Long before people went to the drug store for medicinal salves for cuts, scratches, and other sores, people were using homemade, herbal remedies. Nowadays, many people are looking for alternatives to chemically-prepared products, and are going back to their roots by making their own herbal salves.

Making your own salve is a relatively simple process. You just need a few ingredients, and a pot to cook them in. Of course, you will also need containers for storing your salve.

Depending on the purpose, there are a number of different herbs you can use for salves. If you want something to soothe your skin and give you a cool, tingly sensation, try using peppermint. Or, if you are looking for a salve to relieve itching, you may want to try adding comfrey or goldenseal to your homemade salve.

Herbs for Salves

Below are a few of the herbs you can use for your home-made salves. There are many more, and you can find all of the information you need on the Internet. There are also plenty of great books available on the subject of herbalism.

Chickweed: Insect bites, Blisters, AbscessesCalendula: Dryness, Eczema, Diaper RashGoldenseal: Skin and Nail Problems, Athletes FootYarrow: Anti-BacterialDandelion Root: RashesLady’s Mantle: Chapped Skin on Hands and FeetPlantain: Cuts, Scratches, Burns and BitesEchinacea: Infections and InflammationSimple Home-Made Salve Recipe
Here is an easy-to-follow recipe for making your own salves. You can use any essential oils you want, depending on what you plan to use the salve for. If you want to make a few different salves, multiply the amounts of ingredients by however many batches you want to make. Divide the salves before adding herb-infused oils.
Ingredients:
1 Cup Cocoa Butter or Shea Butter (or you can combine the two)1/4 Cup Beeswax1/4 Cup Herb-Infused Oil (recipe to follow) Optional: One or Two Teaspoons of Aloe Vera Juice (soothes and softens skin)Method

Mix all the ingredients together in an oven- or stove-safe, covered container. Melt the ingredients on the stove on low heat, then transfer to the oven (VERY low heat) for 3-4 hours (or, if it is a hot, sunny day, you can place it in the sun). Transfer to containers while it is still hot, and cool before covering.

Herb-Infused Oil

Place 1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil and 1/4to 1/2 cup of slightly bruised, fresh peppermint leaves into a glass jar, shake, and let sit for 4-6 hours. Strain with a cheese cloth, and throw away the leaves. Repeat for three days, each time adding an additional 1/4 cup of leaves only, but no additional oil. Light is an enemy, so store your oil in a dark container, preferably in a cool, dark location.

Home-made herbal salves are good to have on hand, and a wonderful alternative to chemically-prepared ointments. When you put them in pretty containers, they also make great gifts!

About the Author:

Marc Neveux is a health enthusiast who has been researching natural remedies for various health conditions for many years. Find out more about some of the most effective herbal remedies on his site, Herbal Remedies Info today!

Making herbal remedies isn’t difficult or complicated, its just made to seem that way. If you can boil water, you can make your own tinctures, infusions or decoctions. In this article we will discuss decoctions, what are they, how are they prepared, and examples of common decoctions.

Simply put, a decoction is your basic infusion juiced up to induce stubborn roots, barks and resins to release their medicinal properties. While most plants will yield their properties to cold or boiling hot water in a matter of minutes, some require a much longer period of time, say 30 minutes or more.

While occasionally a whole plant with stem, twig, flower, leaf and bud is used for special preventive effects, usually only one part of a plant is used at one time. Examples of herbs that work best in a decoction would include:

Elm Bark, used for herpes, scurf, itch and other skin problems

Comfrey Root, the decoction makes for a good gargle and mouthwash for throat inflammations, hoarseness and bleeding gums*

Flaxseed, this decoction can be used for cough, chest and lung problems. Remember to use only ripe seeds as the immature seedpods can cause poisoning.

English Oak Bark, a decoction of the bark can be used internally or externally for hemorrhoids and other rectal problems, menstrual problems and blood in the urine.

Preparing A Decoction:

Fresh herbs should be sliced; dry herbs should be powered or well bruised. A decoction should always be strained when it is hot so that the matter, which separates upon cooling, can be mixed again with the fluid by shaking when the remedy is used.

When preparing your decoction use glass, ceramic or earthenware pots. Do not use plain cast iron with astringent plants. Use 1 ounce (30 g) of dried root or bark to just over a pint of water. Allow this to boil for at least ten minutes or longer. The mixture then steeps with a cover on the pot for an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Strain out the plant parts before drinking.

Warning: The FDA has determined that Comfrey can lead to Pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning which causes a liver disorder in humans called hepatic veno-occlusive disease. The small and medium veins in the liver become obstructed, eventually leading to liver disfunction, cirrhosis and death. While only 2 deaths attributed to Comfrey have been documented, due caution is indicated.

The information provided by UsingHerbs.Com is intended to heighten awareness of potential health care alternatives and should not be considered medical advice. Always check with your qualified health-care professional for medical attention, advice, diagnosis, and treatment.

MK Welty hosts an informational site for herb enthusiasts at http://UsingHerbs.com Join us for regular discussions of herbs, their history, properties and uses.

Zandra Jones, RN BBA is an alternative health advisor and owner of Alternative Herbal Treatment

In this article ‘Reduce Indigestion Symptoms With Carminatives Herbs’, you will discover:

• What are carminative herbs?
• How can carminative herbs reduce indigestion symptoms?
• What are the best carminative herbs to take to reduce indigestion symptoms?

What Are Carminative Herbs?

Carminative herbs are good at reducing the symptoms associated with indigestion such as excessive wind.

Carminative herbs are also referred to as ‘aromatic bitters’ or ‘aromatic digestive tonics’

The following herbs are carminative herbs:

• Anise
• Basil
• Caraway
• Cardamom
• Chamomile
• Cinnamon
• Cloves
• Coriander
• Dill
• European Angelica
• Fennel
• Ginger
• Lavender
• Lemon Balm
• Linden
• Oregano
• Peppermint
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme
• Turmeric

How Can Carminative Herbs Reduce Indigestion Symptoms?

It is believed that carminative herbs can reduce the symptoms associated with indigestion such as such as excessive wind by relieving spasms in the intestinal tract.

What Are The Best Carminative Herbs To Take To Reduce Indigestion Symptoms?

The most popular and best carminative medicinal herbs to take to reduce indigestion symptoms are:

• Caraway
• Peppermint
• Fennel

These are extremely good at reducing indigestion symptoms such as wind and cramping.

To help reduce indigestion symptoms, try taking these herbs in tea form by drinking cups of tea after meals.

Alternatively, you can add a couple of drops of these herbs natural essential oils into a glass of still mineral water and drink it before your meal.

Note: These herbs are generally safe to take, but please consult your doctor before doing so, especially if you are on medication or suffer from a health condition.

So, to sum up…

Carminative herbs are good at reducing the symptoms associated with indigestion such as excessive wind.

Popular carminative herbs are caraway, peppermint and fennel which can be taken in tea form to help with you indigestion symptoms.

Stewart Hare C.H.Ed Dip NutTh

Download ‘How To Beat Indigestion Naturally’ Free E-book

Zandra Jones, RN BBA is an alternative treatment enthusiast and own Alternative Herbal Treatment

Herbal and alternative medicine is quickly gaining popularity, as more and more people become frustrated with the rising costs of prescription medications and the potential side effects associated with some of these medications. Fortunately, for these individuals, there are herbal and alternative options for nearly every condition.

It is important to note that alternative remedies may not all have the same effect on everyone, because of allergies or the differences in peoples’ body chemistry.

The main problem people encounter when trying herbal medicine, however, is improper usage. Some people will buy herbal products based on the attractive packaging, or the marketing and advertising of that product.

Some herbal supplements that come in hard pill or tablet form, may state that they have a certain herbal ingredient, but in actual fact, they have a very small amount of that particular herb, and are mixed with other, miscellaneous ingredients.

Also, the hard pill or tablet forms of these remedies don’t dissolve very well in our bodies or in water. Because of this, they can’t be mixed with teas, or turned into salves or poultices. Teas, salves and poultices are some of the most effective herbal remedies available.

If you decide that you want to try herbal remedies, make sure you buy 100% pure herbs in gelatin capsules. These capsules have ground or powdered herbs inside and dissolve very quickly.

Make a habit of reading the labels on these herbal remedies to ensure that you are getting exactly what you are looking for.

The labels will also give you the proper dosages, and your herbalist will help you to decide which herb, and which dosage of that particular herb may be right for your particular condition.

For more information about herbal medicine, visit http://herbalandalternativemedicine.com

Zandra Jones RN BBA alternative health enthusiast and owner of Alternative Herbal Treatment

There is a long tradition, going back many centuries, for using plants and flower extracts in the treatment of various ailments. Evening Primrose Oil is one such example. The plant species is said to have originated in Central America and Mexico, and Native Americans are known to have believed in its healing properties. There are various species with differently colored flowers, yellow being the most common. Some are also red, pink, white or purple. The flowers open in the evening, hence the name. Bees and moths pollinate the flowers.

The wild plant grows in the most inhospitable of places, bringing welcome color to wasteland and ground adjoining railway tracks and roads. In addition to the Evening Primrose Oil, the rest of the plant is also put to use. Young roots provide a vegetable which resembles the flavor of a pepper, and some people use the shoots in salads. Of course, some people just like Evening Primrose plants for the attractiveness it adds to the garden. In the past, people used to take the plant and make an infusion from it, which was used to treat gastro-intestinal problems and asthma symptoms. The plant was also used to make poultices, believed to soothe bruises and quicken the healing of wounds.

So, what are the claims made by the defenders and enthusiasts, concerning Evening Primrose Oil? It has been used as a sedative and as a pain killer. The most common use of evening primrose is for menstrual health. It helps ease pre-menstrual tension, menstrual cramps and breast tenderness. Other conditions treated by the oil include whooping cough, high cholesterol levels and low immune system. Skin conditions are said to be helped by Evening Primrose Oil, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne and rosacea (hot flushing).

In modern times, the oil is usually sold in the form of capsules. There are many claims made for the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. The medical establishment say that some of these claims go too far and no benefits have been proved in clinical trials. The consensus is, there may be an exception to this, in that rheumatoid arthritis could be helped. The oil has been seen to reduce blood pressure levels in animals but it's difficult to quantify the effects in humans. The Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the plant's seed which contains an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) and there lies its therapeutic value. Others argue that you can get sufficient EFA from a good diet.

The debate will rage on, no doubt. It's good advice however, that you consult your Doctor before taking Evening Primrose Oil, especially if you are pregnant, breast feeding or are suffering from epilepsy. The oil can sometimes interact unfavorably with other supplements, herbal remedies or prescribed drugs. Most people agree, that in the majority of circumstances, Evening Primrose Oil will do no harm and any side affects are likely to be headaches, stomach pains or rashes.

There is a long tradition, going back many centuries, for using plants and flower extracts in the treatment of various ailments. Evening Primrose Oil is one such example. The plant species is said to have originated in Central America and Mexico, and Native Americans are known to have believed in its healing properties. There are various species with differently colored flowers, yellow being the most common. Some are also red, pink, white or purple. The flowers open in the evening, hence the name. Bees and moths pollinate the flowers.

The wild plant grows in the most inhospitable of places, bringing welcome color to wasteland and ground adjoining railway tracks and roads. In addition to the Evening Primrose Oil, the rest of the plant is also put to use. Young roots provide a vegetable which resembles the flavor of a pepper, and some people use the shoots in salads. Of course, some people just like Evening Primrose plants for the attractiveness it adds to the garden. In the past, people used to take the plant and make an infusion from it, which was used to treat gastro-intestinal problems and asthma symptoms. The plant was also used to make poultices, believed to soothe bruises and quicken the healing of wounds.

So, what are the claims made by the defenders and enthusiasts, concerning Evening Primrose Oil? It has been used as a sedative and as a pain killer. The most common use of evening primrose is for menstrual health.  It helps ease pre-menstrual tension, menstrual cramps and breast tenderness. Other conditions treated by the oil include whooping cough, high cholesterol levels and low immune system. Skin conditions are said to be helped by Evening Primrose Oil, such as psoriasis, eczema, acne  and rosacea (hot flushing).

In modern times, the oil is usually sold in the form of capsules. There are many claims made for the benefits of  Evening Primrose Oil. The medical establishment say that some of these claims go too far and no benefits have been proved in clinical trials. The consensus is, there may be an  exception to this, in that rheumatoid arthritis could be helped. The oil has been seen to reduce blood pressure levels in animals but it’s difficult to quantify the effects in humans. The Evening Primrose Oil is pressed from the plant’s seed which contains an Essential Fatty Acid (EFA) and there lies its therapeutic value. Others argue that you can get sufficient EFA from a good diet.

The debate will rage on, no doubt. It’s good advice however, that you consult your Doctor before taking Evening Primrose Oil, especially if you are pregnant, breast feeding or are suffering from epilepsy. The oil can sometimes interact unfavorably with other supplements, herbal remedies or prescribed drugs. Most people agree, that in the majority of circumstances, Evening Primrose Oil will do no harm and any side affects are likely to be headaches, stomach pains or rashes.