Basil has a great effect upon the cardiovascular system, bones and muscles. All beneficial for the liver and gallbladder. Ocimum basilicum Family: Labiatae (mint) Actions Analgesic Antibacterial Anti-infectious Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant Antispasmodic Antiviral Decongestant Restorative Stimulant Emmenagogue Digestive tonic Antiseptic Carminative Antibiotic Beauty and Personal Care Improves skin tone Acne Eczema, skin conditions Adds shine to hair Uses Headache, migraine an

The Northwestern Native Americans considered the Idaho Blue Spruce to be a sacred tree and used it in a variety ways, many of them for healing. Picea pungens Family: Pinaceae (Pine) Actions Analgesic Antibacterial Anti-inflammatory Antihistamine Hypotensive Nervine Energetics/Body Systems Affected Solar plexus chakra Grounding Balancing Release emotional blocks Uses Respiratory conditions; asthma, bronchitis, croup, any chest congestion Coughs Sore throat or any throat prob

When I was first introduced to diatomaceous earth my first thought was, what exactly is this stuff? In very simple terms it is powdered fossils. The mineral compounds of the powder bind to harmful organisms in the body, effectively eliminating them. I have personally used it to expel worms from my son when her was younger. Here are some other great ways to utilize another natural way to care for the body. Benefits Expels worms and parasites Eliminate insects in the home and g

The skeletal system serves several important purposes: it gives the body shape and support, protects vital organs and the spinal cord, stores lipids, marrow, and minerals, and produces blood cells. Ligaments are also part of the skeletal system, connecting bones to one another with tough, fibrous collagen fibers and holding them in place at the joints. While it's actually the muscles that produce movement, ligaments play a vital supporting role — stabilizing the joints and ke

I have been using my own bug repellent for years now using essential oils and herbs to keep the bugs off. Not only are herbal bug repellents safer, using no toxic chemicals, they also work much better. I made my neighbor a bottle of bug repellent to take to girls camp and by the end of the week she said everyone was using her repellent. She also came home without a single mosquito bite. The bug repelling properties of citronella are enhanced whenever cedarwood is included in

Formulated to stop the itch, heal the sore and prevent infection from those nasty bites and stings. Not only is this salve great for bug bites I have also used it successfully to soothe eczema and a case of ringworm, it will work great for any type of cut or wound as well. Make an Herbal Oil 3 parts plantain 2 parts echinacea root 1 part comfrey 1 part lavender 1 part rosemary Coconut oil (or extra virgin olive oil) Ingredients 1 cup herbal oil blend 1 oz beeswax 20 drops M

Use in a bath, compress or in a carrier oil applied directly to are of concern. Make into a a spray with part water part witch hazel or make a roll on. Essential Oils for Cuts and Wounds Tea tree (Melaleuca) Eucalyptus Helichrysum Lavender Chamomile Pine Rosemary Eucalyptus Cypress Thyme Oregano German chamomile Mountain Savory Frankincense Myrrh Spikenard Blend from company of choice, I like Fresh from REVIVE, (disinfectant blend) Essential Oils for Muscles and Bones Winte

Redmond Clay is a type of bentonite clay, but instead of being a sodium bentonite or a calcium bentonite, it is both! Because of this it seems to be more effective than most bentonite clays and what I have used for years with nothing but great results! Clay has the ability to bind toxins due to a negative electrical charge of the clay particles. Most toxins including heavy metals are positively charged so they are drawn to the clay like a magnet and then flushed from the bo

Also known as curled or curly dock. Yellow dock combines really well with other herbs for supporting different body systems and aids the body in absorbing their properties and nutrients. Rumex crispus Family: Polygonaceae - buckwheat Parts used: root Actions Antimicrobial​ Alterative Anti-Inflammatory Astringent Cholagogue Hepatic Laxative Nutritive Tonic Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Drying Bitter Liver Kidney Uses Liver and gallbladder strength and support. Impro

Not only is wormwood a strong herbal antibiotic it is also a beautiful plant to have in the yard, sporting deep green foliage in the fall and frosty green in the spring. A relative to sagebrush, wormwood has become one of my favorite herbs for mystery illnesses and any type of infection. Artemisia absinthium (more species) Family: Asteraceae- daisy Parts used: leaves mainly but root can also be used as a powerful medicine Actions Antibacterial Antifungal Anti-Inflammatory A

There are over 60 species of thyme and just walking down the herb aisle at the local nursery you get a little sampling of the varieties. Common garden thyme (vulgaris) is the most aromatic, hardy and medicinal of the varieties. Thymus vulgaris Family: Lamiaceae - mint Parts used: leaves and blossoms Actions Antibacterial Antibiotic Antifungal Antioxidant Antimicrobial Anti-Spasmodic Antiseptic Anthelmintic Anti-Viral Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Emmenagogue Ex

Another common garden weed that is easily found growing anywhere you may look. I find these nutrient rich plants as special gifts from God, there for the taking. Portula oleracea Family: Portulacaceae - purslane Parts used: whole plant Actions Antioxidant Antimicrobial Antibiotic Antifungal Antiparasitic Anti-Inflammatory Diuretic Demulcent Emollient Febrifuge Tonic Nutritive Noradrenaline (hormone that reduces bleeding) Energetics/Body Systems Affected Cooling Moistening D

Plantain has over 200 different species in its family, but the most common species found in North America are the two listed above. This is one of my favorite herbs because it can be used safely with babies, children, adults, pregnant and nursing mothers as well as animals, everyone can benefit from this herb! Known as a common yard weed you can probably find it in your yard or neighborhood. Plantago major - broad leaf Plantago lancelota - narrow leaf Family: Plantaginace

There are about 115 species of the pine family throughout the world. They are commonly referred to as conifers due to the cones, which are the fruits and flowers of a pine tree. Many share these same healing properties although the White Pine (Pinus strobus) is the most studied and used. Pinus variety of species Family: Pinaceae - pine, fir, spruce Parts used: leaf (needles), inner bark, sap (resin) Actions Antibacterial (Sap)​ Antioxidant Antiseptic Antiviral Analgesic A

There are hundreds of varieties of mint and has a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and smells - although most have the familiar minty aroma. The two main mints commonly used are peppermint and spearmint. Peppermint has stronger properties due to its high menthol content; spearmint is not as strong which makes it a better fit for use with children. Mentha piperita (peppermint) Mentha spicata (spearmint) Family: Lamiaceae - mint Parts used: leaves and blossoms, aerial parts

Mallow is best known for its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. Two main mallows are used medicinally, Common Mallow, found in yards, ditches, marshes and low ground as a weed and Marshmallow, which is cultivated in gardens. They can be used interchangeably and in the place of slippery elm. Althaea officinalis Family: Malvaveae - hibiscus, hollyhock, okra Parts used: root, leaves, blossoms Actions Anti-Inflammatory Diuretic Demulcent Emollient Expectorant Laxative Nut

Dr. Christopher loved using lobelia! He referred to it as “The Thinking Herb” because of its ability to know what to do in each individual with their particular constitution. It is generally used in formulas to enhance their properties and deliver them wherever they are needed in the body. Lobelia inflata Family: Campanulaceae - bell flower Subfamily: Lobeliodeae - lobelia Parts used: leaves and blossoms (aerial parts), seeds are twice as potent as the herb. Actions Antispa

Even before my herbalist days I loved growing lemon balm in my yard because of its strong aromatic lemon scent and beautiful leaves. I love running my hands over the top of the soft leaves and then inhaling the calming aroma. Not only do humans love this plant but bees go crazy over it, so much that the binomial name of Melissa, means bee. Melissa officianlis Family: Lamiaceae - mint Parts used: leaves Actions Antiseptic Antibacterial Anti-Viral Antispasmodic Antioxidant D