Herb of the Week:Orange

This week we are going to look at the fruit orange. This fruit is often used in herbalism  and everyday life. It has been used for beauty, cleaners, toners, teas and medicine.

It has also been used in sweets. It pairs well with dark chocolate and sets up wonderfully in brownies One orange provides 130 percent of your vitamin C needs for the day, 2 percent of vitamin A needs, 6 percent of calcium and 0 percent of iron. It also  contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B-6, folate, pantothenic acid, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, selenium and copper. Due to their high vitamin C content (over twice the daily need) oranges are associated with boosting the immune system. Oranges also contain choline, zeaxanthin, and carotenoids.


We will be used the orange in bringthen up or winter as it is a mood enhancer. We will be making aliqure witht he peel. Truffes, tea and


http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/272782.php

Cayenne salve

So cayenne is particularly effective when used topically. It has been show in studies to reduce pain in diabetic neuropathy, shingles, migraine headaches, back aches, muscle aches,  arthritis, menstrual cramps and bruises.   This salve can also stop a wound from bleeding. It will sting a little but it worry. I find that it is best to apply the slave with gloves on or  cotton swab. 

This topical pain relief action is thought to be from selective stimulation of afferent C fibers, which act as thermoreceptors and nociceptors, and release of substance P, a sensory neurotransmitter that mediates pain (NSD).


This is very quick and easy to make. Just three simple ingredients and a little time and you have another item to add to your herbal first aid kit.

 Ingredients 

1/2 cup oil (grapeseed, olive or cocnut) 
2 TBP of Cayenne powder. 
1/2 oz of beeswax 
Double boiler
Cheesecloth/ coffee filters
Makes roughly 4 ounces

Directions:

Heat the oil and cayenne until it is warm. Once warm turn off the heat and let it sit on the eye for about 20 minutes, then turn the heat on again. 
This should be done a few times, well about 3 times in one hour. This will allow the herb to infuse in to the oil. 
At this point strain  the powder through a cheesecloth or a coffee filter. 
Keep the oil. 
In your clean double boiler heat the beeswax until it is melted.
 Stir in the infused oil until the beeswax and oil have been thoroughly melted together and combined. Pour this mixture into jars or tins.
 Let it cool and then label it.


After apply the salve wash your hands not with water. Not only water but with vinegar a water. The diluted vinegar solution will remove the capsaicin form the hands.  The active constituent, is not water washable. Warning  do not use capsaicin preparations near the eyes or on sensitive skin.

Adding Cayenne to drink and to gargle.

A step up form last weeks Ginger Honey Syrup so this week we are going to added apple cider vinegar and cayenne. Now the a reason we are adding these is how each herb work with one another and complement each other.

Cayenne on it own is a great herb. It benefits the digestive system by stimulating the production of gastric juices and the peristaltic motion of the intestines, thus stimulating digestion, assimilation, and elimination. Taken orally, it may stimulate the release of endorphins in the brain that act as the body's natural sedatives. Cayenne is extremely beneficial as a whole circulatory system tonic. Used over a period of time and in the correct dose, it is used to balance blood pressure, improve circulation, and assist arteries, veins, and capillaries to regain elasticity. Also when used topically it stimulates the surface capillaries and brings blood to the skin surface. This assist circulation in the area and flush out the buildup of uric acid and calcium deposits around the joints and in the tissues.  It is  useful addition to many herbal formulae because of its ability to aid the distribution of other herbs throughout the body.

Cayenne Ginger Drink 
To make this drink it very simple if you made the ginger honey syrup just pull that out and add 2 TBSP of Cayenne to it and you are done.

To drink, please mix everything together and then add a teaspoon to hot water or 2 teaspoons to cold water. At lest 8 ozs and drink. IT might taste odd but it great for the body and helping flush out toxins and tone the internal oragens. Just be careful with the dosages.

Now another method if you do not wish to drink it is to gargle it.

Throat Support Formula

1-t cayenne Capsicum frutescens powder

½-pt sage Salvia officinalis infusion

2-T apple cider vinegar

2-T honey

Steep the cayenne with the sage infusion, and then mix in the remaining ingredients. Use 1-t to 1-T according to age or use as a gargle as often as necessary. Do not use for children younger than two.

Herb of the week: Cayenne

This week we are going to look at a member of the Solanaceae  family. This family of herbs is most well know for the deadly nightshade. But it is also the most prolific herb on the planet with over 73, 000  species to the family. This family includes: potatoes, eggplant, all peppers and many other plants both eatable of ornamental. 

Cyaenne is Latin name is Capsicum annuum var frutescens . This plant is cultivated in the United States, New Zealand and Australia. The part of the plant that is use in culinary and medical practices is the the fruit or the pod. The pods or the fruit are collected when ripe and dried slowly in the shade. The can be spread on racks or the tops threaded with fine string and hing in a cool, dry and airy position.

This herb can be used to make infusions, oi, ointments, powders and tinctures. It can also be taken orally as a liniment.In powder from it can be rub in a the  gums to reduce inflammation. A cotton ball or wool saturated with a tincture can be placed against the tooth to help with a toothache.

The main active constituent is a potent alkaloid  called capsaicinn. The alkaloid content is highest in Capsicum frutescens and varies considerably depending on environmental factors. It also contains a number of volatile oils, capsacutin, capsico, flavonoid glycosides, and red coloring matter. Cayenne is high in vitamins C and A, magnesium, and potassium, and contains some B vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, iron, fats, and protein(Natural Standers. 2014) .

This herb has been used for: Arthritis, asthma, bleeding, burning sensations, chilblains, chills, circulatory system tonic and moderator, colds, cold extremities, colic, constipation, cough, cramps, dyspepsia, erythema, fibromyalgia, gums (inflamed), heart irregularities, hemorrhoids, lethargy, mucus (accumulation), neuralgias including shingles and diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, pruritus, psoriasis, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, shock, skin lesions, toothache, throat (sore), ulcers (mouth), varicose veins, vomiting, and wounds

It combines well with marshmallow Althaea officinalis and meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria for flatulence or spasms in the digestive tract. For use as an antiseptic, combine with myrrh Commiphora myrrha.(Natural Standers. 2014) .

ti is beneficial to the circulatory system as a tonic.  Used over a period of time and in the correct dose, it is used to balance blood pressure, improve circulation, and assist arteries, veins, and capillaries to regain elasticity.(Natural Standers. 2014) .

The alkaloid capsaicin actually enlarges blood vessels, which enhances the flow of nutrients to the cells and the removal of waste products at a cellular level. It also appears to have antiplatelet effects.(Natural Standers. 2014) .

When cayenne is applied topically it does not irritate the skin but it can cause itching, burning, or pricking when first applied as cayenne actually stimulates the surface capillaries and brings blood to the skin surface. This may assist circulation in the area and flush out the buildup of uric acid and calcium deposits around the joints and in the tissues.(Natural Standers. 2014) .

Cayenne is a useful addition to many herbal formulae because of its ability to aid the distribution of other herbs throughout the body.

Used as a pain killer, well more of a pain relief, it son often applied topically.  It has been used to reeve the pain of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, psoriasis, and neuralgias including shingles and diabetic neuropathy. Capsaicin used in topical preparations is FDA-approved for these uses.

Always use the minimum dose and increase dosage slowly, if necessary. Cayenne can be taken with food if nausea and burning occur.

Please consult your doctor before using any herb. 

Marigold/ Calendula Tea

In thinking of something to make with may lovely marigold/ calendula flowers, I thought tea. Okay, I  almost always think of tea or chocolate  or the like. But they are good.

I wanted something light and sweet, yet a still stronger then a  normal herbal tea.

Sunny Assam tea blend was born.

This tea is great a on a cold all day. It has a mild flavor and  light sweet taste.  As with most of my teas this is a a simple 1:1 ratio.

1 part Assam tea
1 part Marigold
1 part chamomile

So there it is, very simple and quick to make.

Now Marigold tea has some wonderful proprieties, many of the remedies require you to make an infusion. This is just an herbal tea that has been steeped for about 10 minutes are so, this in normally not for drinking. Normally. It can be used that way, as it impart more of the befits of the herb.

I am adding a link as it has the information I was going to give you. Just scroll to the bottom, or read the how thing. ^_^


Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

Herb of the week: Calendula/Marigold

Marigold also known as Calendula has many useful benefits. It has been used medically for centuries.  The flower is the part that is most often used in medical supplements.  It has been used to treat: conjunctivitis, blepharitis, eczema, gastritis, minor burns including sunburns, warts, and minor injuries such as sprains and wounds. It has also been used to treat cramps, coughs, and snake bites. Calendula today, is being investigated for it's anti-cancer properties. In conjunction with other herbs such as Echinacea purpurea, Scorzonera humilis L., and Aconitum moldavicum, there has been evidence of success in treating certain cancers (Heren's carcinoma) according to the Fedkovich Chernivtsi State University in the Ukraine.

Calendula is applied to the skin to reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) and to treat poorly healing wounds and leg ulcers. It can also be used for nosebleeds, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum (proctitis), and inflammation of the lining of the eyelid (conjunctivitis).

This is not to be confused with ornamental marigolds of the Tagets genus, which are commonly grown in vegetable gardens. Marigolds of the Tagets genus should not be ingested, but are wonderful for keeping deer away from your  vegetables.

If you have an allergy or sensitivity  Asteraceae/Compositae family. Members of this family include ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies, and many others. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before taking calendula.

Slight break. I will be back next week.

So I am taking a break this week. Between work school and life I did not have enough time to make something worth sharing with everyone. It was also my 3rd wedding anniversary this week. So we have been spending tie with family. So stop in next week and learn about Calendula ( Marigold).

Have a berry orange day,


Sú talún

Herb of the Week: Coffee

This is a herb that many people have everyday. It has many benefits. It is loaded with antioxidants and beneficial nutrients that can improve your health. People how drink coffee have a much lower risk of several serious diseases. 



It has been proven to  Improve Energy Levels and Make You Smarter. This is because of the sentimental that it contains called caffeine. When caffeine is absorbed in to the bloodstream it travels to the brain. There it breach the blood brain barrier and the caffeine block the  Adenosine receptors. 
Coffee Can Help You Burn Fat. Several studies show that caffeine can boost the metabolic rate by 3-11% The Caffeine Can Drastically Improve Physical Performance because it  stimulates the nervous system, causing it to send signals to the fat cells to break down body fat.It also increases Epinephrine (Adrenaline) levels in the blood.

A single cup of coffee contains :

• Riboflavin (Vitamin B2): 11% of the RDA.
• Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5): 6% of the RDA.
• Manganese and Potassium: 3% of the RDA.
• Magnesium and Niacin (B3): 2% of the RDA.

Coffee May Lower Your Risk of Type II Diabetes. Type 2 diabetes afflicting about 300 million people worldwide. It is characterized by elevated blood sugars in the context of insulin resistance or an inability to secrete insulin. Most  coffee drinkers have a significantly reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

There are many beauty benefit to coffee. One is a the break down of cellulite and tighten of skin. We will be making a coffee scrub this week that will help with that. 

Have a berry orange day,


Sú talún

Herb of the Week :Chamomile

Photo from deliciously organic 

The herb Chamomile is the flower herb of the month of October. It is a  lovely and sunny herb with a wonderful taste and smell. This herb has a long medical past and is also used in beauty. I had a hard time choosing which herb to do this week but the versatility of this herb is more that i can cover in a week. On to the information . We are going to be working with German chamomile (Matricaria retutica) , which Roman or English Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile) can also be used in these recipes as it is very similar to its cosine.  German chamomile is the most used and studied. I has also be approved by the Commission E ( a heath organization) to be used on the skin to reduce swelling and to fight bacteria. It has also been used as a tea or supplement sot stomach cramps. 

In recent on going studies, chamomiles  has been identified as: anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, muscle relaxant, antispasmodic, anti-allergenic and sedative properties, validating its long-held reputation. These studies have in conducted over the last 20 years and have provide the traditional uses of the plan. 

Chamomile has bee used to treat 

• irritation from chest colds
• slow-healing wounds, 
• abscesses, 
• gum inflammation, 
•  skin conditions such as :psoriasis, eczema, chickenpox, and diaper rash

In theses conditions chamomile is used in an infusion, or bath, or even as a tincture. 

Roman chamomile is great for intestinal tract issues, sleeping problems or menstrual pain. 

Chamomile may:

• As a tea, be used for lumbago, rheumatic problems and rashes.
• As a salve, be used for hemorrhoids and wounds.
• As a vapor, be used to alleviate cold symptoms or asthma.
• Relieve restlessness, teething problems, and colic in children.
• Relieve allergies, much as an antihistamine would.
• Aid in digestion when taken as a tea after meals.
• Relieve morning sickness during pregnancy.
• Speed healing of skin ulcers, wounds, or burns.
• Treat gastritis and ulcerative colitis.
• Reduce inflammation and facilitate bowel movement without acting directly as a purgative.
• Be used as a wash or compress for skin problems and inflammations, including inflammations of mucous tissue.
• Promote general relaxation and relieve stress. Animal studies show that chamomile contains substances that act on the same parts of the brain and nervous system as anti-anxiety drugs. Never stop taking prescription medications, however, without consulting your doctor.
• Control insomnia. Chamomile's mildly sedating and muscle-relaxing effects may help those who suffer from insomnia to fall asleep more easily.
• Treat diverticular disease, irritable bowel problems and various gastrointestinal complaints. Chamomile's reported anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic actions relax the smooth muscles lining the stomach and intestine. The herb may therefore help to relieve nausea, heartburn, and stress-related flatulence. It may also be useful in the treatment of diverticular disorders and inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's disease.
• Soothe skin rashes (including eczema), minor burns and sunburn. Used as a lotion or added in oil form to a cool bath, chamomile may ease the itching of eczema and other rashes and reduces skin inflammation. It may also speed healing and prevent bacterial infection.
• Treat eye inflammation and infection. Cooled chamomile tea can be used in a compress to help soothe tired, irritated eyes and it may even help treat conjunctivitis.
• Heal mouth sores and prevent gum disease. A chamomile mouthwash may help soothe mouth inflammations and keep gums healthy.
• Reduce menstrual cramps. Chamomile's believed ability to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus helps ease the discomfort of menstrual cramping.

The Essential Oil is extracted from the  flowers of the plant. The oil is best used for relaxation. It has a calming effect on most people and can help induce sleep, ease frayed nerves, and promoted s sense of clam. It can also be applied to the skin  to help clean wounds, and to protect them form infections.  Ti can also be used to relax muscles, like back aches, cramps. and sore and tight joints. This oil can be blended with creams a to provide relief form rashes and irritated skin. 

Please consulate with your doctor in all case about your health.

Have a berry orange day,

Sú talún

http://www.herbwisdom.com/herb-chamomile.html

http://www.stylecraze.com/articles/amazing-benefits-of-chamomile-oil-for-skin-health-and-hair/