Lois

What a wonderful undertaking, I have spent a few hours reading. Looks like you had a lot of fun while doing this learning excercize. Wish I had been well enough to take part.

Welcome Home, Edensong.

http://www.healingmatters.com/fats.htm This site will offer a good deal if information on healthy eating including oils Good reading.

BTTT

I, too have my "pencil" ready. In the form of my printer. LOL

The first set comes with your jars.

Thank you for this info. Sounds like something I need in my med cabinet.

Thanks Westbrook, I was hoping you would fill in some blanks.

Tea Tree Oil http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupple.../TeaTreeOil.htm What is Tea Tree Oil? Latin Name: Melaleuca alternifolia Other Names: Melaleuca oil, Australian tea tree oil Tea tree oil is an essential oil obtained by steam distillation of the leaves of Melaleuca alternifolia, a plant native to Australia. Historically, the leaves were used as a substitute for tea, which is how tea tree oil got its name. The part used medicinally is the oil from the leaves. Why Do People Use Tea Tree Oil? Tea tree has a long history of traditional use. Australian aboriginals used tea tree leaves for healing skin cuts, burns, and infections by crushing the leaves and applying them to the affected area. Tea tree oil contains consituents called terpenoids, which have antiseptic and antifungal activity. The compound terpinen-4-ol is the most abundant and is thought to be responsible for most of tea tree oil's antimicrobial activity. Acne Athlete's foot Dandruff Vaginitis Thrush Periodontal disease As an antiseptic Boils Lice Eczema Psoriasis Yeast infection Sources of Tea Tree Oil Tea tree oil is most commonly found as a pure essential oil. It is also an ingredient in creams, ointments, lotions, soaps, and shampoos. Safety Concerns One study shows that tea tree oil may alter hormone levels. There have been three case reports of topical tea tree oil products causing unexplained breast enlargement in boys. People with hormone-sensitive cancers or pregnant or nursing women should avoid tea tree oil. For more information, read Lavender and Tea Tree Oils Linked to Breast Enlargement in Boys. Occasionally, people may have allergic reactions to tea tree oil, ranging from mild contact dermatitis to severe blisters and rashes. Undiluted tea tree oil may cause skin irritation, redness, blistering, and itching. Tea tree oil should not be taken internally, even in small quantities. It can cause impaired immune function, diarrhea, and potentially fatal central nervous system depression (excessive drowsiness, sleepiness, confusion, coma). The tea tree oil in commercial toothpastes and mouthwashes is generally considered to be acceptable because it is not swallowed. Avoid homemade tea tree oil mouthwashes. Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of overdose: excessive drowsiness, sleepiness, poor coordination, diarrhea, vomiting. Don't use tea tree oil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

BTTT

BTTT Lois aka gardenmom

Good idea. Chives grow beautifuly and even take to mowing. Soaproot is a beautiful plant and the root provides a soap that is kind to your skin and hair. Look into ground cover plants that are edible or useful and yet give the appearance of being "just flowers" Wild planting of naturaly occuring plants is encouraged in many areas. it just takes some research at your local botany edu.

I put the cooled container w/candle in the freezer for a couple of hours, removed the screw from the bottom and it came out with coaxing. The freezer shrinks the wax some.

I have made column candle holders by cutting the top off shampoo bottles, then making a very small hole in the center of the bottom, I then thread a waxed wick up through the bottom or down from the top whichever is easier, make sure the wick is out the bottom by at least a 1/4 inch, and securing it by screwing a short metal screw into the hole in the bottom, fasten the top of the wick to a skewer across the top and fill with melted wax. Is that clear as mud?

The lowly dandelion..a food and medicine, it's benefits are numerous. You will find a post listing it's uses in Natures Perscriptions. It seems to thrive just about anywhere.

I will list many sites where you can see pictures of the herbs, but it is also essential that you read the description of the herb as it is a better way of identifying the plant. The picture will give you a general idea of what it looks like but learning that some stems are square some hollow etc. will either confirm or dismiss the proper identity of the plant. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This site has an alphabetical list of Herbs also MEDICAMENTS and Ailments as they call them. Please check it out. http://www.herbs2000.com/index.htm ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Maple Syrup Maple syrup has many minerals per tablespoon: 20 milligrams of calcium, 2 milligrams of phosphorus, 0.2 milligrams of iron, 2 milligrams of sodium, 35 milligrams of potassium. Maple syrup is classified as one of nature's most healthful foods.

The list is in the next post, called Schoolmarm's Updated List

The best and quickest way to learn about herbs is to research the health problem in question. Once you have a Drs. diagnoses, the next step is to check online or in your books for the herbal alternative to the prescribed Meds. In this forum I will try to point you in the right direction, but you will need to do the research as I am not in possession of a medical license. It is a good idea to research any health problems that you know you might have to deal with in an emergency situation. once you have the info you want print it out and put it in a folder or note book for your use. I have 2 books, Nutritional Health, by James F. Balch, M.D. & Phillis A. Balch, CNC. The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine , by Micheal Murry, ND and Joseph Pizzorno, ND They both list the medical problem and both the prescribed meds and the herbal alternative. I like to compare the suggestions against each other and look for agreement or dissent.

This is posted in the Mrs Survival,s Survival Manual, but I felt it should be here also. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Making herbal remedies is easy and the tools you need are found in your kitchen. Use stainless steel, glass, pottery, or cast-iron utensils - do NOT use aluminum. Wash, rinse, and dry all utensils before creating your herbal remedies. Once created, your herbal remedy should be stored in jars or bottles. Dark glass jars are used for long term storage such as tinctures and oils because it helps them retain their effectiveness. Clear glass jars are preferable for short-term storage unless the herb specifies otherwise. Label your herbal remedies immediately with a permanent marker. This information is for general use. You should always check for precautions and warnings before using any herbal remedies internally or externally. Do your research before using them to assure safety. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Tea: Teas are basically infusions, but for internal use and often made in smaller amounts. Please check for the specific amount that should be used daily. Basic instructions for a cup of tea: Heat water on stove to just below boiling. Pour the hot water directly over 1 teaspoon of herb and steep for 8 to10 minutes, then strain. If using a bag or filter, it helps to swish the bag around while it steeps. The dosage varies with the remedy, about a cup 3 or 4 times a day is reasonable. Small children need milder teas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Infusions: An infusion is a tea made from fresh or dried leaves, flowers, or soft stems of herbs. Infusions are used internally or externally. To make an infusion, prepare 1 ounce dried or 3 ounces of fresh herb in a pan or bowl or teapot. On the stove, heat a pan of water just to the boiling point. Measure 2 and 1/4 cups of water and pour over herbs. Cover and let steep for 10 to 12 minutes. Strain liquid to remove herb. You may take up to three 6-ounce doses daily, hot or cold. Add honey or sugar if desired. Store unused infusion in the refrigerator for up to two days. Label and date your infusion. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Decoctions: A decoction is a tea made from fresh or dried bark, berries, seeds, or roots of herbs. Decoctions are used internally or externally for varying purposes. Carefully clean your herb products. Bark or berries should be crushed. Roots should be cleaned, scraped, then chopped or grated. To make a decoction, combine 1 oz. dried herb or 2 oz. fresh herb with 3 cups cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer gently for 20 to 40 minutes, or until volume is reduced by about 1/3. Strain through a jelly bag, squeezing tightly. Take up to three 6-ounce doses daily, hot or cold. Add honey or sugar if desired. Store unused decoction in the refrigerator for up to two days. Make sure you label and date your decoction. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Syrups: A syrup is a double-strength infusion or decoction of fresh or dried herbs, sweetened with honey or sugar, then cooked to a syrupy consistency. A syrup is to be taken internally, usually for coughs. To make a syrup, follow the directions for an infusion or decoction, using 1/2 the water. Then, place in a clean saucepan, combine 1 cup of the strained liquid with 1/3 cup honey or 1/2 cup sugar. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally until the mixture thickens. Cool, then pour into sterilized, jars dark glass is preferred.. Seal tightly, label, and date. Store in refrigerator up to three months. Take 1 to 2 teaspoons no more than three times a day. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Tinctures: A tincture is a solution made by steeping any part of an herb in a mixture of alcohol and water. Tinctures are used internally or externally for varying purposes. Quantities vary for each herb, but a general guideline is to use 4 oz. dried or 12 oz. fresh herbs with 2 cups of 75-proof vodka (min). To make a tincture, place herbs, vodka, and water in a glass jar, cap tightly, and store for three weeks, shaking vigorously every other day. Strain and pour into sterilized, glass jar. (amber if you have it). Cap tightly, label, and date, store. Take up to 3 1/2-teaspoon doses daily. You can dilute the tincture with a little warm water if desired. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Oils: An oil is an extraction of herbs in a olive oil. Oils are used externally as massage oils, creams, and ointments. Herbal oils made from flowers are usually cold infused, while those from leaves are best prepared by hot infusion. To make a cold-infused oil, pack a quart glass jar with the fresh or dried herb and cover with the oil. Cap tightly and place in a warm, sunny place for two weeks, shaking each day. Strain through a jelly bag or other clean cloth, squeezing hard, then repeat with more herbs. After two weeks, strain again and pour into sterilized, dark glass bottles or jars. Cap tightly, label, and date. Store for up to a year. To make a hot-infused oil, combine 8 ounces dried herbs with 2 cups oil in the top of a double boiler. Set over simmering water and heat gently for three hours, taking care not to let the lower pan boil dry. Cool. Strain through a jelly bag, squeezing hard. Pour into sterilized, dark glass bottles or jars. Cap tightly, label, and date. Store in a dark, cool place for up to one year. Other oils that may be used but do not last as long are, vegetable oil, such as safflower …..or sunflower. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Ointments: An ointment is an extraction of fresh or dried herbs in white petroleum jelly. Ointments are used externally for bruises or skin conditions. To make an ointment, slowly heat 1 cup of petroleum jelly in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. When melted, stir in 1 oz. of dried or 3 ounces of fresh herbs. Heat gently for two hours, taking care not to let the water boil dry. Working quickly, strain through a jelly bag, pressing against the bag with a wooden spoon. Pour the strained mixture into sterilized, dark glass jars. Cap tightly, label and date. Refrigerate or store in dark, cool place for up to four months. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Poultices: A poultice uses fresh or dried herbs that are applied directly to the affected external part of the body. To make a poultice, pour boiling water over crushed or chopped herbs. When just cool enough to handle, remove herbs from liquid, squeezing out excess water. Spread herbs on the affected area and wrap with gauze to hold the poultice in place. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Herbal Compresses: A compress is a cloth soaked in an herbal infusion or decoction, then applied to the affected body part. Soak a clean piece of soft cotton fabric, such as muslin, in the herbal liquid. Squeeze out the excess, fold into a pad, and place on the effected area, repeating until relief is felt. The liquid can also be made by mixing 2 and 1/2 tablespoons of tincture in 2 cups hot or cold water. Warm compresses are often used, but cold compresses are best for headaches, black eyes or bruising. Injuries with initial swelling should use cold compresses the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury, then warm compresses produce the most effectiveness. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ BASIC CREAM 1 ½ oz. Sweet Almond Oil ½ oz. Cocoa Butter ½ oz. Vegetable Glycerin 3 Tbsp. Emulsifying Wax 8 oz. Distilled Water (room temperature) 30 - 50 drops Essential Oils In a heat-safe measuring cup combine the sweet almond oil, cocoa butter, vegetable glycerin, and emulsifying wax. Melt everything together in the microwave (about 1 - 2 minutes) or by the "double-boiler" method (nest the measuring cup into a saucepan containing 1 to 2 inches of water. Heat over medium heat until melted, stirring occasionally). Measure out water into a blender. Turn the blender on low and very slowly and steadily pour in the melted oil mixture. You should now have a thick, beautiful cream. Add the essential oils last, turning on the blender just enough to incorporate the oils and being careful not to over-blend the mixture. Pour into the jars while still warm, as it will thicken as it cools. Cap jars when completely cooled. Store any extra cream in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life.

I cant even post.... watch over her ED.

Marine Cp Joseph McCarthy was killed in Fallujah, Iraq on labor day ... one of seven Marines killed by a car bomber. Joey was 21 years old and left a young wife, mother, father,and two sisters. His family is devestated, his friends are devestated and our whole community is devestated. I have tried to post this several times but tears and heart ache keep getting in the way. I watched this young man grow up, graduate, become a marine and marry his high school sweetheart. The last thing I watched was his flag draped coffin being carried thru our town on a horse drawn wagon.

You're in my prayers "BOSS" may the lord carry you thru your loss. twi

Hey there! I'm twilap and I'm home in Arizona now for good! I just turned 16 even tho my birth certificate says I' m much older

Hiya "BOSS" Like you my life has taken such crazy turns and so many ups and downs that I dont post much anymore.... There's times it's all I can do just to get thru the day, one day at a time. But things are looking better in alot of ways and not so much better in others. Just keep on hopeing and praying and take your time Dar.... sometimes it just takes longer to put our selves back together again when we've been hurt deep down inside. Luva ya Twi

It's be stayed down in the 50's at night all summer long this year and mostly in the low 80's of a day. Really a cool summer for this area actually. Wonder if we're gonna have a cold snowy winter this year? Hmmmmmm