Teaching Tuesday- Under the Radar EO's- Hyssop

In continuing the series of Essential Oils that may be Under Your Radar, today we will be looking at Hyssop EO.


Hyssop is one of the bitter herbs mentioned in the Old Testament of the Bible. It was used to purify the temples. And the Romans used it to disinfect the houses of the sick, and to protect themselves against the plague. 


Botanically named Hyssopus Officinalis, this brightly colored shrub ranges from roughly one to two feet tall. The base of the stem is woody and has many branches growing from it. The leaves are dark green in color and in the Spring they produce bunches of pink, blue, or (rarely) white, fragrant flowers. Under optimal weather conditions the herb hyssop is harvested twice yearly, at the end of Spring and again in the beginning of the Fall. The plants are usually flowering when harvested so that the flowing tips can be gathered. Once the stalks are cut and collected they are either hung for drying, or are stacked on pallets [to allow for drainage] and dried. After they are completely dried, about 6 days, the leaves are removed and the flowers and leaves are finely chopped. Once in this dehydrated form, the herb remains good for 18 months.  The Hyssop plant is often planted by beekeepers to produce a rich and aromatic honey. The fresh herb, as well as its dried form, is commonly used in cooking. It has an intensely minty aroma and the leaves are used as an aromatic condiment.  It is also used to flavor liqueur and is, in fact, part of the formulation for chartreuse. Essence of Hyssop can be obtained by steaming, and is used in cooking too, albeit to a much lesser extent. 


The essential oil of Hyssop is made by steam distillation. It is a middle note, with a sweet, richly herbaceous, camphoraceous fragrance. The thjone and phenol in the plant, and the subsequent EO, give it strong antiseptic, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It also possesses astringent, caminative, cephalic, *cicatrizant, digestive, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, sedative, tonic, vermifuge, and vulnerary  properties.

In the market place, hyssop is frequently used in mouthwash and eye drop formulations. In fact, the expectorant action of this oil can be put to good use during cold and flu season by adding it to a balm/rub, or by putting some in a diffuser.  Aside from colds, coughs and flu, sore throats, asthma, and bronchitis, it can benefit conditions of dermatitis, eczema, fatigue, fevers, flatulence, indigestion, inflammation, leucorrhea, nervous tension, rheumatism, and wounds. 
It should not be used during pregnancy, by those with high blood pressure, or by anyone with epilepsy. Hyssop has high concentrations of thujone and other chemicals that stimulate the CNS (central nervous system). These chemicals can provoke epileptic seizures when taken in high enough doses. Just how high is high enough is an unknown quantity, so best to stay away from this herb if you have any epileptic tendencies. 

*Something that promotes the healing of a sore or wound by forming scar tissue.

Wednesday's Installment of Teaching Tuesday- Pain

There are two types of pain, or more accuratyely, two ways that pain is categorized and described. There is Acute Pain and Chronic Pain.

Acute pain is usually a result of inflammation and/or injury, and usually is a soft tissue injury. This pain is immediate and has a short duration. Acute pain is a normal response to injury and some disease processes, and its cause can usually be diagnosed and treated without too much difficulty. A sprained ankle, a stubbed toe, a pulled muscle, and the like are all examples of instances where acute pain would be expected.

Chronic pain, on the other hand, is a continuous pain. It is persistent, usually lasting for more than 3 months, which is well beyond the time of normal healing. It can range from mild to severe, and can last from months to years, or even a lifetime. The cause of chronic pain is not always evident, yet it can be a result of a disease process. Often the treatment plan takes a long while to determine and sometimes it is inadequate, in the sufferer's estimation if not the physicians'. For this reason, as much as the cause of the pain, chronic pain can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Many people with back injuries, arthritis, and various disease processes suffer from chronic pain.

Why are we discussing pain types? Well, just like you need to know what Essential Oil (EO) to sniff when you are using aromatherapy, you need to know what type of pain you have, in order to whip up or purchase a balm or massage oil with an Essential Oil blend meant to relieve your pain.

Several EO's have analgesic qualities and several have anti-inflammatory properties,  but only a few possess both of these qualities. Some EO's are good for soft tissue pain, while others are better for joint pain.  It is important to know what the EO's in your blend are meant for and what the source of your pain is, so that you can get the greatest bang for your buck and the most relief possible. It is also important to know what other oils, called carrier oils, are used in your product and why. Some oils are more readily absorbed by the skin, therefore they will help to deliver the EO's deeper into the skin, faster, and more adequately than others. Emu oil is one such oil, aside from helping the skin's tissue to heal, it helps to draw other ingredients down into the skin so that they are more effective. Among other things, Peppermint EO has the properties of an analgesic, a topical antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory, and a vasoconstrictor, therefore it would be an excellent choice for mixing with emu oil when needing something for pain accompanied with tissue swelling. Of course there are other Eo's that are considered  to be analgesics and some others that anti-inflammatory in nature, so some study is quite important when making your choice(s).


A lesser known stimulant is Turmeric. A native of South Asia, Turmeric has been used for thousands of years as an herb in cooking and as medicine. The yellow powder is an ingredient in many curries. Current research indicates that Turmeric has a strong antioxidant property that makes it an herb that may prevent and assist disease and aging issues. It belongs to the ginger family and the powder and essential oil is obtained from the thick rhizome (root). In traditional Chinese and Indian medicine, Turmeric is used to treat flatulence, colic, abdominal pain, liver disorder, menstrual issues, hemorrhage, bruises, sores and toothache as well as chest and shoulder pain. Because of its analgesic, anti-arthritis, anti-inflammatory, choleric, digestive and rubefacient properties, aromatherapists use Turmeric for arthritis, rheumatism, digestive problems and liver congestion. Research has shown that turmeric can stop the proliferation of laboratory strains of melanoma. (Read Farida Irani 2008 article "Turmeric" in "Aromatherapy Journal," the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) e-Journal.) Turmeric is said to be non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing.

Make it Yourself Monday- Healing, Healthy Coughdrops

This week's Make it Yourself Monday is all about healing. The following recipe can be altered to meet your needs better, or your likes better, if lemon isn't quite your thing. Why not make a bunch and wrap some up and place them in a gift box, along with tissues, a fuzzy blanket, some tea, and tylenol? Gift the perfect cold gift set! 

for the LEMON  DROPS you will need;

1 3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup honey

3/4 cup light corn syrup

1/2 tsp. lemon extract

1/2 cup water

Line a baking pan (9x9) with foil, making sure that the foil goes all the way up the sides of the pan, or you will be sorry! Then, butter the sides of a 2 quart saucepan. Combine the corn syrup, sugar, honey, and water in the pan. Cook over a medium-high heat until the mixture boils. Make sure that you stir constantly, in order to dissolve the sugar and keep it from burning. This usually takes about five minutes, give or take a few minutes. Once the sugar is dissolved, turn the heat down to medium and continue cooking at a light boil. Stir occasionally. Once it reaches the soft crack stage (which is 290 degrees F. on a candy thermometer), keep cooking for 20 more minutes, still stirring occasionally. 

Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Stir it occasionally, as it cools, for the next 2-3 minutes, then add the lemon. **If you are going to add any other vitamins or herbs, add them at this point**  Then pour the mixture into the foil-lined pan to finish cooling. As it cools (another 3-10 minutes), it is a good idea to use a spatula and mark some "break" lines into the drops. Make squares in the size you want, remembering that they are for individual-size portions. These marks will stay when the mixture is completely set up, making it easier to portion correctly and consistently. If your marks do not stay, it means that the mixture is still too hot and needs more cooling time, just wait a while and  try it again. Once properly marked, let the pan sit overnight then use the foil to lift it out of the pan. Break the pieces apart along your marks then package them in individual candy wrappers or wax paper. Make sure to twist each end tightly, then put all of the wrapped pieces into a large baggie or a paper bag. This recipe will make from 100-200 pieces, depending upon the size that you mark and break. They will last from 6-8 months, when properly wrapped and stored.

**To make this recipe more holistic and herbal you can add one each of the  

following; zinc, vitamin C, echinacea, and goldenseal. If these are in tablet form, finely crush them before adding, if in capsules, just pull apart and drop the inner content into your mixture. 

Of course you could also change up this recipe by either substituting (for the lemon), or just by adding an herb or two (some essential oils are ok too) to the lemon.

*when using fresh herbs, it is probably best to infuse them into the liquid portion of the recipe, but you can also finely chop them. 

*You may also substitute a food-safe flavoring oil, however you will NOT receive any of the benefits listed for that flavor. The way in which they are created destroys their natural benefits.

*If you plan to use essential oils, you MUST be aware of, and familiar with, the warnings, as well as the necessary dilution rate (which are not provided for you here). 

*If you are not familiar with the proper use of essential oils in edible products, you should NOTattempt to use them in this recipe.

If you want, you may add another herb/spice (in addition) to the lemon. Basil, bay, bergamot, black pepper, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lime, orange, rosemary, vanilla, all blend well with lemon.

If you would like to substitute another herb/spice forthe lemon, you may want to consider one of the following;

-Basil has a beneficial action on the respiratory tract, and is often used for asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs and sinus infections. It blends well with; black pepper, ginger, geranium, grapefruit, lavender and lemon. 

-Black Pepper has antimicrobial and antiseptic properties, and is good for coughs, colds and flus. It blends well with bergamot, clary sage, coriander, fennel, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, nutmeg, and rosemary. 

-Ginger is good for colds and flu, congestion, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats,   fever and chills. It does have a slight warming affect, so be extra cautious in the amount that you add. It blends well with; basil, black pepper, cinnamon, clary sage, clove, coriander, eucalyptus, geranium, lemon, lime, orange, rose, rosemary, spearmint, and vanilla. 

-Geranium is good for sore throats and tonsillitis, and blends well with; basil, grapefruit, lavender, lime, orange, and rosemary.

-Grapefruit is good for colds, flu, and headaches and blends well with; basil, black pepper, geranium, lavender, lime, and lemon.

-Lavender is good for bronchitis, asthma, colds, laryngitis, and throat infections. It will blends well with everything, so use your imagination.

-Lemongrass is good for sore throats, laryngitis, and fever as well as  indigestion and gastroenteritis. It blends well with; basil, bergamot, black Pepper, clary Sage, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, lavender, lemon, lime, mandarin, orange, rose, and vanilla.

-Lime is good fevers, colds, sore throats, flu, coughs, bronchitis, sinusitis and  asthma. It blends well with; basil, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, orange, peppermint, rose, rosemary, and spearmint. 

-

-Margoram, an antiseptic and calming agent

-Eucalyptus, an antiseptic and calming agent, good for bronchitis, colds, flu, headaches, sinusitis sore throats, and throat infections. The antiseptic properties in the essential oil increase with age. 

-Orange (Sweet) is good for colds, flu, and fever, blending well with; basil, black Pepper, cinnamon, ginger, clary Sage, lavender, lime, peppermint, and  spearmint.

-Peppermint, an antiseptic, expectorant and a muscle relaxant, so it is good for   

dry coughs, sinus congestion, asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia, as well as   bad breath (in case you want to make breath drops along with the throat drops). Peppermint blends well with; basil, black pepper, eucalyptus, geranium, lavender, lemon, lime, orange, and rosemary.

-Rose (use pure essential oil or untreated rose petals to infuse the water) posses anti-infectious, antiseptic, antiviral, and bactericidal properties that help with asthma, headaches, and coughs. It blends well with; bergamot, chamomile, clary sage, geranium, lavender, lemon, and madarin.  

-Rosemary is an antiseptic and works well for respiratory track issues, including asthma and bronchitis. It blends well with; basil, bay, black pepper, chamomile, geranium, ginger, grapefruit, lavender, lime, lemon, lemongrass, peppermint, rose and spearmint.

-Spearmint. While spearmint has properties of a local anesthetic, an antiseptic, a decongestant and an expectorant which can benefit fevers, headaches, asthma, bronchitis and colds, its effects are less powerful than those of peppermint. For this reason, spearmint may be better in children's products. It blends well with; basil, lavender, peppermint and rosemary.  

-Thyme is frequently used in commercial applications of mouthwash, gargles, toothpastes and cough drops because of its analgesic, antifungal,  anti-infectious, antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, and antiseptic properties. It is good for bronchitis, chills, colds, coughs, sinusitis, sore throats, tonsillitis, and laryngitis. It blends well with; bergamot, clary sage, eucalyptus, geranium, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, marjoram, and rosemary. 

There may be a few more, but these the ones that popped into my mind to begin with. While I hope that you won't need them this year, I wish you luck making these flavored drops! 

Teaching Tuesday-More Healing Herbs

A few times we have gone over some of the reported healing affects of common herbs and spices. There are so many and this Fallish time of year, my thoughts are always leaning toward the herbs and spices, so here are a few more to add to your cabinet! 




Winter always makes me think of Myrrh, but what is myrrh and what can it be used for? Myrrh is a resin that is highly aromatic. Aside from the luscious scent that it produces, myrrh possesses antiseptic qualities, and is, in fact, found in many commercial toothpastes. As an antiseptic, its tincture is used frequently used to treat canker sores and gum disease, as well as minor cuts. When inhaled, its volatile oil is good for relieving congestion.


Another nice Fall/Winter spice is clove. Cloves are high in antioxidants, and are antiseptic and antispasmodic in nature. Direct use of Clove oil is a safe and effective treatment for toothaches. Additionally, cloves are a proven preservative. A ham studded with cloves will last a few days longer (in the fridge) than one that does not contain the cloves. In South America, people routinely drink clove tea and liquor made from cloves, to fight digestive disorders. Since the main ingredient in cloves is eugenol, it stands to reason that this herb would be useful in combating intestinal problems, as eugenol has been known to kill bacteria and viruses for quite some time. In fact, cloves are known/proven to fight e. coli ,  commonly the cause of "travelers diarrhea". Besides an antispetic, the eugenol in cloves also makes the herb effective as a painkiller. Here in the USA, this generally just means that you will find clove oil as an ingredient in most over-the-counter tooth ache remedies. But in other countries, poultices of clove are often used on the skin for cuts, bites and those sort of problems. Studies have shown that clove oil can help kill several strains of staph, and even one strain of pseudomonas, organisms that can cause skin infections. Aside from utilizing the clove oil, you can also make a paste from ground up cloves and water to use as a poultice. To make clove tea (for intestinal issues), use one teaspoon of powdered cloves per cup of boiling water. Steep for ten to twenty minutes, strain and drink when cool enough.


And, of course, what cool weather herb discussion would be complete without cinnamon? Cinnamon is also an antioxidant, and has antimicrobial properties. In fact, it improves insulin sensitivity while lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. Eating 1/2 of a teaspoon twice a day, before meals, can help to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Cinnamon prevents infections and fights indigestion, and has been used for thousands of years. In fact, it is mentioned by ancient Chinese herbalists as far back as 2700 B.C., and modern day Chinese herbalists still recommend it for fever, diarrhea, and menstrual problems.  Cinnamon not only appears to help diabetics metabolize sugar, but it helps to soothe the stomach lining, suppress the cause of most urinary tract infections (which is e.coli), and the fungus responsible for vaginal yeast infections, cabdida albicans. Because of its tasty and versatile usage, cinnamon is probably the easiest treatment to incorporate into your life.   

Make it Yourself Monday- Foot Soaks

My eldest Son came to visit this weekend (bringing my sweetie pie Grandson!) and, while out in the barn hunting through boxes of stored stuffed animals and such,  found a practically new foot soak basin. Since he stands on his feet at work all day, he thought that the basin looked like a pain management plan waiting to be implemented. While he may not know what goodies Mom has in her craft room, he for sure knows that Mom has GOOD STUFF. So first thing he did after asking if he could have the basin, was ask if I would whip him up something to put into it that would add to its heat and vibrating pleasure. Of course I couldn't turn him down, so I grabbed a mixing bowl and headed to the ingredient cabinets. I ended up making a nice blend that you can easily whip up for yourself or for your hard working Son.


I mixed some epsom salts with clay and spirulina. Then, to that I added some eucalyptus, wintergreen and lime essential oils. While he may have wondered about the ingredients,  he immediately said that he like the smell and was going to try it as soon as he got home. 
While this mixture would also be great for a full body bath tub soak, the  particular mixture of essential oils that I used are not. So if you want to use it as a bath soak, I suggest switching the EO's. You could try lavender, orange, eucalyptus, chamomile, or a mixture of these.


As for a recipe, try mixing two tablespoons of spirulina, with one half to one cup of kaolin or French green clay, with two to three cups of Epsom salts. As a general rule of thumb you should use no more than 10 drops (total) of essential oils. But if you would like to change it up some, you could take one ounce of your choice of carrier oil (I like sweet almond or olive oil the best), and add 15 drops (total) of your choice of essential oils. Then add a small amount of the oil mixture to either your foot soak or your bathing water. If you decide to add the oil, mix and store the oil mixture separately from the salt and powder portion. This will keep your soak fresh and extend its shelf life.     


Of course there are several ways to utilize foot soaks. You can easily utilize whatever you have growing or dried. Just take two cups of your choice of fresh herbs, or one cup of dried herbs and add to two gallons of near boiling water. Steep the herbs for twenty minutes then strain the liquid and pour it into the foot basin. Make sure that it is not too hot, and soak your feet for twenty minutes, then pat dry and moisturize.  
  

Teaching Tuesdays - The Agave Plant

Agave, stemming from the Greek word agauos, meaning of kings and heros, illustrious, noble. This plant was likely taken back to Europe by Spanish and Portuguese explorers, but the plants became popular [in Europe] during the 19th century, when many types were imported by collectors. Some have been continuously propagated by offset since that time, and do not even resemble any species known in the wild.  


There are well over 300 species of Agave that have been described, but only about 200 that are currently recognised. It is a common misconception that agaves are cacti. In fact, they are not related to the cacti, nor are they closely related to the Aloe plant, whose leaves are similar in appearance. Although it is important to know how to handle this plant, and which species is which since the  juice from many species can cause acute contact dermatitis. It will create reddening and blistering of the skin that lasts from one to two weeks, and episodes of itching, even though there is not a visible rash, may reoccur up to one year after contact!  The irritation is, in part, caused by calcium oxalate raphides. While dried parts of the plant can be handled with the bare hands,  without any effects, if the skin is pierced deeply enough by the needle-like ends of the leaf, (from a vigorously growing plant), it can cause the blood vessels in the surrounding area to erupt and cause bruising in an area 6–7 cm across. This can last from two to three weeks, so you beter exercise caution and know which plant you are messing with!  


The Agave plants are perennial, and most flower only once, then die, which is refered to as monocarpic. They grow quite slowly, eventually reaching the flowering stage. During flowering, a tall stem or "mast" grows from the center of the leaf rosette and bears a large number of shortly tubular flowers. After development of fruit, the original plant dies, but prolific vegetative growth, and offsetting at the base of the plant usually maintains a clump of plants, thus compensating for loss of the flowering rosettes. These suckers which are frequently produced from the base of the stem, grow and become new plants. However, there are a few species that remain solitary, and rely on seed production for survival of the species. There are even a few species that can even flower several times during their life.  Whatever their growth habit, this plant is commonly referred to as the century plant, since it takes so long to flower. Many species of Agave produce musky perfume scents as attractants for bats, which pollinate them, but others produce sweeter odors, ones that attract insects which pollinate and propagate them. So species is quite a distnction for this plant. 


Chiefly Mexican, agaves are also native to the southern and western United States, as well as central and tropical South America. While Agave leaf fiber was used by natives, it is still of commercial importance today, being used to make clothing and rugs. The best quality fibres, coming from the youngest of the leaves. 


Additionally, carbohydrates, which are stored in the core of several species of Agave, were fermented by the natives to make a beverage that they used in ceremonies, called pulque, which is still enoyed today. Distillation of a similar ferment, made from the developing Agave flower bud, is the basis for the modern production of Mezcal. The best known mezcal is tequila. The agave flower shoot is cut out, the sap collected, then fermented. By distillation, the mezcal is prepared. In 2001, the Mexican Government and the European Union agreed upon the classification of tequila, and its categories. All 100% blue agave tequila must be made from the Weber blue agave plant, to rigorous specifications, and only in certain Mexican states.

The Blue Agave Americana occur in abundance in the Karoo, and arid highland regions of South Africa. Introduced by the British settlers in 1820, the plant was originally cultivated and used as emergency feed for livestock, but today is used [mainly] for the production of syrup and sugar. In fact, in ancient times, the bruised leaves afforded a paste from which paper was manufactured, its leaves supplied an impenetrable thatch for the more humble dwellings; thread, of which coarse stuffs were made, and strong cords, were drawn from its tough and twisted fibers; pins and needles were made from the thorns at the extremity of its leaves; and the root, when properly cooked, was converted into a palatable and nutritious food. In short, the agave was meat, drink, clothing, and writing materials, all the way back to the Aztecs! 


There are four major parts of the agave that are edible: the flowers, the leaves, the stalks or basal rosettes, and the sap which is called aguamiel, or honey water.  Each agave plant will produce several pounds of edible flowers during its final season. The stalks, which are ready before the blossom, during the summer, weigh several pounds each. When roasted, they are sweet and can be chewed to extract the aguamiel, which is like sugarcane. When dried out, the stalks can then be used to make didgeridoos. The leaves can be collected for eating in the winter and the spring, when the plants are rich in sap. As previously mentioned, some species are the source of pita fiber, and used as a fiber plant in Mexico, the West Indies and southern Europe.
Agave nectar (also called agave syrup), is a sweetener derived from the sap, and is used as an alternative to sugar in cooking. It  can also be added to breakfast cereals as a binding agent. 


People have found a few other uses of the plant aside from its several uses as food. When dried and cut in slices, the flowering stem forms natural razor strops. Natives of Mexico have used the agave to make pens, nails and needles, as well as string to sew and make weavings. Leaf tea or tincture taken orally is used to treat constipation and excess gas. It is also used as a diuretic. Root tea or tincture is taken orally to treat arthritic joints. 
Also, the expressed juice of the Agave leaves will lather in water, much like soap, so historically, it has been, and still is, used as a soap substitute, as well as a natural insecticide for plants. This sap is also used medicinally to treat burns, as it has a natural antiseptic quality. And water in which the agave fibre has been soaked for 24 hours, makes a great scalp conditioner. 


This plant, depending upon the variety, is almost like a wonder plant. From it, many foods and products can, and are being made. I really suggest that you check this one out in greater depth! 


For some pictures of many varieties, check out this web site;  http://www.succulent-plant.com/families/agavaceae.html

Teaching Tuesdays -Compress and Poultice; What are they and how do they work?

Today is Teaching Tuesday and we are going to look at the uses for a compress and a poultice, and explore just how these can benefit you and your family.


A compress consists of a pad or cloth material, cotton or gauze being the best material choice, that has been soaked in an herbal tea, decoction, or extract, and water mixture. After the appropriate tea, decoction, or extract is chosen and made, you soak the fabric in the liquid, wring it out, then apply the material to the affected area  that is to be treated.

Compresses can be used either hot or cold. If swelling, muscle sprain/strain, or a headache is involved, cold is the better option. After the material has been   soaked, place the compress in the freezer until it is cold, then apply it. 
Sometimes it is beneficial to alternate between heated compresses and cold ones in order to help relieve pressure. 


Compresses are ideal for treating, and helping to heal, muscle injuries, wounds, and other external pain. In order to know which herbs are most appropriate for which ailment(s), refer to a herbal book or chart, and look for the list of benefits and properties of the herb that you are looking for. The herbs can be used as single notes, or you can try mixing a few together for a more powerful healing whomp!

For muscle pains, try wintergreen, camphor, lemon grass, sage, or eucalyptus teas. For a headache try a cool lavender, chamomile and/or sage compress. For minor wounds or skin irritations, try rosemary, chamomile, thyme or lavender.

While similar to a compress, a poultice is when the whole herb is applied to an affected area, instead of the liquid soaked fabric. To use the herbs this way, first you must boil the fresh herb (roots can be used too). Then you actually squeeze all of the excess water out of the herb and place it on a thin 

layer of gauze that is folded to keep the herb(s) sandwiched inside, then lay the whole thing over the affected area. This poultice should then stay in place for 3-4 hours, but it can be replaced with a fresh one if longer treatment is needed. 


Again, the choice of herbs/roots us something that needs to be well though out and researched. However, a poultice of (either one or a combination of two or more) the herbs; rosemary, thyme, lavender or chamomile would make a strong healing poultice. 


Chamomile on the skin helps to reduce redness and sooth inflamed skin, as well as being an antiseptic, bactericidal, and mild sedative.

Thyme is reputed to be strongly anti-viral, while also being considered an antibacterial agent and fungicide.

While lavender works well on all types of skin problems, it especially worlds well for healing boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, insect bites, and stings. Among many others, Lavender has the properties of an antiseptic, and an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, a restorative and a mild sedative. 

Rosemary also possesses many properties, but for the purpose of a poultice, it is important for its analgesic, antimicrobial, antiseptic, fungicidal, and  restorative properties.

Make It Yourself Monday- Recipes for (more) Relief

Hope you had a fantastic father's day, and nice weekend. This is Make it Yourself Monday, and here are some more recipes to provide relief!




With summer often comes hot, sweaty, sore, muscles, and sometimes even stinky feet. To provide some relief try one of these recipes.


Cooling and Deodorizing Mist


Get a 8 ounce spray bottle and fill it three fourths full of water. Then add 4 drops of peppermint, grapefruit, and lemon, and 3 drops of wintergreen essential oils. Then add a cap full of vodka. Twist lid on and shake well. You can use this now, or you can wait until it gets cold in the refrigerator for even more cooling, soothing and relief. This spray is great for achy leg muscles after an athletic event, a work out, or just a long day. It is also wonderful for those little piggies who just don't feel up to going to the market anymore! Leave this in the fridge so it will be ready for when you need it, and it will last you for several weeks. You can also give a squirt into those stinky sneakers too for a quick freshen up!




Cucumber Hand Wash


For a nice hand wash that will soothe irritated skin. Try peeling one small cucumber and put it in blender and blend it until it is liquefied. Add one tablespoon of witch hazel to the juice and wash your hands with the mixture. Pat dry and moisturize as normal. This formula helps heal abrasions and relieves puffiness, as well as soothing irritated skin.


Herbal Foot Soak


Herbal soaks are great for tired, achy feet, and they are easy to prepare. Plus, you can alter a herb or two and customize the blend or just give yourself variety! All you need to do is to steep 2 cups of fresh herbs, or 1 cup of dried herbs, in 2 gallons of water for 20 minutes. With the herbs in the pot, bring the water to boil, then reduce heat and simmer with the lid on, for 20 minutes.  Once the time is up, strain the liquid and throw away the plant material. Pour the liquid into foot basin. Once it has cooled enough to not harm you (use it as hot as you can handle it, your feet will love you!), soak your feet for 20 minutes, then pat dry and moisturize as normal. 
As for herbs, you can use many, but I suggest you try these; comfrey, elderberry, chamomile, lavender, pine, rosemary, sage, and/or horsetail

Teaching Tuesdays - Additives, Alkanet & Black Walnut Hulls

Happy Tuesday! Today we are going to continue on with the mini-series, Additives. Friday we looked at Aloe Vera and today we are continuing on with a few more botanicals. Botanicals are plants or plant parts that are valued for their medicinal or therapeutic properties, flavor and/or scent. Herbs are a subset of botanicals, and come in many forms. They can be fresh or dried, liquid or solid extracts, and can come in powders or tea bags as well. 

Spices are strongly flavored and/or strongly aromatic parts of plants, which are used in small quantities in food for color, flavoring, stimulating odor or as a preservative in cooking. They are also used in cosmetics for  color, fragrance and their therapeutic properties. 


Alkanet is a perennial that has a bright blue flower. Botanically know as Alkanna tinctoria,  it is its' thick, red-maroon taproot that is sought for use as an additive, and is usually used as a powder. This root releases a rich, dark red dye when it is infused in alcohol or oil, and a less intense shade of red when it is in boiling water. Alkanet root is used as an astringent, and for its antimicrobial and wound healing properties. 
In soapmaking alkanet root is often used as a colorant because it offers colors ranging from gray-lavender to deep purple, and from a pastel blue to a dark blue, all depending upon the alkalinity of the soap. 


Black Walnut hulls are crushed and powdered, and frequently used as an additive for soap. Their powder contains vitamin C, zinc and a naturally occurring chemical that has antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, and antifungal properties. Herbalists will frequently use black walnut hulls to treat a variety of skin issues. In soap, they will provide a lovely nut-brown color, but are also good for treating eczema and acne. For coloring your cp soap, just add the powder directly into your soap pot at trace and mix it well. For melt & pour soap, blend it in a small amount of [heated] glycerin in order to release the coloring, then strain it and add it back into the melted base drop by drop, until you get the color you want.


Remember that with most herbs you can either add them directly into your soap pot at trace, or you can infuse them into your oils, strain, then add the colored oil into your soap pot as part of the base.

Teaching Tuesdays - Exotic Oils Cont.- Jojoba Oil

We are continuing with exotic oils, and today is all about jojoba oil, botanically known as Simmondsia chinensis, which is not really an oil at all, but a wax. Pronounced ho-ho-ba, this oil has been used  for centuries. Nicknamed Goat Nut, the jojoba is a member if the box family of shrubs, and can grow to be seven feet tall. It is a deep golden color, and has a mild scent. It is suspected that the Native American Indians of our Southwest not only used the extracted  oil from the seeds of the [desert] jojoba shrub for wound treatments and hair and skin moisturizers, but as a food source as well.

The jojoba shrub grows in desert like, arid climates throughout the world, although it is native to North America. Its seeds are crushed to extract the odorless, hypo-allergenic, stable, natural oil that we call jojoba. Jojoba actually is used to refer to both the plant and the extract. The oil from the seeds is unique, in that it is not really an oil, but rather a pure liquid ester.  The difference between an oil and an ester is small, yet quite large when speaking of properties. Vegetable oils have several alcohol groups on their molecules, and some have forked molecules, which will eventually oxidize, becoming rancid. Jojoba though, has only one alcohol group, and it is a straight chain molecule, therefore it isn't subject to oxidizing, and, in fact it is an anti-oxidant, so it will not turn rancid. It can, however, be affected adversely by sunlight, so it needs to be kept in brown glass bottles, in the dark, or in closed metal cans.

Sebaceous glands are microscopic glands in the skin which secrete sebum, an oily, waxy matter, which lubricates the skin and the hair of mammals, keeping them soft and moist. In humans, these glands are primarily found on the face and the scalp, but are present, to some degree, throughout the skin, except for that on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. 

Jojoba oil is unique for a couple of reasons. First of all, jojoba oil is chemically almost identical to spermaceti (sperm) oil, the pure ester found in the head of the sperm whale. Up until it became restricted, this oil was prized, and frequently used in high temperature lubrication, cosmetics and as car transmission lubricants. Jojoba makes the perfect substitution for this oil, and, as such, effectively helps to save the whales. 

Secondly, jojoba oil closely matches the molecular structure of human sebum, therefore it can easily and quickly penetrate the skin and the scalp, without leaving an oily residue. Additionally, as it mimics the actions of human sebum, it softens, lubricates, and protects the skin and scalp in much the same way that our natural sebum does. Its soothing properties are known to stop many skin issues and to offer protection from premature wrinkling of the skin, as well as premature aging caused by exposure to ultra violet radiation. It is a non-occlusive oil, sinking into the skin and hair follicles, offering extra moisturization. It is considered an excellent emollient, but it is called a "dry emollient", meaning that it should not be used at rates greater than 25% in skin or hair care, as it may feel too dry at a higher level. Because it will not evaporate like a water-soluble moisturizers, jojoba oil will provide moisturizing all day long.  Because of its closeness to the skins' sebum, it makes an excellent oil for treating conditions like psoriasis and acne, and is good for all skin types, especially sensitive and oily skin. It helps to unclog the skins' pores, remove embedded grime, and it also restores and conditions hair. 

When used directly on the face for routine care, you should use amounts lower than 10 drops. Higher amounts, those over 10 drops, can lend a shine to the skin. With this in mind, you may want to be more conservative with it during the day, say 6 drops at a time, which should actually balance oil production and reduce shine at the same time. Then, at night, before bed, you can apply a higher rate for better, deeper moisturizing, without worrying about shine.

Most manufacturers say that jojoba oil has a two-three year shelf life, but this can be well surpassed if it is stored out of sunlight. It does not become rancid 

or loose its antioxidants, even after long periods of storage. It can, however,  become cloudy and solidify as the temperature drops. But this is a normal process that occurs because of the hardening of the fats and waxes, and it will become stable when it gets to be room temperature, or close to it. 


*Check the References tab at the top of the page for the bibliography and references for this post.. 

Frankly Speaking Friday- Exotic Oils Cont.- Calendula Oil

Happy TGIF! Here in Ohio, it has turned, once again, from rain and dreary skies  to snowy, cold, dreary ones. For the past two days it rained so incessantly, that we were in the midst of flooding, then last evening, it switched over to snow! proving, yet again, we have some of the most "changing" weather in the country! Lol.


Today, instead of ranting about the weather, I want to continue the exotic oils postings, so we will be looking at calendula oil. Technically calendula oil is not really an exotic oil because it is not a true base oil, rather it is an infused oil. However, because of its properties and their benefits to our health, calendula oil is counted as an exotic oil for our purposes. This exotic oil is truly great for the skin, especially sensitive or abraded skin.  


Since it is not a base oil, it has to be created, and it is created by being forced to contribute its properties to another oil, a base oil. This is accomplished by extracting the flowers oil through steam distillation. The flowers are steeped in an oil, the petals infused with the oil. When the distillation process is complete, any oil that is left over is calendula oil. This oil should be a golden orange color, but will ultimately depend upon which base oil is used for the infusion. While virgin olive oil is generally preferred, any light oil, such as apricot seed, grape seed, or sweet almond oil, will do. In fact, if you want to  save yourself some money, you can.make a home version of an infusion, in other words, a tea. Depending upon your method and the length of time infused, it may not be as strong as a commercially prepared one, but it will still possess the beneficial qualities of calendula, and work in your home-made skin-care recipes. For instructions, check out this past post. 


Calendula, or calendula officinalis as it's known botanically, is another name for the pot marigold flower. This  perennial grows from one to three feet, and blooms once a month during season, but is usually treated as an annual in both the very cold, and the very hot climates, where its survival in the extremes is problematic. It is, however, easily grown  from seeds, although they do germinate better if they are stored for 6 months prior to planting, and they tolerate just about any type of soil condition. The flowers bloom all summer, and come in vibrant yellows and oranges. But, while they resemble a marigold, they are not a true marigold, and should not be confused with other plants, also called marigolds, such as the corn marigold, the dessert marigold, the marsh marigold and others from the tagetes genus.

The petals of the calendula flower are the part that is used in the steam distillation to create the oil. It is classified an infused oil, because the petals are steeped, infused, into an oil. The petals of the flower can also be dehydrated and used whole, ground into a powder, or eaten raw. In fact, calendula flowers are often added into salads and other dishes for their color. While its stems are technically considered edible, they actually don't taste very good, so are best avoided.                            

Calendula flowers contain calendulin, beta-carotene, other carotenoids, isoquercitrin, narcissin, rutin, amyrin, lupeol, sterols, and volatile oils. It contains a high amount of antioxidants, which protect the body against cell-damaging free radicals, called flavonoids. Research into this flowering plant has been ongoing for years, yet researchers are not sure what active ingredients are responsible for its healing properties, however, it does appear to have anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial effects. 


Calendula has been shown to, both, speed the healing of wounds, and to help prevent dermatitis in breast cancer patients while they are receiving radiation treatments. This is potentially because it increases blood flow to the affected area. Its oil, very mild and soothing, is a preferable treatment for dry and damaged skin, such as burns, rashes, wounds, and inflammation, as well as those simply with dry, chapped skin. In fact, calendula oil is so mild that it makes an excellent oil for babies and those with sensitive skin.


The dried petals are best made into an aromatic infused oil, a tea, or a tincture. The dried petals themselves, or the oil, make a great base for balms, salves, face creams, and other natural cosmetics. They are also used in soap, both for the properties, and for color. The dried petals are often used in tinctures, ointments and washes to aide in the healing of cuts, bruises, burns, and the minor infections that these can cause. Don't think it works? The next time you or your child has a bee sting, try chewing some calendula petals, then place the masticated petals on the irritated area, and see how fast the stinging goes away. Of course, if you really don't want to chew them yourself, just add the fresh petals and some water to a blender, and reduce them to a paste, then place the paste directly on the affected area. And, while you have that paste out, you may as well slather some on those varicose veins, where calendula has a proven track record for treating and healing! The tea, or tincture in water, can be swished and swallowed to help heal sore throats, gastric ulcers, or oral lesions. There are several other applications where calendula may be beneficial, both internally and externally. For more detailed information, check out one of the many home herbal medicines books, available at your public library for FREE, and several on-line sources, both for free, and with a charge.

Calendula seedling

                                             As previously stated, calendula is very mild, and unless you are allergic to its family, it is considered one of the safest herbs for use, even being highly  recommended for use in baby products, right along with lavender and chamomile. However, there is a concern that it may be a cause of miscarriage, so, until more is known, its use during pregnancy, either internally or externally, should be avoided. And, since its safe use during lactation has not yet been studied and established, it is also best to avoid it while nursing, as well. What we do know though, is that Calendula may be a central nervous system depressant, causing sleepiness and drowsiness, therefore taking it, along with other sedative medications, could cause increased drowsiness. This is especially true when combined with other medications, especially those that are used during and after surgery. In order to avoid potential issues, you should stop taking internal calendula at least 2 weeks before any scheduled surgery. Also, be aware, if you are allergic to ragweed or other plants in the asteraceae/compositae family, such as chrysanthemums, marigolds, daisies and others, you should check with a physician prior to using any product that contains calendula powder, petals, or oil, whether for internal or external use, as you may be sensitive to it. 

Teaching Tuesday- Take a Bath that Works for You

You may have noticed that I left Tuesday out of last weeks posts. I went from not posting at all to doing four last week, so I felt that I may be pushing it to try and do five or seven. However, this week is clipping along fairly well, so I thought I'd add an extra post [this week].

At any rate, many of my older posts are geared toward education. Since I have loved learning about herbs and their uses, and by extension, essential oils, sharing that information is exciting and important to me. I don't want to loose that aspect of this blog, so I will continue to write an educational post once in a while. While this may not be each week, if there is something in particular that you would like to know more about, please let me know.

For this week, since I am sitting in a freezer and we are expecting up to six inches more snow today/tonight, I want to revisit the therapeutic value of taking a bath. A bath can revive, awaken, soothe, calm, and/or cure, depending what temperature it is and what you put into it.

A morning bath should be tonic in nature; stimulating the body, eliminating toxins, and relieving the body of physical tiredness. To accomplish this, they should be approximately 97 to 98 degrees F. Of course, this is why I rarely take a morning bath! LOL!

An evening bath can be uber relaxing, getting the body ready for sleep. It can also soothe tired, achy joints and muscles. For a relaxing, getting ready for bed bath, the temperature should be between body temperature (98.6 degrees F.) and 102 degrees F., depending upon personal preference. For a joint and muscle soothing bath, the water temperature should be between 104 and 107 degrees, depending upon your preference. If you are taking a bath after intense physical exercise or after a long, stressful day, you should use the joint and muscle soothing temperatures.

To augment the bathing experience and to help ensure reaching the desired goals/effects, adding an herbal tea or an essential oil (individual or a blend) to the water is a good idea. For a special treat, such as a home spa day, you can even try "thalassotherapy". Thalassotherapy is a water, aka bath, treatment that utilizes seawater, seaweed, algae and/or mud to revitalize the body. These treatments can nourish, detoxify, cleanse, rejuvenate, energize, and improve circulation.

Yes, you CAN do a thalassotherapy treatment at home, quite easily, if you have a good recipe. Of course I happen to have a recipe that takes just minutes of prep time and will offer you a great way to relax in the tub. Additionally, the seaweed (in this recipe) is rich in iodine and protein which are directly absorbed by the skins' pores. This means that they will affect the body on a cellular level, and, in the process, help to detoxify, stimulate, revive and remineralize the body as a whole. Additionally, the gel used in this recipe will help to regenerate and soothe dry, damaged skin, complimenting the effects of the seaweed.

All you need is 1/2 cup of dried seaweed powder (available at many soap and beauty supply shops) and 1/4 cup aloe gel (also available at many soap and beauty supply shops, Brambleberry.com, or in your local pharmacy *just make sure to get plain gel, no additives*). Pour the gel and the seaweed powder into your bath as it runs, then soak and relax for 20 minutes. Pat dry and moisturize when you are finished. This type of treatment can be draining, so be cautious to no overexert immediately after your bath.

*For herbal bathing recipes see this old post

Finally, with any and all baths it is recommended that you drink plenty of water or herbal tea after the bath in order to replenish bodily fluids. You should also moisturize the skin while it is still warm and moist, as this will allow the lotion to soak into the skin. Better absorption equals better product utilization, which equals softer, smoother skin and better protection.

**Disclaimer** Any information I provide on oils, fragrances, herbs and/or butters is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to treat, cure, prevent or, diagnose any disease or condition, nor is it intended to prescribe in any way. The information may not be complete, or entirely accurate. You should seek professional medical advice for any condition or ailment.

Compresses and Poultices

As we know, herbs were the first used "drugs". You can still utilize these natural remedies for a variety of maladies. Since many of the recipes I have offered have focused on essential oils for inhalation, today I'd like to discuss some other ways to use herbs, mainly compresses and poultices. A compress consists of a pad or cloth material(cotton or gauze is the best material choice) that has been soaked in an herbal tea, decoction, or extract and water mixture. After the appropriate tea, decoction, or extract is chosen and made, you soak the pad or cloth fabric in the liquid, wring it out, then apply it to the affected area. Compresses can be used either hot or cold. If swelling, muscle sprain, or a headache is involved, after it is soaked, place the compress in the freezer until it is cold, then apply it. Sometimes it is beneficial to alternate heated compresses with cold ones to help relieve pressure. Compresses are ideal for treating and helping to heal muscle injuries, wounds, and other external pain. To know what herbs to use for your ailment(s), refer to herbal or essential oil charts, where the benefits of the products are listed. The herbs can e used as single notes or you can try mixing more than one together at a time if you are feeling bold! For muscle pains you can try wintergreen, camphor, lemon grass, sage, or eucalyptus teas. For a headache try a cool lavender, chamomile and/or sage compress. For minor wounds or skin irritations, try rosemary, chamomile, thyme or lavender. While almost like a compress, with a poultice you apply the whole herb to an affected area instead of the liquid soaked fabric. First you must boil the fresh herb (roots can be used too), then you squeeze out the excess water. The herb is then placed on a thin layer of gauze, folded to keep the herb sandwiched inside, then laid over the affected area. The poultice should stay in place for for 3-4 hours, then be replaced with a fresh one if needed. Again, the choice of herbs/roots needs to be researched and well thought out, but a poultice of (either one or a combination of two or more) the herbs rosemary, thyme, lavender or chamomile would make a strong healing poultice. Chamomile on the skin helps to reduce redness and sooth inflamed skin, as well as being an antiseptic, bactericidal, and mild sedative. Thyme is reputed to be strongly anti-viral, while also being considered an antibacterial agent and fungicide. While lavender works well on all types of skin problems, it especially worlds well for healing boils, burns, sunburn, wounds, psoriasis, insect bites, and stings. Among many others, Lavender has the properties of an antiseptic, and an analgesic, an anti-inflammatory, a restorative and a mild sedative. Rosemary also possesses many properties, but for the purpose of a poultice it is important for its properties of an analgesic, an antimicrobial, an antiseptic, a fungicidal, and a restorative.

Name That Bath Soak and You Will be Soaking in Some for Free!

NAME THIS SOAK CONTEST

16 oz jar of bath soak Today, well now it is more accurate to say that yesterday was my birthday. I also must confess to you that, sadly, I feel every bit my age, and then some! LOL. For days now I have been creating all manner of new recipes, so I decided that I would celebrate my big day by treating myself to a bath with one of my new creations. I chose a bath soak that has several ingredients, most of which are used for healing and soothing. Although I generally have friends and family test my products first, I have to say that I am SO GLAD that I didn't wait to try this one! Not only did it relax me, it really soothed my aching joints and muscles, and it left my skin feeling oh so soft! I have to say that if I didn't make this stuff, I really would buy it! Sooo, happy birthday to me and to my newest bath soak! [This is a picture before all the ingredients were added] Now, what I need is a name. I kind of gave up on the creative naming idea a while back, settling for the more direct, plain names so that search engines could find me easier, but I am bored with them....so a compromise. I am going to name them, then subtitle the more direct name. All of that to get to this, I need your creativity! What do you think I should name it????? Let me know your ideas by leaving a comment here. The winner will receive their own bath soak and a surprise gift as my thanks for a job well done! I want to get labels made and list this soon, so please submit your ideas by July 2, 2009. You may want to check out my shop to get an idea of my products and their names. http://uniquegarden.etsy.com/ The last bath soak I made was named "Luxury Bath Soak" and the one before that was "Cleo's Bath Soak", for Cleopatra. While I will not give out my ingredients on the net (thank you unscrupulous people), I can tell you that it is all natural, has 9 different ingredients, and includes a therapeutic blend of essential oils. While certainly not all inclusive, this soak is formulated with ingredients that are known to;

• reduce inflammation and edema (swelling)

• relieve pain
• promote soothing and relaxation
• draw impurities from the skin
• remove dirt and debris from pores soak in kraft bag
• remove dead skin cells
• improve circulation
• both promote and speed healing of the skin
• encourage rapid and healthy regrowth of skin and tissue cells
• prevent infection
• generally bring a smooth, healthy glow to your skin

There you go, you now know as much as I can tell you. I hope that you find inspiration. Have Fun, be creative, and Good Luck to you!!

Now for the fine print. You will need to leave a way for me to reach you in case you are the winner, so leave an email addy, your bog url, an Etsy or an Artfire shop name. By submitting your entry you are giving Unique Garden Essences the right to use that name without further compensation. A winner may not be chosen from the names submitted, if none are deemed suitable. I really do want to share this soak with you, so I will do my best to be open-minded and find one that works. I have several new products making their debut shortly so your entry may work for one of those, if not for this one. Should that be the case, you would be contacted for approval and with the details.