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"I Just Love Herbs!"

 

 

Spotlight on Carole Lamoureux
“I just love herbs!”

2004

 

I love herbs, the way they feel, and look and smell. I love the variety of uses they have – some medicinal, some as wines, some for their scents, some for their beauty in a herb garden. So many of our “weeds” are magical herbs, for we we do not know the use. The dandelion, for instance, the hated weed of the weekend gardener – aside from being a piece of God’s sun right on your lawn, the food of many birds and helpful insects has many wondrous properties. Herbs are the medicine of the past and of the future. They work beautifully, though often more slowly than prescription drugs. Their side effects are minimal though their major effects are often more dramatic than pharmaceuticals. They contain all parts of a plant, not just the “main ingredient” and therefore work synergistically. There are many ways to use them – as tinctures, infusions, compresses, decoctions, salves, and more. A gentle word of caution - use individual herbs for about six weeks, then, it is time to use a different one with similar properties. A person taking chamomile tea to aid with their stomach, for instance, should switch to Ginger, or Dandelion or Aloe Vera since constant repetition of the same herb may increase the problem.

 

ELECTROLYTE TEA
Here are some of my favorite herbs. These five herbs make an excellent "electrolyte replacement" tea for all women, especially menopausal or perimenopausal. And a few suggestions for men. Use equal parts of each herb (aprox. one big pinch per cup, so one pinch of each herb is approximately five cups of tea). Bring water to a boil, pour over the herbs, let steep, then strain. You can add unpasteurized honey after it is brewed. (And by the way – Dandelion honey is sweeter!)

 

NETTLE - URTICA DIOICA

 

· lowers blood sugar levels
· Helps relieve skin inflammations
· excellent for internal bleeding ulcers, stomach problems
· Helps relieve anemia
· (remarkable hair tonic for baldness, dandruff)
· eliminates uric acid from system

 

Aids in menstrual flowNettle was cultivated in Scotland for the fibers in the stalks, to make a durable linen-like cloth. This use goes back to the Bronze Age. The very name Nettle comes from words meaning 'textile plant. 'Nettle was popular was used to irritate the skin of an inflamed area, causing increased blood flow to the area, thereby reducing the inflammation. In Scotland, victims of gout and rheumatism allowed themselves to be scourged with Nettle in the belief that this would alleviate their sufferings. As a tea, or tincture, Nettle neutralizes uric acid, prevents its crystallization aiding in its elimination from the system, thus relieving gout and arthritis. Nettle as an astringent helps to stop bleeding. Nettle is good to use for anemic children as a tea, due to its nutritive value as an herb and its high in iron, silicon and potassium. Nettle is an alkalizing herb and is useful as a rich source of minerals. Nettle aids with diarrhea and dysentery and is good for inflammatory skin conditions. Nettle increases the flow of urine, shrinks inflamed tissues, helps blood circulation and purifies the blood. Nettle helps to reduce menses flow and it can also be used as a tincture for hypothyroid conditions to increase thyroid function. It also cleanses the digestive tract and helps with stomach problems. Nettle functions much like a mild Cayenne by opening the vessels, thus increasing circulation and uplifting a weary body relieving fatigue and exhaustion. Nettle can alleviate allergic symptoms such as teary eyes and a runny nose. Nettle is a most excellent remedy for dandruff and will bring back the natural color of hair
NOTE: This herb is beneficial during pregnancy. It is a mineral rich nutritive herb with vitamin K to guard against excessive bleeding. It improves kidney function and helpsprevent hemorrhoids. Many people use it to treat urinary problems during the early stages of an enlarged prostate (called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), for urinary tract infections, for kidney stones, for hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or in compresses or creams for treating joint pain, sprains and strains, tendonitis, and insect bites. In fact, some small but well designed studies are beginning to confirm that certain traditional uses have scientific validity, particularly osteoarthritis. In BPH it allows for easier urination relieving urinary symptoms such as reduced urinary flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, post urination dripping, and the constant urge to urinate but does not shrink the prostate. In animal studies, nettle has been shown to relieve pain, have mild anti-inflammatory effects, and to lower blood sugar levels. Active compounds in stinging nettle may act as an expectorant (meaning that it can loosen and break up a cough) and have anti-viral properties. Nettle may also be effective for treating certain individuals with allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and may be a possible alternative treatment during allergy season if you are prone to hay fever.

 

 

RED CLOVER - TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE

 

· natural blood thinner
· increases good cholesterol
· known to relief phlebitis, blood clots disappear
· reduces hot flashes
· relieves heart pain
· alleviates bone loss
· stimulates liver and gall bladder
· stimulates digestive fluids
· eases arthritic pain
· excellent cough remedy
· contains large amounts of trace minerals
· antiviral and antifungal

 

 

It is a useful remedy for childhood exzcema and psoriasis and other chronic skin
infections.The blossoms are traditionally used in springtime to promote general health and to revitalize the spirit. Red Clover helps to calm coughs, reduce skin inflammations, and improve general health. This herb contains many of the essential B and C vitamins. Use it as a blood purifier, as an expectorant and anti-spasmodic. Action. Give this remedy in the treatment of coughs and bronchitis, whooping cough, dry cough and colds. Red Clover also increases the production of mucus and urine flow helping relieve irritation and inflammation of the urinary tract. As a digestive aid, Red Clover stimulates the production of digestive fluids and bile. It also relieves constipation and helps soothe inflammation of the bowel, stomach and intestines. Red Clover contains easily absorbed calcium & magnesium which tones and relaxes the nervous system, relieving tension due to stress and the associated headaches.
For women, Red Clover is quite special. It contains stilbene which stimulates eostrogenic activity, thus increasing fertility, and reduces "hot flashes" experienced by women during menopause. It also supports the uterus with it's vitamin content, and the high protein content nourishes the whole body. There is also an alkalizing effect which improves the vaginal and uterine acid/alkaline balance. Menopause increases a woman's risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Supplementation with red clover isoflavones has been associated with a sizeable increase in "good" cholesterol in pre- and postmenopausal women, may help protect against cardiovascular disease as it seemed to improve the strength and resilience of the arterial walls. It may significantly reduce hot flashes in menopausal women and may slow bone loss and even boost bone mineral density in pre- and perimenopausal women..

 

DANDELION LEAF - TARAXACUM OFFICINALE

 

· powerful diuretic
· natural source of potassium
· diabetes remedy
· stimulates kidney function, wonderful liver medicine
· relieves inflammation and congestion of liver and gall bladder
· good for hypertension
· decreased clearance of estrogen and other hormones - in women cause PMS, dandelion can improve the livers' ability to detoxify these hormones, symptoms may be improved.

 

 

In Berkshire and Worcestershire, the flowers are used in the preparation of a beverage known as Dandelion Wine. This is made by pouring a gallon of boiling water over a gallon of the flowers. After being well stirred, it is covered with a blanket and allowed to stand for three days, being stirred again at intervals, after which it is strained and the liquor boiled for 30 minutes, with the addition of 3 1/2 lb. of loaf sugar, a little ginger sliced, the rind of 1 orange and 1 lemon sliced. When cold, a little yeast is placed in it on a piece of toast, producing fermentation. It is then covered over and allowed to stand two days until it has ceased 'working,' when it is placed in a cask, well bunged down for two months before bottling. This wine is suggestive of sherry slightly flat, and has the deserved reputation of being an excellent tonic, extremely good for the blood. Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring mild diuretic treatment such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and high blood pressure. One advantage of dandelion over other diuretics is that dandelion is a source of
potassium, a nutrient often lost through the use of other natural and synthetic diuretics. Fresh or dried dandelion herbs are also used as a mild appetite stimulant and to improve upset stomach (such as feelings of fullness, flatulence, and constipation). The root of the dandelion plant is believed to have mild laxative effects and is often used to improve digestion. Some preliminary animal studies suggest that dandelion may help normalize blood sugar levels and improve lipid profiles (namely, lower total cholesterol and triglycerides while increasing HDL ["good"] cholesterol) in diabetic mice. However, not all animal studies have had the same positive effect on blood sugar. In addition, research needs to be conducted on people to know if this traditional use for diabetes has modern day merit.

 

ALFALFA - MEDICAGA SATIVA

 

 

· prevents hardening of the arteries
· detoxifies the liver
· rich in minerals
· aids in removing kidney stones
· highly nutritional
· depression disappears
· infection fighter

 

 

The Arabs, who called it the “father of all foods,” reportedly first discovered the legume alfalfa. In China, it has been used since the sixth century as a treatment for kidney stones and as a diuretic, and to relieve fluid retention and swelling and in the treatment of urinary tract infections, and kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders.. Alfalfa leaves contain many minerals and vitamins, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, carotene, vitamins E and K, and eight essential amino acids. This versatile herb has numerous uses. It has also been found effective in the treatment of arthritis, diabetes, asthma, hay fever, alkalizes and detoxifies the body, especially the liver. Promotes pituitary gland function and contains an anti-fungus agent. In clinical experiments with animals who were fed a high cholesterol diet, the alfalfa root inhibited increases in blood cholesterol levels by up to 25 %.

 

HORSETAIL - EQUISETUM ARVENSE

 

 

· Urinary tract infections
· Kidney stones

Horsetail also can be applied externally to treat the following conditions:
· Burns (first-degree)
· Fractures
· Rheumatic conditions
· Sprains
· Wounds (especially poorly healing ones)
· high in silica* hair* nail* improves texture and tone
· reduces bleeding
· it's toning and astringent actions help "bedwetting" in children

 

 

Silica promotes the growth and stability of the skeletal structureand has diuretic
properties. The diuretic effects of horsetail may enhance the toxic effects of digoxin, a medication used to treat irregular heart rhythms and, sometimes, congestive heart failure. For this reason, people taking digoxin should note take horsetail without first consulting a healthcare provider. People with heart or kidney disorders should not use horsetail. This plant is valuable as a medicinal for its mineral and silica content. It contains up to 70% silica(1) as well as many minerals. Silica is important in strengthening many tissues in the body including bone, hair, and nails. It promotes calcium absorption and helps fight against plaque deposits in the arteries. Because of its mineral content, horsetail is recommended for anemia and general debility. It has also been used to treat deep-seated lung damage such as tuberculosis or emphysema. Horsetail is an astringent herb and has a diuretic action. It has an affinity for the urinary tract where it can sooth inflammation and infections. It may also be used for prostate problems and to quicken the removal of kidney stones. Its astringency is helpful to control bed-wetting, and it tones the urinary tract which may reduce urinary frequency and incontinence. Fresh horsetail can be bruised and applied to stop bleeding from wounds. The juice or tea may be taken internally to stop bleeding from ulcers or curb heavy menstrual bleeding. The tea may be used as a gargle and mouth rinse for sore throat and bleeding gums or mouth ulcers.
Externally horsetail tea or vinegar may be used as a hair rinse to strengthen brittle hair. It may also be applied to irritated skin conditions like eczema, scrapes, or ulcers. Dried, powdered horsetail can be mixed with a little water to form a paste and applied as a poultice to skin ulcers. Horsetail vinegar may also be used to soak fungus-infected toe or finger nails in for treatment. The nails should be soaked in the vinegar as frequently and for as long as possible for best results and the amount of time the nails have been infected plays a role in the success of the treatment. Nails that have been infected for years may take longer to respond.

This has been sent to you by Carole Lamoureux. I am a reflexologist and have also studied herbology and astrology for many years. I am a student of health practices, and will probably be so for my entire life.

You can buy this Electrolyte tea and other herbal remedies ready made by contacting me. Please call: 604-462-8497 or Cell- 604-813-7577 or
E-Mail: CaroleLamoureux@canada.com for herbs and Reflexology.

Sincerely,
Carole Lamoureux