GLOW

Despite many significant dietary modifications, many of my symptoms didn't noticeably improve until incorporating healing herbs into my daily routine. I may have mentioned this before, and most likely will again, but for over ten years of my life, I took 1,000 mg of pain reliever just about every day for migraines, chronic nerve pain, and severe menstrual cramping. Now that my food triggers have been eliminated, my symptoms are treated completely with herbs. So suffice it to say, I am incredibly enthusiastic about the benefits of herbs. I recently started an herbalism certification course, and have also had the opportunity to help out some friends by making some custom tea blends for them. I feel very at home with it all, and am excited to share some of my blends with you.

Up first is a blend that I made for one of my best friends who has been dealing with a great deal of stress, including a job that taxes his arms and wrists and manifests itself in similar nerve symptoms to mine. I tested this blend out on myself first, and halfway through my mug, I felt like I had taken a muscle relaxant. My tense muscles eased up, my blood started flowing to my finger tips (yes, that is a rare feeling for me), and my mood noticeably improved. I was excited to pass this on to him and see how he responded. After his first mug, he felt relaxed and more at peace, and said that his lungs felt clean and open. He drank this sweet brew prior to bed, and woke up the next morning feeling more refreshed. The tea comes off as quite sweet because of the stevia and licorice root, so test it before adding any additional sweeteners to your cup.

Normally the tea recipes I share here are for a day or two's dose; this recipe is meant to fill a tea canister and last for a while.

1/2 CUP LICORICE ROOT

1/4 CUP CATNIP

1/4 CUP SKULLCAP

1/4 CUP MEADOWSWEET

1/4 CUP ROSE HIPS

1/4 CUP MUGWORT

1/4 CUP STEVIA HERB

1/4 CUP FENNEL SEED

1    TBS SHEEP SORREL

1    TBS PASSIONFLOWER

1    TBS ORANGE PEEL (HEAPING)

OPTIONAL: 1/4 CUP GOLDENSEAL (ADDED FOR SEASONAL ALLERGY COMPLAINTS)

MIX HERBS AND STORE. LOAD TEA INTO A TEA BALL AND STEEP ANYWHERE FROM 5 MINUTES TO AN HOUR, DEPENDING ON DESIRED POTENCY. YOU CAN ALSO PUT THE DESIRED DOSE OF HERBS INTO A FRENCH PRESS AND STEEP THE HERBS THAT WAY. 

LICORICE ROOT:

CATNIP:  

SKULLCAP:  

MEADOWSWEET:  

ROSE HIPS:

MUGWORT:

STEVIA:

FENNEL SEED:

SHEEP SORREL:

PASSIONFLOWER: 

GOLDENSEAL:

*Please note that herbs are potent medicine, and should be honored as such. I am not a certified herbalist (yet!), and am sharing this recipe based solely on my own personal research and experience with it. If you are unfamiliar with these herbs, it is best to first try them individually to test your body's tolerance of them.

After spending two days in the darkroom this week playing with chemistry, I found myself with a strong headache and a feeling of uncertainty as to whether or not I might remain on my feet. I meant to make this blend last night before going to bed, but didn't have the energy for it before falling into bed and passing out for 12 hours. I woke up without the headache, but still a bit light-headed, so I grabbed my bin of herbs and my herb guide, and brewed some detox tea. I've been brewing my teas in the french press lately rather than in a pot, as it requires less attention.

1 TSP SHEEP SORREL

1/2 TSP BURDOCK ROOT

1/2 TSP SKULLCAP

1/2 TSP MEADOWSWEET

1/4 TSP MUGWORT

1 ANISE STAR (OPTIONAL)

FILL FRENCH PRESS WITH WATER, AND POUR INTO KETTLE TO BOIL. POUR HERBS IN THE PITCHER, AND ONCE WATER IS BOILING, POUR WATER INTO THE PITCHER. COVER TO STEEP, BUT DO NOT PUSH DOWN STRAINER UNTIL DONE. AFTER ABOUT A 5 MINUTE STEEP, PUSH DOWN STRAINER AND SERVE.

ABOUT THESE HERBS:

SHEEP SORREL: A strong detoxifying herb, most commonly known in herbalism as part of the Essiac anti-cancer tea blend. It helps to cleanse the liver, bring oxygen to the blood, reduce inflammation and maintain a healthy nervous system. I feel a great relief from a number of my symptoms after consuming this herb.

BURDOCK ROOT: Aids in purifying the liver and kidney, neutralizing and eliminating poisons, promotes digestion, and is a diuretic. If you have fructose malabsorption, you typically should avoid burdock, but in small doses like this it may be tolerable.

SKULLCAP: Soothes the nervous system and is a diuretic.

MEADOWSWEET: Diaphoretic and diuretic, it helps to purify the kidney and liver, and also soothes the nervous system.

MUGWORT: Aids in the production and secretion of bile, mild purgative, helps to purify the kidney and liver, diuretic. Also known as the "dream herb". (The addition of Mugwort into this blend might not have been the wisest decision given my altered state, but I thought it's benefits trumped that concern.)

There are many books and online guides that further elaborate on the benefits of these herbs. I most frequently reference this book. I also find helpful information online here and here, to name only two. 

*Please remember that I am not a certified herbalist, and so I am only sharing recipes that have helped me in my own healing. Herbs are potent medicine, and can react differently with each individual. Listen to your own body, and consult a professional if you are able. 

I've tended to pretty much rely on the same herbs to help alleviate my symptoms, but this week I had to mix it up a bit. I recently introduced a new supplement to my daily regiment, and have been doing some exercises and stretches that, combined, have left me feeling a bit off. My routine has been off as well, and I haven't been very good about making my regular teas. I reached my breaking point today, though, and finally made a big pot. It never ceases to amaze me how immediate the relief can be! This blend has the lovely flavor of a mild black tea.

1/2 TSP CATNIP

1/2 TSP MEADOWSWEET

1/2 TSP ROSE HIPS

1/4 TSP GOLDENSEAL

1/4 TSP RASPBERRY LEAF

10 CUPS WATER

PUT DRIED HERBS IN A TEA BALL, AND PLACE IT IN A LARGE COVERED POT WITH THE WATER. BRING TO A RAPID BOIL, REDUCE THE HEAT, AND BOIL ON LOW FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TURN OFF HEAT AND ALLOW TO STEEP FOR 5-10 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON HOW STRONG YOU WANT IT, OR HOW DISTRACTED YOU ARE. POUR INTO A 1 GALLON MASON JAR*, AND THE EXCESS INTO MUGS TO ENJOY. PLACE JAR IN THE REFRIGERATOR TO CHILL. DRINK COLD OR REHEAT AS DESIRED.

 

ABOUT THESE HERBS:

CATNIP (AKA catmint, catnep, catrup, catswort, field balm) is the herb that I get the most cocked eyebrows about. It is a godsend for both us and our feline friends, although it seems to have a bit of a different effect on the nerves of humans than cats. Herb books will tell you that it is helpful for upset stomachs, spasms, flatulency, acid and diarrhea. In my experience, it also helps to bring a feeling of peaceful euphoria, settling the nervous system, curbing migraines and anxiety attacks, and generally just making my body all kinds of happy. For those reasons it is my favorite in my basket of medicinal herbs.

MEADOWSWEET (AKA bridewort, dollof, meadsweet, meadow queen, meadow-wort, pride of the meadow, queen of the meadow) is most often prescribed for cold and flu symptoms, but also helps to relieve indigestion, diarrhea and gastritis. It also helps to relieve joint pain, is helpful for arthritis and rheumatism. Additionally, it contains sacylic acid, which is a natural pain reliever, also found in white willow bark (which aspirin was originally made from.) It's use was recently suggested to me by a naturopath, and I've found it to be a helpful and tasty addition to my teas.

ROSE HIPS are unfortunately not listed in my herb guides, but while looking for some basic guides online, I stumbled upon this article, which details some benefits that I wasn't even aware of! Apparently I've been doing my body more of a favor than I realized...I've been adding rose hips to help relieve joint pain, but according to this article, it also helps to relieve dizziness and digestive problems, soothes the nerves, and helps to support healthy intestinal flora. I think that I'll be including them in my blends more often!

GOLDENSEAL (AKA eye balm, eye root, ground raspberry, Indian plant, jaundice root, orangeroot, tumeric root, yellow puccoon, yellowroot) is also often prescribed for cold or allergy symptoms, as it relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes in the throat. It also aids in fighting intestinal bacteria growth, and soothes the digestive system in general, both of which are what prompted me to add it into the rotation. Read more here.

RASPBERRY LEAF helps prevent diarrhea and nausea, but is most popularly used to help relieve menstrual cramping and general PMS symptoms. Last month, I added this to my teas for the week prior to my period, and was amazed at how mild my symptoms were. I really didn't have any cramps, which for me is monumental.

As noted in my last post, I've been introducing some ingredients into my diet lately that I've avoided for quite some time. That paired with the glorious autumn season and the sugary root vegetables that accompany it has left me with a few flare-ups of symptoms that I could do without. Besides the usual stomach upsets, the inulin I've been ingesting (burdock root! sun chokes!) has seemed to affect my serotonin levels, and has brought on a few days of ye olde depression, anxiety, excessive and confusing fits of tears. Pretty awesome. The positive side of it, is that after a year of carefully monitoring my food, I have perspective and know that it's a result of food and brain chemistry, not a result of any lasting concern for my quality of life or being. Words can not properly express how freeing that knowledge is after years of very truly being in the dark! In the meantime, though, what to do to help accelerate my recovery? Never underestimate the power of herbs. I like to make a big pot of tea that I can drink over a day or two, allowing them to work their magic and clear my body of the offending substances. If you have indulged in some forbidden dairy products, I would suggest adding rosehips to the blend, as it really helps to soothe the joint pain that often accompanies it. Here is this week's prescription:

PUT DRIED HERBS IN A TEA BALL, AND PLACE IT IN A LARGE COVERED POT WITH THE WATER. BRING TO A RAPID BOIL, REDUCE THE HEAT, AND BOIL ON LOW FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. TURN OFF HEAT AND ALLOW TO STEEP FOR 5-10 MINUTES, DEPENDING ON HOW STRONG YOU WANT IT, OR HOW DISTRACTED YOU ARE. POUR INTO A 1 GALLON MASON JAR*, AND THE EXCESS INTO MUGS TO ENJOY. PLACE JAR IN THE REFRIGERATOR TO CHILL. DRINK COLD OR REHEAT AS DESIRED.

ABOUT THESE HERBS:

LEMON BALM (AKA balm mint, bee balm, blue balm, cure-all, dropsy plant, garden balm, melissa, sweet balm) is a favorite of mine, as it takes care of a number of my symptoms. It is soothing to the nerves and digestive system, reduces inflammation, cramping, headaches, flatulence and melancholy, and on top of that has a wonderful almost milky flavor to it that compliments just about any tea blend.

LICORICE ROOT (AKA sweet licorice, sweet wood) is somewhat mucilaginous, so it helps to coat and soothe the digestive system as well as the throat. It also helps fight nerve inflammation, and soothes the nervous system in general. It is also recommended as an herb to help fight candida overgrowth; I find it particularly helpful in this regard simply because it is so sweet that drinking it can help curb my intense cravings for sugary indulgences.

SKULLCAP (AKA blue skullcap, blue pimpernel, helmet flower, hoodwort, mad-dog-weed, side-flowering skullcap) is another go-to herb for soothing the nervous system. It is also anti-spasmodic and diuretic.

CATNIP (AKA catmint, catnep, catrup, catswort, field balm) is the herb that I get the most cocked eyebrows about. It is a godsend for both us and our feline friends, although it seems to have a bit of a different effect on the nerves of humans than cats. Herb books will tell you that it is helpful for upset stomachs, spasms, flatulency, acid and diarrhea. In my experience, it also helps to bring a feeling of peaceful euphoria, settling the nervous system, curbing migraines and anxiety attacks, and generally just making my body all kinds of happy. For those reasons it is my favorite in my basket of medicinal herbs.

Herbs can be purchased in bulk online; I get mine in bulk from my local co-op in Cambridge.

There are many useful books on herbalism out there. The one I reference the most is here. There are also many online guides; I recently turned on to one here.