Learn about Natural Healing Herbs

Each month here at Annie's Remedy I add more information about healing herbs and easy ways to use them in your everyday life. Subscribe to my new newsletter and I will keep you up to date on:

• New and interesting herbs as they are added to the database.
• New formulations and recipes you can use to make your own herbal home remedies.
• And other timely topics related to health.

I promise not to abuse your email address, either by selling/renting to a third party, or to sell, solicit or send any unrequested mail, other than the newsletter you are subscribing to. You can unsubscribe easily at at time, but I sincerly hope that you find the information informative and helpful! Annie

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The leaves have finally turned here in the South, where it has been unseasonable warm and dry. The news about OTC cold medicines has been very gloomy in the last few months, infant cold care remedies pulled off the drugstore shelves, and warnings given about the efficacy and effect of those who remain. You don't have to read far between the lines to realize that commercial cough and cold medicines don't work worth a hoot. The good news is that herbs and essential oils really shine when it comes to treating and preventing coughs, cold and flu. The favorite cold remedy tisane around our house is coltsfoot and anise tea. Quick tip, the minute you feel a tickle in your throat, gargle with a 1/4 cup of warm water and 2 drops of peppermint oil. I also add tea tree oil to all the hand soap dispensers in the bathroom and kitchen, and wash hands even more frequently than usual.

New on the website is a herbs for children's page, and some simple and effective remedies for common childhood complaints, including children's cold and fevers. I plan to add new remedies and information to this new page in the coming new year.

One of the best ways to kill germs in your home without adding to the chemical burden in your household is to use plain white distilled vinegar to clean and disinfect the kitchen and wash produce. Use apple cider vinegar(organic if available)to make herbal vinegar recipes. The combination of vinegar and herbs is so versatile it is truly amazing, whether you use it in the kitchen, as a nature medicine, or personal care and beauty aid. I have been experimenting with apple cider vinegar this last month and came up with a rosemary vinegar that is great as a salad dressing, and forms the base for a hair rinse that works against dandruff!

The holiday season is upon us already. Of course the message from the mainstream media is buy, buy, buy. I have a different message for you, STAY HOME, enjoy your family and friends, and put a little thought and time into making a few simple gifts. My favorite holiday memories are those times spent with my mother in the kitchen, crafting and baking for family and friends. If you get an irresistible urge to shop hit the junk stores and yard sales. You will be practicing green economics, good for the planet, good for your pocketbook, and you truly can find some unique bottles and jars to put handmade beauty items in. The professional crafters among you have already stocked in your bulk ingredients , and have started or nearly finished your holiday craft gift projects, but for all you procrastinators out there like myself here are a few quick and easy homemade holiday ideas.

Free your friends and yourself from the tyranny of tea bags. Let me say first that I admire companies like Celestial Seasonings, Alvita, Yogi Teas and others, who have done so much to induce the American public,to herbal teas. My own first experiments with using herbs was with the prepackaged teas at the health food store. These teas are a healthy alternative to carbonated drinks, and overindulgence in coffee or so called "energy drinks". Celestial Seasonings is still fighting the good fight against the FDA to sweeten tea products with the healthy herb stevia. (If you have not heard this twisted tale, with it's cast of shady characters do a google search on "stevia and donald rumsfield").

Where I part ways with the makers of prepackaged teas is when they market themselves as medicinal teas. Most of the medicinal benefits the herbs had when they were harvested are long gone to dust by the time they are processed, bagged and packaged in the pretty boxes that line the shelves of store shelves. What remains in a good tasting brew, but one that is but a ghost of it's former phytomedicine self.

A great way to introduce friends and family to using bulk herbs to is give them a good tasting blend and some simple tea tools. Since we are in the season of giving, they also serve as a great gift. You can buy some premade blends, or if you want to save money, it's even better to buy single herbs in bulk and mix your own. There are a number of great herbal tisane recipes or you can put together a few of your favorite great tasting tonic herbs, (cinnamon and peppermint are combine well and add taste to almost any combination).With just a little creativity you can parley into a great gift presentation. Maybe you scored some wonderful old tea tins on your trips to yard sales and thrift stores ;). If not you can use bulk tea bags, labels, and some simple tools like fillable tea bags, tea balls and strainers. (Remember there are many folks who are not set up to brew herbs.)
3 to 4 oz make a good gift size, so for each pound of bulk herbs you can get enough for 3 to four gift bags. (16 oz = 1 pound)

Bath salts
Bath salts are both quick and easy, and welcome gift. Basic bath salts base : 3 parts Epsom salt, 2 parts baking soda, add 10 drops or so of your favorite essential oil and seal in a tightly lidded glass jar. You can tailor your gift to the recipient by varying the essential oil blend to suit their personality. Add a few ribbons and bows, or maybe a few great bath items like the ayate wash clothe, or handcrafted soap. This is an exceptional gift for anyone on your list who has chronic muscle or join pain, or someone who simply needs to relax and de-stress.

There are many more ideas for homemade products like skin creams, and herbal oils on the herbal methods page of the website.

I wish you and yours well this season. Happy Holidays to all
Peace and love
Annie