Organic & Natural Herbal Creations – Be Inspired to Make Your Own
05 Oct 2011 Leave a Comment
in God's Green Herbs, organic food, tea Tags: Earl Gray, herbal crafts, Herbal tea, Herbalism, immunity herbs, make organic face wash, organic apothecary, tea
Its been a very crazy week but I wanted to share with you some of the herbal blends I have been restocking my shelves with. As some of you know, I’m an herbal crafter and I love making anything that uses the beautiful medicinal plants and flowers that God created.
From herbal teas to salves to facial washes, I have a remedy and a solution for all of my family’s needs. These remedies are often shared with people who take my herbal medicine classes.
So without further adieu here are some pretty cool pictures I actually took myself with my husbands cheap Samsung S73. I played around with the camera for a while until I was able to get some pretty good shots.
Pictured above is what I often refer to as my Earl Gray Love Blend. A delicious blend of the finest Earl Gray Tea, blended with organic flowers. If you love Earl Gray teas you will just love this blend. Our Earl Gray is fermented just right and contains organic bergamot oil. We enjoy at home with organic coconut or almond milk and a spoon of raw local honey!
Pictured above is my all-time favorite signature blend using a custom recipe I adapted for my taste preference. It’s a blend of aromatic organic herbs that make any dish taste absolutely spectacular. At home we use in soups, stews, baked dishes and Sautéing. Its gives a great kick to raw dishes too! It’s also great mixed with organic virgin olive oil to coat chicken, fish, tomatoes and potatoes.
Over the years I have given these away as gifts and sold them at craft shows and online. People often comment on how different my food tastes when I use this delicious blend! They have a hard time believing that it contains lavender flowers. But yes, you can cook with lavender flowers!
I spent a few months trying to formulate a tea that would meet all my requirements for immunity boosting, and so Immunity Rescue was born. This is a must have tea during cold and flu season. It contains vitamin C and herbs that have anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties. What more could you ask for?
When I’ve had a really hard day or when my husband has back pain or a cold we use salts along with anti-inflammatory herbs in our bathtub. These herbal salts are an awesome way to de-stress the body and reduce pain, swelling and inflammation caused by many different factors. I have enjoyed salt baths and foot soaks for years, before, during and after all my pregnancies. I treasure my foot soaks on stressful days.
And finally, my beloved facial wash and scrub made with organic herbs, flowers, almonds and essential oils. I began formulating this blend because I did not want to expose my family to using cancer causing cosmetics on our face and body. I also wanted to have a moisturizing everyday wash for the kids to use. My friends and family that have tried it, say that it leaves their face soft & supple like babies skin while removing dead skin cells and unclogging pores. On my own body, I have seen how it improves my skin’s texture and leaves my face beautifully soft while removing surface oil.
As I have said before, I love my herbs. I love formulating all kinds of remedies. Currently I am working on an organic anti-bacterial mouth wash to help with gum disease and an organic herbal breath spray. I am still in the testing stages but very excited to make this for my own use and for a few friends that have periodontal disease.
I want to inspire you to visit your local herb garden or plant your own. Grab a bunch of herbs and dry them, then make something great with them. At home we have even done herb art with left over dried herbs.
Herbs are an amazing way to introduce vitamins, minerals and many medicinal properties into our diet.
Signing off
La Chica Organica – sometimes known as: Herbal Madwoman, Herbamommy and SuperMom.
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What to do when your family is sick with a cold or flu? Treat it Naturally? Find out what LCO does at home!
26 Apr 2011 2 Comments
in Allergies and Asthma, Baby & Child Health, Flu & Cold, God's Green Herbs, tea Tags: asthma, Herbal bath cold flu, herbal medicine, herbs for cold, natural cold relief, tea
I often get asked this question when I am speaking or when I am around friends with little ones.
So I am going to give you a quick example of what a sick day in our home looks like, using my self as the victim and a few of the many treatments and approaches I use when sickness comes knocking.
It’s very important to note that if you have overly rambunctious kids and all of a sudden they are clingy, whining and sleepy with dark circles or red glossy eyes, this is a straight giveaway that sickness might be lurking around the corner.
When I see these symptoms in a member of our household it always turns out to mean a flu, cold or virus has already begun to pester the delicate balance of their internal health.
So I will usually whip out my greens (Chlorella, spirulina, wheatgrass, dandelion), colostrum capsules, olive leaf extract, raw honey and some frozen mangos or berries. I add in some water or almond milk and blend my self a huge 32 ounce smoothie. I will drink 3 of these shakes the entire day in addition to 3 cups of my Immunity Rescue Tea
If I am very ill I will juice greens, veggies and fruits instead of smoothies and also do the Immunity tea mentioned above 3 to 5 times per day.
In addition to smoothies and tea I do not eat anything other than a meat and dairy free soup or cream of sweet potatoes and carrots which is easily done by boiling carrots and sweet potatoes with a pinch of sea salt and then blending cooked potatoes and carrots with the same liquid it boiled in.
If it’s a cold I feel coming on I make a bath using Moms Herbal Salts and add in lots of eucalyptus and thyme. I soak in it for about 30 minutes and come out of the bath and rub frankincense and myrrh oil on my feet and neck.
About every 3 hours I will do 3 dropper-fulls of my Immunity Rescue Glycerite or tincture, which is a great organic herbal medicine that can be made by everyone in their home and save lots of time and $. If I am out of my own homemade immunity glycerites and tinctures I will use a great substitute in capsule form called Wellness by Source Naturals.
If my throat is itchy and scratchy I’ll add 2 cloves of garlic to my tea each time I brew a cup as garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and also boasts anti-viral properties. If my ears are itching I’ll put a few drops of peroxide in both ears and drain it out, then add 3 drops of garlic and mullein oil in each ear and cover with cotton repeating 3 times a day for 2 days.
During this time I try to rest as much as possible although for me that means maybe a 6 hour sleep night with two nursing interruptions. When at all possible aim for 8 to 10 hours of sleep so that your body can regain strength and you will recuperate much faster.
It seems like a lot of stuff but I would rather sacrifice two days of intense treatment then be sick for two weeks like most people. My children also get the same treatment in addition to me listening to their lungs with my stethoscope and also look in their ears as an added measure. Because my oldest has a history of asthma that is under control now, I always keep an emergency bottle of Clear Lungs at home which is the best herbal supplement for asthma I have found so far, and it comes in handy when traveling and an asthma flare up occurs.
Questions, comments, drop me a comment below.
Lots of Love
LCO
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Do you Know a Mom that’s Nursing? Share this with Her, She Will Thank You
25 Jan 2011 3 Comments
in Baby & Child Health, Beauty and Skin Care, God's Green Herbs, organic food, Preggo Mama, tea Tags: breastfeeding, Fenugreek, nursing, nursing tea, tea, tea for breastfeeding
Image via Wikipedia
As a mom of three and a serious breastfeeding madwoman I would be lost without my herbal tea for enhancing milk production. I have shared this tea with many moms on the verge of losing their milk and have had many fabulous stories. All of the organic herbs in Breast is Best Tea have been used for centuries by European women and are often recommended by lactation consultants for their lactogenic properties.
After checking the prices at my local health store I decided to make my own tea for nursing moms at a fraction of the cost. I have enjoyed this tea with my 2 youngest children for years and can atrribute my milk\production to taking it faithfully.
here are some of the herbs that La Chica Organica’s Breast is Best Tea contains:
Fennel seed increases milk supply in nursing mothers, improves digestion and reduces gas in mother and baby.
Nettle leaf is loaded with minerals that help build/replace the blood lost in childbirth. It also contains high levels of chlorophyll which aids in building a mother’s milk supply after giving birth.
Red Raspberry leaf has been taken by many women around the world during pregnancy and after to tone the uterus and to prevent excessive bleeding during childbirth. It is responsible for bringing the milk down and enriching the quality of a mother’s milk.
Dandelion leaf is rich in iron, magnesium, calcium, B1, B2, B3 and vitamin C. Dandelion is one of the best blood and liver purifiers around making it very important for production of clean milk.
Blessed thistle improves blood circulation to the breasts and is effective in reducing flatulence in mother and baby.
Fenugreek seed is a prized herb that has been used in Asia for centuries by lactating women to promote milk production. It is also very effective in reducing flatulence, lowering bad cholesterol and supporting the liver.
Peppermint leaf is used for nausea, stomach upset, headache, sinus congestion and gas in nursing moms and children.
I enjoyed this tea 3 to 6 times a day after giving birth and now I take 1 to 3 times a day since I am still nursing. When i went back to work full-time I noticed a drop in my milk production at first which devastated me. So I came up with a little plan that worked like a charm. In the morning I would take a hot shower making sure to let the hot water pour down on the chest area.
While I was showering I had my tea brewing and would come out of the shower and pump while drinking my hot Breast is Best Tea. Then while nursing baby I would enjoy another cup of tea and one more while at work. Then right before bed I made another cup. I love adding in raw organic milk or rice milk and sweetening with raw organic honey.
This tea has helped many women regain their milk supply but you don’t have to be nursing to enjoy it. It’s a delicious tea that you can enjoy anytime.
Available in loose form for $10 for a medium 1/4 pound bag. And for a limited time I am throwing in a free sample of a customer favorite, I’m an Organic Baby Herbal Bath (loose herbs)
Click Here to Order
Tea for all your troubles!
28 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Anxiety Relief, Baby & Child Health, Beauty and Skin Care, God's Green Herbs, Stress, tea Tags: cold, flu, Herb, HERBS FOR INFECTION, HERBS FOR KIDS, HERBS FOR THE FLU, Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, SICK, tea, thyme
We often forget just how powerful a cup of tea can be.
All around the world herbal teas are known to enhance our mood, induce sleep, relax our nerves, reduce inflammation and infection and treat a number of ailments.
If you are not familiar with the world of herbs – I invite you to read through the following information and be blessed.
Who knows you might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.
In a previous article a few months ago I wrote about Thyme and all of its properties. Now I wanted to focus on some other incredible herbs. As with all things its best to use Organic herbs. I love using fresh herbs but because we do so many cups of tea per day we would need a whole farm of herbs to keep up with us. So I use Organic dried herbs. We cook and bathe with them. We also use a variety of herbs to treat sty’s, diaper rash, dandruff, colds, coughs and many other ailments. I grew up taking teas and tonics for all sorts of things.
I remember with joy and sadness the lovely aromatic teas my sweet daddy used to make for me. I must pause for a moment, to contemplate my dads smile. Oh how I miss him, it will be two years since his tragic death due to medical malpractice. I miss you dad – and I am trying to fill in your shoes!
OK, tears are done and we are back on track.
So yes we were talking about teas. It’s crazy but most people don’t even realize the healing power of herbs. For this article I will just list 5 herbs and what they are commonly used for. All of these herbs have been used in our home by everyone including our new baby.
Chamomile: antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, antispasmodic, aids in digestion and has a calming sedative effect. Makes a great wash for face and treatment for styes. Has worked greatly for our children at all ages.
Lemon Balm: nervine (means that it calms the nerves), tranquilizer, antispasmodic, fever reducer, antiviral. Good for colds, flu, colic in little ones, sleeplessness, flatulence. This herb is used almost daily in our home.
Rosemary: digestion, menstrual cramps, diarrhea, antispasmodic effect on upper intestine and gallbladder ducts, antiseptic, anti-inflamatory. Used as a wash for hair, diaper area, psoriasis, dandruff and lice prevention. We use in our home to disinfect and do vapor treatments during flu season.
Lemon Grass: used to treat depression, fight fever used locally over rheumatic joints and sprains as well as nervous and digestive disorders. Anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, reduces flatulence promotes relaxing sleep. Organic essential oil of lemon grass is used to cleanse oily skin, and in aromatherapy as a relaxant. This herb is one of my favorites. I cook with it all the time and always add a pinch to my homemade herbal tea mixes.
Rose Petals: Fantastic gargle and tea for sore throat and mouth sores, relieves uterine issues and heavy periods or irregular periods. Assists with clearing up runny noses and fighting chest infections with congested bronchial tubes. Used to help sufferers of insomnia, depression and extreme fatigue. We use it in a mix with other herbs to bathe baby and our older children. I exfoliate with it several times a week for beautiful skin without using toxic washes and scrubs. We also make cinnamon and rose petal preserves, and oh is it good!
Hope you enjoyed this brief class on herbs. I will be discussing the benefits of other herbs in future articles. If you need help finding quality organic herbs at a great price email us at LaChicaOrganica@gmail.com and we will send you our latest Winter Catalog.
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth… Psalms 104:14
Blessings,
La Chica Organica
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Herbal Tea for Colds, Throat Irritation and Infection
14 Dec 2010 Leave a Comment
in Uncategorized Tags: garlic, garlic for infection, garlic in tea, ginger, how to make thyme tea, Immunity tea, make garlic tea, tea, tea for Throat Infection, thyme, thyme tea
Last weekend for about 2 days I had a really bad throat irritation and infection and it was really painful, so much so that I could not even swallow without cringing. I looked inside and my glands were swollen and I could see the back of my throat was red and inflamed.
With children in school, nursing baby full-time, working full-time and everything else I did not have the time to make a 45 minute trip to my doctor so I pulled out my herbal health kit. I started taking concentrated drops of oregano and rosemary oil every 3 hours in addition to my Immunity Boosting Teas. My husband then made me several cups of strong tea with lemon, garlic, thyme, and a bunch of anti-inflammatory herbs.
But the winners in this story are garlic and thyme for their amazing properties. In less than 2 days my painful problem that probably would have turned into a serious infection was gone.
Thyme and garlic unlike what many people are aware of make a great tea to boost immunity, rid the body of infectious bacteria, viruses and has great astringent properties
Thyme is an aromatic herb. It’s antiseptic and used as a circulatory stimulant when taken hot. It’s also a bronchial antispasmodic and expectorant.
Thyme is taken for fevers, colds and flu, coughs, bronchitis, asthma, bronchial spasms, and expectoration of upper respiratory catarrh. It’s also used as As a gargle for sore throat, tonsillitis and laryngitis and to relieve colic, flatulence and diarrhea.
It’s best to use Organic Thyme, you can purchase store-bought fresh Thyme or the dried leaves. If you use the dried leaves make sure to store in a cool dry and dark place.
To make the tea I made just boil some distilled water and pour it over about a teaspoon of dried Thyme and chamomile and 3 mashed cloves of garlic. Let it steep for about 15 minutes strain off the herbs. Add the juice of one lemon and sweeten with honey. If you want you can also add some dried ginger root or the juice of fresh ginger root. Enjoy this tea 3 to 4 times a day and you will see the difference.
La Chica Organica can get you Organic Dried Thyme and many other Organic Herbs at a great price- its available in our winter catalog which you can get by emailing us at LaChicaOrganica@gmail.com
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