if they turned yellow, that person would die. In Denmark, people thought that nettles grew from the blood of innocent victims.

Deity: Thor

Element: Fire (Courage, Exorcism, Health, Lust, Protection, Strength)

Gender: Masculine

Planet: Mars (Courage, Exorcism, Hex Breaking, Lust, Protection, Sexual Potency, Strength)

Powers: Consecration, Exorcism, Healing, Lust, Protection

Medicinal Uses: Stinging Nettle have been used for hundreds of years to treat painful muscles and joints, eczema, arthritis, gout, and anemia. Today, many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), for urinary tract infections, for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites.

Magical Uses: Brooms made of Nettle are used to sweep out evil and send it back. To remove a curse and send it back, stuff a poppet with Nettle or carry it in a sachet. For healing power, pluck a Nettle up by it’s roots and recite the name of the sick person and his/her parents. Place Nettle leaves into pockets to be safe from lighting. If dry leaves are placed into shoes, it will keep evil from leading one to harmful places. Sprinkle Nettle around the house to keep evil out and send it back. To avoid avoid danger sprinkle in fire, it can also be carried on one’s hand to ward off ghosts.

Ritual Uses: To consecrate an Athame,  plunge  heated blade into an herbal bath with nettles. In the Kawaiisu tribe, children who wished to study witchcraft had to walk through Nettles as practice. It also played a major role in fishing magick, as it was once used for fishing nets. It would be a great herb for knot magic.

Other Uses: Seeds have been known to be be soaked in water for twenty minutes, then used for a final rinse after shampooing.

Warning: Stinging Nettle should not be used by pregnant women and should never be applied to an open wound.

References:

• umm.edu
• A Compendium of Herbal Magick: Paul Beyerl
• Scott Cunningham: Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of magical herbs

Note: Consult with a Physician or certified herbologist if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the herb listed above.

Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all and have a great day!

Medicinal Monday - Wild Strawberry

Medicinal Monday – Wild Strawberry

January 9th, 2012 by sivodd

Wild Strawberry

Botanical Name: Fragaria Vesca
Native Americans used Wild Strawberries in tea for stomach ailments, jaundice and profuse menses, and the botanist Linnaeus is said to have used the wild berries to relive gout. Until recently the plant’s medicinal uses were forgotten. They are also used in love rituals. If a double strawberry is shared with someone, the two will fall in love. The Strawberries are a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of love.


Photo by dnhoshor
Plant fact: Native to North America, Wild Strawberries are a member of the rose family. They grow to about 8 inches high, and begin to develop in June. The berries are very fleshy with an outer skin that contains the plant’s actual fruits, the bard and tiny yellow seeds.
Parts used: The leaves, berries and roots are used for therapeutic purpose. (Keep dried plants parts protected from humidity)
Components:

• The leaves and roots contain tannin. (which has an astringent action)
• The leaves are composed of triterpene alcohols, flavonoids, citral (a lemony substance) and traces of essential oils.
• The berries contain a great amount of vitamin C (60 milligrams per 100 grams fruit), as well as fruit acids and minerals-such as potassium, magnesium, zinc, manganese, calcium and iron.

Indications: Since the leaves provide an astringent action, they can be used to make a tea that reduces inflamed mucous membranes in the mouth. Fresh strawberries, on the other hand, soothe gastritis and are also helpful in curing anemia.
Methods of Administration:
Fresh root decoction:

• Add 1 gram wild strawberry root parts to about ½ cup of cold water.
• Heat, and allow to steep for about 30 min.
• Drink 2 cup daily before meals for diarrhea relief.

Infusion for gargling:

• Add about ¼ cup of chopped wild strawberry leaves to ½ cup boiling hot water.
• Step for 30 min.
• Rinse and gargle several times a day to reduce inflammation of oral mucous membranes.

Infusion:

• Add about 1/8 oz, of chopped leaves to ½ cup boiling water
• Steep for approximately 15 min.
• Three to four cups daily will strengthen the blood.

Soothing bath:

• Add 2 handful fresh or 1 cup of dried leaves to your bathwater.
• You’ll find dried leaves at your local natural-food stores.

Poultice:

• Apply crushed berries to sunburned areas-or other skin inflammations-and cover with a damps cloth.
• Allow the poultice to work for 10-20 min
• Gently wash off the berries with warm water.

Tip: The fresh or dried leaves infused in tea offers relief from diarrhea and other digestive upsets.
References:

• The Complete Guide To Natural Healing

Note: Consult with a Physician if you are seeking medical remedies. The information is not intended as medical advice. PagansWorld.org is not liable for the misuse of the information listed above.
Thanks for stopping by! Well wishes to you all, have a great day!