Herbal Remedies – Terrapeutic

The magic of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the art of healing with essential oil. These can be used in massage and inhalation techniques. Added to bathroom products such as soap, skin creams, bath gel, shampoo, bath salts and straight into the bath water itself.

Aromatherapy also involves the use of incense, potpourri, steam inhalations, scented candles and fresh flowers.

How it works:

Smell – When we smell a fragrance, we take its healing molecules into our bodies. It is said by some that the fastest way for some healing techniques to enter our body is through inhalation.

Through the skin- Essential oils applied to the skin are absorbed into the bloodstream to help take immediate effect.

Emotionally: Aromatherapy is emotionally healing due to smells being able to trigger happy memories. Smells like cinnamon, apple, and ginger bread can take many back to a happy childhood holiday memory.

Making Herbal Infusions

One of the simplest and time honored ways of using natural herbal remedies. An Infusion, which to most is another term for what we know today as herbal teas, is made by simply seeping fresh or dried herbs in hot water.There are 5 simple steps to making an infusion.

1)Choose a glass, enamel or porcelain teapot with a tight fitting lid. Pour in a little boiling water to warm the teapot and the empty.

2)Add 3 TBSP of chopped fresh herbs or 1 TBSP of dried herbs to the teapot.

3)Pour a pint of hot water (note: the water should not be boiling) into the teapot and cover with the lid. Leave for 5 – 10 minutes to infuse.

4)Strain some of the through a tea strainer or cheese cloth into a teacup.

5)Add honey to sweeten if desired.

The herbal infusion you just made should be sufficient enough for 3 separate doses and can be stored in a airtight container in a cool place for up to 48 hours.

Picture found @ http://www.wildplantforager.com/blog/our-wild-her…

Making Bach flower remedies

The Sun Method

1) Pour spring water into a glass bowl and float enough flowers until the whole surface is covered. Stir with a twig to distribute evenly.

2) Place the bowl and flowers in full sunlight and leave for three hours. As the bowl is uncovered, place it well away from any shadows or sources of contamination.

3) After three hours, use the twig to remove the flowers from the water. Make sure to remove all plant material.

4) Measure 4 TBSP of the water into a jug and pour into an amber bottle using a funnel. Add the same volume of brandy to the bottle. Close the bottle and shake to mix the liquids. Label with the type of essence it contains and the date on which it was made.

A home for your herbs

These days you can get dried herbs from just about any grocery store. The more organic and natural source of your herbs the better they are for you. This is due to not having anything added to it so that the herb can be on a shelf for long amounts of time. The down side to that is they do have a more limited shelf life, unless you properly store them.

Here are a few tips to help you prolong the shelf life of your natural perhaps hand picked herbs…

1) Store all your herbs in a cool, dry and dark environment. Such as a basement, storage room or a pantry.

2) The containers should be sterilized before use to avoid contaminating your herbs. If you are like me you may try to keep those nice glass jars your herbs have been bought in the past thinking “I can still use that” Make sure they are well cleaned out and sanitized before adding new herbs to such jars. I like to do this step separate of my other dishes.

3)An airtight dark-glass or ceramic container is ideal for storing parts of plants. These can normally be found in places like Whole foods, a local natural foods store or online. I find that dark glass jars and bottles are essential to do many things naturally such as storing oils and making my own bath & beauty products. If you like doing those things as well then buying online in bulk may be best for your wallet.

Blood Sugar Regulation

Uses for Cinnamon…

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. In a study conducted by Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center on diabetic patients, whom were each given one-quarter of a teaspoon of cinnamon over 40 days, researchers observed that patients’ blood sugar levels fell as much as 30 percent.