The Circle of Stone

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Herbs. Essential Oils. Teas. Herbal Cures. The Inner Chamber.
Observatory

Here is a short listing of herbs and teas used for healing and other purposes.

These herbs commonly found in kitchens, or easily found in most supermarkets. This list is alphabetical by herb.

Anise (Pimpinella ansium)
Anise helps expel gas, relieves nausea and stomach pain caused by gas. To use: crush anise seeds into a powder. Put one teaspoon of the powder into 1 cup of warm water. Drink up to three times a day, to relieve symptoms.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Basil is another anti-nauseant that is also relieves gas, and promotes normal bowel function. To use: Make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon of the curshed dried herb in a half-cup of water. Drink as needed, not to exceed three cups a day.

Capsicum or Cayenne (Capsicum frutescens)
Cayenne helps stimulate the appetite and acts as a mild stimulant. It may reduce discomfort from the common cold. To use: make a tea out of the dried herb, 1 teaspoon per cup of hot water. 2 cups per day only. Note: Cayenne irritates hemorrhoids, and should never be used by people with stomach problems. Do not exceed recommended dosage as high doses can cause stomach and kidney problems.

Caraway (Carum carvi)
Caraway works as an expectorant for coughs due to colds. It also improves the appetite and may increase breast milk in nursing mothers. To use: Chew some seed three or four times a day.

Dill (Aniethum graveolens)
Dill eases indigestion and upset stomachs. To use: Make a strong tea by steeping 2 teaspoons of dills seeds in 1 cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Strain and drink one half-cup 2 to 3 times daily.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel is a digestive aid and is known to relieve cramps. The oil is used to relieve stiff joints. To use: 15 drops of extract in warm water with honey, once daily, as digestive aid. Rub oil directly on affected area for pain alleviation.

Fenugreek (Trigonella graceum)
Fenugreek relieves sore throats and is useful for treating skin irritations and other inflammations. To use: as a gargle for sore throat-mix 1 tablespoon of pulverized seed in 1 cup hot water. Let steep for 10 minutes and strain. Gargle 3 times a day, every 3-4 hours. As a poultice for skin irritaions - pulverize enough seed so that when mixed with 8 ounces of water, it forms a thick paste. Apply paste to affected areas once a day.

Garlic (Allium sativum)
Garlic helps fight infections, lowers blood pressure and my be able to destroy some cancer cells. To use: Stir-fry cloves for a few minutes to cut down garlic-breath. Eat two or three a day for maximum effectiveness.

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Ginger eases cold syptoms, soothes skin inflammations and minor burns, calms upset stomachs, and is a natural remedy for morning sickness. To use: for burn and inflammations- mash fresh ginger root, soak cotton ball and then rub juice on the affected area. for all else - add ginger extract to hot water, 10 drops/cup. This can be taken up to three times daily.

Parsley (Petroselinium sativum)
Parsley settles stomachs after meals. It also helps clear congestion due to colds and is soothing for asthma. To use: Make a strong tea using 1 teaspoon dried, ground parsley in 1 cup hot water. Let steep 10-15 minutes. Take once a day.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Mint is an anti-spasmodic and is excellent for relieving cramps and stomach pain. It also relieves gas and aids in digestion. It can help reduce the sick feeling associated with migraines. To use: Drink one cup as a tea. Commercial teas are available. (Make sure it is only mint, not mint flavored). Drink as needed.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is used for most head pains. To use: as tea, to relieve nervous tension, make a strong tea. Rub rosemary essential oil on the temples to relieve headaches. Mix essential oils or leaves with olive oil to make a dandruff treatment.

Sage (Salvia officinalis)
Sage reduces perspiration and can be used to ease sore gums. To use: to relieve perspiration medium tea, one time daily. to ease gums, strong infusion, gargled 3 times daily.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
Thyme is good for chronic respiratory problems, cold flu and sore throat. It is also an anti-fungal. To use: make a tea of the dried herb, drink daily. As an anti-fungal, rub extract on affected areas.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric promotes good liver function and helps prevent gallbladder disease. It also my help prevent over-clotting of blood cells, and may help relive arthritis syptoms. To use: take 300mg up to 3 times daily.

Disclaimer- This is provided for informational purposes only. Talix, her creator, and anyone related to her, is not responsible for the outcome of anyone using these remedies. Please consult a licensed healthcare physician before changing your health care program.

Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in two basic ways. The first is by rubbing the oil on the skin, the second is through inhalation of the scent.

For a body massage, try 20-30 drops in a non-scented oil, such as vegetable or canola. For the bath, just add 5-10 drops to a steaming tub. For air diffusers, use 5 drops, or follow the manufacturer's advice.

When purchasing essential oils, look for brands that come in dark brown glass bottles that have a dropper top, or droppers available.

Basil (0cimum basilicum)
- Inhaled: is a stimulant, helps sharpen senses, and helps ease headaches. On skin: a good skin toner. This does not need to be mixed with vegetable oil. Warning: Basil essential oil may irritate sensitive skin.

Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
- Inhaled: helps clear breathing passages. Use during a cold or flu. On skin: Use on burns or infected wounds. Warning: Eucalyptus essential oil is not recommended for people with high blood pressure.

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
- Inhaled: decreases appetite, aids digestion. On skin: a good toner, eases wrinkles. Warning: not recommended during pregnancy.

Frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
- Inhaled: clears lungs, stimulates the immune system. On skin: good for aging skin. Eases sores and inflammations.

Geranium (Pelargonium gravolens)
- Inhaled: reduces stress. On skin: A good cleanser, improves skin circulation. Warning: Do not use during pregnancy. May irritate sensitive skin.

Ginger (Zingiber offcinalis)
- Inhaled: Eases digestion. Causes sweating during fevers. On skin: Helps ease bruises. Warning: May irritate sensitive skin. Mix with vegetable oil if this is the case.

Lavender (Lavendula officinalis)
- Inhaled: relaxing. relieves headaches, lowers blood pressure. On skin: Aids in wound recovery, good for acne, burns and wounds. Warning: Not recommended for people with low blood pressure.

Patchouli (Pogostemon patchouli)
- Inhaled: causes loss of appetite. Deodorizes. On skin: Good for aged cracked skin. Anti-inflammatory anti-fungal. Good for athlete's foot. Warning: in low doses, may act as a sedative. Acts as a stimulant at higher doses. Many find patchouli to be an unpleasant odor.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
- Inhaled: good for easing stomach ailments. Ease headaches. On skin: Relives itching of sunburn. Use on greasy hair.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis
- Inhaled: Good general tonic. Eases headaches. On skin: Good astringent. Use in shampoo to get rid of dandruff.

Sandalwood (Santalum album)
- Inhaled: aids sleep, releases anxiety. (often used as an aphrodesiac) On skin: relieves itching and inflammation.

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
- Inhaled: helps relieve sinusitus. On skin: anti-inflammatory. Use on burns, sores, warts, athlete's foot. Rub into scalp to relieve dandruff.

Ylang Ylang (Cananga odorata)
- Inhaled: sedative. Good for high blood pressure and insomnia. On skin: Rub on scalp to stimulate hair growth. Sweet scent, use as perfume.

Herbal Teas

There are a number of easily available teas that have healing properties. Many of these are available in your local supermarket, others will be at your health food store.

Borage (Borago officiniale) - antimelancholy

Burdock root (Arctium lappa) - helps sciatica and rheumatoid arthritis

Butcher's Broom (Ruscus acluteatus) - good diuretic

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) - relaxant and mild depressant

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - calms hyperactivity, good before bed

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylancium) - clears the brain, improves thought process

Cornsilk (*) - reduces pain of urinary infections

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) - improves liver and kidney function

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) - an appetite supressant, relieves gas, abdominal pain.

Fenugreek (Trigonella graecum) - relieves sinus congestion, eases sore throats

Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) - restores appetite

Jasmine (Jasminum officinalis) - mild nerve sedative

Parsley (Petroselinum sativum) - diuretic

Roships (Rosacaea) - adrenal stimulant during daytime

Sage (Salvia officinalis) - improves brain nourishment, the "thinker's tea"

Slippery elm bark (Ulmus fulva) - pain reliever

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - sooths sore throats and colds

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - natural sedative

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) - general tonic Back to top.

Herbal Cures for Common Illnesses.

These herbs are listed for informational purposes only. Do not try to treat yourself without dosage information from someone who knows what they are doing. Some of the herbs can be deadly if used improperly.

Bladder Infection - Goldenseal and echinacea in combination are very effective. One or the other alone will be functional as well. Include large amount of water in your diet until recovery. Cranberry juice is also helpful, but make sure it is an unsweetened variety (sweetend with apply juice is acceptable).

Bronchitis - Try combinations of Fenugreek, sliperry elm, echincea, ginger, or eucalyptus.

Burns - First Degree - Apply linitments of burdock, comfrey or sage. Aloe vera gel can be used to decrease inflammation. Second degree - Same as first, but apply Vitamin E oil on burn. Third degree - if it is in a small area, treat as second degree, otherwise go to a doctor.

Colds - At onset, sleep, with the follow teas singly or mixed, lemon balm, yarrow, mint and elder flowers. Other things that can be used are cayenne or giner in a tea or as a powder. Farther into a cold, echinacea is recommended, provided there are no allergies.

Constipation - The following are useful for relieving this situation: aloe vera, psyllium husk, senna leaf.

Cough - Inhale eucalyptus from an ointment, or from a humidfier. Drink thyme tea.

Diarrhea - A chamomile and raspberry tea will help this, as will ginger.

Gas - Correcting the diet is essential. Isolate foods that cuase gas, and remove them from your diet. A parsley tea after meals will remove the discomfort. Certain spices, such as garlic or ginger will help eliminate gas if cooked into meals.

Goose bumps - A warm cinnamon tea will relieve this condition.

Headache - Chronic headache sufferers should try adding spinach to their diet. Chronic migraine sufferers should try feverfew on a daily basis. White willow bark, 'natures aspirin' is recommended over acetominaphin, asprirn or ibuprofen.

Hoarseness and Laryngitis - Don't talk. If you smoke, stop. Gargle a strong chamomile tea, humidify the air around you with a water and eucalyptus or water and menthol combination.

Insomnia - Valerian tea at bedtime.

Throat Inflammation - Take sage tea every two hours along with echinacea in tablet or tincture form.

Tooth ache - Rub painful area with a tincture of cayenne.

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