Herb of the Month
July 2009
Stinging
Nettles is one of the best herbs available - a wonderful
spring tonic. It is delicious to eat, nutritious to the body and
very medicinal. This plant gets its name from the tiny hairs on the
mature leaves that can cause contact dermatitis with tiny
bumps and a burning sting. It is the formic acid in the leaves
that give them their sting. Once dried or cooked, nettle leaves do
not sting.
Nettles strengthen the immune system, are good for rheumatism, gout, gallbladder, liver pain, lower blood sugar, treat dandruff, have laxative properties, stimulates metabolism, improves digestion, relieves pain and is excellent for flushing the system removing a wide variety of wastes and toxins from the blood and body, so therefore, great for detoxifying the body.
Spring Soup
To 8 cups of water or vegetable broth, add 2 cups of fresh nettle greens, 1 handful of fresh horsetail. Chop up 4 potatoes and add to soup mixture. Bring to a boil and then simmer until potatoes are done. Garnish with wild onions. (Source: Susun Weed)
Anemia Tea
1/2 ounce nettle leaves
1/2 ounce yarrow
1/2 ounce St. Johns Wort
1/2 ounce juniper berries
1/4 ounce peppermint leaves
Pour one cup of boiling water over 1 - 2 teaspoons of herb mixture, steep 10-minutes and strain. Sip it 1/2 hour after meals.
Other interesting stuff you might want to take a look at . . .
Herb of the Month >> You are Here!
Spiritual Qualities of Herbs >>Go
Other Interesting Reading
Lavender - brings to mind English cottage gardens.
There are many uses for your lavender flowers - in cut flower
arrangements, in tea, for hair and skin recipes, in cooking and
baking, in bath and body recipes. Lavender is a quiet, sedate plant
in your garden. Lavender flowers are not all lavender. The blooms
can be white or pink but most are lavender in color. The scent of
lavender will transport you to another time and place. Lavender
flowers have a mild, sedative effect, good for restlessness,
dizziness, headaches, stomach discomfort, nervous intestinal
disorders, for insecurities, for insomnia, depression and great for
baths for its relaxing and calming properties.
Thyme - is a member of the mint family. The ancient
Greeks burned thyme as a stimulating incense. The word "thyme" comes
from the Greek, meaning "to make a burnt offering". Thyme was given
to knights and warriors in gifts because of its association with
courage and bravery. Thyme is antiviral, anti-protozoan, anti
oxidant, antiseptic, astringent, anti fungal and has marked
expectorant properties so it's good for coughs, laryngitis and
asthma. 
Dandelion - better known nowadays as that pesky lawn
weed - it's actually a wonderful spring tonic! Thought to have evolved
about thirty million years ago in Eurasia, Dandelions have been used
by humans for food and herbalism for much of recorded history.
Mention Dandelions to anyone over 50 and they'll tell you the story
of how their family made Dandelion wine back in "the days". And,
remember blowing the dandelion seeds to the wind when you were a kid
- or was that just yesterday? The roots, leaves and flowers offer a
long list of health benefits. 
Echinacea - known as the sacred herb. As well as being a
wonderful medicinal plant, Echinacea is a lovely garden plant.
According to historical evidence, different Native American tribes
used this plant for different reasons: the Cheyenne used it to treat
sore mouths and gums, the Dakota used it for bowel problems and
tonsillitis. 
Frankincense & Myrrh - the gifts of the wise men.
Frankincense was lavishly used in religious rites. The Egyptians ground the charred resin into a powder called kohl which was used to
make the distinctive black eyeliner. Archaeological evidence
indicates that myrrh was carried in small pouches that wealthy
persons hung around the neck for fragrance. Myrrh is often used as
an antiseptic in mouthwashes, gargles and toothpastes.
Sage - rub sage on your teeth to whiten! Throughout
history, sage has had more to do with medicine than actual cooking.
The versions of sage that we are familiar with was first brought to
light with the ancient Greeks and Romans. The Greeks used the herb
to treat any manner of conditions including consumption, ulcers and
snake bites. 
Cinnamon - replace your moth balls with cinnamon sticks! In
ancient Egypt cinnamon was used medicinally and as a flavoring for
beverages. It was also used for embalming. In the ancient world,
cinnamon was more precious than gold. 
