How to Make A Hops Pillow

Introduction

If you have trouble getting a good nights rest there are well-researched herbs that are known to aid in sleep. A natural alternative which is not habit-forming or causes side effects is a better approach for your health. Here is my recipe that combines three of the most-researched sleep herbs.

Hops Humulus lupulus, (Cannabaceae [marijuana] family), has profound sedative effects - even sniffing the herb helps you doze off. Found in the wild the female flowers are most commonly used in brewing beer. Hops have been used by herbalists for thousands of years to encourage sleep. The aging process of hops (up to two years) is what allows the chemical compounds, humulone and lupulone to create a substance that is chemically similar to chlordiazepoxide (Librium) and diazepam (Valium).

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) this is an old-time sleep remedy also used for centuries for relaxation and to calm the nerves. Most commonly used as a tea in the evening to promote a restful sleep.

Lavender (Lavandula, various species) there have been accounts of British hospitals using lavender essential oil to help patients sleep. Aromatherapists like to use the oil for stress, muscle ache, skin conditions and as a sleep aid.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• Muslin bag or pouch
• 2 parts dried hops
• 1 part dried chamomile
• 1 part dried lavender

Steps

1

Step One

Use a muslin bag which allows the herbs to breathe through the fabric. Be sure you are not using a synthetic fabric for your pouch.

2

Step Two

Gently scoop up the herbs with a small wooden spoon and place in your bag. Tie the bag tightly to contain the herbs securely.

3

Step Three

Then simply place under your regular pillow at night. Sweet dreams and jelly beans (organic ones of course).

How to Make a Herbal Infusion From Seeds and Flowers

Introduction

Fresh seeds and herbs can form potent natural healing teas and infusions. The difference between a tea and an infusion is the strength and method of preparation. An infusion is generally used 2 to 3 times a day.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• 1 quart glass Mason jar
• Mortar and pestle
• Clay pot
• Seeds or flowers of the herbs

Steps

1

Step One

Select the herbs that will work the best for your problem. Consulting folk medicine books, websites and natural remedy books is a great place to find which herbs apply to the problem you are having.

2

Step Two

Place 1 tspn. of the seeds and/or flowers to be used in a mortar and crush with the pestle until they have been pulverized. Add a small amount of warm water to remove the flowers or seeds from the mortar and place them in a 1-quart Mason jar.

3

Step Three

Boil spring water in a clay pot and pour into the Mason jar. Seal the lid tightly and allow to infuse for at least a few hours. For infusions made from seeds do not infuse for more than 4 hours or the infusion may turn bitter.

How to Make a Herbal Infusion From Roots and Barks

Introduction

Folk medicine has long used herbs found in the countryside or grown in the garden to treat various maladies. Herbalists use herbs, leaves, stems, bark and roots to treat various conditions.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You'll Need

• 1-quart glass jar
• Mortar and pestle

Steps

1

Step One

Sterilize a 1-quart glass Mason jar with lid. Wash the jar and then rinse it in boiling water and allow to air dry until cool. Keeping the jar sterile until use will prevent any unwanted contaminants from finding their way into the herbal infusion.

2

Step Two

Take the bark or root of the herb that will form the infusion and place it in a mortar. Grind it into a powder with the pestle. The larger the surface area of the herb, the greater the transfer of important compounds will be into the water.

3

Step Three

Pour the powdered herb, then pour boiling water into the Mason jar to the rim. Firmly seal the lid on the jar. The temperature and pressure that will build inside the jar will pull the compounds out of the root or bark powder.

4

Step Four

Allow the jar to cool and drink one cup of the mixture 2 to 3 times a day. Do not keep the infusion overnight. It is best to make the infusion fresh daily to maintain the potency of the remedy.

How to Make a Headache Relief Pot

Introduction

Headache relief pots are small containers with a natural formula in them that relieves headaches. The headache relief ointment in these pots is a topical ointment that begins to relieve headaches on contact. They are convenient and easily carried in a pocket or purse. Headache relief pots are inexpensive and easy to make.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You'll Need

• 2 oz. beeswax
• 3 oz. shea butter
• Double boiler pot
• Large mixing spoon
• 4 oz. olive oil
• Lavender essential oil
• Mini flowerpots or lip balm containers

Steps

1

Step One

Melt the shea butter and beeswax in a double boiler over high heat on the stove. Stir occasionally until the mix is melted completely. If you don't have any shea butter, use 1 oz. beeswax and 2 oz. of massage oil or olive oil instead.

2

Step Two

Add the olive oil to the wax mix. Completely combine the oil into the wax mixture. Extra virgin olive oil works the best with this formula, but other varieties of olive oil will also work.

3

Step Three

Stir in 10 to 15 drops of the lavender essential oil. Blend the lavender into the mix. Remove the mix from the heat.

4

Step Four

Pour the mix into the small pots or lip balm containers. This wax recipe makes 9 oz. headache relief ointment.

5

Step Five

Massage the ointment on the temples once the mix congeals. For fast relief from headache pain, take long, deep breaths while messaging the temples of your forehead.

Tips & Warnings

• The balm in the headache relief pots remains effective for up to 2 years if stored in a cool, dry area.

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.