Category: Medicinal Herbs

Aches & Bruises Balm

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Ointment

Aches & Bruises Balm

A healing balm for aches, sprains and bruises.

3 tablespoons beeswax

5 fluid ounces comfrey-infused oil

5 fluid ounces elder leaf-infused oil

20 drops of wintergreen essential oil

10 drops of marjoram essential oil

10 drops of lavender essential oil

Melt the beeswax in a bain-marie, then add the infused oils and mix well until fully combined. Remove from the heat and leave to cool for 5 minutes, then add the essential oils and stir well. Pour into jars, seal, label and date.

To use, massage into the affected area up to three times a day for a maximum of 2 months at a time.

Shelf Life: Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place.

Herbal Muscle Bath Salt

Apothecary, Bath Salts, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Relaxation

Herbal Muscle Bath Salt

The salt and herbs in this bath salt work together to relax tired muscles, improve circulation and ease aches and pains.

4 ounces of salts of your choice, e.g. Epsom salts, Dead Sea salts, pink Himalayan salt

2 teaspoons chopped fresh or dried pine needles

2 teaspoons chopped fresh or dried eucalyptus leaf

2 teaspoons fresh or dried lavender flower heads

2 teaspoons dried daisy heads

10 drops of essential oil of your choice, e.g. rosemary, lavender, mint, eucalyptus

Put the salts and herbs into a blender and pulverize them together. This allows the cell walls of the herbs to be broken down so medicinal properties can be extracted into the bath water. Transfer the mixture to a glass or ceramic bowl, add the essential oil and mix well.

To use, add the mixture to a square of muslin cloth. Tie into a bundle at the top with string and then tie this to your hot water bath tap, allowing it to sit just below the tap. Run the hot water directly over and through the bundle, allowing the salt to dissolve and the herbs to be retained inside the muslin (so preventing drain blockage).

Add cold water to the bath to the desired temperature. Soak and relax in the bath for at least 30 minutes.

Tip: This mix can be made in bulk (with dried herbs) and stored in a sealed jar in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.

Immune System Tonic Tincture

Alcohol Fortified Tonic, Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living

Immune System Tonic Tincture

Echinacea and elderberry are two herbs used to boost the immune system for prevention and treatment of infection. Combine the health-enhancing effects of mushrooms and anti-microbial properties of eucalyptus and you have an all-round infection-busting tonic.

7 ounces fresh elderberries (or 3.5 ounces dried)

2 ounces dried echinacea root

10 eucalyptus leaves, shredded

5 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, chopped

Vodka

Place all the ingredients, except the vodka, loosely in a large, sterilised preserving jar to about two-thirds full. Fill the jar with vodka. Seal the jar, then store in a cool, dark place, shaking the jar every couple of days for a month.

Strain, discarding the plant material and keeping the liquid. Pour the liquid into a sterilised bottle, seal, label and date.

Take 1 teaspoon in a little water, up to three times a day, as needed.

Shelf Life Up to 2 years in a cool, dark place.

Gingerade Tea

Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Teas

If you love the toning effects of ginger on your immunity and digestion, this tea is for you. In addition to the ginger, Gingerade contains the nutritive sweet herbs milky oats, fennel, and honeybush, which create a delicious blend. Rosemary, known as the herb of remembrance, supports the mind and memory. Lemongrass, with its delicate citrus scent, brightens the mind and uplifts mood. Adding fresh or dried fruits provides a little sweetness and a touch of sour.

3 parts milky oats

2 parts ginger

2 parts honeybush (Cyclopia)

1 part lemongrass

1 part rose hips

1 part fennel

1 part dried berries (e.g., elderberry, blackberry, blueberry)

0.5 part rosemary

1 drop lemon essential oil, or fresh lemon zest to taste

Steeping

Hot Infusion: Pour 1.5 cups hot water over 2 tablespoons tea. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold Infusion: Combine 2 cups cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons tea in a lidded jar. Shake the jar to make sure all the tea is saturated. Place in the refrigerator or a cool place for at least 2 hours.

Taste: sweet, spicy, fruity

Herbal Actions: supports digestion, mineral rich

Systems Affected: digestive, general tonic

Herbal Hand Sanitizer

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living

This natural hand sanitizer combines antimicrobial herbs to kill the bugs that cause infection. It can be used when out and about without the need for water.

½ cup aloe vera gel

2 tsp. herbal-infused oil

1 tsp. thyme tincture

10 drops of lavender essential oil

10 drops of eucalyptus essential oil

Put the aloe vera gel into a small mixing bowl, then slowly add the infused oil, whisking together thoroughly.

Add the tincture and essential oils and whisk again.

Pour into pump or squeeze bottles, seal, label and date. Use as needed.

Shelf Life Up to 1 year in a cool, dark place.

Gingerade Tea

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Teas

If you love the effects of ginger on your immunity and digestion, this tea is a must add to your catalogue of teas. In addition to the ginger, Gingerade contains the nutritive herbs of milky oats, fennel, and honeybush, which create a delicious blend. Rosemary, known as the herb of remembrance, supports the mind and memory. Lemongrass, with its delicate citrus scent, brightens the mind and uplifts mood.

3 parts milky oats

2 parts ginger

2 parts honeybush

1 part lemongrass

1 part rose hips

1 part fennel

1 part dried berries (e.g., elderberry, blackberry, blueberry)

0.5 part rosemary

1 drop lemon essential oil, or fresh lemon zest to taste

Hot Infusion: Pour 1.5 cups hot water over 2 tablespoons tea. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold Infusion: Combine 2 cups cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons tea in a lidded jar. Shake the jar to make sure all the tea is saturated. Place in the refrigerator or a cool place for at least 2 hours.

Old Man’s Beard or Traveller’s Joy (clematis vitalba)

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Poison Garden

Old Man’s Beard or Traveller’s Joy (clematis vitalba)

A native perennial found in hedgerows, wood edges and scrub, it may be a beautiful plant, but it was said to do the Devil’s work for him by trailing into the other plants and choking them. Used medicinally in homeopathic preparations for rheumatism and skin eruptions, the plant contains protoanemonin and ingestion leads to severe abdominal pain and gastrointestinal irritation. Contact can cause skin irritation, which is why it was known as herbe aux gueux (‘beggar’s weed’) in France, having once been used by beggars to irritate the skin in order to simulate sores. The acrid smell of the foliage causes profuse watering of the eyes and nose when inhaled.

Magical propensities: None found.

Warming Ointment

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Ointment

This ointment is ideal for cold hands and feet. Warming juniper and ginger help assist circulation to the small capillaries in the extremities, while comfrey heals chapped skin.

2 tablespoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 tablespoons dried comfrey leaf

2 tablespoons dried juniper berries, lightly crushed

2 inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

1 fresh red chilli, chopped

1 cup olive oil

1 oz. beeswax

Place the herbs, berries, spices and oil in a bain-marie. Leave to infuse over a very low heat for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.

Strain, discarding the herbs and retaining the oil. Return the oil to the bain-marie, then add the beeswax, stirring until dissolved and melted. Pour into jars, then seal, label and date.

Apply as needed. Wash hands after applying and do not touch eyes.

Shelf Life: Up to 2 years.

Garden of Eden

Alcohol Fortified Tonic, Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living

This vegetable concoction is a beautiful green color reminiscent of a lush, grassy meadow. Gin is the perfect base for the savory ingredients. The preparation of the drink is quick and simple due to the ease with which snow peas and basil are muddled.

3 snow peas

3 basil leaves

Sprig dill

Bar spoon pink and black peppercorns

2 ounces gin

¾ ounce Sour Mix

Garnish basil leaf and pink peppercorns

Muddle the snow peas, basil, dill, and peppercorns in a shaker. Add the gin, Sour Mix, and ice to the shaker and shake vigorously. Double strain into a coupe glass. Garnish with a basil leaf and pink peppercorns or garnish of your choice.

Vitamin Tea

Apothecary, Medicinal Herbs, Natural Living, Teas

Rich in vitamins and antioxidants, this is a simple fruity blend. Using dried fruits creates a wonderfully sweet tea — a healthy and satisfying choice when you crave sweet foods.

2 parts rose hips

2 parts hibiscus

2 parts dried berries

1 part lemongrass

1 part linden

1 part white tea

0.75 part cinnamon

Hot Infusion: Pour 1.5 cups hot water over 2 tablespoons tea. Steep for 10 to 15 minutes.

Cold Infusion: Combine 2 cups cold water and 1 to 2 tablespoons tea in a lidded jar. Shake the jar to make sure all the tea is saturated. Place in the refrigerator or a cool place for at least 2 hours.