Tag Archives: chickweed

Learning Herbs 101: Herbs and the Organ Systems They Love, Part 2

So far, we’ve covered 7 herb groups (diuretic, cathartic, hepatic, expectorant, emmenagogue, alterative, and cardiac/hypotensive) and 5 organ systems (urinary, digestive, respiratory, reproductive, and circulatory). Let’s keep going, shall we?  Nervous system: Nervine and antispasmodic herbs have a particular fondness for the nervous system. Nervine herbs tone and strengthen the nervous system, while antispasmodics help relieve pain by preventing involuntary or voluntary muscle spasms throughout the body. Example herbs include Catnip (Nepeta cataria), Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), Hops (Humulus lupulus), Lobelia or Indian tobacco (Lobelia inflata), Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora), St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum), and Valerian (Valeriana officinalis). Integumentary system: This … Continue reading

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The Holistic Mama’s Guide to Herbal Preparations for External Use

Yesterday, I discussed the various herbal preparations for internal use (tisanes, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, etc.). Today, I wanted to follow up with the many different ways herbs can be used externally (or topically) to speed healing, reduce swelling, and in general, relieve pain, itchiness, or discomfort from sprains, bruises, insect bites and stings, wounds, and pulled ligaments. These include poultices, fomentations, ointments/salves, and more. Poultices: A poultice is the term for applying herbs directly to the skin. Usually, you use fresh herbs that you’ve mashed up (although powdered/dried herbs can be used too) and poured boiling water into (you pour … Continue reading

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