Plants are Cool : Plantain The Anti-Poison

Herbal Bush House  is back to tell us about another wonderful creation in the “Plants Are Cool” spotlight.   I’ve posted about products that I’ve used in the past made by Herbal Bush House and they’ve kindly agreed to do a monthly post on herbs to enlighten us all.

Herbal Bush House is dedicated to promoting knowledge of the use of food, herbs and water through educational programs within the community.  Their mission is to empower people with wisdom and understanding of the use of nature’s blessings to promote healthier lifestyles.

Plantain - The Anti-Poison:

The Plantain you find on the lawn is usually Plantago Major. It is a broad-leafed plant that stays low to the ground, and has a little crooked seed stem that grows up out of the middle of the plant. Plantago lanceolata is usually found in backyards and waste places. It is a long narrow leaf with the veins that run parallel from stem to tip. Some plants will grow a foot tall and the seed stem grows straight up from the middle of the plant sometimes reaching heights of two feet.



Plantago Major



Plantago Lanceolata

Plantain is an infection fighter for the immune system. It fights blood poisoning, kidney and bladder infection, poisonous bites and stings. Here is a testimonial story. A man took his favorite dog on a hunt one day, the dog was bitten on the shoulder by a diamondback rattlesnake. When he got the dog back home, he put some plantain juice on the bite, the dog kept licking the juice off. He put some plantain juice in a bowl and the dog lapped it up. Then he smashed up some plantain leaves and put it on the dogs shoulder for a couple days. The dog laid around the first day , the second day she was up and down, but the third day she seemed normal , thanks to plantain.

Plantain is one of those herbs recommended for many ailments: poisonous bites and stings, boils and carbuncles, tumors, inflammation, eczema, thrush, blood poison, yeast infection, ulcers, bed-wetting, poison ivy and many more. Plantain leaves are best used fresh, the plant can be put in a blender roots and all. The macerated fresh leaves can be put on bee stings and used for skin irritations. The important constituents of plantain is the gluside aucubin and allantoin. Plantain can also be used for burns, cuts and wounds and insect and flea bites as well.


Plantain (Plantago Major)

Ribwort Plantain (Plantago Lanceolata)

Look for plantain in your back yard!! I wonder if you will find it?  I know we've used it for Caleb's eczema...in oil and leaf form.

Peace and love!

Plants Are Cool: Ashwaganda - The Stress Reliever

Every month you will hear from the herbalists at Herbal Bush House in what I’m calling the “Plants Are Cool” spotlight.   I’ve posted about products that I’ve used in the past made by Herbal Bush House and they’ve kindly agreed to do a monthly post on herbs to enlighten us all.  They sell personal care products like face cream, shampoo, hair pomade, Gut Buster, probiotics, and a host of slaves and oils for various ailments and conditions.  All products are 100% natural and made with care.

So let me formally introduce you:

Herbal Bush House is dedicated to promoting knowledge of the use of food, herbs and water through educational programs within the community.  Their mission is to empower people with wisdom and understanding of the use of nature’s blessings to promote healthier lifestyles.

Now let's get down to business!

Ashwaganda: The stress reliever

Withania somnifera commonly called Ashwaganda (Ash-wa-gan-da) also known as Indian ginseng is an adaptive herb and one of the best I may add.  I love it. It doesn’t matter how hard and stressful your life may be.  A cup or two of Ashwaganda can ultimately bring that stress level down to zero. Stress can affect the body in many ways. For instance a person under enormous stress can develop high blood pressure, an over or under active thyroid, low libido, fatigue, digestive issues and a host of other ailments. Stress takes a huge toll on your adrenal glands. As you ascend into the burnout zone and are at the point where you can’t focus on anything and everything gets on your nerves, think of Ashwaganda as a good friend.  A friend there to help you through the hard times.  Because of the great adaptogenic properties of Ashwaganda coping with stressful situations can be simple whether at home or at the workplace. Ashwaganda is a general tonic that can increase energy levels in the body, it’s also know to help aid in proper thyroid function, insomnia, male and female fertility, anxiety and more. Ashwaganda is also known as Indian Viagra because it has been used by many men to rid themselves of impotence.

Ashwaganda!

Ashwaganda!

 Your health is your command!

Natural Pain Relief!

Hi Folks - I had a terrible experience at the dentist last week that I'm still suffering from. I ended up in a lot of pain and since I am in the process of flushing my liver, I didn't want to take any pain medication that my liver would have to process.  So I was advised to do two things: 1) take white willow bark tea and tincture and 2) place cloves and clove oil on the affected area. 

I was seriously on the verge of popping some pills, but I took a leap of faith and tried  the natural home remedies that were suggested.  Needless to say both applications worked extremely well and I now have two more natural remedies in my treasure chest. 

Let's talk about why these two plants sources (white willow bark and cloves) helped relieve my excruciating pain. 

White Willow Bark: 

1.  The bark from the willow tree  is actually  used to make medicine. The active ingredient in aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid), is derived from white willow bark.   The bark  is used to relieve pain from headaches, muscle aches, menstrual cramps, arthritis, and gout. 
2. Historically, willow bark was commonly used during the time of Hippocrates and people chewed on the bark to reduce fever and pain

White willow bark

How I used White Willow Bark: 

• I steeped the bark in hot water and drank as a tea (no sweetener) for three days.  The tea was devoid of any taste (which I prefer over extremely bitter teas). It was like drinking warm water. 
• After the third day, I added the white willow bark tincture in my herbal tea

White willow bark tea

Cloves: 

1. Cloves are the flower bud of a tree and are native to Indonesia
2. Cloves are used in various types of healing practices such as: Indian Ayruvedic medicine, Chinese medicine, and herbalism and dentistry where the essential oil is used as a painkiller for dental emergencies. 
3. It's an aromatic spice that is used in many types of cuisines.

Clove buds

                                  

How I used Cloves: 

• The first day I actually put 5 clove buds in my mouth where the pain was coming from. I kept them in ALL NIGH LONG.  Within 30 minutes the pain was gone. No joke!
• The next day along with taking the white willow bark tea, I applied the clove oil to the affected area using a cotton swab.  Initially, the oil burned but in about 15 seconds the burning sensation dissipated and I was left pain free. 

Clove oil

Cotton swabs used to apply clove oil

I am a true believer and witness to the healing power of willow bark and cloves.  If you have a dental emergency and are in pain don't hesitate to go back to the dentist to get retreated as necessary. I am not suggesting that you should not get rechecked if your soul leads you to that conclusion. 

 Honestly, I was a bit perturbed at the pain I should not have been in based on the procedure that was done. So I WAS NOT willing to go back to the dentist for ANY treatment. I still have pain, but my natural remedies are working.  If you have even minor aches and pains, try white willow bark.  You can contact Herbal Bush House for the tincture or go online for the tea or powdered versions.  If you are suffering from dental pain, try the cloves. You can find clove buds in any nearby grocery store and the essential oil in most health food stores. 

I'm more and more convinced everyday that nature can meet all of our needs! 

Please let me know what your experience is if you're brave enough to suck on some cloves!!!

Peace and love!

Detoxification: Liver and Onions Part 3

Hi Folks!

I'm on week three of my pre flush regimen.  So far so good!  I have not experienced any debilitating detox symptoms like in the past.  I started having headaches last week for about 5 days straight.  I think the toxins were getting loose and  revved up! I increased my water intake and hopefully flushed them out.

I also have less bloating and can fit into pants that I was not able to wear just two weeks ago!!!!! Awesome sauce!!!

I've  added probiotics back in to my regimen because the bloating I was experiencing prior to starting the flush was connected to my gut flora being out of control.  Probiotics help put the gut flora back into balance and decrease the daily bloating (gas forming) parties that bad bacteria like to have.  Ever seen your belly grow 3 more sizes through out the day leaving you feeling like a pig in a blanket?   Well that was me.

Gut bacteria

I've also been taking a natural supplement that helps move my bowels.  When you detox, toxins are eliminated from your body by various mechanisms.....bowel movements are one way.  And since the liver is an important part of digestion, you have to keep the bowels moving.  This is another product  from Herbal Bush House I've added to my daily regimen.

Natural colon cleanser: cape aloe leaf, barberry root, cascara sagrada (say whaaat??), garlic bulb, rhubarb, black walnut, cayenne pepper

My cravings for refined sugar have decreased and I'm able to quench my sweet tooth with fruit and hibiscus and cinnamon tea.  Alright now!!  I'm taking baths 2-3 times per week, exercising regularly, consuming more living foods and dry brushing my skin.  Overall I've been able to clean up my diet and I'm excited about the second part of the flush although I'm still a bit leery of what detox symptoms I may face.

Stay tuned!! :)

Peace and love!

The Hair Journey: 100% Natural Hair Care Products

I've stated before that since my hair is "natural" I want to nourish  and care for it by using natural hair care products.  These days there are so many products on the market for natural hair, but how many of the niche and mainstream products are all natural?  Most of what you find will contain some natural ingredients but not all.  The majority of the ingredients are derived by synthetic means and you can't even pronounce them!  The Kinky Curly line comes the closest (in my opinion).

Because of the desire to care for my hair with natural substances, I've expanded my hair care repertoire from shea butter, aloe and apple cider vinegar (ACV) to products made by Herbal Bush House.  For the last two months I've been using these products and I am VERY pleased!!! I started with the shampoo and rinse, then included the pomade.  They contain ingredients you can find in your kitchen or garden and I can pronounce every word! :)

1. SOIL HERBAL SHAMPOO:

Contains: purified water, rose, black walnut leaf, neem, rosemary, yarrow, foti root, basil leaf, horsetail, coconut oil, potassium hydroxide, olive oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil and citric acid

 

 

My rating:  GOOD, will continue to use


2. SOIL HERBAL HAIR RINSE:

Contains: purified water, hibiscus, amla, pea protein, apple cider vinegar, rose, black walnut leaf, neem, rosemary, yarrow, foti root, basil leaf, horsetail, coconut oil, potassium hydroxide, olive oil, hemp oil, jojoba oil and citric acid

My rating: The BOMB DIGGY, LOVE THIS STUFF!!! This product softens my hair, and I've been using it as a sort of "co-wash" when I don't want to shampoo my hair. 

3. SOIL HERBAL POMADE:

Contains: avocado oil, grape seed oil, coconut oil, olive oil, slippery elm, Irish moss, flax seed and rosemary essential oil

 

My rating: The BOMB DIGGY!!!! LOVE THIS STUFF!! I've been using it for my wet and dry twist and braid outs as featured in my last styling frenzy.  I've also been using it daily, especially after I release my twists.  It leaves my hair soft and "fluffy" and well nourished.

Dry skinny twist out using Herbal Bush House "Soil" line

Have you found any other 100% natural products on the market?  Do you make your own?

If you are interested in trying these products click the Herbal Bush House link and you will be on their webpage.


Peace and love!