Herbal Christmas Gifts

blogged by Marianna Bailey, Robin's Herb Shop employee

I think my favorite Christmas gifts are the ones someone takes the time to make for me. It doesn't normally matter what the gift is, because for me, it represents time someone spent thinking about me and working on a "thing" they hoped would show me they love me. How can you not love a gift like that?

I remember one year, one of my sisters made me a bottle of massage oil. It was a simple thing, but it was one of my favorite scents - jasmine - and it was so light on my skin. She put it in a blue glass bottle (knowing how I adore blue glass) and then she prayed I would like it. LIKE IT???? I LOVED IT!!!! And what made it so wonderful was learning that I meant a lot to my little sister. She inspired me to look for ways I can make Christmas gifts for all of my family. It means I work hard sometimes and oftentimes run out of time to get things finished, but I truly spend time thinking about those I love as I try to show them how much they mean to me. So for me, a tradition was born.

I've made several different natural gifts, so this month, I will be sharing some of those things with you, and perhaps my tradition can become yours as well....at least in some way.

Bath Salts

Ingredients
1 1/2 cup epsom salt
1 1/2 cup fine grind sea salt
40 drops essential oils
4-6 drops food coloring (optional)
container

Directions
Blend both salts into a gallon size ziploc bag. Add essential oils and food coloring. Seal bag and use hands to "mash and mix" ingredients. When the coloring seems to be well blended, open one corner of the bag (or use scissors to cut one corner off) and pour bath salts into jar. Seal tightly and label with instructions for use.

Instructions for Use
Mix approximately 1/2 cup - 3/4 cup salt in warm bath and relax!

********************

The hardest part about this recipe is deciding what essential oils (or fragrance oils) to use! Some of my favorite blends are:

25 drops jasmine
15 drops vanilla

10 drops bergamot
15 drops ylang ylang
5 drops clary sage

40 drops lavender

10 drops lavender
10 drops tea tree
10 drops eucalyptus

10 drops lemon
20 drops sweet orange
10 drops grapefruit

Experiment with the essential oils of your choice to get a blend you love and share some beautiful aromatherapy with your family this Christmas!

Herb Shop gets new look!

Seasonal changes oftentimes bring about the desire to make changes for ourselves. If you've been to the herb shop lately, you might have noticed evidence of this. If you haven't noticed our changes, take a tour through our photos and see what we've been doing!

The herb shop building needed a little "pick-me-up" to its exterior. So Mrs. Linda gathered her family, chose paint colors and got to work. The old tired white paint was quickly overtaken by the new tan color.
Mr. Herb supervised beautifully :)
(Note that his shoulder is doing well, but isn't quite ready to take on a task like this.)

Mrs. Linda works just as hard as the rest of her crew and soon the windows are trimmed in pretty contrasting colors.

It didn't take long to achieve a new look!

But wait! There is more! Look closely at the posts on the porch,....

...and now see them as a work in progress as Ms. Christine Scott decorates them with artwork.

And the finished painting looks like this.

So if you've not had a moment to come by and see the changes, please do! We're pretty happy with them and are feeling motivated to get new plants in the landscape to add to the eye appeal!

Blackstrap Molasses

The end of October, I will be sending out a newsletter to all subscribers that contains more information on this subject. I hope you are subscribed!

Blackstrap Molasses

Molasses is not just a sugary syrup our grandmothers used to bake, it is a fabulous health food! There are many, many incidents of health improvement attributed to blackstrap molasses. To name a few:

• Acid Reflux
• Acne
• Anemia
• Anxiety
• Arthritic Pain
• Cancer
• Canker Sores
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Circulation
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Digestive Difficulties
• Energy (low)
• Fibroids
• Gas
• Graying Hair
• Hangover
• Headaches
• Insomnia
• Menopausal Complaints
• Menstrual Issues
• Restless Leg Syndrome
• Sugar Cravings

Was that more than "a few"?

Do you wonder where we get it from? It's actually a byproduct of refining cane sugar to make table sugar. It's the byproduct left over from the third boiling of sugar, which is highly concentrated (and if you taste it, you'll know that for sure!) Imagine all those minerals in the original plant boiled out. That's what you are getting! Cook with it, eat it raw, blend it in drinks or sauces.... however you choose to ingest it, include its sweet goodness in your diet and reap some healthy benefits!

Flax Seed

You've likely heard that flax seeds are good for you, and flax seed oil is important, ... and if you are like I was a few years ago, that's about all you've heard. It's sad that flax seeds don't get a bigger pat on the back, because they really do so very much for you. Let's pull out important points:

Vitamin Content
Flax seeds are so nutritious! They contain many vitamins and minerals, particularly B vitamins and magnesium. That alone makes them a great food, but that's not all....

Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3's are crucial! They are a key force that fight against inflammation, and inflammation is a key force in many diseases, such as arthritis and certain cancers.

High Fiber
You can get the omega-3 and vitamins/minerals from taking flax seed oil, but by consuming the flax SEEDS, you also get fiber. Fiber is an important part of the diet that helps stabilize blood sugar, improves elimination, reduces bad cholesterol, and prevents certain illnesses. The average American diet is generally very low in fiber, making the addition of flax seeds to the diet a valuable consideration.

Now of course, you should not rely totally on flax seeds to cover all the bases. You need other sources of fatty acids in your diet (such as those found in fish oils) and you need a variety of vitamins and minerals. You can get too much fiber at one time too, which can influence the bowels rather suddenly - not a pleasant experience normally. Fiber consumption without adequate water poses an opposite difficulty too. So wisdom is important in this case. That doesn't mean be afraid of flax seeds. They are amazing and very versatile. Grinding your flax seeds gives you a fabulous addition to homemade breads (and with the invention of bread machines, making bread is a snap). Sprinkle a tablespoon of ground flax seeds into your morning smoothie and see how great your day goes!

Notice the improvements to mental function, joint discomforts and skin condition after making flax seeds a part of your regular diet.

Find more information on flax seeds online at sites such as About.com

Are you pH balanced?

At the herb shop, we hear a lot of stories from customers who suffer from inflammation, joint pain, weight problems, yeast and low energy. We also hear customer concerns about heart health, acne, blood sugar, allergies and infections. Of course, there can be numerous causes to some of these difficulties, but one thing they have in common is pH. All of these conditions are supported by an acidic body.

There are many foods that are alkalizing and can help to reverse the affects of an acid pH. Things such as cabbage, peas, spinach, carrots, green beans, lemons, tomatoes and cucumbers are all beneficial in this way. The body has defense mechanisms to protect itself, but it can be overwhelmed if it doesn't have enough help from time to time. When our diet does not consist of enough alkalizing foods and has an over-abundance of acidic foods, then those defenses get out-numbered and symptoms begin to show. The acid culprits are meats, sugars, dairy products, coffee, alcohol, sodas, artificial sweeteners, eggs, vegetable oil and others.

We all know processed foods take a toll on our bodies, but if we realized just how much, perhaps we would reconsider the menu one more time before ordering. Trying to organize our plate so that 70-80% of the meal is alkalizing foods and 20-30% is anything else can alter that pH balance of our body.

So what are those foods?

Alkaline Foods

Asparagus Artichokes Cabbage Lettuce Onion Cauliflower Radish Peas Red Cabbage Leeks Watercress Spinach Turnips Chives Carrots Green Beans Beetroot Garlic Celery Grasses (wheat, barley, kamut, etc) Cucumber Broccoli Kale Brussels Sprouts Lemon Lime Avocado Tomato Grapefruit Rhubarb Watermelon (is actually neutral) Fresh Vegetable Juice Pure water Lemon water Vegetable broth Almond milk Non-sweetened soy milk Almonds Pumpkin Sunflower Seeds Sesame seeds Flax seeds Buckwheat Groats Spelt Lentils Cumin Seeds Any sprouted seed Flax oil Hemp oil Avocado oil Olive oil Evening primrose oil Borage oil Coconut oil Hummus Tahini

Acidic Foods

Pork Lamb Beef Chicken Turkey Seafood (apart from occasional oily fish such as salmon) Milk Eggs Cheese Cream Yogurt Ice Cream White Pasta White bread Wholemeal bread Biscuits Soy Sauce Tamari Condiments (tomato sauce, mayo, etc) Artificial Sweeteners Honey Fizzy Drinks Coffee Tea Beer Fruit Juice Dairy Smoothies Traditional black tea Sweets Chocolate Microwave Meals Canned foods Powdered Soups Instant Meals Fast Food Saturated Fats Hydrogenated Oils Margarine Corn Oil Vegetable Oil Sunflower Oil Peanuts Cashew Nuts Pistachio Nuts

Of course, you can take supplements that assist your body in balancing out, so stop in and ask about those too!

Candles

Have you seen the table with candles at the shop? If not, take a look the next time you are in. These candles are made by Mesa Bailey, a young girl learning about natural methods of good health. Some of the candles are actually recycled, while others are made from soy wax, a renewable resource.

Currently, the candles are on sale to make room for new stock in this fall. Take advantage of the 20% discount while it lasts and support a local youth at the same time.

CoQ10

(Coenzyme Q10)

As some of you know just from getting to know me at the shop, my husband has had some difficulties with his heart. Yesterday, his cardiologist did a heart catheter on him, which allows him to actually SEE the condition of his arteries around the heart muscle. The reason for this procedure yesterday was due largely to the symptoms my husband had been experiencing for a week or more, namely blood pressure bouncing up and down, energy levels down, chest pains, weakness,... So like a good patient, he went in for the procedure and the doctor found that his heart and surrounding arteries were in very good condition right now. So why was he feeling so bad for a week or so? The doctor and I talked about it some, and I reflected back to what was going on at the time of the check-up that might have had something to do with it. At that time, he had been taking CoQ10 and had run out. Instead of running to the shop and getting another bottle, he just let it go and figured we'd get some in a few days (which we have). I told the doctor how he had seemed to *perk up* when he started the CoQ10 and his *feel bad state* started the day or 2 after he ran out. The doctor said "THEN TELL HIM GET BACK ON THOSE THINGS!" and of course,.... I did!

The reason I had him start taking it in the first place is because he had a heart attack last year. since that time, he has been taking a beta-blocker and a statin drug ...both of which can adversely affect the CoQ10 levels of the body. So now I've seen a difference in him, and want to share with others just how beneficial this enzyme is for your body.

(The following information is taken in excerpts from The Hart Book, a guide to NSP products.)

Coenzyme Q10 is a naturally occurring nutrient found in nearly every cell in the human body and is a part of energy production at a cellular level (ATP synthesis). As a result, CoQ10 affects the functions of all cells in the body and thus, is essential for the health of virtually all human tissues and organs, particularly the heart, immune system, gastric mucosa (stomach lining) and gingiva (gums).

Insufficient serum blood levels and tissue deficiencies of CoQ10 have been demonstrated in a wide variety of cardiovascular diseases, including angina pectoris (chest pain), aortic valvular disease (a heart condition involving a defect in one or more heart valves), cardiomyopathy, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, hypertension (high blood pressure), mitral valve prolapse (a common heart valve abnormality), ......and more. Research has consistently confirmed a strong correlation between the severity of heart failure and low blood and tissue levels of CoQ10. This should come as no surprise, since the heart requires the highest amount of ATP activity in order to support its constant aerobic function (pulsation). Thus, sufficient levels of CoQ1- are essential for a healthy heart and critical for a failing heart.

Many placebo-controlled trials have been performed to test theories on the importance of CoQ10, and in these studies, cardiac improvements are demonstrated. Cardiovascular health is not the sole reason for considering the use of CoQ10, though. It's role in enhancing immune system function has been well established also and has given cause to scientific study and investigation as a possible anti-cancer agent.

Side effects of CoQ10 supplementation are very limited to rare, occurring in less than 1/2 of 1%, according to a study of long-term CoQ10 use in 5,000 patients. When mild reactions were experienced, they included appetite loss, diarrhea, slight nausea and stomach discomfort. Typically, such reactions will disappear if CoQ10 is taken after meals or if the dose is reduced.

So your body is in need of energy in all cells, and those cells build your body systems, and those body systems run your life. Providing your cells with the tools it needs to create that energy does more than give you "get up and go"...it literally gives you strength to protect against serious illnesses and system failures. Of course, there are many many reasons why things can go wrong and no single supplement can provide for ALL those reasons. There really is no *miracle pill*, but there certainly IS *food for your heart*.

I encourage you to use Google and look into more information on the benefits of CoQ10 and it what it can do for you!

Elderberry

(Sambucus Nigra)

Did you see our sign out by the highway? The one that said "Is your immune system ready for school?" If you did, were you wondering what that meant? I hope you stopped in the store and asked, but if you were hesitant and didn't want to feel silly by asking, let me just explain here.

Schools are THE ONE PLACE children congregate in large groups every single week day. The majority are fine, no health risks posed to other children. There is always one or two that are the exception to that, though. Sometimes it takes a few days for symptoms to display, so we can't always know we've been exposed to a bug. Wouldn't it be nice if we could walk around in a protective bubble that would bounce those "bugs" right off and not let them stick to us? That's not so unrealistic--- And that's what I meant with the sign.

If you spent a couple weeks preparing your child's immune system like you did his/her wardrobe and backpack full of supplies, then your child DOES have a "bubble" of protection for now. For those of you who didn't think of that, its not too late! What do you need to do?

There are many options that boost immune function.... Vitamin C, Echinacea, fresh fruits and vegetables, .... but one in particular is exceptional: Elderberry.

Elderberry has many beneficial talents to observe, but one of the best is its ability to fight off colds, flu, coughs, bacterial and viral infections. It is actually a berry (grows wild at the end of my driveway! I'm sure you've seen them even if you didn't know what it was!) and some people will make jams and jellies from it. I've heard of elderberry wine and syrup and extracts too. The dark colored berries are rich in antioxidants, which helps speed healing.

Nature's Sunshine Products makes a chewable elderberry tablet that is perfect for children that are too young to swallow a capsule: Elderberry Plus. It's easy to send your young ones out the door to begin their day of school with a chewable tablet or two that will guard their health all day long. If your child decides they don't like the chewable tablets, then try the syrup. It has a bold flavor, but its a good flavor and most children enjoy it. I admit it,...I like it too! For those who don't want to taste anything and are capable of swallowing capsules, try the Elderberry Defense. In a gelatin capsule, you'll never taste the contents but will still benefit tremendously from the immune enhancing formula.

For those of you who like to make your own "concoctions", this plant is certainly one you can work with, but a little precaution is called for. Whenever using elderberries, you want to remove the tiny seeds from inside. This will require juicing and straining for a lot of recipes. The reason for this is to remove the tiny amount of toxin contained in the seeds that can cause gastrointestinal upset. The leaves, bark and roots also contain a toxin. If you wish to use elderberry, be sure of what you are doing and which parts of the plant you use for optimal safety. In general, the flowers and the berries (with seeds removed) are the part of choice for this plant.

Don't let that caution scare you out of using elderberry. Elderberry is amazing and gives the body strength to fight and defend against a whole host of health invaders. Use trusted sources and research well before attempting to use the fresh plants. That's an easy thing! Heeding that little advice will prove most valuable the next time you or your child is exposed to a "bug."

A Word of Caution

FDA News Release:

http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm167065.htm

For those of you who suffer with sinus difficulties (allergies, colds & more), please take a moment to read this article posted on the FDA website. Take this information into consideration, especially if you have or expect to be standing at the drugstore looking over the products available for relief. Sometimes the side effects are far worse than the original distress that sent you to the store!

Remember too,... "There's an herb for that!"

Apple Cider Vinegar

My last post here showed you honey and some of the amazing properties it has. This posting, I'm going to show you Apple Cider Vinegar and how smart my Grandfather was! That should make for an interesting post, don't you think?

First, let's think about vinegar options.

We're not going to include white vinegar in this at all. It's just not the same.

When you go to the store to pick out some apple cider vinegar, do you look for the clear, light colored cider vinegar that just sparkles in the bottle and glistens on the shelf? Or do you choose the one that is a bit of a dusty brown color, a little cloudy, and has something that looks like a spiderweb floating around the bottom of the bottom?

I hope you select the second one, and not the sparkling clear one.

That stuff floating in the vinegar is not a spiderweb at all. Instead, it is natural particles of the apples called "mother" and is highly beneficial. The darker coloring indicates that it is organic and unfiltered and in a pure state. So why would stores stock so much MORE of the other stuff if it contains less value? Because its PRETTIER! Who wants to consume something that looks dirty and ugly?

Ok, we've picked out some good cider vinegar (and a great brand is Bragg's), so why are we thinking about drinking this stuff? Here is a list of reasons you can pick from:

• weight loss
• arthritis
• cholesterol
• heartburn
• acid reflux
• hair care
• energy
• warts
• acne
• diabetes
• repels (and kills) ants
• blood pressure
• sunburn
• insect bites

Ok enough listing! I need to save room to talk more about this stuff!

Apple Cider Vinegar is an old-fashioned remedy, but look at how hard Grandma and Grandpa worked every single day, and how long they stayed active even in their old age. They had concoctions of all sorts back then, and they felt good for the most part! They still had stress, even if it came from a different source than our stress does. My grandfather (I called him "Danny") used to drink some little concoction every morning when I was younger. When I was 16 years old, I had an awesome chance to take a trip to Australia, and it wasn't cheap. To help pay for it, I went to stay in south Georgia with my grandparents and to work at Roddenbury's Pickle Plant. I spent a whole summer there surrounded by vinegar smells, and what did "Danny" do every morning? Drank some of that stuff! He mixed some cider vinegar with some honey and added a little warm water and downed it each day. He loved me so much that he wanted me to start my day out right too....so all summer long, he would make me a cup of his morning brew and have me drink it. It was not my favorite my drink, I promise you! But he was right....I did have a better sense of well-being the rest of the day. I worked a very hard shift and started my day at 3am, so it was easy for me to see the difference that little 3 ounces of vinegar and honey water did.

I'm all grown up now and have my own teenagers now. My "Danny" would be proud to know I encourage others to drink his concoction. Try it yourself and see how you feel in a week!

Don't think you have to only consume your cider vinegar. On the contrary! A couple weeks ago, I sustained a pretty nasty sunburn and was struggling to get relief from the intense pain. Someone suggested I try putting cider vinegar on it, since its the ONLY thing I had not tried. Let me just stand up and testify,..... RELIEF!! It took the fire out of that sunburn and it was not heavy like a lot of things can feel. Fabulous, right? Oh and warts,...remember, that was on my list above. Mix a little bit half-and-half with water and soak a wart in it for 20 minutes per day. Vinegar can make a difference in pH and make the atmosphere no longer suitable for a wart to survive in. I also mentioned weight loss. A teaspoon or two a day,...or twice a day..... try it and see if it encourages YOU to burn some fat up.

Of course, this is still just old "home remedies" and no FDA approval backs up any claims. There is no proof that a teaspoon a day in some water will ease arthritis or that a mouthful after meals takes care of heartburn,.... but it doesn't hurt to try it and see if your experiences match mine....and our grandparents'!

Honey

Did you know that honey never goes bad? It might get a little sugary or crystallize in the jar, but mildly warming it brings it back to a nice liquid consistency. And on top of that, it does LOTS more than just replace your sugar.

To start with, honey is filled with B vitamins (no pun intended). B vitamins provide energy, adrenal support, nerve health support and influence your immune function. Consider what you see bees doing on a regularly basis- working, right? They go from sunrise to sunset with hardly a break. And when they come home at night, instead of falling into a recliner in front of the TV set, they sit outside the hive door and fan it to help themselves and others cool down for the night. Even when resting, bees are working! If honey provides THAT well for bees, it stands to reason that it has good things to offer us as well.

Aside from being a delicious food source, honey has health-boosting factors to offer. Many people use it for allergies while others like it to soothe a sore throat. These are just 2 things honey has been used for. There are SO SO SO many more uses! Some we've experienced are:

• Acne
• Bee stings
• Energy/Stamina
• Allergies
• Wounds (cuts)
• Burns
• Laxative (mild)
• Improved digestion

Honey is often included in other remedies, such as The Master Cleanse program (also known as the Lemonade Diet) and facial recipes. It's powerful microbial properties are beneficial when mixing it with lemon for sore throat recipes. Of course, it improves the rich flavor of foods a little differently than common table sugar does. Perhaps this is due to the enzymes contained in honey that help the foods it comes in contact with to open up and release their flavors. Or perhaps it is just our body recognizing "natures perfect food" and accepting it more readily that causes our taste buds to awaken when we consume honey.

What's the difference in honey you get at the store and honey you get from a beekeeper? Beekeepers don't generally pasteurize their honey. Pasteurization means heating, and heat kills enzymes. Enzymes help your body systems function, so raw honey is preferable. Bees collect pollen and nectar from within a 50 mile radius of their hive. If you wish your honey to be an aid for pollen allergies, then the honey you consume needs to come from bees local to your area. That's not to say that honey made 100 miles from your home won't help you. Chances are that there are at least SOME plants in the bee territory that are the same as what you regularly are exposed to at home. Getting honey closer to home assures more likelihood that the bees will roam through plants that coincide with your allergies. This helps to build a resistance to the problematic pollens.

You've probably heard that babies and children under the age of 18 months shouldn't be given honey. This is true, because without pasteurization, tiny problematic spores can potentially give your little one some negative bacteria that is potentially dangerous. Once a child reaches 2 years old, his digestive system has matured more and is able to deal with such things better. So heed that warning and don't take chances.

Eat Healthy!

This is the season for fresh fruits and vegetables to be in abundance. Whether you grow it yourself or purchase from a road-side market or farmers market, you can use your fresh foods to boost your health! Such an easy thing to do, but are there choices that are better suited to your health needs? Of course, there are!

Red is a great color for heart health. As the old saying goes, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away!" Apples are a great tasting fiber food that benefits cholesterol and diminishes bone loss. And of course, fiber is great for colon health too, so enjoy your apple a day and the benefits that go along with it. Tomatoes are another wonderful red food that goes so well with all sorts of meals. Dice it up with your breakfast omelet, include a slice in your lunchtime sandwich, or enjoy whole cherry tomatoes in your side salad at suppertime. And while you're eating so richly, you'll also be feeding your heart!

Yellow foods are mood motivators. Studies have found that people suffering from depression reported feeling better after eating a banana--perhaps because bananas contain tryptophan, a natural chemical that boosts production of the feel-good hormone serotonin! Bananas contain iron as well, and a little iron can make a difference in energy, which of course contributes to improved moods too. Butternut squash doesn't have to be a "one time a year" food either. It can be grilled and enjoyed at anytime, and by enjoying it more often, you get the carotenoids that also reduce the risk of lung cancer. Weightloss on your mind? Drinking fresh grapefruit juice can motivate your body to drop pounds, and what a delicious way to go!

Greens are loaded with nutrients. Spinach, broccoli, green peppers and kale are loaded with fiber and fiber helps the body to detoxify. Detoxification in a natural way helps to prevent cancers. Keep your body's elimination systems moving steady to increase their strength and ability to fight for you.

Orange makes us think of the orange fruit. Oranges are abundant in vitamin C, which brings improvement to inflammation that can lead to asthma, arthritis, allergies, heart disease and cancer. If you enjoy making your own fresh orange juice, toss in a piece of the orange peel too. The peel is loaded with hesperidin, a molecule shown to lower high blood pressure as well as cholesterol. You can also grate the peel into salads, stir-fries and even desserts. Sweet potatoes are another orange food that is filled with vitamins and minerals we need every day. One of these is vitamin E, essential to a good memory. *Did you know... if you eat a raw carrot, you absorb only 4% of the beta carotene it contains. Drink the juice and absorb 90%!

Blue and purple foods keep you alert and are rich in antioxidants. So enjoy blueberries, grapes and purple cabbage and see benefits in improved motor skills, learning capacity and memory, not to mention the cancer prevention ability.

Of course, the more colors involved in your meals, the more appealing the meal is and the more nutrients you get benefits from. Fresh is generally best, and fresh juicing is ideal. Your body will love being fed these foods and you'll find your energy levels greatly improve.

As 'they' say.... "Taste the Rainbow!"

Much of the information included in this posting was printed by Woman's World, 6/13/2006 /all rights reserved/

St. Johns Wort

Hypericum Perforatum

Most of us think of St. Johns Wort as a remedy for depression. It's true, this wonderful little flowering ground cover DOES nourish the nervous system and improve moods for some people. That's not the only reason to love the plant though!

The following story expresses the personal experiences of Marianna Bailey, employee at Robin's Herb Shop.

"A good many years ago, a dear family member mentioned to me how badly she hurt from her diabetic neuropathy. Neuropathy means that the nerves are dying, and of course that's a painful condition. I hated to think there was nothing to be done for her, and indeed, she felt that way. Her doctors had tried every pain-relieving medication they could dream up and still, her condition aggressively declined. I visited herb shops and read books and Googled every webpage I could find, and answers were unavailable at that time. I did, however, locate a couple sentences that told me St. Johns Wort benefited nerve health. I decided to try it, and again, no herb shops around carried it in a topical application. I made up my mind that I would just make my own. I invested in 2 plants and got them in the ground. They grew all year long, but didn't produce any flowers. The following May, I got a call that this person had passed away from complications of her illnesses. I was devastated. After the arrangements had all been carried out, I stood in my kitchen and looked out the window. There in my yard were a few yellow flowers. I decided that even if this special lady wouldn't benefit from it, my mother might, so I went outside and collected the flowers and began to make oil. I shook the jar of oil with flowers in it every day, and after 2 weeks, I strained the oil. I added a few fresh flowers and shook that jar for another 2 weeks. At that point, I went to visit my parents and since my mother also has diabetic neuropathy, she was a perfect guinea pig. I took the oil from my flowers with me and gave my mother a foot massage with it. I rubbed it in and worked it thoroughly. About 15 minutes afterwards, my mother announces that her feet aren't hurting. She even walked barefoot across the room, something she hadn't been willing to even attempt in a couple years. Since that time, I've bottled multiple ounces of my special oil and used it liberally on many uncomfortable body parts to find some relief. I discovered it eases the pain of sunburns too, and takes the "throb" out of some muscle aches. Best of all, it takes the edge off of my husband's back pain (due to an injury) so that he is able to sleep at nights. It doesn't bring dead nerves to life, or if it does, I'm unable to tell that. But the relief it brings to those I love makes it worthwhile to continue growing and working with. And it always reminds me of Ella,...because she is the reason I tried it in the first place." -- Marianna Bailey, Family Herbalist

St. Johns Wort likes full sun and plenty of space to grow and spread out. It can be considered "invasive", so if you plan to plant it, place it in an area it can take up space. It only blooms during June and July, and the flowers are where the red oil is most evident. Harvest the flowers and place in a glass jar. Fill jar with olive oil to cover flowers, cap the jar tightly and shake daily. Store it in a sunny window to allow it to blend (like sun tea). After 2 weeks, strain and bottle oil. Optionally, you can add a few drops of vitamin e oil just to act as a preservative to your St. Johns Wort oil. Apply to the skin as needed, but do keep in mind that St. Johns Wort can increase photosensitivity.

Caution:
St. Johns Wort should not be taken orally in conjunction with contraceptive pills, epileptic medications, anti-depressant medications or certain foods containing tyramine, ie: cheese, red wine, preserved meats and yeast extracts. It may well increase the chance of sunburn, so care should be given to exposed skin when using St. Johns Wort.

Herbal Thoughts: Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm
(Melissa Officinalis)

Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family, but its flavor is very different. As its name implies, it carries a very fresh and light lemon flavor, making it great for a lot of culinary uses.

This tender leafy herb has many uses. As far back as the Middle Ages and as recent as today, Lemon Balm (also known as Sweet Melissa) has been used as a calming agent to reduce stress, ease discomforts from indigestion and promote restfulness. It is commonly combined with other herbs in creams and salves to bring relief to wounds, insect bites and cold sores. With such talents, this herb has a place in all herb gardens!

To grow your own Lemon Balm, purchase seeds from a reputable source or young healthy plants from a nursery. It is a perennial plant, which means it will return next year also. It is easy to maintain, as it tolerates dry soil or moist soil, but it does not like to stay wet for prolonged periods of time. Plant in the sun, but provide some moderate shade during the heat of the day to avoid wilting under stress. Harvesting can be done as needed, or cut the entire plant back 3-4 times per season. Cut as close as 3 inches from the base of the plant. This is good if making large quantities of teas or salads. For a single cup of tea, you’ll only use a few sprigs. The leaves are generally used since the majority of the plants “goodness” lies within the leaves.

Whether you are enjoying Lemon Balm for its culinary value or therapeutic properties, enjoy a fresh cup of tea often and let nature nurture your spirit.

Lemon Balm Tea
2 t. chopped leaves
1 c. boiling water

Combine and steep for 5-10 minutes. Strain and add honey, and/or lemon.
Enjoy!

Lemon Balm is quite gentle, and is generally regarded as safe to be used by children. It is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Although there is no scientific evidence, it is possible that lemon balm could adversely react with thyroid medications and some sedatives. Consult a physician before using in conjunction with these medications.

NEW!

Robin's Herb Shop is moving onto the internet now! This site will be a place to find what's new, what's coming, what's happening and what's what. More of those kinds of details will be found in our newsletter. If you are interested in receiving our monthly newsletter, send an email to us at:
robinsherbshop@gmail.com and make your request! Then be sure to set your spam filter to allow emails from us. (We wouldn't want you to miss any great opportunities!)

While you're waiting to see what we post online, come on into the shop and try out The Compass, a bio-survey program that lets your body tell us what nutritional supplements it craves. It's a great way to design a nutritional supplementation program specifically for you and your needs, and it's cheaper than an office visit!

Stop in soon and get on our mailing list, join a class, and jump on the healthy bandwagon! We can't wait to see you!