What are some good herbs to use in a healing elixir that I'm not going to hve to import from china or Europe or anywhere else, no offense. I am already growing 2 kinds of herbs, spearmint and lemon Balm, both of which I have heard have healing powers. I am also looking to keep this elixir either as drinkable or in a cream form. Thanks! Plz no toxic herbs, I don't feel like dying anytime soon :p
Yes both Spearmint and Lemon Balm (Melissa) have healing effects but it depends on what symptoms or conditions you are trying to heal, whether you symptoms/conditions are acute or chronic, and what type of reaction you would have to certain herbs. As an herbalist I am not going to generically spout off herbs that have healing properties because there are so many. However if your trying to treat something in particular such as a set of symptoms or a condition, I may be able to help you by telling you specific herbs or remedies for such. With herbal medicine, you must be very specific it's especially important for safety.
I'm talking about having a cut or scratch heal a bit faster, or a burn be soothed, or rash stop itching, stuff likethat. The rash thing sounds actually pretty useful, since I go into the woods alot and get poison Ivy. The medicine that we buy at the drug store doesn't help the poison ivy
Purchase an aloe vera plant and keep it in the kitchen. When you burn or cut yourself break off a leaf and directly squeeze the clear sap that oozes out onto the effected area, it's wonderfully soothing. You can also buy aloe vera creams in heath food stores and aloe vera juice to drink for intestinal health, but it tastes horrible.
I only tried it the once but that was enough. Got the sweetness but I thought it had more than a whiff of anti-bacterial mouthwash about it. Like sucking on a cotton wool ball soaked in TCP.
I recommend for cuts, scratches, and burns a compress or poultice of comfrey, lavender, eucalyptus, and st. john's wort. After which I would treat the area as needed several times a day with a gel compound of aloe vera, Echinacea augustofiloia or purpurea root powder, and goldenseal.
For poison ivy and rashes I would recommend using this simple remedy:
Have 1 cup of green volcanic clay, about 1/3 cup of witch hazel extract, 2 tablespoons of salt, and about 8 drops of peppermint essential oil.
Mix the clay and the witch hazel until you form a creamy paste, if it is to thick add a small amount more of witch hazel, then add the 2 tablespoons of salt and the 8 drops of peppermint essential oil. Mix well making sure that your cream/paste is vibrant and rich, you should be able to smell it potentency.
Once you have the cream apply it to the affected area and let it dry out. After which to rinse simply wash carefully with warm water and natural soap, taking caution to not reinfect other areas. For external use only, do not apply near the genitals, eyes, nose, or ears.
For injury chamomile, aloe vera, calendula officialis, yarrow, garlic (antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral), thyme (antibiotic) off the top of my head.
Mint and chamomile is great for mesquito bites.
Comfrey should always be used in combination with something that can kill bacteria/prevent infection on an open wound because it heals so quickly it can seal in infection. I prefer mixing the decoction with raw/uncooked honey before applying it to a shallow open wound (never use it for a puncture). You can also add a few drops of thyme tincture. Comfrey is also referred to as knit bone because applying it topically in the right way can heal straight to the bone and everything inbetween. I usually use it as a warm poultice for such injury. Its a wonder herb.
But I use much more than just herbs. For sunburn a paste made of baking soda and water (also works for 1st and 2nd degree burns). For bruises a 50/50 mix of castor oil and unrefined organic sesame oil. For burns (up to small mild 3rd degree) I use a black tea bag as a compress for 20-45min (also works for bruises). For cuts and scapes I always use a compress and then cover it in raw honey before bandaging. For spider bites or angry mesquito bites I use a glycerin tincture of echinacea on a bandaid pad.
My five year old daughter is spoiled because she thinks mom can make any injury stop hurting and go away in a day. =)
For drinking, I personally wouldn't suggest any that you can grow. There is too much uncertainty with soil and air pollutions, I prefer purchasing them in a store fresh or dried, just because they must pass tests and keep up to certain regulations. Buy organic and you'll be fine. Infusing herbs to drink draws out certain properties of the herb in an intensified way and allows it to pass directly into the body's systems. If its picked up toxins, that goes directly into your body too. Yuck! But I live in a major city, if you live in the country, then you won't have that sort of concern.
