Abigails Herbs

There is no cure for dandruff. It is a common scalp condition which occurs when dead skin is shed, producing unattractive white flakes. Most people think dandruff is caused by dry skin, however, it is actually the result of an oily scalp. It occurs when skin cells renew themselves and the old cells are shed.

Dandruff is generally worse in the winter months. It can be triggered by trauma, illness, hormonal imbalances, improper carbohydrate consumption and the consumption of sugar. Deficiencies of vitamin B’s, selenium and essential fatty acids have been linked to dandruff as well.

Dandruff  is embarrassing; it is an annoying and irritating problem. It is a condition which does not ever go away, but it can be minimalized. Using aloe vera gel twice a day or infused with your shampoo is helpful. Since aloe vera is a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory, it works to decrease those annoying and embarrassing white flakes.

Chasteberry has many healing purposes. It comes from a beautiful flowering tree with large cones of bluish-purple colors. The proper name for chasteberry is actually chastetree berry.  The blooms resemble that of a butterfly bush. Vitex is an alternate name for this herb.

Chasteberry contains no hormones but it gives fast relief to hot flashes and mood irritability brought on by PMS (pre-menstural syndrome).  It actually eases symptoms of PMS and also regulates menstruation. How does it regulate hormonal activity when it does not have any hormones in it? Chasteberry or vitex stimulates the pituitary gland to decrease production of prolactin (a hormone involved in milk production). Prolactin helps to ease breast tenderness  and to reduce other symptoms of PMS.

Chasteberry also reduces the discomfort of fibrocystic breasts and decreases the symptoms of endometriosis. Chasteberry can induce ovulation also. Since chasteberry is an antioxidant it has been found to reduce cholesterol levels in blood serum and it is effective in treating migraine headaches.

The recommended daily dosage is 400 to 500 mg. or 40 drops of tincture. It may take up to three months for full benefits to take effect. Chasteberry can be drank as a tea. Pregnant and nursing  women should not take chasteberry. It is a wonderful herbal alternative for females.

Use aloe vera gel or sap to treat burns on skin. It works to heal all kinds of burns, including hot water burns, sunburn and chemical burns. Many people drink aloe vera to treat asthma and even to boost their immune systems.

There are compounds in aloe vera such as mannans, lectins and anthroquinones that  help to reduce inflammation. You can purchase pre-mixed aloe juice or you can make your own by mixing  two ounces of aloe vera sap (or gel) with four ounces of water for a homemade tincture.

The naturally occurring proteins in aloe combined with the plant compounds mentioned above are what give aloe vera  its’ uniques healing potential. If taken internally, drink in moderation. For topical application, there is no limit as to how much to rub onto your skin. There are no negative side effects.

Next to the common cold, periodontal disease is the second most prevalent ailment in the United States. The rate of periodontal disease increases with age. It affects 75% of Americans over the age of thirty-five.

There are various warning signs of severe gum (periodontal) disease:

• Red, tender or swollen gums.
• Loose teeth.
• A change in the way your teeth fit together.
• A change in the fit of partial dentures.
• Gums that bleed when you floss or brush.
• Receding gums ( gums that pull away from the teeth).
• Dry mouth.
• Continual bad breath.
• Teeth grinding (bruxism).

The process of gum disease can be treated if caught early. Report all symptoms to a dentist or periodontist (specialist). Brush  and floss teeth daily, using Listerine and Plax.  Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Regular, intimate contact with an infected person can transmit the bacteria that cause periodontal disease from person-to-person, so avoid sharing toot brushes with others.

Aloe vera gel has soothng properties. Applying aloe vera gel directly to inflamed gums eases discomfort and soothes the inflammed tissues.

This summer, make your own iced chai tea. Any kind of black tea will do, however, Darjeeling is the best choice if you want an authentic Indian taste. Prepare the following ingredients:

• 2 1/2  Cups water
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• 14 cardamom pods
• 2 cups whole milk
• 6 whole cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 3 black or Darjeeling tea bags
• 1/4 cup honey

Follow these directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, bring water, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and ginger to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Turn off the heat.
2. Add tea bags and steep for 15 minutes, covered. Remove tea bags. Add honey or agave and stir until dissolved. Stir in milk.
3. Strain the mixture into another container. Allow to cool and then refrigerate for about an hour. Serve over ice. Enjoy. It is simply delicious.

The main ingredient in exotic chai tea is made from black tea which contains rich antioxidants. These antioxidants boost the immune system and prevent illness as they help to lower blood pressure and cholesterol.

Both Ayurvedic and Chinese cultures place a high value on the spices that make up a good cup of chai tea. Such spices include:

• cardamom
• cloves
• ginger
• pepper
• cinnamon

Some people put a mixture of milk and honey in their chai tea, which give it a very sweet taste. It is not recommended that anyone with ulcers drink chai tea as the sweet flavor could possibly irritate the ulcers. However, the ingredients in chai tea generally promote healthy digestion for the majority of tea drinkers.

Exotic chai tea takes the chai to a much higher level by adding even more spices to this delicious beverage. It has much less caffeine in it than coffee, thus making it safer to drink; you can consume a few more cups of exotic chai tea (than coffee) per day due to its lower caffeine content. It can be sipped as either a hot or cold drink.

Ajwain or Bishop’s Weed is rich in calcium and iron. It grows in the rich soil on the riverbanks of  Egypt, Iran, Afghanistan. The seeds of the ajwain plant are crushed and then oil is extracted through a steam distillation process. Thymol is the active medicinal property found in ajwain. The oil has a sharp, hot and pungent taste.

Thyme, sage and parsely are essential oils which blend well with Ajwain oil. It is a natural cleanser, especially for eyes and ears. Ajwain is used to treat the following conditions:

• flatulence
• cough
• common colds
• hayfever,
• diarrhea
• toothache
• fever
• ringworm
• indigestion
• colic
• bronchitis

As a powerful antiseptic, it kills germs and contains the following important ingredients:

• moisture protein
• fat
• minerals
• protein
• carbohydrates
• calcium
• phosphorous
• carbohydrates
• iron
• carotene
• thiamine
• riboflavin
• niacin

Warning:  Pregnant women should not use ajwain.

If you’re interested in natural products, there is little doubt that you’ve been introduced to a powerful little agent known as aloe vera. It has many different forms and uses, but what many people don’t realize is just how long people have been utilizing the benefits of this desert lily. Aloe vera has been recorded as a natural salve for around 3,500 years. And for the duration of that time, aloe has been used for a number of conditions and problems. The most common use is as a burn relief. These burns can be everything from burns incurred in the kitchen to sunburns.

Aloe has also found its way into numerous cosmetics because it is also a general moisturizer. Just open your cosmetics cupboard and check out the ingredient lists on some of your products. You’d be surprised at how many lotions, moisturizers, and makeup products have aloe as an active ingredient. Aloe is certainly rich in vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and other anti-inflammatory agents. The benefits of aloe vera range from cut and burn relief to increased healing of both internal and external wounds. So the next time you’re packing your beach bag or restocking your first aid kit, don’t forget to throw in a tube of aloe vera.

A few months ago, I was in Florida, visiting my sister. We went to one of those huge, outdoor open air markets. I went into a cosmetic section and saw “mood lipstick” for only $2.00 per tube. The  colors of the actual lipstick were either bright green or crazy purple. I bought a couple dozen just for fun, to give away as gag gifts.

After I distributed about a dozen or more as little presents, my co-workers and my nieces came up to me and exclaimed that they loved the mood lipstick I had given to them. I remarked, “Are you serious?” They informed me  that when they applied it, their lips turned a healthy pink color and  felt wonderfully smooth and soft.

I was curious, so I tried one of the lipsticks on my own lips to see what would happen, and, sure enough, I got a big surprise! Instead of my lips turning purple or green or some wild color, there appeared a pleasant pink tone which remained for at least three hours. Most other lipsticks wear off after 30 to 40 minutes.  Then, I immediately noticed that my lips felt smoother and much softer. My lips did not become chapped and dry as they sometimes do when using lip colors. I couldn’t believe it was only two dollars per tube!

I turned the lipstick tube over and read the ingredients on the bottom. The active ingredient was aloe vera. Well, that made rational sense. The gel from the aloe vera plant is known to repair and restore skin cell tissue. Aloe also softens the skin, cosmetically.  Aloe vera also speeds up the healing of dry, chapped skin, burnt skin and even decubiti sores (bed sores). I remember when I was a kid and we went to Florida for vacation. Being fair skinned, I got an awful sunburn. My grandmother picked off a stalk of her aloe vera plant from the back yard, peeled the skin off and a clear, gooey gel oozed out from the leaf. She gently dabbed the gel onto my burnt skin. It made a natural band aid.  I felt immediate comfort and relief from the red, painful sunburn. Way to go Grandmom – aloe vera gel to the rescue!!