Herbal Musts For A Well-Stocked Medicine Chest

Good Morning Everyone!

One of the first things you should do after deciding to treat yourself and your family naturally with herbs, is to stock up your medicine chest with the following herbs.......I am going to do 11 herbs today, and 11 herbs in tomorrows post...so stay tuned!

~Peace~

Herbal Musts For A Well-Stocked Medicine Chest



Dried Lavender~Dried Lavender will keep for several months if stored carefully. Use it in teas as a gentle relaxant and externally to dab on burns, rashes or skin irritations. Lavender soothes flu and respiratory infections and has other antibacterial and useful antiseptic qualities.

Marsh Mallow~Marsh Mallow is very effective if you need some help to cure throat or chest problem, and it is also a very powerful addition to most herbal detox combinations. You could create a poultice using marsh mallow to treat external injuries and to help draw out the toxins from ulcers, boils and abscesses. You can drink a tea for cystitis and as an expectorant if your chest feels clogged up and constricted.

Comfrey~This herb is also known as "knit-bone" because it helps broken bones to heal more quickly by aiding mitosis, the process by which new cells are generated. It is also useful for sprains, cuts, wounds, bites, bruises or burns. Create a cream and apply it to your chest to relieve bronchitis and colds, or apply to your stomach for gastritis.

St. Johns Wort~When storing this herb, you should remember that the tincture keeps for a long time, whereas the dried herb will only for three months. One of the most renowned properties of this herb is its ability to act as an antidepressant. It can also help you to relax in stressful times and can be used for irritating coughs, gastritis and stomach ulcers. It should only be uses as a short-term remedy however.

Star Anise~If you experience discomfort after a heavy meal use star anise to relax. This herb helps with other gastric conditions such as flatulence and stomach upsets. If you're an asthma sufferer star anise can open your airways and allow you to breath easily.

Rescue Remedy~As the name suggests, Rescue Remedy is for situations where you are in need of immediate relief. In particular, rescue remedy is proven to provide relief from shock and faintness produced by traumatic events. When taken internally, it acts as an immediate aid in any situation. It can also be applied externally as a skin cream and is particularly successful at soothing cuts, burns and other wounds.

Crab Apple~This remedy is an essential addition to your medicine chest if you are feeling a bit too oversensitive about yourself. If you are suffering low self-esteem, commonly manifesting as feelings of uncleanliness and self-disgust, then you should look to crab apple for some natural healing. This herb also provides an excellent remedy for the symptoms of PMS and is very helpful as a hangover cure if you have overindulged.

Licorice~You should keep a plentiful supply of licorice lozenges during the winter months as these are good for relieving coughs brought on by colds. Licorice can also be used to boost your energy levels and soothe an upset stomach. You can buy sticks of licorice or try looking for it in tincture form at your pharmacist.

EchinaceaNo medicine chest should be without the manifold healing benefits of echinacea tincture. It is useful for improving the efficiency of your immune system and helping your body to overcome both viral and bacterial infections. When you feel like you are coming down with smoothing, take some echinacea by putting a few drops of tincture in a glass of water. Use externally for cuts and scrapes to prevent infection.

Eyebright~Keep a store of eyebright in your medicine chest to use in an eye bath and sore, whether from an infection or inflammation or too many late nights. You can also use eyebright to prevent the build-up of catarrh and mucus.

Blue Cohosh~If you are prone to menstrual problems or tend to experience a late or scanty flow, keep a bottle of blue cohosh tincture in your medicine chest. This healing herb is useful for helping regulate irregular periods and for bring  on suppressed menstruation. It can be used to treat acute rheumatic pain that is bought on by menapause. Absolutely do not take blue cohosh if you are pregnant

Be sure to come back tomorrow for the next 11 herbs you can't do without!