Sometimes I need the vitamins and minerals and soothing that come only from herbs. It’s pretty often. 
Care to go on an herb-gathering walk through my little yard?
The first stop is chocolate mint…
Princess of the Universe is learning to identify herbs too…
I love all the peppermints, but chocolate mint is a favorite. I also have apple mint — another favorite, given to us by one of husband’s cousins up in Vilas, North Carolina. She has a beautiful yard! Mint is good for digestion, nervousness and insomnia, as well as other things. I drink it frequently, but I take a break from it at regular intervals too, as you should many medicinal herbs.
Some herbs — tonifying and nutritive herbs — can be taken on a daily basis with good effects.
The next stop is a nice bunch of dandelion leaves around the corner…
Dandelion is a known cholagogue, which means it helps promote and move bile. It also helps remove excess water from the body in edematous conditions, and it will diurese you without taking your minerals away! In fact, it feeds you as it diureses you! Dandelion is a great herb to use on a regular basis.
The next stop is a patch of bright green chickweed. Better enjoy it now! Once the intense summer heat arrives, the chickweed will disappear. Chickweed is a very cooling herb — great for “hot” conditions. I always sleep better after I’ve had some chickweed. There’s an old wive’s tale about chickweed being a weight loss remedy. I think it works. My cells just seem to let go of fat when I drink it regularly. Chickweed is very nutritive.
The next plant is nettles…
When you think of nettles, think of minerals! Nettle is good for the bones, the kidneys and the nerves and so much more. It is good for nursing mothers. Nettle is very tonifying. I love my patch of nettles and I hope it gets bigger and bigger. The children know not to run up against it. I use gloves if handling extensively. See the stingers?
It seems if I reach with intention, just to get the stems I want, the sticks are none or few. Still, nettles can cause severe skin irritation, so use caution!
Reaching for nettles.
The next stop is by a big lavender plant that sits just inside the vegetable garden…
Lavender is wonderful. The smell is intoxicating. How can it be a sedative and a stimulant? But it is! It is a cholagogue, carminative (helps remove gas from the intestines) and tonic. It is good for headaches. I usually put a few pretty little lavender leaves in my infusions.
The walk through the yard to gather the herbs is very therapeutic in itself. It is so relaxing. The scent and the feel of various herbs is good for me.
Next is sage…
Getting a few sage leaves. The herb basket is getting full
Sage helps stop the flow of milk in a nursing mother. Sage is good for stopping perspiration.
At the garden gate there’s a nice patch of violet leaves and cleavers…
Cleavers is a gentle lymphatic and urinary helper. I love violet leaves for their help with anything cystic. They are good for the respiratory system and are soothing as a gargle and for headaches. I eat many leaves and flowers in salads.
I have to stop and get a few plantain leaves — good for infection and inflammation. Plantain is demulcent.
Plantain.
The last stop is right near the door. Melissa, also known as lemon balm.
Melissa was named for the bees who love her so. Melissa, or lemon balm, is good for the nerves and for depression. I love to add it to my infusions.
Before going in, I grab some apple mint and plenty of rose petals.
These herbs do so much more than what I’ve even written here, but these are a few of the things I’m aware of as I’m picking them for my teas and infusions.
The herbs are ready to be looked over closely and put into a large jar. I check the herbs and set free any little bugs while I am waiting on the water to boil.
Herbs in the jar, waiting on boiling water. After steeping for even half an hour, I’ll have a cup. I love to drink it before bed. After a couple of hours of steeping, I strain into a clean quart jar and put in the fridge to sip on all the next day.
Lynn
PS – Just remember that I post this information for my own records. Please do not construe this as medical advice or diagnosis. You are responsible for what you do with herbs.
for you to leave a comment, but you can also e-mail me at lynn AT thehealthyhomeschool.com
Wow! this is so interesting! So do you have to worry about mixing some of the herbs?
Sheri,
Only if things conflict with each other in what they do, such as promoting blood flow or stopping blood flow. There are some herbs, such as licorice, that increase blood pressure, so some people would want to take care of that. Of course some herbs, such as bella donna, hellebore, digitalis, should only be used under close medical supervision, so I leave those alone completely.
As far as mixing, most herbs work even better in combination with another herb. You can look at the herbal tea bags you can purchase in the store. Many of them offer a combination of herbs in one bag.
I do a lot of reading and careful identifying. So far I have had only excellent results from my herbs.
Lynn
What lovely photos of you and your garden!! What a wonderful resource….I remember growing up on my Grandmother’s farm..she used to make a salad from Dandelion greens…I haven’t had it since!
Happy Happy Mother’s Day!
hugs,
Robin
Hi, Robin. Thank you for stopping by. I’ve been so busy this past week with my job training. I’ve got some blog-catching-up to do!
I love new, tender dandelion leaves in salads!
Lynn
Hi Lynn,
I loved your post about your herbal infusion. How does it taste? Is it really herbally tasting? LOL
Do you know how that infusion would work w/ a pregnant mom? I know you mentioned how some were good for lactating and those trying not to lactate, what would be a good concoction for a pregnant Mama?
I love visiting your site and wandering through your garden. I’d love to see it in person one day.
Hi, Linda. And I love wandering around your blog looking at all the excellent art work and reading about the cool things you cook up. Maybe we’ll get to meet in person one of these days!
Sometimes it tastes really herbally, but often flower blossoms (safe ones) will give it a sweeter taste. Mint goes a long way too as far as taste. I love that herbal taste, though, so it doesn’t bother me.
There are quite a few herbs for which books offer precautions for an expectant mother. There are also many that are good. I would be hesitant to even provide a list here because I’m not ever reading with that specifically in mind.
I would suggest a good herbal book or a visit with an herbalist to get started. I love Rosemary Gladstar’s books.
Lynn
[...] my own personal use, I simply pick leaves from the plants in my own garden and put them in my infusions. I don’t really grow enough bee balm to dry and store, though I’m thinking [...]