5 Essential Herbal Infusions for Everyday Health and Happiness

This world is chock-full of earth given herbal gifts that are designed in such a way that can help aid our body’s natural performance and combat common ailments or even more severe illnesses and issues. Herbs are the original conventional medicine that our ancestors fared with when they found their self in need of medicinal treatment. We all have that grandmother, uncle, or parent that has provided us with advice of their passed down home remedies for infection, headaches, or cuts. As technology and medications advance we’re sucked into the idea that conventional medication is all that will responsibly take care of our issues, however this is not always true. Conventional medication often time comes with a book-list of side effects that seem to never end, whilst herbs come with the possibility of a few if any. I am not discrediting the ability of conventional medication by any means. It has done wondrous things; however, if there are herbal ways to prevent the necessity of intake in pharmaceuticals I will stand by it every time.

Generations ago people would use homemade ointments, essential oils, tinctures, tonics, concoctions, decoctions, juices, syrups, creams, and infusions all in assistance to medical trouble they would endure. Here I will explain the most simple and currently common way to create your own remedy through the process called infusion with loose, fresh or dried herbs; which is exactly what you do whenever you steep your teabag in boiling water.

• How to make a tea infusion

“Infusion: A drink, remedy, or extract prepared by soaking the leaves of a plant or herb in liquid.”

There are a number of ways to go about creating your own infusion: muslin tea bags, tisane cups and teapot infusers. I will explain how to with a teapot infuser. The method to this technique is in bringing 500ml (1 pint) of water to a boil. If you have dried herbs put no more than 30grams (or 2 tablespoons) into your teapot strainer; if you have fresh herbs put 75grams (or 5.2 tablespoons) into your teapot strainer and empty the pint of boiling water into the infuser. Cover the lid and let it steep and infuse for 10 minutes. Make enough to intake this 3 times a day in 1 cup if you are using it to combat an illness, and store the rest in a covered and cool place.

· Sage

I believe Sage, from its genus name Salvia officinalis meaning “to save,” is essential to note because this herb is great for keeping the mind strong throughout our aging process while being a key healing agent. Native to the Mediterranean region, sage is an herb that has stretched centuries into the past. The ancients went as far as to believe that this plant would grant immortality if it grew in one’s own garden. The names that sage falls under are: bile stimulant, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, carminative, astringent, antiperspirant, anti-fungal, antiseptic, and antispasmodic. The common uses of sage are: incredibly enhancing your memory, studies show that sage is very promising in protecting one against key components in the brain that Alzheimer’s disease destroys, stomach pain, gas, bloating, diarrhea, heartburn, menopause night sweats, reduction of salivation and milk flow when finished nursing, alleviates depression, as an inhalation-helps asthma, calms access nervousness in the nervous system, induces sleep, induces menstruation, and healing infections in the: mouth, gums, and throat. Warning: Epileptics and women in pregnancy should avoid high doses.

· Echinacea

Echinacea is a multipurpose elaborate herb falling under the categories of an immune system stimulant, anti-allergenic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, lymphatic tonic, and aids in the wound healing process. It is widely known for the antibiotic and healing properties in its aerial parts and roots. Adopted from the Native American tribes, up until conventional antibiotics became popular it was one of the most prominent herbs used in treating a number of ailments in America. Its uses include: relieving the uncomfortable sensation of a sore-scratchy throat, urinary tract infections, "dumbing down" and possibly preventing the effects of a cold or flu, sepsis from blood infections, migraines, food poisoning, pain, yeast infections, external infections, boils, abscess’s, acne, insect bites, and wounds. It’s also been known to benefit AIDS and cancer patients in some cases. Warning: Echinacea can cause nausea and confusion in high doses.

· Rosemary

Rosemary, also known as dew of the sea, is a positive herb known as a circulatory and heart tonic, anti-depressant, antibacterial, carminative, prevents the cultivation of micro-organisms that cause disease, and a nerve stimulant with antioxidant properties in its flowers and leaves. Rosemary was incorporated throughout the very oldest of our ancient world in a variety of ways. The origins to this beautiful herb tell us that it was used in weddings and funerals as well as for spiritual protection and healing. It was also known to be associated with the Virgin Mary. Its common uses include: augmentation of concentration and memory, high blood pressure issues, hair rinse for scalp psoriasis or dandruff, indigestion, relieves headaches and fatigue, alleviating the aches and pains of arthritis or muscle and joint pain, antiseptic as a gargle for sore throats, repelling mosquitoes, treating circulation problems, and baldness.

· St. Johns Wort

St. John Wort is an interesting herb in the fact that it can compete with the top conventional antidepressants of today, such as Prozac, and still stand tall in the aspect of effectiveness. It is an antidepressant, mild analgesic (pain reliever), sedative, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and as a wash it cleans and constricts pores. St. Johns Wort dates back to the ancient Greeks and has its affiliate with John the Baptist. It can be found throughout America, Australia, India, China, Russia, Turkey, Brazil and Canada but its native home is Europe. Its current uses of treatment include: depression, heart palpitations, irritableness, menstrual pain, anxiety, easing of nerve pain, insomnia, the symptoms of menopause, headaches, irritable bowel syndrome, seasonal affective disorder, and hemorrhoids. When used as an ointment or oil it can help with minor burns, bruising, cuts, earaches, sunburn, muscle aches, and inflamed joints. Warning: This herb has rarely been known to cause photosensitivity by prolonged intake.

· Lavender

Lavender is best known in our society as a scent used in bar soap or perfumes, ironically this is how it was used all the same 2,500 years ago. From then to now it has been all over the earth in many cultures, and used for a multitude of medical purposes. At one period it was thought by the ancient Greeks to cure almost anything. Lavender falls under the labels of a carminative, antibacterial, antidepressant, nerve restorative, antiseptic, and a circulatory stimulant. Current Lavender treatments are ideal for: relaxation, soothing of headaches and stress, insomnia, digestive disorders, relieving gas, nervousness, depression, nausea, upset stomach, nerve pain, and promotes menstruation.

· +Fish oil: Omega-3 fatty acid

Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are the type of natural fatty acids needed for a healthy diet. The reason this is essential for our everyday health is that our bodies cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids on its own and we need this to balance our omega-6 fatty acids that are found in corn, cottonseed, soybean oils, processed foods, and most vegetable oils. When this is unbalanced, omega-6 fatty acids have been known to cause health problems and possibly lead to chronic diseases, specifically in America where our intake of omega-6 fatty acids are astonishingly higher than omega-3s. Fish oil has been known to lower blood triglyceride levels which in turn reduces your chance of heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of stroke, slow the buildup of atherosclerotic plaques which is what normally clogs arteries with natural lipids such as triglycerides or cholesterol, reduce the pain and stiffness of arthritis by acting as an anti-inflammatory, raise energy levels, help with the inflammation of asthma, and combat osteoporosis. It also helps maintain a healthy brain by improving or diminishing the chances of Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, depression, diabetes, ADHD, and psychosis. Over all, fish oil is a wonderful characteristic to add to your diet or supplements for its immaculate help with enhancing our physical system and keeping us healthy.

These herbs and supplements could have possible interactions with prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, or other herbs--so please be responsible and speak with your physician if you have any issues concerning this.

This websites provides an array of herb-drug interactions:

http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/umherb01.htm

A link to the top 10 healthiest grocery stores in America, you might find one near you on here!

http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-11/health/Healthmag.healthiest.grocery.stores_1_organic-fruit-and-vegetables-organic-brands-ingredients?_s=PM:HEALTH

3 wonderful websites in the production and marketing of fresh herbs:

http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/bulkherb/bulkherb.html

http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/category/bulk-herbs/

http://www.bulkherbstore.com/Herbs