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  • NMM Home
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Plant Medicine Summary: Rosehips

8/8/2016

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We use Rosehips in almost everything we ever make. They support so many various herbs with their nutritional profile!
 
Brief History

During World War II the people of Great Britain were encouraged to collect them and make syrup for children due to commercial ships carrying citrus fruits being sunk by German submarines. Citrus fruits were scarce during this time in the British Isles. Native Americans have used them as a food source. Rose hip soup, “nyponsoppa,” is especially popular in Sweden. “Rhodomel,” a type of mead, is made with rose hips.

Jams, Jellies, syrups, tea, potpourri, pies, bread, wine, Vitamin C supplements and now supplemental foods for horses and small animals are all places you will find rose hips when you aren’t enjoying them along the beaches and countryside.

http://www.gaiaherbs.com/products/ingredient/160/Rose-Hips

How Do I Use It?

Rosehips are an amazing source of Vitamin C. We literally put it in almost every herbal concoction we ever make, because it is a great support for pretty much any herbal combination.

Tea

Tincture
Glycerite
Syrup
 
Our Experience With It

We love rosehips – it is a wonderful addition to any herbal formula dealing with sickness particularly during flu and cold season. Adds high nutrition to whatever you make with it.

We have used rosehips for YEARS in so many herbal combinations, mostly because of the properties it has in it (below). 


Few Properties of Rosehips
 
Anti-depressant = Herbs that can help with bouts of occasional, mild depression 
Antiscorbutic = Great source of Vit C
Antispasmodic = Suppresses spasms, and reduce muscular tension
Astringent = Helps tighten tissues
Cordial = Strengthen the heart
Depurative = Helps cleanse waste products from our bodies
Emmenagague = Stimulate menstrual flow
Hepatic = Supports the liver
Laxative = Aids in elimination
Nervine = Soothes the nerves
Refrigerant = Cool the body and reduces body heat,and fever,externally by evaporation, and by inducing perspiration
Sedative = Calm the nerves and relieve tension
Skin Tonic = Aids and sooths the skin
Splenic = Aids the spleen in its function
Stomachis = Stimulate gastric digestion and relieve the discomfort of generalized stomach pain and cramping
Uterine Tonic = Prepare women for an easier childbirth by toning the muscles of the uterus as well as help with mentrual problems
List found on http://www.anniesremedy.com
 
 

NMM Products With Rosehips

Infection fighter
Anxiety R&R
Intestinal Soother
Powerhouse
First Defense
Childrens Mult-Vitamin
Go To Sleep Mix
Elderberry Syrup
Mens Miracle Mix
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Plant Medicine Summary: Elderberry

8/8/2016

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Elderberries are a MUST HAVE for your natural medicine cabinet. We LOVE Elderberry and use it all the time in syrups during cold season for our kids!
 
Brief History

Elder is one of the human race's oldest plant allies because it has been found in Stone Age sites. Elder was written of and used in the time of Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and through the centuries by many other ancient herbalists.
In Germany it was used as an ingredient in soups. Elder berries were listed in the official pharmacopoeias for a few years during the 19th century and the flowers for nearly a century long period, spanning the 19th and 20th centuries..

Until the end of the 19th century hot Elder berry wine was sold in the streets of London on cold nights and days to cheer travelers and workers. Cinnamon was often added to the wine to aid in the warming effects. Elder was used by the Native Americans in this continent had been using it for a long time also. Elder berries have been shown to have anti-viral qualities. There are extracts of Elder berries and/or flowers, and Elder berries combined with other herbs to help with the common cold and flu. These are available at herb stores everywhere.
www.herblegacy.com
 

How Do I Use It?

Our favorite way to use this is in syrup form, but you can also make a tea, tincture and glycerite with it. Whenever anyone starts to get the "sniffles", we will make Elderberry Syrup to give their immune system a boost and to keep from getting worse! Elderberry Syrup is our "Go-To" for our children!

Our Experience With It
"My 2 year old son would take this by the spoonfuls if I let him! The instant my kids have any sign of problems I always make Elderberry Syrup. The first year I used the Elderberry Syrup for my oldest boy. He had a tight cough and just wasn't improving with anything else we tried. After having him take the syrup faithfully for about 2-3 days, the congestion in his chest loosened, he was able to cough it all out and within 5 days of taking the syrup was out and playing like normal. He didn't get sick again all season long, I believe, from the way this helped to boost and support his immune system." - Andrea 

Few Properties of Elderberry

Anti viral = Defenses against viruses
Depurative = Helps cleanse waste products from our bodies
Diaphoretic = Induce involuntary perspiration that helps to reduce fever, cool the body, and speed the elimination of toxins
Diuretic = Stimulates the body to let go of fluid
Emetic = Can be used if taken in great quantities to make vomiting of poisonous substances

List found on http://www.anniesremedy.com
 
NMM Products With Elderberry

First Defense Cold & Flu - As soon as anyone starts "sniffling" and there is a flu bug going around, give this to them as their "first defense" to any illness.
Elderberry Syrup - The herbal combination we use most with our children!
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Plant Medicine Summary: Yarrow

8/8/2016

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Always say "yes!" to Yarrow! The benefits are out of this world... Check it out.
​

Brief History

It was considered a sacred plant in ancient China……Yarrow is native to Europe and western Asia, and grows wherever it is allowed to in Britain. It is believed that it is called Achillea because the legendary Greek hero Achilles is said to have staunched his soldiers’ wounds with this plant. In English it is also called Soldier’s Woundwort, which describes one of the uses yarrow was put to in the past. The Romans used it to heal wounds and staunch the flow of blood from wounds as well as the Greeks. They called it the Herbis Militaris or the military’s herb. In Scotland the plant was made into an ointment and used to dress wounds.
In the 17th century the leaves were used in salads and you can do this as long as you blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes, and then refresh them under cold water. “Yarrow was naturalized early in America, William Wood who traveled New England in 1629-66 spoke of perennial yarrow in gardens. Yarrow was an important medicine to keep on hand to stop bleeding and treat fevers.” (Anniesremedy.com). In North America it was widely used by the indigenous people and the Flathead Indians used to rub it under their armpits and elsewhere on their bodies as a deodorant.
Read full article here.
How Do I Use It?
Yarrow is excellent to use in order to treat colds and flu. A cup of hot tea will cause sweating so your body can get rid of toxins and reduce fevers. It is an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial. It helps relax the blood vessels. It is also good for cuts and wounds. Helps you relax at night for sleep.

Tea
  • Tea can be made from fresh leaves and flower heads or dry one. It does have a bitter taste, so be sure to add a sweetener as needed. 
  • Make a strong tea for a lovely foot soak.
Syrup
  •  A syrup can be made for children to use. This is probably the easiest way for children to take pretty much any herbal medicine.  
Tincture
  • Tinctures are a great application for long term storage and this source makes it ready to use. We keep droppers full of yarrow tincture to have on hand for bleeding, to calm nerves, to give a shot when someone has the sniffles, etc. 
Poultice
  •   Fresh leaves can be made into a poultice to help stop bleeding.
Steam
  • Yarrow works nicely for a cleansing facial steam. Put 1-2 tbls in a bowl or pan of hot water or lean over pan on stove on low. Cover your head with a towel while leaning over steaming water. Can add mint or rosemary.
Our Experience with it
  • We have used yarrow with pretty much ANY sickness that hits our households. We love to use it for fevers because of the beautiful way it helps to promote sweating to move the fever through the body. 
  • We rely heavily on yarrow as a "go-to" for sickness. Anytime anyone gets sick with pretty much anything, yarrow will help with fighting the infection, strengthening the immune system, controlling bleeding, controlling nerve function, etc.
  • We have also used it to settle an upset stomach.
  • We have used it in every "anti-plague" formula we have made for our families.
 Few Properties Of Yarrow
       Anti-Inflammatory = Decrease inflammation and inflation
       Anti-Bacterial =  Fights Infection
       Antispasmodic = Relax Muscle Cramps
       Astringent = Contricts tissues
       Cathartic = Laxative
       Depurative = Detoxifying blood purifier and cleanser
       Emmenagogue = Stimulate menstral Flow
       Febrifuge = Reduce Fever
       Hypotnsive = Lower Blood Pressure
       Insect Repellent
       
Vulnery = Supports cuts, scraps and wounds in healing

       Part of Plant Used
       Aerial parts which means everything above the ground.

 NMM Products With Yarrow

Yarrow Glycerite = Ready made glycerite to help with everything mentioned above!
Go To Sleep Mix = Herbal combination that is a nervine tonic.
Super Salve = Anytime anyone says "Ouch!" this salve can be used.
Lung & Brochial Infection Fighter = Herbal combination full of powerful deep nutrition to fight those deep infections.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Plant Medicine Summary: Dandelion

8/8/2016

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Dandelion is one of those plants that grows EVERYWHERE ... and people actually kill it! STOP SPRAYING YOUR DANDELION!! It has amazing nutritional and medicinal properties.

Brief History

The first mention of the Dandelion as a medicine is in the works of the Arabian physicians of the tenth and eleventh centuries, who speak of it as a sort of wild Endive. In this country, we find allusion to it in the Welsh medicines of the thirteenth century. Dandelion roots have long been largely used on the Continent, and the plant is cultivated largely in India as a remedy for liver complaints. Dandelion is a native of Europe. In India it is found through Himalayas.

How Do I Use It?

A very common plant, dandelion grows wild almost everywhere!  Nutritionally, the dandelion has remarkable value. It contains almost as much iron as spinach, four times Vitamin A content. An analysis of dandelion shows it to consist of protein, fat and carbohydrates. Its mineral and vitamin contents are calcium, phosphorus, iron, magnesium, sodium, Vitamin A and C. Folate, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Copper, Dietary Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E (Alpha Tocopherol), Vitamin K, Thiamin, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Calcium, Iron, Potassium and Manganese. http://www.herballegacy.com/Chhabra_History.html

It helps with acne, stimulates the digestive system and supports the liver. Aids in the treatment with bronchitis, sprains and bruises. It helps normalize hormone production. (Gladstar, Rosemary)

Tea
  • We use it mostly in teas because it is so plentiful and can be harvested so often! Tea can be made using leaves, flowers, roots.
Tincture 
  • Can be made into tincture for ease of use and long term storage.
Glycerite/Syrup
  • This is the perfect application to use with children.
Salve for sore muscles
  • This is nice warming salve. Very soothing and light. 
 
Our Experience With It
  • It has so many vitamins and minerals it works so great in a daily tea for vitamin supplement (and can be combined with so many other herbs). To improve your nutritional needs this is a great herb to use. We will combine it with nettle and the difference in how we feel after using that combination is amazing!
  • (Paula) "I have kidney stones from time to time. I have found that as soon as I feel one coming on, I start drinking Dandelion Tea and up to this point it has taken care of the problem within a couple of days. I love it for this!"
  • Dandelion is great to use if you need potassium.
  • We have also made dandelion jelly. It turns out so pretty and tastes a lot like honey. It has such a sweet mild taste. It is yummy!
 
Part of Plant Used:
       Roots, Leaves, Flowers

Few Properties Of Dandelion
  • Depurative - Detox
  • Diuretic - Eliminate fluid
  • Galacagogue – Increase breast milk
  • Stomachic – Aids the stomach
  • Tonic - Support Immune System
 
RECIPE - Dandelion Jelly (from Paula)

"I made this with one of our grandson’s. He was 6 when we did it. He loved it! It tastes a lot like a mild honey."
1. 
Fill a gallon bowl with dandelion flowers. Snip off the base as you use only the petals of the flowers.
2. Pour boiling water over the petals. Let sit overnight. The tea color from this should be a pretty yellow. Strain water off petals.

Needed: 1 ½ cups of water, 2 cups sugar, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice, ½ box pectin.
1. Mix everything in a saucepan.
2. Bring to boil and boil for 2 minutes.
3. Fill jars with mixture and can or refrigerate.

Caution
Dandelion is sprayed so much. Always make sure the dandelion greens and heads harvested have never been sprayed with herbicide.
 
NMM Mixes With Dandelion

Kidney Stone Herbal Soldiers - The herbs in this packet are specifically used in helping dissolve 'gravel' in the kidneys, have antiseptic effects, help to eliminate urinary tract infections, soothing and helps with toxin removal.

NOTE: We use dandelion we harvest ourselves so much in our daily teas, we would recommend doing that to everyone! That is the best way to use dandelion and reap the many benefits on a daily basis.

 
 
 
 
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Plant Medicine Summary: Nettle

7/26/2016

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​Nettle is Mother Nature's multivitamin.  We love this plant! It is one of the richest sources of chlorophyll in the vegetable kingdom. 

Brief History

“In ancient Egypt reports are found of the use of nettle infusion for the relief of arthritis and lumbago pains.
The Roman soldiers are said to have brought their own nettle to the British Isles to treat their tired, painful legs on long marches in the cold and wet climate by smacking their legs with the stinging leaves, thus stimulating the circulation.

Hippocrates (460-377 B.C.) and his followers reported 61 remedies using nettle. In the second century A.D., Galen, the Greek physician, recommended nettle in his book De Simplicibus as “a diuretic and laxative, for dog bites, gangrenous wounds, swellings, nose bleeding, excessive menstruation, spleen-related illness, pleurisy, pneumonia, asthma, and mouth sores.”

Apuleius Platonicus (circa 400 A.D.), in his book Herbarium of Apuleius, added nettle combined with hemp or cannabis to “treat symptoms of feeling cold after being burnt (shocked)”, and nettle by itself for “cold injury”.
Throughout the Dark Ages (fifth to tenth centuries) uses of nettle were expanded to include treatment of shingles, constipation, and “dry disease”, which probably meant problems with the sinuses or lungs, mucous membranes, and skin.

John Gerard (16th Century) used stinging nettle as an antidote for poison. Culpeper, (17th Century) the astrologer-physician, recommended a nettle and honey as a gargle for throat and mouth infections, “bladder stones or gravel, worms in children, an antiseptic for wounds and skin infections, gout, sciatica, joint aches, and as an antidote to venomous stings from animals”.

Phelps Brown (19th Century) suggested nettle internally as a diuretic and tonic.  He hailed it as a remedy for dysentery, hemorrhoids, bladder and kidney stones infant diarrhea and eczema.”
To read the whole report go to: http://herballegacy.com/Vance_History.html 


How Do I Use It?

As you have just read, nettles have a long history of use. It is filled with all kinds of vitamins and minerals.   The more we learn about it the more impressed we are with this little gem. It is like a vitamin supplement in a plant! These are some of the vitamins and minerals it has:  Contain tannic acid, lecithin, chlorophyll, iron, silicic acid, lime, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and vitamins A and C. . It contains fatty acids, carotenoids, calcium, iron, sodium, Vitamin A, Vit C.

Cooking
  • There are reports of the Romans eating nettles as food and using it in the boiling of meat to tenderize it.  It is used as a pot plant, used in soups, a tea, or the leaves can be used much like spinach.  Recommended to use young leaves (like spinach) cooked and seasoned with butter. Older leaves are very prickly, so use the young leaves!
    • Dried leaf can be sprinkled on food.
Fresh
  •  Use the raw leaves directly on the skin where it needs circulation. The pain from the nettle sting helps to do this.
Teas
  • Nettle is something that can be used for scurvy, anemia, and lack of energy. It has high iron, vitamin C, magnesium, and other nutrients. 
  • Tea is also great for houseplants because of all the nutrients it has.
  • Teas can be used to help increase milk in nursing mothers.
  • The tea is a great one to use to relax muscles. .
Animal Fodder
  • Stinging nettle has been used throughout history as animal fodder.
Juiced
  • The juice has been used as a hair rinse and to stimulate hair growth.  The leaf can be used for nosebleeds, excessive menstruation, and internal bleeding.
Syrup
  • .It is applied to burns and taken in syrup or tincture form treat the rash that the nettle gives.
Tincture
  • Nettle tincture can be used for allergy preventative. Needs to start a good month before allergy season. Also helps with symptoms of sinus infections. It is a natural decongestant.
Our Experience with it
  • (Paula) "Nettle is an amazing herb – I think I keep saying that! My primary use has been as a tea. It is amazing what a difference it makes in the way I feel, my energy and vitality are increased when I drink it."
  • We use this plant as a base in our daily multivitamin teas. 
  • It can help nursing mothers produce milk. It stimulate the digestive glands of the stomach, intestines, liver, pancreas, and gall bladder.  Nettle stimulates the lymph system, support adrenals, helps cramping, reduces hypertension, helps with gastrointestinal disease, IBS and constipation, supports the endocrine system by helping the thyroid, spleen and pancreas
  • It contains antihistamines and anti-inflammatories that open up constricted bronchial and nasal pages. It also helps with asthma.
  • It helps with arthritis symptoms because of its anti-inflammatory properties.
  • Using a cup of nettle tea in the morning and in the night helps relieve water retention and nourishes the kidneys.
  • Supports the adrenals and feeds the kidney’s.
  • Because of its high nutritional value it helps female system.
  • It is a great animal fodder.
  • Historically considered a poor man’s health builder because it grows freely.​ 

Few Properties Of Nettle
       Analgesic – Relieves Pain
       Anodyne – Soothes Pain
       Astringent – Tightens Tissues
       Depurative - Detox
       Diuretic – Eliminate fluid
       Tonic – Support Immune System
This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/

Caution
  • The nettle leave will cause a rash. Interestingly the juice from the leaf is the antidote. Sage, rosemary and mint also.
  • When nettle is dried, it looses most of its sting. I use it after I have gathered and dried it.

 
 NMM Products With Nettle

Powerhouse - Excellent combination of herbs for after doing physical exercise or hard physical labor to replenish the body with nutrients needed. 
Children's multivitamin - Powerful set of herbs to boost the health of your child. 
Anxiety R&R - Very strong combination of deeply nourishing herbs to help the body overcome anxiety. 

 
 

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Plant Medicine Summary: Red Raspberry

7/25/2016

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Red Raspberry Leaf is also in our "TOP TEN" herbs that we use all the time. We especially use it as part of our daily tea because of the high amount of vitamins and nutrients it possesses. 

Brief History
Red raspberry fruit and leaf has been used as medicine for centuries. The therapeutic use of raspberry leaf was first described in 1597 in a book called “The Herbal,” or “A General History of Plants. (www.webmed.com ) In the middle ages it was well known as a female tonic. The leaves are still used in herbal teas or tisane to sooth the digestive system and to help soothe menstrual cramps.

How Do I Use It?
This plant was made for girls! It helps at all ages and stages of life. Helps with heavy periods and crazy hormones at that time of the month.  It is high in magnesium, potassium, iron, b-vitamins, vitamin C, calcium and phosphorus. Because of these vitamins and minerals it helps with anxiety and hormone issues. The tannins soothe inside and out. It helps with bed wetting, calms diarrhea, stomach problems and colds. Oh and almost forgot – sore throats too! It is a great herb.

Dried
  • The fresh leaves might bother stomachs. It is better to make sure the leaves are totally dry then use them. 
Tea
  • Can use the tea to gargle if experiencing a sore throat. Use 3 tbs dried leaf (herb) per quart of water, strain and gargle.
  • You can also use the tea on skin irritations and rashes – it is very soothing. To make it for this use 3 tbs dried herb per quart of water.
  • Have someone struggling with bed wetting take this tea as their daily regime during dinner time. 
  • We love it as a tea with a little sweetener in it lemon added is yummy too. You can add a little orange peel and rosehips to up the vitamins. You can also combine it with blackberry leaves for a little different taste.
Tincture
  • This can be tinctured for to have for on the go.

Our Experience With It
  • (Paula) "Red Raspberry  Leaf tea is one of my favorites. It is the first store bought packaged herbal tea I ever used. Several years ago we put in raspberry bushes and I was totally excited when I realized the leaves were the same thing that I had been purchasing and started making my own. I drink several cups of this tea a week."
  • It settles the stomach if anyone ever feels a little off. 
  • Helps with diarrhea.
  • (Paula) "I was having awful periods – heavy flow, cramping, etc. It was to a point I couldn’t leave the house. When I discovered red raspberry leaf, my life changed during that “time of the month!” I could be live life again!"
  • When in the habit of taking it everyday, it makes a huge difference with the up's and down's of hormone levels. It is also amazing to help prepare your body for child birth AS WELL AS menopause!

Few Properties of Red Raspberry Leaf
Anti-Cancer – May help in lessening cancer
Astringent - The tannins give astringent properties are tightening and soothing
Diuretic – Stimulates the body to let go of fluid
Febrifuge – Reduce fever
Parturient – Promotes and eases childbirth
Stomachic – Helps relieve stomach pain and cramping
Tonic – Supports the Immune System
Uterine tonic – Helps with girl problems

List found on http://www.anniesremedy.com
 
Recipe:
Red Raspberry Tea
Pour one cup boiling water over 1 Tablespoon dried red raspberry leaves. Cover and let steep for about 20 minutes. Sweeten. You can add lemon, orange, mint, ginger, or any other culinary herbs that you personally like.
  • In season make a quart of this at a time and cool in the fridge, add fresh berries to it for a cool soothing summer drink.

 NMM Products With Red Raspberry Leaf

Anxiety R&R Tea - Amazing combination of herbs to help with anxiety issues. It is a tea that we have used on a daily basis!

Powerhouse - Powerful combination of herbs that restore energy and nutrients after exercise, hard physical labor, etc.
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Plant Medicine Summary: Lemon Balm

7/25/2016

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Lemon Balm is part of the mint family and just tastes amazing for teas. But the medicinal qualities are out of this world...

Brief History (Also known as Melissa)

Lemon Balm is referred to in ancient Greek writings. During Medieval and Renaissance ages it is mentioned as well.  “In the ninth century, the first Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne thought Melissa (Lemon Balm) so beautiful and so valuable to the health of his subjects that he ordered it planted in all monastery gardens.  Benedictine monks later shipped the herb to other regions…” Arabians are thought to be the first to have introduced lemon balm’s many uses to the European countries…It was used for dressing wounds and as a general panacea or tonic, but the monks are more well known for using lemon balm to create perfumes and liquors which were very popular among the people of Medieval and early Renaissance periods.

Lemon balm was one of these herbs the colonists brought with them to the new world. “They used lemon balm for cooking & flavoring, for beverages such as teas and wines, medicine, cosmetic and house- hold uses such as cleaning and scenting….There are records of Thomas Jefferson growing lemon balm at

Monticello.
http://www.herballegacy.com/Morrison_History.html
 
How Do I Use It?
Lemon Balm is used to help with anxiety, skin ailments, nausea, colds, sore throats, cold sores, blood pressure, helps improve indigestion, insect bites and painful periods.

Tea
  • Make tea and drink several times a day to help give peace and relief from anxiety. Truly a remarkable herb! 1 teas dried herb to  cup water. Has a wonderful taste as well. 
  • Combined with Valerian Root – it makes a great sleeping aid.
Tincture
  • Tinctures are so great to use especially when you are on the go and don’t have time for a brew of the tea. You can put the tincture in your purse and have it with you, all the time. 
Salve
  • Muscles and Nerves - Lemon Balm is a wonderful salve to help aching muscles or calm nerves.
  • Cystic acne – see below under experiences.
Food
  • You can use it to flavor any dishes that need a lemon seasoning.

Our Experience with it

We love this herb because it has helped us and our families so much. All of us grow lemon balm.
  • Skin Ailments - used it for cold sores and skin rashes.
  • Eczema - Takes about 10 days to clear it up.
  • Cystic Acne -  (Paula) "Our youngest daughter had cystic acne. We tried doctors, medications, washes, if it is out there, we have tried it. We made some salve a couple of summers ago and we knew it was supposed to help with scaring. So she decided to experiment with it on her face. She kept her same routine except using this for her moisturizer. Within about 4 weeks, her face was clear without more cystic acne. Her skin is beautiful! I am so happy we found his wonderful herb to use in our salves."
  • Tea - This is our "go-to" application for Lemon Balm. It makes a lovely tea. We use it to help especially during stress times. Sweeten it with honey.
  • Can use the tea in a spray bottle for sunburns.
  • It helps all kinds of nerve problems.
  • Can also use it in making soap.
 
Properties of Lemon Balm
  • Anodyne – Relieves or soothes pain
  • Antibacterial
  • Antidepressant 
  • Antispasmodic – Reduce muscular spasm
  • Anti Oxidant
  • AntiViral – Defense against virus
  • Diaphoretic – Causes sweating for body to detoxify
  • Emmenagogue – Stimulate menstrual flow
  • Febrifuge – Reduce fever
  • Hypotensive – Lower Blood pressure
  • Nervine- Acts upon the nervous system as a tonic
  • Stomach – Stimulates stomach digestion
This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/

Lemon Balm Tea
Pour one cup boiling water on lemon balm leaves. Fresh or dried can be used. Fresh will be more potent. Let steep for 20 minutes with a plate on the cup. If it isn’t strong enough for you, add more leaves. Sweeten with honey or agave. Can also add cinnamon or other culinary spices you like.

Caution
  • No side effects.
  • Considered safe even for babies.

 
 NMM Mixes With Lemon Balm

Anxiety R&R - Special combination of herbs for those suffering from anxiety. Tonic for the nervous system.
Hand and Finger Repair - Unique blend of plant medicine in a salve, especially good for those with diabetes.
Powerhouse - Excellent and powerful blend of herbs to help after exercise, hard labor, heat stroke, getting energy, etc. 

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Plant Medicine Summary: Comfrey

7/25/2016

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Comfrey is amazing! It looks like a jungle plant and is amazing for cell repair. 

Brief History: 

Known as “knit-bone” because it was used to heal fractures. 

Dioscorides, an ancient Greek botanic physician, documents the use of comfrey in treating the armies of Alexander the Great…..During the Middle Ages in Europe, Catholic monks became the primary physicians of their day. What they couldn’t gather through wild crafting, they grew in their monastery gardens. In the New World, comfrey was among those medicinal plants the early settlers relied upon to treat their many and varied illnesses. While Joseph Busch was head gardener at the palace of Catherine the Great at St. Petersburg, Russia….was so impressed that he sent several plants to his native land of England. Prior to the nineteenth century, the Turks and Saracens used comfrey to heal wounds received in battle.
To read full article: http://herballegacy.org/Ollman_History.html.

How Do I Use It?

Comfrey is a great herb! It helps promote healing of bones and muscles. It helps with arthritis, bruises, sprains, knees, sore throats, eczema, skin care, burns, sunburns, soothes mucous membranes and respiratory issues.

Salves
  • Comfrey root infused in oils makes a wonderful salve for skin issues such as burns, minor scrapes, flea and insect bites. It also is a wonderful help for sprains and bruises.
Compresses
  • Compresses help skin irritations and other skin problems. Soak a cloth in a strong tea (1 cup dried to 1 cup water) of the leaf and or root. Apply directly to hurt skin area.
Teas
  • Use as a tea when your body, muscles or bones needs to be knit back together again! Internally use 1 teas dried herb to 1 cup water. 
  • You can use this as a skin wash for affected skin. Great for eczema.
  • Teas work great for the treatment of burns, skin ulcerations, abrasions, lacerations, flea and insect bites.
  • Use for coughs and sore throats.
Liniment
  • Use as a liniment for sore muscles, broken bones.
  • Fresh leaves can be applied to bruises, fractures, sprains, and other injuries.
Bath
  • Use comfrey leaves in a muslin bag and put in bath when skin needs healing.
Fresh
       Fresh leaves can be applied to sprains and bruises. Also a nice addition to a fracture, once it has been set.

Our Experience With It:
  • We have used it as a salve for sunburns, burns, scraps, eczema, all kinds of skin issues. It really helps support your body to feel better fast!
  • We make a tea then put it in a spray bottle to use on sunburns.
  • (Paula) "A friend of mine was in the mountains and his son broke his arm. They found some comfrey and wrapped the arm. By the time they got out of the mountains the next day and found a dr. the arm had already started to knit itself back together again."
  • (Paula) "I hurt my ankle when I fell down the stairs. I made a poultice and put it on my ankle and wrapped it with an ace bandage. I was able to walk on my foot in about 3 days a little bit. By a week I was back together again."
  • Some people make a tea and drink it as well as make a poultice when they have severe injury. 
  • It is great to help give nitrogen to your plants. I grow it in our yard so I can cut it off and use it for this. It has such deep roots it has all kinds of minerals in it. I cut off the leaves and lay them on the ground and chop them into the dirt. I also make comfrey tea and water my outside plants with it.

Few Properties Of Comfrey
  • Antioxidant - Antioxidants help to control or elimination of free radicals
  • Astringent - Draw together or constrict body tissues
  • Demulcent - Soothes irritated body tissues
  • Emollient - Soothes and protect irritated or inflamed skin Also moisturizing.
  • Exportant - Expectorants help loosen congestion
  • Vulnerary - Heals Cuts, Wounds, Sores 
​This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/    

Part of Plant Used:
  • Roots and Leaves

CAUTION:
  • Do not put in open wound. Comfrey is known as bone knitter for good reason. If you have an open wound it needs to heal from the inside out.
  • There are studies done that show that mice have liver problems after eating a steady diet of comfrey after 6 weeks. Because of this study it has been said it hurts your liver. If all you ate was comfrey for 6 weeks it probably would do the same to you! In the late 1970s experimental data showed lab rats fed comfrey 3 to 4 times their body weight over a long period of time developed liver damage. It would take a human drinking 3 to 4 cups of comfrey tea for 140 years to achieve the same effect. No need to be scared to take comfrey internally, but make sure you aren't drinking gallons of comfrey tea for an extended period of time.(Duke,James, Ph.D.)
 
Where to get it
  • This grows so great in your yard. All it needs is dirt. There is more information in Herbs 201, but one place to get it is in your yard!
  • It is available in bulk at the health food store.
​

NMM Products With Comfrey
Finger and Hand Repair - specifically formulated for those with diabetes who have to "poke"  their hands often.
Super Salve - This salve is used anytime anyone says, "Ouch!".  Cuts, scrapes, bruises, insect bites, etc.



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Plant Medicine Summary: Garlic

7/25/2016

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We love garlic! Did you know you can put crushed up garlic in gel capsules as soon as you get sick to give your immune system a boost?? Well, find out more about the magical plant medicine of garlic...

Brief History:

Garlic has been known has one of the oldest known horticultural crops in the Old World. Egyptian and Indian cultures referred to garlic 5000 years ago. There is clear historical evidence for its use by the Babylonians 4500 years ago. The Chinese 2000 years ago. Garlic was given to the laborers and slaves who were building the great pyramids in order to increase their stamina and strength as well as to protect them from disease. The bible mentions garlic (Numbers 11:5). French priests of the Middle Ages used garlic to protect themselves against bubonic plague.

During World War I, European soldiers prevented infection by putting garlic directly on their wounds. Garlic's popularity began to wane in the beginning of the 20th century, and by WW II it was found garlic in restaurants and gourmet shops.  Today, after close to 6000 years of folklore, scientific research shows that garlic is an amazing resource of phytochemicals (botanicals) whose wide range of actions can benefit health. Studies show that garlic protects against infection and inflammation, lowers the risk of heart disease, and has anti-cancer and anti-aging effects. To sum up garlic was prized for its antimicrobial effects long before microbes were even discovered.

Read the full article here: http://www.herballegacy.com/Motteshard_History.html 
 
How Do I Use Garlic? (Similar to onion)
Helps aid congestion, earaches, compresses for skin problems such as acne and arthritis. Helps heal pulled or torn muscles. Aids in lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. It is a natural blood thinner. It is a great antiviral and so it helps with bronchitis, allergies and asthma. Improves digestion of meat and other heavy foods. It is said that it helps with cancer.

Cooking

  • Add it to everything during the winter to help support your immune system. However much you normally use, double it. (2 cloves a day are considered a medicinal dose. http://www.herballegacy.com/Motteshard_History.html)
  • To maximize its benefits, chop and let sit for 15 mins at room temperature before cooking with it. This allows the natural juices to be released before cooking. 
  • You can crush or mince garlic and put it in melted butter and warm it and use it as a nice bread spread.
  • To make it more palatable, mash the garlic cloves with a spoonful of honey.

Poultice
  • Chop into fine pieces, mix with honey and use on burns.

Broth
  • Garlic based broth is as effective or more than chicken soup.
Spray Insectide
  • For an Insecticide, blend 5 garlic cloves in blender 2 cups water. Strain and put in sprayer bottle for insecticide. The smell goes away after and few minutes and you are left bug free –repeat as needed.
  • Crushed and put on the ground around plants will deter slugs.
Other
  • We also put it in our fire cider. A great preventative and when you get sick concoction – recipe at the end of this section.
  • A webinar by David Christopher said to use it as an antibiotic you would need to ingest about 17 small cloves a day for 10 days.
  • Can crush up garlic and put it in capsules. Take two morning, noon and night when you feel like you are getting sick. This will give your immune system a HUGE boost!
 
Our Experience with it
  • We have used it for earaches – it is soothing. However it can bother tender skin, so onions are usually better for children.
  • It is a great booster for your immune system when there are bugs going around, if you prefer to take it by capsules, get the odorless capsules or you will smell like Italian food!
  • (Paula) "I have made a poultice with diced garlic by combining it with honey. I then use it to put on the bottom of my feet with socks on while sleeping when I am sick."
  • During the winter we put it in all of our food that w emake that it can go in, such as main dishes, soups, meats, casseroles, etc.
  • As a poultice for burns.


Few Properties of Garlic
  • Anti-bacterial – Helps eliminate bacteria
  • Anti-fungal – Inhibit fungus
  • Anti-parasite - Supports body in getting rid of parasites
  • Antirheumatic – Aids treatment of rheumatism issues
  • Antispasmodic – Calms Muscles
  • Diaphoretic – Induces Perspiration
  • Emmenagogue – Stimulates menstrual flow
  • Expectorant – Expels Mucous
  • Galactagogue – Stimulate lactation
  • Vulnary - Useful in healing wounds
This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/

Part of Plant Used:

  • Bulb

Caution –
  • In some people it can cause tummy troubles or heartburn, if this happens, use less!
  • If on blood thinners, use in moderation.
 
NMM Products With Garlic

Fire Cider Tonic - A tonic for the whole body to get rid of toxins. Use one teaspoon of this daily to aid your body in removal of toxins

 
 
 
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Plant Medicine Summary: Onions

7/25/2016

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Of course we love using onions for cooking... but did you know you can use raw onion juice for earaches? They are a magical plant that help SO many ailments. 

Brief History

There are over 500 varieties of onions. They originated in Iran and West Pakistan and most researchers agree that onions have been cultivated for 5000 or more years. The bible mentions the Israelites ate them and they were brought aboard the Mayflower with the Pilgrims. During World War II the Russian soldiers were so taken with onions ability to prevent infection, that they applied onions to battle wounds as an antiseptic.   .http://www.herballegacy.com/Wilson_History.html

How Do I Use Them?

Helps aid congestion, earaches, compresses for skin problems such as acne, boils and arthritis. Helps heal pulled or torn muscles. Aids in lowering blood pressure, cholesterol and helps cardiovascular. It is a great antiviral and supports the body in fighting bronchitis, asthma, colds, flu’s and sinus problems. It open the lungs and helps breathing, Helpful with allergies and yeast infection.

With all the things that onion supports – it is a great food to add to your food preparation.

Raw
  • Raw onions can be used to make syrups and poultices. Syrup for coughing and sore throats. Simply place a raw onion in a pan on low and pour 1/8-1/4 cup honey on it. Let simmer for 45 minutes covered. This pulls out the onion juice and makes a syrup. We have used this for small children often! We have also used onion syrup for babies, but instead of using honey, we have used sugar as the sweetener. 
  • Put onion juice directly on a burn.
  • Put raw onion juice in your ear for an earache. Simply blend up an onion (do not add water, just the plain onion), then strain the juice. 
Poultice
  • Chop onion and mix with honey to make a thick paste. You can also do it without honey. Put mixture on sprain or sore muscle. Wrap with ace bandage, especially at bedtime. Put a lose sock on to help hold in place.
  • Make a poultice and put directly on a burn.
Cooked
  • This is a star of herbs – it can be used in most foods – soups, main dishes etc. It is something that can really boost your nutrition as you use it on a daily basis.
My Experience with it
  • (Paula) "Our daughter was in the 5th grade and participating in 5th grade track day at the end of the school year. She twisted her ankle at practice. I had to pick her up because she couldn’t walk. She was in tears because she loved doing this and was good at the races. By the time we got home, it was beginning to swell and bruise.   We chopped up an onion, mixed it with honey and put it on her ankle and wrapped it with an ace bandage. We changed it about every 3 hours. Then she slept on it that night. When she woke up the next day she could walk, the swelling was reduced and the bruising was down. She went to school and competed in the race and won! I am not suggesting that it would happen this fast for everyone because injuries are in different levels. But for her it was a wonderful blessing."
  • When someone feels like they are getting sick, we cut an onion and put it in the room where they are sleeping. It absorbs the gunk in the air.
  • (Andrea) "My husband has had earaches for years and used all kinds of things. When he married me he found out about using onion juice and it has helped more than anything else he has used. As soon as he feels like an earache is coming on, we put onion juice in his ear a couple of times and 90% of the time it is cleared up by the next day!"
  • If the ear is really hurting. Slice an onion and warm it in the microwave. Ask the person to lay ear up that is hurting. Put the onion right on the ear. The warm and the onion s oils released by the steam give really fast relief.
  • A friend had a boil near her eye. Swelling the side of her face and eye socket. She used an onion poultice and it helped the boil draw and swelling go down.

 
 Properties of Onion
  • Anti-bacterial – Helps eliminate bacteria
  • Anti-fungal – Inhibit fungus
  • Anti-parasite - Supports body in getting rid of parasites
  • Antirheumatic – Aids treatment of rheumatism issues
  • Antispasmodic – Calms Muscles
  • Diaphoretic – Induces Perspiration
  • Emmenagogue – Stimulates menstrual flow
  • Expectorant – Expels Mucous
  • Galactagogue – Stimulate lactation
  • Vulnary - Useful in healing wounds
This list is from http://www.anniesremedy.com/

Part of Plant Used:
       Bulb
      Top In Cooking

Recipe
(Paula) "Our darling grandson was 6 weeks old and was coughing so hard with a bug that he was throwing up. He was too little for cough syrup. We cut an onion up and put it in a small pan with ½ cup of sugar, cooked it for 30 minutes on very low heat. The onion liquefied and the sugar melted into the onion liquid. We strained it and gave him about ¼ of a tsp. His cough settled right down. We gave it to him every time the coughing spasms would start. After a few hours his coughing was only to cough stuff up. It was amazing. When we made this we were tempted to add water – the onion was just in with the sugar and we were afraid it would burn. We put it on medium low and it was amazing how fast the onion turned to liquid. It doesn’t need any water."

Where to get them:
Onions can be bought at the supermarket or farmers market. You can buy in bulk because they store well. You can also dry them. They are easy to grow and we highly recommend to grow your own!

NMM Products With Onion

Fire Cider - Tonic for getting rid of toxins throughout the body. Age old recipe that is very potent but very effective!


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