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Herbal Healing Recipes

Acid Indigestion: Warm a cup of milk and steep four or five eucalyptus leaves in it. Drink this to ease discomfort

Aqua Vitae: Considered and excellent elixir of health for hundreds of years, this liqueur may be prepared and taken once a day, like a vitamin. To a liter of brandy add five or six bay leaves, a teaspoon of cardamon seed, a teaspoon of clove, two teaspoons each of angelica, camomile, lemon rind, fennel seed, licorice, nutmeg, cinnamon, several slices of ginger root (to your taste), and a handful of juniper berries along with sugar or honey to sweeten. This may be warmed to incorporate the herbs, or left in a sunny window, then strained after about a month.

Athlete's Foot: Besides keeping your feet dry and powedered with orris root, try a vinegar rinse (one cup water, one teaspoon cider vinegar) to which one tablespoon thyme and red clover have been added. Soak for 15 minutes.

Bee/Wasp Stings: A drop each of tincture or myrrh or onion juice will help draw out the poison

Boils: Paint the sore with a tincture of iodine, caster oil, cohosh root and sasafras root mixed with one half pint of whiskey.

Bruises: Take one pound of almond oil with one cup each arnica flowers, Balm of Gilead and St John's Wort, all of which should be bruised, and warm over a low flame. When the oil has taken all the color out of the buds, cool and strain the liquid, applying as needed to the bruised area.

Burns: A poultice made from wheat flour, molasses and baking soda will relieve a burn and often hasten the healing process.

Chancre Sore: Sorrel soaked in warm water until soft, then strained as a tea should help clear them up more quickly.

Chapped Skin: To one ounce wax add four ounces of glycerine and four to five drops of oil of roses (or other scent you like). Warm until well mixed and apply as needed.

Coughs: In three pints of boiling water, place peppermint leaves, one cup of rum, one half cup lemon juice, one once cinnamon bark and one ounce comfrey root. After these are well blended, strain and add half a pound of sugar and two ounces of honey, bringing the entire mixture to a rolling boil. Cool and store in an air tight container for use as a cough syrup.

Dandruff: An excellent after shampoo rinse for dandruff can be made by taking one cup each violet leaves, peppermint, nettle, red clover, witch hazel, and rosemary. Mix them together. Before shampooing, warm a quarter cup of the dried herbs in two cups of water for your rinse.

Earache: Use ten drops of anise oil, sweet almond oil, onion juice and a pinch of pepper tied in a small cloth and placed in the ear (carefully). Then wrap your head in a warm towel for 15-20 minutes as you lay on the opposite side of your body.

Eye Rinse: In a half pint of water, warm one ounce of elder flowers and a half teaspoon of salt. Strain and use as needed to refresh eyes or relieve itching.

Fever: Warm one quart of whiskey with the peels of two oranges and one lemon. Take two teaspoons after each meal.

Heart Burn: To four ounces of water add two teaspoons each of cinnamon, lavender flower, baking soda, peppermint leaves and one half teaspoon ground ginger and allow to steep like a tea. Strain and drink warn in half-cup quantities after meals.

Infections: To ten ounces petroleum jelly add two sliced onions and two ounces each beeswax, honey and elder leaver. Warm over a low flame for about 30 minutes. Strain and apply to the wound with a clean dressing.

Itching: Blood root pulverized and steeped in apple vinegar until well incorporated will ease the itch. Lotions made from aloe, lanolin, coconut oil, and/or cocoa butter also help greatly. Another alternative is a poultice made from two tablespoons each tansy, catnip, horehound and hops mixed with vinegar.

Linament: To one pint of cider vinegar add one ounce of aconite root, and a teaspoon each tincture of myrrh, oil of cedar, peppermint, clove, wormwood and thyme. If you do not have the herbs in oil form, the whole herb may be warmed in the cider then strained for use. For a lineament whcih will be warm to the skin, add two teapsoons camphor, one teaspoon bayberry and one teaspoon cayenne pepper to increase circulation.

Nose Bleed: It is said that if you make chewing motions with your mouth while your fingers are in your ears, this will stop the bleeding

Poison Ivy: Tincture of one pint black alder bark to one quarter water and one cup olive oil. Wash frequently. A viable and easier alternative is to make a poultice of clay mud.

Sleeplessness: Two raw onions eaten before bed with a healthy portion of bread and butter is said to aid sleep. However, due to the sensitive nature of many stomachs, I would recommend valerian, catnip and peppermint tea as a good substitute.

Sore Throat: A gargle made from black tea with a teaspoon of lavender flowers, a quarter teaspoon salt and a quarter teaspoon vinegar will help reduce pain. An alternative to this is sage tea mixed with honey and lemon.

Stomach Ache: A tea of mint, strawberry leaf, catnip and blackberry with one tablespoon of brandy should ease the stomach. An alternative is brown rice which is pulverized and allowed to stand in warm water for 15 minutes. To this add a dash of sugar, nutmeg and an uqual quantity of boiled mulk is added then drunk. An elixir said to ease sour stomachs is made from two pints of brandy, a half teaspoon of clove, two teaspoons cinnamon, and a pound of blackcurrant. Soak all together for two weeks and aff sugar to taste. Take by the teaspoon after meals.

Sty: A used tea bag which is still warm, applied to the sty overnight will help greatly

Toothache: Oils of peppermint and clove mixed with a bit of rum and applied directly to the tooth should ease the pain until you can get to a dentist.

Warts: A wild turnip or slicd potato rubbed on the wart for 3 days and then burried is supposed to be a sure cure. While I cannot say if this actually works, there are many reports to indicate that it does!


Sore Throat Remedies
Fenugreek's soothing mucilage may help relieve sore throat pain, cough, and minor indigestion. Gently boil 2 teaspoons of bruised seeds per cup of water. Simmer 10 minutes. Drink up to 3 cups a day. To improve the flavor add honey, lemon, anise, or peppermint. Do not give medicinal preparations to children under 2, for older children and elderly start with a lower strength preparation and increase strength if needed.

Sore Throats
2 teaspoons of honey, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice in 1 cup of boiling water, drink to relieve sore throat.

Gargle with hot salt water, 1/2 teaspoon salt to 8 ounces of water 4 to 5 times a day.

Licorice Root
Suck on Licorice candy made from real licorice or drink a cup of tea by steeping 1 teaspoon of licorice root in 1 cup of boiling water for 3 minute


**Sore Muscle Liniment**
2 parts dried lobelia
1 part ground dried cayenne
1 part dried wintergreen OR peppermint
16 ounces rubbing alcohol

Combine all ingredients into a clean glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Place in a cool place out of sunlight. Shake gently everyday. After 14 days, strain, and discard herbs. Keep liquid in a spray bottle. FOR EXTERNAL USE ONLY Spray onto affected area and massage into skin.

******************)O(******************
**Healthy Skin Massage Oil**
1 oz each of the following dried herbs:
Calendula petals, Plantain leaves, Yarrow flowers, Mullein leaves
16-20 ounces extra virgin olive oil

In medium heat proof bowl, pour oil over herbs. Stir well. Place in 150 degree oven for about 4 hours. Check and stir the mixture once an hour. Put cooled oil in small bottles for easy use. Apply to skin and massage as needed.



Clear Headed
Some headaches just won't go away no matter what you try. A healing bath may be just what you need to clear your head.
1/4 teaspoon lavender
1/4 teaspoon chamomile
1/4 teaspoon peppermint
Brew a cup of peppermint or chamomile tea to sip while in the tub. Run a hot-water bath. Add all the herbs when the bath is full. Breathe the steam in with long, slow breaths and concentrate on relaxing the muscles in your face.



~ Healing Salve for Wounds~
 Small injuries to the skin are often unavoidable, because dangers lurk just about everywhere---at home, at work, at play. However, once a small mishap occurs, the right wound treatment can promote the healing process and promptly prevent any infections or compli-cations. One proven healing agent for wounds is a salve containing infused comfrey oil. Comfrey, a medicinal plant with a centuries-old history, contains minerals and allantoin, which inhibit inflammation and promote new cell and tissue growth. A salve with comfrey oil helps heal simple injuries, such as cuts, burns and abrasions. It's also useful for treating sores, eczema and bruises.


Infused Comfrey Oil Salve
 Infused comfrey oil should be included in a healing salve for wounds. Although not available ready-made, it can easily be prepared at home. In the top of a double boiler, cover 2 oz. Of dried comfrey leaves with 2 cups of extra-virgin olive oil. Cook, covered, over simmering water for 60-90 min. Strain the comfrey oil through a paper towel, pressing down on the leaves.

Application:
Dab the margins of the wound with gauze that has been dipped in an antiseptic such as alcohol or hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Then apply the healing salve. Cover large wounds with a gauze bandage, but always leave smaller wounds uncovered.


Comfrey for knitting tissues
 Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) is a perennial plant growing in moist meadows and wastelands throughout the United States, reaching a height of 4-3 feet. Its roots and leaves have been used medicinally for hundreds of years to help heal a myriad of conditions, such as cuts, bruises, burns, insect bites and sore throats. A poultice made from the rootstock, when applied externally, can bring relief to inflamed arthritic joints, sprains, and cystic acne. Comfrey encourages tissues, bones and ligaments to re-knit together; the herb has also been called "knit bone."


Comfrey other names and magical uses:
 Comfrey's other folk names are Assear, Black Wort, Boneset, Bruisewort, Consohda, Consound, Gum Plant, Healing Herb, Knit Back, Knit Bone (as mentioned above), Miracle Herb, Slippery Root, Wallwort, Yalluc, Gavez, Smeerwartel, Karafaffes and Ztworkost. It is of a feminine energy and a water element. Its magical uses are: worn or carried, comfrey protects and ensures safety during travel. Also, tuck some into your suitcases so that they aren't stolen. (Wonder what the airport folks would think of this!) This root is also used in money spells.


Beeswax as an emulsifier
 Pure, unrefined beeswax has a golden color and the sweet smell of honey. It is used to thicken natural lotions, salves, lip balms and creams. It also acts as an emulsifier to help bind oils and water together.


Tea-tree essential oil to fight infection
 Essential oil of tea tree, (Melaleuca alternifolia), with its strong, camphor like odor, is derived by distilling the plant's leaves. It is a broad spectrum antiseptic that combats bacterial, viral and fungal infections and can be applied directly to cuts, abrasions, nail fungus, athlete's boot, bleeding gums and acne.

Extra Tip
Make an extra recipe of infused comfrey oil (see above), and store it in the refrigerator in a tightly sealed, labeled jar. With some comfrey oil in reserve, you'll be able to make more healing salve whenever you need it. The oil keeps in the refrigerator for up to 1 year without going rancid.


Healing Salve
Makes 1¼ cups of cream
¼ cup pure beeswax
1 cup infused comfrey oil
20 drops tea-tree essential oil
1. Shave or cut the beeswax into small chunks. In a small saucepan, warm the infused comfrey oil and the beeswax.
2. Heat the ingredients over low heat until the beeswax is just melted. Don't allow the ingredients to boil.
3. Remove from heat, and add the tea-tree essential oil. Then pour the salve into sterilized containers, and store in a cool, dark, dry place for up to 1 year.


Quick and Easy Healing Salve
½ cup all-vegetable shortening (at room temperature)
10 drops tea-tree essential oil
10 drops calendula extract
In a small bowl, whip ingredients together, using a small whisk or spatula, until thoroughly blended. The salve should have the look and feel of fluffy, orange butter cream frosting. Store in a labeled plastic or glass container in a cool place for up to 3 months, or refrigerate for up to 1 year.

Caution:
There are a number of circumstances in which a healing salve should not be used. DO NOT use a salve under these conditions:
· When a cut is deeper than ¼ inch. Instead, see a physician immediately for stitches.
· When the injury is bleeding profusely.
· When a splinter or any other foreign object that cannot be removed with tweezers caused the wound.
· When the wound is the result of an animal bite, whether the animal is known or unknown.
· When there is any chance that the wound has become infected or that, there may be blood poisoning.
· When the skin still feels warm from a burn.

This salve makes a great gift for your extended family members or friends; such as Christmas or any other event that you give a gift basket of healing.

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