How to Harvest and Store Valerian Roots

Introduction

Valerian is an herbal remedy used as a mild sedative for treatment of sleep disorders, restlessness and anxiety. You can grow Valerian in your garden and enjoy the sweet smell of the blossoms until it is time to harvest the roots. Here is how to gather, clean, dry and store Valerian root for medicinal use.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You'll Need

• Scythe
• Spading fork
• Pressure hose or rotary root washer
• Knife

Steps

1

Step One

Cut off the Valerian stalks at ground level with a scythe when ready to harvest. The best time is between August and September, preferably in the second year of growth.

2

Step Two

Dig up the Valerian roots, also called rhizomes, with a spading fork. Place the harvested roots in the shade while you work.

3

Step Three

Shake the roots to remove excess soil.

4

Step Four

Wash the roots with a pressure hose or rotary root washer to remove all soil and stones that may be lodged in the crown. Use cool water--heat can damage the cells that contain the plant's essential oil.

5

Step Five

Chop the roots into equal small pieces to ensure uniform drying.

6

Step Six

Preserve the essential oils in the roots by drying them at room temperature in a shady spot in your home or barn for 10 days. Shade drying, low temperature vacuum drying and freeze drying are also good methods. Take care not to allow the temperature while drying to exceed 50 degrees Celsius, as it can cause a significant decrease in essential oil content.

7

Step Seven

Store the Valerian root in tightly sealed containers where they will be protected from heat, light, air and moisture. You can use plastic bags, light-proof sacks, glass canisters or drums.

How to Heal an Upset Stomach

Introduction

We have all experienced the pain of an upset stomach at one time or another. In this article you will learn how to make your own drink to help heal an upset stomach quickly.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• Goldenseal
• Chamomile
• Mullein
• Skullcap
• Lobelia
• Mint
• Powdered peppermint
• Pennyroyal
• Water

Steps

1

Step One

Mix together 1 teaspoon of goldenseal, 1 heaping teaspoon of chamomile, 1 teaspoon of mullein, 1 teaspoon of skullcap, 2 teaspoons of lobelia, 1 tablespoon of mint, 1/4 teaspoon of powdered peppermint, and finally 1 tablespoon of pennyroyal.

2

Step Two

Boil a cup of water and add 1 teaspoon of the herbal mixture to it. Allow the ingredients to steep for 10 minutes.

3

Step Three

Strain the water and herb mixture that has been steeping and sweeten it for taste.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use if you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in this article.
• Immediately stop use if you find that you are allergic to any of the ingredients listed in this article.

How to Make a Detox Vegetable Broth

Introduction

You can clear away the ill effects of over-indulgence by using this nourishing, natural detoxifying broth. It is filled with vitalizing ingredients such as pumpkin, carrots and spinach.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• Non-reactive cooking pot.
• Colander
• Cheese cloth or thin linen
• 1 3/4 quarts of pure water
• 1 tsp. of Celtic sea salt
• 5 slices of sliced ginger root
• 2 finely chopped carrots
• 3 finely chopped celery stalks
• 1 cup of finely chopped cabbage
• 1 cup of finely chopped spinach
• 1 cup of finely diced pumpkin
• 1 finely chopped squash
• 5 finely sliced Shiitake mushrooms, fresh or dried
• 1 cup of chopped parsley

Steps

1

Step One

Place the water and all the other ingredients into the cooking pot.

2

Step Two

Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Cover partially and let cook until the liquid is reduced to about half the original amount you started with.

3

Step Three

Prepare the colander by lining it with a piece of cheesecloth or thin linen.

4

Step Four

Strain the hot mixture of broth into a bowl.

5

Step Five

Discard the vegetable pulp and drink the broth with meals or as a snack.

Tips & Warnings

• Check with your doctor before beginning any detox program.

How to Make a Dandruff Removal Rinse

Introduction

This has been a problem that seems to still stump everyone. You may have tried all types of shampoos, creams and pills, to no avail. This is an herbal method that has worked for a lot of my friends

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• Camphor, Lavender, Bay, Sage, Rosemary, Rubbing Alcohol, Water

Steps

1

Step One

Combine 2 tbsp of each herb to 2 quarts of water

2

Step Two

Add 2 capfuls of rubbing alcohol

3

Step Three

Steep in water for 2 hours

4

Step Four

Bottle the mixture and use each time you shampoo

How to Make A Cold Oil Infusion

Introduction

Herbs can contain oils that can be used medicinally but these oils can be lost or destroyed if made with a hot oil infusion. To protect the healing oils in these herbs, use need to do this by making a cold oil infusion with them.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• 9 oz Dried Herb OR 1 1/4 lb Fresh Herb
• 2 c Vegetable Oil

Steps

1

Step One

Put herbs in a large jar and pack them tightly. Cover with your oil. Seal tightly and put in a sunny location for 2-6 weeks depending on desired strength.

2

Step Two

Pour slowly through a jelly bag or cheesecloth into a clean jar. Be sure you allow oil to filter completely through bag or cloth. Squeeze oil from bag, extracting as much as you can.

3

Step Three

Pour oil into small dark, clean bottles and seal tightly. Store in a cool, dry location.

How to Make a Chamomile Compress for Sunburn

Introduction

Chamomile has been used in herbal remedies for thousands of years. During the middle ages it was even used as part of a love potion. Today chamomile is used in many forms to treat various ailments including insomnia, menstrual cramps, arthritis and skin inflammations. Its ability to sooth skin inflammation is why a chamomile compress is so soothing for sunburn and it's quite easy to make.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• Bowl of ice water
• Wash cloth
• Chamomile essential oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Sprig of rosemary

Steps

1

Step One

Fill a small sized bowl with ice water.

2

Step Two

Add 3 drops of chamomile essential oil to the bowl of ice water. Enjoy the soothing aromas while making your chamomile compress for sunburn.

3

Step Three

Put in 2 drops of lavender essential oil to the bowl of ice water. The lavender works with chamomile to sooth the skin and has a terrific, calming scent.

4

Step Four

Drop a sprig of rosemary into the bowl. Rosemary helps to produce a cooling affect.

5

Step Five

Dip a washcloth into your mixture and squeeze out the excess water.

6

Step Six

Place the chamomile compress on your sunburn as often as needed.

Tips & Warnings

• Smoothing aloe to the affected area after you have applied the chamomile compress to your sunburn will help to reduce swelling as well as prevent peeling.
• Some people can have an allergic reaction to chamomile including potentially life threatening anaphylaxis.
• Although chamomile has been used in herbal remedies for many years there is not enough reliable medical research to support claims that this herb is effective for any medical condition.

How to Make a Burn Treatment

Introduction

Ever burn yourself on the kitchen stove and reach for immediate relief only to find none? This easy recipe can be made at home and kept close at hand in case of an emergency. You will be happy to have it, believe me!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You'll Need

• Aloe vera gel
• Dark glass bottle & lid
• Kettle for boiling water
• Large mixing bowl
• Strainers, sieves
• Funnel
• Whisk

Steps

1

Step One

I had seared the palm of my hand once by picking up a large pot that was on a hot burner. I threw the pot out the window, put my hand in a glass of cold water and went about the garden picking herbs. I made myself a very effective concoction which I will describe to you. It is much better to have this on hand, on the ready for when the next burn comes.

Find the fresh healing herbs that are right in your own back yard. This is where any home-made healing product begins. Here are some ideas for burn treatment herbs: horsetail fern, mint of any kind, flowers of chamomile, calendula or violet, leaves of plantain or nettles, root of comfrey, dandelion or burdock. If you don't have any fresh herbs or wildflowers available, use loose peppermint tea.

2

Step Two

Fill your kettle with purified water and put it on to boil. Rip leaves and flowers by hand. Grind your root in an herb-only coffee grinder or with a mortar and pestle. The more surface of the plant product exposed to the water, the more effective the infusion will be. Fill the quart jar to 8oz with herb and wait for the water to boil.

3

Step Three

Make sure your water is as pure as possible, distilled or filtered or both. Lead, copper, mercury, chlorine, flouride (all commonly found in US tap water) will affect the quality of any product you make at home. Fill the quart jar up with boiling water. Seal your lid.

4

Step Four

Let the herbs steep. You are making an infusion. If you need to get immediate relief, let the tea steep for 20 minutes before straining. If you are not in a hurry, you can leave it for 24 hours.

5

Step Five

Strain the infusion. Pour it back into your quart jar and top off with purified water. You now have 32-oz herbal infusion.

6

Step Six

Pour into a large bowl. Add 32-oz aloe vera gel, organic if possible. Mix with a whisk.

7

Step Seven

If you burned your hand or foot, you can put your burn directly into your mixing bowl and let it soak until you have some relief. You can soak a clean, white, cotton rag or bandage in the mixture, squeeze out excess moisture and wrap it around your burns for comfort. This is good for sleeping. You can cover the wet bandage with a plastic bag to avoid seepage onto your clothes or bedding.

How to make coconut oil

Introduction

Making coconut oil is very easy.
When you live in the rural area with coconut farm it is good to know how to make a coconut oil because you can use it for cooking or massaging or light for your lamp.
Or you can use coconut oil to massage your scalp to shine your hair.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• grated coconut
• water
• pot or frying pan

Steps

1

Step One

Grate coconut and put water in it.

2

Step Two

Squeezed grated coconut with water to make a coconut milk.

3

Step Three

Heat the coconut milk until all water is dried up and only coconut oil left in the pot.

How to Lose Weight With Hoodia Gordonii

Introduction

Hoodia Gordonii is a plant that grows naturally in South Africa and Namibia. For thousands of years, bushmen in Southern Africa have been chewing on the plant during long hunting trips. It allows them to go days without eating but keeps them energetic and strong. Research on the appetite suppressant started in the 1960's. It wasn't until the 1990's that scientists figured out the main ingredient.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Steps

1

Step One

Pick a Hoodia Gordonii supplement that is made with 100 percent Hoodia. Some companies add in other ingredients or don't use pure Hoodia.

2

Step Two

Take 1 to 2 capsules every day. Drink them down with a full glass of water. Space them out by taking one in the morning and the other one hour before dinner. Monitor your appetite for a week.

3

Step Three

Experiment with the dosage to get the right appetite suppressant affects for your body. You may need to double the dosage and take 2 to 4 capsules a day.

4

Step Four

Allow up to 14 days to see the full effect of Hoodia. You may notice you're not as hungry within only a few days. Other people won't notice the difference for up to two weeks.

5

Step Five

Eat healthy meals. Hoodia will curb your hunger and decrease your desire to snack in between meals. As you eat less, it's also important to eat the right foods.

6

Step Six

Exercise to lose even more weight. Moving your body more will help you achieve your weight loss goals faster.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure there's a 100 percent money back guarantee. There's so much weak Hoodia on the market, you want to know that the company is backing their product.
• Check with your doctor before using Hoodia is you have high blood pressure.
• Don't use Hoodia Gordonii if you're pregnant or nursing.

How to look younger using the non-hormonal anti-aging supplements

Introduction

Anti-aging addresses how to prevent, slow, or reverse the effects of aging and help people live longer, healthier, happier lives using proper nutrition, physical fitness, skin care, hormone replacements, vitamins, supplements, and herbs.

I will discuss only the supplement part of anti aging in this article.

The following supplements can be considered for a scientifically-based anti-ageing therapy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Steps

1

Step One

1. L-CARNOSINE
Although carnosine has been known for about a century, its antiaging properties have only been extensively studied during the past few years. It may turn out to be the greatest anti-ager of all. High concentrations of carnosine are present in long-lived cells such as in nerve tissues. The concentration of carnosine in muscles correlates with maximum lifespan, a fact that makes it a promising bio-marker of aging. Unlike most antioxidants, which work by prevention, carnosine protects AFTER free radicals have been released. One of the cardinal anti-ageing affects in the body is glycosylation, which leads to decay of protein function. Carnosine blocks this process. It also blocks amyloid production, the substance found in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. Other properties emerging are its apparent anti-cancer effects, toxic metal binder and immune booster.

DOSE: 500 mgms. daily. Best with vitamin E, 200- 400 IU daily.

2

Step Two

2. TRIMETHYL GLYCINE (TMG)
TMG protects the youthful methylation process in our metabolism. Published research shows that TMG can lower dangerous plasma homocysteine levels, thus reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke. It helps the integrity of nerve fibres and so may improve Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. It protects against liver damage from alcohol and other dangers. Finally, it protects DNA and so may slow cell ageing.

DOSE: 500 - 2,000 mgms. daily. It works better with co-factors B6, B12 and folic acid.

3

Step Three

3. GINGKO BILOBA
Extract of the tree Gingko biloba have been used by the Chinese for 2800 years. It is now well recognized and an important brain food and anti-oxidant and improves mental function in people of all ages. It quenches free radicals and improves neurotransmission, thus protecting circulation and enhancing memory. Protects against Parkinsonism, Alzheimer's and other dementias.

DOSE: 50- 100 mgms active ingredient. Look for products with less than 2 ppm of the toxic gingkolic acid (European limits set at 5 ppm maximum).

4

Step Four

4. S-ADENOSYL METHIONINE (SAMe, pronounced Sammy)
A derivative of important methionine, SAMe is widely distributed in the tissues of young healthy adults. But with ageing and sickness, it is depleted, leading to further deterioration. SAMe is needed for the body to metabolize efficiently, for neuronal regeneration and the synthesis of energy through ATP, the basic energy molecule. It may help prevent or reverse liver damage (alcohol, viruses and chemical pollution). It can help with ME and other fatigue states.

Additionally, SAMe may be the safest, fastest acting anti-depressant available today.

DOSE: 200- 800 mgms daily. Best taken on an empty stomach, with water.

5

Step Five

5. N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC)
L-cysteine is an important suplhur-containing amino acid. Others, taurine and methionine protect and nourish the liver. The form N-acetyl-cysteine is more readily absorbed and is a powerful antioxidant and anti-viral. This could be important when we recognize more and more the damaging effects of "stealth viruses". It also help boost glutathione levels, which is one of the most important brain detox substances of all.

DOSE: 500 -1000 mgms daily. Note. Take plenty of extra vitamin C at the same time, to prevent it being oxidized and rapidly destroyed in the body (3 times as much vit C as N-acetyl-cysteine is recommended).

6

Step Six

6. PHOSPHATIDYL CHOLINE (and PHOSPHATIDYLSERINE)
No point in living to a great age if your brain doesn't travel along with you. Phosphatidyl choline, from lecithin, is an important protector for phospho-lipid cell membranes in the brain. These are the ones most easily damaged by free radicals.

We get it in our diet, in vegetables (especially cauliflower and lettuce), whole grains, liver, and soy. It also comes in lecithin (containing 10-20% phosphatidylcholine) in grains, legumes, meat and egg yolks. But we need more, to be on the safe side.

Most of these remarks apply also to phosphatidyl serine, a phosopho-lipid. It is found in in fish, green leafy vegetables, soybeans and rice. Over 3,000 published research papers and more than 60 clinical trials have established that phosphatidylserine can rejuvenate your brain cell membranes and cognitive function.

Both these compounds are valubale to memory and mood, mental clarity, concentration, alertness and focus.
DOSE:
500 mgms daily of phosphatidyl choline/100 mgms daily phosphatidyl serine

7

Step Seven

7. COENZYME-Q-10
This vitamin-like substance (also known as ubiquinone) was discovered in 1957. Since then a deluge of scientific papers have attested to its ability to strengthen the immune system, lower blood pressure, prevent heart attacks, counter obesity and slow ageing. Studies in mice shows it increases their life span by 25%. CoQ10 is found in all cells, where it is responsible for the manufacture of ATP, the basic energy molecule. It is now being said that if CoQ10 levels drop by 25%, cancer is probable.

When co-Q-10 and selenium are taken simultaneously, hair may also starte to grow back - dark hairs!

DOSE: 100- 200 mgms daily. It is plentiful in heart, meat, kidney and eggs, and to a lesser extent soybean, wheat, alfalfa and rice bran.

8

Step Eight

8. BORON
The pivotal role of boron in bone metabolism has made it clear that it is protective against osteoporosis and therefore vital to a long and happy life, especially for women. More many women die from complications of a fracture of the femur than of breast cancer. Researches also concluded that countries with lower boron levels in the soil had much more arthritis. It works best in conjunction with magnesium and other co-factors.

DOSE: 3 mgms daily, coupled with 300- 400 mgms of magnesium.

9

Step Nine

9. ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
The subject of intensive current research, this may be the most important antioxidant of all in protecting the brain and neurological tissues from damage. Alpha-lipoic acid has unique ability to pass into the brain, where is helps regeneration of other antioxidants, such as vitamin C and E and glutathione. It is also a strong chelator and may protect against Alzheimers by removing toxic metals which generate damaging free-radicals. It is both fat and water soluble, which means it is easily absorbed from the gut.

DOSE: 60- 80 mgms.

10

Step Ten

10. L-CARNITINE:

L-carnitine, is a naturally occurring substance found in most cells of the body, particularly the brain, neural tissue, muscle, and heart. Carnitine, whose structure is similar to choline, is widely available in animal foods (meat, poultry, fish and dairy products), whereas plants have very small amounts.

Carnitine concentration in tissues declines with age and thereby reduces the integrity of the mitochondrial membrane Research in aged rats found supplementation with high doses of acetyl-L-carnitine and alpha-lipoic acid (an antioxidant) reduces mitochondrial decay.

11

Step Eleven

11. ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
Almost the same status as vitamins, essential fatty acids are vital for tip top body and mind function. So-called omega 3s and omega 6s have different effects. You need both. Plant sources, such as borage and evening primrose, provide omega-6s and fish oils provide omega-3s. Studies show that eating lots of fish reduces inflammatory chemicals and leads to better health and more mental clarity, with less chance of Alzheimers.

DOSE: 500- 2,000 mgms. Food sources- fish, star flower, borage, evening primrose and flax seeds.

12

Step Twelve

12. L-GLUTATHIONE/MASTER ANTIOXIDANT:

Glutathione is a dietary supplement used as an antioxidant to help protect the body from many diseases and conditions. It is used to treat infertility (difficulty getting pregnant), cancer, cataracts, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Glutathione is used to detoxify various chemicals from the body.

Glutathione is probably not well absorbed into the body when taken by mouth. One way to get around that is to take it by vein. A more practical solution is to take the precursors -- that is, the molecules the body needs to make glutathione -- rather than glutathione itself. Supplements of vitamin C are more effective at increasing intracellular glutathione than taking oral glutathione supplements. Oral supplements of whey protein and of alpha-lipoic acid appear to help restore intracellular levels of glutathione.

Gluathione is found in acorn squash,avocado,cantaloupe,grapefruit,okra,ornage,peach,potato,spinach,strawberries,tomato,watermelon and zucchini.