Abigails Herbs

Flu, and its’ friend, the cold, are caused by viruses. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses. When my daughter came down with the H1N1 flu this past October, my doctor told me to keep her hydrated and to let it run its’ course. I had orders to give Ibuprofen to keep her fever down and to take her to the Emergency Room if her fever had risen above 104 degrees. I was thankful that it did not get over 103 degrees. My daughter stated that it felt like needles were sticking deep through her muscles and into her bones. She cried, “I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” She was in severe pain with muscle spasms in her back and through her legs.

I made sure that my daughter drank plenty of filtered water with lemon and that she drank lots of fruit juice without high fructose corn syrup in it.  As there are  quite a few tea mixtures that can help with cold/flu symptoms, I made sure that my daughter drank plenty of herbal teas. Chamomile tea works well. Herbal teas with blends of peppermint and licorice also work well to squelch coughs and to soothe sore throats. For respiratory ailments, look for teas containing  licorice, fennel, and horehound. For sinus ailments and headaches, look for chamomile, echinacea, goldenseal and bayberry.

Of course, don’t forget the Vitamin C. Take at least 2000 mg. per day as it lowers your histimine levels, giving you relief from sinus congestion, watery eyes, sniffling, and sneezing. Fresh fruits and vitamins are a must this time of year. Incidentally, my daughter recovered within 5 days of acquiring the swine flu and is still doing well.

1. Whether you are a natural blonde or if you are “blonded by science” like me, there is a DIY hair treatment you can give yourself to make your yellow tresses softer, brighter and shinier. Instead of depending on store-bought products, loaded with chemicals and unhealthy substances, you can easily condition your hair with natural food products and it is fun (and creative) to make your own conditioner.

You will need one lemon, one-half cup chamomile tea and one raw potato at room temperature. Here are the steps involved:

1. Squeeze the juice from the lemon.
2. Grate the potato and blend with the lemon to form a paste.
3. Add the chamomile tea and stir.
4. Shampoo, then spread the mask throughout your hair, massaging lightly.
5. Cover your head with a PVC-free shower cap or plastic wrap, then lightly heat with a hair dryer for 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Rinse, then style as usual.

The chamomile and lemon act as whitening agents, and the acidic lemon juice allows potato enzymes, which help to brighten blonde hair, to break through the tough, keratin outer layer of the hair.   You will love the results – stunning!

To soothe hot, malodorous feet, soak your feet in a tub of black tea for ten minutes. The tannic acid in the tea literally changes the skin’s Ph level, making it unattractive to odor-causing bacteria. The natural astringency of the black tea helps to reduce foot odor.

More good news! The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomille tea helps to reduce razor bumps along your bikini line. Make sure to cleanse the irritated area first with soap and water and then place cool, damp chamomille tea bags over the irritated razor stubble for at least five minutes.

Of course, if your skin becomes aggravated and rough after shaving, you can always use aloe vera gel to soothe and ease the painful bumps.

Chamomille  has been consumed in the form of  tea  in many different  countries over the past 30 years. There is increasing scientific evidence which indicates that chamomille tea can inhibit the enzymes which are responsible for causing diabetic complications and  it  contains  phytonutrients that can actually decrease blood sugars.

Recent studies out of the University of  Toyama in Japan and The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research in the United Kingdom support these health claims. In the studies, chamomille extract was added to the diets of  diabetic lab rats for 21 consecutive days. Concurrently,  a control group of diabetic rats were administered a daily diet of food without the presence of chamomille for the same 21 day period.

The results of the study indicated that the rats fed without chamomille did not change. Nearly 100% of the chamomille-fed rats showed lowered blood sugar levels. They also had lower levels of two enzymes which work to cause diabetic complications such as diabetic neuropathy (cataracts), retinopathy (retinal damage of the eye) and nephropathy (kidney damage).

This wonderful study suggests that daily consumption of chamomille tea could lead to the prevention of the progress of  hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) as well as diabetic complications.

I caught one big cold two days ago. I try to avoid colds like the plague but it was too late. My daughter infected me with her terrible cold during the weekend of her prom. I would rather vomit profusely than have a stuffed up head and a cough that keeps me up all night after it starts the post nasal drip. I always fear and dread getting bronchitis too.

I am the type of person who likes to keep busy so for me to lay down and try to rest is not an easy task. The man at this local tea store had told me about how chamomile tea and lavender, mixed with lemon balm make a great infusion to help people to relax. Since neither one of these herbs contain caffeine, they are safe to drink as a tea before bed.

Well, I definitely needed help getting to sleep. I was tossing and turning and blowing my nose constantly. I was feeling disgusted with my infected head and with my state of mind. I just wanted to rest and sleep peacefully. I went down to the kitchen and put some water in the tea pot. I mixed some chamomile dried flowers, some lemon balm and some lavender dried flowers together, put them in the tea sac and let the hot water brew. It smelled heavenly.

I drank the mixture of chamomile, lavender and lemon balm tea and before I knew it, I was in dream land, snoring away. From then on, I drink this blend of herbal teas to insure a good night’s sleep with serenity and calmness.

The presence of heartburn or gastroesophageal irritation is a horrible burning sensation that one gets after eating. It is a condition that can lead to Barrett’s esophagus, which can induce cancer.

Heartburn or GERD (Gastroesophageal Relfux Disease) is characterized by pain, bloating, gas, nausea, shortness of breath and/or a burning, sour or acidic taste in the throat or mouth.

This condition is usually caused by too much acid in one’s body. It is a serious warning that we need to balance the acidic/alkalinic levels in our bodies. Over 60 million Americans have heartburn – and they are suffering. So many Americans neglect to eat fresh fruits and vegetables. A diet rich in fried foods, processed foods, meats, soda and starches, without healthy green vegetables and colorful fruit  renders a person victim to these preventible diseases. Smoking also irritates the esophagus.

Talk to a person who is suffering from heartburn or other serious gastric conditions and they will tell you that they never ate veggies or fruit or that they did not ever care for fruits or vegetables when they were growing up. This is a condition called acidosis and it can be prevented by a proper diet.

For heartburn you can try drinking  fresh celery or cabbage juice. Also, leave the peel on a raw potato and make into fresh potato juice to drink. I use a Jack LaLane juicer. When you feel heartburn coming on, drink a big glass of water. Eat fresh papaya and pineapple for the digestive enzymes (bromelain). Sip one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, mixed with water during meals; (do not drink anything else with meals though).  Avoid peppermint, sugar, spearmint, tomatoes or tomato sauce, fried foods, onions, carbonated foods or gravies, cheeses and cream sauce. Probiotics help also.

Aloe vera helps in the healing of the intestinal tract. Deglycrrhizinated licorice has effectively treated both heartburn as well as stomach and esophageal ulcers. Fennel, ginger, catnip, marshmallow root and papaya tea all act as buffers to stop heartburn and aid in proper digestion. Finally, a soothing cup of  chamomile tea helps to relieve the irritation in the esophagus. That is good news!

Get lithmus paper at your local pharmacy to test you acid/alkaline balance regularly.