Prevention and Wellness

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Donna Cooper
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1 Chapter 5

Prevention and Wellness In the last chapter we learned to make syrups and honeys that can be used for prevention of colds, flus and for building up the immune system.

2 Prevention and Wellness In the last chapter we learned to make syrups and honeys that can be used for prevention of colds, flus and for building up the immune system. Prevention is a very important part of wellness. As the saying goes an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, it is the first line of defense for our body. Let s talk about chronic and acute for a minute. Acute means that the symptoms that can be severe over a short time. Chronic means symptoms last a long time. Here are some examples of acute: 24 flu, tooth pain, sunburn and headaches. Chronic would be asthma, allergies, arthritis, and or back injuries. It is our job to keep our body well to the best of our ability so that we will be able to do what God has planned for us to do. Herbs for Children

3 Chamomile Family: Compositae Latin: Chamaemelum nobile (roman chamomile) and Matricaria recutita (german chamomile) L. Common name: Chamomile, camomile, mayweed, manzanilla (little apple). Parts used: Flower and essential oil. Growing/harvesting: Plant the seeds in full sun and keep the soil moist to encourage flowers to grow. Flowers bloom from late spring to summer. Harvest the flowers when the petals begin to turn back on head and dry. Store flowers heads in a cool, dark place. Properties/uses: Peter Rabbits mother gave him some chamomile tea to help his headache. Chamomile has beautiful feather-like leaves. Bitter, warm with honey apple fragrance and taste. The tea is calming to the nerves. The flowers were used as strewing herbs in medieval times to freshen the smell of the home. It is used in potpourris, as a rinse for blonde and brown hair, in lotions and creams as it lightens the skin. It was called the plant physician as ancient herbalist said it helped the health of the garden and helped other herbs and vegetables. Germans said it was capable of anything (Alles zutraut). The tea can be used in the baby s bath to help with sleep, just as with lavender. Chamomile can be used on insect bites and for inflammations in the mouth and used as an eye wash for conjunctivitis. A few drops of essential oil put in a carrier oil in a roller bottle can be used on baby or young child s feet to help them calm down; the same can be done with lavender essential oil. Actions: Aromatic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, bitter, sedative, nervine. Vitamins/minerals: Vitamin A, calcium, fluoride, folate, magnesium and potassium. Precautions/contraindications: The essential oil is a uterine stimulant so this should not be used if pregnant. If you have ragweed allergies do not use as can cause allergic reaction and pollen in tea can cause contact dermatitis. If drank in large amounts it can cause vomiting.

4 Verbascum thapsus

5 Mullein Family: Scrophulariaceae Latin: Verbascum thapsus Common name: Aaron s rod, candlewick plant, torch plant, great mullein, velvet dock, Jacob s staff. Parts used: Leaves and flowers. Growing/harvesting: Plant from seed in sun in spring or summer. When the flowers first open pick them and remove the green parts on them and let dry. The leaves pick in the first season and dry. It is found growing wild by creeks, roadsides, pastures and fields. Properties/uses: Used in respiratory issues. Slightly sweet and cool. The flowers have been used for coughs, congestion, whooping cough and tuberculosis. An infusion of leaves can be used topically for skin conditions and inflammations. Flowers used in an oil infusion with garlic makes a ear oil for ear infections. The tall spikes were used as torches for funerals and to light roads. A decoction of its roots was said to help toothache and flower tea was used as a rinse for blonde hair. Country folk would have their cattle eat the leaves if they had a cough. Actions: Anodyne, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, astringent, demulcent, diuertic, emollient, expectorant, sedative, tonic, vulnerary. Vitamins/minerals: Vitamin B2, B5, B12, D, iron, choline, potassium, sulfur, magnesium, hesperidin. Precautions/contraindications: Hair on leaves can irritate skin. Do not use as an oil for the ear if the eardrum is broken or is draining. Leaves contain rotenone and couramin. Recipe Mullein flower ear oil 1 clove garlic/ minced 2-3 T chopped flowers Extra virgin olive oil Take minced garlic and put it in a bottle with the chopped flowers, pour the olive oil to cover up to neck of the bottle. Let sit in the sun from 2-6 weeks. Strain garlic and flowers from the oil, rebottle the oil. Label with dosage. Use 2-7 drops of the oil in the ear depending on age, and the oil should be room temp or slightly warm. Have the child lay on their side to put oil in the ear then put a cottonball in the ear to catch excess oil. This can be done 2-3 times a day. Store oil in the refrigerator.

6 Melissa officinalis

7 Lemon Balm Family: Labiatae Latin: Melissa officinalis Common name: lemon balm, hearts delight, elixir of life, Melissa, balm, balm mint, bee balm, garden balm, sweet Mary, common balm. Parts used: Leaves and essential oil, fresh leaves and flowers. Growing/harvesting: Grows from seed in moist soil. Likes full sun and is easy to grow. Harvest before the herb flowers, cut the whole herb off to about 2 above the ground, dry right away to avoid the leaves turning black. For tea dry the stem and leaves. You can use fresh flowers and leaves to make a tincture. Properties/uses: Cooling, slightly bitter and lemony. It was named after Greek word Melissa which means honeybee so beekeepers used to rub or put some inside the hive to encourage bees to stay. Lemon balm has a wonderful lemon fragrance. A tea made from the dried leaves helps with sleep, relaxation and digestive issues. You can use the fresh leaves and flowers to make a tincture. When the essential oil is used in a diffuser it helps to elevate the mood if depressed. Lemon balm is a great culinary herb; it can be used in salads, teas, stuffing, jams, custards, jellies and marinades. For cosmetic use, use fresh flowers in a facial steam, they have a good cleansing action on the skin. If you rub some on a table it helps keep bugs away, also burning stems in a campfire helps keep insects away. Actions: Aromatic, anti-bacterial, anti-depressant, anti-oxidant, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, carminative, diaphoretic, febrifuge, digestive, nervous system restorative, emmenagogue, sedative, tonic. Vitamins/minerals: Vitamin C, thiamin, copper, manganese, zinc, increases SOD levels (superoxide dismutase). Precautions/contraindications: Generally safe. If you are taking sedative medications do not use as can cause extra sleepiness. Do not use if you have glaucoma as it increases the pressure inside the eye. This herb is contraindicated for anyone with hypothyroidism. Recipes Lemon Balm honey (a spoonful of honey helps the medicine go down) Combine fresh organic lemon balm leaves and organic grated lemon peel in a jar and pour honey over it, to help with sadness, calm nervousness or just to raise your mood. Take a spoonful.

8 Elder flower/lemon balm smoothie popsicles (lollies as the English call them) 1-2T of each herb (if you are making a large amount use more of each herb and more liquid) 4 cups hot water/apple or white grape juice 2 bananas (can add cherries or blueberries if you like too) 1/2c honey 1t cinnamon add when blending (optional) Make an infusion of the herbs, use hot water or heated juice. Infuse for minutes. Strain the herbs and add honey to taste. Let the water or juice cool some and put in a blender with the bananas (add more if making a large amount) or other fruit, cinnamon and blend. Then pour the blended mixture into a popsicle mold and freeze. These are great when you child or yourself have a fever. Yarrow flowers can be substituted for lemon balm or elderberry flower, or you can make using just one of the herbs. A word about fevers: Fevers are the body s way of fighting infections. They are not a bad thing, it is just letting you know that something has invaded the body and it raises the body temperature in order to kill it. So don t panic. But if the temperature of the body rises way above normal it is good to seek medical attention. You can make popsicles out of mild herbs combining them with juices or smoothies. These are great to use for children as a way to get medicinal properties and nutrition into them when they are not feeling well. Use your imagination and creativity. Make a cold infusion of fresh flowers for flatulence in children and to calm nerves. You can also add lavender flowers, peppermint and fennel seeds to this.

Chamomile Uses in Industries

Chamomile Uses in Industries Chamomile Class Chamomile Chamomile, or known in the British way of spelling, camomile, is the common name for many daisylike flowers in the family Asteraceae. It is native to many European countries.