Annies Remedy - Herbs for Self Healing
Annies Remedy A-Z Medicinal Herb Chart contains information on hundreds of traditional medicinal herbs and plants, yet it is still only a tiny fraction of the natural plants used for healing worldwide. The focus is for the most part on Western herbs though there is a sampling on the most popular herbs from the herbal traditions of China and Ayurveda as well as other cultures. The herb profiles include photographs, descriptions, medicinal uses, folklore, and references from the leading herbalists of today and ancient times. You can browse alphabetically by common names, to find information on a popular herb like ginger, or find it listed by its botanical name, Zingiber officinale.
Herbs are also grouped by their properties and actions. For example you will find herbs that are Adaptogens used in many herbal formulas for building the immune system and increasing the body's resistance to stress and adversity . Anti-inflammatory herbs help to calm flare ups in the digestive system as well as providing alternative remedies for arthritis. Antibacterial herbs help the body ward off cold germs and other infections of the airways while expectorants help to calm coughs.
The practical and common uses of herbs, as well as recipes and
instructions on how to use them can be found in the
herbal remedies section. The wise woman's knowledge of plants is of a practical nature, based on skill, observation, and recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. She was the family doctor, herbalist, candle maker, chef, and seamstress all rolled into one. This collection of herbal remedies grew out of a personal quest for self healing with herbal based alternative medicine. I hope you will find something here that helps you also, whatever your interest in natural, alternative medicine may be. Two of of the most popular uses for herbs according to our website visitors
are:
Natural strategies for healthy weight loss , and finding new ways to preserve and
improve our ability to focus and combat memory loss .
One of the most amazing things you will learn as you start to bring herbs and
plants into use your daily life is how versatile they can be. We hope to provide
you a good starting place in your search for health and well being.
May - Spring Magic
If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now, It's just a spring clean for the May queen. Led Zeppelin
The yearly ritual of spring cleaning is the perfect time to put old cares and fears behind you and prepare for the coming year by getting out in the garden and planting your favorite herbs and flowers. Legend says that in the spring the radiant sun god comes down from the heavens to celebrate with his beautiful bride, the flower goddess. These gods were symbolized in Scandinavian folklore as the May Queen and the May King. (Muller-Ebeling, Claudia ,Wolf-Deieter Storl . "Witchcraft Medicine") I wonder if the high school prom king and queen may be a modern day twist on these old legends.
As for the garden Mint , the very smell of it alone recovers and refreshes the spirits. Pliny(23 AD)
As May begins, azaleas and dogwood decorate my southern yard with pastel pink and white blooms in perfect contrast to the bright green new leaves. The perennial herbs are making their yearly comeback - Herbaceous peonies, sprung up like magic from last years roots sport tight flower buds that promise heavenly summer blooms. The lemon balm and mint are already big enough to pinch leaves for the first pots of freshly brewed herb teas.
Planning
your culinary herb garden: Depending on your neck of the woods your kitchen
garden is either in the planning stage, or already seeded. Your personal cooking
style is the best guide to what you should be planting in your herb garden.
For me that including grilling and plenty of fresh tomato salads and summer
squash and corn. Plant your herbs in a sunny spot close to the kitchen as possible
to keep them handy. This year my garden will include plenty of basil, dill, parsley,
and cilantro for salsa and pesto.
Oregano, thyme and rosemary make
grilling aromatic and tasty. Be sure to include edible flowers like nasturtiums,
calendula, and borage for
delightful color in the garden as well as your summer meals.
Featured Links for May:
- Basil The uses of basil are limited only by your imagination. The fresh picked leaves make a stimulating and refreshing tea, and in the summer use them on sandwiches just as you would a leaf of lettuce.
- Borage Delicate, blue borage flowers and cucumber-like leaves add a new dimension in a glass of wine, a mojito, or a glass of ice tea.
- Calendula This stunning summer flower is both beautiful and practical. Calendula is used in skin care lotions and oils, and can be taken as an herbal tea, used as a tincture, and applied as a poultice. Use the flower petals to add color to soups and rice dishes.
- Cilantro Salsa just isn't the same without fresh Cilantro. There are both scientific studies, and anecdotal evidence to support cilantro's reputation as a powerful depurative.
- Dill One whiff of freshly picked dill makes your mouth water. Like cilantro, both the leaves and seeds can be used for seasoning and medicinal teas.
- Lemon Balm Lemon balm is an aromatic mint with with a smooth lemon taste and calming properties. Fresh lemon balm is an early summer delight, and is easily dried for used in winter cold season.
- Mint Peppermint, spearmint, or my favorite chocolate mint, and abundant source of healthy teas and summer garnishes.
- Parsley You can never grow enough parsely. Though it does come back in the second year, plant fresh seeds in the spring to ensure a steady supply.
- Peony This elegant perennial flower is a beautiful and easy garden border. The white peony is one of the oldest remedies in traditional Chinese medicine.
- Oregano When cooks think of oregano, we think first and foremost of italian sauces. Many would be surprised to learn that oregano is ranked first among the culinary herbs in antioxidant power.
- Rosemary You can use this amazing herb every day in so many ways. The fresh, uplifting scent of rosemary is a constant friend. Early in the day, before the hot afternoon sun releases the resin volatile oil from the leaves, you may want to pinch some fresh sprigs and make some rosemary vinegar for your salad. Rosemary infused oil makes a soothing massage for sore shoulders after digging in the garden.
- Thyme Thyme leaf is a healthy culinary herb, and makes a pleasant tea. Place sprigs of thyme among clothes or linens to dispel musty odors and deter insect pests. Both the leaves and flowers can be used to stuff sachets.
Looking for something you can read offline? Join our mailing list and get a free copy of Methods for Using Herbs. This free handbook includes instructions on how to make basic herbal preparations at home. It covers making herbal teas, herb infused oils and balms, tinctures, and more.