Herbal Remedies
 

An Interesting Herb Fact

The Healing Beauty of Borage
The borage flower (Borago officinalis) is well known for its lovely blue color. The flowers have been used since Elizabethan times for both decoration and for its healing beauty. Recent modern research has shown that the plant may actually stimulate the adrenal glands, encouraging the production of adrenaline, that famous 'fight or flight' hormone that is responsible for getting our bodies geared up during the most stressful times in our lives. Herbalists describe the character of the borage...

 Lavender for Healing
 Healing Herbs Ready for Use
 Prepare Healing Herbs
 herbs and healing  herbal healing  natural medicine
   

The Elder Plant: A Healing Herb for All Seasons

The Elder plant is so highly regarded by traditional herbalists and naturopaths that it has gained a reputation as a sort of 'complete medical chest' because of its countless attributes and therapeutic qualities. There is a long history of folklore that has been attached to this very popular herb. For instance, Galen described the herb as both hot and dry, and in the 17th century the plant was a popular choice for treating problems of excessive phlegm. The herb was used alternately as a diuretic and as a harsh purgative. In the 18th century, Elderflower water was used as a popular skin whitener that supposedly could remove all the freckles from a person's face.

The Elder plant, scientific name Sambucus nigra, is comprised of several parts that are used by herbalists to create potent remedies. The flowers and berries of the Elder plant have been described as drying, slightly sweet, cool and sometimes bitter. The flowers are used to treat a variety of ailments. The flowers are mainly used to help treat problems of excessive phlegm and to encourage sweating. Many herbalists think of the Elder flower as the ideal herb for treating colds or influenza. Herbal remedies made from the Elder flowers are also used to help control the symptoms of hay fever. They can be ingested as a prophylactic to help strengthen the upper respiratory tract. This should be done before the pollen count rises. The Elder flowers can also be used topically to treat chilblains and as an all around anti-inflammatory. The Elder flowers used for most herbal remedies are traditionally harvested in early summer.

The Elder plant contains berries that are also used to create herbal remedies. The berries are known to be rich in vitamins A and C when they are ripe. Traditionally the berries have been taken to prevent the onset of winter colds. They are usually harvested in early fall. The bark of the Elder plant is also used in some herbal remedies. The bark is usually taken to treat chronic, stubborn constipation as well as some arthritic conditions. Herbalists have described the bar of the Elder plant as warm, and it is believed to be effective as a liver stimulant. However, naturopaths rarely use the bark of the Elder plant or herbalists in remedies prepared these days.

There are many ways to prepare the Elder plant in an herbal remedy. Perhaps the simplest way to ingest the Elder plant is to prepare it in an infusion. As an infusion, the Elder plant can be drank in a hot tea to treat fevers, mucous conditions of the upper respiratory tract system, and to control the symptoms of hay fever. Many herbalists combine the Elder plant with other herbs, including boneset, yarrow, and peppermint. The flowers of the Elder plant can also be used to create a cream that can be applied to chapped skin and skin sores. For sore or strained eyes, use an eyewash created with Elder flowers to rinse the eyes several times a day. Elder flowers can also be used to create a mouthwash to treat sore throats, tonsillitis, and mouth ulcers.

08/13/2010
Insomnia in Pregnancy: A Common Issue
Insomnia in pregnancy is a common concern for mothers-to-be. While a woman may know and understand that she needs to get enough sleep to be healthy for herself and her unborn child, she may have trouble sleeping early in pregnancy and in the last weeks before the baby arrives. First Trimester During the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through a number of changes. Not only have ...

Insomnia in Pregnancy: A Common Issue

08/13/2010
Innovative Ideas, Improvements from Local Minds in This Week's Scene
This week's cover is our second annual Innovations Issue , where we spotlight ideas that Middle Tennesseans are devising or implementing to improve their respective… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Innovative Ideas, Improvements from Local Minds in This Week's Scene

08/13/2010
Innovative Ideas, Improvements from Local Minds in This Week's Scene
This week's cover is our second annual Innovations Issue , where we spotlight ideas that Middle Tennesseans are devising or implementing to improve their respective… [ Read more ] [ Subscribe to the comments on this story ]

Innovative Ideas, Improvements from Local Minds in This Week's Scene

08/13/2010
Insomnia in Pregnancy: A Common Issue
Insomnia in pregnancy is a common concern for mothers-to-be. While a woman may know and understand that she needs to get enough sleep to be healthy for herself and her unborn child, she may have trouble sleeping early in pregnancy and in the last weeks before the baby arrives. First Trimester During the early stages of pregnancy, a woman’s body is going through a number of changes. Not only have ...

Insomnia in Pregnancy: A Common Issue

09/01/2010
MS LifeLines® Reaches Milestone of Servicing One Million In-Bound Calls
EMD Serono, Inc. and Pfizer Inc. announced today that MS LifeLines, an educational and support service which includes a call center, has achieved a milestone in servicing one million in-bound calls since its inception in 2002. Â MS LifeLines is sponsored by EMD Serono, Inc. an affiliate of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany, and Pfizer Inc. Â The service is available to the multiple sclerosis ...

MS LifeLines® Reaches Milestone of Servicing One Million In-Bound Calls

08/28/2010
WITH VIDEO: 16 arraigned from medical marijuana raids
Sixteen people were arraigned Friday in connection with medical marijuana raids around Oakland County.

WITH VIDEO: 16 arraigned from medical marijuana raids

● Herbal Remedies
• Herbal Remedy Treatments Made from the Angelica Plant
• Goldenseal -- A Traditional Native American Herb with Many Uses
• Mint: The Traditional Herbalist's Best Friend
• Two Natural Herbs to Detoxify Your Liver
• Ginkgo Biloba and Historic Herbal Remedies
• Chase the Blues Away with St John's Wort
• Antioxidant Rich Milk Thistle Herbal Remedies
• Cleansing Herbal Remedies Made from Burdock
• Fountain of Youth? Sage and Herbal Remedies
• Echinacea: Cure to the Common Cold?
• The Healing Beauty of Borage
• The Healing History of Horsetail
• The Healing Power of Marshmallow
• The Elder Plant: A Healing Herb for All Seasons
• Neem and Herbal Remedies that Protect from Pests
• New Herbal Remedy Favorites and Dandelion
• The Bone Healing History of Comfrey
• The Healing Scent of Jasmine: Herbal Remedies Created from Jasmine
• Wash Sickness Away with Lavender
• Valerian Herb: Nature's Tranquilizer
• The Skin Healing Properties of the Pot Marigold Plant
• Using Skullcap to Treat Nervous Disorders
• Eucalyptus: A Famous Healing Plant from Down Under
• First Aid Remedies with the Yarrow Plant
• Common Herbal Remedies using Aloe Vera
• Honeysuckle: An Ancient Healing Favorite
• Lemon Balm and Rejuvenating Herbal Remedies
• Making Your Own Herbal Remedies
• Herbal Remedies and the Ancient Tradition of Ayurveda
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