The Majickal Garden

With the avalanche of herbal products available in your local pharmacy it can be difficult to put together a truly useful herbal first aid kit.  But here are 5 botanical products I personally recommend every homeowner consider keeping locked in his or her medicine cabinet.

Enteric Coated Peppermint Capsules

Your grandmother probably gave you peppermint candies to help with nausea during long car trips.  Today, science knows that Grandmother was right.  Enteric coated peppermint oil, taken internally, has a relaxing, antispasmodic effect on the smooth muscle tissue found in the digestive tract and is now widely recommended for a variety of bowel conditions, especially irritable bowel syndrome.

Chamomile Tea

Among the most-studied of all the botanicals is chamomile.  While chamomile is most often used for relaxation, scientists know that chamomile is more than just another herbal sleep aid.  Chamomile has anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic and antispasmodic actions.  Chamomile tea can also be applied topically to the skin to reduce inflammation or used as a gargle to soothe dry, scratchy throats.

Psyllium Powder

Few things are as uncomfortable as constipation.  Psyllium powder is a safe, effective way to encourage bowel movements without the cramping and pain that stimulant laxatives can often cause.  Regular consumption of dietary fiber like psyllium may also help many people better manage complicated health conditions like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and the insulin resistance that accompanies type 2 diabetes.

Raw Garlic

Study after study has shown that raw garlic is effective against many of the most common infections humans face.  In laboratory tests, garlic exhibits marked antimicrobial actions against the most common causes of food poisoning, including E. coli and the bacteria that cause lysteria and salmonella.  Garlic is also an effective treatment for yeast and fungal infections.  Perhaps the best news of all is that garlic is even effective against strains of these microbes that are resistant to normal medical treatments.

Aloe Vera Gel

While aloe vera’s ability to heal burns has never been scientifically proven, researchers do know that aloe vera gel has the ability to reduce inflammation when applied directly to wounds.  According to a study published in the International Journal of Toxicology, aloe vera gel demonstrates antifungal, animicrobial and antiviral actions.  Aloe vera gel may even have anti-cancer benefits when applied to skin.

References:

Grigoleit, H., et al.  (2005).  Gastrointestinal clinical pharmacology of peppermint oil.  Phytomedicine.
McKay, D., et al.  (2006).  A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of chamomile tea (Matricaria recutita L.).  Phytotherapy Research.
Wang, Z., et al.  (2007).  Effects of dietary fibers on weight gain, carbohydrate metabolism, and gastric ghrelin gene expression in mice fed a high-fat diet.  Metabolism.
Davis, R., et al.  (1994).  Anti-inflammatory and wound healing activity of a growth substance in Aloe vera.  Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.
Friedman, M., et al.  (2007).  Recipes for antimicrobial wine marinades against Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Listeria monocytogenes, and Salmonella enterica. Journal of Food Science.

Article by Lainak

Herbal Tea Benefits
Herbal teas are renowned for their benefits but what benefits do herbal teas actually have and why are they so advantageous to our health? Read on to find out more.
What is Herbal Tea?

Herbal tea looks like tea and is brewed in the same way as tea, but it not actually a tea at all. This is because they do not come from the Camellia Sinensis bush, the plant from which all teas are made. Herbal teas are actually infusions, and are properly called tisanes. Tisanes are made from mixtures of dried leaves, seeds, grasses, nuts, barks, fruits, flowers, or other botanical elements that give them their taste and provide the benefits of herbal teas.

Unlike other forms of tea, herbal teas contain no caffeine. They also taste great and are easy to drink. Your herbal tea may consist of one main herbal ingredient or it may be a blend of herbal ingredients, designed to bring about a specific purpose, such as relaxation, rejuvenation, relief from a specific condition, amongst other things.
Noted Benefits of Herbal Teas

Firstly, it is important to note that there is a huge array of herbal teas available on the market – each one designed to have a specific therapeutic or medicinal benefit. However, there are some general benefits that can be obtained from herbal teas, and these include:

achieving a more calm and relaxed state of mind
supporting heart health
aiding with stomach and digestive problems
providing cleansing properties for the body
promoting energy and wellness
nourishing the nervous system
strengthening the immune system
providing antioxidants to the body
boosting energy levels and invigorating the body
relieving stress
helping to avoid colds
stimulating the internal organs
promoting a good night’s sleep
it is caffeine free and tastes great

Some Common Herbal Tea Ingredients

There are many different herbs that can be found in an herbal tea, each with a different use. Some common ones include:

Allspice – helps to soothe the common cold and relieves upset stomachs
Anise seed – aids digestion and freshens the breath. It can also soothe a cough and improve bronchitis.
Chamomile – is renowned for its calming properties and is also said to be anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic
Chrysanthemum – is sweet-tasting and is able to reduce body heat resulting from fever. It also helps protect against liver damage and neutralises toxins.
Cinnamon – is calming and helps to support healthy circulation and digestion.
Ginseng – stimulates vitality and helps the body stay healthy.
Ginger root – is excellent for improving circulation, and is one of the best herbs for improving digestion, nausea, lung congestion, and arthritis.
Hawthorne – strengthens the heart and increases blood flow.
Lemongrass – is frequently used due to its calming properties.
Parsley – is a diuretic and helps with kidney function.
Pau d’arco – has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity against a wide variety of organisms including bacteria, fungi, yeasts (including Candida albicans), viruses (including herpes simplex types I and II, influenza virus, poliovirus and retroviruses) and parasites.
Peppermint – is good for stress relief. It also helps with stomachs and digestive issues and helps to freshen the breath.
Red Clover – use as a medicine for menopausal symptoms, cancer, mastitis, joint disorders, asthma, bronchitis, psoriasis and eczema. It is not recommended for children, pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Rose hips – are a natural source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. They are a liver, kidney, and blood tonic, and are a good remedy for fatigue, colds, and cough.
Sarsaparilla – promotes energy and healthy skin.
Slippery elm – helps to relieve stomach cramps and other gastrointestinal problems.

Making Herbal Tea

When you are making your herbal tea, use fresh, cold water. Do not use aluminium cookware as it can affect the taste. Use glass, cast iron, or stainless steel where possible. A tea strainer is very helpful as it lets you create your own blends of teas or herbs, and stops the leaves and flowers from escaping into the drink.

Once the water has boiled, add one heaped teaspoon of herbs for every cup of water. Cover and let the herbs steep for ten minutes. Do not over-steep the herbs as the flavour may become too strong and taste more medicinal rather than pleasant. If you want to enhance the flavour of your tea, honey or lemon can be great choices.

Hibiscus tea or Karkade tea is dried flowers of hibiscus, the so-called Sudanese rose.
By own curative properties karkade tea is matchless! It strengthens capillaries, reduces cholesterol level, has antibacterial effect, protects from the toxic effects of alcohol and has antiallergenic activity. It is an excellent natural light diuretic, disinfecting the urinary tract. Karkade extinguishes heartburn, helps with chronic constipation and has antispasmodic effect, due to anthocyanins, contributing to its bright red color.
Hibiscus tea contains fruit acids, amino acids, easily assimilated carbohydrates, macro and micronutrients, vitamins, bioflavonoids.
To brew karkade tea is very easy. Pour one teaspoon of karkade dried leaves with one glass of boiling water and wait for 2-3 minutes. Then you can add a little citric acid or lemon peel, if you wish.

net w. 80g.+80g=160g

Shipping, Postage and Packing costs are INCLUDED within the price of your purchase.

Buy Tea Online

Online Tea Shop

More Herbal Articles

Been dreaming of shiny, healthy hair? With the advent of cosmetic procedures and technology, achieving the type of hair that you’ve always wanted is possible. However, hair treatments only provide a temporary fix and constantly using hair care procedures eventually reduces the natural beauty of your hair.

Healthy Diet = Beautiful Hair

Depending on your diet, it is possible to achieve the quality of hair you always dreamed of. Hair is just like any part of your body. Its health also depends on food and nutrients. Couple your healthy diet with lots of water and rest to contribute to beautiful shiny hair.

Taking care of your health is the first step. Then, you can implement damage limitation procedures. The following are common elements that can contribute to damaged hair:

a. Overexposure to sun
b. Wind
c. Pollution
d. Excessive brushing
e. Too much coloring or treatment, among others

Precautionary Steps

You need to take precautionary measures to preserve the natural beauty of your hair and limit damage. Improving the quality of your diet is an efficient but inexpensive first step. Some of the most dreaded hair conditions include: lifeless, frizzy, dry, stressed hair and split ends.

Here are helpful tips to get you started towards naturally beautiful hair:

1. Reduce environmental stress by protecting your hair from wind and sun. Wear a cap and bring an umbrella whenever you go out.

2. Reduce, if not totally eliminate, hair care procedures such as curling, straightening, or blow-drying.

3. Allow your hair to naturally dry after washing.

Natural Hair Care Treatment

- Nettles are an effective tonic and detox treatment to relieve damaged hair. Make a tea out of dried nettle leaves, or you can purchase those readily available nettle tea bags from health food stores. Aside from drinking the tea, you can also use it as a hair rinse.

- Chamomile tea is an effective hair conditioner. If you want to achieve extra shine, simply add a teaspoon of lemon juice to a liter of tea.

- To restore moisture to dry hair, you can use infusions from common spices such as parsley or sage.

- If you have greasy or oily hair, you can make a rinse out of either lemon balm, lavender, rosemary, or mint. These herbs will help reduce the production of sebum and calm your scalp.

Herbal Hair Shampoo vs Commercial Hair Products

Proponents of natural hair care products emphasize not only its efficacy in addressing hair problems but also its lack of toxic effects on your body. Commercial shampoos utilize toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to your health, especially when used in excessive amounts. If you take the time to examine the labels of most shampoos available on the market, you might find these chemicals listed among its ingredients:

- propylene glycol
- cetearyl alcohol
- distearate
- isopropyl alcohol
- methylparaben or propylparaben

The main difference between commercially produced hair care products over organic ones is that the former utilize harmful ingredients in an effort to produce quick results. Today people always aim for quick, visible results. Therefore, chemicals are used in large amounts to produce the desired result. Unfortunately, this “quick fix” is detrimental to your overall health in the long term.

Benefits of Herbal Hair Products

Herbal hair products use natural herbal components to promote growth and health of hair. More than just reparation for damaged hair, these natural products aim to promote natural growth and development in a gradual, long term perspective.

Aloe vera is an example of a plant that contains properties that help promote the hair’s natural growth. Meanwhile, castor or coconut oils maintain the natural glow of your hair. In comparison, hair applied with coconut oil appeared to have a more natural but healthier glow compared to hair applied with shampoo.

Aside from fewer risks to your health, the promise of healthier and more beautiful hair is reason enough to switch to natural hair products.

by PackAge PORTFOLIO

When it comes to nutritional supplements, many people find they prefer herbs and herbal Combinations vitamin and mineral supplements over. There Are Several Reasons Why compelling going with an herbal supplement can be beneficial. Here are some of the Advantages of using herbal supplements.

Assuming Properly Prepared Are the herbs and the right portions of the plants Are Used in the creation of the supplements, at least you will Receive the same level of nutrition, and possibly a little more. For people who are on the go and do not have time to keep up with a bunch of Different supplements, choosing the right combination of herbs in a single supplement makes sense.

Another Advantage of using herbal supplements Often Is That They Are ideal for treating specific ailments. For example, People Who Suffer from anxiety or depression May Benefit from taking a supplement that combination contains skullcap Such as herbs, garlic, ginger, Hawthorne berries and passionflower.

Many prescription unlikable Medications, herbs Are Usually Not Thought to Be Physically addicting, Which Makes It Easier to Gradually curtail the use of the herbal blends eleven the health issue has passed.

Some herbal supplements Are Absorbed into the body in a Relatively Short Period of Time. This Can Be Especially important if the herb is Being Used in a crisis situation. A blend of cayenne pepper and garlic is a good example of this. Depending on the situation, it is possible to either take the combination in capsule form or add the herbs to hot water and consumed as a tea them. When mixed with warm water, cayenne pepper both (which contains capsicum) and garlic release vitamins and minerals into the system at a much faster rate.

In FACT, the Ability to infuse herbal supplements easily into a beverage is one of the biggest advantages. Adding the contents of an herb in capsule form to a cup of green tea makes it possible to enjoy the herbs at a leisurely pace, as well as facilitating the absorption process. The Can Be pleasing taste as well, Especially When Some form of mint is added to the hot beverage.

One strong appeal for Some People is the Ability to purchase herbs That Are Prepared Without the use of any type of synthetic preservatives. This Can Be Especially important for Anyone Who prefers to avoid anything unnatural They Consider to Be from Entering Their Bodies. Often shops sell supplements Herb That Are Prepared in house, or at least carry products made using time That Are Honored Methods That help to ensure the quality of the product.

While the cost of herbs Tends to Some Consumers put off, the truth is herbal supplements That Are Usually no more expensive vitamin and mineral supplements Than. Part of the reason for this is That Contain varying herbs Many Amounts of vitamins and herbs. Even When Comparing an herb to a multivitamin, There is a good chance the herbal supplement will contain a WIDER range of nutrients than the multivitamin product.

The use of herbal supplements to augment the diet and address nutritional deficiencies’ Gained in popularity in recent years. As a result, more retail outlets carrying capability are herbal products Than at Any Time in the past. If you are thinking of using a supplement to deal with a particular ailment, or as a Means of Improving your general health, using herbal supplements look into. May you find them to Be Just What You Need? As with all supplements, remember to check with your doctor about possible allergies or drug Interactions before Taking herbal supplements.

Video Rating: 4 / 5

Common Blue Violet

Image by Muffet
Thanks to darkwood67 for one of the textures.
Vase by Seasholtz Glass Design, Johnson, VT.
The violet is the state flower of four states, including Illinois, NJ, and Wisconsin. Can’t remember the fourth…

dill

Image by Muffet
Next to garlic, this may be my favorite seasoning.
Thanks to ground*floor for the texture.