Herbal Pharmacy – 14

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Add fresh or dried thyme leaves to a small glass jar, cover the leaves with apple cider vinegar. Cap the jar and allow the thyme and vinegar to age for seven days. Strain out the thyme and use this liquid as an anti-fungal spray for toenail fungus. It takes about 3 months to see a difference, but if you do this daily, you’ll see a big improvement in toenail health.

Prepare a gargle by steeping fresh or dried sage leaves in 2 cups of boiling water. Allow the water to cool, strain out the leaves and use the liquid as a gargle for a sore throat.

Grind dried sweet Italian basil into a fine powder. Mix the basil with your favorite toothpaste to freshen breath and reduce bacteria on your gums.

Simmer 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds in 8 ounces of water. Strain out the seeds, allow the water to cool slightly,  then drink the liquid. A great winter tonic to ward off colds and flu.

Dry and itchy scalp in winter can be helped by brewing 2 heaping tablespoons of fresh or dried rosemary in 3 cups of boiling water. Allow the water to cool to lukewarm- strain out the rosemary. Use this rosemary enriched liquid as a final rinse after shampooing.

Cold sores are the last thing we want to think about in winter. That telltale tingle on our lips warns us of a cold sore. Tea tree oil to the rescue. Apply one single drop twice daily where you notice the tingle. It will stop a flare-up right away.

Swollen ankles respond to a clove foot soak. Cloves contain eugenol, an anti-inflammatory substance that reduces swelling in feet and ankles. Add  a few whole cloves to a basin of warm water. Soak for about 8 to 10 minutes. Towel dry.

On the edge with daily stress?  Add 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary to a small container.  Open the container when stress gets the best of you- take 3 deep sniffs. Instant calm.

Drinking 3 cups of green tea daily cuts the risk of colds and flu. The catechins in green tea prevent viruses from clinging to your nose and throat.

Top 20 medicinal herbs to grow this spring…

Yarrow, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, ginger, sage, oregano, basil, thyme, rosemary, lemon balm, echinacea, garlic, fennel, turmeric, spearmint, parsley, cilantro, dandelion, calendula.

We want to wish our friends and subscribers a very happy and healthy New Year.

All the best..

 — Meadow Walker and Jackie

Photo courtesy of https://ethy.co.uk/