July's Herbs of the Month

Healing Garden Herbs

Bee Balm - Bee Balm is great for head colds, coughs, helps heal respiratory infections and clean nasal congestion. 

Make a herbal tea using 2 teaspoons of fresh herb in a cup of hot  water, cover and steep.  Drink 3 cups per day.

Dandelion – Dandelion is a restorative and rejuvenating herb.  It cleans the liver and induces the flow of bile.  Dandelion is a very effective diuretic.  It tones the kidneys and aids in elimination.  The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, iron and Vitamin A and C. 

When harvesting dandelion, make sure it is pesticide free.

Dill – Dill relaxes and settles upset stomachs.  It is very good for colic and is very high in calcium.  Foods high in calcium help prevent colon cancer, loss of bone mass, muscle stress, and high blood pressure.  For people who have difficulty digesting dairy, dill seed is a must.  Dill also expels gas.

Steep 1 tablespoon dill seed to 1 cup boiling water.  Drink and chew seeds.

Fennel – Fennel seed is unparalleled at relieving intestinal gas.  This is a warming herb and can also be used for treating symptoms of head colds and respiratory congestion.  Fennel also helps nursing mothers produce milk.

Use 2 teaspoons per one cup of water.

Ginger – Ginger is an effective remedy for indigestion and nausea.  Ginger can reduce morning sickness and also motion sickness.  It  relieves cramps and helps the symptoms of stomach flu, sinus problems, headaches and colds.  Ginger is a warming herb. 

If you have motion sickness, slice a little piece of root and put in your mouth before you travel.  Drink a cup of tea as needed for indigestion and nausea.  For colds, allergies and sinus problems, drink 3-4 cups per day.  Use 3 to 4 quarter size roots per cup of boiling water.  Cover and simmer for 20 minutes.

Hot Peppers and Cayenne Peppers – Peppers have been known to help digestion.  They stimulate saliva and related stomach juices.  Peppers also are one the best heart tonics because they tone the heart muscle.  Cayenne pepper is good for colds and flu.  It also stimulates the immune system.  Peppers are warming herbs. 

Made into a salve and rubbed on the skin will soothe the pain of arthritis and sore muscles. Do not get in eyes!

Hyssop – The Cherokee Indians made a syrup out of hyssop to relieve congestion, asthma and other respiratory complains.  Hyssop is good for colds and acts as an expectorant. 

Make an herbal tea and drink 3-4 cups per day.

Lavender - Lavender soothes the nervous system and is good for  depression, stress, headaches and sleeplessness.  Lavender oil is good for burns and sunburn.  It banishes anxiety and panic attacks and creates a sense of calm and tranquility.

Lemon Balm - A calming, antiviral, and antiseptic herb.  Lemon balm has a wonderful taste and is good for your soul.  It has a relaxing and anti-spasmodic effect on the stomach and nervous system.  Use for a mild sedative, insomnia and general exhaustion.

Oregano - Use oregano for helping with digestion.  Oregano is also an anti-bacterial herb.  It has 3 times the amount of disinfecting power as bleach! 

Make an infusion and spray throughout the sick room and house to kill germs.  Oregano is also good for colds and congestion.

Parsley - Parsley is a multivitamin in a leaf.  It is high in beta carotene, vitamin C, calcium and iron.  Parsley is a mild diuretic.  It is good for women who retain water before menstruation.  Also for men with prostate problems.  As a bladder tonic, it helps to prevent infections.  It is also recommended to help control high blood pressure.

Drink 3 cups of herbal tea per day.  Do not drink if pregnant!

Peppermint - Peppermint tea helps soothe the stomach lining and fend off nausea and vomiting.  Great for motion and morning sickness.  It encourages digestion by stimulating the gall bladder and liver, especially after a fatty meal.  It also helps relieve flu symptoms.  Peppermint also clears congestion from the head.  It is a cooling herb which makes it good for women suffering from hot flashes.

Plantain - Plantain is a common weed found all over America.  It is a highly nutritional food.  It is called a “green bandage” because it makes a great poultice for blood poisoning and infections.  It’s used externally on infected areas and also internally as a tea.  The seeds are used as a laxative and Metamucil is made from them. This herb is also very effective for liver sluggishness and inflammation of the digestive tract. 

Plantain leaves are very effective on bee stings.  Simply chew leaves in mouth and apply to sting.

Rosemary - Rosemary soothes headaches, nervousness and depression.  Rosemary tea is an antidote for stress.  It relieves headaches the same way aspirin does, but without irritating the stomach.  It also soothes the digestive system.  Rosemary has been long renown as a memory aid and it strengthens the heart and reduces high blood pressure.

Sage - Sage is an anti-bacterial and anti-viral herb.  It is good for colds and flu.  Sage relieves sore throats and sore gums. 

To make a gargle, steep one teaspoon to one cup of boiling water.  Let sit for 20 minutes, strain and add a 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of vinegar.  Swish mixture in mouth while it is still hot.  Spit out. 

You can also drink a tea for sore throats, tonsillitis and laryngitis.  Sage is an excellent herb for rebuilding vitality and strength during long-term illness.

Tarragon - Tarragon is a good source of potassium, a mineral that helps prevent strokes and high blood pressure.  It is also being studied to help prevent cancer. 

The best way to get the herbal benefits of tarragon is to eat it because a tea will deplete its potassium.

Thyme - Thyme is an antiseptic and antibacterial. Thyme kills bacteria very quickly.  It is very effective in keeping mouths and gums healthy.  Thyme is also very good for coughs, sore throats, colds and it relaxes the lungs.  It is very high in iron.