My Philosophy on Medicine

I thought that I should explain my views on traditional vs alternative medicine, least you misunderstand what I'm doing here on my blog.

I believe that God has given us great knowledge, both in the medical arena, and in nature's bounties. If it hadn't been for medical knowledge, my father wouldn't have had the extra 20 years with his family, and would have died from kidney failure. So I do value medical knowledge. However, I do feel that there is great value in the herbs that God put on the earth for our benefit. In fact, I do know that a lot of the medicines that have been developed, are based on the properties of herbs. Since no one can patent a naturally available growing species, pharmaceutical companies develop the herbs synthetically in order to make money on them. The problem with creating medicines synthetically, elements are missing or added, that can cause problems. Man cannot improve upon what God has made. But, I also don't believe that we should only use herbs and shun medicine.

I believe that I have achieved a happy medium. I do what I can with herbs and alternative medicine first. I feel it relieves the load at doctor's offices, and saves on money. I research the symptoms and what herbs/alternative medicines help with those health problems. I do all I can to practice on myself and family, to relieve the symptoms or attack the source of the problem. After all I can do, if the problem isn't cured or alleviated after a few weeks, then I will go to the doctor.

So, I believe my philosophy is a moderate position in health care. Just so you understand, I do not say that these remedies are prescriptions and guarantee a return of robust health. That is up to God. These recipes are to aid in your use of herbs, and to help in your research for caring for yourself, your family, and others. Be wise and prayerful.

Knot Weed

Decongestant Inhalant

1 cup water
2 teaspoons powdered eucalyptus leaves
2 teaspoons powdered rosemary leaves
2 teaspoons powdered pennyroyal leaves and flower tops

Bring water to boil in a saucepan. Add herbs and simmer on low heat. Turn off heat and remove pan to a heatproof surface. Inhale the vapors deeply. It is helpful to drape a towel over head and pan, trapping the steam vapors. Careful not to let the steam burn you.

How to Dry Herbs

Drying herbs is an easy procedure. First pick herbs in the morning hours. Rinse and pat dry. Herbs can be bundled and hung upside down in a warm, dry area of the house. Let hang for several weeks until dry and crisp.

Another method of drying (which I prefer) is to place dry herbs in a brown paper bag like those from grocery stores. fold over the top and secure with a paperclip. Date bag and herb enclosed. Daily shake bag. After two weeks, herb is dried and ready to store.

Store dried herbs in ziplock bags or jars. Label and date.

Horehound Cough Drops and Syrup

Cough Drops
Make a decoction (simmer chopped root in water until most of the liquid is simmered down). Strain into container. Cover same root pieces again with more water and repeat procedure once more or just make a strong tea from the leaves and use that liquid. Add equal amount of honey or sugar to that of the simmered decoction or infused (tea) liquid. Add lemon juice if desired. Boil to hard-crack stage. Pour or drop on buttered cookie sheet, cool. Pull like taffy if you desire or cut into small pieces. With a flour sifter, sprinkle powdered sugar over pieces of horehound drops to remove stickiness. Wrap each piece in wax paper. Keep cool.


Syrup
After making a strong infusion, add sugar (2 parts infusion to 1 part sugar), lemon juice and boil only until juice is thickened. Add butter or vegetable oil and a little cayenne pepper for better results. Store in glass jar in refrigerator.

How to Make a Tincture

A tincture is a concentrated infusion of herbs using a liquid that draws out the medicinal properties of an herb. A common liquid to use is grain alcohol. It will draw out the most of the medicinal properties of herbs. If that is unavailable (or not desired), use vodka, raw apple cider vinegar, or vegetable glycerin. The effectiveness of the liquid is less when using vinegar or glycerin; however, glycerin is more appealing in the use of cough syrups.

How to make tincture: Select herb. An herb that I use a lot is Lobelia. It is very effective in removing congestion from body. Gather the herb and half fill a quart jar with the herb(s) that you desire. Pour liquid of choice into jar, covering the herbs entirely. Close jar with plastic lid, and let set on counter out of the sunlight for two weeks. Shake daily to mix. After two weeks, strain liquid from herbs into another jar. Throw away used herbs from jar. Lable tincture and date. Store in dark cupboard. Ready to use.

Welcome

Welcome to my herb blog. I'm sorry that I'm so slow at getting the herbs posted from the Fair demo. They are coming, but the garden is demanding most of my time now. Keep watching for the updates.