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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Lavender. Sort by date Show all posts

4 Essential Oils for Healing Empaths

 



Essential oils are soothing and can help with the tension that comes with metaphysical hypersensitivity. In 2014, the American College of Healthcare Sciences performed a study in which 58 hospice patients were given a regular hand massage for one week using a mixture of essential oils by the American College of Healthcare Sciences. Lavender, frankincense, and bergamot were used in the oil mix. As a result of the essential oil massages, all of the patients showed less depression and discomfort. Essential oil mixture aromatherapy massages were found to be more effective than massage alone in treating depression and discomfort.


The following are some of the better essential oils for anxiety relief:


1. Lavender 

Lavender oil has a soothing and healing effect; it balances the nervous system, promotes inner harmony, improves relaxation, and reduces restlessness, panic attacks, irritability, and nervous energy. There have been several scientific trials that show that inhaling lavender reduces anxiety and depression right away. In one trial, taking lavender oil capsules orally triggered a rise in heart rate variance as compared to a placebo when watching an anxiety-inducing video. According to the findings, lavender has an anxiolytic function, which means it can help to reduce anxiety.

Other studies have shown that lavender will help patients who are undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery or who are scared of the dentist feel less anxious.

2. Rose

Rose is effective in treating depression, fear, grief, shock, and panic attacks. In a report conducted in the Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, a sample of women who were pregnant for the first time inhaled rose oil for 10 minutes while taking a footbath. The footbath was also offered to a second group of women who were pregnant for the first time, but without the rose oil inhalation. The findings revealed that combining a footbath with aromatherapy reduced anxiety in nulliparous (women who have never had children) women in the active process.

3. Chamomile 

Chamomile oil is known for its soothing properties and ability to promote inner harmony, as well as alleviate worry, fear, overthinking, and irritability. An exploratory research undertaken by the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine discovered that it contains therapeutic anti-depressant properties. Chamomile capsules have also been shown to help with depressive effects, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

4. Frankincense 

The soothing energy and calming properties of Frankincense oil make it ideal for treating anxiety and depression. It also aids concentration, mental quiet, and reflection. A research from Korea's Keimyung University discovered that a blend of lavender, frankincense, and bergamot decreased pain and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer.


Essential Oils when used for Hypersensitivity, are used in aromatherapy, swallowed, or applied topically.


Here are few ideas about how to use them:


1. Aromatherapy is a treatment that uses essential oils to

Because of the human capacity to absorb information by scent, aromatherapy is a common anxiety treatment. It can elicit a strong emotional response. The limbic system is a part of the brain that regulates memory recall and emotional processing. Inhaling essential oil scents triggers a mental reflex in the limbic system of the brain, which controls stress and relaxing responses including hormone activity, blood pressure, and breathing habits. The oils may be used in the wash, a hot water vaporizer, immediate inhalation, a humidifier or vaporizer, cologne, soap, a fan, or aromatherapy diffusers.

2. The bulk of natural oils should be taken orally. It is, however, important that the oils you use are both clean and natural. The bulk of commercialized oils have been mixed with other chemicals or combined with synthetics, making them unhealthy to use. Combining a drop of oil with a teaspoon of honey or dropping the oil into a bottle of water is the most efficient way to consume essential oils. You should even add a few drops to your food as it's frying. A couple of drops can be placed under your tongue.

This is especially helpful since blood capillaries are situated at the surface of the tissue under the tongue, allowing the oil to easily penetrate into the bloodstream and migrate to the region of the body where it is needed. Basic oils may also be used as capsules.

Application

The method of applying essential oils to the skin, nails, teeth, hair, or mucous membranes of the body is known as topical application. The oils penetrate easily into the flesh. Since the oils are too solid, you must dilute or mix them with a carrier oil like coconut, avocado, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. The combined mixture may be applied directly to the affected area, along the rims of the ears, the soles of the feet, in the water, as a warm compress, or as a massage.


You may also want to read more about Empaths, Psychic Empaths, Intuitive Empaths, and Healing here.


Essential Oil Recipes for Anxiety


    How can Essential Oils Help Treat Anxiety And Stress?


    Anxiety is a major issue for many empaths, and it can become so daunting that there must be a variety of solutions available to try to reduce or eliminate it. 

    “While the exact effects of essential oils like doTERRA and Young Living, as well as their ability to heal most common illnesses, are hotly contested, this should not deter people from using them in their everyday lives.” 



    First, let's look at which oils are most effective in combating anxiety:

    1. Lavender
    2. Rose
    3. Chamomile
    4. Ylang-ylang
    5. Frankincense

    There are undoubtedly others, but those seem to be the most well-known and well-known. 

    The scents alone may help with anxiety, but if you're having a really bad case, it's better to try a few different combos.


    Essential Oil Rollerball Recipe for Depression and Anxiety.



    Required Recipe Ingredients:


    1. Grapeseed oil, 1 tbsp.
    2. Avocado oil, two tablespoons
    3. Frankincense essential oil, 30 drops
    4. 15 drops of essential lavender oil
    5. Glass container with a roller ball top and cover, 1 10 ML
    6. One measuring cup with a pouring spout


    Essential Oil Treatment Instructions:


    1. One tablespoon of grapeseed oil should be added to a measuring cup with a pourable spout.
    2. The measuring cup should now contain 2 teaspoons of avocado oil.
    3. Fill the measuring cup with 30 drops of frankincense essential oil.
    4. 15 drops of lavender essential oil should be added.
    5. Pour the contents into a 10 mL glass bottle after thoroughly mixing it.
    6. Put the glass bottle's roller ball cap on.



    Here are the top five anxiety-relieving essential oil recipes:


    Lavender Neck Rub



    The lavender neck rub is one of the most common recipes.


    Ingredients

    3 drops pure lavender essential oil 1 teaspoon fractionated coconut oil or almond oil.


    Instructions:

    1. In a shallow cup, combine the lavender and coconut or almond oil.

    2. Apply the mixture to the neck for immediate anxiety relief.

    3. You should do this throughout the day whether you're feeling tired, or before bed on a regular basis.


    Calming Essential Oil 


    This recipe for Calming Essential Oil can be used to treat any anxiety symptoms. It has the ability to be used as a perfume. 

    You may either put it in a rollerball vial and rub it on your skin or put it in a diffuser.


    Ingredients


    1. 2 drops germanium, 
    2. 2 drops clary sage, 
    3. 1 drop patchouli,
    4.  1 drop ylang-ylang 


    Instructions:


    1. You must customize the application of your tastes, such as when it would be applied through a rollerball applicator or with a diffuser. 

    2. If you're going to use the rollerball process, put 30 drops of the mixture into a 10 ml vial and rub it on your hands, feet, and neck to calm down.

    3. If you want to use this mix with a diffuser, just apply the mixture to the diffuser pad and inhale deeply to relax. 

    4. This is better used before bedtime or on the go if you like when your fear is at an all-time high.


    Anxiety Blend - I 


    When fear rears its ugly head, this recipe will put a stop to it. 

    Take a few deep breaths until you've got this rolling, and you'll be as cool as a cucumber.


    Ingredients


    1. 2 drops cedarwood oil, 
    2. 2 drops wild orange oil, 
    3. 1 drop ylang-ylang oil, 
    4. 1 drop patchouli oil 


    Instructions:


    1. Mix the ingredients together in a small bowl and pour into the diffuser pad. 

    2. This blend is best used in a diffuser to enable you to escape with the natural fragrance and overcome any discomfort you might be experiencing. 

    3. This can be taken 30 minutes to an hour before going to bed.


    Anxiety Blend - II 


    This blend can soothe nerves all over the body, resulting in a wonderful feeling of calm and relief from any stress or anxiety.


    Ingredients


    1. 2 drops bergamot essential oil, 
    2. 2 drops clary sage essential oil, 
    3. 1 drop lavender essential oil


    Instructions:


    1. In a shallow mixing cup, combine all of the ingredients and stir until well combined. 

    2. Put the mixture in the diffuser and aromatherapy is the only way to get the most out of this blend. 

    3. Use as much as you need before you achieve the desired level of peace and relaxation.


    Anxiety Blend - III


    This is a natural wood-type scent, so if you feel yourself most comfortable when you're out in nature, this is the one to try.


    Ingredients


    2 drops Roman chamomile essential oil, 2 drops petitgrain essential oil, 1 drop Atlas cedarwood essential oil


    Instructions:


    1. This mixture is better used as an aromatherapy blend in a diffuser.

    2. In a shallow mixing cup, combine all of the ingredients and stir well. 

    3. This perfume can be diffused in the room to help you relax and unwind. 

    4. Another way to do this is to place your forehead over the bowl and breathe slowly before you enter a state of equilibrium.



    When To Use Essential Oils? 


    Essential oil recipes can be used in a variety of contexts, including as a diffuser, as a rollerball scent, or by inhaling deeply over the bowl containing the mixture. 


    Any of these methods, when combined with the right ingredients, will produce an aroma-filled atmosphere that will help you relax when you need it most. 

    This can be used to unwind at the end of the day when reading a book and inhaling deeply the soothing fragrance. 

    Overall, it can't hurt to give it a shot, particularly if you're struggling to keep your anxiety levels in check due to everyday emotions.


    ~Kiran Atma


    You may also want to read more about Empaths, Psychic Empaths, Intuitive Empaths, and Healing here.



    References And Further Reading:


    • Kanani, M., Mazloum, S.R., Emami, A. and Mokhber, N., 2012. The effect of aromatherapy with orange essential oils on anxiety in patients undergoing hemodialysis.
    • Fradelos, E. and Komini, A., 2015. The use of essential oils as a complementary treatment for anxiety. Am J Nurs Sci4(2), pp.1-5.
    • McCaffrey, R., Thomas, D.J. and Kinzelman, A.O., 2009. The effects of lavender and rosemary essential oils on test-taking anxiety among graduate nursing students. Holistic nursing practice23(2), pp.88-93.
    • Stirling, L., Raab, G., Alder, E.M. and Robertson, F., 2007. Randomized trial of essential oils to reduce perioperative patient anxiety: feasibility study. Journal of advanced nursing60(5), pp.494-501.
    • Stea, S., Beraudi, A. and De Pasquale, D., 2014. Essential oils for complementary treatment of surgical patients: state of the art. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine2014.
    • Aponso, M., Patti, A. and Bennett, L.E., 2020. Dose-related effects of inhaled essential oils on behavioural measures of anxiety and depression and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Journal of ethnopharmacology250, p.112469.
    • ABDI, J.H., HEJAZI, S., TAHMASEBI, H. and ABDI, J.F., 2018. Effect of AROMATHERAPY with ORANG E essential oils on anxiety in patients experiencing coronary angiography: a randomized control trial.


    20 Rules to Consider When Raising Empathic Children

     


    It's wonderful to be able to assist vulnerable children and understand their capabilities. This would have a huge impact on their willingness to accept themselves as they are today and in the future.


    They mature into fragile adults. The processes that follow will help you and them:

    1. Trigger the child's instincts and sensitivities. Allow your child to be open and honest with you and other trustworthy people about their abilities. Make it clear to them that not everyone is accepting of these benefits, and identify those who will need to be protected. You may also share some of your empathic experiences, such as the proclivity to take on others' emotions and tension, but I wouldn't go into too much detail about painful details. The most important thing is to be there for your child, not to get help for yourself. Show your child how to value their individuality and to trust their instincts and inner voice. They will consider their to be normal at that stage. These conversations will help your child feel seen and understand their own answers.

    2. Be responsive to your child's feelings. Pay attention to what your child is saying and how they are doing. This may entail allowing them to take a day off from school to relax or allowing them to play alone on a more regular basis. You would rather not be confined, but you would like to assist in providing the necessary time alone for an empath child's success. Whether your child has to slither under the lounge area table or leave a large social group, don't pull them back in. Try not to make fun of them for having to flee. Allow them to stay uninvolved so that they may observe and consume without being overpowered. They're interested, but in their own unique way, and you may be surprised by the stories they tell after the party has dispersed.

    3. Inform family members and teachers about your empathic child. Allowing someone to judge or criticize your child, such as telling them that they need to "toughen up" when they have been successfully hurt or upset, is a bad idea. Others, like relatives, can not mean to offend you. They actually need to become more aware of your child's sensitive personality. Since the school environment can be insensitive and unsupportive to empaths, inform your child's teachers about their benefits and proclivity towards concrete overburdening. In addition, insist that they support your child if they are being bullied or prodded at school.

    4. Follow your gut instinct. Continue to trust your instincts on what your child needs. Try not to second-guess your own voice or to let someone talk you out of what it's telling you. Allow your instincts to guide you when you raise your child.

    5. Assist the child with recognizing that they have retained the emotions of others. Explain to your child or young lady that sensitive children can be easily affected by the emotions of those around them, maybe even more so than other children. You might explain to them that it's similar to being able to sense a raincloud or sunlight above someone's head that no one else can see.

    You might show them a picture of Joe, the popular humorous cartoon character from Li'l Abner, who is still surrounded by a foreboding shadow. He has good intentions, but he does harm to those around him. Empath children can sense both positive and negative vibes that others send. So, if you notice a sudden and unexplainable change in your child's mood or vitality level, tell them it's possible they're picking up on someone else's feelings. If the feeling gets easier, that's great; but, if it's uncomfortable or exhausting, encourage your child to get some space and talk with them about it. Your child would be less perplexed until they learn to distinguish between their own emotions and those that belong to someone else.

    6. Become an ardent stabilizer. Empath children can pick up on their parents' stress and want to make life better for them. Make an effort to be honest with your emotions and refrain from communicating excessive stress about them. One mother told me, "If I'm agitated, my sensitive child senses it, which destabilizes him and causes rage outbursts. I'm going to try to stay focused. When I'm fully centered, it gives him a sense of security."

    Be aware that highly empathic children can mirror your emotions and side effects, and empath guardians can do the same for their children.

    7. Try not to compete in front of your child or anywhere they might be able to catch you. Delicate children believe they must help their parents display signs of change.

    They become more alarmed and consume more outrage than non-empathic children. They are overstimulated by tension and disagreements. If you need to have a disagreement with your partner or someone, do so while your children are not around. Exceptionally sensitive children, like extremely sensitive adults, can be hurt by yelling. They can admit that they are to blame for the disagreement. They still absorb the cynicism and feel compelled to resolve the issue, which is an unseemly task for them.

    8. Encourage your child to spend some substantial time alone in order to be calm and creative. Empath children thrive because they have unstructured time. It's an opportunity for them to be creative and let their minds wander. When they are apart from everyone else, they respawn and calm down, lowering their incitement cap. Encourage your child to take advantage of these mysterious peaceful intermissions to recharge. You can do this by not overscheduling your child and allowing them to take regular breaks, especially if they're grumpy, whiny, or overwhelmed.

    9. Teach the child how to do breathing and reflection exercises. When fragile children are focused or sound as if they've taken on other people's emotions (counting your own), it's important that they learn how to calm themselves by taking a few full breaths. They can also close their eyes for two or three minutes and imagine a relaxing picture, such as the sea, a sweet cat, or a happy day at the community center. Request that they focus on this image while exhaling all annoyances and breathing in peace and contentment. This will teach them how to refocus and break the loop of tactile overburden.

    10. Encourage the child to share his or her fantasies. Empath children sometimes talk about their dreams at night. Make it a morning meal tradition to talk about them in depth. Discuss how the fantasy made them feel, what emotions they experienced, and what message they believe the fantasy was sending. When your child is unhappy in a dream, for example, try to identify a source of disappointment in everyday life as well, so that it can be alleviated. You may suggest that they maintain a fantasy journal in which they log their dreams every night. They can even sketch or paint pictures in the diary based on their dreams.

    11. Assist your child in practicing self-defense in the presence of vitality vampires. Encourage your child to recognize depleting and disturbing people and to establish sound boundaries with them, whether these people be adults or other children. For example, your child can limit the amount of time they spend with a drainer by saying, "I need to go see my mother now," and they can simply stop irate people and avoid being dumped on. If your child is unable to keep a safe distance from the individual, instruct them to visualize a protective shield of white light a few inches from their skin that completely surrounds their body from head to toe. Explain that this protection can repel negative vitality, preventing them from taking on unpleasant feelings, but still allowing positive vitality to pass through.

    12. Use drumming to help your child become more grounded. Drumming is a soothing rhythm that will help children relax. When your sensitive child becomes overstimulated or irritable, have a great time together pulsing on a drum with a slow musicality that mimics the heartbeat. Shaking a clatter will also help relieve stress. When your child is older, you can attend a drumming group with other people in your neighborhood—as long as the meeting isn't too big.

    13. Reduce the amount of time you spend presenting to animating situations. Limit your child's time in highly stimulating environments, such as Disneyland and other amusement meccas, because empath children can become irritable when exposed to too much tangible information. While those in your gathering will be able to tolerate more, a few hours may be the most extreme duration for them. When you're at "the most joyful place on earth," it's no pleasure dragging around a screaming child. But get there early, when the crowds are smaller. When you see signs of over-burden, take a break and return to your accommodation or home. You will usually come back for more later, when everyone has had a chance to re-energize and re-focus themselves.

    14. Plan a holiday until your child falls asleep. Before going to bed, no television, cell phones, web-based social networking, video games, PCs, or other electronic devices are included. It usually takes an empath child longer to slow down in the evening. Incitement to drowsiness and calmness is reduced, allowing children to sleep well. Singing children's music also helps them relax.

    15. Set a limit on your child's intake of processed foods, starches, and sugar. This will and the child's agitation by expecting the depressive episodes that come with sugar rushes, just as they do with starch longings and bursts. Handled foods are high in plastic compounds and low in vitamins and minerals, making them less appealing to eat. They will cause your children to be irritable, have too much or too little stamina, and lose sight of their true passions. Touchy children are sensitive to food. Teach them how what they eat affects their mood and level of vitality.

    16. Make an effort to intervene before a fit occurs. Reduce the lights to calm nature and play soothing music—no punk rock, heavy metal, or rap—if your child is disturbed or on the verge of a storm. Playing nature sounds, such as flowing water, can be helpful at times. Request that your child sit down and take a few deep breaths. Instruct them to exhale pressure and inhale tranquilly.

    17. Use essential oils in a fragrance-based procedure (no synthetics). Lavender is a relaxing scent. Warm lavender oil with the intention that the perfume pervades the room (you will usually get the device that safely warms fundamental oils anywhere you buy the oil). Rub one or two drops on your child's third eye (in the focal point of the brow). Using a few drops of lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, or ylang oil in the water before bedtime will help you relax. Encourage your child to imagine wiping away all of his or her worries in the tub. A significant part of a cup of Epsom salts is also beneficial for removing toxins and reducing anxiety. A back massage before or after a night shower will help your child relax and sleep well.

    18. Make use of pet therapy. Pets are growing in popularity and provide unconditional love to children. They make perfect friends and can soothe an irritated kid.

    Empath children have a strong affinity with animals, and if they are creature empaths, they may have the ability to communicate with them on a deeper basis. Canines can be very effective at calming down hyperactive or obnoxious children.

    19. Make use of gemstones. Give your child a precious stone to hold, such as quartz, pink tourmaline, or dark tourmaline. These will give the impression of protection in the hand when quietly establishing and quieting.

    20. Assist your child in lowering the pressure dial. In addition to the above suggestions, you should teach your child how to use the following perception to relax and break the pressure loop if they are feeling overburdened. It can be used at home, at school, or with their friends. This approach is an essential part of a sensitive child's toolkit.


    You may also want to read more about Empaths, Psychic Empaths, Intuitive Empaths, and Healing here.



    Herbs And Herbalism - Bear's Breech







    Bear's Breech  - Brank Ursine. 





    Acanthus (from the Greek akanthos, ake meaning thorn, anthos meaning flowers) is a generic term for a variety of thorny plants that appears often in Greek and Roman literature. 

    • The lovely leaves inspired ideas for column ornamentation in ancient Greek architecture. 



    Description - Leaves are rectangular with undulating edges, dark green and glossy, 30-60 cm long; stems are straight to 150 cm high, with white or lavender pink flowers on spikes in the summer. 

    • Distribution Southern European origin. Now widely available. 



    Cultivation - Tolerates a wide range of soil types, but likes deep loam in full sun or moderate shade. 


    • In the spring and fall, propagate by division; in the spring, propagate by root cuttings or seed. 
    • In a big pot in full light, it may be grown as a houseplant. 

    Uses - Burns and scalds were traditionally treated with crushed leaves.


    You may also want to read more about Herbs, Herbalism, Herbal Magick, Herbal Healing, and Herbal Remedies here.



    Herbs And Herbalism Basics - What Is Herbal Medicine?

     


    The physician does not learn everything he needs to know and master at school; from time to time, he must consult old women, gypsies, magicians, wayfarers, and all manner of peasant folk and random people, and learn from them; for these have more knowledge about such things than all the higher schools of learning combined. 

    As a result, study every day without fail, examine and observe meticulously; disregard nothing, and don't put too much faith in yourself. 

    Do not be arrogant while you are powerless, and do not think of yourself as a master at first; no one can acquire mastery without effort. 

    Also, learn from people who have more experience than you, since no one can claim to be an expert on everything. 

    Who can be everywhere at the same time and know where everything is? 

    As a result, travel and experience everything, and whatever comes your way, accept it without contempt and without guilt. 
    Because nature is so generous with her gifts, it is better for a man to know only one plant in the meadow, but to know it well, than to view the whole meadow and have no idea what grows there. 




    Plant roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, or seeds are used to enhance health, prevent disease, and cure sickness in this system of medicine that has sustained and evolved since the dawn of humanity.



    Herbal medicine is the study of pharmacognosy and the use of medicinal herbs, which forms the foundation of traditional medicine. 


    • As of today, there is little scientific evidence through research and clinical trials for the safety and effectiveness of plants used in 21st-century herbalism, which typically lacks purity and dose guidelines.



    Herbal medications are mostly used for health promotion and treatment of chronic, rather than life-threatening, diseases. 


    • Traditional treatments, on the other hand, become more popular when mainstream medicine fails to cure a condition, such as advanced cancer or novel infectious infections.



    Herbal medications are usually regarded as being both safe and effective. 


    • As a result, individuals are increasingly turning to herbal therapy, believing that plant treatments are devoid of harmful side effects. 
    • Medicinal herbs, on the other hand, may be poisonous whether consumed alone or in combination with other substances.





    Table Of Contents
    HERBAL INGREDIENTS.
    GENERAL RULES FOR HERBAL PREPARATIONS.
    DOSAGES WITH HERBAL INGREDIENTS.
    SALVES.
    TINCTURES.
    POULTICES.
    FOMENTATIONS.
    SYRUPS.






    HERBAL INGREDIENTS.



    A few fundamental principles apply whether you want to tincture or dry your plants. 


    • Tree leaves should be collected before the summer solstice. 
    • After then, the natural pesticide content of the leaf is too high. 
    • On a dry day, when the blooms are just starting to open, leaves and blossoms are collected. 
    • They are dried in the shade at all times. 
    • Roots are usually harvested in the early spring or late autumn, when the plant has started to die back. 
    • The soft inner layer (cambium) between the sapwood and the dead outer bark, or the bark of the root, usually contains the required medicinal qualities. 





    GENERAL RULES FOR HERBAL PREPARATIONS.



    When Using Flowers or Leaves For approximately twenty minutes, steep two tablespoons per cup of water. 


    • Strain and keep in an airtight jar in the refrigerator. 
    • One-fourth of a cup is taken four times a day, not with meals. 
    • One-eighth cup is given to children, and babies may get the herbs via their mother's milk. 
    • When Using Twigs, Roots, Barks, and Seeds Cook for 20 minutes with two teaspoons of plant matter, filter, and store as directed. 
    • One-fourth cup, four times a day, not with meals is the recommended dosage. 
    • When kept in an airtight container, herbal teas will last for approximately a week in the refrigerator. 





    DOSAGES WITH HERBAL INGREDIENTS. 



    The doses shown under each herb's "Herbal Uses" section are based on a 150-pound adult patient. 


    • Children under 75 pounds are given half of the recommended quantity. 
    • A quarter dosage is given to infants under 25 pounds, and newborns may obtain a dose via their mother's breast milk. 
    • One-quarter cup of formula or tea three or four times a day, not with meals, is the typical dosage. 





    SALVES.



    Comfrey, lavender, calendula, pine needles, aloes, elecampane root, burdock, and elderflowers are among the herbs that may be used to make salves. 



    Summer is the best season to create a salve since the herbs are fresh and plentiful, but dried herbs may also be utilized. 

    For their skin-healing and pain-relieving properties, I prefer to add green walnut hulls and entire, crushed horse chestnuts to the basic combination. 


    • In a big saucepan, simmer herbs in high quality olive oil. 
    • Melt and boil three to four teaspoons of fresh beeswax per cup of oil in a separate saucepan (the beeswax should be a golden color with a distinct honey smell). 
    • Fill the saucepan with just enough oil to cover the herbs. 
    • Cook for approximately 20 minutes with the herbs in the oil. 
    • Pour in the wax after the wax and oil have reached the same temperature. 
    • Pour into clean jars after straining. 
    • While the salve is still liquid, a tincture of benzoin (approximately one ounce per quart) may be added as a preservative, but it is not absolutely required. 
    • Having perfectly clean and dry jars and utensils is the most essential element in controlling mold. 
    • Boiling and thorough drying are typically all that is required. 
    • People who live in hot, humid areas may wish to add the tincture of benzoin as an additional precaution. 






    TINCTURES.



    Tinctures are produced by using a mortar and pestle (or a blender) to crush the leaves, roots, or other plant components and then barely covering them with high-quality vodka, whiskey, or grain alcohol. 


    • Add a little amount of glycerine (approximately two teaspoons per pint) and around 10% per volume of spring water after twenty-one days. 
    • Strain and store in sealed amber glass containers. 
    • Herbal tinctures should be stored in a cool, dry location for up to five years. 
    • Twenty drops in a cup of herb tea or warm water four times a day is the usual dosage. 
    • In severe or emergency circumstances, the dosage is given more often; for example, a dropperful every five minutes in the event of labor pains. 






    POULTICES.



    To create a poultice, soak fresh or dried herbs in freshly boiled water until they are tender. 


    • To make the poultice stick together, combine them with just enough slippery elm powder. 
    • Wrap it in a clean cloth and place it on the afflicted area. 
    • Clear plastic wrap may be put around the poultice and cloth to prevent them from discoloration. 





    FOMENTATIONS.



    A fomentation is a powerful herbal tea that is immersed in a clean cloth (the cloth can also be filled with herbs). 


    • After that, the cloth is put to the afflicted area. 






    SYRUPS.



    Syrups are prepared by boiling three pounds of Sucanat (dessicated sugar cane juice) in one pint of water until it reaches a syrupy consistency, then steeping the herbs for twenty minutes in the hot liquid. 


    • The herbs may also be cooked for approximately ten minutes in honey or maple syrup. 
    • For every cup of liquid, use two tablespoons of herb. 
    • Strain the syrup and keep it refrigerated in an airtight container.





    You may also want to read more about Herbs, Herbalism, Herbal Magick, Herbal Healing, and Herbal Remedies here.






    Herbs - What Is Herbalism?



      Herbalism was formerly believed to consist nearly entirely of the lighthearted study of early written books that dealt with the purported therapeutic properties of plants or their application in cooking. 


      • With the rediscovery of our pre-industrial history, the study of herbs has only lately started to shed its connection with quack medicine and become part of the return to a more natural way of life. 




      Herbology cannot be pigeonholed into a limited botanical niche since man's connection with plants has always been intimately connected with economics, religion, and science. 



      'Herbaceous' plants lack a woody stem and die down to the ground at the end of their growth season, or life if the plant is an annual, according to the definition of the word "herb." 



      • However, some of the first plants that spring to mind, such as sage, are not included in this description. 
      • Lavender or Rosemary. These are among the most often used woody herbs that do not die down. 
      • Because the dictionary limits our research to the use of plant steins and leaves, herbalism may also include the use of lichens, fungi, and a plethora of other plants whose fruit, roots, bark, and gums are useful to humans. 



      Herbalism may simply be defined as the study of plants that are useful to humans. 


      • The addition of plants such as some onions, beetroot, celery, olives, and chicory, which we commonly refer to as vegetables, further complicates the concept of a herb. 
      • Herbs were originally classified into three categories: pot herbs, such as onions; sweet herbs, such as thyme, which we now refer to as culinary herbs; and salad herbs, such as wild celery. 
      • Pot herbs started to be referred to as vegetables in the seventeenth century, since they were no longer considered just for use in the pot but also for use at the table. 
      • The evolution of their structure and flavor away from the wild plant to the bigger and less bitter contemporary counterparts was due to horticultural breeding of these plants. 





      Herbs were an essential and unquestionably required item in life until very recently. 



      Their cultivation, gathering, and distribution, for example, were critical to the smooth operation of any household in medieval Europe. 


      In the kitchen, horsetail (Equisetum arvense) and ash twigs (Fraxinus excelsior) were used as egg whisks and brushes, respectively. 


      Such herbal tools are now only available from certain chandlers. 


      • Pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium) was employed as a flea repellant, while soapwort or Bouncing Bet (Saponana officinalis) was used as a soap for delicate textiles. 
      • Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) and other herbs were used as tapers or emergency candles, and herbs were used in practically every everyday activity. 
      • For cheesemaking, Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum) produced a rennet-like juice. 




      Herbs are still used in the tobacco and brewing industries, as well as in the production of wine and liqueurs, as flavorings and colors in the confectionery industry, and in the production of dyes. 



      Herbs are now again becoming as important to the contemporary cosmetic industry as they have always been to perfume makers, thanks to their beautiful natural smells and oils. 


      • The evolution of man's connection with plants over the ages should be studied in order to understand the current resurgence of herbalism. 

      Historv may be split into three major epochs from the origin of Homo sapiens to the present day: the hunter-gatherer era, the agricultural period, and the current agricultural-industrial period, which began around 400 years ago. 


      • Our understanding of man's early origins and development is still sketchy at best. 
      • We can only guess about early man's diet and manner of life, therefore our estimate of his reliance on plants must be a mix of guesswork and inference based on the remnants found by archaeologists. 




      Plants and edibles are only maintained in optimum circumstances, such as especially dry areas and, in many cases, caves, whereas tools and artifacts frequently remain to provide evidence of economics and technology. 



      • Plant remnants come in a range of shapes and sizes, with the majority comprising seeds, flower and fruit stalks, and leaves. 
      • Plants can be identified by a competent botanist, and even petrified feces may offer information. 
      • Man hunted animals, fished, collected wild fruits and leaves, and scraped up the edible roots of wild plants as a hunter-gatherer. 
      • In his rejection of toxic plants, he may or may not have responded intuitively. 
      • Within the confines of his nomadic wanderings, he must have experimented with and learned about the various flora. 
      • The majority were harmless and bland; some fed him; a few were extremely tasty, while others were equally so. 
      • He found that some might alleviate pain, while others proved deadly, and a few had a weird otherworldly impact on his mind and body through trial and error. 
      • During this time, man was able to devise methods for neutralizing or making palatable the components of plants that he found to be useful to him. 
      • Chopped plants were leached, dried, roasted, and cooked. 




      There's even evidence that the hunter-gatherer may have dabbled with fermentation. 


      • The hunter-gatherer period was the world's longest clinical trial, yielding herbs that provided the best foods, poison to kill enemies, the finest fuels and weapons, soporific drinks, medicines, plants that provided color for body and cave paintings, and 'magic' plants that transported primitive man away from reality. 
      • The plants that cause visual, aural, tactile, taste, or other hallucinations fall under this category. 
      • Their effects range from moderate euphoria to the induction of artificial psychism, and they are variably characterized as hallucinatory, psychedelic, narcotic, or psychoactive. 
      • Their significance cannot be overstated, since their effects on the human mind and body contributed to their strong position in primitive civilization. 
      • Such plants provided brief comfort and an escape from the harshness of early man's surroundings. 




      When he was unwell, they offered a direct palliative or cure, but we must frequently assume that the plants' psychological effects were more important than their merely physical benefits. 


      • This is particularly noteworthy when we consider that the current distinctions between science, medicine, art, and religion would have been meaningless to early man. 
      • Sickness in ancient cultures is often ascribed to supernatural powers invading the body, and medicine has therefore been connected to the supernatural from the dawn of humanity. 
      • Early physicians and herbalists were accorded a high social prestige, and they often improved their social standing by keeping the secrets of their herbal treatments hidden and manipulating superstition. 




      Mandrake, a plant known for its anesthetic and purgative qualities, was shrouded in a slew of ominous beliefs. 


      In the first century a.d., Jewish historian Josephus said that Mandrake had the ability to remove evil spirits from ill people, but that uprooting it carelessly would result in death. 

      The Paeony, too, had to be excavated at night, since if a woodpecker caught a gatherer during the day, he'd be in big trouble. 



      All cultures have utilized hallucinatory plants and their products for thousands of years. 


      • Today, their misuse is a contentious issue in the so-called "drug epidemic." The most often abused substances include opium, hashish, cannabis, morphine, and cocaine. 
      • Modern views to herbalism have integrated the extensive historical connections of such plants with the supernatural and primordial religion. 
      • Because of superstitious contamination, much of our forefathers' important plant knowledge has been discarded. 



      Agriculture was born in the second era of history, not in the lush valleys of Mesopotamia, as was previously thought, but in the Near East. 


      • Excavations at Jarmo in Iraq have found traces of wheat and barley dating back to 6750 B.C., making it one of the oldest archaeological sites. 
      • Agriculture occurred a few thousand years later in the New World, and it most likely began on its own. 
      • Early sites in Mexico discovered maize, gourds, beans, and squashes. 
      • The Neolithic revolution, or the discovery of agriculture, as archaeologists call it, changed man's whole life. 
      • The hunter-gatherer, on the other hand, need a large amount of land to survive. 
      • Agriculture meant that a community could be supported by relatively modest amounts of land under cultivation. 





      Man started to establish permanent settlements, laying the groundwork for the development of science. 



      Instead of surviving, man could clear the woods and create ideal conditions for the herbaceous sun loving crops he preferred. 


      • By 3500 B.C., the Egyptians had developed ropes from Papyrus and palm fiber, had started to produce cosmetics and fragrances, and had reduced their reliance on magic in the treatment of illness. 
      • By 2700 B.C., the Chinese had begun to grow tea and to pursue herbal medicine with a more scientific method. 
      • Everywhere, the most useful or highly valued plants for household, medical, or religious purposes were cultivated, planted closer to human homes, and preserved. 



      The Persians created the earliest gardens by planting fragrant and perfumed plants beside shade-giving trees in scenic and tranquil locations. 


      • Municipal herb gardens were established for public use in certain early towns, such as Nineveh. 
      • In Nepal, there are state-run medicinal herb gardens. 
      • Scholarship and trade grew and thrived throughout time. 
      • As communication improved, ideas were shared, and the foundations of modern science and medicine were established by the great civilizations of Greece and Rome.



      Even though the Greek and Roman classics served as standard reference materials until the sixteenth century, the most beneficial plants found in them may be traced back to hunter-gatherers and Neolithic man. 


      • Herbalism and our knowledge of the advantages of plants did not stop with the Greeks and Romans, nor has it been confined to Europe. 
      • Many new plants were introduced to European herbals and pharmacopoeias as a result of the discovery of the New World. 



      Even yet, you only have data of a small percentage of the world's estimated 342.000 plant species. 


      • Even in the most developed nations, wild goods and plants are being collected in great numbers; new species of wild plants are still being cultivated in the same manner as the first agriculturalists did, while additional applications are being discovered for well-known plants. 
      • However, our early excitement for the chemical and synthetic alternatives to herbs made accessible by contemporary technology has blinded us to our true and continuing need for herbs. 
      • We now know little or nothing about the raw materials or stakes used in the commodities we purchase, and we can't tell whether the blue jeans we're wearing are from Incline. 



      In India, efficiency dictated that of the 200,000 blooming plant species, just 12 or 13 were extensively cultivated. 


      • And unlike the Roman conquerors of Europe, most of us eat a far more limited vegetable diet. 
      • Unfortunately, industrialization has resulted in the loss of much of our ancestors' important herbal knowledge, as well as the belief that we can survive without them. 
      • When one considers the enormous amounts of crude herbs used today in even the most advanced civilizations, this is obviously a huge misunderstanding. 




      Herbalism is witnessing a resurgence of public and professional interest after a two-hundred-year slump. 



      • The professions that once mocked herbal medicine as useless and superstitious "old wives' tales" are now turning to nature in an effort to find techniques and materials that are devoid of the unwelcome side-effects that are so common with today's 'chemically designed' synthetic drugs. 
      • To evaluate the beliefs generated by millennia of practical experience, new reappraisal techniques are being employed. 
      • There are indications that a resurgence of interest in herbs will be very beneficial to mankind, and that the herbal methods of our forefathers are increasingly being justified. 


      Careful research has proven that many of the ancient herb doctors' ideas were correct, and that plants, for example, can actually have various characteristics when gathered at different seasons of the year, and that some combinations of plants are more effective than using individual herbs. 




      There has also been a resurgence of interest in herbs among the general public. 



      The beauty and tranquility of the old fashioned herb garden, with its accompanying culinary and fragrant herbs, has sparked interest, and it seems to fit the needs of contemporary times. 


      • Herb gardens offer valuable resources while requiring little care, since herbs do not need specific soils or advanced horticultural expertise. 
      • Herbs offer the vitamins and minerals that are becoming more important in a healthy diet. 
      • They're a great place to start if you want to make your own cosmetics, ales, wines, scented sachets, potpourris, or dyes. 



      Herbs are not only inexpensive and simple to use, but they also offer the benefit of being free of the health risks associated with man-made products, such as medicines, food colorings, and hair colors. 


      • Herbalism has become a component of our society's growing concern for ecological balance and a pollution-free 'natural' way of life. 
      • This late-twentieth-century awareness of herbs and their enormous usefulness in food and medicine is really a rediscovering of ancient knowledge, demonstrating that the biblical phrase "all flesh is grass" is as accurate today as it has always been.





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