The Incredible Edible Calendula Flower

I have found yet another use for Calendula!

This may be a little too much information, but any woman who struggles with this will appreciate this discovery.  I have never really found difficulty with cramps during my monthly cycle, but for whatever reason, I woke up the other morning to my dear friend "tom" ("time of the month") AND with lower back pain like crazy, which quickly turned into cramps and lower back pain.  YUCK and how unusual!

After a good hot pack not doing a darn thing, I headed to my books.  And lo and behold, Calendula is supposed to do wonders for painful periods!  I must be honest here in admitting that I didn't expect it to work quite so quickly nor quite so well.  I brewed up a lovely little cup of Calendula tea....2 tsp. of calendula flowers (chopped well, a blender works great for this) to one teacup of boiling water.  Within 5 minutes of beginning to drink it I was already feeling better and within a half hour the pain was gone.

Exciting.  VERY exciting, let me tell you.  I went from laying on the floor watching episodes of "The Lucy Show" because I was in too much pain to do otherwise, to up cleaning the living room and doing dishes.

So yes.  It worked and it worked well.

BTW...  If you're living around the Albuquerque, NM area and are wondering where to get the raw forms of these herbs, check out "The Herb Store", www.herbstorenm.com

More to come, but for now....

Hey all,

I'm way out here in good ol' Alabama and am supposed to be helping my wonderful hubby pack at the moment.  But I thought I drop in and follow up on the "Calendula" thing, as well as the anti-migraine tea.

I found this AMAZING store right here in Albuquerque, named....of all things..."The Herb Store".  And would you know it has a whole wall filled with just jars of dried herbs??  Needless to say I picked up a few things.

Calendula flowers for one.  And of all things, I created the perfect opportunity to really try it out!  Being the genius I can be at times, I put a new razor in my toiletry bag while I was packing, and then was rummaging around later trying to find something in said bag.  Quite a chunk of skin I took off, I dare say.  Ouch!  So........  I put some lavendar and calendula together in some oil and have been using it every night (and all day the first couple of days), mixed with a few of the flowers under the bandage.  And a week later??  It's looking incredible!  Truth be told, I don't know the normal healing times for things like this...but my hubby is amazed, as is my wonderful mother-in-law.  

And on yet another positive not, my previously posted "recipe" for "Anti-Migraine Tea" has worked beautifully both times I've used it recently.  It takes about 10 minutes or so from the time I start sipping....but hey, I'm am CERTAINLY not complaining.

Okay, that's all for now.  Be back soon!

Diaper Rash Wonder

Anna got a diaper rash yesterday.

Let me rephrase that.  Anna's gotten this same very red but not bumpy diaper rash several times.  Every time in the past, it has taken forever to get this bugger to go away.

It showed up early yesterday afternoon but she didn't seem uncomfortable after a clean diaper and all the way into town.  But let me tell you, we got to lunch with BJ and she was NOT a happy little girl.  In fact she became increasingly uncomfortable and clingy and crabby.

Poor little girl...she cried and cried and cried in the car seat on the way to BJ's work, then cried and screamed and cried in my arms until he was done, then back in the car seat on the way to the Sunflower market.  You can imagine how I was feeling.

I really had no clue what to do for it, and even considered taking her to the hospital the way she was acting.  She would move her leg and literally scream when she did because it hurt so badly.  I found myself in tears...I really hate seeing my child in ANY pain, let alone this.

So, we talked to BJ's mom, hoping for a great idea...and mostly to find out if this was something I should take her in for or just ride it out.

After talking to one of the ladies at the Sunflower Market, she showed us which diaper creams were most popular and we decided to try one.  You know, those wonderful little natural creams that sometimes, depending on the brand, don't really work for actual diaper rash, but are great for the skin.

We ended up buying this one called "Calendula Diaper Care" by Weleda Baby.  And let me tell you....

As soon as we put it on her she calmed down.  She fell asleep on the drive home.  After a fun bath with some oatmeal bath stuff, we covered her little bottom with this Calendula stuff and put her to bed.  The outcome this morning??  That little rash was almost gone!  I can't even begin to tell you my relief!

Apparently, Calendula is quite the healing herb for the skin.  The little package insert says this about Calendula:

"For centuries, Calendula has been know as a medicinal plant for aiding the healing process of small wounds, red, inflamed skin and skin infections.  Due to its immune strengthening and antiseptic properties, Calendula also protects the skin against infection.  A monk once bestowed the plant with the beautiful name "Bride of the Sun," inspired by its colour and flowers, which follow the path of the sun."

Cool, huh?

Jerry Baker's "Herbal Pharmacy" says this:

"The natural medicine in this plant hangs out in its petals and flower heads.  This herb is used to stop swelling, ease spasms, stop bleeding, and fight germ warfare (namely bacteria, viruses and fungi).  It can boost immunity, too.  Not only does calendula treat hard-to-heal conditions like skin ulcers and herpes, but it can also leave your face with a clean, healthy glow and stop athlete's foot from attacking your toes!  Many generations have used calendula to clear up acne, mend minor cuts and scrapes, and take away the ugly blues of a bruise."

It seems this is also among those that will find it's way into my first garden this spring!  :-)

"Migraine Tea"

So, lately I keep getting these headaches.  

I really really don't like headaches. But I also really don't like taking medication, of any kind pretty much, even aspirin or ibuprofen.  When I looked up headaches in my current favorite (actually it's the one that's unpacked...lol) book by Jerry Baker, there were many that listed headaches BUT apparently there is one that is kind of like the "mother of all headache herbs".

It's called Feverfew (Tanacetum Parthenium). In Nicholas Culpeper's "Complete Herbal", he writes that it is "very effectual for all pains in the head."

Jerry Baker writes, "Feverfew acts just like Mother Nature's aspirin.  It has a prestigious reputation for being a great herb remedy for migraine headaches, .... It's benefits, however, go way beyond migraines.  Feverfew eases dizziness, tinnitus (also know as ringing in the ears), and arthritis.  It also relieves painful menstrual flows."

Without going into everything he says about this grand little herb, here's the "Anti-Migraine Tea" recipe:

1 tsp. of dried feverfew leaves and flowers

1 tsp. of dried lemon balm flowers

Mix the herbs and scoop a teaspoon into a cup of boiling water.  Let it steep 5-10 minutes.  Strain out the herbs, and sip away until the head pain is gone.

Yay!

Haven't found these great little plants yet, but I have a feeling they will be soon forthcoming!  Don't worry, I'll post then and let you know how the tea works!

Basil...plain and simple

So, I was at the Farmer's Market the other day.  And as I was meandering through the veggies, I passed this incredible aroma.  If you've ever eaten Bruschetta from Macaroni Grill...you know exactly what I'm talking about.  I turned to find an entire shelf of basil plants just waiting for some lucky passerby.  How could I possible resist such a tantalizing little herb?  I didn't.

I brought the little guy home and he's currently on my windowsill behind my kitchen sink. 

First thing I discovered is this little guy needs water, lots of it.  In fact the only thing that seems to do for him right now is actually sitting in about a cm of water.  He needs more soil and root room too, but I just haven't made it into town yet for a new batch of planting soil.  So here he sits for just a few more days.

Now, I knew basil was great for cooking, but my curiosity led me to look this little guy up in a few books to see what else he might be good for.

Lo and behold!  Here is what it said: 

Basil is apparently "an antispasmodic (A substance that reduces muscular and nervous spasms or convulsions.) and general belly-ache cure-all.  It fights infections, repels insects, stops everyday headaches, and even sharpens your mental alertness.  Basil's antiviral ingredients also help your body fight cold and flu infections as well as nagging coughs.  This pungent herb will help open your pores so you can sweat and snap a fever."  Strangely enough basil also works on warts, it says.  "Just crush up a few basil leaves, place them right on the wart, and cover the area with a bandage.  Change this dressing every day, and the wart should disappear within a week or so."

"Good choice in picking this one up!," I told myself.  So when I found myself waking up with a sore throat and runny nose, my new basil plant has come in quite handy.  He makes for a very interesting tea.  :-)

And don't think he won't be showing up in some spaghetti or pastas every now and then as well!

*Interesting Facts:  The word "basil" is actually derived from two words.  One is the Greek word basileus, or "king."  The other comes from the word basilisk, a legendary reptile that could kill with just one evil glance.*

------Facts and quotes taken from Jerry Baker's Herbal Pharmacy.------

Good morning!

I'm soooooo excited about this blog.  I have another, tis true....  But it's for my more serious musings and occasional random comments on my day.

THIS blog is different.  One of my newest and most pervasive passions is herbs.  I've only just begun.  I've amassed a very small....let me reiterate....very small collection over the past month, but they delight me to no end!  Aside from these, I've also had the privilege of some incredible herbal books...on everything from growing them, harvesting them, cooking with them, and learning all of their wonderful little medicinal and healing uses.

You'll more than likely be hearing from me often!  Keep in mind, my discoveries are probably not "my" discoveries.  Rather my discovery and or experiences with someone elses discovery.

Please, please, please....feel more than free and welcome to add your own comments and experiences with the herbs I mention.  You can add and suggest new ones as well, though you may find me putting it in a blog unto itself.  :-)

Here's to Herbal Discoveries!!!