Herbal Compresses, Poultice, and Fomentation.

Today I wanted to share a couple of videos on herbal compresses, poultice, and fomentation. I love the idea of using nature to heal and these are great ways to do so. It's cheaper, especially if you grow your own herbs, and very effective. Obviously if you are bleeding profusely or have a severe injury, seek medical attention. Herbal compresses and poultices are great for minor scrapes and cuts or abrasions. 

Part 1

Part 2

Homemade Ways to Keep the Kids Busy

So it's a cold winter day, a rainy day, or just too hot to go outside. Whatever the weather, you are indoors and the kids are driving you bonkers. Well here are some things to do to keep the little ones busy.

Bookmarks

• To make attractive book marks, dry an herb of your choice between absorbent paper. Press it flat with something heavy. 
• When dry, place between two pieces of plastic. You can cut the plastic into a shape or design that you find pleasing. 
• Anchor with glue, punch holes around the edge, and lace with yarn or embroidery thread.

Easter Eggs

• Wrap the eggs with onion skins and cover in foil. The eggs come out golden.
• Use melted beeswax to put names or designs on the eggs. 
• While they are writing on the eggs, place brown or red onion skins in an old pan and cover with water. 
• Heat the water to boiling. 
• Add designed eggs and boil slowly for 30 minutes. Remove and dry.

 

 

Finger Paints

• Mix 2 cups cold water with 1/4 cup of cornstarch. 
• Add food coloring.

• You can also store this in the refrigerator for later use. 

Modeling Clay

• Mix together 1/2 cup of salt, 1 cup of flour, and 3 teaspoons of alum.
• Add food coloring and enough water to make a nice clay. 
• Keep in a covered jar, kneading in more water if it becomes too dry.

Brain Alert Formula

When you are in a fog, or are having trouble remembering things and focusing, try this brain-boosting formula. You can make this formula as capsules or a tincture.

Ingredients

• 2 parts ginkgo
• 2 parts gotu kola
• 1 part blueberries or bilberries (dried)
• 1 part reishi mushroom
• 1/4 part rosemary

Capsules
To make capsules, powder the herbs in a small grinder or blender and use them to fill size 00 capsules. Take 2 capsules three times daily. Here is a video showing how to make capsules using a capsule machine.

Tincture
Combine all your herbs in a glass jar. Pour enough of your solvent (80 proof vodka, vegetable glycerin, apple cider vinegar-whichever you choose) to cover the herbs, and continue pouring until the liquid rises 2 to 3 inches above the herbs. Cover with a tight-fitting lid. If using glycerin, dilute it with an equal amount of water before pouring over the herbs. If using vinegar, warm it first. Place the jar in a warm location and let the herbs and liquid soak or macerate for 4 to 6 weeks-the longer the better. Shake the bottle daily during the maceration period. Strain the herbs using a large stainless-steel strainer lined with cheesecloth or muslin. Reserve the liquid and compost the herbs. Rebottle and label. Store in a cool, dark location where it will keep indefinitely. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons three times daily.

Rosemary Gladstar's Love-My-Breast Massage Oil

Just because Breast Cancer awareness month is over, doesn't mean to stop being aware of your breasts. This massage oil is not only stimulating, but is so good for your breast health, and overall health as well.

This herbal oil can be used for a stimulating massage. Comfrey is a marvelous herb for the skin, strengthening and healing tissue. Calendula flowers are particularly useful for the lymphatic system and are of tremendous aid in treating fibrocystic conditions. Lavender increases circulation to the breast area and activates the immune system. Pine essential oil also increases blood flow to the breast area and contains compounds that have been proved to destroy cancerous cells. Rosemary is warming and decongesting and stimulates the lymph tissue.

Ingredients

• 1/2 oz dried or fresh calendula flowers
• 1/2 oz dried or fresh comfrey leaf
• 2 cups almond oil
• 12 drops lavender essential oil
• 6 drops pine essential oil
• 6 drops rosemary essential oil

*Prep time is 4 weeks for infused oil. 

Directions

1. Infuse the calenda and comfrey in the almond oil (Place herbs and the oil in a glass jar; cover tightly. Place the jar in a warm, sunny spot and let steep for 2 weeks. Strain the oil through cheesecloth or muslin. Then add a fresh batch of herbs to the oil and infuse for 2 more weeks. Strain again. This will give you a very potent medicinal oil.) Add the essential oils to the infused oil.
2. For fibrocystic breast condition or swollen, sore breasts, add 1 ounce of pokeroot infused oil or 12 drops of pokeroot tincture to the massage oil. Pokeroot can be irritating to the skin, so use only in recommended amount. Do not ingest the berries or the mature stalks and leaves, which are toxic.
3. Apply a small amount of massage oil to your breasts.
4. Cupping your breasts in your hands, move them in a circular motion, rotating outward, away from each other. Use your whole hand, feeling the entire mass of your breast moving beneath it. This motion can be fairly quick or slow and rythmic, whichever feels better to you. Do this 25 times.
5. Still cupping your breasts in your hands, rotate them inward, toward each other, another 25 times.
6. Repeat step 4, massaging your breast in an outward motion 25 times.