Welcome to the world of healthful plants and herb. There are so many herbs that we use for culinary purposes that also make great teas, poultices, and salves. Also, many common plants are far more useful than we have known. This page is dedicated to sharing more information about these herbs and plant.

*I am not a doctor and this page is not offering medical advice. Please consider what you may be allergic to when using these herbs and plants (for example, I have a friend who is allergic to lavender). That said, most herbs and plants are very safe.

Let's start with something that is easy, quick and uses herbs you are probably familiar with.

Tea

Teas can be made by the cup or using an infuser-type of teapot.

Use the leaves and flowers of organic herbs and pour in some boiling water, usually 1 or 2 teaspoons herbs to 1 cup of boiling water. You have to experiment a bit to find the strength you like. Strain off the liquid and drink once it has cooled down enough not to burn your mouth or lips.

Here are some teas I have made.

For indigestion, I place equal amounts of some or all of these herbs into an infuser teapot or even put them loose in a cup: basil, thyme, marjoram, peppermint, fennel, chamomile, lemon grass, sage and rosemary. Add boiling water and let the herbs steep for 30 minutes (or less if you want your tea to be very mild). When cool enough, strain the liquid off the herbs, add a touch of honey and drink.

For upset stomach, I make a tea with fresh or dried peppermint.

For headache, I make a tea with 1/4 part peppermint leaves to 3/4 parts chamomile flowers.

If I feel anxious or irritable, I make a tea with marjoram leaves.

Rosemary help my memory and mental clarity.

Chamomile relaxes me.

Strawberry leaf tea soothes sore throats

Sage tea is great for laryngitis.

Poultices and Compresses

Make a poultice (or compress) by pouring boiling water over the herb you want to use, letting the herbal leaves soften. Strain the water off the leaves then place the leaves in a piece of cheesecloth that has been folded in half or quarters to keep the leaves from falling out. You can also use a clean muslin bag.

When the poultice is cool enough that it won't burn your skin, place it over a rash or a cut and hold it there for a while.

For rashes or scratches, I use calendua flower leaves.
Calendula is known for repairing skin cells.

For inflammation, I use sage leaves.

For a small wound that has become infected, I use fresh, grated ginger by pouring some boiling water over the ginger, letting the ginger soften and cool. Follow the directions for poultices above. Ginger has anti-biotic properties. ***Ginger is strong, so start with a small amount.

For the itch and pain of insect bites, I use basil leaves.

For backache, I make a compress of equal parts of sage, rosemary, and thyme.

Healthy Herbs and Plants to Cook With

Soup made with celery, garlic, fennel, oregano, basil, tarragon, peeled and seeded tomatoes. Add your choice of broth, salt and pepper to taste. These types of plants and herbs and plants can help with high blood pressure.

Cooking withe foods that contain pectin, such as carrots, celery, garlic, ginger, avocado and apples can help with high cholesterol.

Ripe plums have a laxative effect on constipation. Or eat 5 fruits and 5 vegetables a day for a few days for constipation.

Reduce inflammation by drinking orange juice or pomegranate juice

Or make a smoothie of flax milk, strawberries and banana.

Here is a healthy juice you can make. Blend 2 kale leaves, 1 cup citrus juice, 3 oz pomegranate juice, a few blackberries, 1” piece of fresh ginger root (grated). Blend everything together. Strain and drink the remaining liquic.

For a bone strengthening soup: Boil Chicken bones, cabbage, dandelion leaves, stinging nettles, parsley and purslane. Add salt, thyme, and a little bit of turmeric powder. Remove the chicken bones before eating.

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My main references:

The Green Pharmacy by James A. Duke, Ph.D. There are several versions of this book - updates from previous publications.

Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner's Guide by Rosemary Gladstar (a renowned herbalist and teacher). There are also several versions of this book.

I found both of these authors online and have enjoyed their books immensely.