Morgan County Herbal Therapy

05/17/2025

Chamomile (matricaria recutita)

The chamomile at my house is starting to bud and I can't wait to start harvesting it. Chamomile I think, does not get the respect she deserves. Most people see 'chamomile' and think 'sleepytime tea'. And while that is true (most of the time), it pigeonholes this lovely herb. Chamomile is so much more.

Matricaria recutita has a picture that goes with her of the type of people that need her: Whiny, can't be comforted, tummy troubles, can't rest - "I'm just miserable, and nobody understands." Even the flower essence for chamomile reads 'for those that don't want to be comforted.' If that doesn't describe a whiny toddler, I don't know what does!

That's another nice thing about chamomile - it's safe for children. It's slightly sedative and tastes very good. A cup of weak chamomile tea with a little honey (for those over the age of 2) could become a very nice way to settle things down if it has been a rough day.

Chamomile has several herbal actions: sedative, anti-spasmodic, bitter (helps with digestion), antiseptic, antibacterial (against certain strains of strep), carminative (gets rid of gas), antipyretic (fever-reducing). She is so much more than just a sleep aid.

For some people, chamomile does not have a sedative effect at all. In fact, it's the opposite: chamomile is like a cup of coffee or tea. These same folks may have opposite reactions to valerian as well.

Matricaria can be quite effective relief for menstrual cramps, or nervous indigestion. Muscle cramping is another indication for chamomile.

SO SO much more than just 'sleepytime tea'!

04/26/2025

Oh my y'all. We cleaned out a shed today, and I am BEAT. Way to much activity for an old lady - I did arm, leg, and core day all in the same day!

So... if you do this like me (and I even had help!), what are ways that you can help tomorrow morning not be so bad? I know I will be hurting in the morning, but I can make it better.

First - hydrate. My muscles have worked a lot, and produced a lot of waste products. I need water to help get rid of them.

Second - anti-inflammatories. I could reach for the ibuprofen (better choice for sore muscles than acetaminophen). Instead I will take an additional dose of turmeric tonight before bed, and probably a little extra tomorrow morning.

Third - I know my muscles are tired, but that won't necessarily keep them from cramping (especially since there were stairs involved today). Magnesium in the form of an Epsom salt bath and some CALM powder will help with any cramps I might get later this evening.

Fourth - repeated activity. This is the first real all day long 'workout' I've had since last fall. If I do this again within a couple weeks, it will help build up my stamina rather than kick my behind. since the gardening season is about to hit full swing, that shouldn't be a problem.

But now - I think I'm going to go take a nap.

04/21/2025

Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)

Just look at her! I imagine this plant as a mom with unbrushed hair that is just losing her mind and shaking her head and screaming. Surprisingly, I've had folks from out of state nod knowingly and say, "Oh. You grow your own." No - it's not ma*****na. Please don't steal and smoke all my motherwort.

Motherwort is a slightly cool and dry plant. I like it best in tea (perhaps it is the tea routine that allows for slowing down as well) blended with other herbs. It does tend to taste bitter on its own. We use the aerial parts (leaves and flower buds) for herbal usage. For tea, a tablespoon to a cup of hot water, steeped for 10-20 minutes. As a tincture, 20-40 drops 1-4 times a day.

Think back to that poor frazzled mama: she is anxious, her blood pressure is up, she can't sleep, she's got some nerve pain, and her period should have started 2 days ago. Maybe there's a little hyperthyroid issue going on too. Motherwort is the perfect herb for her.

Motherwort has been used for atrial fib, palpitations, nerve pain from herpes, insomnia, anxiety. Another species (L. heterophyllus) has been shown to thin blood (another plus if you are treating a-fib during the zombie apocalypse). It is also indicated for a 'stuck' or late me**es.

Motherwort is a member of the Lamiaceae family with other mints, so it does spread. Right now, there is a battle in my front yard between horehound and motherwort (both mints) as to who is taking over the whole yard. It really is a lovely plant and bees like it, but it will take over the world if not controlled.

Because of its emmenagogue (uterine stimulant) effects, motherwort is not for anyone that is pregnant.

Seems with the world the way it is today, we could all use a lovely cup of motherwort tea (with some lemon balm, skullcap, betony, and rum thrown in)!

03/20/2025

Thank you to every one that was online with me yesterday. Hope to talk with you soon. Special thanks to Sarah Arntt for setting it up.

03/16/2025

Flower Essences 101

One of the certificates I have is for Flower Essence Therapy. So what is it? FE is a vibrational therapeutic - like homeopathy, sound bowls, or music. They are created from spring water that particular flowers have been infused in, then preserved with brandy. The essence (full strength is called the mother) is further diluted to 'stock strength', then even more to 'dosage strength'. FE therapy helps to break down emotional blockages that hold us back from our full potential.

My first experience with flower essences was while I was attending herb school. The instructor came in and I was thinking: "I get herbs. Herbs have active ingredients (constituents), but what is this? Special water? O. K. Maybe this won't be long and I can beat the traffic home. I need to pick up dog food and ....."

As with many things in herb school, we tried them. She divided the class in half - half took white chestnut (my half), the other half took hornbeam. Pretty soon, I was thinking, "If she doesn't start talking a lot more, I'm gonna fall asleep." White Chestnut is to stop circular thoughts. Many people use it before meditating or going to bed to help stop all those thoughts that tend to just keep chasing themselves through your mind. I could remember my shopping list, but it took a little effort to bring it back to the forefront of my thoughts.

Since then, I have had several other experiences with flower essences that have significantly helped with emotional processes. There are thousands of different FEs out there, but the standard ones are the 38 that were studied by Dr. Edward Bach back in the 1930s.

One of the most familiar flower essences is Rescue Remedy, also called Five Flower essence. It is a combination of 5 flower essences that work very well in situations where there is a lot of trauma, pain, or fear.

So - do they work? I have two thoughts on this: One is that we don't fully understand everything. We didn't understand in the 1930s that penicillin worked by disrupting the cellular walls of bacteria - we just knew it helped cure pneumonia. I don't know how FEs specifically work, I just know that they do (although this link to the work of Dr. Emoto is very interesting. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qQUFvufXp4. If you are very interested, there is a much longer documentary at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wH0VczXhLg ).

On the other hand, what if it is simply the placebo effect? If it helps you to cope, conquer your fears, inspires you, encourages you, let go of something that is not serving you well... if it helps, does it matter?

There are typically no side effects to flower essences, and unlike herbs, if formulated incorrectly, FE cause no harm - they just don't really do anything. If formulated well, they can have pretty profound effects, I have had clients that used them to help with addiction, hyperactivity, fear, and relationship issues. Flower essences can be used long term or for a short time, depending on what the concern is.

Now, I'm off to take a little Mimulus (for known fears) and Cherry Plum (for frustration) before I start working on setting up a website!

Masaru Emoto was born in Yokohama, Japan in July 1943 and a graduate of the Yokohama Municipal University's department of humanities and sciences with .Posit...

03/09/2025

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03/08/2025

Cheating again with a blog post... but try to hang in there with me. I'm hoping to have some exciting developments (at least for me) later this week.

Skin Care and Surgery

Because this came up at my house this week, I thought - why not blog about it? The man of the house had to have minor (it's only minor if it's not you, by the way) surgery. While we got great pre-op teaching, not everyone does, so here goes:

If you are having surgery, things need to be very clean - your body, your house, your bed, everything you can think of. In his case, the man had to shower using Hibiclens (4% chlorhexidine) soap the night before and the morning of surgery. Your surgical pre-op team should instruct you on this. The soap needs to stay on your skin for a while, so lather up in the shower, then turn the water off and wait at least 3 minutes before washing off. Use a clean towel each time you shower.

Fresh sheets and pillow cases the night before surgery, and changed frequently if you are in bed for a few days after surgery. In his case, the man is using a recliner, so a fresh sheet draped over the recliner (after you have cleaned it as much as possible). Dog hair, engine grease, and dirt or manure are not great for fresh surgical wounds, so..... yeah, clean.

After surgery, watch the surgical incision for infection. If the incision starts getting puffy, red, or draining anything other than a pale yellow clear fluid, you need to contact your surgeon. There may be additional things to be aware of if you are sent home with any kind of drain or wound vac. Most of the time, you can shower about 24 hours after surgery, but try to keep the incision itself as dry as you can. Very gentle washing (no scrubbing) and pat dry. Follow what your surgical team suggests.

Wound healing (even if it's a surgical wound) requires really good hydration and extra protein. Water is great, but you could do gatorade, powerade, or (best) body armor drinks to help if you are nauseated or having a hard time getting food down. If eating is a problem, add some protein powder (I like Vital Proteins collagen powder because I can't taste it) to whatever you are eating or drinking.

Herbs to consider:

Calendula (Calendula officinalis): probably the primary herb for any type of skin issue. It is anti-inflammatory and promotes lymph drainage. It also helps with formation of granulation tissue.
Yarrow (Achillea millifolium): helps with flabby, boggy tissue. Yarrow is considered a 'warrior' herb - it will help prevent bleeding, help get rid of bruising, and tighten up blood vessels (decrease vascular congestion).
Comfrey (Symphytum officinale): This is an herb you MUST be very careful with. It is no longer recommended for oral use - topical only. Comfrey salve must NOT be put IN a wound at all, ever. It has an amazing ability for cell proliferation - in other words, it may make the skin heal before the tissue below heals - and that can lead to issues like abscesses. I'm not saying comfrey is not a great herb - it just must be used with caution and appropriate education. Some research shows that if taken orally, it can lead to liver damage.
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): Marshmallow is full of goop (ok, ok - the proper term is mucilage) that is great for wound healing. Originally, one of the primary uses of marshmallow was for poultices for wounds. It makes a great wash for wounds (think abrasions, but any wound is appropriate) and a nice slightly sweet tea.
Aloe (Aloe barbadensis): you don't think I'd forget this one, did you? Aloe is again, one of the primary herbs for skin issues. You can use aloe internally, but it is a purgative (think laxative on steroids), so dosing is... cautious. Aloe gel works great to help with the itching after surgery when the skin is healing. It also can soothe where adhesives were if you get a bit itchy from them. It is great for healing wounds and irritated tissues.

As a (kind of) side note: When I was having radiation treatments for cancer, the nurses advised me to use Aquaphor every day. I asked how this would be different from baby oil and laying out on a tar roof. Instead, every day I made a pint of marshmallow and calendula tea (well, I made it the night before and left in the fridge). After radiation, I would use part of it to wash my face and neck then I would drink the rest on the drive home. When I got home, I slathered aloe gel on my neck and face. On the weekends, when I had no treatments, I would use the Aquaphor. I did not have even a first degree burn - and I had a total of sixty treatments. I think this would work just as well for any kind of sunburn or maybe even a chemical burn after the initial treatment.

02/02/2025

Ok - I admit I'm cheating and copy and pasting from my blog. I'm running a little short on time, money, and energy!

Herbs for Respiratory Gunk
In my corner of the world, Flu A is running rampant. Following close behind are COVID, strep, pertussis (whooping cough), and RSV. It’s that time of year.

This little blog ‘o mine is NOT a substitute for medical care. If you have an illness that’s not resolving, please see your doctor. Pertussis and strep are treated with antibiotics, and flu is sometimes treated with Tamiflu.

However, we are also seeing a lot of people that either don’t want to treat a viral issue they are having with standard medical protocol, or that the virus they have is not showing up on any panels. This post is for you.

Herbs have been used for centuries to treat coughs and congestion. In fact, there is a particular term, “catarrh”, for that chronic build up of mucus in the back of your throat that makes you go ‘ahem’ ‘ahem’ ‘AHEM’ over and over again. These herbs will help.

I am partial to putting them into a syrup made of pineapple juice – and yes, I use sugar in it. If I used honey, it could not be used by those younger than 2 due to botulism concerns. As it is, I would not use it for those under a year (too many concerns for allergies, in my opinion). While I like to keep my formula quiet, I will share some of the herbs I use and why.

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis): This herb helps to coat the throat and add extra moisture. When your throat is raw and torn up from coughing, marshmallow will goop it up and help it heal. While the herb is thought of for respiratory issues, it was originally used as a poultice for skin issues. Our insides and outsides aren’t so different, and marshmallow can help with it all. It also adds some sweet if you are using it as a tea.

Elecampane (Inula helenium): This one helps with the chronic coughs of bronchitis, sinusitis, and emphysema. Its constituents are interesting: some have been shown to be antimycobacterial (tuberculosis is a mycobacterium) and hemostatic (helps to stop bleeding).

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): Is a mild expectorant and helps to heal lung tissue. It tastes quite nice and can cover some of the other tastes in formula. It helps to relax tissue and open up respiratory passages. This herb and elecampane are not for use in pregnancy.

Wild Cherry Bark (Prunus spp.): This is an herb that is helpful in small amounts. Again, not for use in pregnancy, but in other stages of life, cherry bark is amazing to help soothe irritability. It is indicated for irritations of mucus membranes in the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urinary tracts. Symptoms like diarrhea, chronic cough, cystitis, and even palpitations can be helped by this herb.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus): Another traditional herb for coughs and congestion, mullein is more indicated for dry hacking coughs. It works as an expectorant, but also helps with moisturizing the respiratory tract. This herb is covered with tiny fine hairs, so anytime it is used, it must be strained very well (I use coffee filters for this).

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): I like to add a little mint to my formula for its antispasmodic effect. That and taste.

Hopefully this will give you some ideas on herbs to use to help with the seasons gifts that just keep giving (these germs have been passed around so much here!). If you’re not up for even making a cup of tea, just try some pineapple juice. Pineapple (the fresher the better, but even canned will work) contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down protein which (sorry to gross you out) is what mucus is.

Other options to help with this stuff are using an herbal steam with peppermint or thyme (both are somewhat antiseptic and will help open up your nasal passages), chicken soup (because protein and fluids are very important!), and lots of rest.

I hope that you are feeling better in no time, or even better, that you don’t get this stuff at all!

10/24/2024

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10/23/2024

It's one of the busiest times of the year for me. I'm harvesting herbs and produce and making good stuff like elderberry elixir and cough elixir and soup! If you are interested in getting something for yourself formulated, or buying elderberry or cough elixir, please text or email me. My contact info is above in the 'about' tab. Have a lovely, safe, and healthy fall!

10/01/2024

First, an apology. I'm sorry that my FB page is not updated anywhere near as often as it should be. I find FB to be difficult to post on, and of those who know me in real life will tell you, I'm loquacious (your new word for the week!).

With that in mind, I would love for you to visit my blog, simplethriftandherbs.com. Hope to see you there.

To state the obvious, food prices are insane. And I am enough of a Midwestern/Southern girl, that having a can of cream of fill-in-the-blank soup means I can fix a casserole with anything. But those cream soups get expensive. Looking at Walmart online, they are 72 cents a can today. (I know, I reall...