Damiana Chocolate Love Liqueur

When you need that something extra on that special night, this blend, from the love goddess herself, Diana DeLuca, is dangerously, lip-smacking good-and daringly easy to prepare. Prepare it ahead of time and serve it at the beginning of a hot date.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce damiana leaves (dried)
• 2 cups vodka or brandy
• 1 1/2 cups spring water
• 1 cup honey
• Vanilla extract
• Rose water
• Chocolate syrup
• Almond extract

Directions:

1. Soak the damiana leaves in the vodka or brandy for 5 days. Strain; reserve the liquid in a bottle.
2. Soak the alcohol-drenched leaves in the spring water for 3 days. Strain and reserve the liquid.
3. Over low heat, gently warm the water extract and dissolve the honey in it. Remove the pan from the heat, then add the alcohol extract and stir well. Pour into a clean bottle and add a dash of vanilla and a touch of rose water for flavor. Let it mellow for 1 month or longer; it gets smoother with age.
4. To each cup of damiana liqueur, add 1/2 cup chocolate syrup, 2 or 3 drops of almond extract, and a touch more of rose water.
5. Drink at the beginning of your date and watch the sparks fly!

How To Make Herbal Capsules

This is a very fun, do it yourself project when it comes to herbs. You can make capsules out of any herb really, and it's certainly a lot cheaper and safer making your own. You can find just about any herbal capsule in Walmart today, in the vitamin section, but I just feel it's nice to make your own, knowing exactly where your herb came from. So today's video lesson is on making your own herbal capsules. Enjoy!

Note: Please visit www.facebook.com/naturallivingef for more information on herbs and also check out other blog posts here.

How To Make Herbal Honey with Lavender

Ok I am actually in the process of making this right now and I have to say, I have been sneaking little tastes when I stir it and it is delicious!! This is by far one of the easiest things to make so I encourage everyone to give it a try. If anyone has rose bushes and tries this recipe with their rose petals, please let me know how it turns out! Enjoy!

Order your herbs and ingredients below:

How To Make An Herbal Lip Balm

Some of these videos are a bit long and John talks a bunch lol, but the end result is amazing. I can't believe how easy it is to make such wonderful products. And because you can make so much, why not consider using as Christmas gifts? In this video, we are learning to make an herbal lip balm using the infused oil we made previously, or any other oil you want to use. All products can be purchased at www.mountainroseherbs.com. Enjoy!

How To Make An Herbal Salve

In this lesson, we learn to take the infused oil we made previously and make a salve that can be used to treat wounds, almost like Neosporin. Enjoy!

Coffee For Cancer Fundraiser

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I am holding a special fundraiser, Coffee for Cancer. Any amount is helpful and those who donate $30 or more will receive a free box of Organo Gold Black or Latte coffee. The herb infused in this coffee, Ganoderma Lucidum, has anticarcinogenic properties and boosts the immune system. Thank you so much for your consideration!

Learn With Me/How To Make An Infused Oil

Today's video is a lesson on making herbal infused oils. In this video, John makes an infused oil using Calendula flowers and Comfrey leaf. I recommend starting with Calendula, as you can use it later in a salve or lip balm, two videos I will be sharing later. Calendula is soothing for the skin so using the infused oil for salves or for a lip balm will be excellent. Enjoy!

Learn With Me/How To Make A Tincture

Hello everyone! So I am going to start sharing with you some of my favorite videos on how to use your herbs to make infused oils, salves, tinctures, linaments, and more! In my studies, I am asked to watch these videos and I felt I must share them with the rest of you so you can learn with me. It's quite fun experimenting with different herbs and making your own medicine or beauty products. So enjoy this first video which will teach you how to make a basic tincture. Remember: Please research each herb you use before taking it internally or using it externally. You will want to start with one herb, make an oil, make a tea, make a tincture, make a salve, then you can start with multiple herbs. But make sure you understand what each herb is used for. Have fun!

Baby Care

Though there is a wonderful variety of natural baby-care products on the market, it's delightful, simple, and far less costly to make your own.

Baby's Bath Herbs

Use the following mixture in the bathwater. These herbs are soothing and relaxing--for Mom and Dad, too.

• 2 parts Calendula
• 2 parts Chamomile
• 2 parts Comfrey leaf
• 1 part Lavender
• 1 part Roses

Mix all the herbs. Place a small handful of the mixture in a cotton bag and toss it into the baby's bathwater. Use the fragrant herbal bag as a washcloth.

Baby Powder
This is an excellent daily baby powder. You may wish to lightly scent it, but use only pure essential oil and be certain it is not irritating to the child's sensitive skin. Orange oil is light and refreshing and often used as the scent for baby powders.

• 2 parts Arrowroot powder
• 2 parts While Clay (available in natural foods stores and ceramic supply stores)
• 1/4 part Comfrey Root powder
• 1/4 part Slippery Elm or Marsh Mallow Root powder

Mix the ingredients together and place in a container with a shaker top, such as a spice jar.
To treat diaper rash, add to this mixture 1/8 part organically grown Goldenseal powder, 1/8 part Myrrh powder, and 1/8 part Echinacea powder. Apply as a powder, or mix into a thin paste and apply as a poultice to the rash.

Baby Oil
This is an excellent all-purpose oil and is wonderful to rub on baby after baths. It also makes a great massage oil for babies.

• 1 ounce Chamomile
• 1/2 ounce Comfrey leaf
• 1/2 ounce roses
• 1 pint Apricot or Almond Oil

Mix herbs and oil and let sit in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid for 2 weeks in a warm, sunny spot.
For stronger oil, pour the mixture into the top of a double boiler. Slowly warm it over very low heat for 1 hour. Strain and bottle. You may lightly scent it with a few drops of pure essential oil, such as lavender, rose, or chamomile. Use at room temperature.

Herbs And Children

Herbs can be used with confidence for simple ailments such as colds, colic, and teething, as well as the many common childhood illnesses that children often contract. Herbs can also be used as supplements to our modern system of allopathic medicine when dealing with more complicated health problems. Contrary to popular opinion, herbs and orthodox medicine are not at odds, but are two systems of healing that can complement each other. Consult your physician or holistic health care prodvider for guidelines on using allopathic drugs and herbal remedies in combination.  Almost any herb that is safe for an adult is safe for a child as long as the size and weight of the child are accounted for and the dosage is adjusted accordingly. Always perform a small dose test to see how it works for your child. A patch test is a good safety measure test. Make an herb tea, then "paint" a small amount onto the skin of the inner arm. Wait 24 hours to check for a reaction such as a skin rash, itchy eyes, throat swelling, or itchiness. As with any medicine, make sure to keep herbal preparations out of reach of children. 

Suggested dosages for children: When adult dosage is 1 cup (8 oz.)

Age-Younger than 2 years-1/2 teaspoon to 1 teaspoon
Age-2 to 4 years-2 teaspoons
Age-4 to 7 years-1 tablespoon
Age-7 to 11 years-2 tablespoons

When adult dosage is 1 teaspoon or 60 grains/drops

Age-Younger than 3 months-2 grains/drops
Age-3 to 6 months-3 grains/drops
Age-6 to 9 months-4 grains/drops
Age-9 to 12 months-5 grains/drops
Age-12 to 18 months-7 grains/drops
Age-18 to 24 months-8 grains/drops
Age-2 to 3 years-10 grains/drops
Age-3 to 4 years-12 grains/drops
Age-4 to 6 years-15 grains/drops
Age-6 to 9 years-24 grains/drops
Age-9 to 12 years-30 grains/drops

Herb Candy

1. Grind raisins, dates, apricots, and walnuts in a food processor or grinder. Alternatively, you can mix nut butter (such as peanut, almond, or cashew) with honey in equal portions, then proceed with the rest of the steps. Note: If you don't want to use honey for small children, use maple syrup, rice syrup, or maple cream.
2. Stir in shredded coconut (the unsweetened type) and carob powder.
3. Add the herb powders. Mix well.
4. Roll the mixture into balls. Roll the balls in powdered carob and coconut. Store in the refrigerator.

 Determine the dosage by using the chart above and divide the candy into once-daily dosages.