Horses and Milk

 

Herbs are designed to be a "lifestyle". Wholesome lifestyles produce the kind of health you can expect. A couch potato will not have the same kind of physique, mental acuity or outlook on life as an active person. 

A daily habit affects your well-being. It molds the trajectory of where you are going and where you will end up. Folks who only want or take herbs to zero in on a current health problem are missing the boat. Will echinacea help your immune system fight off a cold? Yes. But, wouldn't it be smart to avoid that cold altogether?

Enter INFUSIONS. I love, love, love herbal infusions. They are simple, effective and fun. You simply put some herbs in a jar, add hot water and wait. They will work their transformative magic while you are sleeping. The next morning, strain and drink! Could anything be easier?

The combination of milky oats and horsetail is nothing short of miraculous. I got this idea from Marjorie Wildcraft with  THE GROW NETWORK .  She is awesome over there teaching everyone how to create a self-sufficient homestead. You go girl.

I love and believe in it so much I devoted an entire chapter to Milky Oats/Horsetail in my book  FAVORITE FLU FIGHTERS . (Horses and Milk-page 197).

 Together Milky Oats and Horsetail help with a whooping 57 things in your body! I'm reminded of the laundry list of side effects pharmaceutical companies list in the television commercials...except mine is a gargantuan list of GOOD THINGS that happen when you regularly take Milky oat/Horsestail herbal infusion. 

One of those things on the good list is improving anxiety, stress and elevates your mood. Oh my goodness! In today's world that will help just about everyone. Another "good thing" is improves your sleep. I know so many folks with sleep disruptions and disorders, it's scary. Another is anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. And, helps achieve great skin and hair. I could go on...and on.... and on....remember the good list is 57 items long!

So, if you are game to begin a healthy regimen, this milky oat/horsetail herbal infusion may be your ticket.

Infusion unstrained and strained

 In a jar:

•  1 cup milky oats (Avena)  (1 oz)                                           
• 1/8 cup (just under 2 T) horsetail (Equisetum arvense)       
• 4 cups just under boiling filtered water 

Leave at least an inch of space at the top of the jar. Put on a lid and leave on countertop overnight. The next morning, strain (add herbs to your compost or feed your earthworms). Put the infusion into a jar and store in the frig. Drink it cold or hot (do not boil and PLEASE don't use the microwave!), you can add honey or lemon. Or you can add it to other herbal drinks or juice. You can freeze it into ice cubes. Go wild!

 Your goal is to drink a quart a day---make the infusion every night after supper and soon it will be a habit. Don't fret if you don't drink a daily quart....drink what you can and build up to the 32 oz. But, PLEASE, give it a chance and take it every day for 30 days. Build a habit. Build health.

Who knows, you may just wake up with a calm control and peaceful demeanor that suits you.

Green Blessings!!!   

 elizabeth   Col 3:23

   Avena sativa

 

 

 

Tis the Season!

We love the holidays, but let's face it, the season brings stress. Herbs, those wonderful green allies, can come to the rescue. Herbs are wonderful diverse little commodities. You can drink, bathe, steam or soak. And, children aren’t the only ones who need quiet time.

Ok, let’s relieve some stress. Have a seat, sit back, close your eyes. Tighten all your muscles as if you were getting ready for the 40-yard dash. Hold it, hold it. Now, relax. Feel yourself sinking into the chair, through the floor, into the earth. You’re cradled in the earth. Breathe slowly. Slooooowly. For five to ten minutes let your mind drift into nature. A favorite park. A river. A tree. A garden. A fountain. If your thoughts go to your next appointment, or the fact you have nothing planned for dinner or taxes, gently pull your mind back to birds taking a bath in a puddle or children playing on the grass. After your ten-minute break, bring the peacefulness you felt with you, slowly become aware of your surroundings and open your eyes. Refreshed!

Now, for herbs. Using herbs for stress relief is so easy. And, it’s safe. And, it’s healthy. For tea, as a general rule of thumb, use 1 tsp per cup. Loose tea is always BETTER than tea bags. Good choices are chamomile, lemon balm or catmint. I have a blend of all three of these gentle stress busters in my Sunshine Tisane available at www.GBHfarm.com.

To make an herbal infusion use 1 cup of herbs per quart of water. Pour boiling water over the herbs, steep for about 15 minutes. Strain into bath water or a foot tub and soak away your troubles. For a facial, make in a large bowl, pour boiling water over the herbs, put your face over the bowl and cover your head with a towel.

A few more relaxing herbs are: lavender, hops, passionflower, valerian.