Relief from Restless Leg Syndrome with Essential Oils

Liz Fulcher, AromaticWisdomInstitute.com
March/April '16 issue The Essential Herbal Magazine

Ask anyone who’s ever experienced RLS (Restless Leg Syndrome) if it makes them crazy, and I’m sure they’ll answer with a resounding “yes!”  I know because I’m one of those people.  Fortunately, it doesn’t bother me at night as is common with RLS, but I do experience it when I’m the passenger in a car (but not when driving which I find interesting) and during air travel.  There is something about the vibration of both these forms of transportation that causes my legs to feel like ants are crawling under my skin.

What is Restless Leg Syndrome? 
According WebMD, “People with restless legs syndrome have uncomfortable sensations in their legs (and sometimes arms or other parts of the body) and an irresistible urge to move their legs to relieve the sensations. The condition causes an uncomfortable, “itchy,” “pins and needles,” or “creepy crawly” feeling in the legs. The sensations are usually worse at rest, especially when lying or sitting.”

Yep, that’s exactly how I’ve experience it.

As a Clinical Aromatherapist and 25-year veteran of using essential oils, they were the first thing I turned to for my own relief from the weird, crawly, itchy sensations, and I’m happy to report that I’ve had wonderful results.

The oils which I have found to have the greatest soothing effect on restless legs are those high in molecules from the Ester chemical family.  Ester-rich essential oils are also highly anti-inflammatory which may be why they work well to calm the spastic sensation that one experiences with restless leg. 

Examples of essential oils high in Ester molecules are: Bergamot, Bergamot Mint, Cardamom, Roman Chamomile, Clary Sage, Geranium, Helichrysum, Ho Wood, Jasmine, Lavender, Petitgrain, Siberian Fir, Ylang Ylang.

Below are 3 recipes that have really helped calm my own restless leg discomfort.

1. Sleepy Legs Night Cream
Ingredients:
12 drops Lavender
10 drops Marjoram
5 drops Roman Chamomile
Unscented Lotion
2 oz glass jar
Directions: Add the essential oils to 2 ounces of unscented cream and stir.  Rub this blend into your legs  anytime you experience jumpy legs. Apply as often as needed.


2. Happy Legs Travel Spray
Ingredients:
9 drops Petitgrain
8 drops Sweet Orange
8 drops Siberian Fir
Lavender Hydrosol
2 oz Spray Bottle
Directions: Simply add the essential oils to the hydrosol in the 2 oz bottle and shake well before each use.  Spray in your legs and rub vigorously, then spray again.


 3. Grateful Gams Bath Salt
Ingredients:
10 drops Frankincense
5 drops Marjoram
5 drops Clary Sage
3 drops Ylang Ylang
Epsom Salts (high in magnesium which is also helpful)
2 oz glass or plastic jar
Directions:  Add the essential oils to the salt and blend well together.  Sprinkle the full 2 ounces into the already-full bathtub.  Step in and relax.  Follow up with the Sleepy Legs Night Cream.

January/February 2018 Essential Herbal

We've got a great issue in the mail to subscribers to start the year off right.
This magazine makes a great holiday gift, by the way.  Print in the US and PDF worldwide, we include a gift card, and if you put a message in the comments section when ordering, it will be in the card.  ORDER HERE

Here is the table of contents:

Field Notes from the Editor, Tina Sams

Off we go into another great year. We’re looking at what’s important, what’s coming up, and what it means to us.

Citrus in Winter, Miranda Hoodenpyl

There’s a lot more to citrus than that glass of homogenized, flavored pulp! Plus there are cranberry orange scones.

Tinnitus—A Holistic Approach, Jackie Johnson

Find out what triggers tinnitus, and some ways to try to remedy the problem.

Herbs as Houseplants, Kathy Musser

Apparently some people can bring their herbs inside. Good advice, plant specific for you determined types. Heck, maybe I’ll even give it a shot.

Hops—Herb of the Year 2018, Kristine Brown

So much more than a beer flavoring! Learn about some of the many, many uses and talents of hops.

Plantago Major… Little Leaf, Major Impact, Cathy Calfchild

Stories of plantain coming to the rescue and a couple wonderful, convenient recipes to try out.

Molly of the West, Where do you get Licorice Around Here?? Molly Sams

It isn’t always easy to find what you need… especially after moving away from a well-stocked private apothecary.

Presidents’ Day and Tea, Marcy Lautanen-Raleigh

The tea habits and tea sets of America’s First Families.

My Grandmother’s Kitchen, Angela Dellutri

Timeless memories of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen.

The Case for Cannabis—A Natural (R)Evolution, Lisa Camasi

Do you know the components of cannabis that work in different ways? Are you aware of the many benefits and methods of use? Part 1 of 2.

Cottonwood Buds—Infusion Methods and Soap, Marci Tsohonis

Resinous, sticky, healing balm of Gilead, aka cottonwood buds, infused and eventually used to make soap. Learn about how to infuse them.

Men’s Facial Hair Care, Janet Gutierrez

A discussion on various base oils and their respective usefulness, and a luscious beard oil recipe.

Onions (Allium cepa), Sandy Michelsen

Their flavor can add to just about everything savory, but what else can they do?

Winter into Spring Dessert & More with Mints, Rita Richardson

Mint can brighten up even the darkest day. Particularly if pound cake and strawberries are involved…

List Article—What would you take along in an emergency?

We got a lot of really good answers to this thought-provoking question.

If you aren't a subscriber, start today.  We're the magazine for the "everyday herbalist."

The Magazine for the Everyday Herbalist

For at least the last 15 years, our tagline has been, "By, for, and about herbie people and the things they love - HERBS!"
It's time to leave that behind.  It doesn't describe us. 
For one thing, we try not to feed into the current climate of herbal celebrity.  We've always felt that there are many brilliant herbalists working alone, quietly and without fanfare.  In fact, that's exactly what most herbalists are doing.
Also, we realized we've outgrown it.

Our new tagline is, "The magazine for the everyday herbalist."  That's exactly what The Essential Herbal is.  Really, it's who we've always been.

DOWNLOAD MiniMag #1promotional sample from 2012

Over the weekend, we set up a table at a small winter fair, and had the opportunity to repeatedly explain who we are writing for.  That's a great exercise, by the way.  It's been quite a while since I really gave it a lot of thought.  As the years rolled by and the rut deepened, I hadn't really examined whether we were adequately describing the content one might find.

Our generous and talented contributors share information that everyone can use everyday.  They share our goal of helping everyone find some confidence in the knowledge that their grandparents used to take for granted, but that somehow fell by the wayside.

DOWNLOAD sample mini mag from 2016

The Essential Herbal teaches you to bring herbs into the house for all kinds of reasons.  Often it is for food or medicine.  Sometimes it is for the sheer joy of sharing our living space with plants; their scents, appearance, or a combination of all of these things!
We share how to find the plants around you, which ones to look for, and what to do with them.  Teas, salves, tinctures, elixirs, lotions, and literally thousands of recipes and ideas have graced our pages during the past 17 years.  We expect that to continue. 

Because The Essential Herbal is the magazine for the everyday herbalist.  Subscribe today!  Print in the US, PDF worldwide.

Flavors and Fragrances of the Season

Excerpts from Flavors and Fragrances of the Season
Jackie Johnson ND

Planhigion Herbal Learning Center

Nov/Dec '13 issue of Essential Herbal magazine

As fall wanes, and we’re satiated from our Thanksgiving flavors….our taste buds turn to the Christmas season and its alluring tastes and smells.

Most of the spices of the season are warm, which seem to help us ease into the season and the cooler (colder) temperatures.

The most common spice of the season is the sweet, spicy and pungent Cinnamon.  Who doesn’t have at least one favorite recipe that includes cinnamon?  Is it cinnamon or cassia?   Both belong to the same family but which is which?  I was told once that cassia’s bark curls two ways and true cinnamon curls only one way.  Cassia is more reddish, more aromatic, and more bitter, whereas true cinnamon is lighter in color and milder.  Usually what we purchase in ground form is a mixture of them both.   Once nearly as expensive as gold, much research is going on with cinnamon, so enjoy your treats, cuz it’s all good!   Is cinnamon tea with honey really a hardship for anyone?

Typically considered the second most valuable spice in the world (to saffron) is cardamom.  Most people don’t use it much, but maybe this sweet, pungent and warming spice should be.  In the ginger family, try substituting a teaspoon of cardamom in your cinnamon sugar.   As with cinnamon, when cooking, it should be added early.

Here’s an old family favorite my grandmother used to make.  (If I’ve infringed on someone’s recipe, I apologize, but this is how it came handwritten about 30 years ago.)

Spiced Seafoam

3 large egg whites

1 cup white sugar

½ t. cardamom

½ t cinnamon

¼ t cloves

Beat the egg whites until stiff.  Add the sugar a little at a time (while still beating).  Then hand stir in the spices (which have already been mixed together).  Drop in small mounds on a parchment covered baking sheet and put in an oven already at 250 degrees, for 90 minutes.  Then turn off the oven and let them sit in there over night.  Remove in the a.m.

Cloves are yet another favorite – whether they’re in stuck in oranges or added to teas.  It’s another warming pungent, spice that should be added early and sparingly in recipes.  If really too strong for you, snip off the tops and grind the “stem” for a milder version. 

All the spices so far are good for digestion and nausea; cloves can also help adult toothache pain (not kids) when smashed and placed around the tooth until you can get to the dentist.

Coriander (the seed of cilantro) should also be dry-toasted to release its flavor.  Unlike the others, it should be added near the end of the cooking cycle.  Like fenugreek , it was considered an aphrodisiac.

Ginger is one of my favorites.  It was once said that “every good quality is contained in ginger”.   I like to start growing this in the early spring so I have my own available in winter.  Just put a piece of the root (with an eye) in a pot.  Don’t let it get frosted, but set it out in the summer (takes about 10-11 months).  Each batch you grow from the last one is less strong than its predecessor but it’s easy and fun to grow.  (I also slice ginger root into quarter size pieces and freeze it.  When I don’t feel well, I’ll pull out a couple of ginger root pieces, a couple of frozen lemon slices and put them in a quart jar with hot water add honey and drink on it all day.)

A Christmas staple, but gingerbread was also a favorite of General Lafayette after George Washington’s mother served it to him in 1784.  Here an easy recipe adapted from several.

Gingerbread

2 ¼ cups flour

1/3 cup sugar

1 cup black strap molasses

¾ cup hot water

½ cup shortening

1 egg

1 t soda

1 t cinnamon

1 t ginger

¾ t salt

Blend all the above by hand for about 30 seconds and then with a mix (I don’t think they had mixers during the Civil War, but they do make life easier) for about 3 minutes.  Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 9 pan, and bake at 325 degrees for about 50 minutes.  I’ve found it comes out of the pan easier when it’s cool.   (It’s cake-like.)

 

Mulling spices are popular during winter.   Recipes are as varied as those who throw them together and are dictated by taste preferences.  Don’t be afraid to experiment. 

Favorite #1:

Cinnamon sticks

Orange peels (dried)

Allspice

Cloves

Ginger

Favorite #2

Cinnamon

Allspice

Orange and Lemon peels (dried)

Nutmeg

Star Anise (just a little)

Cloves

Ginger

These can be mulled in apple cider or juice, or wine depending on your crowd.  Most are served warm, but sometimes I mull in apple juice, cool, add cold orange juice and ginger ale.   If you want a “Wassail” use a red or fruit wine in a crockpot and add some brown sugar, honey and maybe a little brandy.

Sometimes I’ll put the cloves in a small orange or lemon and plunk them in the crockpot. Don’t cover the fruit with them, just a trail or two of them.

All of these drinks make the house smell wonderful while heating them up.   We usually serve them in a crockpot (that can be hidden in pretty Christmas fabric with greens and cinnamon sticks tied together around it).

Another family favorite that does double duty as a house deodorizer is a fruit soup.  There are all kinds of recipes for these, but I’ve found that anything goes – use what you have.

Swedish Fruit Soup

Start with 5 – 10 cups of water (depending on what you put in)

Prunes

Dried apricots

Raisins

Sliced orange

Sliced lemon

Sliced apple

Sliced pear

1 or 2 cinnamon stick and a couple of cloves

(If you have a favorite spice, i.e. allspice, nutmeg – take some of the soup out and add a little and let it sit awhile to see if the added spice is something you like in the soup.)

           

Let this simmer for hours or until everything is blended.  You can add a small amount of tapioca at the end if you like, but I’ve found it isn’t necessary.  This can be served warm or cold.   If you eat too much, you’ll find it’s a great ‘cleanser’.

Happy Holidays however you celebrate it!

This article was quite a bit longer, with lovely recipes for the holidays.  Subscribing to Essential Herbal is easy and worthwhile.  We're the best kept secret in the herbal community.  Share and help us spread the word!

Newsflash – Herbs Are Mainstream!

Essential Herbal Magazine Sept/Oct '13

Now I know some of you are nodding your heads, some of you are surprised, and some of you just shouted, “thank goodness someone finally said it!”

From our earliest days standing in our renaissance fair booth, we have always striven to make herbs accessible to all, to educate and share, and it seems our dreams are coming true.  We remember the uproar and chaos caused by the “60 Minutes” segment on St. John’s Wort in ’98 or ’99.  Or how wary anyone with an herb business was to speak of medicinal uses, or even place books too close to the herbs themselves, for fear of being raided.  We remember when stevia was banned for import into the US for a few years with no explanation or reason (which coincided perfectly with the release of aspartame, by the way) and there was nobody to fight it.  The new herbal pop culture may feel that herbs are “out there” and that a trail is being blazed, but that is far from the truth.   It is typical though, to find something new to you and not realize that it existed before you arrived.  We’ve all done that.  Remember discovering sex? 

Everyone drinks herbal teas, uses echinacea, ginger, or take Ricola cough drops!  They use herbs even if they don't know too much about what they're doing.  Herbal remedies are everywhere, and the produce departments are routinely carrying fresh turmeric root and a selection of fresh herbs and mushrooms.

Every drugstore in the country has an herb section now.  Compare that to a pharmacist coming into our shop and chuckling over our offerings in a mocking way 15 years ago.  Now, I believe he’s busy compounding for naturopathic physicians.   

Last week we attended a 4 day show that had nothing to do with herbs and by the second day it was just like our mornings at faire, with attendees lined up to ask about remedies and skin issues.  Every single weekday (like it or not) Dr. Oz touts some herb or another.  If you've been reading TEH for any length of time (or our blog, or been on our Yahoo! group), you know that our goal is to make herbs easy, accessible and NORMAL.  It’s happening.

It is now paramount that we as a community choose to embrace and share with those who are looking for a better way.  It shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg, nor should this knowledge that belongs to all of us be presented as something elite or peculiar.  Who does that serve?  If anything, it increases the perceived need for regulations as the powers-that-be see people preying on the unsuspecting, naïve, newbie.  That too (unfortunately) is nothing new.  The more commonplace and every day we treat our use of weeds and plants and veggies/fruits for well-being, the better off we will all be.

Are there rules that make it difficult for us sometimes?   Yes there are.  There always have been, and we’ve always found ways to work with and around them.  I’m not making light of the situation, but do feel that as the majority of the populace now uses some form of medicinal herb (Been to the doctor lately?  They ask what herbs are being used on their intake forms) it really is up to us to claim them as responsible adults, claim this right that is little different than the right to water or air, and expecting to be heard without shouting.

Try a Tincture

Essential Herbal Nov/Dec 10’

Tinctures are a concentrated form of herbal preparation, which are quickly absorbed and easy to take. The word ‘tincture’ comes from the Latin “Tinctura” meaning colored herbal extract made with alcohol.  In creating a tincture, the medicinal parts of herbs are extracted and preserved by a menstruum (solvent):  alcohol, apple cider vinegar or glycerin. The tincture method is called maceration and can easily be prepared in your home.

Alcohol as a Menstruum: Vodka is the most common alcohol to use in tinctures due to its lack of color and taste, but some people prefer whiskey or rum (or whatever!). In the folk method, tincturing works best with a ratio of 50% alcohol to 50% water which is fairly equivalent to100 proof vodka and provides an indefinite shelf life. Alcohol extracts volatile oils, alkaloids and flavonoids from the herb; whereas water extracts the saponins and glycosides. Although some herbs do better with more water or more alcohol, this proof is generally a good medium.

Vinegar as a Menstruum: Organic apple cider vinegar has many medicinal properties and makes a good base for extracting the medicinal properties from the herbs. Shelf life of apple cider vinegar is reported to be about one year. I use 3 parts vinegar to 1 part dried herb or 2 parts fresh herb. Vinegar extracts only the alkaloids from the herb, making the tincture less potent than one made with alcohol.
 
Glycerin as a Menstruum: Because of the sweet flavor and the fact that it does not contain alcohol, it is useful in making tinctures for children and people averse to drinking alcohol. Though it has good preservative properties and dissolves mucilage material, vitamins and minerals, it does not dissolve the resinous or oily components as well as alcohol. Glycerin needs to be thinned with water 1:1. The rest of the process is the same as the alcohol based tincture. When buying glycerin (available in natural food stores) make certain it is 100% vegetable glycerin which is of much higher quality. Glycerin is effective at extracting tannins from herbs but is a much weaker solvent than alcohol or vinegar.

Creating a Tincture
Using the simple folk method:  Fill a glass jar half way with dried herb(s). If you are using fresh herbs fill the jar loosely to the top. Be certain that the jar has a tight fitting lid. Cover the herb completely with your choice of menstruum: alcohol, vinegar or glycerin. Next day top off your jar to be sure the herb is entirely covered after absorbing the liquid. Keep the jar in a cool, dark place and shake the tincture a couple of times a day.

Allow the herb to sit (macerate) in the menstruum for a minimum of 2 weeks. I typically infuse my tinctures for 3 to 4 weeks. After 6 months the menstruum will no longer extract the medicines from the herb. At this point, strain the herbal tincture through several layers of cheese cloth, using a colander and a large bowl to catch the liquid. Using your hands, squeeze the remaining liquid from the tinctured herb through the cheese cloth. I do a second strain through coffee filters via a colander to get the remaining sediment out of the tincture. Pour the liquid in a glass jar, seal with a lid, label and store in a cool, dry, dark place. Tinctures do not require refrigeration. Pour into individual amber or blue dropper bottles, to keep light from entering, and label the tincture. ALWAYS CLEARLY LABEL YOUR HERBAL PREPARATIONS!

Tinctures are usually taken by the dropperful, approximately 25 drops.   You can mix your tincture with a bit of juice or tea to mask the taste if needed. If you don't wish to ingest the alcohol, stir a dropperful of tincture into a cup of boiling water. This allows the alcohol to evaporate very quickly. Drink the mixture when it cools slightly.
(editor's note:  this is NOT sufficient to remove alcohol for those with a sensitivity to alcohol.)

The information in this article is intended solely to inform the reader. Please be certain to ‘know your herb’ before consuming it. “Walk Gently on this Earth”.
Mary Hammond – Herbal Practitioner

Rosemary - Herb of Remembrance (with recipes)

The Essential Herbal Magazine Jul/Aug '11

    Legends concerning rosemary abound!  Do you suppose that rosemary can really help us remember things?  In ancient Greece, students did believe this and wore garlands of rosemary on their heads while studying for exams.  It was also believed that if a young lady placed her shoes on either side of her bed, put a sprig of rosemary in one and thyme in the other, then sleeping on her back, she would dream of the man she would marry.

   "Where rosemary flourishes, the woman rules!"  It is easy to imagine struggling rosemary plants being lovingly nurtured by the lady of that house, but not so readily nurtured by her husband!

   Rosemary is a tender perennial in most regions, and must therefore be grown as a container plant or dug from the garden in fall and wintered over indoors.  Rosemary is best started from cuttings of well-established plants.  Seeds take at least 3 weeks to germinate, and will not produce as strong a plant.  If you do decide to plant rosemary in the garden for the summer, place it in a sunny location, in well-drained soil.  In container or garden, rosemary does not like to have its' feet wet, so good drainage is important.  Interestingly, rosemary in a pot cannot be allowed to dry out, either.  A quote says "a dry rosemary is a dead rosemary".....so keep your potted plants watered, and mist regularly.  Choose one of the prostrate varieties for potted plants.  They make an impressive and lovely hanging basket.

   Rosemary has many uses...culinary, decorative, cosmetic, and was used as a medicinal herb in ages past.  A mixture of rosemary and juniper berries was burned in hospitals in France during World War II to kill germs, and research has shown that rosemary oil does have some antibacterial properties.

   As a culinary herb, rosemary goes well with pork and chicken, and enhances potato recipes as well as other vegetables.  When cooking a port roast, place several sprigs of fresh rosemary over the top, sprinkle with garlic powder, and wrap in foil.  Place this on the grill and cook according to per pound times.  The rosemary permeates the meat and gives it a different and delicious flavor!  In England, rosemary was always used to adorn the Christmas roast, usually boar.

   Rosemary has long been used in decorating for special occasions.  Rosemary symbolizes remembrance and love, is special to the bride, and is always part of the herbal wedding.  It was used in Medieval England to decorate the church and home during Christmastime.  Rosemary is a favorite for those who like to create topiaries.

   As a cosmetic herb, rosemary is used as a hair rinse for brunettes.  For use in the bath, rosemary is stimulating.  You can make an herbal water by adding a few drops of rosemary essential oil to a pint of water.  Store in the refrigerator, and add a small amount of the mixture to the bath.  Rosemary bath oil can be made by adding rosemary essential oil to sweet almond, jojoba or castor oil.  It is best to use one of these carrier oils, since essential oils, used alone, are very concentrated.

   Every herb lover and gardener should have at least one rosemary plant growing in the garden, on the patio, or on the windowsill.  It is a lovely and intriguing herb!

Potatoes with Rosemary and Cheese
4 medium-sized potatoes, unpeeled and cut into thick slices
2 tsp. olive or vegetable oil
2 tsp. dried rosemary leaves, crumbled
1/2 tsp. paprika
3/4 cup shredded sharp or medium cheddar
   (or Monterey Jack jalapeno adds a zing)

   Place potatoes in a shallow 1-1/2 quart baking dish.  Sprinkle with oil and seasonings; stir to coat.  Cover with waxed paper and microwave on high 10-12 minutes, stirring twice until potatoes are tender.  Sprinkle with cheese; cover and let stand for 5 minutes, until cheese melts.  Makes 4 servings.

Rosemary Butter
   To 1 stick of unsalted (sweet) softened butter, add 1-1/2 tsp. dried rosemary which has been crushed to release the flavor.  Mix well.  Refrigerate overnight.  Use on baked potatoes, rub on chicken before grilling, or as a spread for rolls or bread.

Rosemary Jelly
4 cups bottled white grape juice
1 cup water
3 cups sugar
5-6 tbsp. fresh rosemary leaves, chopped and bruised
1 box Sure-Jell Light fruit pectin

   Pour juice and water into a heavy 6-8 quart saucepot.  Add the rosemary.
   Measure the sugar and set aside.  Mix 1/4 cup sugar with contents of the box of pectin.  Stir this into juice in saucepot.  Pot should be not more than 1/3 full.
   Bring juice to a full boil over high heat, stirring constantly.  Stir in remaining sugar.  Continue to stir and bring to a full rolling boil.  Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Quickly skim foam with a metal spoon.  Ladle into sterilized jars.  Seal and process in hot water bath for 5 minutes.
   Yield: 6 half pints.

Mary Ellen Wilcox
SouthRidge Treasures
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Handmade Holidays

Nov/Dec '12 issue - The Essential Herbal Magazine

By Kristin Henningsen M.S., R.Y.T.
Banyon Moon Botanicals

More and more people are turning to handmade gifts this holiday season.  Whether it is from the current economic climate, a greener conscience, or a brilliant burst of creativity, the trend is certainly catching on.  Handmade gifts are a great way to show appreciation for the ones you love. 

This season, celebrate by helping those you love decrease their stress and increase their health and wellness.  Two simple, but powerful ways to do this are by soaking in a bath and/or drinking a cup of herbal tea.  Herbal baths and teas have strong medicinal value.  Benefits can range from gently soothing a sore muscle, to invigorating yourself on a dreary winter's day.

Follow these herbal recipes below to make quick and easy, yet thoughtful gifts.  Think of them as templates, and feel free to let your creative juices dictate the final product.  

Muscle Ease Bath Salt

1/2 cup Sea Salt                                                                      
1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Epsom Salt                                             
20 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil
15 drops Lavender Essential Oil
5 drops Rosemary Essential Oil

                ~Mix all ingredients well.  Add to bath by tablespoons to desired strength.

Dreamy Bath Salt Blend

1/2 cup Sea Salt                               
1/2 cup Baking Soda
1/2 cup Epsom Salt                         
5 drops each of Rose, Chamomile, Lavender, and Jasmine Essential Oil

                ~Mix all ingredients well.  Add to bath by tablespoons to desired strength.

FairyTale Tea

1/2 cup Raspberry Leaf              
1/2 cup Lemon Balm                     
1/2 cup Chamomile                        
1/4 cup Peppermint                     
1/4 cup Spearmint                       
1/4 cup Rose hips                     
1/4 cup Lavender            

            ~Blend all ingredients together for a delicious and fragrant tea blend.    *yields 20 oz.

 

Minty Magic Tea

2 cups Peppermint                         
1 cup Spearmint              
1/4 cup Lemon Balm

                ~Blend ingredients together for an uplifting and refreshing tea blend. *Yields 20 oz.

You can store Bath Salts and Teas in simple Ball Mason Jars, or any interesting jar you find.  Hot glue pretty paper onto the jar for a label, tie a ribbon around the top, and you have a beautiful homemade gift for family and friends.  While you're at it, go ahead and make one for yourself too. 

Let your gifts come from the heart this holiday season.  You and your family will truly feel the benefits in body, mind, and spirit.

Black Strap Syrups

Black Strap Syrups 

Adrian White ~ www.deernationherbs.com
originally published in The Essential Herbal Magazine, Jul/Aug '14

Spring time does not have to be all about "spring cleaning" for our bodies; nor does winter time have to be about fighting off the sporadic illness with acute cold remedies.  Year-round, whether it be spring, summer, fall or winter, we can also focus on keeping our immune system on its toes.  There are several immune-boosting tonic herbs out there you can turn to, like the popular Reishi, Astragalus and Licorice, while pulling out your plants high in Vitamin C like Elder, Rose hips and Sumac berry give you an added edge.  But generally, it is good to get as much nutrition in as you can.  Some of us struggle with getting enough of any vitamins and minerals in our diet, especially Vitamin D, which we principally receive through sunlight, or magnesium which is painfully absent in a large part of our western diets.  As someone of the above ilk, and also tending towards the more wan and iron-depleted “Vata” disposition (and also being pretty poor), this is something I have to think about seriously, whether it’s spring or winter.  For people like us, this can drastically effect our immune systems as well as our sense of general well-being and health.  Really, we can take all that we can get.

What can we depend on, from season to season, when herb availability fluctuates and some are growing at one time, and fast asleep at others?  How can we keep our spring-tonic and nutritious herbs with us no matter the climate or weather?  Some may suggest tinctures or other preparations, but truth be told, alcohol extracts do not succeed in macerating and preserving minerals as well as we would like to.  Vinegar aceta have their virtues, but still fall short.  This is why I am fond of herbal syrups—and not your average syrups, but Black Strap Molasses syrups.

 

Not all herbal syrups have to be cough syrups, and honey has been found to be one of the best mediums for holding and preserving vitamins and minerals.  Not to mention– honey (raw or organic) in small tablespoon doses is high in its own mineral content.  Think of it this way: instead of making your big pot of Nettle tea and trying to down the wonderful green sludge throughout your entire day, you instead make a more concentrated infusion and fix it into a syrup.  Then you are just taking that amount as a tablespoon supplement, bit by bit, throughout your day.  You can mix it into your coffeeor tea.  Also– it is sweet!

But what is so great about adding Black Strap Molasses into the mix?  Well, it is one of the highest sources of minerals, is affordable, and has a very long perishability.  In even teaspoon amounts, you can get a substantial part of your mineral intake in: Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese, Selenium, and Copper are found in amazing amounts.  The downside to Black Strap?  I am sure if you have tasted molasses, you would understand what the downside is.  Some love its taste, but to the vast majority, molasses is overwhelming to the taste and smell, which can be discouraging to so many who may sorely need it.

Which is why I have come up with a general “Herbal Black Strap Syrup” recipe.  It takes away the intensity of the molasses, bringing it a sweeter palatability; but it also allows you to infuse your syrup with herbs chock full of vitamins which the molasses does not represent.  The product you get is an herbal medicine that is full of Vitamins AND minerals (sometimes more), lasts throughout the year, tastes good, and is quite convenient to use whenever you wish to take it.  If you already have your own herbal syrup recipe, well, it’s quite simple—craft your syrup, then add in Black Strap Molasses in at the end.  I will also provide my own recipe for starters at the end of this article.

IDEAL BLACK-STRAP HERBS.  Think of any highly nutritious herb, and you can easily craft it into this beautiful syrup.  Practically any classic spring tonic herb may apply, but the possibilities (and combinations) are many, and quite thrilling to think about!

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica, Urtica urens).  

The feared and overlooked super-food of our time is perhaps the most ideal candidate for a black syrup.  There is a big stigma on this plant because of its name and its sting, and yet Nettle’s nutritional value has been compared to that of spinach, kale, and most seaweeds and kelps.  It grows everywhere in thick clumps, and yet we struggle with poor diets in this country!  Nettles are the highest land-bound source of protein from wild plants in the U.S., but also incredibly high in iron, calcium, vitamins A and B, iodine and magnesium.  Coupled with black strap, you have here an herbal remedy that will fix most nutrient deficiencies.  Practically every base is covered, except Vitamin B12.  To boot, a black nettle syrup helps with spring respiratory infections, allergies, and even minor asthma issues.

Chickweed (Stellaria media).  A popular spring tonic, Chickweed has its own nutritional assets to offer.  Calcium, potassium, Vitamin C and Iron are fairly plentiful in this little herb.  It can’t compare to Nettles but it makes up for it with the ability for cleansing after a long winter.  To fix this one into a black syrup, Chickweed must be cold-infused a day or two beforehand, juiced, or made into a succus.  I prefer juicing it, straining it out, putting the infusion on a low heat (lower than simmer) and then adding the honey and black strap until it blends to dark emerald-green perfection.

Yellow Dock (Rumex crispus).  Traditionally, the root of this plant was thought to be high in iron, but this has since been debunked.  It is still arguable that it contains a marked amount of nutrients, since it has been used traditionally to treat anemia for so long, and with success.  Most of all, it helps the gut assimilate nutrition exceptionally well.  Yellow Dock is also an alterative and spring-cleaning herb that corrects imbalances of the digestive system, and it will certainly ensure that what’s available in the black strap has the most beneficial impact it can have.  Perhaps it would be most suitable for those who need nutrition but lack the digestive strength to fully absorb it!

Burdock (Arctium lappa).  Burdock is well-known for how perfectly it lends itself to syrups and glycerites.  This makes it the ideal candidate for a black syrup, having many significant nutrient sources such as Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, and Manganese.  Combined with a more nutritious herb, you’ll have quite the daily supplement.  It is also a favored spring tonic, especially for liver and bowel problems, but has been known to clear up acne and other skin issues.

Horsetail (Equisitem arvense).  This ancient and ubiquitous plant grows practically anywhere where marshy, watery habitats can be found.  Why it may be so desirable for a syrup is its availability, as well as high amounts of minerals not found in abundance in other plant sources: Silica especially, but also Vitamin E and several others.  The more young and tender it is, the more nutritious.  Combined with Nettles, a Horsetail black syrup would cover a lot of your nutritional bases and be incredibly helpful for seasonal allergies, arthritis and joint issues!

Medicinal Mushrooms!  Incorporating medicinal mushrooms successfully into a blackstrap syrup may be a bit more for the advanced herbalist.  What needs to be said, though, is that many mushrooms are not only medicinal, but also have amazing amounts of nutrients consistently lacking from our diets!  Notable mushrooms of this ilk are shiitakes, oysters, lion’s mane, turkey tails, reishis, chaga, even morels and boletes.  Vitamin B6, Vitamin D, Protein, Fiber, Zinc, and Magnesium can be found in significant amounts, some more so than others.  I was surprised by the high amounts of iron found in most gourmet varieties!  Some people just cannot get over the taste, or texture, of mushrooms, in spite of what they have to offer.  Which makes a robust black syrup perfect.  On a more remedial level, these mushrooms have proven to help against viruses, HIV, Cancer/Post-Chemo, Allergies, while boosting immune function.

Getting the full benefit of a mushroom black syrup is more difficult than herbal syrups made with plants.  You must double-extract medicinal mushrooms, as all the different constituents yield themselves to different mediums.  The typical double-extraction method states that you must tincture one half of your mushrooms in a high-proof alcohol, then decoct the other half—there are recipes for double-extracting, so go looking for one.  While doing the decoction portion of the recipe, simply turn that into your syrup!  After adding black strap molasses and letting the syrup cool a little bit, then you slowly add your mushroom tincture half, and you have your mushroom syrup.

Finally- the recipe itself!  I use Stinging Nettles most often with this, so it will be my main example.

Black Nettle Syrup
What You’ll Need:
•    Dried (or Fresh) Stinging Nettles (at least 1 cup OK)
•    20-30 oz. honey (preferably organic; raw is ok)
•    15-20 oz. Black Strap Molasses
•    Water
•    A few hours of your time
-Fill a small to medium pot with water on stove top.  Bring water to a gentle simmer, then add your nettles to create initial “infusion”.  Cover.  Let this go for a time, until water is a very dark green.  You can leave it to simmer, or just leave it on low heat.  The sludgier looking the better (more vitamins/minerals).  You may add more water if too much evaporates, and infuse as long as you prefer.  It may take a while.
-Once you have created your desired infusion, strain out herb from the infusion and put in a new clean pot.  Add your honey and bring up to a simmer again.
-At this point, you are “simmering down” your syrup to the consistency you like.   This may also take  a while.  Stir a bit here and there if you want.  Some syrups can be runnier with more water content, others can be simmered down more to be a bit thicker.  It just depends up on the length of simmering.  A couple notes: syrups are runnier at a higher temperature, so it will be a bit thicker when it is cooled down.  Also, you have yet to add Black Strap Molasses, which may also add thickness.
-Final step: once you have simmered down to your desired syrup consistency, add the Molasses to the mixture and stir while it is still hot.  Let cool.
-Add cooled Black Nettle Syrup to desired container, preferably glass and amber-tinted.  Make sure to store syrup in fridge when not in use.