We looked previously at why you should use herbs as the best natural cures. Maybe you are wondering how to make these herbal cures and then how to store them.
If you have an urgent need for a treatment you may not have time to start producing a solution then. You are probably wondering how long your home produced natural cures will last. With care and the right conditions some plant medicines can be stored for many years.
When you pick your herbs you want to hang them up to dry. The easiest way to do this is to tie the stalks together and then hang them upside down. Once totally dry you can strip off the leaves and store them in sealed jars. Put the jars somewhere cool and dark. A basement or the back of your pantry would be ideal. They will gradually lose color. To be at there best they should be used within the first two years.
Ideally you will have space outdoors for a herb garden. If so you can just replace the herbs in storage every year. Most herbs are very easy to grow and once established will provide plentiful supplies.
There are many herbs that will grow happily indoors on a sunny window ledge. Aloe Vera is a very easy and popular plant to grow as a houseplant. Many herbs will also survive indoors.
Making Natural Cures From Herbs
So what can you do with your herbs.
Tinctures are always useful. If you add the herbs to alcohol you can make a tincture that will last indefinitely. Alternatively you can add them to oil. When you choose this option then be sure to remove the herbs after they have been in the oil for a few months. If you don’t do this the mixture will turn rancid and smell bad.
This is why most herbalists go for the alcohol method because they store so much better. You can use neat vodka as the alcohol carrier.
Once made you can store the infusion in large jars until you need it.
You can make different products from these tinctures like salves or add it to soaps and creams for face and body.
If you have sensitive skin or allergies to some of the chemicals in shop bought products you will love your home made products. Plants have amazing healing powers. Once you have tried this you will probably be a convert.
Salves are an easy way to start experimenting with making your own products. A combination of melted beeswax with echinacea and plantain is good for grazes, bites and stings.
Essential oils are much harder to produce at home. They need to be extracted under pressure. You could have a go if you have a pressure steamer but otherwise you can buy a selection from a trusted seller.
These oils are very effective medicines as they are so concentrated. A few drops of lemon essential oil in a tumbler of water will give you the same amount of Vitamin C as thirty lemons.
Make your own herbal teas. You can buy empty tea bags or make your own from muslin. Chamomile is very easy to grow and is very attractive addition to a border as it has pretty white and yellow flowers like a daisy.
Add dried chamomile leaves to the tea bags for a calming tea. I recommend this before bed. If you use peppermint leaves instead you will have completely the opposite with a tea to pick you up.
Essential oils can be combined with Vaseline for a quick salve.
If mixed with a carrier oil, your essential oils can be added to roller balls. This is a convenient way to apply. A lavender one rolled on the temples will help you sleep and a peppermint one will perk you up.
Infusions are easy to make and a great way to get your vitamins. You just need to pour boiling water over some herbs, leave it to infuse and then strain. Leave it to infuse overnight to get the most benefit. You can make enough for a few days and once strained keep it in a jar in the fridge.
Dried nettle leaves are one infusion you can try. Yes the humble stinging nettle has many health benefits. They have been shown to reduce both blood pressure and blood sugar levels and to be anti inflammatory. They also boost the immune system. Make sure you wear gloves to pick them!
If you have the space in your garden then growing your own nettles is very good for wildlife. Some species of butterflies only lay their eggs on nettles because they are essential food for their larvae. You will encourage Red Admirals, Tortoiseshells and Peacock butterflies in to your garden if you grow nettles.
Poultices can be made just by mashing up some leaves. Plantain is effective for relieving bee stings. Comfrey was once known as knit-bone because it was used to promote healing of broken bones.
Syrups are useful when you have a cold or flu. Elderberry is a particular favourite. Definitely one to make for each winter season.
There is a growing interest in natural cures and the healing power of plants. Your home products will make ideal and unique presents for friends and family. If you become really inspired you could even turn it in to a cottage industry and sell at local markets or fetes. Make sure to check out any local regulations about selling home made goods first.
Equipment You Need
Double pan for melting bee’s wax when making salves
Quart mason jars with plastic lids for infusions and tinctures
A large strainer to strain out herbs
Cheesecloth for straining
Fresh organic dried herbs
Tin containers for salves
Vaseline for quick salves
Essential oils, from a trusted brand
100 proof vodka
Olive oil
Carrier oil, such as coconut oil
Empty tea bags
Smaller jars for tinctures
Capsules that you can fill and then seal
Empty spray bottles
Vinegar
Roller balls
Discover full instructions & even more natural cures in The Lost Book Of Herbal Remedies
Buying Natural Cures
Maybe you don’t have space to grow your own herbs or the time and inclination to do this. That’s a shame because there is something very satisfying about making your own natural cures at home. And you know exactly what has gone in to them. However it is possible to get many similar products from a health food store or a herbalist. So if you are a believer that plant medicine is better than the synthetic drug store items you don’t have to miss out.
Many natural cures can be purchased from a health food store or online.
17 Of The Best Natural Cures
- Lavender oil for relieving stress and helping you sleep.
- Peppermint oil for headaches and upset stomachs.
- Chamomile for relieving stress
- Feverfew for relieving migraines
- Garlic to fight infection and ward off colds.
- Aloe Vera juice for digestive problems and Aloe Vera gel for burns.
- Slippery Elm for diarrhea.
- Quince for diarrhea.
- Turmeric for rheumatoid arthritis, good heart health, preventing Alzheimer’s and cancer.
- Ginger for when you feel a cold coming on.
- Echinacea for healing salves and tinctures for fighting infection and warding off colds.
- Vitamin C important for many bodily functions including healthy skin and immune system.
- Plantain for bee stings and bruises.
- Black tea bags to apply to cuts to stop bleeding.
- Apple cider vinegar for many things.
- Nettle infused drinks for general good health.
- Essential oils assortment from a reputable health vendor.
In 2020 the world was thrown in to chaos by a pandemic. Many of the shelves in stores were empty and some drugs in short supply or completely unavailable.
Knowing you have natural cures you can turn to in an emergency, will help relieve stress, and help you sleep better. Plus, if you are unfortunate enough to fall ill, you’ll have natural sources of vitamins and minerals on hand to help you recover quickly.
