NOURISHING HERBAL INFUSIONS

DISCLAIMER

I would like to say that by no means I am a medical doctor nor claim to be a naturopath. I am a medicine woman who has deep love for nature and plants. I am an herbalist who is truly interested in finding ways to heal myself, my family and friends with natural remedies. This has led me to do a lot of self experimenting, self-discovery and self-teaching. 

A LITTLE ABOUT ME

I am a self-taught herbalist. I have watched Youtube Videos by herbalist like Robin Rose Bennett, Herbal Jedi, She is of the Woods, and Susun Weed.  I have been going on nature walks and learning few plant allies at a time. Each time working with the plant with different mediums  such as 100 % proof vodka/oil/pasteurized apple cider vinegar.  I have been drinking nourishing herbal infusions for 2 years. By drinking herbal infusions, I don’t need to take any supplements or protein shakes or gimmicks. I am fully nourished and my body and health has improved tremendously thanks to the plant wholesome nourishment.

The master herbalist I follow through podcast is Susun Weed. She has a podcast and her Blog Talk Radio show is every Tuesday from 7:30 pm-9:00 pm and you can call her with any health concerns at 646-929-2463 and you can find her podcast where  she has over 300 podcast shows already recorded. She will talk to you for free for  about 15-20 minutes. I have called her already like 5 times. She is very helpful. I have been listening to her for 2 years and follow her advice. I actually went to NY in July 2018 and attended one of her workshops at the COSM Chapel.

I will tell you that I do purchase the nourishing dried herbs because it will be hard to harvest so much of it and I don’t have land to plant these wonderful nourishing herbal plants, and I am grateful that there are herbal companies that provide this service. I am by no means affiliated to any of these people or herbs companies. 

The websites I normally buy my herbs in bulk from are:

https://www.frontiercoop.com/

https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/

http://www.starwestherb.com/

 5 NOURISHING HERBAL INFUSIONS 

These 5 herbal infusions that are the most cost-effective are the following: 

1. Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica): nourish and rebuild adrenals, kidneys, blood vessels, skin, hair, and nails.

2. Oatstraw (Avena sativa): longevity tonic, rebuilds nerves, when you want to be and feel sexy, gives you steady energy throughout the day.

3. Red Clover Blossoms (Trifolium pratense): my anti-cancer ally, helps you get pregant.

4. Linden flowers (Tillia americana): anti-flu, anti-cold, lovingly soothes lungs and guts.

5. Comfrey Leaf (Symphytum officinale): heals, nourishes brain, bones, mucus surfaces, skin.

Out of all of these infusions, comfrey is the hardest for me to drink because is astringent. I will recommend adding lime or peppermint or miso to help with the flavor.  The best and easiest to drink is oat straw, red clover blossom and linden especially if linden is heated and you add honey. Stinging nettle has to be cold, if you put ice on it, even better. The first few times you might not like it, but after the third time you drink it, you learn to love it. Rotate through this 5 infusions. For example, if you drink oat straw today, tomorrow drink linden, then oat straw, then nettle, then red clover, then oat straw, then linden, just switch it up however you like so you don’t get bored of the same flavor.

The following is information from Susun Weed’s online website:

“An infusion is a large amount of herb brewed for a long time. Typically, one ounce by weight (about a cup by volume) of dried herb is placed in a quart jar which is then filled to the top with boiling water, tightly lidded and allowed to steep for 4-10 hours. After straining, a cup or more is consumed, and the remainder chilled to slow spoilage. Drinking 2-4 cups a day is usual. Since the minerals and other phytochemicals in nourishing herbs are made more accessible by drying, dried herbs are considered best for infusions.

The following are nourishing herbs. Nourishing herbs are the safest of all herbs; side effects are rare. Nourishing herbs are taken in any quantity for any length of time. They are used as foods, just like spinach and kale. Nourishing herbs provide high levels of proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carotenes, and essential fatty acids. Examples of nourishing herbs are: alfalfa, amaranth, astragalus, calendula flowers, chickweed, comfrey leaves, dandelion, fenugreek, flax seeds, honeysuckle flowers, lamb’s quarter, marshmallow, stinging nettle, oatstraw, plantain (leaves/seeds), purslane, red clover blossoms, seaweed, Siberian ginseng, slippery elm, linden flowers and leaf, hibiscus, cleavers, violet leaves, and wild mushrooms. 

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) builds energy, strengthens the adrenals, and is said to restore youthful flexibility to blood vessels. A cup of nettle infusion contains 500 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of bone-building magnesium, potassium, silicon, boron, and zinc. It is also an excellent source of vitamins A, D, E, and K. For flexible bones, a healthy heart, thick hair, beautiful skin, and lots of energy, make friends with sister stinging nettle. It may make you feel so good you’ll jump up and exercise.

Oatstraw (Avena sativa) reduces high cholesterol, increases libido, and strengthens the nerves. A cup of oatstraw infusion contains more than 300 milligrams of calcium plus generous amounts of many other minerals. Its steroidal saponins nourish the pancreas and liver, improving digestion and stabilizing moods. Oatstraw is best known however for its ability to enhance libido and mellow the mood. Do be careful whom you share it with, or you may find yourself sowing some wild oats. In Auryuvedic medicine, oatstraw is considered the finest of all longevity tonics. 

Red clover Blossom(Trifolium pratense) is better in every way than its cousin soy. It contains four phytoestrogens; soy has only one (isoflavone). Red clover infusion has ten times more phytoestrogens than soy “milk,” fewer calories, more calcium, and no added sugars. Red clover is the world’s leading anti-cancer herb; soy isoflavone encourages the growth of breast cancer cells in the lab. Red clover improves the memory; Japanese men who ate tofu twice a week doubled their risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Soy beverage can contain up to 1000 times more aluminum than milk, according to Sally Fallon, lipid researcher and fat specialist. She believes that “the highly processed soy foods of today are perpetuating . . . nutrient deficiencies. . . .”

Comfrey (Symphytum) leaf is free of the compounds (PAs) found in the root that can damage the liver. I have used comfrey leaf infusion regularly for decades with no liver problems, ditto for the group of people at the Henry Doubleday Research Foundation who have eaten cooked comfrey leaves as a vegetable for four generations. Comfrey is also known as “knitbone,” and no better ally for the woman with thin bones can be found. And, don’t forget, comfrey contains special proteins used in the formation of short-term memory cells. Its soothing mucilage adds flexibility to joints, eyes, vagina, and lungs.”

For more information about herbalism visit: http://susunweed.com/

The following list I am sharing are  some of the herbal allies remedies I use as preventatives. I make my own tinctures from fresh plant material whenever possible and by using 100% proof Vodka. Occasionally, I use root and berries from Frontier or Mountain Rose. I make this, if you know me personally and reach out, I should be able to help you out and gift you this medicine, however, you will need to supply me with dropper bottle. Otherwise, I highly recommend the following people to buy fresh wild crafted herbal tinctures from:

1. https://www.etsy.com/shop/NourishWholeness– I love the medicine created by Rebecca Rozelle Pressnall of Nourish Wholeness Love Herb.
2. https://www.wildwoodapothecary.org/– April Graham is a superb wealth of knowledge and her IG account can help you in your journey about medicinal plant. She writes beautifully and she is raw and authentic as it gets.
3. https://www.unitymountainherbs.com/– Jonah Ruh Roberts is a Warrior Goddess who is an empowered Goddess leading ceremonies and circles integrating sacredness of plant medicine into rituals as healing practices.
4. http://catskillmountainherbals.com/– White feather she crafts the highest quality wild crafted and organic herbal extracts, vinegars, oils, and salves.

1. Echinacea tincture-natural antibiotic- I use this for bacterial infections, especially at the first sign of itchy/sore throat. The dosage is calculated by dividing your body weight. For example,  if you weigh 120 lbs take 60 drops. Take 60 drops every 1-2 hours if the infection is acute for 3 days. Do not use for more than 6 days in a row. Please eat plenty of whole milk yogurt when taking Echinacea and make sure to nourish with prebiotics and probiotics. 

2. Yarrow tincture-helps prevent gum disease, it stops cuts from bleeding, its antiseptic. I put this on wounds so the pain will stop as well as the bleeding, and is also antibacterial. I normally wash my teeth with this instead of toothpaste and also spray some of it on my face for when I have some pimples/acne. I also use this as a tick and mosquito repellent. This tincture  helps stop heavy menstrual bleeding, speeds up the immune system so it spikes fevers, combats colds, helps with urinary tract infections. I prefer to use Yarrow externally and don’t really take it internally.

3. St. John’s Wort tincture– I use this as my bottle of sunshine to help with mild depression in the winter. It is also great to put two dropper fulls into your water and drink this after exercising to prevent pain from sore muscles. It helps soothe back pain, sciatica pain or any nerve pain. This tincture is also great antiviral, and if you get the flu, this a great to take.  Also people that get bitten by ticks, this tincture helps tremendously apply where tick has bitten you. There are a lot of studies being conducted to help HIV patients, this helps with herpes outbreaks, HPV and any of the viral infections that people can get. You can take this tincture everyday, two to three dropperfuls a day as needed. If you have depression and you are taking other drug pills, please do not use ST John’s, it counteracts. 

4. AMLA tincture-this is great to help your eyesight because it is highly antioxidant and is rich in vitamin C, this is more like a tonic herb tincture. If you have a UTI, this is better than cranberry juice and or taking this with cranberry juice is a fantastic remedy. AMLA is great for your skin as it prevents it from UV radiation damage and has so many wonderful benefits. In India, this AMLA berry is the most sacred and it is said to heal all diseases.

5. Lemon Balm Tincture- Nervousness and anxiety, sleeplessness, tension, mild pain relief, upset stomach, cold and flu relief, viral suppression especially the shingles virus and beyond! Use this before speaking in public to calm your nerves. This will calm you down and make you feel grounded. 

6. Skullcap Tincture-  ease migraines, helps with insomnia, relax stiff muscles, and relieve pain throughout the body. One dropper full will put you to sleep, so don’t drive or go to work if you take a dropper full.