Did your turkey get some rosemary? :-)
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving
holiday. We certainly did ... and now it's time to focus on the Christmas
holiday. You either love it or you hate it and some don't even celebrate
it. Whatever the case may be, Christmas is in the *air* and there's no
doubt about that.
Permit me to encourage you to resist
getting caught up in the commercial hype of the season. I think that's where
many folks make a big mistake. During the month of December, stress and emotions
seem to get way out-of-hand for so many people who are stable throughout the
rest of the year.
Hey! The earth will not stop rotating
around the sun if you kick back and have a peaceful holiday.
HERBS IN THE KITCHEN, PART IV
I think this will be the last part in
this series so I need to clarify some things that have been pointed out to me
by a number of our readers.
Kim wrote saying ...
"Thank you for your newsletter
I really enjoy it and it certainly encourages me to use herbs more! : )
I have been wondering though ... many herbs can be used for medicinal
purposes and for other reasons but I noticed you did not put on there
how much should one use ... for example ... if I wanted to use Cinnamon
for its antiseptic uses.. how much should I use and what do I mix it
with ... water? Maybe you could add one example or "recipe" for medicinal
use.. really doesn't do me much good to know something is good for acne
if I don't know how much to use ... : ( I am interested in having my own
home herb remedies.. and maybe others would also : ) (Just one more thing
for you to add eh? <G>) Or like when using Ginger for nausea..
do we make a tea out of it ... or take of a pinch and eat it whole?
Hmmmmm ....? Anyway ... keep sending the newsletters.. I really enjoy
it.. : )"
Thanks Kim! We're glad you are enjoying
the newsletters. I love writing them and I especially enjoy hearing from
ya'll.
YEP, ONE MORE THING FOR ME TO ADD <G>
OK ... let's see ... "cinnamon for
its antiseptic use ... how much should I use and what do I mix it with
...water?... ginger for nausea ... do we make a tea out of it?" I did kinda
leave you hanging on some of this and I apologize. For acne info, see our
Acne -- Herb Information Sheet at
www.abbysherbshop.com/acne.html
KEY ACTIONS AND CONSTITUENTS
I sometimes mention "key actions" when
talking about herbs. For instance, I may list an herb as sedative, antispasmodic,
and tranquilizing. Another herb may be listed as stimulant, carminative,
antispasmodic, antiseptic, and antiviral (key actions for cinnamon). These
terms are helpful when attempting to determine the most beneficial uses of
an herb, but they could also seem a little confusing.
At times, I may also mention particular
"key constituents" in an herb, for instance, allantoin in comfrey or hypericum
in St. John's wort. Key actions and constituents are pharmacological terms
that I throw in occasionally ... not to impress anybody ... Lord knows there
are far greater herbalists out there than little 'ole me. These terms may be
helpful to those herbalists who may be reading our newsletter. And, these
terms may also be helpful to the PhDs and MDs who receive our
newsletter.
IN LAYMEN'S TERMS
For us laymen, key actions and
constituents are a thing to study, but we should not get hung-up on them.
My approach to herbal information is down-to-earth. I try to keep it simple
and avoid the technical stuff, mainly because it bores me. When listing the
benefits of an herb, I try to give the most prominent common uses
first.
TAKE CINNAMON FOR INSTANCE
Cinnamon, Dalcini (Cinnamomum verum
syn. C. zeylanicum - Lauraceae) is best used for digestive problems and
improving circulation even though one of its "key actions" is antiseptic.
To use it as an antiseptic, make a decoction by simmering cinnamon sticks
in water for 15 minutes and apply the tea to wounds or other skin
problems.
A better kitchen herb to use for
antiseptic purposes (IMHO) would be thyme (Thymus vulgaris). It can be
applied as an infusion to the skin for bites, stings, ringworm, athlete's
foot, thrush, scabies, lice, and it even relieves pains such as sciatica
and rheumatism.
There are many herbs that have
antiseptic qualities especially in the form of essential
oils, like tea tree oil and pure essential oil of lavender. Speaking of
lavender oil, it is an excellent choice for dabbing on acne and
blemishes.
GINGER FOR NAUSEA
Ginger, Sheng Jian, Singabera (Zingiber
officinal - Zingiberaceae) can be decocted by simmering about 2-3 tbls of sliced
fresh ginger root (found in most grocery stores) with 2 cups pure water for
15 minutes. Sip this tea throughout the day until the nausea
subsides.
SO MANY CHOICES
For most aliments, there are usually
a number of herbs to choose from. Therein lies the fun! And, therein lies
the study of herbs. As for the methods of application, sometimes we must
rely on common sense.
First rule (our motto) is ... when
in doubt, don't. Until you become better acquainted with an unfamiliar herb
or a new use of an herb, stick to the ones about which you are
knowledgeable.
Second rule is go slow when taking a
new substance internally. Whether it be an herb, a drug, or even a new food,
our bodies may react unfavorably.
Third rule is never take herbs (or drugs)
during the first three months of pregnancy without professional supervision
and never give herbs (or drugs) to young children without professional
advice.
Fourth rule is patch test an herb when
using it externally. This may be done by applying a small about of the herb
behind the ear. The skin in that area is tender and should let you know within
about 24 hours if you can tolerate the new substance whether it be in the form
of a cream, ointment, infusion/decoction, or essential oil. And, by the way,
essential oils should not be used neat (undiluted) on the skin, nor internally,
without professional advice.
ENOUGH WITH THE RULES
Have fun with your herbs! Don't be
afraid to use them in your foods and, by all means, experiment when you
learn of a new way to use them. Herbs are generally very "user friendly."
If you have questions about the herbs you are considering, just ask. We'll
be glad to help if we can.
Next week we will get out of the kitchen
and into the bath ... bath herbs, that is. Until then, be at peace and enjoy
your family and friends during this Christmas season.
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