Peppermint Leaves

Peppermint’s uplifting aroma wafting up from a hot cup of tea can start to settle an upset stomach even before you drink it. Peppermint’s antispasmodic effect calms nausea and helps prevent gas and bloating after a heavy meal. Peppermint is often combined with caraway to help indigestion. Those with IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, can find relief with enteric coated capsules of peppermint.

Peppermint is a first herb of choice for treatment of colds and flu because it acts to relieve multiple symptoms at once: congestion, headaches and muscle aches, nausea and fever. You can drink a hot cup of peppermint tea from dried leaves, or diffuse the essential oil in the sick room to ease the breath and kill germs, and use the oil mixed in a carrier oil in chest and throat massages. Peppermint also makes a good additive for a foot bath.

Buy Peppermint Leaves here

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Elecampane Root

Use as an expectorant and stimulating tonic, recommended for coughs, bronchitis, asthma, chronic lung ailments, even tuberculosis, and wet mucus-type bronchial infections. Combine with Echinacea to combat deep seated bronchial infections.

How to Make A Herbal Decoction

Decoctions are preferred for harder herbs like roots, barks, and seeds, it takes longer to release the healing properties.  It’s best, but not necessary, to mash or grind the thick herb before use.

To make a decoction, you just need the following steps:

• Use 1 tablespoon dried herb per 1 1/2 cup of cold, filtered water
• Bring your water to a boil and add the herbs.
• Reduce the heat as low as possible and cover
• Simmer for 20 minutes if you’re using small pieces of the herb, but if you’re using bigger pieces, then you can simmer for up to an hour.
• Remove from heat and strain off the herbs and serve. If you like, you can also leave them to steep even longer, up to overnight.

Decoctions are going to be much stronger than infusions, so a typical serving size would be 1/4 cup to 1 cup, depending on what you’re using.

Buy Elecampane Root here

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Chamomile Flowers

Scientific Name: Matricaria recutita

Common Names: German chamomile, Roman chamomile, wild chamomile
Family: Asteraceae-Daisy Family
Part Used: flower heads
Properties:  analgesic , anti-inflammatory, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-septic, anti-bacterial, anti-rheumatic, anti-spasmodic, anti-viral, diuretic, sedative

Uses:  indigestion, gas, bloating, heartburn, peptic ulcers, to calm nervousness, insomnia, spasms in stomach and muscles, diluted for children (colic, insomnia, upset stomach), hair rinse for blonds, herb pillow

Preparation Methods:  creams, salves, infused oil, essential oil, herbal tea, tincture, poultice, bath, hair treatment

Chamomile is one of the oldest herbs used all over the world.  Because of it’s extraordinarily gentle effectiveness, chamomile is the first herb of choice for many home remedies. The seemingly endless list of uses for chamomile can all be traced to its effects on the nervous system and digestive system, as well as its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. Chamomile is a great herb to grow in the garden or buy in bulk, because there are so many different and amazing uses for it.*

Buy Chamomile Flowers here

Caution:  May cause allergic reactions in people sensitive to ragweed or other plants in the daisy family.  People on blood thinners should use caution.

Buy Chamomile Salve here

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*https://www.anniesremedy.com/matricaria-recutita-chamomile.php

Cilantro or Coriander Seeds

Cilantro is an herb that is never available in dried form, since its pungent flavor and aroma seem to dissipate almost entirely when dried. Sometimes referred to as Spanish or Chinese parsley.  Fresh cilantro is becoming more widely available in produce markets.

Cilantro has a unique flavor and aroma that some savor and others dislike. It is used widely in Mexican, Indian and Asian cuisines. Cilantro adds an unusual zest to pinto bean stews, Spanish-style tomato sauces for enchiladas, tacos and the like, curried vegetable stews, and corn dishes such as corn-stuffed peppers.

The dried seeds are called coriander and is often used as a pickling spice. Buy coriander seeds here.

Benefits:  Rich in dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, vitamin C, potassium, amino acids, and fatty acids, antioxidants and anti-fungal.

Garden:  Annual, Self-Seeds, Full Sun to Part Shade, Zones 2-9.  Plant continually Spring-fall for a fresh supply of leaves.

The dried seeds are called coriander and is often used as a pickling spice.

Benefits:  Rich in dietary fiber, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, vitamin C, potassium, amino acids, and fatty acids, antioxidants and antifungal.

Garden:  Annual, Self-Seeds, Full Sun to Part Shade, Zones 2-9.  Plant continually Spring-fall for a fresh supply of leaves.

This post contains affiliate links. Clicking on them costs you no money, and if you decide to make a purchase (prices are the same as non affiliate), I receive a percentage. This helps me to keep my site up, and you receive great recipes and herb information. Thank you!

Bay Leaves

IMAGE EDIT LEAVE A COMMENT AUGUST 12, 2017 LISA'S HERB REMEDIES

Common Names:  Bay Laurel, Sweet Bay, True Laurel

Botanical Name:  Laurus nobilis

Family:  Lauraceae

Bay Leaves, there are two popular types — Mediterranean and Californian.

The Mediterranean is milder in flavor. Bay leaves are usually used dry  to reduce some of their bitterness, but can be used fresh too. Commonly used in classic chicken soup, some compounds in bay leaves may help relieve upset stomachs.

But…   

Bay leaves offer us a healthy dose of vitamins A, C, magnesium, calcium, manganese, potassium, and iron.  Apart from their culinary uses, they have medicinal properties and are known for their anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, diuretic and astringent qualities.  They also have the property of repelling flies, moths, mice etc.  Add a leaf to your flour, and corn meal to repel insects.  Grow in large pots so it can be kept small and you can bring indoors during winter.  Plant in ground in a well drained area.

Taste:  Woody, sweet, citrusy, nutty
Perfect For:  Soups, stews, and sautéed dishes.

Preparation Methods:  Bay leaves are dried and used in cooking, mainly to flavor meats and stews.  Bay leaves can be taken in tea, used in herbal baths, and infused in oils.  The leaves are the source of the distilled essential oil and is used topically to relieve pain.

To dry fresh leaves, simply spread leaves on a paper towel without touching out of direct sunlight.  They will dry in a few days.  Turn once a day for even drying.

You can buy my quality dried Bay Leaves here

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Sweet Basil

Ocimum basilicum

Basil is available in many varieties.  Choosing which basil to grow and use is the hardest part, but using them is very easy.   There's cinnamon, dark opal, holy, lemon, lime, spicy bush, purple ruffles, sweet thai and many others to choose from.  But sweet basil is my favorite.  It has the classic basil flavor we've all come to love.
 

How To Grow Basil

 Basil is easy to grow from seed or purchased plant. It requires what most gardens already have, full sun, warm temperatures above 50 degrees, and adequate moisture.
 

 Harvesting, Drying, and Storing Herbs

This herbs is also very easy to dry and store for later use.  In morning when dew is dried off the plants, cut stems off and wash to remove any dirt.  Lay out to dry on a paper towel for about an hour.

 

You can dry your herbs on a table out of direct sun which takes several days.  Or, use a food dehydrator like I do.  With this method, it only takes 30 minutes to and hours on low.

The herb should feel crisp when ready.  Store your dried herbs in a glass jar in a dark place.  For better flavor, store your herbs whole.  You can crush them when you are ready to cook.

 

Of course, fresh herbs are best to cook with, but they are not always available.  Basil is no exception.

Just Look At All The Dishes You Can Use Basil In

• Vegetables: zucchini, corn, bell pepper, tomato, green beans, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, eggplant, squash, spinach, artichoke, fennel, onion, potato
• Seafood: lobster, shrimp, crab, red snapper, salmon (fresh and smoked), grouper, tuna
• Meat and Poultry: chicken, turkey, beef, veal, lamb, sausage
• Soups and Sauces: corn chowder, tomato, minestrone, vegetable soup
• Dairy: egg dishes, ricotta, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, bleu cheese, goat cheese
• Legumes and Grains: polenta, cannellini beans, rice (all varieties), couscous, all pasta
• Fruit and Dessert: watermelon, pineapple, cantaloupe, honeydew, apple, peach, nectarine, pear, figs

Basil Has Many Benefits To Help Our Bodies

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Cancer
• Pain
• Fever
• Diabetes
• Liver
• Blood vessel
• Anti-stress
• Immune

 

Just Look At All These Vitamins and Minerals It Provides

• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Iron
• Calcium
• Manganese
• Magnesium
• Potassium

Buy your dried basil here

Our website here

 Posted by Lisa Ray

Calendula Flowers

Calendula is an annual plant with cheerful orange flowers that blooms in the spring.  Every gardener should grow calendula, not only for the color, but also for the herbal properties of the flower.

Calendula officinalis

Uses:  wound healing, burns, stings, varicose veins, thrush, gastritis, painful periods, inflamed and ulcerated conditions, warts and corns (sap), and callouses.

Preparation Methods:  creams, salves, infused oils, essential oil, herbal tea, tincture, and poultice.

Dried Calendula

Buy dried calendula here

Caution:  Avoid during pregnancy, may cause allergic reactions, people sensitive to ragweed or other plants in the daisy family.  

Posted by Lisa Ray

Sage Hill Botanicals Herb Company