The Healing Remedies Sourcebook: Over 1,000 Natural Remedies to Prevent and Cure Common Ailments. C. Shealy Norman
of the herbs in rubs, massage oils, and salves. There are two methods of infusion, hot and cold. Hot is used for thyme, rosemary, comfrey root, and spices such as cayenne, mustard, and ginger. Cold is used for flowers.
INFUSED OIL
Method
To make 1 cup (250ml):
Chop 3 tablespoons/¼ cup dried herbs or spices, or 6 tablespoons/½ cup fresh herbs
Put half into a clean pan with a lid
Cover with 1 cup (250ml) pure vegetable oil (a pure and light vegetable oil is best).
Put in a water bath and simmer gently for two hours (it is important that direct heat is not used, as this might burn the oil)
Strain
Throw away used herbs
Put remaining half of unused herbs in pan
Cover these with the oil (it will have changed color, having picked up some of the quality of the herbs)
Replace lid and return pan to water bath for another couple of hours. Strain
Pour oil into clean bottles, label, and date
This double method makes a strong infused oil which can be used as it is, mixed with tincture for a liniment, or thickened with beeswax (for a thin cream, use 1 part beeswax to 10 parts infused oil; for a thick salve, use 1 part beeswax to 5 parts infused oil).
ALCOHOL - SPICED OR TONIC WINE
A good way to make a strengthening remedy for everyday use is to make a tonic wine. Spiced wines make good aperitifs, to stimulate and improve digestion.
Method
1oz. (25g) herb(s)
1–2oz. (25–50g) spices, depending on taste
8½ cups (2l) of wine
Stand for two weeks
Strain and bottle
Dose
¼ cup twice a day before meals (warm water can be added).
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM
YARROW
A common wild plant with feathery leaves and white or pink flowers. Often found on lawns. In Greek myth, achillea is said to have been used by Achilles to treat his army’s wounds.
USES
Early stages of fevers, especially with hot, dry skin.
Catarrh, sinusitis, hay fever, and dust allergies.
For high blood pressure, with hawthorn and linden.
With a little ginger for cold feet.
Internal and external use for varicose veins and spontaneous bruising.
Useful for thrombosis, to prevent blood clots.
Supportive for people undergoing radiotherapy and intestinal infections.
Diarrhea, liverishness, colic, and weak digestion.
Irregular menstrual bleeding, cramps, and vaginal discharges.
Helps pelvic circulation.
PROPERTIES
Diaphoretic
Anti-inflammatory
Antiseptic
Antispasmodic
Styptic
Gentle bitter tonic
NOTES AND DOSAGES
Standard doses (see pages here). Take freely for fevers and acute complaints.
For a bath, simmer a handful of fresh leaves in 2 cups (500ml) water for 15 minutes.
Strain and add to your bath water.
CAUTION
Avoid large does in pregnancy, small amounts are safe, but if in doubt consult a professional herbalist. Some people develop an allergic rash if they handle the fresh herb in sunlight.
AGRIMONIA EUPATORIA
AGRIMONY
A common wild plant with slender spikes of bright yellow flowers. The whole herb is used. Culpeper recommended it for gout “used outwardly in an oil or ointment, or inwardly, in a syrup or juice.”
USES
As a tea or tincture for indigestion, heartburn, diarrhea, and liverish feelings. Especially helpful for people suffering from food allergies—on a long-term basis.
With St. John’s wort and horsetail for bed-wetting and chronic cystitis.
As a lotion for the cleansing of wounds.
AGRIMONY DIGESTIVE TONIC
Combine equal parts of agrimony, raspberry leaf, and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Store away from the light. Make a tea from 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 1 cup of boiling water, and drink freely for colicky pains with looseness and nervous diarrhea.
PROPERTIES
Astringent and tonic
Tones and strengthens the digestive system and liver
A wound herb
NOTES AND DOSAGES
Standard doses (see pages here).
Agrimony makes a tasty substitute for normal tea.
CAUTION
May aggravate constipation, but otherwise a safe and gentle herb to use.
ALCHEMILLA VULGARIS
LADY’S MANTLE
A wild plant of wayside and meadows. Grows well in shady gardens, and bears sprays of greenish-yellow flowers.
USES
Heavy menstrual bleeding, either alone or with an equal part of shepherd’s purse or yarrow. Also for bleeding in the middle of the menstrual cycle and for irregular menstruation.
To prevent menstrual cramps and for PMS, taken during the second half of the menstrual cycle.
Thrush and other vaginal discharges, taken as a tea or douche.
Traditional treatment for infertility in women with no obvious cause.
Children’s diarrhea.
LADY’S MANTLE AND CHAMOMILE WASH
Make a strong tea with 1 cup of boiling water to 1 teaspoon of lady’s mantle and 2 teaspoons of chamomile flowers. Infuse in a covered vessel for 15 minutes. Use this as a soothing wash for itchy genitals, in men and women.
PROPERTIES
Astringent
Tones