These are supplements or products made from whole plants or plant extracts that are prepared and consumed in different ways for the purpose of nourishment, prevention, and healing.
Common Types of Herbal Remedies
Spice: ground dried plant materials used in cooking, added to foods for additional flavoring and nourishment
Tea: dried plant materials steeped in boiled water to extract nutrients and drunk, washed with, or used in a poultice on the skin.
Decoction: dried plant materials are boiled for a longer period to extract denser chemcial compounds for stronger healing medicines.
Infusion: dried plant material is soaked in a liquid base in a warm place to gently extract nutrients for use on the skin or as supplement. Ex – honey or oil.
Salve: liquid plant extracts and animal fats combined for external injury and wound healing.
Balm: dense moisturizing blend of waxes, butters, and/or oils; heals cracked skin, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, etc.
Syrup: making a decoction of plant materials and then cooking it with a sweet base like maple syrup or honey until thick. Great for everyday remedies like for allergies or colds.
Standardized Extracts: encapsulated concentrated herbs, not always what they say, labeling often misleading
Safely Healing Herbs & Spices
Gain benefits from eating, drinking, or soaking in any of these herbs.
Basil leaf: nourishing, balancing, clearing, toning
Black Pepper: anti-inflammatory, healing, warming, calming, pain relieving
Calendula flower: common marigold; anti-inflammatory, healing to mouth and digestive tract, soothing to rashes and irritation
Catnip leaf: antianxiety, calming, relaxing, sedative, soothing
Chamomile flowers: anti-inflammatory, sedative, relaxing, pain relieving
Cinnamon bark: anti-inflammatory, detoxifying, sugar balancing, antioxidant
Dandelion Root & Leaf: nourishing to kidneys and liver, diuretic and water balancing, highly alkaline and reduces acidity
Echinacea root: antiviral, immune boosting, colds and flu, repiratory infections; should not be taken for more than 2 weeks in a row.
Eucalyptus leaf: mucolytic, clearing, opening, healing, soothing, pain relieving, calms coughs and muscle spasms
Fennel seed: digestive, great for gas, nausea, upset stomach, heartburn
Ginger root: helps relieve every digestive issue, alleviates vertigo and motion sickness, and calms the nervous system.
Jasmine flowers: antidepressant,nourishing, calming, sedative, healing, balancing, regulating
Lavender flowers: calming, relaxing, balancing, soothing, and healing
Licorice root: digestive, calming, sweet, hormone balancing, sugar balancing
Marjoram leaf: mucolytic, cough suppressant, fights cold and flu, relaxing
Nettles leaf: antihistamine, clearing, balancing, detoxifying, nourishing
Oregano: antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, healing
Passionflower herb: calming, sedative, hormone balancing, aphrodisiac, nourishing, regulating of cycles
Peppermint leaf: digestive regulator, reduces heartburn, balances peristalsis, stimulating to system
Rose petals: nourishing, calming, soothing, healing, balancing, uplifting
Rose Hips (fruit): full of Vit C, more than oranges, nourishing and healing
Rosemary leaf: stimulating, healing, and regulating to therespiratory and digestive tracts.
Sage leaf: cough suppressant, antispasmodic, fights cold and flu
Thyme: anti-inflammatory, hormone balancer, antibiotic
Turmeric: anti-inflammatory, pain relief, antioxidant, healing, balancing, tonic
Yarrow flower & leaf: anti-inflammatory, headache relief, calming, clearing, detoxifying