Super Medicinal Plants

Scientific name: Stevia rebaudiana Also know as: Candy leaf, herb of Paraguay, honey leaf, sugar leaf, sweet herb, sweetleaf

Harvest fresh leaves and dry them thoroughly in the sun or a home dehydrator. Finely crush enough of the dried leaves to make 1/4 cup. Add the dried, crushed stevia leaf for 1 cup warm water. Stir, cover, and steep for 24 hours. Strain the mixture through fine cheesecloth and refigerate the liquid. Use to taste as a sugar substitute in drinks.

Scientific name: Calendula officinalis Also know as: Pot marigold Fuente: commons.wikimedia.org 

Step 2 teasoons of Calendula flowers in a cup of hot water. Strain, cool, and thenuse the liquid to saturated a cloth to make a compress. Alternatively, the moistened flower material itself can be used as a poultice. Wrapped in gauze to contain the moisture, the poultice can be placed on the skin for 15 minutes. Either a poultice or a compress can be used several times daily, giving calendula's antiinflammatory and antibacterial effect a chance to take effect.

Scientific name: Arnica montana Fuente:

Tinctures are herbal extracts made with alcohol, vegetabe glycerin, or vinegar instead of water. Tinctures are especially useful for extracting resins and oils from plant material, which water doesn't do very well. The liquid used toextract the herbs is knon asthe menstruum. The herbs being tinctures are known as the mark. Prepare the herbs by chopping or grinding them. Put them in a glass jar and cover with the menstruum of your choice, addin enough that there is an extra inch of liquid above the plant material. Store ina cool, fry location. Shake daily. After a month, strain out the herbs, first with a strainer and then through a clean, undyed cloth. Pour the tincture into dark glass bottles, and label and date them. Compost the spent plant material. Store the bottles away from heat and light Alcohol  is an ideal menstruum for extracting fats, resins, waxes, and most alkaloids. It is an excellent preservative and is quicky assimilated. It must be at least 50 proof to hav...

Scientific name: Peumus boldus Fuente: plantsystematic.org 

Scientific name: Tropaeolum majus Nasturtium originally found in the Andes, South America from Bolivia to Colombia, nasturtiums have spread worldwide as a popular and easy-to-grow garden ornamental. They naturalize readily and are classified as an invasive weed in New Zealand and other areas. Nasturtium was introduced in Spain from Peru, in the 16th century and originally known as Nasturtium indium, or indian cress, for the spicy flavor of its leaves.  Leaves and flowers were popular 17th century salad ingredients. As nasturtium are high in vitamin c, they were useful for preventing scurvy. The generic name tropaeolum comes from tropalon, the Greek word for Trophy, as the round leaves were thought resemble the trophy-bearing shields of the classical world. Source: Home herbal

Scientific name: Zingiber officinale Fuente:spanishpodcast.org

Decoctions are made from the more fibrous or woody plant parts, such as the roots and bark, twiggy  parts, and some seeds and nuts. It's a little harder to extract the constituents from these tough parts, so a slow simmer is often required. After, add the spent herbs to your compost.  A decoction require more energy for their precious constituents,  including minerals, to be extracted. Basic steps: Method 1: Place 4 to 6 tablespoons of dried herb (or 6 to 8 tablespoons of fresh herb) in a small saucepan. Add 1 quart of cold water. With the heat on low, bring the mixture to a slow simmer, cover, and let simmer for 25 to 45 minutes. (the length of simmering time and the amount of herb you use will affect the strength of the tea). For a stronger decoction, simmer the herbs for 20 to 30 minutes, then pour the mixture into a quart jar and set it aside to infuse overnight. Strain and drink. Method 2: Put cold water to boil. Add 1 ounce of herb per quart of ...

This is an excellent processfor extractingthe maximum amount of medicinal potential from an herb. It takes time but is well worth the effort. This method is more appropriate when the goal is therapeutic rather than for pleasantries. Add about 2 ounces of dried roots or bark or 1 ounce of dried flowers, dried leaves, or seeds to the bottom of a clean half-gallon glass canning jar. Cover with boiling water and put the lid on. Allow the herbs to steep for as long as half an hour for seeds, two hours for flowers,  four hours for leaves, and overnight for roots and barks. Strain out the herbs and enjoy the nutrient- rich brew. This metod is not suggested for licorice root or valerian root, which will taste too medicinal, or for slippery elm bark, wich will become too mucilaginous to enjoy.

Some people consider the words infusion and tisane to be synonymous, while others attribute slightly different meanings to each. The word tisane is derived from the greek ptisan, "crushed barley", and originally meant barley water. Later, tisane came to denote a noncaffeinated herbal tea, rather than dried plant material. In more recent years, tisane has come to mean a tea prepared from unfermented leaves, instead of the fermented leaves of black tea. However you choose to define it, a tisane is, indeed, an herbal infusion enjoyed for its therapeutic effects. Infusions are made from the more delicate parts of the plant, such as the leaves, flowers, buds, some berries and seeds, and other aromatic plant parts. Highly aromatic roots such as valerian, ginger, and goldenseal are often steeped rather than decocted. Basic steps: Bring cold water to boil, then remove it from the heat. Put 4 to 6 tablespoons of dried herb (or 6 to 8 tablespoons of fresh herb) into a gla...

Once you've learned to make a good medicinal tea, you're two steps away from making syrup. You'll just need to cook down the tea to concentrate it and add sweetener- to sweeten it,yes, but also to preserve it. Our ancestors loved using herbal syrups as medicine not only because they taste delicious,which makes it easier to convince reluctant family members to take their medicine, but also because sugar and other sweeteners are such good preservatives. Visit any of the apothecary sections at living history museums across the country and you'll get a good idea of how important herbal syrups were. How to make a medicinal Syrup: Children and the elderly seem to prefer syrups, as both age groups are more inclined to down their medicine if it's sweet. Method 1: Syrups begin with a very concentrated decoction. Combine an herb or herb blend with water in a pot, using 2 ounces of herb per quart of water. Set the pot over low heat, bring to a simmer,cover partially...

A suppository is used to draw toxins from or soothe irritation in the vagina or rectum. To make herbal suppositories, mix together well-powdered herbs with enough softened cocoa butter to make a thick paste. Form the mixture into suppository-size shapes and refrigerate. When the suppositories have set, insert one at night, before bedtime, in the appropriate orifice. Keep in until morning. Wear a cloth pad in your underwear to avoid staining your clothing. Store the remaining suppositories in a cool, dry location.

Steam inhalations can benefit conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, coughs, laryngitis, nasal congestion, and sinus infections by helping to warm, increase circulation in, and loosen mucus from the respiratory tract. To prepare a steam inhalation, bring 1 quart of water to aboil and add 4 heaping teaspoons of herbs. Rmeove the pot from the stove and place it on a counter or table on a heatproof pad. Leaning over the pot, drape a towel over both your head and the pot. Breathe inthe steam for about 7 minutesor so. If the water oolsenough that the steam starts to dissipate, gently blowing into the herb pot will cause more steam to rise.

A sitz bath is a methd of treating many gynecological problems, pelvic pain, and hemorrhoids. A sitz bath is ade the same way as an herbal bath, although in this cas you are localizing the benefits of the water temperature and herbs. You can take a sitz bath in a ful-size bathtub or in a smaller basin. In general, the water level should be belowthe knees and not above the navel. Pour the hot or chilled herbaltea into the tuub and soak your hips area in it for about 3 minutes. A cold sitz bath tonifies the pelvis and bowel. Use cold-water sitz baths for back and lower organ problems suchs menstrual pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, hemorrhoids, and congestion in the liver and spleen. A cold compress can be applied to the forehead to improve the effect. A hot sitz bath increases circulation to the area and can break up congestion and relieve pain. Sitz baths can be taken alternately hot and cold, with 3 minutes in hot water followed by 2 minutes in cold, repeating up to thr...

Prepare an infused oil. warm the oil, if necessary, in a slow cooker (such as a crock pot)or a ouble boiler. Add 1/8 cup of grated beeswax for every cup of oil. Stir gently until the beeswax has melted and combinated with the oil. To test the consistency, take a small spoonfuland set it in the refrigetator until it cools.If it becomes too hard, add a little more oil; if it is too soft, add a bit more beeswax. When the consistenccy is just right, pour the salve into clean, dry containers. Be sure to date and label the containers.

A poultice is a soft mass of herbs applied directly to the skin. Crush the fresh or dried herbs firstm there mix them with hot water, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, or castor oil. If you are using dried herbs you can add a bit of cornmeal or freshly ground flaxseed to ticken the paste. USe as sufficient amount of herbs to cover the area needing attention. Apply the poultice to that area, using a cloth to hold it in place if necessary. Poultices maybe applied several times a dayor in a succession during one sitting.

Gargles and mouth washes are made by preparing a standard tea, allowing it to cool, swishing it around in the mounth or gargling it, and then spitting it out. (For a gargle to be effective, it should be continued for 5 minutes).

Find a clean, dry bottle; like a plastic bottle with squeeze top. Pour into this bottle 4 ounces of a carrier oil, such as almond, apricot, grapeseed, or sesame oil. To this add about 40 drops of pure essential oil, wich will give the massage oil a wonderfu and therapeuric aroma. Shake well to blend the ingredients before using. Store your oil in cool, dark place when it's not in use.

A liniment is made the same way as a tricture, but the menstruum used is isopropyl alcohol or apple cide vinegar. Be sure to label the bottle you're storing the liniment in " For external use only"; you wouldn't  want mistake it for a tincture.

Infused oils can be applied directly to the skin as a treatment. They also can de used as massage oils or as the base for salves.  It's preferable to used dried herbs in making infused oils, as mositure can cause the oil to become rancid more quickly. If you're using fresh herbs, allow them to wilt first, which will get rid of some of their moisture. Make sure all of your equipment is dry before getting started. The infusion is usually prepared in one of three ways: Place the herbs in the top of a double boiler and cover with oil. Make sure there's water in the bottom part of the doube boiler. Cook over very low heat for about three hours. Combine the hebrs and oil in ajar with a tight.fitting lid. Place a pan of hot water in anoven set to the lowest heat setting.Place the jar in the pan. Let "cook" for several hours. Combine the herbs and oil in a slow sooker (such as a crock pot). set the cooker to the low heat setting and cook for a couple of hou...

A hair rinse is a wonderful treatment both therapeutically and cosmetically. Bring 1 quarter of water to a boil and add 4 heaping teaspoons of your choice of herbs. Stir, cover, and let sit 1 hour. Strain into a large plastic squeeze bottle.Add 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar. Pour the strained tea slowly over you hair. Don't rinse it out; just let it dry and enoy the subtle radiance.

Many of the body's nerve endings are in the hands and feet, so hand and footbaths can feel especially delicious. they can lessen the symptoms of many conditions, such as arthrtis, colds, flu, and poor circuation. Footbaths, in particular, can help improved conditions of the lungs, bladder, prostate, and uterus. They also can be very therapeutic in treating odoriferous and aching feet, as well as in helping to reduce cellulite, swelling, calluses, leg cramps, and varicose veins. And they are an excellent preventive treatment at the first signs of a cold, sore troat,headache, or congestion in the eyes and ears, asthe heat draws congestion away from the respiratory sistem. footbaths can, depending on the health concern being addressed and the ambient temperature, be hot or cold, or they can aternate between hot and cold. they are a lovely precursorto foot massage,or better yet, you can massage the feet while soaking them. To prepare the bath, make a standard herbal tea using ...

A facial steam is an excellent way to deeply cleanse your skin, relax facial muscles, and improve circulation, all the while giving yourself an invigorating rosy glow. It's lovely treatment to indulge in before a special party or when you want to look your best. At most, facial steams should be done once or twice a week. Undergoing a facial steam is like absorbing an herbal tea through the pores of your skin. First, wash handful of herbs in a glass bowl. Tie back your hair. Lean over the bowl and drape a towel over your head.  Keep your face about 10 inches away from the water to avoid getting burned. Inhale the sensuous steam for 5 to 7 minutes, lifting the towel to vent steam as necessary.

Eyewashes can be used to soothe tires, inflamed, and/or infected eyes. Some even claim they can improve vision. the washes causes the blood vessels of the eyes to cntract and then relax. They are an excellent therapeutic practice for eyes that are getting lots of use from reading and sitting in front of a computer. Herb teas used as eyewashes should be some what weaker than teas for ingestion. Use just 1 scant teaspoon of herb per cup of water,and simmer at a low boil for 10 minutes to assure sterility. Use a strainer with a very fine mesh to strain the tea to void getting paarticles of herbs in your eyes, and cool the tea to body temperature bedore administering. To administer an eyewash, you'll need an eyecup, available at any pharmacy. Especially in cases of eye infections, it is important to sterilize the eyecup between uses either by running ot through a dishwasher with heated dying cycle or by bringing water to a boil, pouring it into the eyecup, and letting it sit f...

Compresses are a way to use herbs topically to help heal wounds, inflammation, rashes, and skin infections; relieve pain, soreness, and spasms; improve circulation; and stimulate sweat glands and the lymphatic system. To make a compress, soak a clean towel in hot or coldherb tea, then wring iit out and apply the cloth to the area needing treatment. Cover the damp clothwith dry towel to help it stay hot or cold. When the compress temperature changes (the hot cools down o the cold warms up), resoak the cloth in the tea and reapply. Repeat several times. A hot compress increases circulation and is especially beneficial in cases of backache, arthritic pain, and sore throat. After the final hot compress cools down, apply a cool compress to the area briefly. Making the compress of hot ginger tea increases its potency. A cold compress constricts blood flow and is best for hot, inflamed conditions such as swellings. when a cold-compress treatment is done,keep the treated receiving...

To prepare a bath with herbs, brew a strong batch of herb tea, using about 1/2 cup of herbs in half a gallon of water and simmer for twenty minutes.Then strain the tea into the tub. You also san simply tie a handful of herbs in dark colored washcloth and throw it, or a few ready-made tea bags, into very hot running water as you fill the tub. When the water has reached the right level, turn it off and allow the herbs to steep in the bath while you floss or check your email When the bathwaterhas cooled to a compard the bath with the herb-filled cloth, use it to scrub your body as you deeply inhale the aromatherapeutic benefits. Close a curtain around the bath to hold in the scented steam.

Ingredients: - 2 small or medium cloves - 1 cup water - 1 teaspoon honey - 1 teaspoon lemon juice Soften garlic cloves by soaking or steeping . Then crush 2 small to medium cloves and put in a teacup. Pour 1 cup near-boiling water over the garlic and add 1 teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Drink warm at the first sign of a cold.

Ingredients: - 1 inch fresh ginger rhizome - 7 cup water - 3/4 cup raw sugar -1 teaspoon active dry yeast - 2 table spoons fresh lemon juice Combine in saucepan 1 inch fresh ginger rhizome, grated, with 1 cup  water and 3/4 cup raw sugar. cook over medium heat until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and steep, covered, for 1 hour. Strain the syrup and refrigerate for another hour. Pour into a 2-liers container with tight-fitting lid. Add 1/8 teaspoon active dry yeast, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, and 6 cups water and shake to mix. Leave container at room temperature for 48 hours and then refrigerate. Use within 10 days.

Scientific Name: Minthostachys mollis, Minthostachys setosa Other name: Satureja, Muina, Muiña, Miuna Foto:  Jardín Botanico de Plantas Medicinales del Centro Nacional de Salud Intercultural

Scientific name: Caesalpinia spinosa The Tara is a native tree species of the Andean valleys of Peru. Dispatched by the Peruvian coast from Piura to Tacna and in the valleys of Ancash, Apurímas, Arequipa, Ayacucho, Cajamarca, Huancavelica, Huanuco and Junin. Available between the months from May to August. Peru is the main product of Tara in the world.

Scientific name: Symphytum officinale Common name: boneset, knitbone Comfrey, a native of Europe and northern Asia, growing in damp grasslands and along rivers and streams. Comfrey is most common in central Europe, rare in southern Europe. Comfrey is a perennial that grows from 2 to 4 feet tall on an angular stem. It has large lancelet or oval leaves which are about 12 inches long with a protruding midvein.  The broad lance-shaped eaves at the plant's base grow to more than a foot in length and up to 4 inches wide.  The leave  get smaller as they get higher up the stem.  The rough, hairy, sandpaper-textures leaves are distinctly winged, and the leaf base cleaves the stem.  Both the leaves and the stem are bristly. The bell shaped flowers grow in curled clusters and can be whitish, pink or purplish. Comfrey is found growing in the wild in open woods, along streams, and in meadows. Once planted in a garden comfrey tends to take over and can be difficult ...