A Strong Brew: Making Medicinal Tea

There is more than one way to make tea.  Tea can be made with carefully heated water to the right temperature with a specific allotment of time for steeping.  Some teas are loose leaf, some are bagged; some left to steep for five minutes, others until the drinker remembers to remove the tea from cup or pot.  Making medicinal tea does not require any skills beyond making a regular cup of tea, except, perhaps, more patience and more tea. First, let's figure out why you would make a medicinal tea versus a daily cup of tea.  Medicinal teas are often for acute conditions such as a cold, sore throat, upset stomach, or headache.  A daily cup of tea, on the other hand (or in the other cup!), would usually be for tonifying the body, nervous system support, general stress relief, and nutritive value.  While I might take an adaptogenic herb such as Sacred Basil Ocimum sanctum daily for its ability to normalize body functions and keep me in balance, I would take an herb like Elder flower Sambucus nigra for a short period when I felt the onset of a cold to help stimulate my immune system with its antiviral actions.

The primary differences between a daily cup and a medicinal cup of tea is dosage and length of brewing.  While the general recommendation for a regular cup of tea is 1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water, for a medicinal dose we would use a tablespoon per cup.  Also, for a medicinal cup we steep herbs for 6 to 8 hours to allow for a greater degree of constituents of the herbs to be pulled out into the water.  I like to make a medicinal jar of tea (about 3 to 4 cups) before I go to bed, drinking it throughout the next day.  After straining out the tea, if making loose leaf, or removing the tea bag, you can choose to reheat the tea.

Drinking 3 to 4 cups daily for up to a week and sometimes longer is generally recommended for medicinal teas, but pay attention to specific instructions that may come with your tea, your neighborhood herbalist or your own research.  You might try preparing the following herbs as medicinal teas for the colds that may come our way this fall season:

Elder flowers and berries Sambucus nigra: Antiviral and good for the first-stage symptoms of colds and the 'flu.

Fennel Foeniculum vulgare: For colds, coughs, congestion, and asthma.  Also useful as a laxative and general relief of indigestion.

Blue Violet leaf Viola odorata: Anti-inflammatory and good for coughs, bronchitis, and asthma.  A good respiratory tonic.

Sage Salvia officinalis: Great for sore throats and also useful for digestive issues.

Let's Talk About Rainbows

Teas are very important in the Worts & Cunning Apothecary household.  Our tea kettle is  an abundantly used tool in our home and tea pots and tea kettles are found on shelves about our kitchen.  And tables.  And the floor.  And in the hands of clever tea drinkers.  Yet, there is another concoction that plays as important role in the health and happiness of our household: the herbal powder.

Herbal powders, while not as widely used in the current herbal market when compared to teas or tinctures, are an effective and easy way to use herbs daily.  I mix herbal powders into smoothies, juices, dressings, sauces, and have on more than one occasion just taken a spoonful directly (which sometimes resulted in a cough and an herbal powder cloud which leads to laughter and general states of silliness).  I love herbal powders when on the road because they can be easier to take than tea (there is not always a roadside kettle to employ) because they can require nothing further than a bit of water to mix them with.

I take an herbal powder daily and usually mix it with beautiful whole foods like spirulina, dried and powdered fruit like blueberries, and cacao.  Powders are absorbed quickly in the body and I like ingesting the whole herb, which herbal powders, unlike teas and tinctures, allow you to do.  They are also easily encapsulated for those folks who are more inclined to the ease of ingesting capsules.

So when, you might be asking yourself, are we going to talk rainbows?  Right now, my friends!   When creating this herbal powder I wanted to name it something that described its powers and so SUPER! RAINBOWS! LOVE! GO! Powder came to be.  It is an herbal powder like none other and its ability to make you smile starts with its title.  Made to be enjoyed on a daily basis in juices, smoothies, mixed into food or with a bit of water the herbs of this blend are restorative, adaptogenic, and tonifying to mind, body, and spirit.  It makes me feel full of rainbow energy goodness which might explain my love of wearing day-glo colors in wild patterns.  Results vary!

HE SHOU WU Polygonum multiflorum: Said to turn grey hair black and restore vitality to the body, He Shou Wu, stimulates liver, gall bladder, kidney, and intestinal function, increases libido, and lowers cholesteral. Current research is being done to explore He Shou Wu’s benefits for treating folks with Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and impaired cerebral circulation.

SPIRULINA Arthrospira platensis: High in amino acids, Spirulina is a complete protein, as well as containing lots of iron and multiple vitamins and minerals (vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, E, and K).  Packed full of antioxidants, Spirulina is also anti-viral and immune-boosting.

ELEUTHERO Eleutherococcus senticosus: Addresses fatigue, stress, indigestion, and enlivens without overstimulating.  As a nervine, Eleuthero improves quality of sleep.  Strengthens the immune system, improves alertness, and supports moments of brilliance.

KELP Ascophyllum nodosum: Neutralizes free radicals, purifies the blood, detoxifies body tissues of heavy metals and radioactive agents, immunostimulating, and calming.  Reminds us to be mindful of all the water we carry in our beautiful bodies.

ASTRAGALUS Astragalus membranaceaus: Spleen tonic, enhances the immune system, relieves fatigue, strengthens the lungs, prevents colds, and has tumor-inhibiting properties.

NETTLE Urtica dioica: Nutrient rich, Nettles will give your skin, hair and nails a gorgeous glow.  A very nourishing nervine tonic.

GOTU KOLA* Centella asiatica: For the brain!  Enhances energy and concentration while reducing mental fatigue, irritability, and anxiety.

SACRED BASIL Ocimum sanctum: Known as Tulsi or Tulasi in her native India, Sacred Basil is a powerful adaptogenic herb, promoting health and long life.  Sacred Basil helps to balance the body’s energy systems, is immunomodulating, an antidepressant, antibacterial, and antiviral.

Find SUPER! RAINBOWS! LOVE! GO! Powder in our S H O P!

* Use with caution during pregnancy because of Gotu Kola which is inconsistently contraindicated for pregnancy.  As with every product you use in and on your body, I encourage you to do research and make an informed choice in regards to your health and wellbeing.

The Tides of the Moon - Herbs for Heavy Menstruation

A full moon sat round in our sky just a few evenings ago.  As the moon waxes and wanes, our human bodies ebb and flow, mirroring its cycle.  Those who menstruate can find themselves especially sensitive to the cycles of the moon.  Or not at all.  There is not a single, definitive menstrual experience - though it would seem that our mainstream media attempts to define one all the time ("Oh no!  Not your period!  How will you ever have a social life?!  It will embarrass you!").  Many times advertisements for menstrual products propose a "solution" to menstruation which usually involves being able to pay less attention to it.  I feel that just as when we pay better attention to our breath we are able to breathe better and when we are more mindful of our menstrual cycles we are able to bleed better.

Choosing how we treat ourselves during our menstrual cycles can be as simple as a shift of perspective.  Instead of a burden or "invasion" of our social calendars as so many advertisements would have us perceive menstruation, we can acknowledge the cycle that our body is going through, giving ourselves space and time when we need it.  Asking for space and time can be perceived in itself to be burdensome, but it is an important part of our health and wellness.

For those of us who have especially heavy periods, known as menorrhagia, menstruation can feel like a great weight on our bodies, our mental outlook, and relationships.  Fortunately, we have many green allies who can work with our bodies to reduce bleeding, cramping, and the emotional exhaustion that can come for some menstruating folk.  Moon River is a restorative blend that provides the body with nutrients both physical and emotional, renewing energy, regulating the menstrual cycle, and relieving symptoms such as cramps, headaches, and mood swings.

The following herbs are helpful for those with heavy cycles and can be found in Moon River.

RASPBERRY LEAF Rubus idaeus: Toning and strengthening for the uterus, Raspberry leaf is also helpful with its astringent qualities in treating menorrhagia as well as diarrhea that can occur during menstruation.  Raspberry leaf also reduces inflammation and is antispasmodic.

NETTLES Urtica dioica: Very nutrient rich, especially in iron, Nettles nourish the body.  Nettles are also useful for treating menorrhagia because it reduces excess bleeding and replacs nutrients loss, especially iron.  Nettles are drying and stimulating, which is important when treating the wet and exhausting symptoms of excessive bleeding and energy loss.  Nettles also support the liver, spleen, and gallbladder, allowing them to support the body during menstruation, such as the liver's role in breaking down excess estrogen.

OATS Avena sativa: Rich in calcium, iron, manganese, and zinc, Oats are very nourishing when the body feels depleted and exhausted.  Oats can also relieve tension headaches and melancholic states that might occur before and during menstruation.

SACRED BASIL Ocimum sanctumto: An excellent adaptogenic herb, Sacred Basil lifts the mood, balances the energetic body, and relieves cramps.

While drinking herbal teas are very useful and beneficial, when our menstrual cycles our burdensome, there is usually some underlying cause that needs to be addressed to restore balance.  Making sure to take time to be quiet and reflective during menstruation can often provide the insight needed to make changes to how we menstruate.  Menstruation is an opportunity for change and can be a very powerful time to re-focus and re-vision, but first we must take the time to do so.

Herbs To Bring Love

We are social creatures who continuously build relationships through family ties, exchange of resources, passionate pursuits, and common cultures.  The pursuit of relationships bound together by romantic love seems often to be of particular interest to our species.  Herbalists have been keen on finding green allies that act as aphrodisiacs - bringing out hidden love, stoking the fires of mature love, and helping desire reside fully in the body.

Peters, Hermann. Pictorial History of Ancient Pharmacy. 3rd ed. Chicago: G. P. Englehard, 1902, c.1899. Ebling Library call number RS 61 P48

Lady's Bedstraw (Galium verum), also known as Maid's Hair, was said to "provoke conjunction" and French kings Louis XIV and Louis XV were secretly given a tincture derived from a beetle which was a genital irritant and quite poisonous.  Not necessarily the direction I would recommend today in the pursuit of aphrodisiacs.  One of the more famous aphrodisiacs are Mandrakes (Podophyllum peltatum) or Womandrakes, depending on their shape.  Said to bring to you the lover you seek, there were many rules about when and how to pick Mandrake including dancing about it while speaking all you know about love.

More common herbs such as Thyme (Thymus vulgaris), Parsley (Petroselinum crispum), Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Spearmint (Mentha spicata), and Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis) have also been used to quicken hearts and bring sparkle to the eye. But many of the aphrodisiacs that have held up over time are usually tonics of some sort and support the nervous system which makes a lot of sense when you are dealing with love, sex, and the emotional exercises of a romantic relationship.

The ideal aphrodisiac for me it manifold in its efforts.  Most importantly it is nourishing to the nervous system which allows the herbs of passion to effectively do their work.  A body that is nourished  is more open to others, to true desire, and to expansiveness through love.  A blend for love should also be exciting in and of itself that is what I hope you'll find Ambrosia to be.

In Ambrosia you'll find the following herbs to aid you on the path of desire:

GINGER Zingiber officinale: Warming and stimulating, Ginger has been used to attract love and has a wonderfully spicy flavor.

DAMIANA Turnera aphrodisiaca: Stimulating to sexual energies, Damiana also promotes physical endurance while invigorating the brain and nerves.  Also useful for treating infertility, erectile dysfunction, headaches, and “performance anxiety.”

LICORICE Glycyrrhiza glabra: Harmonzing for the mind, body, and spirit, Licorice helps us feel balanced.

LEMON BALM Melissa officinalis: Calms the nerves, relieves anxiety, and gives the body space to find and feel love.

CINNAMON Cinnamomum cassia: Stimulating to the senses, Cinnamon increases vitality.

CACAO Theobroma cacao: Cacao (chocolate in raw form) contains phenylethylamine, the same compond that naturally occurs in the brain when we are in love and also when experiencing orgasm.  Boosting levels of seratonin and endorphins, Cacao also contains naturally occurring caffeine.

Find Ambrosia and other teas at our shop.

Source of Light: Calendula

botanical.com

Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is a beloved herb of the sun and the golden flowers of the plant will turn their faces towards the bright day orb as it travels across the sky.  Held in high esteem by herbalists throughout the ages as an especially healing herb, Calendula has a brightening power on the heart and is lifting to the spirit.  Calendula is a busy healing helper driven by the sweet sorrow of knowing someone you love does not feel well and ever seeking to provide relief. As an herb of enchantment, Calendula was said to protect against all forms of evil influences (including the plague which is no surprise given its anti-viral properties) and even able to reveal the identity of the person who had robbed you if worn.  Placed in a bath, Calendula will win you the respect of everyone you meet and  there is even a curious myth that touching the petals to your feet will allow you to understand the language of the birds.

If you or someone you know is feeling a bit under in the weather in a literal sense - they feel damp, sluggish, slow to heal, and like they are living beneath a cloud - Calendula might be the herb to befriend.

commons.wikimedia.org

As an anti-inflammatory and herb, Calendula can be used internally to treat digestive disorders, such as indigestion, irritation of the intestines and bowels,  diarrhea, and helps to regulate inflammation. It actually increases digestive enzymes and the production of bile in the body.  Topically, Calendula is found in many healing salves because along with being anti-inflammatory, it is also anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and speeds healing process by promoting tissue repair.  It is also known to reduce scarring.

Calendula is stimulating to a sluggish immune system, helping to promote circulation, relieve congestion, and support the work of our liver and gall-bladder.  Used for colds, the flu, and infections like the herpes virus, these bright flowers fight ear infections and athlete's foot when prepared as an herbal oil, relieve sinus infections as a nasal wash, and treat conjunctivitis as an eyewash.

Bringing on delayed menstruation and easing menstrual cramps are some of the ways Calendula pays particular attention to women's bodies.  It is also effective in treatments of uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts, excessive bleeding, and general uterine congestion. Especially good for those women who feel overly damp and drowning a bit in the emotional currents of menstruation and menopause - the brightness of Calendula will help to dry out overly saturated emotional states and bring light to an overcast situation.

Besides mixing Calendula into tea blends, one of the simplest ways I use Calendula is as a compress for cuts and burns.  I recently used crushed petals that I mixed with a bit of warm water on a cut on an upper lip.  The cut healed quickly and though it was deep it has a very slight scar that is continuing to fade.  I recommend keeping a few tea bags of Calendula about the house, in your bike basket or bag to apply to cuts, burns, stings, rashes, and other skin complaints.  We'll discuss using Calendula in salves and herbal oils in later postings!