Table of Contents
Introduction 1
1 Getting Started 5
The Importance of Scientific Names 6
General Precautions 8
Sources for Herbs 9
Equipment for Making Remedies 13
Dosages 15
2 Basic Remedy Recipes and Applications 17
Tea/Tisane 18
Infusion 20
Decoction 21
Compress 22
Infused Oil 23
Ointment, Salve, and Balm 25
3 Additional Recipes and Applications 29
Gel 29
Tincture 30
Liniment 32
Poultice 33
Powders and Capsules 35
Bath Salts 36
Foot Soak 37
Medicinal Honey 37
Steam Inhalation 39
Syrup 40
4 First Aid 43
Bruises 43
Burns and Scalds 45
Cuts and Abrasions 47
Fever 49
Hangover 51
Insect Bites and Beestings 52
Poison Ivy, Poison Oak, and Poison Sumac 54
Sprains and Strains 56
Sunburn 58
Toothache 59
5 The Head, Ears, Eyes, Mouth, and Throat 63
Earache 63
Eyes 65
Head Lice 67
Headache 68
Migraine 70
The Mouth 72
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Pain 78
6 The Respiratory System 81
Asthma 81
Bronchitis 83
Catarrh 84
Common Cold 86
Congestion 88
Cough 89
Flu 91
Hay Fever 93
Laryngitis 94
Sinusitis 95
Sore Throat 97
7 The Digestive System 99
Belching 99
Bloating 100
Colic 102
Constipation 103
Diarrhea 104
Flatulence 106
Heartburn/GERD 107
Hemorrhoids 108
Indigestion 110
Irritable Bowel System (IBS) 112
Nausea 113
Stomach Pain 114
8 The Integumentary System (Skin) 117
Acne 117
Athlete's Foot 119
Boils and Carbuncles 121
Dandruff 122
Dermatitis 124
Eczema 125
Hives 128
Jock Itch 129
Psoriasis 131
Ringworm 133
Scabies 134
Shingles 136
Warts 137
9 The Musculoskeletal System 141
Arthritis 141
Bursitis and Tendonitis 143
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome 145
Gout 147
Low Back Pain 148
Muscle Soreness or Stiffness 150
Muscle Spasm and Cramp 152
Rheumatoid Arthritis 153
Sciatica 155
Shin Splints 157
10 The Nervous System 159
Insomnia and Sleep 159
Mental Fatigue 161
Motion Sickness 163
Nerve Pain 164
Nervous Tension 166
Postpartum Blues 168
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) 169
Stress and Anxiety 170
11 The Reproductive System 173
Breastfeeding 173
Menopause 177
Menstrual Cycle 179
Prostatitis 184
Vaginitis 186
12 The Circulatory, Endocrine, and Urinary Systems 189
The Circulatory and Lymphatic Systems 189
The Endocrine System 198
The Urinary System 200
13 Common Kitchen Herbs and Spices 205
Anise 205
Basil 206
Bay Laurel 207
Caraway 208
Cayenne 209
Chamomile, German 210
Coriander 211
Dill 212
Fennel 213
Garlic 214
Ginger 215
Lemon Balm 216
Oregano 217
Parsley 218
Peppermint 219
Rosemary 220
Sage 221
Spearmint 222
Thyme 223
Turmeric 224
15 Additional Herbs and Other Ingredients 227
Angelica 227
Black Cohosh 229
Burdock 230
Dandelion 230
Feverfew 231
Hyssop 232
Lavender 233
Lemongrass 234
Mullein 235
Nettle 236
St. John's Wort 237
Valerian 238
Yarrow 239
Other Common Remedy Ingredients 240
Conclusion 247
Appendix A Herbs for Ailments, Conditions, and Support for Good Health 249
Appendix B Measurement Equivalents 265
Glossaries 267
Botanical Glossary 267
General Glossary 268
Medical Glossary 269
Bibliography 275
Index 283
