Post by Jenny on Jan 16, 2005 1:54:23 GMT -5
This is just sort of a little intro into herbal remedies, and why I started using them. My first experience with home remedies was years ago when Chuck started getting the flu, or some such thing. He wouldn't even take Tylenol to help his fever or aches. I asked him if he'd be willing to drink a tea from things I could gather. To my surprise, he agreed. 
That meant I'd have to figure out something. I'd never done anything like that before.
We had a book on plants of Alaska, so I started looking for things that might help him feel better fast. The book said that willow has the same thing as aspirin, but we didn't have any willow nearby. Birch bark has the same stuff, so I peeled some of that. I also read that Yarrow was good for fevers and cold symptoms, and would give a boost to the immune system, so I picked a few yarrow flowers. We had lots of wild mint growing nearby, so I tossed in a little for good measure. I'd heard it was good for upset stomach, and made a nice tea.
I crushed everything and put it in a pan. Poured boiling water over the goodies, covered it and waited about 20 minutes before pouring my dear hubby a cup of the delightful brew. I tested it before giving it to him.
That was the most horrible tasting stuff I'd ever put in my mouth ! ! ! He still agreed to drink it if I thought it would make him feel better. I felt so sorry for him that I poured myself a cup so he wouldn't have to suffer alone. 
Well, we went to bed after downing the tea. Next morning we were both surprised. That was the best night's sleep either of us could remember in a long time. The best part was that his fever, stuffy head, all the aches and pains were completely gone, and stayed away. That sold both of us on wild medicinal herbs. He was so amazed at how much better he felt after only one cup of tea.
Since that night, I've learned so much more about wild plants, as well as garden-type herbs and other natural remedies. I'll be making more posts. Hard to know where to begin. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know about this. I do hope our guests and current members will share their knowledge about herbs and home remedies. It's so important to learn to properly identify plants, and so exciting to learn how to use them and see how they benefit you and your family.
Jenny
That meant I'd have to figure out something. I'd never done anything like that before. We had a book on plants of Alaska, so I started looking for things that might help him feel better fast. The book said that willow has the same thing as aspirin, but we didn't have any willow nearby. Birch bark has the same stuff, so I peeled some of that. I also read that Yarrow was good for fevers and cold symptoms, and would give a boost to the immune system, so I picked a few yarrow flowers. We had lots of wild mint growing nearby, so I tossed in a little for good measure. I'd heard it was good for upset stomach, and made a nice tea.
I crushed everything and put it in a pan. Poured boiling water over the goodies, covered it and waited about 20 minutes before pouring my dear hubby a cup of the delightful brew. I tested it before giving it to him.
That was the most horrible tasting stuff I'd ever put in my mouth ! ! ! He still agreed to drink it if I thought it would make him feel better. I felt so sorry for him that I poured myself a cup so he wouldn't have to suffer alone. 
Well, we went to bed after downing the tea. Next morning we were both surprised. That was the best night's sleep either of us could remember in a long time. The best part was that his fever, stuffy head, all the aches and pains were completely gone, and stayed away. That sold both of us on wild medicinal herbs. He was so amazed at how much better he felt after only one cup of tea. Since that night, I've learned so much more about wild plants, as well as garden-type herbs and other natural remedies. I'll be making more posts. Hard to know where to begin. The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know about this. I do hope our guests and current members will share their knowledge about herbs and home remedies. It's so important to learn to properly identify plants, and so exciting to learn how to use them and see how they benefit you and your family.
Jenny
also back to eden by jethro kloss is a pretty good book.