Sweat Out your Cold With Herbs

Photo used with permission under MorgueFile Free License

As much as we try to avoid them, sooner or later we’re gonna catch a cold. The bad thing about colds is that you don’t only catch one. You don’t even catch only one a year. Some years it seems that all we have to do is hear someone sneeze and we’re soon hit with a common illness that makes us want to just go to bed and whine like a baby.

There are many herbal teas suggested for making us feel more comfortable while we’re waiting for the common cold to run it’s course. But did you know that some herbal remedies will also help you sweat out a cold?

A diaphoretic herb is one with properties that promote perspiration. The sweating helps remove toxins from the body.  Adding some chopped, raw garlic and honey to a ginger tea  will get the process working well.

Calendula, or the pot marigold, has diaphoretic properties, as does catnip, lemon balm, oregano, peppermint and rosemary. Some of these herbs can be found fresh in the produce aisle of the grocery store if they are not already growing in the garden. If you can’t find fresh catnip in the grocery store, look for a dried preparation at the health food store.

These herbs will not cure the common cold, but they can help make you feel better. The herbs can be brewed alone or mixed together. Other herbs can be added until you find a great tasting tea that can be enjoyed anytime, even when you’re feeling great.






All written content ©2011 Patrice Campbell unless otherwise noted.

Tea Party for Mom and the Colicky Infant

photo used with permission from morgueFile free license

I usually don't like to recommend herbal remedies for children. It has nothing to do with the safety of the herb. I hesitate because I don't want my suggestion of a remedy to cause a parent to diagnose the condition and possibly mask symptoms that prevent the child from receiving professional care. 

I only offer the following information because Pediatrics reviewed 15 clinical trials on infantile colic and recently released the results of the study. They have determined what we already knew. Herbs can help ease the symptoms of colic.

Fennel extract seems to be the most effective herbal remedy for the baby showing symptoms of colic. Fennel seeds are a natural aid to digestion. They help to expel gas as they relax the muscle lining of the digestive tract.

German chamomile and lemon balm also showed effectiveness is the clinical trials. These herbs are often recommended for teas to give a calming effect to the drinker.

A tea made with a combination of fennel, balm mint, licorice and chamomile was also studied for their effects on infants and found effective.

After a sleepless night spent trying to sooth a crying baby, both mom and her child could benefit from the soothing tea. Mom can brew a double batch and enjoy her cup, diluting some and letting it cool before letting the baby join her relaxing tea moment.

There were no recommendations made during the study of the strength of the concoction for the colicky infant. Like all herbal remedies, introduce the new herbal remedy in small doses to make sure that the substance is well tolerated.

Let the herbal tea cool before giving it the baby.

Herbal remedies are never meant to substitute for medical care or treatments that are suggested by your health team. They are offered as a temporary way to ease the occasional problem. If the problem persists, call the doctor.

All written content ©2011 Patrice Campbell unless otherwise noted.

$34 Billion Spend Annually on Alternative Medicine

If you needed another reason to grow your own herbs besides your love of gardening, your passion for fresh herbs for teas, cooking or crafts or creating your own herbal remedies, a recent study shows how economical your herb garden actually is.



According to a study that was recently released by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,

"That includes a wide range of services from meditation and yoga to dietary supplements, such as echinacea and ginseng."

The article, $34 billion spent yearly on alternative medicine, states:

"Alternative medicine now accounts for more than 11 percent of out-of-pocket spending on health care in the United States, the researchers said.

About 44 cents out of every dollar spent on alternative medicine was for products like fish oil, glucosamine and echinacea. Spending on these products was nearly $15 billion, or about a third of what Americans spend out-of-pocket for prescription drugs."

Because herbs and herbal preparations sold do not fall under FDA guidelines, many experts and concerned about contamination in products that consumers just naturally think are regulated.

So, in addition to your herb garden and personal herbal blends being easier on the pocketbook, they are probably a lot safer than purchased supplements.

photo used with permission under morgueFile Free License

All written content ©2010 Patrice Campbell unless otherwise noted.

A Cabbage Poultice for Arthritis Joint Pain

 I was surprised to learn that cabbage leaves have been used for centuries in medicine. They make wonderful poultices and are used for swelling , skin ulcers, sprains and strains. 

In fact, rheumatoid arthritis patients in a Swiss hospital routinely have their inflamed joints wrapped with the leaves at night to find relief from swelling and pain.

How to Make a Cabbage Poultice

It’s quite easy to make a cabbage poultice. Savoy cabbages seem to work the best.

Things you need:

·         Savoy cabbage leaves
·         Sharp knife
·         Cutting board
·         Rolling pin
·         Gauze bandage

Step 1

Cut the center rib out of the cabbage leaf.

Step 2

Lay the leaves out flat on the chopping board.

Step 3

Pound the leaves with the rolling pin until the cabbage juice start to come out of the leaves.

Step 4

Wrap the juicy cabbage leaves around the painful joint.

Step 5

Cover the cabbage leaves with the gauze bandage to keep the leaves in place and prevent the juice from dripping.

photo by morgueFile free license

Soothe Away Holiday Stress with a Homemade Herbal Facial Mask

Homemade, economical skin care is always available in a kitchen with herbs. Soothe away holiday stress with a homemade herbal facial mask formulated just for your skin type.

Start with a base of 3 tablespoons yogurt or buttermilk and 2 tablespoons of honey.

If you have oily skin, turn the mask into an herbal remedy by adding a tablespoon of chopped sage.
An herbal cosmetic aid for dry skin can be made by adding a tablespoon of dried elderflower powder.
Those lucky people with normal skin will benefit with an herbal face mask made by adding a tablespoon of dried chamomile powder.

• Mix the herb with the yogurt or buttermilk in a small bowl.
• Place another tablespoon of the chosen herb into a teacup or mug, cover with hot water and let it brew.
• Spread the mask over your clean face and relax for at least 20 minutes.
• Strain the cup of tea and use it to gently remove the mask.

If any of the herb is left, brew a cup of  herbal tea and continue relaxing.