Herbs for healing teas

 

   

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Herbs cut and sifted for healing teas.  Many of these herbs were used by Native American grandmothers and healers. Doctors who came from Europe believed these healers' medicines were superior to their own in the mid 1700s.  Some continue to be used (in concentrated forms) in modern medicine.  Others were introduced to the Americas by healers and grannies from immigrant cultures.

How to prepare a tea:    

Simply place 1-2 teaspoons  in a muslin tea bag, or tea ball (or just measure in the bottom of your cup.  Pour boiling water over the herbs, cover the cup and wait 15 minutes.  If not in a bag or tea ball, strain, then sip slowly. Some herbs are not pleasant tasting.  Mixing with mint, lemon balm, chamomile or other flavored teas or adding honey often helps make them more tolerable.  

Price - $1.00 per 1 ounce bag. (plus shipping).   Free muslin tea bag is included with each $5 purchase.

Caution:  I am not a medical professional and the herbal uses listed on this page should not be considered advice or recommendations.  Herbalists and healers have for generations used these herbs and generally they have been helpful and safe.  

Even doctors are not advised to diagnose or treat themselves.  Some herbs do not react well with some chronic medical conditions, pharmaceuticals or other herbs, so if you are taking ANY medication (even over-the-counter), seek the advice of a professional herbalist, pharmacist or physician before beginning to use an herb or before using several herbs at the same time.  

Pregnant women, infants and young children should never take any remedy without consulting a physician or trained holistic practitioner.

Digestive disorders: 

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Digestive Disorders Herbs
  • Chamomile - Calms nerves and  an irritated stomach. Tastes good, and is a safe addition to improve the taste of other herbs.

  • Ginger - Great for a queasy stomach.  Very popular and effective remedy for motion sickness and morning sickness.

  • Peppermint - Has deodorant and antibacterial effects, helps combat excessive stomach acid, and it just tastes good.  Mixed with Eucalyptus and steaming water, the vapor relieves sinus and chest congestion. 

  • Marshmallow - Provides a protective, soothing coat for irritated esophagus and stomach.

  • Yellow Root - A Southeastern substitute for goldenseal with very similar effects.  Particularly well known to promote healing of mouth, esophagus and stomach stores, but also good for other infections.  

  • Slippery Elm - Best known for its effect on elimination.

 

Colds, Flu, Congestion

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Colds & Congestion Herbs
  • Eucalyptus - helps clear head and chest congestion, useful in mix with mint and lavender, either in tea or in steam.

  • Peppermint - helps clear congestion, antibacterial

  • Lavender - assists with congestion, reduces stress. Antibacterial.  Some Native Americans use lavender and mint in the water thrown on stones in lodges to help breathing. 

  • Mullein - relieves chest congestion - Natives smoked the dried leaves and flowers, or put them on hot stones in sweat lodges, but tea is also helpful.

  • Willow Bark - Used by Native American healers to relieve fever and pain

  • Wild Cherry Bark - quiets cough

  • Licorice - quiets cough and soothes sore throat

  • Slippery Elm - Helps soothe sore throat

  • Rosemary - Mixed with thyme, good anti-viral/antibacterial cleansers.  Teas can be used as mouthwash or gargle.

  • Thyme - Mixed with rosemary, good anti-viral/antibacterial cleansers.  Teas can be used as mouthwash or gargle to help heal mouth or throat infections.

Aches, Pains, and Stress. 

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Aches & Pains Herbs
  • Feverfew - can be used fresh in salads, or dried in tea or capsules.  One dose daily is reported to be effective in preventing migraine.  The herb is also valued in treatments for arthritis and headaches in general.

  • Willow Bark - Pain relief, anti-inflammatory.  Constituents related to aspirin.

  • Prickly Ash Bark - Southeastern Native Americans called it "toothache bark."  Chewing the bark numbs the mouth and eases tooth or gum pain.  Infusion can be gargled for sore throat.  Tea provides some relief for systemic pain.

Relaxation and Sleep

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Relaxation and Sleep Herbs
  • St. John's Wort - Has been referred to as nature's Prozac, St. John's Wort is used to ease anxiety and depression.  It also is reputed to help speed healing of damaged nerve tissue. (Warning: increases sensitivity to sun exposure)

  • Lemon Balm - An easy-to-grow relative of the mint family, this little herb has been recognized by herbal publications as "herb of the year" for its many beneficial effects.  It's powerful lemony scent and taste makes it a popular tea, either on its own or added to the better known pekoe and black teas, just for flavor..  It also is a mild muscle and nervous relaxant, and a powerful anti-viral.  Is used to treat and prevent herpes outbreaks.

  • Passion Flower - A moderately strong muscle relaxant.  Helps with muscle pain due to traumatic injuries. Also good for reducing emotional stress. Mild sleep aid.

  • Skullcap - A moderate-level sleep aid.  Avoid taking before driving or other activities that require alertness and quick responses.

  • Valerian - A powerful relaxant that induces sleep and eases pain.  Absolutely do not use valerian before driving or other activities that require alertness and quick responses.

High Blood Pressure 

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Blood Pressure Herbs
  • Hawthorne Berries - regulates blood pressure - lowers high blood pressure, raises low blood pressure.

  • Uva Ursa  (Bearberry) - A moderately strong diuretic.

  • Dandelion Root - versatile herb, acts as a diuretic while sparing potassium.

  • Garlic (I don't sell this as it is readily available at any grocery store)

Reproductive Symptoms

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Reproductive System Herbs
  • Black Cohosh - a plant estrogen whose most publicized  uses as a relief for premenstrual and post-menopausal symptoms, have overshadowed its benefit as a relief for arthritis and other joint symptoms.

  • Wild Yam Root - Another herb containing plant estrogens that reputedly benefits womens' reproductive disorders.

  • Chasteberries - Native women drank chasteberry tea to help relieve menstrual cramps and other reproductive disorders. 

  • Dong Quai - An Asian herb much respected for its benefits to women's reproductive health.

  • Saw Palmetto - Commonly used herb to improve men's prostatic health.

Immune system support

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

Immune System Support
  • Yarrow - Immune system support, helps avoid or treat viral and bacterial infections. Test with small amounts first - some people are allerigic. 

  • Red Clover Root - Immune system support that also is a mild phytoestrogen.

  • Dandelion Root -   Excellent immune system support. Believed to help detoxify organs.

  • Echinacea - Excellent immune system support. Reputed to help prevent colds and influenza, however this has not been proven by research. Prolonged use can build resistance.  Use for limited time periods, only.

Joint and Bone Support

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

 

  • Alfalfa - Native American healers called it "buffalo herb."  It provides support to the joints and helps prevent and relieve arthritis and heal joint injuries.  

  • Burdock - Relives arthritis and other joint, bone, and muscle pain and inflammation..

Minor External Injuries (these herbs are not for internal use!)

1 ounce cut and sifted herb - descriptions below

 

  • Heals All Herb - Encourages healing of external wounds.

  • Comfrey - Soothing and comforts external injuries, speeds healing.  Good for sprains and bruises.   

 

Natural First Aid Kits

herb or oil based treatments include

  • Headache tea - willow bark, feverfew and chamomile
  • Tummy trouble tea - chamomile, peppermint and dried ginger
  • Colds/congestion tea- echinacea, peppermint, eucalyptus, mullein

(Pour 2 cups boiling water over muslin tea bag containing herbal mixture, let brew 10 minutes, sip slowly)

  • Sore mouth/throat/toothache - osha and yellow root tea for mouthwash or gargle (soaked bark can be placed on gum near sore tooth for prolonged relief)
  • Cuts/Scrapes/Bug bites - tea tree oil in bottle. (Apply small amount to injury)
  • 1st degree Burns or Sunburn - freeze dried aloe (reconstitute by filing bottle with water and shaking. apply reconstituted juice to burned area. May temporarily relieve pain for more severe burns, but these require medical attention)

Standard size Kit - $10.00 -  two two-cup size muslin tea bags prefilled with herbs for each of four common ailments, plus  a bottle containing wound treatments for cuts and scrapes, and a bottle with  burn treatment.

Glovebox kit - $5.00 -- one reusable tea bag and individual packed1-dose batches of headache, tummy, congestion and mouth sore remedies, and smaller bottles of tea tree oil and freeze-dried aloe in a handy snap-close plastic box

  • Headache tea - willow bark, feverfew and chamomile
  • Tummy trouble tea - chamomile, peppermint and dried ginger
  • Colds/congestion tea- echinacea, peppermint, eucalyptus, mullein

(Pour 2 cups boiling water over muslin tea bags, let brew 10 minutes, sip slowly)

  • Sore mouth/throat/toothache - osha and yellow root tea for mouthwash or gargle (soaked bark can be placed on gum near sore tooth for prolonged relief)
  • Cuts/Scrapes/Bug bites - tea tree oil in bottle. (Apply small amount to injury)
  • 1st degree Burns or Sunburn - freeze dried aloe (reconstitute by filing bottle with water and shaking. apply reconstituted juice to burned area. All other burns -- seek medical attention)

 

When you get low on supplies in your kit, just reorder:  

Muslin tea bags: 10 /$3.00 

Headache herbs: 1 oz /$1.00

Tummy Herbs: 1 oz/$1.00

Congestion herbs: 1 oz/$1.00

Sore throat/toothache herbs - 1 oz/$1.00

Tea Tree Oil - 1 dr bottle: $2.00

Freeze dried aloe in 4 oz bottle: $2.50


Herbs will be sent in ziplock plastic bags, aloe and tea tree oil will be sent in amber glass bottles.