healing salve

i made a healing salve today. i started with fresh plantain (Plantago spp.), comfrey (Symphytum officinale) and lavender (Lavendula dentata).

 i did a rough chop on the herbs...

and then put them in a pot with 1 cup high grade organic olive oil - you can see i decided to add calendula (Calendula officinalis) in the mix at the last minute.

let them simmer on the lowest flame possible for 45 minutes to an hour - then strain the herbs out. put the infused oil back in the pot and add 1/4 cup beeswax and melt the wax. shouldn't take more than a few minutes. after the beeswax is melted i added ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), geranium (Pelargonium graveolens) and rosewood (Aniba rosaeodora) essential oil - about 10 drops of each. you can add whatever essential oils you like. pour the liquid into tins.

the salve will completely harden in about an hour. this salve is very healing and comforting for the skin. it can be used for chapped dry skin, surface burns and bug bites.

calendula is soothing, moisturizing and cooling, it can help decrease inflammation and is healing for sunburn and skin irritations.

comfrey is incredibly healing for wounds and skin problems. The leaf and root of comfrey contain allantoin, a constituent known to aid wound healing. Comfrey oil or salve will help stop bleeding and soothe wounds. it is also known for its ability to knit things back together, and can heal a cut or wound very quickly. (It is important to be sure your wound is thoroughly cleaned so that you do not heal an infection inside of the wound.)

plantain oil helps relieve skin and scalp irritation, reduce inflammation. Plantain is traditionally used to nourish and treat sensitive, irritated skin and scalp, to help restore injured or tired skin, and as restorative and anti-aging skin treatment. a poultice of hot leaves placed on cuts and wounds helps draw out thorns, splinters and inflammation.

lavender helps to prevent tissue degeneration and stop bleeding in wounds. it balances the skin, making it ideal for any skin type. it can stimulate the growth of new skin cells. it helps the formation of healing scar tissue, while preventing scar keloids (scarring) on the healed skin, making it perfect for any wounds.

fresh plant oil

i have so much of everything growing here -  i am making an infused skin oil from fresh plant material. i used calendula (Calendula officinalis), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), lavender (Lavendula dentata), chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) and some sage (Salvia officinalis). all fresh from my garden. i did a rough chop on it - put it in a jar and covered with sweet almond oil. some of it was dried and some not so i am going to keep a close eye on this - since i had an experience where mold grew in my oil because of moisture from fresh plant material. oil and water don't mix !

four tinctures

i started four new tinctures today. burdock (Arctium lappa) root, dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) root and leaf, lavender (Lavendula dentata) and solomon's seal (Polygonatum biflorum). i have written about what these are helpful for in previous entries. they will sit for 4 to 6 weeks... then strain out herb material and store for use.

so much lavender... not enough thyme

i haven't posted much lately. still taking care of k.c. the docs want to start her on steroids for osteoarthritis - and a few days ago i got yucca concentrate. the bottle does not say what kind, but yucca plants are members of the lily family (Liliaceae). it contains steroidal saponins which are nature's most powerful anti-inflammatory.

found this on saponins: saponins, precursors of cortisone, which prevent the release of toxins from the intestines that restrict normal cartilage formation. saponins are produced naturally in the body by the adrenal glands. found to treat: skin lesions, sprains, inflammation, bleeding, osteoarthrits, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, colitis, ulcers, gout, bursitis, hypertension, high cholesterol, liver and kidney disorders.

so - i am going to try it to see how she responds. she is still on burdock (Arctium lappa) and astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus). more on that in the post - 'k.c. - january 13, 2010'.

in the meantime - everything keeps growing - i have so much lavender (Lavendula dentata) - i don't know what to do with it. so i harvested some today - and i am drying it for future use. i already have a lavender tincture made - 'lavender tincture - october 21, 2009' - so i am making a quick lavender infusion today.

spending time with lavender

i am reading a book by Pam Montgomery called Plant Spirit Healing and i am absolutely inspired. its about joining in a relationship with plants. so everyday i go out and spend time with lavender (Lavendula dentata). it's been a little difficult for me since i am not one to sit around. i am learning that it is a relationship that needs to be nurtured just like any other - spending time, caring. i sit there - i am absolutely giving myself up to this process. 'hello... i don't know what i am doing... but i came to visit again today'. and i sit. yesterday i went out with a magnifying glass and looked real close at the flowers and leaves  - paying attention to details - i did notice differences in the newer and older leaves. the leaves of dentata are almost like little woven baskets. i touch the leaves - smell the leaves. i am looking at the environment it lives in - what it likes. it is in full sun - so that means its energy is active, stimulating, masculine, drying, outward. this lavender plant was one the first plants i put in the ground 13 years ago when i bought this house. a lot of plants have come and gone. this lavender has not. i took pictures of it - which actually helped me focus on the plant. i tasted it. i am learning the taste of a plant will help me understand the organ or system it helps in the human body. so for today - i just go out and sit with lavender.

lavender tincture

i started a lavender tincture today after reading about nervines last night. a nervine is a plant remedy that helps the nervous system. There are three different types of nervines: tonic, relaxing and stimulating. a nervine tonic can help strengthen and restore tissues directly in cases of shock or stress. they feed and heal the nervous system. a nervine relaxant is used in times of stress or anxiety - not to tranquilize - but to calm. there's a slew of herbs that can help with this - and even specific herbs to calm different parts of the body and systems during illness. nervine stimulants directly stimulate the nervous tissues. i could not find a real clear answer as to why you would need to stimulate them - maybe if they are sluggish and things aren't working properly - but i did find a lot of cautions when looking up this term... side effects, psychological problems etc...

the lavender nervine i read about last night said it was mood enhancing. useful in times of stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headachy. i would describe it as something that might be helpful when i feel - what i call - spun. it was described as 'a hug in a bottle'.

i found out something else. i previously posted that my lavender was Lavendula angusifolia. but it's not. i looked at some pictures. i have Lavendula dentata.

whats out there... ?

well. there are no open lush fields around here where i can go harvest... i live in a cement pit - 20 minutes from downtown los angeles. this isnt all so sorry and sad... i have angeles crest national forest 45 minutes away... and the santa monica mountain range is close enough.

got me thinking about my herb garden.... some things i planted that did well and then did not. its to hot for the fragile chamomile... not sure what happened to the horehound... rue is putting up a good fight... mints are struggling, but i have faith in the mints. catnip is doing so-so.... and valerian comes and goes. lemon balm has dwindled back. comfrey is trying. lemon verbena was vibrant - but is now pale. basil was strong but is now twiggy. feverfew was abundant - now it is not - but i think it will bounce back.

so - i thought - work with what is working out there. concentrate on the plants that are thriving and have held tight for years. the herbal pillars in my little community that have held strong. everytime i walk out to the garden - there they are - standing tall and proud.

and even though i can just as easily order big batches from mountain rose herbs (mountainroseherbs.com) and they will be here in a few days... something is tugging at me to go look in my own backyard. i know who they are.... lavender has stood tall and quiet in the corner for 12 years. i cut her back many times when she got unruly - but she stays. and sage keeps going strong. and the surprise oregano. beautiful flowing happy. and marjoram who has the bunko spot where all the water collects and its sludge under my feet where you live, but you like it i suppose.

what i want to do is gather some information on those plants. the ones who have stuck it out in my yard.

my new allies

sage

lavender

marjoram

oregano

k.c....

the viscous wild dog... foraging amongst the lavender and feverfew...

in the garden

this is what i have in the herb garden right now and then a brief basic description on how the herb can be used medicinally. they can be prepared in an infusion (steep in hot water for at least four hours) or for stronger medicine - a tincture (soaked in alcohol for 4-6 weeks).

what is that sentence i am supposed to say now ? something like: these statements have not been evaluated by the food & drug administration. they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. consult with your health care practitioner for proper use. there.

thyme (Thymus vulgaris) - antiseptic properties - can be used as a mouthwash, skin cleanser, anti-fungal agent for athlete's foot and anti-parasitic for lice

sage (Salvia officinalis) - for mouth sores and sore throat. for sore throats, mix sage tea with apple cider vinegar and salt for gargling

lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) - a benefit for stress, anxiety, exhaustion, irritability, headaches, migraines, insomnia, depression

rosemary (Hyssopus officinalis) - a digestive aid. treats depression and headaches. use as an expectorant and for muscle spasms

marjoram (Origanum majorana) - relief from symptoms of hay fever, sinus congestion, indigestion, asthma, headache, dizziness, colds, coughs, and nervous disorders. marjoram essential oil has been one of my favorites for headaches - a few drops on forehead and temples

catnip (Nepeta cataria) - very mild herb medicinally. it has calming and sedative effects. which surprises me since cats go bonkers for this stuff !

parsley (Carum petroselinum) - a vitamin and mineral powerhouse. a natural breath sweetener. eat the leaves right off the plant to combat breath odors

feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) - helps dramatically in some cases of migraine, arthritis pain, painful menstruation, rheumatism, and muscle spasms

lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla or Lippia citriodora - confused on the latin name here) - relief of digestive tract spasms, reduction of fever, strengthening of the nervous system. has the ability to break down cellulite, and has a soothing, healing and toning effect on the skin

basil (Ocymum basilicum) - digestive and anti-gas properties. also for stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, headaches, and anxiety

comfrey (Symphytum officinale) - a priceless herb for wounds, sprains, bruises

valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - a central nervous system relaxer and a sleep aid

common rue (Ruta Graveolens) - the leaves applied externally will ease the severe pain of sciatica and headaches

horehound (Marrubium vulgare) - benefits chronic cough and asthma

spearmint (Mentha spicata) - relieves hiccough and flatulence

chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) - a remedy for hysterical and nervous affections in women (!) has a wonderfully soothing and sedating effect

calendula (Calendula officinalis) - a remedy for the pain and swelling caused by bee or wasp sting. a lotion from the flowers helps sprains and wounds