CHAMOMILE FLOWER

Matricaria Recutita

Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic,

anti-bacterial and anti-fungal

 

Traditional Uses:

Anti-inflammatories similar in action to that of non-steroidal medication. Nausea, insomnia, muscular pain, colic, nervous disorders. Useful as mouth wash.

 

Directions to use:

Infusion: Pour 375ml cups of boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of flowers. Steep for 10min. Strain and drink three times per day.

Bath: Boil 1 cup of flowers with 2L of water for steaming and washing hair and face.

 

Safety precautions:

Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use. If allergic to members of the Daisy family plant, including ragweed, should not use. Can interact with warfarin or other blood thinning medication.

lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Carminative, nervine,

anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant,

diaphoretic, anti-microbial, hepatic.

 

Traditional Uses:

Beneficial in the treatment of panic attacks, restlessness, irritability, despair, fear, nervousness, and heart spasms. May help relieve tension, insomnia and stress reactions and may aid concentration and memory. It may have a tonic effect on the heart and circulatory system, causing mild vaso-dilation of the peripheral vessels, causing lower blood pressure. May be useful in people suffering from spasms in the digestive tract and for flatulent dyspepsia. Especially where it’s associated with anxiety and depression. May be effective against Herpes simplex. May be used to treat muscle spasms associated with colds and flu. May help with heartburn, digestion of heavy foods, flatulence, and colic. Can be used to ease the itching of chickenpox. Strong antioxidant.

 

Directions to use:

Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2-3 teaspoons of herb. Stand for 10-15min, well covered because of the oils that are lost through the steam. Drink in the morning and evening.

For cold sores: Make a strong infusion of balm and use the liquid in a compress.

 

Safety precautions:

Should be avoided by people on thyroid medication as it may inhibit the absorption of this medication. Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use.

nettle tea bags

Urtica dioica

Diuretic, expectorant, pain reliever

and tonic, anti-rheumatic.

 

Traditional Uses:

The key action is cleansing and detoxifying but are one of the most widely applicable plants we have. It strengthens and supports the whole body. Specific in child wood eczema and nervous eczema. Essential for gout, arthritis. Poor kidney function and fluid retention. Eases hay fever, asthma, eczema, and allergic disorders. Treats anemia and sciatica. Reduces mucus in lungs and bronchial catarrh. Improves breast milk production. Reduce an enlarged and painful prostate. For internal hemorrhage. Dysentery, jaundice, and infertility. Makes a great tonic after the winter as they are one of the best sources of minerals. Nettle root has been used in early stages of benign prostatic hyperplasia. It improves urine flow, reduces urinary frequency and nocturia, and decreases the volume of residual urine.

 

Directions to use:

Leaves: Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1-3 teaspoons of herb. Let it infuse for 10 - 15min. Strain and drink three times per day.

 

Safety precautions:

Fresh nettle causes urticaria if applied topically. Internal use may theoretically decrease the efficacy of anticoagulant drugs. Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use.

rosehip tea bags

Rosa canina

Diuretic, good source of Vit. C.

 

Traditional Uses:

Use as a defense against infections like bronchial infections and colds, as it is a good source of Vit. C. Makes an excellent spring tonic and will boost the body. Use for general debility and exhaustion. Will help in cases of constipation and diarrhea. To treat mild gall bladder, kidney, and bladder problems.

 

Directions to use:

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 2 teaspoons of chopped rose hips. You can use rose hips with or without their seeds. Steep and cover for 15min. Strain and drink.

 

Safety precautions:

High in vitamins. Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use.

peppermint tea bags

Mentha piperita

Carminative, anti-spasmodic,

digestive aid, anti-inflammatory,

aromatic, diaphoretic, antiemetic,

nervine, anti-microbial, analgesic.

 

Traditional Uses:

Best carminative agents available. May have a relaxing effect on visceral muscles. For flatulence and to stimulate bile and digestive juice secretion. May be useful for persons suffering from intestinal colic, flatulent dyspepsia, and irritable bowel syndrome.  May help to relieve vomiting due to pregnancy and travel sickness. May be useful in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Prescribed medicinally for queasiness, vomiting and diarrhea, stomach ulcers and colic nerve pains. May be used to treat lack of appetite. As a nervine it may act as a tonic, easing anxiety, tension, and hysteria. For rheumatism. For under active gall bladder. Good during colds and flu, fever, and for nasal catarrh. May be beneficial in the treatment of painful periods and nervous headaches. It may assist in keeping the mind clear, as well as assisting memory and calming exam-time nerves.

 

Directions to use:

Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1 heaped teaspoon of herb. Let it infuse for 10min. Strain and drink as often as desired.

 

Safety precautions:

Do not give to children under 3 years. Peppermint can reduce milk flow in nursing mothers. Safe to use during pregnancy or breastfeeding. Consult with a medical practitioner before use.

St john's wort

tea bags

Hypericum perforatum

Anti-inflammatory, astringent,

vulnerary, nervine, antimicrobial.

 

Traditional Uses:

Helps to ease fibrositis. Used for neuralgic pain, sciatica, and rheumatic pain. It may have sedative and pain-relieving effect. Used for neuralgia, anxiety, tension, and similar problems. For sleeplessness, decreased vitality, bed-wetting, depression, neuritis. Use for injured nerves and nervous affections. Used for irritability and anxiety caused by menopausal changes. As a tonic for the liver and gall bladder. Stimulates gastric and bowel secretions. Beneficial to strengthen the female organs and promote regular menstruation during puberty.

 

Directions to use:

Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of herb. Leave for 10-15min. Strain and drink three times per day.

 

Safety precautions:

Do not take with other anti-depressants unless under medical supervision. May increase sensitivity to sunlight. It can interact with some drugs including anti-depressants, birth control pills, and anti-coagulants. Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use.

sage tea bags

Salvia officinalis

Acts as antifungal and antiseptic,

anti-hydrotic, anti-microbial,

anti-septic, anti-microbial,

anti-spasmodic, astringent, carminative, emmenagogue, estrogenic, relaxant.

 

Traditional Uses:

May help to reduce excessive lactation in nursing mothers or when breast feeding is stopped. May be used for night sweats (especially during menopause), excessive salivation, perspiration, anxiety, depression, female sterility, and menopausal problems. May be beneficial in the treatment of indigestion, dyspepsia, and flatulence. Supportive properties for the liver, biliousness, and thyroid fever. May have supportive benefits for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, and loss of memory. For kidney trouble, hemorrhage from the lungs and stomach. Can be used for sore throats, coughs, asthma, and head colds. May be beneficial for calming and stimulating the nervous system. Rheumatism and rhinitis. May be useful in treatment of bleeding teeth as well as ulcerated or receding gums.

 

Directions to use:

Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of herb. Infuse for 10-15 min. Strain and drink. Do not take for extended periods of time.

 

Safety precautions:

Do not use if pregnant or lactating. Consult with a medical practitioner before use. Interferes with the absorption of iron and other minerals when taken internally and decreases milk supply in nursing mothers. Stay within recommended dosages, do not use for prolonged periods. Can increase blood pressure.