This is the shortest lesson in this course but it one of the most important.
The key to being a successful family herbalist is to be your own best testimonial.
That is: be your own example of what herbs can do for people, and that means using herbs yourself.
This sounds obvious, but sometimes people just want to study herbs and not really experience their life-changing health benefits.
Maybe they don’t have the courage to take the herbs and try them out, or to really change their life in terms of food intake and physical exercise; maybe they don’t enjoy the taste of some of the herbs, so they’re afraid to really commit to the daily quantities necessary for a positive change.
But studying herbalism is not a spectator sport.
You have to really get into your herbs. Find ways to make them work in your life and then observe what happens in your own body, physically, emotionally and energetically; because you will undoubtedly experience a phenomenal shift in your health.
You will experience a transformation.
It is inevitable, because herbs deliver such potent healing nutrients and energies that they can’t help but alter your level of health. If you just tune in to what’s happening in your body and become an observer of your body, you will notice some phenomenal changes taking place.
Dig Deeper
Find ways to use herbs in your daily life. A good starting point is the crafts like herbal bath salts and culinary herb and spice blends. Also, commit to mastering the art of making your own herbal remedies. Share your ideas for starting by leaving a Reply below…
I have always used spices & herbs in cooking and when crafting my own organic teas. So basic but such a great way to start. Sore stomach? Peppermint or ginger tea. Cannot sleep? Passion flower & chamomile. Bloated? Dandelion and ginger. Such an easy introduction to herbs and great for those who are anxious to try them.
I saw a naturopath for years, and I won’t lie, some of the herbs are absolutely foul. But the pay offs are incredible
I currently use herbs for salves, lotions, creams, shampoo, and body wash as well as colds/flu, sleep aid, and pain killers. As I learn more, I’m sure I will have more uses. 🙂
I’ve been drying raspberry leaves for raspberry leaf tea. Known as “women’s herb”, I have already began to experience better periods, i.e., less pain. I’ve also recently began to drink tulsi tea, which as an adaptogen is supposedly going to aid in my journey to live a more stress-free life.
I have been diagnosed with two auto-immune diseases that has caused severe pain. My choice was not to use chemo, and using Ginger, Turmeric, star anise, Cinnamon and cardamon, I have reduced my inflammation count and control my pain. This is in conjunction with my change in diet. I have planted my own vegetables and a few herbs but still have so much to learn…..
I use peppermint tea for headaches and I used nettle tea during my last two pregnancies for iron.i make a herbal salve for our family for cuts and bruises with lavender and calendula and rosemary.
I made my own hair food rosemary and peppermint essential oils with organic hair food fertilizer
I use herbs in many different ways. I make salves with cannabis, turmeric, cinnamon. I enjoy a nice soak in Lavender, Rose Geranium Bath Salts that I make. I also make my own lip balms with Rose essential oils. My next adventure is making my own essential oils.
Have not try to many things mostly teas
But plan on working on weight and health
My favorite remedies for myself right now are elderberry syrup (elder berries, ginger, rose hips, orange peel, lemon and local honey)
Arnica cream (coconut oil steeped with arnica flower, lavender and peppermint. Shea butter, bees wax and lavender essential oil)
In conjunction with Yerba mate tun tincture and a multi vitiman tincture (alfalfa, raspberry leaf and dandelion) extracted with organic vegetable glycerine
I have studied Aromatherapy and have used what I’ve learned in making bath salts; creams and lotions and massage oils etc. I also make cold processed soap from time to time using essential oils. Since I love cooking, I use herbs all the time in my cooking. I am a huge fan of Iberogast for all sorts of tummy and colon problems and would love to make my own if possible – it’s so expensive!! Another favourite I use is Butler’s Pommade Divine, which of course I would really love to be able to reproduce myself as well if possible 🙂 These are my two favourite products in the world! Oh, and Mullein! That is absolutely amazing for coughs and a sore chest!
My other dream is to find or make myself, the perfect sleeping aid – I have tried so many herbs and products and some work better than others, but “the one” still eludes me. Being an insomniac this is a quest for me, and also to cure or keep in control all my gut problems….:) But also, I am in early menopause 🙁 and am trying to find the natural alternatives to HRT’s. I am so fed up with the headaches and mood swings and night sweats it’s not funny any more. So, I want to try Black Cohosh or Chasteberry to see if that works better.
I am working on healing my gut.
That is the root cause of all my ailments.
Digestion, inflammation, anxiety, depression.. Pain
Working on the elimination diet, lots of wild yam root, marshmallow root, tumeric, peppermint, magnesium.
Making teas and working into tinctures and salves.
Right now, I have dandelion root infusing and that along with some other ingredients I am going to put together a pain relieving rub for arthritis.
All good things in the works.
I have already started with hair, skin and beauty care items.
It has helped especially with stress-induced eczema.
I plan to expand to other areas of the body for a wider range of physical care.
I’ve already started crafting bath salts, sugar scrubs, and different teas. I hope to expand what I do beyond this to different sprays, and more specific ways to include herbs in my cooking and food crafting.
Simple syrups, tonics, tinctures, teas, oils, etc.
Currently I make a Moringa mix that helps my family with inflammation, detoxing and amazing energy for the day ahead.
I soak Moringa leaves in water, once properly soaked I remove the leaves and add slices of lemons with mint leaves. We have had this in a tea form but also chilled and it really works.
I also use essential oils ( Sweet Basil and Almond carrier oil) most commonly to assist my family with fatigue and calming the mind during exams etc.
I have been trying herbs for a year now since there is no cure of perfect painkille for fibromyalgia. I started with CBD oil and recently started making my own.
So 20 years ago I started with aromatherapy; then hygiene and bath products, which evolved to sleep remedies, headache remedies, healing balms for kid injuries if a hospital trip wasn’t needed. Flues, colds, fevers, comfort as needed. Tea formulations, organic but purchased in grocery stores (some are still favorites for my teens, but they are good at asking for my cramp formulas, relax formulas, and mood uplifts.
Jump into 2017 and I was diagnosed with SIBO in which I cannot eat like normal people, then to 2018 when diagnosed with ME/CFS, a debilitating disease that I have an apothecary of a ridiculous amount of herbs that I test and record to see where there is an improvement, if at all. Still testing; singles and compounds, and even after two years I Still have Faith.
There is no conventional medical cure for either of these conditions affecting millions around the world.
The power is in the plants, self-control, journaling, and praying. Locating the right one. Researching herbs yourself gives you taste, texture, the experience of the remedy, the actions and properties of the herbs and how to grow them and how to make the medicinal product (if and when applicable).
I have been using herbs for years. My favourite is tumeric for pains in the body.
I use herbs in my cooking to improve taste, but I do not know enough about herbs and its medicinal uses to help improve health to use in teas etc. yet.
I do always have honey and lemon in the house for soar throats as well as tea tree oil for cuts etc.
I really need to start a herb garden again. But we moving again so that will need to wait a bit… For now I’ve started using essential oils. We also always have bulbine (sp?) for cuts and scrapes.
Honey, lemon, garlic etc are essentials in our home for flu.
I am using cancer bush tea. It almost immediately took away sever pain in my body and gave me a positive outlook on life again. Started changing my life style and training again
I have not yet begun making herbs for others, but find testing them in my own way (like cooking, teas etc) very beneficial.
I have used herbs in various capacities for years.They are apart of my daily life and have benefited/supported me in times of extreme stress, pre-surgery and post surgery healing, with colds and flu and general well being.
I will be learning how to make bath salts next and I am excited for it.
Ps. I read the comments posted above and must say I could feel the enthusiasm – much enjoyed and thanks for sharing 🙂
Drinking herbal teas and using herbs in my kitchen.
It leaves a sense of well-being.
Me 2
I have made tons of herbal remedies and use them on myself and my family all the time. I also use herbs as preventive medicine during cold and flu season.
Elderberry is amazing!
I have been using herbs for years. My last experience was being able to completely get off my thyroid medicine by transitioning with herbs after changing my diet, losing weight, and taking care of myself. My blood tests all came back normal.
One of my all time favourites is comfrey.
It is excellent on spider bites to draw out the poison and with the healing process. (Poultices)
We also experience amazing healing with animals (dogs) specifically where there are broken bones or open wounds. By giving the the tea and even combined cooked leaves with their food and poultices.
I always use warm water with ginger, honey and lemon for sore throat. I make my own toothpaste and the next thing to make is a body lotion.
Hi
I love working with herbs. I use herbs to ward off flu to which we are susceptible and to help with the waterworks
I am replacing sugar with stevia that I bought last year, by making a syrup. I also made my own body scrub with some nice fragrant herbs and some of my friends ask me to make some for them as well. Going back to nature and of the grid.
To build your experience in holistic approaches, my suggestion is to start with remedies you don’t ingest and/or directly come in contact with. Such as aromatherapy or herbal pillows/satchels. Herbal pillows is an easy way to get experience and they are extremely beneficial. In addition, they last for months, so your herbs are not wasted. You can start with the most inexpensive way possible; and best of all, you don’t have to have any craft skills whatsoever!
*When the dryer eats up one of your matching socks/stocking, take your mismatched sock:
*Add approximately 1 cup of dried herb (depending on their uses)
*Tie the open end of the sock in a knot that loosely hugs the dry herb inside the stocking
*And Whaalaa..place the herbal sock pillow either over your eyes or where you lay your head at night.
*You can make pillows to help relax, to help nightmares, to help headaches, etc.. Great gift ideas also
I had a daily sinus problem until I started using a seawater and chamomile extract nasal spray and it changed my life, this is actually what got me interested in herbalism.
I have had many health issues throughout my life, with multiple surgeries. Over the past two years I have embarked on a journey of healthy eating and exercise with wonderful results and I now feel a strong pull towards herbal medicine rather than medical drugs. I have started using herbal teas for certain aliments – chamomile tea helps decrease my anxiety and initiate sleep.
I know all to well about the healing properties of herbs and plants and have been on a holistic journey for a while now. My in depth research has however only recently begun when my husband was diagnosed with cancer. I have been making herbal teas, infused oils. bath salts and use herbs in my cooking, Have also recently been experimenting with the making of body products.
Raw local honey, fresh grated ginger and lemon, “the lemon drop” is great for a sore throat and/or cough.
I have always been intrigued about herbs, so I’ve been slowly incorporating herbs into my daily life. With bath herbal blends, teas and beauty regimes. I would live to continue to have herbs as a part of my healing a beauty. It makes me feel more connected to the earth.
We grow many herbs which we use for herbal tea blends, in homemade spice rubs, salts and seasonings, body scrubs and for herbal bath / foot soaks. It’s amazing how effective they are especially if you catch the issue as it starts. Thyme, nasturtium, lemon, ginger and honey being one that springs to mind. Fantastic at curing a sore throat !
i make elderberry syrup and echinacea & elderberry honey drops for myself and my family. with 3 asthmatic kids and 2 adults with sinus issues living in the asthma capital of the US, it has made a significant difference…less inhalers and steroids, no urgent care trips this year, no flu and shorter colds.
for many years our go-to was juicing 1/2 lemon with fresh ginger and 2 green apples. drink at first sign of cold. REALLY helped one of my boys. The other two have been helped more by the elderberries and exercise and water intake
different people, different remedies
arnica for bruises
sage for hot flashes and menstrual cramps
lavendar and/or peppermint for headaches
wintergreen for arthritic joints
cayenne in boots to aid circulation in winter and gargled to ward off colds
I live in the South of the USA so I can grow much of my own herbs for the most part. I like to know what I am consuming as opposed to taking a pill and wondering what is in it and who made it? I make my own balms and some medicines already and am expanding with Rosemary Gladstar recipes.
just found out she was behind the Traditional Medicinals teas for a while, even contributing recipes such as the Smooth Move
I love her books as they are accessible and make herbs easy to incorporate into modern life
I use quite a few herbs from my garden. From time to time I drink a glass of Als (wormwood) I use Aloe Ferox often in smoothies etc, i allow the bitters to run out before i juice it! I also use it on my skin. I make a cough mixture with wormwood, borsdruppels, honey and peppermint drops. I have yarrow growing in my garden & have various herbs that i use from time to time x
moringa
aloe vera
comfrey
Ive struggles with my health for years. I’m making my own elderberry syrup with added herbs to boost my immunity and fight cold/flu and it has worked amazingly. From there I’ve been researching herbs for my skin health and I am excited to add them into my daily life.
I have been using herbal remedies for many years. My teenage children have never been to a doctor or ever used antibiotics. I have recently been making healing and mood balms by using essential oils with great success.
With Family chronic illness, I have decided that no generational disease will take me down In Jesus Christ Name. To that, I have decided to eat and live healthy, I drink a half a glass of cinnamon and honey every night and morning for cholesterol and diabetes.
Besides that, I have began using dried herbs from health shops and fruits and veg as part of my diet.
One health drink I love, Kale with mint…
Adjusting one’s perspective can help. When we become aware that many plants we consume regularly are good medicine, we can delve deeper into using remedies on ourselves. For instance, tomatoes in a salad are loaded with good medicine. Add clean stinging nettle to this salad and you add even more healthy medicine. 😀
To start making herbal medicines, I would start by making teas and kitchen spices that create balance in my system
I have a “Tea Garden” and 95% of the plants in my garden I can make tea from, and has medicinal worth. I even make the weirdest Ice Teas, it looks like a vase with flowers in.. LOVE IT LOVE IT!!!.. I am all in it, for it using it.. planting it, sharing it.. in a group.. and totally in love with it..
These are my new babies, I got for my birthday in December:
Stevia
Bergamot
Mullein
Tulsi
Horsetail
Tea Tree
Fever Few
Costmary
Soapwort
French Sorrel
Ground Ivy
Bamboo
One I start making my own herbal medicine, I want to create something that shows improvement in my energy and in my skin.
Find ways to use herbs in your daily life. A good starting point is the crafts like herbal bath salts. Also, commit to mastering the art of making your own herbal remedies. Share your ideas for starting by leaving a Reply below…
One remedy I have already used in my home is ginger tea for nausea and stomach upset. I also used it for my daughter when she drank in excess and had a terrible upset stomach the day after. She did vomit after drinking the tea which she was unable to do before drinking the tea, but after she was able to rid the toxin from her body she felt much better.
I am interested in using aromatherapy in bath products. I would like to try this along with compatible herbs to promote sleep, have more energy, and get rid of headaches.
To begin with I am interested in finding an herbal mixture that will aid me in trying to quit my nasty habit of smoking. This is one of the first things I want to try. I do also know that smoking is a psychological habit as well as a physical addiction I will be studying this in great debth.
I used Holy Basil tea (Tulsi Vana) to heal my mouth ulcer. I also use Aloe Vera for cuts and scrapes. I often use Thyme tea for menstrual cramps – it really works!