Category: Herb

Ideally, weaning should take place gradually. An abrupt end to breastfeeding can cause both emotional and physical disruptions for the mother and child. However, if circumstances have mandated that you must wean your child immediately, you may find yourself facing breast engorgement: a painful condition that can lead to complications like mastitis and clogged ducts. Fortunately, natural herbs can help to relieve breast engorgement caused by weaning, often with few or no side effects.

After getting the go-ahead from your health care provider, consider using these herbs to decrease your breast milk supply while weaning.

Sage

According to lactation consultant Kelly Bonyata, common sage (Salvia officinalis) is a highly effective herb for reducing breast milk supply. Bonyata recommends taking 1/4 teaspoon of the dried herb three times per day. Within one to three days, you should see a noticeable reduction in engorgement. Dried sage powder is difficult to swallow "straight," so try mixing it with a salty drink like V-8 tomato juice. If you'd prefer a tea, try steeping one tablespoon of sage in 1 cup of water six times daily.

Jasmine

Unlike many traditional treatments for breast engorgement, jasmine has been validated by scientific evidence. The Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology reported that jasmine is as effective as bromocriptine, a prescription drug, for "drying up" breast milk production. Consider applying jasmine essential oils to your breasts (don't let your child inhale or drink the oil). Crushed jasmine flowers are also highly effective.

Mint

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The history of Indian traditional foods dates back many centuries ago when the Indus Valley people cooked food with oils, ginger, salt and turmeric root powder obtained after grinding the dried root of a turmeric plant. With the advent of diverse cultural changes, Indian food harbored a niche for exquisite spices and herbs like cumin, ginger, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, cardamom, and fenugreek.

How is Turmeric (Curcuma Longa) Beneficial?

According to Ayurvedic science most of these herbs and spices have distinct medicinal properties. Among which turmeric is termed as a symbol of prosperity and purity.

Scientifically named Curcuma longa, Turmeric is a flowering plant found in the ginger root plant family, and has been used in Indian Ayurvedic holistic medicine for centuries.The plant has an active compound called curcumin which is a key ingredient in curry powder.

Turmeric root extract has strong healing properties. The root extract is used to treat inflammations of the digestive system and the reproductive system, thus useful in remedies for hepatitis, flatulence and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea. Commonly called Haldi in Indian foods, turmeric exhibit therapeutic, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and antihepatotoxic effects. For example:

• Curcumin has anti-oxidant properties which helps to promote a healthy inflammatory response.
• The strong mixture of phytonutrients is present in turmeric which works to combat free radicals and other toxins in the body.
• The powerful anti-hepatotoxic properties of turmeric work to promote and maintain a healthy liver.
• The herb reduces the ability of the blood to form clots and helps to improve blood circulation as

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One of the earliest lessons I learned when becoming a master herbalist is that herbs can affect more than one part of your body. Sometimes that’s good and sometimes it isn’t. For me and that lesson it wasn’t. The herb I took left me with severe stomach pain for about six hours. Here are some herbs that affect your heart…some good and some bad.

Aloe: There are a lot of people praising aloe juice. Their only complaint is that it causes cramping and bloating. What they don’t realize is that some aloe juice products still have cardiac glycosides in them. These glycosides can interact with heart medications or heart conditions, whether you know you have one or not. Check carefully before consuming this product. Also, do not juice your own aloe. You won’t like the end results.

Cayenne: This is a general stimulant. It may also help deal with hardening of the arteries and heart rhythm problems. In food amounts it may do several other things…usually things we want. It is used in some over-the-counter pain medications and could help improve digestion.

Ephedra: This herb is not readily available in the U.S. There’s a good reason for that. It can and has caused serious heart problems, including death. It is primarily used for weight loss because it boosts metabolism. At one point it was also used in an over-the-counter asthma spray. This is an herb to stay away from.

Garlic: These supplements are useful for folks …

Last night, my wife decided to make some steaks for dinner (we had them in our freezer and she figured she should use them before they were in there for too long). And, since we couldn't just eat steaks (well, I could, but she always wants something else), she ended up making some side dishes to go with them.

One of the things she ended up making was a box of Stove Top Savory Herbs Stuffing Mix. And, I think this was a good choice on her part.

We have had Stove Top Stuffing in the past because it is a very convenient and quick side dish. However, more recently, we have been buying cheaper knock-offs instead; mostly in an effort to stay within a fixed food budget. In fact, the only reason we ended up buying the more expensive Stove Top brand this time around was because we had a coupon for it.

Since it has been so long since we have had this product, I really couldn't remember much about it when we finally did have it again last night. However, if this Savory Herbs variety is any indication, I do think I will be buying this brand from now on.

One of the biggest problems we have with cheaper brands of stuffing mix is they rarely come out the way they should. Some are way too moist while others are extremely dry. Stove Top did it right. The stuffing was fluffy without being watered down and without …

Rosemary, or Rosemarinus officinalis, is an evergreen herb that is drought tolerant and fragrant. It is a member of the mint (Lamiaceae/Labiatae) family and can be used in many different ways; from the kitchen to medicinally.

Characteristics of Rosemary

Rosemary is a shrub with leaves that look like needles and scale-like bark. Leaves are aromatic with a smell much like pine and are one inch in length. The flowers are (mostly) blue and in clusters, appearing in the winter and in the springtime. Some cultivars may have pink flowers and other variances.

Rosemary Growth Patterns

According to Floridata, Rosemarinus officinalis prefers dry sandy soils that are well drained. It should not be acidic and if it is the gardener will need to amend the soil with lime periodically. Full sun for at least six hours during the day is needed for best growth. In true desert-like conditions it will need some supplemental watering. It is hardy in USDA zones of 8 through 10. Propagate the shrub by cuttings or by seed with tip cuttings in potting medium being the best choice.

Using Rosemary in the Kitchen

Rosemary is a very versatile herb with its unique flavor that can complement soups, meat, or sauces to name a few. Rosemary does very well on lamb dishes. It can be used fresh all year thanks to the evergreen nature of the shrub. Planting near a kitchen window can give the benefit of being close at hand whenever the cook needs it. It …

Phytochemicals are those chemicals found in plants that give herbs their healing properties. These phytochemicals have no nutritional value; however, they can protect us from or prevent various diseases and ailments that may attack our systems. One such phytochemicals is essential oil that gives herbs their aroma.

Essential oils are extracted from herbs through a process that concentrates the oil thereby making them more potent. This process is rather involved and can require a large amount of fresh herbs for a small yield of essential oil. For example, it takes an entire pint of flower petals to make just one tablespoon of essential oil. This explains why essential oils can sometimes be rather pricey. These essential oils are then used in aromatherapy, perfumes, and other applications.

Essential oils also usually have antispasmodic and antimicrobial properties. An antispasmodic will help to relieve or even prevent muscle spasms and cramps. Antispasmodics are often used by people suffering from intestinal cramping or severe menstrual cramps. Antimicrobials prevent or destroy microorganisms; i.e., bacteria, fungi, and viruses, that cause numerous diseases and ailments.

Most people are familiar with essential oils through their use in aromatherapy. For example, essential oil of lavender is used for relaxation and to relieve tension. Peppermint is often used for a stimulating and energizing effect. In addition, these aromatic oils are frequently added to medicines to improve their taste.

There are a few basic essential oils that you will want to keep on-hand to be used in various herbal remedies. One …

Spices and herbs taste good and they smell good too, but did you know that they can also help make you beautiful and keep your skin looking young and healthy. Skin care manufacturers are using herbs and spices in your facial products in a major way these days in order to help you be more beautiful, and healthy from the outside in. What are they using and how does it help your skin? Here are seven of the latest spice and herb fads that you will be finding in your facial products.

Fennel

Fennel is good for sensitive skin, it is cleansing and soothing. It can help to purify oily skin and to reduce redness. Use two tablespoons of crushed fennel seeds mixed with a half cup of buttermilk as a facial cleanser. Boil the mixture in a double boiler for about a half hour, strain and let sit for two hours before use.

Cloves

Cloves have antimicrobial properties, which is why they have been used in the dental profession for centuries. Cloves work great for deep cleansing, and can be a great help at combating acne.

Pepper

Pepper helps to increase the blood flow and helps with circulation. It is great for use in massage oils, and it can help keep the face and skin looking young. May be an irritant to those with sensitive skin.

Turmeric

Look for facial items that have Turmeric in the ingredients if you are having a problem with age spots. It helps to …