A Floral Facial
Facial steams can help improve circulation to the face and open pores, while this blend can help soothe skin. Plus, treating yourself to a facial steam can be incredibly relaxing. The petals of the calendula flower, also commonly called marigold or pot marigold, are anti-inflammatory. The chamomile has been shown to have calming properties.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup dried calendula petals
- 1/4 cup dried chamomile flowers
Instructions:
Boil 2 quarts of water and remove from heat. Add the flowers and let them steep for two minutes. Then, place your face at least 12 inches over the pot (getting too close can burn), and drape a towel over your head to create a tent over the pot.
For an even more relaxing experience, you can add a few drops of lavender or peppermint essential oil. Allow the steam to bathe your skin for a minute and then come out for a few breaths of fresh air. You can repeat this process about five times.
After the steam, you can rinse your face with cool (not cold) water or a mild cleanser, and follow with a moisturizer.
Borrowed from: The Prosperity Project
Coffee Helps!
- Caffeine (in coffee) improves short-term alertness, attention, memory and may have long term protective benefits on cognitive decline as well.
- Many studies confirm that aspirin and other analgesics work faster and better on headaches, when combined with caffeine.
- Coffee consumption has been associated with long term weight loss, likely from the thermogenic effects of caffeine raising the metabolic rate.
Borrowed from: The Prosperity Project
Tincture of Lemon Balm
This is a great stomach soothing, anti-viral concoction, perfect to take when you feel like you’re coming down with a cold or bug.
To make the tincture:
Add lemon balm leaves to a jar until about three-quarters filled. Pour in 80 proof or higher alcohol (like vodka) until the jar is filled. Cap with a non-metallic lid and store in a cool, dark place for about 4 to 6 weeks, shaking periodically. Strain and store for at least a year.
Adult dose is 1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) at a time, as needed. I usually mix with equal parts honey for better patient compliance.
From: The Nerdy Farm Wife
Sleepy Time Herbal Syrup
To make a sleepy time herbal syrup – place about 3/4 cup lemon balm leaves into a small pot and add enough water to just cover the leaves. Simmer, covered partially, until the liquid is reduced in half. Strain out and compost the leaves.
While still quite warm, measure out about 1/2 cup of the concentrated tea and stir 1/4 cup raw honey into it. Add more honey to taste, if you wish.
You can make larger or smaller batches – keeping a ratio of about 2 parts lemon balm infusion to 1 part honey. Store in the refrigerator for a week or so.
Dose by the spoonful at night to help calm and relax everyone from children to adults. (Keeping in mind that honey should not be given to infants under one year old.)
From: The Nerdy Farm Wife
Refreshing Drink in Fever
‘Put two sprigs of Lemon Balm, and a little woodsorrel, into a stone-jug, having first washed and dried them; peel thin a small lemon, and clear from the white; slice it and put a bit of peel in, then pour in 3 pints of boiling water, sweeten and cover it close.’
From: A Modern Herbal
Claret Cup For A Fever
One bottle of claret, one pint bottle of German Seltzer-water, a small bunch of Lemon Balm, a small bunch of Borage, one orange cut in slices, half a cucumber sliced thick, a liqueur glass of Cognac, and one ounce of bruised sugar candy.
Process:
Place these ingredients in a covered jug well immersed in rough ice, stir all together with a silver spoon, and when the cup has been iced for about an hour, strain or decanter it off free from the herbs, etc.
From: A Modern Herbal
Lemon Balm Astringent
Ingredients:
- 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon balm
- 1 cup witch hazel
Combine the ingredients in a jar with a tight-fitting lid. Allow to steep for 1 week. Strain. Use 1 teaspoon per application with a cotton ball. Refrigerate if you wish.
Found at: Bay Witch Musings
Carmelite Water
The famous Carmelite Water, first made by 17th century Carmelite nuns was used to treat nervous headache and neuralgia. It combined lemon balm with lemon-peel, nutmeg, coriander and angelica root. Here’s a recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 ¼ cups vodka
- 3 tablespoons dried angelica leaves, and stalks
- 3 tablespoons dried lemon balm leaves
- 1 tablespoon coriander seeds, bruised
- 1 nutmeg, cut into strips
- 2 tablespoons cloves
- cinnamon sticks
Instructions:
Pour the vodka into a jar. Add the remaining ingredients,cover tightly and shake. Leave in a warm place for three weeks, shaking every day. Strain into a sterilized bottle and store in a cool place. Use within six months.
Found at: Herbal Riot
A Tea For Nursing Mothers
Some mothers find it difficult to either commence milk production or to maintain a high enough level of production while breastfeeding.
Since it is best for the child to be on breast milk for as long as it is feasible, herbs that will help can be invaluable. For this, herbs such as Aniseed, Blessed Thistle, Caraway Seeds, Fennel Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Goat’s Rue and Vervain are available, with Goat’s Rue being perhaps the most powerful.
These seeds, which are rich in volatile oils, are also very effective and can be combined to make a very pleasant tea.
Combine the following:
- 2 parts Caraway seed
- 1 part part Fennel seed
- 2 parts Fenugreek seed
- 1 part Aniseed
Crush two tablespoons of a mixture of the seeds listed above and put them in a cup of cold water. Bring it to simmering point and then remove from the heat. Leave it to stand for 10 minutes, covered to reduce the loss of the volatile oils. Drink a cup of this tea three times a day.
From: The Complete Illustrated Holistic Herbal
Ginseng for Athletic Stamina
Many athletes take ginseng as part of their training. In a study published in Clinical Therapy, Italian researchers gave 50 physical education teachers a placebo or ginseng (with some vitamins and minerals), and then had them run on a treadmill,
Hearts and lungs in the ginseng group worked more efficiently, and those subjects’ stamina increased significantly, Ginseng is safe, but it does have anticoagulant action. so increased bruising is possible.
~Michael Castleman, Natural Health
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Of Interest
Saida: Salves To Heal Up Wounds
Brenda-Lee: Egg White Cough Cure
Pat Scott: Marsh Mallow Ointment
Sharon from Cleveland, Ohio: Egg White Cough Cure
Vagabond Witch: Soapwort Shampoo
Be Merry
I think it's time to go shopping... maybe even buy some really cool stuff at my online shops!!