I promised you the look at a herbal garden growing so pretty on my windowsill. I will give you that tour but in order to add to the depth of this page, I do need to put all of this in alphabetical order. Some of these plants cannot be grown in my kitchen but outside. Lets begin with:
1. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) has been used for centries to heal all kinds of ailments. Arthritis, digestive, urinary,and bowel problems as well as boils. Been known to help in the treatment of heart disease,and cancer.Alfalfa can be used as an infusion(cup of tea)or as an add in to a salad or sandwich. Tea is by adding one or 2 teaspoons and steeping about 20 minutes. Drink this atleast 3 times a day.
2. Aloe(Aloe vera) The gel of the plant is soothing, cooling and dries to form a natural bandaid. It is great for sunburns. Seems to stop the peeling and itching. Aloe in general is a great way to prevent bacteria from settling in. Thus, infections are stopped.To use? Simply take one of the lower leaves and break open. Clean a wound with soap and water and place the aloe on it. That is all there is to it. Place the remaining aloe in a plastic bag in the refrigerator and it will seal itself for future use. THIS IS A PLANT THAT GROWS WELL IN DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND INDOORS ON MY WINDOW SILL.
3. Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Good to ward off bronchitis, coughs, stuffy noses. Upper respiratory problems. Anise is also used to help with upset stomachs. Also used to help the relief of menopause. To use? Make a tea, one teaspoon of crushed seeds for every cup. Steep 10 to 20 min. and strain. Drink atleast 3 cups a day.
4. Boneset(Eupatorium perfoliatum) Related to the marigold and the dandelion. Native American favorite. Used to induce sweats for the healing of colds, flu, and others. They also used it for arthritis. Many overseas countries do believe it helps with the white blood cells and the immune system. Doctors use the boneset to treat in Germany. This has and is in the stages of research for cancer. Again, make a tea of this and steep 10 to 20 min. one teaspoon or even two...this is a bitter herb and I suggest adding some honey to it. Three cups daily.
5. Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum Minimum) Best use is as a flu fighter. Sounds pretty leery: 2 teaspoons of cayenne, one and one-half teas. of salt, one cup boiling water and (yuck) one cup of apple cider vinegar. Dose? One teaspoon to one tablespoon every half hour. Too strong? Dilute. This is also a good liniment-brings blood to the surface fast. Use either apple cider vinegar or alcohol as the foundation and add rose water or distilled. Always heat the spirits before using them. *hint* Peppers grow anywhere. Abundant for all.
6. Chamomile(Anthemis nobilis) Wonder drug for kids. This not only helps make it a better nights sleep but helps in infants for stomach ailments. Strain it before using in a baby bottle. Works good for childrens diarrhea. Fact of interest? This is a good insect repellent. Just splash it on and mosquitoes vanish. WINDOWSILL IN HOUSE: This is one of the herbs that can be grown on a window sill. Flowers are yellow and white and resemble tiny daisies. Make a tea and enjoy.
7. cranberry (Vaccinium macroecarpum)The best to defend against urinary tract infections. This works very well when taken in fresh squeezed form.
8. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinate) Dandelions are a diuretic. This is an aid to stomach ailments. Most are drank as a tea. This pesty weed is now grown as a herbal medicine and no longer considered just a weed.
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A herb known for many ages as a cure all with effect. The Chinese feel this is even a cure for cancer and aids! The Native Armercians have been healing scrapes, serious skin wounds, insect bites,stings and in some cases snake bites with this herb. This is set as a poultice. Echinacea has been used for yeast infections, boils, colds and flu etc. This is recommend to be used on a regular basis as an infusion (tea) Some feel this is the comparison to penicillin.
10.Elder(Sambucus nigra) The cure of hemorrhoids. This in combination with honeysuckle will soothe the pain. Pour boiling water or hot milk over the flowers and steep them for about 15 min. Soak a cloth and apply.
11.Garlic (allium sativum)A herb for all seasons..Garlic helps toothache, ear infection, shrinks warts, fights colds and is a real all around fighter again vampires? Can be made as a soup, paste, bouilion. For the ear and the tooth, place a piece of cloth and a bulb of garlic ovr the area of pain. This works for aching joints also. Has also been know to help astham attacks.
12. Ginger (zingiber officinale) Tea is a good to prevent colds. Also, used to stop reduce pain in a bath water. Tea is good to fight nausea. little peppermint, little ginger and a little bit of clove. Add cup of water and let it steep.
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14.Marigold (Colendula officinalis) Marigold works great for eczema and chapped hands. Varicose veins and inflammation. A mixture of about five or six marigold heads and some apple cider vinegar can be used as a compress for inflammation and wounds. This was used be military for WW1. Can also be mixed with a mixture of milk to make a lotion.
15. Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) This was once used to squelch the smells of the habitant. When people and animals had to share the same living quarters. A bit here and there and the odor would be somewhat bearable. Later this meadowsweet was found to help with diarrhea and menstrual cramps. Later chemists found it to be equivalent to a common aspirin without the side effects. Used? As a tea.
16. Peppermint and Spearmint (mentha piperita and Mentha spicata) Good remedy for headache. Pemenstrual headaches. Mint is very helpful in relieving indigestion and stomach upset. Teaspoon of dried mint and fill with boiling water. Thus, tea. Also, a pinch of bicarbonate of soda can be added. Nerves? Lie down in a dark room and place the mint leaves on the forehead.