Ok, So unless you have been living under a rock or something, You should know a little about how evolutionary herbalism is and why you need to incorporate herbalism into your daily living.
Herbalism is the study of using herbs and their healthy benefits that promotes healthy living.
Herbs have been used for thousands of years for healing and health.
It is said that certain herbs can help with ailments; if a person is choosing to take a holistic approach to maintains a healthy body. I can not confirm nor deny it, but I can say it's a start for healthy living and learning how herbs work with the body. I just know what works for me and how I use them.
Now, I'm not saying start taking every herb in your cabinet; you have to consult with your doctor, most likely your holistic doctor, if you are on certain medicines, it's best to know what herbs do what they are and how they work.
I will link some excellent books throughout the blog. Like anything, you have to be cautious and not overdo it, and you will pay the price.
Why you Should Incorporate Herbalism.
Now let's take it to herbalism basics. Most people know a grandmother or great grandmother that would open their kitchen cabinets and pull out and a bunch of herbs and mixes it up or make it in a tea or tincture( syrup) or a rub of some kind.
Why? This is something passed down from generation to generation to keep the illness from taking over. Just think, for us who have slave ancestry, this was the only way to fight infection and save lives we won't get into that whole situation because we all know, But others that are native to this land, this was their way of life ,healing and spiritual.
It's essential to know-how, what, and why when dealing with herbs.
Some common herbs you use in your daily life are rosemary, Thyme, sage, cumin, black pepper, mint, and basil. That doesn't even scratch the surface of things you have used not just for flavor but to help your body maintain and or fight illness.
If you want to know more, Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 550 Herbs and Remedies for Common Ailments is a perfect book to have around your home.
I believe in the magic of preparation. You can make just about any foods taste lovely by adding herbs and spices. Experiment with garlic, cilantro, basil, and other fresh herbs on vegetables to make them taste great.
Jorge Cruise
Whether you know it or not, you probably incorporate plenty of herbs and spice into your daily living and receive all the nutrients and antioxidants from what you eat or drink; here, I have a list of 5 ways to incorporate herbs in your life as I do.
A Sip of Tea Please
Most people love the taste of tea, cold or hot, a lovely refreshing drink without 2 tons of sweetener, of course. My favorite night time blend is one of my own, Chamomile, Mint, Mullen, and a hint of honey and lemon.
If you are ready to relax after a long day, try this blend from my personal recipe that I will list down below. But tea is a great way to relax, energize, help with pain, reduce stress, and reduce some ailments you may suffer.
Every herb has its element that helps the body take the recipe mentioned above and enjoy.
Chamomile is good for relaxation, help with menstrual pain, muscle spasms, and reduces stress, but it the antioxidant that helps fight other ailments.
Mint is also a calming herb, ease upsets stomachs, improves energy, relieves menstrual cramps, and improve sleep.
Mullein leaf is good for reducing inflammations, relaxing the muscles in your respiratory tract; it also has some antiviral and antibacterial properties. It also helps said to help with asthma, bronchitis, Migraine, sleep cough, and pain.
All three of these herbs I mix up together in 3 equal parts; I put it in my cast iron teapot with a filter and let it steep for 10—15 minutes and top it off with a teaspoon of honey and lemon.
Now be aware this tea mix will have you relaxed and sleeping like a baby.
FYI I get my loose leaf teas from Mountain Rose Herbs, so check them out, they have not only herbs but have several holistic items I love to use.
What About the food
Umm, can you smell that !!! Baked chicken, rosemary potatoes, and sautéed herb zucchini. That sounds wonderful. Or how about Avocado Toast with tomatoes and mozzarella topped with basil or cilantro.
All that delicious food toped, seasoned and cooked with herbs somewhere in the recipe.
We all have eaten Basil, Cilantro, Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, or even that Italian blend sitting in the back of your cabinet that you never use but once. All of those herbs also have properties that help with your health by giving your body what it needs to help fight the unknown battle in your body.
It also makes your food tastes great!
It's herbalism which sparked my interest years ago, I took the time to learn the herbs and what fuel your body needs that the herbals provide, So to help you in that research, I'll link some books to help you.
If you have a hard time finding recipes, always check Pinterest that has been a lifesaver, but if you are a reader like me try, Cooking with Herbs: 50 Simple Recipes for Fresh Flavor .
Aromatherapy
Ever gone to bath and body works and walked around smelling every candle, spray lotion, and soap? Well, I have and do very often. If you ever read the back of their products for ingredients, sometimes you will see things like lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus.
These are all herbs that have oils made from them to use in products. Aromatherapy is a holistic healing treatment that uses plant extract/oils to improve health, mind, body, and soul. It also has been used for thousands of years, resins, balms, and oils.
Lavender used for anxiety, stress, and sleeping. I love lavender I keep my lavender mix with me to ease my anxiety; it helps with my PTSD; this can also be put into a diffuser. Smells amazing!
Eucalyptus is used in a things like Vicks VapoRub; it helps with cough, and it keeps mosquitoes and bugs away also, but that relaxed smell helps with your breathing and sinus. Every night I turn my diffuser on with a few drops of Eucalyptus oil.
Peppermint is used for your breath, colds, hair pain, food and everything under the sun, but it smells so fresh it is also a very relaxing smell.
You can go to any local health food store and find aromatherapy oils and blends, give it a try. It's one of my favorite thing to use to freshen my space. Want to know more check out The Complete Book of Essentials Oils and Aromatherapy, Completely Revised and Expanded and
Soothing Soaks
I LOVEEEE a lavish bath, I can spend an hour laying in a tub of water, with sprinkles of Epsom salt, a blend of my favorite essential oils. If I do spiritual bath, I will add my unique herb blend for whatever purpose needed.
Using herbs to soak helps in so many different ways; health-wise, the oil from the herbs and elements helps with body aches, soreness especially if you are a gym rat.
The herbs listed in Aromatherapy also helps with body aches and smells great when mixed with bath salts.
My favorite soaks this is not my own are Dr. Teal's Epsom Salt Soaking Solution and Foaming Bath with Pure Epsom Salt, Lavender
A Soak and a cup of my tea blend will surely give a relaxing night.
Spiritually
Herbs has significant place in working with spirit, god, and angels when dealing with spirituality.
I use herbs in my spiritual practices every time, herbals not only have healing attribute but they also have meaning and hold another type of power.
Herbs have been used for centuries in every religion and spiritual practice right down to what was used to prepare the corpse of a dead love one. Books like Everyday Herbs in Spiritual Life: A Guide to Many Practices (Art of Spiritual Living and Sacred Woman: A Guide to Healing the Feminine Body, Mind, and Spirit talks about how herbs heal and help with the mind body and soul. They also talk about how essential it is to the spiritual beliefs and practice throughout belief systems no matter what the belief.
Spiritual baths, Soaks, Yoni Steams, Burning of sage or Palo Santo to clear energies
are all as ancient uses of herbalism in daily life.
If you are serious about herbalism I want to know more here a few online classes that you can take to give you more information and maybe be on the way to be an herbalist. Basics of Herbalism Online and Mountain Rose herbs
DISCLAIMER I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND THIS SHOULD NOT BE USED FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR SOMETHING CAN BE SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS IF YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. For educational purposes only.