~ Lemon Balm, "Melissa officinalis", has been used for centuries around the world for its soothing properties. Lemon balm is highly valued because of its many applications as a natural treatment for a variety of health issues, including soothing effects on the nervous system, treatment of insomnia and stress as well as heightened longevity. It is calming on the stomach as digestive system and helps treat nausea, vomiting and poor appetite.

A herb of many used, that also is known to enhance liver and gallbladder function, while also relax menstrual cramps and irritability related to PMS and act as a natural antidepressant and sedative. When taken as a hot infusion (tea) it may reduce fever and help treat infections and coughs. 

To one cup of boiling water add roughly two teaspoons of dried herb or two tablespoons of fresh herbs and let steep for 5-10 minutes or until preferred flavour. 

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Please contact me if you want to purchase some herbal tea from me, I grow all herbs at home in my garden and dry them in my kitchen before storing them. A healing herbal tea before bed is the best part of my day! 

However I am careful of Chamomile these days, as last time I drank it I slept for over ten hours and was struggling to wake up. Overly sensitive is my name! Who needs sleeping pills when you have herbs! smile emoticon

~ Namaste ~

"Calendula officinalis", otherwise called Pot Marigold, is a bright yellow-orange flower that is naturally healing substance due to the presence of essential oils, saponins, flavonoids and alkaloids. These compound have been shown to promote healing. Calendula ointment is great to treat minor burns, bruises, insect bites, rashes, other irritations and inflammations. 

Homeopathic preparations of the flower has been used for generations to speed the healing process and it is one of the most popular homeopathic medicine worldwide and is vital to have in your first aid kit, travel kit and in all kinds of nurseries including animal hospitals as it is great for not just humans but also animals like dogs and horses.

Lavender, “Lavandula” is from the family Lamiceae. The common English Lavender, “Lavendula angustifolia” or formerly known as “L. officinalis”, flourish best in dry, well-drained, sandy or gravelly soils in full sun. All types of lavender require little or no fertilizer and are therefor very easy to grow due to little or no care but watering.

Essential oils from lavender flowers and antiseptic and anti-inflammatory due to the chemical compounds of the plant. These oils are used for fragrance and healing properties in balms, salves and topical applications.

Infusions with lavender are believed to soothe insect bites, burns and headaches as well as other inflammations. Lavender oil or extract may be used to treat acne when diluted 1:10 with water, rosewater or witch hazel.

Lavender oil has a high percentage of linalool and linalyl acetate which have shown to alleviate anxiety and related sleep disturbances. Dried flowerbunches and seeds in pillows aids sleep and relaxation, while an infusion of flowerheads added to a cup of hot water is used to soothe and relax at bedtime.

Lavender as well as Rosemary are known to be insect repellant and can be hung in bunches or applied topically as a tincture or herbal infused oil.

Precautions must be taken while pregnant, as the National Institute of Health (NIH) states that lavender is considered likely safe in food amounts and possibly safe in medical amounts but NIH does NOT recommend the use of lavender while pregnant.

Rosemary, “Rosmarinus officinalis”, is also from the Lamiaceae family. Rosemary is a good source of iron, calcium and vitamin B6 as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds. Rosemary is thought to help boost immune system and also improve blood circulation. Antioxidants play an important role in neutralising harmful particles called free radicals.

Rosemary is believed to improve digestion and help treat indigestion. It is also believed to enhance memory and concentration according to research in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 1,8-cineole, one of rosemarys main chemical components (35-45%) indicate improved cognitive performance in speed and accuracy however not alertness. Medical research have shown that Carnosic acid (CA) found in rosemary fights of free radicals and therefore protects the brain from stroke and neurodegeneration. 

Rosemary leaves contain plant derived phyto-chemical compounds that are known to have disease preventing and health promoting properties. The herb parts, especially flower tops contain phenolic anti-oxidant rosmarinic acid amongst many other health benefiting volatile essential oils compounds such as cineol, camphene, borneol, bornyl acetate, a-pinene etc. that are known to have rubefacient (counterirritant), anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic, anti-fungal and anti-septic properties.

The herb is exceptionally rich in B-complex groups of vitamins, such as folic acid, pantothenic acid, pyridoxine and ribofalvin. It contains high levels of folates which are important in DNA synthesis. It is also rich in vitamin A which is known to have antioxidant properties and also has benefitial properties for vision, skin and mucusa. Fresh rosemary leaves are a good source of antioxidant vitamin C which is requierd for the collagen synthesis in the body, which is the main structural protein in the body required for maintaining the integrity of blood vessels, skin, organs and bones.

Rosemary is also an excellent source of iron, being a component of hemoglobin determines the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. It is also rich in other minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, copper and magnesium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids, which helps control heart rate and blood pressure. Manganese is used by the body as a co-factor for the antioxidant enzyme, “superoxide dismutase”.

Rosemary infused oil can be used externally to treat illness y applying on areas that are sore. It can also be externally on hair to improve scalp health by leaving it in for minimun one hour. Rosemary oil may also soothe stomach and relieve ain from indigestion and menstural pain when applied externally.

 

~ Namaste ~

The medicalisation process, meaning the process of which when a social issue or problem that is non-medical becomes medical. This has been taken up my days lately as a summer uni course. Hence the lack of updates. 

It has gotten my mindset deeper into why I decided to start learning about natural healing and herbal treatments. As I learned about the history of psychiatric care in Sweden, and Europe, up until today, I am happy that the knowledge of how to care has changed from lobotomy. However, the major increase in psychopharmacological medications since the 1950s is what scares me the most, with minimal knowledge of the effects and side effects of these drugs they were and still are prescribed without hesitation.

My mission in life is to create a Natural Farmacy of herbal treatments, recipies for nutritious healthy food and toxin free natural skin products like soaps, body butters and healing ointments. 

Watch this page for new products! And contact me if you'd like a free sample! 

~ Namaste ~