8144 MEN Guide to Turmeric and Super Herbs

9 Herb Basics Turmeric is the most important herb in the medicine chest. “It’s safe and considered a panacea, one that’s helpful for most any condition and for all constitutions.“ LANCE ROEHRIG, “THE WONDERS OF TURMERIC,” PAGE 52

ON THE COVER More on Garlic 58 Natural Sweeteners 76 All About Chives 84 Grow a Tea Garden 91 Learn Aromatherapy 17 Know Your Essential Oils 20 Cover Image: Ben Pieper

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Health & Beauty

HERBALISTS’ FAVORITE HERBS

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ALL ABOUT AROMATHERAPY

17

We asked some of our favorite herbal-

Learn about the scientifically backed

ists to name their favorite herbs.

health benefits possible through the ancient art of employing the scents

4 BULK HERB COMPANIES YOU CAN TRUST

9

of nature.

For high-quality bulk herbs pro-

HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS

20

duced in sustainable ways, turn

Improve the health and happiness of

to these responsible and conscien-

your home with these two safe and

tious companies.

effective methods to use essential oils.

HOUSEHOLD USES

FLORAL THERAPY

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13

Beautiful and healing flowers offer a

Known for its sturdy reputation as

bouquet of benefits to our skin and

an herbal remedy, chamomile has a

our psyches.

FOR CHAMOMILE

multitude of unique uses.

THE NATURALLY AROMATIC HOME

HOUSEHOLD USES FOR WITCH HAZEL

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24

Check out these natural blends—with

Discover why humble witch hazel

options for any mood and personal-

should be your go-to remedy for first

ity—to freshen your living spaces with-

aid and skin ailments.

out toxic chemicals.

8/21/18 12:45 PM

26 HERBAL HAIR CARE 101

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52 26

SWEET, SWEET DREAMS

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Kitchen Garden

Supplement your basic hair care with

If you have trouble falling or staying

these five beautifying herbs to condi-

asleep, these habits, herbs and nutrients

tion, soothe and brighten your locks.

These multipurpose, easy-to-grow healing

can help you claim a better night’s rest.

herbs belong in every gardener’s medicine

ESSENTIAL SALVES FOR

7 HERBS THAT REDUCE INFLAMMATION

cabinet for their range of benefits.

EVERY HOUSEHOLD

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EASIEST MEDICINAL HERBS TO GROW 78

50

These multipurpose salves are easy to

Tackle chronic inflammation, which may play

GROWING, HARVESTING & USING CHIVES

make and an effective way to treat all

a major role in the development of many dis-

Discover the many healthy ways to use

sorts of ailments—from burns to ecze-

eases, with anti-inflammatory herbs.

this attractive, easy-to-grow, cancer-fight-

ma, fungus to bruises, splinters to cuts.

Herbs to Know

ing perennial.

Herbal Remedies YOUR NATURAL DRUG STORE

THE WONDERS OF TURMERIC

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52

This ancient panacea shines under the lens

Try these herbal alternatives to the most

of modern research. Studies have con-

commonly purchased over-the-counter

firmed its ability to ward off brain disease,

drugs for relieving common ailments

cancer, digestive disorders and much more GLORIOUS GARLIC

19 WAYS TO PREVENT AND TREAT COLDS & FLU

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58

Long considered one of the world’s healthi-

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GROW, HARVEST & USE DANDELIONS 86 Dandelion is much more than just a weed. The tasty plant offers potent natural medicine, too.

STRESSREDUCING TEA GARDEN

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Grow herbs at home that are perfect for delicious, relaxing and health-boosting tea blends.

Stay well this winter with these

est foods, garlic has given us many reasons

TEA TIME

proven strategies for fending off and

to love, eat, grow and even worship it.

These five flavorful ingredients are stand-

bouncing back from colds and flu.

Food & Recipes

outs not just for taste, but for their many

VARIETY IS THE SPICE OF LIFE

MAKE LIFE DIFFICULT FOR DISEASE

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Strengthen the body to fight against

64

65 BOTANICAL REMEDIES

flavors and medicinal properties to your food.

Use this handy chart as a jumping-off point

HEALING SOUPS

grab hold.

Enhance wellness and ward off disease with

OCCASIONAL ANXIETY

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these tasty and nutritious soup recipes.

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NATURALLY SWEET

76

Anxiety is a familiar sensation for most

Many natural alternatives can satisfy your

of us. Turn to these herbs and habits to

sweet tooth without wreaking havoc on

keep calm.

your health.

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well-documented health benefits

Try these 10 lesser-known spices to add new

disease before it even has a chance to

HOW TO MANAGE

91

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for inexpensive, gentle herbal health solutions.

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How to Use Essential Oils

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Learn about two safe and effective methods to use essential oils to improve the health and happiness of your home.

INHALER: Inhalers are a convenient

way to carry essential oils—consider tossing one in your desk to relieve stress at work; carrying one when traveling to help ward off illness; or bringing an inhaler with a stimulating blend on a road trip. Using an inhaler targets delivery so not everyone in the room is exposed to the essential oils. They can also be a helpful smoking-cessation aid. Buy “blank” inhalers in most health-food stores or from online sources such as Stillpoint Aromatics (stillpointaromatics.com).

TIPS FOR ESSENTIAL OIL INHALERS ✽ Use eight to 10 drops of an individual essential oil or an essential oil blend. ✽ Saturate the cotton wick with eight to 10 drops of essential oil. ✽ Place the wick inside the tube. ✽ Insert the cap at the end of the tube. ✽ Screw the tube into the outer casing. ✽ “Recharge” the wick every two to three months by removing the cap and saturating the wick with another eight to 10 drops essential oil. Always recharge inhalers with the same essential oils.

To make a reed diffuser, add 1⁄2 cup carrier oil and 10 drops essential oil to a bottle and drop in bamboo skewers. Flip skewers every few days; refresh essential oils every few weeks.

DIFFUSER: You can diffuse essential oils in a variety of ways. Heating oxidizes essential oils and creates caustic substances that damage the lungs and can cause other harm. Please use nonheat methods to diffuse the oils. One of the simplest options is essential oil ornaments—easy to make, beautiful decorations that scent closets, cars, bathrooms or work spaces.

TIPS FOR ESSENTIAL OIL ORNAMENTS ✽ Use nonfiring clay. ✽ Mold the clay into your desired shape.

You can use cookie cutters or simply roll the clay in a ball and then flatten it for an even, round shape. ✽ Decorate if desired, e.g. with stamps or designs etched with a toothpick. ✽ Add a hole at the top if you plan to hang the ornament. ✽ A llow to dry thoroughly (usually 24 to 72 hours, depending on climate). ✽ S aturate with six to eight drops of a single essential oil or a blend. ✽ H ang in your desired location. ✽ “Recharge” by adding additional essential drops every three weeks.

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MISTER: Even at levels too low to consciously smell, essential oils diffused into a room can improve mood, increase concentration and reduce bacteria and viruses in the air.

Additionally, research has shown that less is more. Increasing the concentration may actually decrease its effectiveness. A 1 to 2 percent dilution is enough. It’s best to choose glass spray bottles to contain mists, as essential oils will degrade plastic over time.

Opt for dark blue or amber glass to help prevent light from damaging your blends. You can find glass spray bottles from many online sources, including Mountain Rose Herbs (mountainroseherbs.com).

TIPS FOR ESSENTIAL OIL MISTERS ✽ Fill an 8-ounce mister with water. ✽ Add 1 to 2 tablespoons vodka or pure grain alcohol, which helps disperse the essential oil in water. ✽ F or a 1 percent concentration, add 48 drops (single oil or a blend). For a 2 percent concentration, add 96 drops. ✽ Shake the bottle before misting. Even if you can no longer smell the essential oils after 15 to 20 minutes, their therapeutic effect will continue for another one to two hours.

These essential oils can be used with any of the inhalation delivery methods at left, including inhalers, misters or diffusers. ✽ ANXIETY: Lavender, lemongrass, ylang ylang ✽ INCREASED CONCENTRATION: Rosemary, basil, peppermint BOTTOM LEFT: COURTESY STILLPOINT AROMATICS, STILLPOINTAROMATICS.COM; BOTTOM RIGHT: COURTESY AT THE PICKET FENCE, ATTHEPICKETFENCE.COM

When we breathe in essential oils, they penetrate the cells lining the lungs and cross immediately into the bloodstream. As we inhale, these oils also cross the bloodbrain barrier and directly influence the brain. Explore these three inhalation methods.

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Essential Oils for Inhalation

BY J U D I T H B O I C E

Method 1: Inhalation

EXPERT ADVICE

✽ IMPROVED ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE: Peppermint ✽ SLEEP: Lavender, lemon balm, ylang ylang ✽ MEDITATION: Frankincense ✽ BRONCHODILATION: Eucalyptus

Method 2: Topical Application Salves and lip balms deliver both the healing and beautifying benefits of essential oils. This recipe can be used either for salves or lip balms, although you may need to adjust the amount of beeswax slightly depending on how firm or soft you want the salve or balm to be.

TIPS FOR SALVES AND LIP BALMS ✽ In a double boiler (or a bowl over a pot of water), gently melt 2 ounces of beeswax over low heat. ✽ Add 1 cup of polyunsaturated vegetable oil such as almond, avocado, safflower or sunflower. Essential oils absorb best when combined with polyunsaturated oils. You can use monounsaturated oils such as olive or coconut oil, but the essential oils will not absorb into the skin as well as if you use a polyunsaturated vegetable oil. ✽ Test the thickness of the salve or lip balm by putting a teaspoon of the oil-beeswax combination in the freezer. If you want a softer consistency, add another teaspoon or two of oil and retest. If you want a firmer consistency, add a small amount of beeswax and retest. ✽ When you have the consistency you want, remove from heat, then stir in either a single essential oil or a combination for a total of 48 to 96 drops (1 to 2 percent concentration). ✽ Quickly pour into shallow glass or metal jars for salves; pour into small jars or tubes for lip balm. ✽ Allow to cool completely before putting on the lids. ✽ Keep the lid on when the salve or lip balm is not in use so that essential oils do not evaporate. Always label herbal salves and lip balms.

JUDITH BOICE is an award-winning author, international teacher, naturopathic physician and licensed acupuncturist in Fairbanks, Alaska. For more information, visit drjudithboice.com.

✽ ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOR NASAL PASSAGES: Peppermint ✽ ANTIBACTERIAL: Thyme; tea tree; eucalyptus; pine and other conifers; lemon and other citrus family members ✽ MY FAVORITE COMBINATION: Siberian fir and grapefruit

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EXPERT ADVICE

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Essential Oils for Topical Use These

essential oils make good therapeutic blends for salves and lip balms. ✽ SOOTHING AND HEALING SKIN: Lavender, helichrysum, St. John’s wort, rosemary verbenone, rose, German chamomile ✽ LIP BALM: Peppermint, helichrysum (for very chapped lips), vanilla, rose geranium, fennel, coriander (avoid the citrus family as they increase sun sensitivity) ✽ CHEST CONGESTION: Pine, Siberian fir, pinyon pine, eucalyptus (use Eucalyptus radiata for children)

Caution: When making topical herb products, remember to use only pure, natural ingredients you intend to absorb deeply into the skin. Avoid adding essential oils to products that contain mineral oil or other petroleum products; parabens; and/or sodium laureth or lauryl sulfate. Current research demonstrates essential oils can enhance the absorption of many potent drugs and chemicals. www.MotherEarthNews.com

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The telltale scratchy throat.

Miserable nasal congestion. Lethargy tinged with aches and chills. We all know the signs of a cold or flu settling in, about to derail us—however temporarily—from our dayto-day lives. If your first thought when cold or flu symptoms arise is to reach for an over-the-counter formula, consider this: In the U.S., we spend billions every year trying to knock out these maladies, but most of that money goes to treatments that only suppress symptoms and do little to spur healing.

With the following preventive measures and simple, natural cold and flu remedies, you can save money, take control of your health, and trim your time spent feeling under the weather this cold and flu season.

Cold and Flu Prevention Strategies Colds and flu spread primarily via droplets released in the air when someone who is ill coughs, sneezes or talks, and via surface contact (touching something a sick person has touched). The surest natural way to lessen your odds of falling ill is to tweak some of your habits.

COUGH AND SNEEZE INTO YOUR ELBOW. Instead of covering your cough with your hand, turn your head and cough into your elbow, which will sequester a virus just as well.

Your elbow is far less likely than your hands to come in contact with people or surfaces.

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WASH UP OFTEN. The more frequently you wash your hands, the lower your risk of becoming sick. Colds and flu are caused by viruses—not bacteria—so banking on antibacterial soap as a safeguard against colds and flu won’t be effective. Studies have shown that washing your hands with an antibacterial soap is no better at preventing infectious illnesses than scrubbing with plain soap and water.

Moreover, there’s mounting evidence that triclosan—the main active ingredient in many antibacterial soaps—may facilitate the growth of resistant bacteria.

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Ways to Prevent and Treat Colds & Flu Stay well this winter with these proven strategies for fending off and bouncing back from colds and flu.

BY MEGAN H IR T

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■ HANDS OFF YOUR FACE. The typical person makes the hand-to-face connection an average of 16 times per hour, according to a 2008 study from the University of California, Berkeley. If you refrain from touching your eyes, nose and lips, you drastically reduce the likelihood of a virus entering your body.

■ AVOID TOUCHING SURFACES OTHERS TOUCH. Encourage your workplace to outfit bathroom doors with footoperated openers—try the StepNpull, stepnpull.com—that allow for a hands-free exit. Block contact with faucets, door handles and other heavily trafficked surfaces in public restrooms by cloaking your grip in a paper towel.

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RECIPE

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Chicken and Parsley Noodle Soup 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 2 carrots, cut into 1⁄2-inch-thick slices 3 celery stalks, sliced 51⁄2 cups chicken broth 3 cups chopped cooked chicken 1⁄2 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves 1⁄2 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary 1⁄2 teaspoon chopped fresh sage Parsley Noodles (recipe below) 2 cups baby spinach Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1. Heat oil over medium-high heat in a large Dutch oven. Add onions and sauté 5 to 8 minutes. Add carrots and celery and sauté 3 minutes.

2. Add chicken broth, chicken, thyme, rosemary and sage.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 20 to 30 minutes.

3. Add noodles to soup mixture. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Stir in spinach and cook 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into individual soup bowls. Serves 4.

PARSLEY NOODLES 11⁄4 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 2 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley 1 large egg, beaten 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or cold water

1. Combine flour, salt and parsley in a large bowl. Make a well in the center. Add egg and milk; stir together until dough forms a ball.

2. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead a dozen times. Roll dough into a large rectangle, about 9 by 12 inches. Cut into 1⁄2-inch strips, then cut the strips into 2- to 3-inch pieces to form noodles.

Note: You could also use a pasta maker. Just follow the manufacturer’s directions.

Recipe courtesy freelance writer Kris Wetherbee.

web extras

Beat colds and flu with even more healing soup recipes. Visit motherearthliving.com/healing-soups for an herb-packed soup, as well as a hearty bean soup and a curried celery soup. www.MotherEarthNews.com

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f o s r e d n o The W

Turmeric

This ancient panacea shines under the lens of modern research. Studies have confirmed its ability to ward off brain disease, cancer, digestive disorders and much more.

BY L I N D A B. W H I T E

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Lance Roehrig couldn’t do without turmeric.

When an accident left his partner with a large leg abrasion, the conventional antimicrobial ointment a doctor prescribed didn’t heal the wound. Roehrig, a Denver clinical Ayurvedic specialist and instructor for the California College of Ayurveda, substituted a homemade paste composed of powdered turmeric, an herbal formula called triphala, rosewater and a little honey. The wound healed so much faster that, at the next appointment, the doctor advised he continue applying the herbs.

Roehrig counts turmeric as the most important herb in his medicine chest. Why? “It’s safe and considered a panacea, one that’s helpful for most any condition and for all constitutions,” he says. Indeed, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic medicine (an ancient Indian healing system) have long recommended turmeric for a variety of ailments, including infectious illnesses, cancer, arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, liver disease and indigestion. Roehrig adds that yogis have long consumed turmeric to help them bend into poses and repair injuries.

Like ginger, turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a member of the Zingiberaceae family. This perennial grows in India, Southeast Asia and other tropical regions.

Its rhizomes, or fleshy underground stems, are used as a spice (a key ingredient in curry) and medicine.

Turmeric’s biologically active chemicals include curcuminoids, which produce the yellow pigment, as well as volatile oils, which create the characteristic aroma.

Traditionally, whole turmeric rhizome, dried or fresh, is taken internally or applied topically as powders, pastes and turmeric-infused oils for skin ailments (wounds, inflammation, infection). Most research focuses on extracts concentrated for curcuminoids, particularly curcumin.

“Curcumin has many beneficial pharmacological effects which include, but are not limited to, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antidiabetic, anticancer, and protection against nervous system diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease,” says Debasish Bandyopadhyay, an assistant professor of research in the chemistry department at the University of TexasPan American in Edinburg, Texas, and the author of a 2014 review paper on curcumin. Here’s a snapshot of the research-backed benefits of curcumin.

ARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis (OA), which results from wear and tear on joints, commonly accompanies advancing age. At least three studies show curcumin products (specially formulated to enhance bioavailability) taken for two to three months reduce pain, improve function and minimize reliance on pain medications.

In two studies of knee OA, curcumin worked on par with ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), the overuse of which can cause stomach upset and intestinal damage.

Combining turmeric with other antiinflammatory herbs, such as boswellia and ginger, also helps improve symptoms.

Curcumin also appears to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune disorder.

One study compared curcumin with the drug diclofenac (Voltaren) and found curcumin to be more effective.

CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE

In lab studies, curcumin lowers blood levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (blood fats); discourages oxidation of LDL cholesterol (a

chemical reaction that renders this cholesterol more harmful to the arteries); and inhibits platelets, thereby reducing the risk of clots forming within blood vessels. One study found that taking 4 grams of curcuminoids a day for several days before and after coronary artery bypass surgery reduced the risk of in-hospital heart attack.

INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE IBD

Curcuminoids aren’t well absorbed from the intestinal tract, making them potentially useful against bowel inflammation and colon cancer.

IBD includes ulcerative colitis (an inflammatory condition of the large intestine) and Crohn’s disease (which primarily affects the end of the small intestine and the beginning of the large intestine). When people with ulcerative colitis added curcumin to conventional medication, they extended their time to relapse. When a small group of children and teens 11 to 18 years old with IBD added curcumin to conventional medication, they all tolerated the combo well, and half of them improved significantly.

WWW.MOTHEREARTHNEWS.COM

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Soups Enhance wellness and ward off disease with these tasty, nutritious soups.

BY J A M E S A . D U K E

Soothe Aching Joints Every ingredient in the Curried Celery Soup recipe on page 75 works to tame the enzyme known as COX-2, which is associated with inflammation and arthritic pain. One of them alone (capsaicin) is nearly as potent as the COX-2 inhibitor in the controversial arthritis drug Vioxx. And garlic, at last count, contained at least nine different COX-2 inhibitors.

Even if you aren’t bothered by arthritis, there’s good reason to add this soup to your menu: Research reported in Science News suggests that inhibiting the COX-2 enzyme could delay or prevent some cancers.

Fight Colds and Flu To me, garlic is the tastiest and best all-around stimulant for the immune system. If I were going to make an immunity-boosting soup, I would also add the immunostimulant herbs shiitake mushrooms, chickpeas, calendula, ginger and turmeric, as well as some ground black pepper (to enhance the uptake of the curcumin in the tumeric), chilies or cayenne.

The Immunity-Boosting Winter Soup recipe on page 75 includes nearly all of these ingredients—and a few more—to jump-start your immune system.

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RECIPE

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Turmeric Yogurt Soup ⁄3 cup garbanzo bean flour 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1⁄4 teaspoon chili powder 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 13⁄4 cups plain low-fat yogurt 2 tablespoons peanut oil 3 cups water Fresh parsley sprigs, for garnish

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1 . Whisk together garbanzo bean flour, turmeric, chili powder and salt in a large bowl. Whisk in yogurt until no lumps remain.

2. Heat oil in a heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in yogurt mixture, then water. Bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Reduce heat to low; cook, whisking constantly for 8 minutes, or until soup thickens slightly.

3. Ladle into warmed soup bowls and top with parsley and Chili Pepper Garnish (recipe below). Serves 4 to 6.

CHILI PEPPER GARNISH 11⁄2 teaspoons peanut oil 3⁄4 teaspoon cumin seeds 1⁄2 teaspoon black or brown mustard seeds 1⁄2 teaspoon crushed fenugreek seeds 4 to 6 fresh red chili peppers Heat oil in a small skillet. Add cumin, mustard and fenugreek seeds; cook, stirring constantly until seeds start to jump and crackle. Add chili peppers and remove skillet from heat. Stir for about 30 seconds, or until peppers blister. (If peppers are fresh, they might burst and “jump,” so stand back.) —GINA MOHAMMED

OPPOSITE: HOWARD LEE PUCKETT

I LOVE SOUP—winter, spring, summer or fall. The more I research plant compounds and their effects on human health, the more I am convinced soups make an ideal “food pharmacy.” With soup, you can combine ingredients that have tremendous potential to ward off, and possibly reverse, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, arthritis and dozens of other conditions. Every plant—vegetable, fruit, grain or herb—contains a list of chemical compounds (phytochemicals) with properties ranging from anti-aging to immunostimulant to vasodilator.

Try the healing soups in this article for yourself—they can soothe aching joints, fight colds and flu, protect against heart disease and reduce the risk of cancer.

www.MotherEarthNews.com

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In addition to saving money, making and using our own medicines can be a fun and empowering way to bring health and wellness to ourselves, our families and our communities. Cut a bouquet of lavender spikes to put in a vase next to your grandmother’s bed to help her relax. Make an extract of echinacea to help your family get through cold and flu season.

Dry some chamomile, tulsi and nettle, and combine them with other herbs for a nourishing and tasty tea blend to sell at your local farmers market. There are countless ways we can share plants’ healing gifts with others through our own gardens.

6 Medicinal Herbs You Should Be Growing Now Here we focus on some of the easier medicinal herbs to grow and those whose harvest and methods of use are simple and likely to bring you success. They all grow well in most parts of the country, and pack a serious punch when it comes to medicinal compounds.

PLANTING CONSIDERATIONS ✽ Self-seeding annual that grows tenaciously in many

environments but prefers cooler climates

✽ Pest- and disease-resistant ✽ Prefers full sun; can be grown in partial shade in

hotter climates

✽ Likes well-drained soil with good fertility, ample moisture

and lots of organic matter

✽W ill self-seed but may not outcompete weeds; direct-seed

in the fall or early spring (cover lightly); thin plants to 10 inches apart ✽ Blooms early to midsummer

HARVEST AND USE: Many large commercial growers of chamomile sacrifice quality for expediency by using combines to harvest the flowers. Hand-harvesting chamomile blossoms retains more of the essential oils and medicinal compounds.

Pick blossoms by hand during full bloom every seven to 10 days during peak bloom time. Flowering may slow down during hot, dry spells and then resume when cool weather returns.

You can use fresh blossoms immediately, but they’re also relatively easy to dry. To ensure the centers of the flowers are dried completely but volatile oils are not lost, dry at lower temperatures (85 to 95 degrees) somewhere with good airflow and limited light.

SIMPLEST PREPARATION: Add a tablespoon of fresh or dried buds to 6 ounces of hot water in a cup or teapot and steep for five minutes, then sip before bed or anytime you need to relax.

Steeping for longer than the recommended time or boiling the blossoms can volatilize the essential oils in the plants, reducing the quality and negatively affecting taste and aroma.

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Easiest Medicinal Herbs to Grow These multipurpose, easy-togrow healing herbs belong in every gardener’s medicine cabinet for their range of benefits.

BY J E F F & M E L A N I E C A R P E N T E R

78 THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS GUIDE TO TURMERIC & SUPER HERBS

78-83 Easiest Medicinal Herbs to Grow_gd.indd 78-79

OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS OR SO, more people have become aware of herbs’ ability to increase our health and well-being. Unfortunately, with this growth, we’ve also seen an increase in supplements made with lowquality herbs that are irradiated, sprayed, and grown in unsustainable or unethical ways, especially from large chain retailers. Although there are more and more options worth buying all the time, you can save money by growing some of your medicine yourself.

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Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

German chamomile, a must-have for every herb pantry, is productive and highly medicinal. It’s an anti-inflammatory nervine that has a calming effect on the nervous and digestive systems, and it’s safe for children and adults who are in a weakened state. Chamomile has antiseptic properties and is used topically in washes for skin, eyes and mouth. Its essential oil is useful in creams, oils and salves. When brewed as a tea, the sweet little blossoms bring a sense of well-being. Chamomile can also be formulated with other herbs and taken in extract form as a digestive, a sleep aid and an overall nerve tonic.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

Beautiful, perennial echinacea begins showing its gorgeous purple and red flowers in midsummer and continues for many weeks. Its nectar is a favorite among pollinators.

Nearly the entire plant—roots, seeds, leaves, flowers (but not stems)—is medicinal. Echinacea is highly effective at strengthening the body’s immune response. Specifically, it increases the macrophage T-cell activity and helps boost the immune system at the onset of infection. It has been used successfully for hundreds of years to treat colds and flus and works well against both viral and bacterial infections.

Echinacea can be used as a tea, made into tinctures, powdered and encapsulated, or made into mouthwashes and throat sprays. It’s safe for children and adults, but it should only be used to fight active infections, not as a daily tonic.

Note: Echinacea should not be taken by those with immune disorders; consult a physician if you are in doubt. www.MotherEarthNews.com

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