Abigails Herbs

Poison ivy, poison sumac and poison oak are the United States’ most allergenic plants. It is estimated that 65 % of Americans are sensitive to these plants and at least 2 million people each spring and summer break out in red, itchy rashes and hives in reaction to brushing up against one of these poisonous species. They are all related to each other.

I have a severe case of poison ivy now on my left arm. I try not to itch it but that is not easy. The irritating substance in poison ivy is urushiol, which is an oily substance found in the plant’s stem, leaves, bark and roots. Urushiol is one of the most potent toxins on the planet; less than one ounce of it would be enough to affect every single person on earth.

The rash often takes the form of a linear pattern; I have one long line of an intensely red rash running about three inches directly under my armpit. “If it’s not one thing, it’s another.” Symptoms can appear anywhere from a few hours to seven days after contact with the plants.

I decided not to use Calamine lotion this time. Instead, I used tea tree oil to disinfect and heal the wound area. I am using it at least three times per day along with aloe vera gel to stop the burning and the itching sensations. The good news is that it works.

Most people get poison ivy much worse as children. As in my case, once I became an adult, my cases were less severe. It is so easy to get- pets can rub up against you and give it to you if you are highly sensitive. The herbal alternatives work great for me, but remember, everyone responds differently. If  you or your loved one has a serious case of poison ivy, oak or sumac, do no hesitate to get to a doctor immediately.

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.

Spice up your life by using herbs for cooking. Instead of just drinking herbal teas or using the same old spices shaken from a bottle, try inventing a new and unusual dish. My boyfriend refuses to eat any kind of salad unless it is a Caesar salad with the dressing always on the side. Sometimes he will settle for a grilled chicken Caesar salad with the dressing on the side.

Now, I am just the opposite, so it is a wonder that we are still together after three years. For me, variety is the spice of life. The same old recipes  lose their interest for me.

Well, one day, I was getting ready to make a great lunch meal but could find  no lettuce. I was in the mood for an interesting and delicious salad, so I put together a pretty unusual mix. I took one pound of small leaf spinach, cut up two good size fresh mangoes, two medium red peppers and one-half cup of almond slivers. Then, I peeled and cut two kiwis and mixed it all together. Then, I thought very carefully, what else could really make this salad sizzle?  Then I thought of herbs for cooking, ran outside to my garden and picked five sprigs of very fresh peppermint. I washed it and put the peppermint leaves in the salad. I made the assessment that it was ready to be eaten.

I showed the  “Piece de resistance” to my boyfriend and he said, “disgusting.” I showed the salad to my daughter and she declared “YUK.”  Some of my friends also had the same reaction. However, when they tried the salad, they were delighted and they all wanted more.  All except for my boyfriend, who said that he would rather just have a Caesar salad with the dressing on the side.

I use a rasberry vinaigrette dressing on mine but you can choose whatever kind of dressing you prefer. The addition of fresh peppermint made an already wonderful salad “over the top.” Include organic herbs for cooking with as many meals as possible for taste as well as for health reasons. It’s worth it.

Turmeric has been used in Ayurvedics for thousands of years. It is a remarkable herb which speeds up wound healing and assists in remodeling damaged skin. The people of Samoa use turmeric successfully to treat lip blisters and skin sores. Mix dried turmeric powder with coconut oil until it forms a thick paste ( in equal parts), and rub the yellow cream onto the blister once per day until the sore disappears or until it scabs over.

Turmeric is a natural liver detoxifier and it is a helpful treatment for reducing  the painful symptoms of arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I use it freely in my famous egg salad recipe. Since turmeric  is one of the main ingredients of curry powder, I cook with it often as it tastes good and it brings me many health benefits.

So, if you like the tase of curry and desire a healthy body, try my amazing egg salad recipe:

1. Boil and chop up the eggs.
2. In a skillet, toast one-half cup of natural Quaker oats until they become a tawny-brown color.
3. Mix the toasted oats with the chopped hard boiled eggs and add low-fat mayonnaise, 2-3 teaspoons of curry(to taste), chopped celery and/or onions. Enjoy on bread or crackers.

This is a healthy way to vary from the standard old, boring egg salad recipe. Turmeric is one of the healthiest herbs on this planet.

Bergamot oil has a wonderful and pleasant scent. It is used to flavor Earl Grey and other kinds of teas. Bergamot oil has many health benefits.

One of  its’ benefits is that of treating dry scalp. Bergamot oil is great for dandruff. It also helps to alleviate psoriasis and eczema. When using bergamot for psoriasis, eczema or dandruff, it is recommeded that you wash your hair at least twice per week.

Regular hair washing is important while using  bergamot on the scalp because the bergamot will cause the extremely dry skin to fall off in large flakes. The great news is that after the dry flaky skin falls off, soft, supple healthy skin will be left in its’ place.  As an extra, added benefit, try rubbing some bergamot oil on dry skin, such as dry knees or elbows and you will feel your skin become more and more soft and healthy.

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.

Kava kava, from the kava root, is a valuable herb which is grown in the South Pacific islands. It is used extensively in Samoa to relieve stomach aches and back and body pains.  The kava root is ground into powder and mixed with water to make a mouth tingling herbal health drink which results in a deeply relaxing sensation.

The kava root is also mixed with fruit oils and can be taken under the tongue to produce a state of ecstatic relaxation. Kava has a very strong and  powerful taste, but when it is mixed with spices like cloves or  fruit oils, it produces a more pleasant taste.

Don’t drink more than 16 ounces in a single, one-hour period because kava can make you feel too relaxed; you may become  sleepy and even light-headed.  It is a good idea to drink a kava beverage right before bedtime. There are no side effects if used in moderation. Use herbal alternative responsibly for best results.

In an age where people are increasingly aware of their health, it’s more and more common for people to take multiple tactics against various ailments. In this way, people not only use standard western medicine, but they also are using herbs and other holistic approaches in conjunction with that conventional medicine. And as this becomes more accepted, people are becoming aware of the fact that herbs can be used for more than just medicine.

Rather, people are incorporating herbs into many different arenas of their life. As such, it’s common now to find herbs for cooking. This can range from various oils to herbal spices. In this way, you not only get a tasty additive to your meal, but you also get ingredients that can work to improve your overall health. Everyone reacts differently, of course, but some people truly respond well to these daily doses of herbs.