The Everything Guide to Herbal Remedies (38 page)

Start with bulk herbs (fresh is best) and chop them finely. Put them into a clean glass jar and add enough alcohol—80- or 100-proof vodka, gin, or brandy—to cover them with about 2 or 3 inches of fluid. Cover with a tight-fitting lid, place the jar in a warm, dark spot, and leave it there for four to six weeks—the longer, the better.

Once a day, shake the jar to keep the herbs from settling at the bottom.

When the time is up, strain the herbs and discard them. Transfer the tincture to a small glass bottle (ideally one with a dropper, which makes it easier to get the right dose). Stored properly, it will keep for two years or longer. Be sure to keep tinctures out of the reach of children.

Herbal oils can be used alone or as a base for creams or ointments. There are two ways to make infused oils: using the sun or using the stove. You can use many types of vegetable oil as your base—coconut
(Cocos nucifera)
and almond
(Prunus dulcis)
are popular choices—and add an equal amount of cocoa
(Theobroma cacao)
butter to thicken the mixture, if you like (this works best with the stovetop method).

Place a handful of dried herbs into a clean, clear glass jar and fill the jar with oil (you’ll use about 2 ounces, or 8 tablespoons, of herbs per pint of oil). Cover tightly and place in a warm sunny spot. Leave it there for two weeks. When the time is up, pour the mixture through a piece of cheesecloth or muslin, making sure to wring the cloth tightly and catch every last drop of oil.

Discard the herbs and replace them with a new batch, then let the oil and herbs steep for another two weeks. Transfer to clean glass bottles. Stored correctly, infused oils will last several months.

If you don’t have a lot of sunshine (or a month to wait), you can make your oil on the stove using a double boiler. Put the herbs and oil into the top section, fill the bottom with water, and bring it to a low boil. Let the oil simmer gently for 30 to 60 minutes, checking frequently to make sure the oil isn’t overheating (it will start to smoke if that’s the case). The lower and longer you let it simmer, the better your oil will be.

Here’s one recipe to try:

Ointments, also known as salves, are thick, oil-based preparations used to treat superficial wounds (like scrapes, burns, and insect bites) and soothe aching muscles and joints. Here’s how to make them:

1. Start with an infused oil (see above) that’s been strained. Put the oil into a small pan and add grated beeswax—¼ cup per cup of infused oil. Heat on low, until the beeswax is completely melted, then remove from the heat.

2. Test a small amount for consistency by putting it into the freezer for a minute or two to cool it. If it seems too hard (you can’t spread it easily), heat it again and add more oil. If it’s too oily, reheat and add more beeswax.

3. When you’ve got the consistency you want, transfer the ointment to clean glass jars. Stored properly, ointments will last several months.

Try this recipe:

Herbs make a great addition to your personal care routine and can be incorporated into toners and astringents, moisturizers, and powders.

Herbs with astringent, or drying, properties can be used to cleanse and refresh the skin and to gently remove excess oil. Here’s how to make one:

1. Pack a wide-mouthed glass jar with dried herbs, leaving a few inches of space at the top.

2. Fill the jar with alcohol (or another solvent) so that there’s an inch or two of fluid above the top of the herbs. Cover tightly.

3. Put the jar in a warm place and leave it there for 3 or 4 weeks.

4. When the time is up, strain the herbs and discard them. Transfer the liquid to a smaller bottle.

Here’s a recipe to try at home:

Facial creams are emulsions, or mixtures of oil and water. Do-it-yourself herbal creams typically contain aqueous ingredients such as distilled water and/or aloe
(Aloe vera)
gel or a water-based herbal infusion, plus vegetable oils—you can use apricot
(Prunus armeniaca),
almond
(Prunus dulcis),
or grape
(Vitis vinifera)
seed oils or an herb-infused oil (see above). They also might contain essential oils, which impart a scent and treat specific skin conditions. Some of the most popular essential oils used in facial products include rose (
Rosa damascena),
chamomile
(Matricaria recutita),
lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia),
and calendula
(Calendula officinalis).

Some facial creams also contains essential oils. Use one of the following, based on your skin type:

Here’s a cream to try:

Acid Indigestion (Dyspepsia)

• Artichoke
(Cynara cardunculus, C. scolymus)

• Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita)

• Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Peppermint
(Mentha x piperita)

• Pineapple
(Ananas comosus)

• Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)

Acne

• Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)

• Guggul
(Commiphora wightii, C. mukul)

• Juniper
(Juniperus communis)

• Red clover
(Trifolium pratense)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

Addictions and Alcoholism

• Danshen
(Salvia miltiorrhiza)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Kudzu
(Pueraria lobata)

• Passionflower
(Passiflora incarnata)

• Saint John’s wort
(Hypericum

•
perforatum)

Age-Related Cognitive Decline

• Cocoa
(Theobroma cacao)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Rooibos
(Aspalathus linearis)

Age-Related Eye Disease

• Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)

• Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

Aging Skin

• Coffee
(Coffea arabica)

• Evening primrose
(Oenothera biennis)

• Gotu kola
(Centella asiatica)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

• Pineapple
(Ananas comosus)

• Pomegranate
(Punica granatum)

• Rose
(Rosa damascena, R. canina, R. spp.)

• Tea
(Camellia sinensis)

Allergies

• Butterbur
(Petasites hybridus)

• Echinacea
(Echinacea purpurea)

• Hops
(Humulus lupulus)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Nettle
(Urtica dioica)

• Rooibos
(Aspalathus linearis)

• Tea
(Camellia sinensis)

• Tinospora
(Tinospora cordifolia)

• Witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana)

Altitude Sickness

• Asian ginseng
(Panax ginseng)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum)

Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis)

• Rooibos
(Aspalathus linearis)

• Sage
(Salvia officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia)

• Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)

Anxiety

• Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera)

• Boswellia
(Boswellia serrata)

• Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita)

• Hops
(Humulus lupulus)

• Kava
(Piper methysticum)

• Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)

• Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis)

• Passionflower
(Passiflora incarnata)

• Valerian
(Valeriana officinalis)

Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)

• Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera)

• Boswellia
(Boswellia serrata)

• Camphor
(Cinnamomum camphora)

• Cat’s claw
(Uncaria guianensis, U. tomentosa)

• Cayenne
(Capsicum annuum, C. frutescens)

• Devil’s claw
(Harpagphytum procumbens)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Guggul
(Commiphora wightii, C. mukul)

• Nettle
(Urtica dioica)

• Pineapple
(Ananas comosus)

• Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)

Asthma

• Boswellia
(Boswellia serrata)

• Coffee
(Coffea arabica)

• Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Grapefruit
(Citrus paradisi)

• Guarana
(Paullinia cupana)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

• Tea
(Camellia sinensis)

Athlete’s Foot

• Camphor
(Cinnamomum camphora)

• Clove
(Syzygium aromaticum)

• Echinacea
(Echinacea purpurea)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

Athletic Performance

• American ginseng
(Panax quinquefolius)

• Asian ginseng
(Panax ginseng)

• Coffee
(Coffea arabica)

• Cordyceps
(Cordyceps sinensis)

• Eleuthero
(Eleutherococcus senticosus)

• Guarana
(Paullinia cupana)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

Atopic Dermatitis

• Aloe
(Aloe vera)

• Astragalus
(Astragalus membranaceus)

• Hops
(Humulus lupulus)

• Oats
(Avena sativa)

• Rice bran
(Oryza sativa)

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

• Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

Autoimmune Disorders

• Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera)

• Asian ginseng
(Panax ginseng)

• Astragalus
(Astragalus membranaceus)

• Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)

• Feverfew
(Tanacetum parthenium)

• Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Back Pain

• Cramp bark
(Viburnum opulus)

• Devil’s claw
(Harpagphytum procumbens)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)

• Willow
(Salix alba)

Bacterial Infection

• Aloe
(Aloe vera)

• Barberry
(Berberis vulgaris)

• Cat’s claw
(Uncaria guianensis, U. tomentosa)

• Clove
(Syzygium aromaticum)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Goldenseal
(Hydrastis canadensis)

• Gotu kola
(Centella asiatica)

• Saint John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Tulsi
(Ocimum tenuiflorum, O. sanctum)

• Witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana)

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

• Nettle
(Urtica dioica)

• Saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens)

Bloating and Water Retention

• Alfalfa
(Medicago sativa)

• Dandelion
(Taraxucum officinale)

• Juniper
(Juniperus communis)

• Nettle
(Urtica dioica)

• Tea
(Camellia sinensis)

Breast Pain (Mastaglia)

• Evening primrose
(Oenothera biennis)

• Red clover
(Trifolium pratense)

• Vitex
(Vitex agnus-castus)

Bruises

• Arnica
(Arnica montana)

• Comfrey
(Symphytum officinale)

Burns

• Aloe
(Aloe vera)

• Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)

• Camphor
(Cinnamomum camphora)

• Lavender
(Lavandula angustifolia)

• Marshmallow
(Althaea officinalis)

• Saint John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana)

Cancer

• Astragalus
(Astragalus membranaceus)

• Cordyceps
(Cordyceps sinensis)

• Evening primrose
(Oenothera biennis)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Reishi
(Ganoderma lucidum)

• Saw palmetto
(Serenoa repens)

• Turmeric
(Curcuma longa)

Canker Sores

• Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)

• Clove
(Syzygium aromaticum)

• Slippery elm
(Ulmus rubra)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

Cardiovascular Disease

• Danshen
(Salvia miltiorrhiza)

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Hawthorn
(Crataegus monogyna, C. oxyacantha)

• Pomegranate
(Punica granatum)

Cataracts
See Age-Related Eye Disease

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
See Autoimmune Disorders

Cognitive Function and Memory

• Ginkgo
(Ginkgo biloba)

• Sage
(Salvia officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia)

• Schisandra
(Schisandra chinensis)

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

• Ashwagandha
(Withania somnifera)

• Asian ginseng
(Panax ginseng)

• Bilberry
(Vaccinium myrtillus)

Chronic Venous Insufficiency

• Grape
(Vitis vinifera)

• Horse chestnut
(Aesculus hippocastanum)

• Maritime pine
(Pinus pinaster)

Colds and Flu

• Andrographis
(Andrographis paniculata)

• Echinacea
(Echinacea purpurea)

• Elderberry
(Sambucus nigra)

• Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Peppermint
(Mentha x piperita)

Cold Sores

• Aloe
(Aloe vera)

• Clove
(Syzygium aromaticum)

• Echinacea
(Echinacea purpurea)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Sage
(Salvia officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia)

• Saint John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum)

Constipation

• Aloe
(Aloe vera)

• Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum)

• Flax
(Linum usitatissimum)

• Konjac
(Amorphophallus konjac, A. rivieri)

• Olive
(Olea europaea)

• Psyllium
(Plantago ovata, P. psyllium)

Cough and Sore Throat

• Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus)

• Ginger
(Zingiber officinale)

• Marshmallow
(Althaea officinalis)

• Slippery elm
(Ulmus rubra)

Crohn’s Disease
See Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Cuts and Scrapes

• Barberry
(Berberis vulgaris)

• Calendula
(Calendula officinalis)

• Eucalyptus
(Eucalyptus globulus)

• Garlic
(Allium sativum)

• Gotu kola
(Centella asiatica)

• Horsetail
(Equisetum arvense)

• Marshmallow
(Althaea officinalis)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Witch hazel
(Hamamelis virginiana)

• Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium)

Dandruff

• Juniper
(Juniperus communis)

• Licorice
(Glycyrrhiza glabra)

• Peppermint
(Mentha x piperita)

• Tea
(Camellia sinensis)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

Deodorant

• Camphor
(Cinnamomum camphora)

• Juniper
(Juniperus communis)

• Rosemary
(Rosmarinus officinalis)

• Sage
(Salvia officinalis, S. lavandulaefolia)

• Tea tree
(Melaleuca alternifolia)

• Yarrow
(Achillea millefolium)

Depression

• Boswellia
(Boswellia serrata)

• Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis)

• Rhodiola
(Rhodiola rosea)

• Saint John’s wort
(Hypericum perforatum)

Dermatitis
See Inflammatory Skin Disorders

Diabetes

• Fenugreek
(Trigonella foenum-graecum)