okay i'm starting an herbal blog of sorts up here, i will post an herb every day to every few days if the first one goes over well, hopefully these may help you be healthier and strengthen your imunity over all. there are some rules listed in at least one of the books, you know basicas for gathering if you choose to, and to also guide you in use for your self and for children

• Picking any plant, including medicinal herbs, is illeagal in some areas, so be sure you know the local laws before setting out
  
• Don't harvest along busy highways or other areas where there may be high levels of pollution
  
• Always be sure you know EXACALLY what you are gathering picking and using the wrong plant is sure to do more harm then good
  
• Always think of the earths wellbeing before taking any plant, harvest only from large groups of plants and never take more the a third of that which is available and don't take more then you plan to use and do as little damage as possible to the remaining plants and surrounding vegetation, basiacally treat the environment the way the ancients did.

If you are interested in trying herbals for you children it is important to first talk with your doctor and consult an experianced herbalist about use and dosage, as with any medication, children may respond differently then adult so you must exercise caution when administering treatment, the following chart can be used together with sound medical advice to prepare herbal teas for infants, teens, adults and children.

• 0-1 year of age--------1/20th the adult dose
• 1-2 years of age-------1/10th the adult dose
• 3-4 years of age-------1/5th the adult dose
• 5-6 years of age-------3/10ths the adult dose
• 7-8 years of age-------2/5ths the adult dose
• 9-10 years of age------1/2 the adult dose
• 11-12 years of age-----3/5ths the adult dose
• 13-14 years of age-----4/5ths the adult dose
• 15 and older------------Full adult dosage

all information listed(for the most part) is taken from the book: "healing secrets of the native americans" by porter shimer

Willow
Salix

Willow, one of the best herbs for a list of different ills, most speices are capable of being used for them. From willow we get asprin's main component Salicin from which the acis that is use to make the drug is derived. it also contains many anti septic and anti bcterial properties. willow bark tea is reputed to cure:

Headache
Fever
Back pain
Colic
Diarrhea
Blood clots
Calluses corns and bunions(when used as a soak for the feet)
Sore throats
anticeptic for scrapes
Neuralgia
Rheumatism
Bursitis
Lumbago
Dyspepsia
to strengthen the digestive organs
and recovery from long term illnesses

*preperation*

To make willow Tea add a teaspoonful of dried(or 2 teaspoons of fresh) barks to a cup of boiling water, to lighten tastes and ease possible stomache reactions(similar to asprins) add either licorice, anise, start anise, rose petals, some of all of them for better tastes(i'd segues about 1/2 to the amount of willow that was added) and bring to boil, and boil(or simmer) for 15-20 mins

Sweeten with honey and enjoy.

Thanks FR,
I love the info.

Oh thanks you ^.^, is there any partiular herb you may be interested in, because if i don't have it in a book i can find it ^.^ i'd post the next one soon, but aparently my note got tossed by mum when she cleaned and i have acually tried the one i was going to post... which was valerian

i think myrtle is acually listed, as for jasmine, it does have the aromatic properties, and great taste, i'll write these down and get the info to you abit later on ^w^

I have heard about St. John's Wort and depression but am way curious how that works. Also anything to keep us over 40 ladies as spicy as our attitude!

hehe you welcome, i also got the feeling someone was wanting Rose , as well while i have my tea book here since it listed in here(and the others are not...) as for St.Johns Wort it contains the MAO inhibitor Hypericin and psuedo-hypericin and the stimulant dopamine both of wich eases depression

it also help inhibit the growth of HIV virus in animals, and testing is underway to creat a synthetic version to test on humans

it also works for incontinence when taken before bed menses and monopause to relieve pain and discomfort as a seditive

Neuralia and neuritisit reduces inflamation and eases the pain of nerves

strains and sprains warm tea bag of St.Johns Wortcan be a compress to relieve localized nerve pains and inflamation due to sprains and strains


Warning!!! regular use can make you sun-sensitive, so avoid radiation therapy cause it can heighten the rick of burns and blitters and can also increse blood presure and cause nausea and headaches in some individuals, sould not be used if you are taken perscriptions including but not limited to MAO inhibitors, steroids, traquilizers, diet pills or any amphetamine related drugs.

Myrtle
myrtus communis

Antibiotic
Antiseptic
Aromatic
Astringent
Balsamic
Carminative
Hemostatic
Tonic

The leaves are aromatic, balsamic, haemostatic and tonic. Recent research has revealed a substance in the plant that has an antibiotic action. The active ingredients in myrtle are rapidly absorbed and give a violet-like scent to the urine within 15 minutes. The plant is taken internally in the treatment of urinary infections, digestive problems, vaginal discharge, bronchial congestion, sinusitis and dry coughs. In India it is considered to be useful in the treatment of cerebral affections, especially epilepsy. Externally, it is used in the treatment of acne (the essential oil is normally used here), wounds, gum infections and haemorrhoids. The leaves are picked as required and used fresh or dried.

An essential oil obtained from the plant is antiseptic. It contains the substance myrtol - this is used as a remedy for gingivitis. The oil is used as a local application in the treatment of rheumatism.

The fruit is carminative. It is used in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, internal ulceration and rheumatism.


info taken from the ibiblio.org website

and i'll just get paler from it(doesn't go outside hardly) other my get nice and blistered and crispy ^w^

and your welcome

Thanks Flying Raven & I feel for you pre-lobsters.

i use to tan then my personality and feelings ect... shifted to me staying in versus going outside.

i should have Rose up later, it has about 20 "virtues" aside from the basic healing aspects. It had quite a list, and then i'll also post Jasmine up here(i drink jamsime tea alot)

Dear FR,
what info do you know about Kava. I'm 42 and thought it would be a good sleep aid and mood lifter? Thank you for your time and wisdom.

It will, yes it is a mood lifter, take to much though and you may find youself acting drunk, i don't have all my info here with me, but yes it may help you sleep and lift your mood.

Thanks for the feedback. Kava is supposed to help with hot flashes during change of life. I may start stock piling now.

i can get more info later, just i haven't had much a chance to sit and get my books out and rile my personal knowlage... been going everywhere today V.V

Kava
Piper Methysticum

"the intoxicating pepper"
When Capitan Cooke(?)'s ship landed on and island in the south pacific his men disembarked the ship and found this plant and began eating its fruit, which after while cause them to act as if they were drunk.

Mood Adjuster
mild seditive cause by the chemical kavalcones
Can ease heart palipitations
relax muscles
relieve anxiety, tension, and emotional stress

Medicinal part the roots

Warning can be intoxicating in high doses

*extra info* the islanders of Vanautu in the south pacific believe only men should drink the juices of the kava plant, and use it to get drunk when they gather at the mens hut.

Parsley is a great herb for allergies(ex. sneezing). If you chew a wad of parsley you can stop a bout of sneezing almost immediately. It also is an anti bacterial and helps with bad breath.

Remember to always use organic herbs though becase they are mch more powerful when they are not rushed into maturity. If they grow at a natural rate the active ingredients will be fully present. I find that inorganic parsley has hardly any effect.

Inorganic parsley will only freshen breath, i prefer to grow my own parsley when i can, we do so at school all the time

Oh did you know the the scent of lavender oil from a difuser can eliminate bacteria in the air? which is why its use in minute amount in hospital air to disinfect it, and also makes for a soothing cup of tea at night

Jasmine
Jasminum grandiflorum


Jasmine is an astringent, anti bacterial, anti viral, cooling and bitter herb. It stimulates the uterus, calms nerves and is reportedly an aphrodisiac for women.

It is also used as an alternative for cancers, as well as viral and bacterial infections. J. officinale is used in perfumes, as well as flavoring for maraschino cherries.

Internal use
It is mostly used in Ayurvedic medicine for infections with high fever, conjunctivitis, sunstroke, dermatitis, as well as cancer of the bones, lymphatic nodes and breast cancer.
External use
Jasmine is used for mouth ulcers, and the fresh juice is applied to corns.
Aromatherapy and essential oil use
This is useful for severe depression and especially for postnatal depression.
It is useful during childbirth since it relieves pain and strengthens contractions and is also a hormonal balancer.
On the skin it is used with great effect to treat dry, stressed and sensitive skins and also helps to increase elasticity.

It has anti-depressant, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, aphrodisiac, emmenagogue, emollient, galactagogue, sedative and uterine properties.

Here's a quick tip for all of you out there who may run into a little trouble with bee's.

Common Plantain is a quick fix for bee stings. You can find it everywhere. It usually grows wild on most lawns or on the side of the road. If you get stung by a bee just pull off a leaf, chew it, and apply it to the sting. I used this old remedy today when a group of bees decided to attack me. I left the battle with 5 bee stings. The Plantain leaves may taste like crap, but they really do work.

Kree