Herb Basics: Tips On Skin Sprays, Ear Infection Remedies, and More

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ANTISEPTIC SKIN SPRAY RECIPE

In their book Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (The Crossing, 1995), herbalists and aromatherapists Kathi Keville and Mindy Green write that a spray of diluted essential oils makes an excellent antiseptic. “The germ-killing abilities of essential oils high in terpenes, such as tea tree, lavender, eucalyptus, and lemon, increase when a 2 percent solution is sprayed through the air,” they write.

ANTISEPTIC SKIN SPRAY

Makes 21/2 ounces

15 drops tea tree or eucalyptus essential oil
10 drops helichrysum essential oil
5 drops lavender essential oil
2 ounces distilled water
1/2 ounce grain alcohol or goldenseal tincture

Combine all of the ingredients in a spray bottle and shake well before each use to help disperse the oils. Spray as needed on minor cuts, burns, and abrasions to prevent infection and speed healing.

Source: Keville, Kathi and Mindy Green. Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art. Freedom, California: The Crossing, 1995.

NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR DIARRHEA

Natural medicines that can help diarrhea contain one or more of three natural substances: tannins, pectin, and mucilage. Tannins give herbs their astringency (their ability to bind up or contract tissues). This astringent action reduces intestinal inflammation. Pectin is a soluble fiber that adds bulk to the stool and soothes the gut. Mucilage soothes the digestive tract and adds bulk to the stool by absorbing water.

Apple pulp is rich in pectin; that’s why apples and applesauce are used for diarrhea.

Dried bilberry and blueberry are rich in both tannins and pectin.

Blackberry and raspberry leaves are high in tannins and a tea of either helps relieve diarrhea.

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds contain up to 50 percent mucilage. Don’t use more than two teaspoons at a time to avoid abdominal distress.

Pomegranate seeds contain tannins; the fruit is often used to relieve diarrhea.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) is one of the most astringent plants available. Try a cup of tea next time you have diarrhea.

Source: Duke, James. The Green Pharmacy. Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale, 1997.

THE BENEFITS OF TINCTURE

Capsule, tea, powder, tincture? It can be difficult to choose. Here are some of the benefits of using herbs in tincture form, according to herbalists Nancy and Michael Phillips in their book The Village Herbalist (Chelsea Green, 2001). Tinctures:

• concentrate a wider range of constituents from the herb than water extraction alone.

• preserve fragile fresh constituents and activities that would be lost by drying herbs.

• are easily assimilated by the body, much more so than a capsule or tablet.

• retain potency much longer than bulk herbs. Properly made, most tinctures have a shelf life of three to five years, stored at room temperature.