If you like the idea of a more natural way of living, building up a herbal remedies cabinet is a great place to start. Having a few herbs at your fingertips can enable the use of more traditional home remedies and natural care options. From soothing teas to calming salves, herbal remedies are straightforward to make and infuse a way of incorporating nature into your well-being routines.
In the following article, we will discuss some common herbs used for natural remedies and how one can prepare them. As always, please work with a health care professional before making any changes to your routines. This will help you avoid any undesirable interactions with medications or any other complications that might occur.
Why create a natural medicine cabinet with herbal remedies?
There are a number of helpful reasons why it is a good idea to have some herbal remedies on hand:
- Convenience: making a simple remedy for yourself instead of reaching for over-the-counter products.
- Personalization: customize remedies to suit your preferences and needs for wellness.
- Economy: most herbs are affordable and can be bought in bulk for easy preparations.
A natural medicine cabinet allows you to attend to minor wellness needs with confidence and considerations, using simple preparations you make yourself.
The essentials for your herbal remedies
Chamomile: The Soothing Classic
Chamomile has been associated with it’s calming effects and ability to promote good sleep by relaxing an individual. It’s mild floral taste makes it one of the more enjoyable flavors.
How to Use: To make a soothing tea from chamomile, simply steep dried flowers in hot water. You can steep chamomile in a light, skin-soothing lotion.
Preparation Tip: To make it as a tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried flowers in a teacup of hot water. Let steep for 5–10 minutes.
Peppermint: cool, refreshing
Peppermint is commonly used to appease a variety of digestive discomforts and has a fresh minty aroma that many enjoy as congestion support.
How to Use: Fresh or dried peppermint leaves steeped in hot water for a refreshing tea. Inhale the steam for added comfort, or use peppermint in homemade balms for a cooling sensation.
Prep Tip: for use as a soothing mellow mint tea, use 1 tablespoon of fresh leaves or 1 teaspoon of dried leaves to steep in 1 cup of hot water.
Ginger: Warming and Spicy
Ginger root warms and soothes, making it a very welcome addition to any natural medicine cabinet, especially during colder months.
How to Use: Warm up on chilly days with ginger tea. Add fresh ginger to soups or smoothies, or infuse it into a warm, relaxing bath.
Preparation Tip: To make ginger tea, slice fresh ginger and steep in boiling water for 10 minutes. Sweeten with honey.
Echinacea: A Seasonal Essential
Traditionally, echinacea is taken as a herb for seasonal wellness. Many people find it adds protection during the cold winter months.
To Use: Drink echinacea tea or in tincture form. It’s nice to have with a complementary herb in tea, such as elderberry, for an added seasonal boost.
Preparation Tips: Steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried echinacea in hot water for tea or add it to tinctures.
Lavender: Soothing and Aromatic
Lavender is the favorite of many due to its sweet floral fragrance, which brings relaxation to those who use it. Teas, essential oils used in a diffuser, or as warm baths, do their magic on a tired body.
Directions: Make a soothing lavender tea or add dried flowers to your bath for a restful soak. The oil is also great for adding to homemade creams.
Prep tip: Steep 1 teaspoon of dried lavender in 1 cup of hot water as tea, or mix with homemade bath salts.
Calendula: Soothing and Skin-Friendly
Such a plant, from its soft and soothing character to its employment in skin care, is the calendula plant. Calendula is a common flower, and one of the most popular herbs, found in natural salves and balms.
How to Use: Infuse calendula flowers in tea to use as a skin rinse, or steep in oil to make a homemade skin salve.
Preparation Tip: Infuse 1 tablespoon of dried calendula flowers in warm oil for several weeks. Strain and store this infused oil in the refrigerator to use as needed in topical applications.
How to Prepare Herbal Remedies
Making herbal remedies can be as straightforward as making a tea like infusion, or as time-consuming as making salves. Here are a few basic techniques to help you get started with herbal preparations:
Herbal teas (infusions)
Herbal teas are among the most accessible herbal preparations to take. Tea is often a gentle, yet effective medicine, as each herb has its own unique flavor and quality.
- Place 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb or 1 tablespoon of fresh herb in a teapot or cup.
- Pour boiling water over herbs.
- Cover and steep 5-10 minutes according to taste.
- Strain and drink, sweetening with honey or adding lemon if desired.
Herbal Tinctures
Tinctures are strong preparations created by steeping herbs in alcohol or glycerin, which captures their properties in a potent form.
- Fill a glass jar with the dried herb of your choice, leaving about an inch of space from the top.
- Cover it with alcohol-vodka is a pretty good option.
- Seal it tightly and place it in a cool, dark location for 4-6 weeks, shaking every day.
- Strain into a dark glass bottle.
- Label.
Oils and Salves
- You can use herbal oils as massage oil, while thicker salves provide a spreadable consistency for topical application.
- Fill a clean glass jar full of dried herbs and cover with a carrier oil such as olive or coconut oil.
- Place in a warm, sunny spot and steep for 2 to 3 weeks, shaking every few days.
- Strain and bottle the oil, or thicken with beeswax for salve.
Herbal Steam Inhalation
Herbal steams are a calming, gentle method of inhaling herbal goodness. They are commonly utilized for clear breathing.
- Fill a heat-resistant bowl with a handful of fresh or dried herbs, such as peppermint or eucalyptus.
- Pour hot water over herbs, creating steam.
- Lean over the bowl to inhale steam, placing a towel over your head to catch it in.
How to Store Your Herbal Remedies
By taking the right steps in storing your herbal remedies, you can greatly increase how long they stay fresh.
Here are some tips:
- Use Dark Glass Containers: keeps light out and lengthens shelf life.
- Label Clearly: note the name of the herb used and date of preparation
- Store in a cool, Dark Place: keeps away from heat and sunlight for good results.
- Dried herbs can last 1-2 years, while tinctures and oils may last longer.
Creating a herbal remedies cabinet is a practical and enjoyable way to bring natural wellness into your home. With a variety of versatile herbs like chamomile, peppermint, and ginger, you can prepare teas, tinctures, and salves to suit your needs. While these remedies can support daily wellness, always consult a healthcare provider before use, especially for specific health concerns. Embrace the simplicity of herbal preparations and enjoy the process of creating your own natural medicine cabinet.
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