The Ultimate Vampire Resource and Directory

Aroma Tip: Maleleuca ericifolia
04:37 Aug 14 2009
Times Read: 697




Botanical name Melaleuca ericifolia

A gentle, soft but cleansing oil good for a sad or heavy heart, helps to

free from feeling "stuck", inhibitions are subtly dissolved, allows you to

be patient with the object of your heart.

http://www.aromathy me.com/essential oils4.html

Aroma Tip: Myrtle
04:22 Aug 14 2009
Times Read: 698

Botanical name Myrtus communis

Myrtle is considered the sacred plant of the goddess Aphrodite. A sweet,

camphor like, green, herby scent similar to Sage and Eucalyptus.

It is antiseptic, an expectorant and astringent. Helpful for colds and flu,

coughs, bronchitis, sinus infections and other respiratory complaints.

Supports those who need to get through dark times. This oil carries a deep

inner wisdom and is said to be helpful for those making life transitions.

may serve as a companion for the dying.



Daily Aromatherapy Tip

brought to you by AromaThyme.com

Scent of the Month Club

http://www.aromathy me.com

Ayurvedic Herbs and Herbal Medicine
04:10 Aug 14 2009
Times Read: 699

Ayurvedic Herbs and Herbal Medicine

China is known for its Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), with its herbal medicines and acupuncture. Ayurveda is to India what TCM is to China. Both countries, even today, use their traditional medicines hand in hand with western (allopathic) medicine in hospitals, clinics, private practices, cities, and villages.







Ayurveda includes a comprehensive study of anatomy, physiology, pathology, diagnostic systems, and treatment strategies. Ayurveda is recognized by the World Health Organization as an effective, traditional health science. Ayurvedic physicians focus on the overall health of an individual through a holistic evaluation that centers on body, mind, and spirit. Once the individual's overall constitution is determined, a specific treatment plan is designed to guide the person back to a state of harmony. Ayurvedic medicine utilizes practices such as yoga, exercise, meditation, massage, dietary changes, herbal tonics, and herbal sweat baths.







The following are common Herbs used in Ayurvedic medicine:







Ashwagandha



Boswellia



Coleus Forskohlii



Ginger



Gotu Kola



Guggul



Gymnema Sylvestre



Licorice



Myrrh



Phyllanthus Niruri



Turmeric

Forms of Herbs
04:07 Aug 14 2009
Times Read: 700




Forms of Herbs



The goal of the herbalist is to release the volatile oils, antibiotics, aromatics, and other healing chemicals contained by the herb. Herbs can be prepared in a variety of forms depending on their purpose. Such techniques include:



Juice squeezed from herbs.

Mashing herbs into a paste.

Decoction or extracting the active ingredients by boiling down the herb in water.

Hot infusion (like hot tea)- Herb is steeped in hot water.

Cold infusion (like sun tea) - Herb is steeped in cold water.

Herbs ground into a powder and used as such or as compressed into a pill.

Herbal wine made by adding the herb to water and sugar and letting it ferment.

Tincture, made by combining ground herbs with alcohol, glycerin or vinegar and used internally.

Liniment - Made like a tincture except it is used externally.

Salves and ointments made by adding herbs to a medium such as petroleum jelly.

Syrups - Made by adding herb to a medium such as honey, sugar or glycerin.

Poultice - Herb is applied directly to a wound or body part and held in place with a cloth.

Herbal Oil - Usually made with common base oil, such as olive, almond, grape seed, or sesame oils. The herb is allowed to sit in the oil for a week. It is strained and bottled.



In general, delicate leaves and flowers are best infused. Boiling may cause them to lose the volatile essential oils. Roots, barks, and seeds are best made into decoctions.



Standardized vs. Whole Herb



As the herbs are getting more and more popular, more and more manufacturers are supplying standardized herb extracts. A standardized extract means that the manufacturer has verified that the active ingredient believed to be present in the herb is present in the preparation and that the potency and the amount of the active ingredient is assured in the preparation. The problem is that, the action of the herb may be from a number of constituents and not from just one or two ingredients. Thus, the standardized preparation may omit some of the ingredients and we will lose out on the effect from the complex combination of the constituents.





*source is unknown to me

Recipe for Fairie Magick Oil
03:42 Aug 14 2009
Times Read: 701

This oil is very useful for working with Faerie Magick. Wear it on Midsummer's Eve to increase the chances of Faeire encounters.



1/4 ounce almond oil, 7 drops lemon oil, 10 drops gardenia oil, 7 drops jasmine oil, 11 drops violet oil, 5 drops lavender oil, 7 drops lemongrass oil, 7 drops rose geranium oil, 7 drops ylang-ylang oil, flowers jasmine or violet, gems peridot or moonstone.



*I am not the author of this recipe.

How to Make Chamomile Honey
15:51 Aug 10 2009
Times Read: 704

How to Make Chamomile Honey





by Kimberly

We have a delicious treat for you this month - chamomile (Matricaria recutita) infused honey.

One thing I love about July in Washington is that all the flowers are blooming. The world fills up with color. This is all the more striking because for so much of the year we experience a grey, drizzly reality.

Well, the only thing better than looking at and smelling all those flowers is finding ways that we can also engage our sense of taste to experience their full beauty.

At our CSA (community supported agriculture) farm here in Carnation, they have an entire bed devoted to chamomile. It is a truly beautiful site, and the kids and I had a great time picking the small, white, fragrant flowers for this lesson.

Infusing herbs in honey is one particularly delicious way of extracting their medicinal and nutritional qualities. Herbal honeys are easy to make and are wonderful to share with house guests or to give as special gifts to loved ones.





To make your chamomile honey you will need:

A jar filled half way with fresh chamomile flowers

Enough of your favorite honey to fill your jar (we like local, raw honey best)

A cap for your jar



The steps are simple.

Fill your jar 1/2 way with the chamomile flowers



Pour honey over the flowers until the jar is full.



Stir.



Pour in more honey since there will now be more room in the jar.

Stir again.

Cap the jar.

Now you need only let the jar sit on the counter for about 1 week, turning the jar over every time you pass by it so that the flowers continually move through the honey

Strain.



Enjoy, straight from the jar, on toast with butter, or in your favorite cup of tea. (Or any other way you use honey.)



Chamomile is a wonderfully relaxing herb that will help soothe your nerves. It also can help relieve heartburn and tummy aches. So, besides just being a delicious treat, your chamomile honey will help soothe and comfort you and your guests as well.



Chamomile is also antibacterial and can help repair tissue damage. So, if you can bear forgo getting to taste every last drop or your chamomile honey, it could also be used on minor cuts and scrapes to help with healing.

Since honey is also antibacterial and antimicrobial and has a long history of wound healing (it was documented as being used in this way in ancient Egypt) this combination may be even more effective than many over the counter pharmaceutical remedies.

I have a feeling this herbal preparation is going to become one of your favorites! Enjoy your day gathering, seeing, smelling, feeling, and tasting these wondrous little flowers.

I





http://www.learning herbs.com/ news_issue_ 36.html