Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Herbal Remedies and Medicine: Let the Learning Begin!


...their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine.
-Ezekiel 47:12


Herbs. So many folks I talk to these days are interested in growing them. Cooking them. Using them. I'll admit: I'm one of those people. Herbs thrill me. This spring, here's what I have working:

Lemon Balm
Basil
Cinnamon Basil
Thyme
Mint
Garlic Chives
Rosemary
Greek Oregano

In other words, fairly standard culinary herbs. Nothing much to see there. But here... oh!... here's what I want to add:

Lavender
Calendula
Dill
Catnip
Hyssop
Chamomile
Fennel

At least. That's my working list. 

Here is my ultimate goal: herbal remedies. Eleven years ago, I read one of my favorite books in the history of books. It's called A Still Small Voice. And ever since I read that book, I've wanted to be an herbalist. Not as a profession, necessarily, but as a skilled and knowledgeable woman learned in God's creation and dedicated to applying it to health and wholeness.
  
Thus far I've mastered an anti-itch tonic using thyme. (Get my "recipe" here.) But there's so much more I'm eager to learn! I want to whip up salves and lotions, set herbal soaps, take herbal teas and tinctures,  and bottle herbal syrups. Am I alone in this? I don't think I'm alone in this.



In asking around, I  heard this is an excellent book to begin with: Herbal Recipes for Whole Health. I also found that The Herbal Home Remedy Book is perfect for beginners:


I say we learn this. Together!  I'm so curious to hear from all of you regarding homemade, natural and herbal beauty products, cleaners, medicines and concoctions. Please join me over at the Messy, Thrilling Life Community and let's talk Herbal Remedies and Medicines. Let the Learning Begin! If you're looking for or have tips, recipes, methods, or herbal wisdom to share, please come over.  Hope to see you there! (Scroll down once you click the link above; I've shared my anti-itch "recipe" there, too, in case you're interested.)

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5 comments:

Anonymous said...

Brin, thanks so much for writing this post, I am glad to know I'm not the only one.
Can't wait to dive in and get learning more...
Also I'm really loving the forum you've set up, what a great idea!

Unknown said...

I'm a big time herbie! In fact, I just bought some pineapple sage, oh my, do treat yourself! Not only does the plant smell just like pineapple but it blooms pretty red spikes that the hummers love and I use the leaves to make a tangy jelly, even thinking about a pesto this year?

Chanda said...

Me too Brin. I am so interested in learning all I can about herbs. I bought a book from Amazon last month as it was recommended as a keeper for a go to book when you have a problem. The book is called Jude's Herbal Home Remedies. I'll be sure to take a look at your books also. My favorite home remedy book is from the early 1900's and has so much old fashioned advice and evn how to prepare a body for burial....eek! Many blessing to you, and soon you'll have catnip, calendula and chamomile growing every where you don't want it to. ha ha just wait and see. I learn the hard way also.

Donnie said...

I have a lovely herbal pillow with lavender in it and during my chemo it was something I hugged and breathed the aroma in slowly. It was so calming. I'm doing good and I definitely would love to see more on herbs.

Anonymous said...

Learning herbal medicine is very complex and requires a lot of dedicated study. Especially if you're wanting to learn about medicinal chinese herbs. The best books for that are the ones by Steven Buhner, master herbalist. Although to sell internal medicinal herbal remedies, legally you should become a master herbalist first (generally 8 yrs of study) to avoid legal trouble. There are many good books for natural medicine though like The Herbal Medicine Makers Handbook and The Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine.