Summer Solstice Week: Summer Herbal Medicine Chest

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Good Morning!

 

Summer Solstice Week: Summer Herbal Medicine Chest

 

The start of the summer season is a good reminder to restock your

herbal medicine chest and prepare for the wonderful season ahead.

 

Summer. The high season of greatest Yang and activity is complemented

by the hot fun-filled days at the beach and warm, delightful nights

enjoyed outdoors. As we tend to overdue in summer..too much sun,

working out and physical activities; below you can find some of the

best herbs for headaches, burns, and skin problems. Also herbs for

strengthening the respiratory tract, maintain sinus passages, support

for healthy circulation and herbs to sooth the discomfort of sore

joints and muscles.

 

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) - The Leaves; frequently, the entire herb

(all aerial parts) are harvested. Best arvesting season is before

flowering. Basil leaves should always be used fresh, as they lose

most of their flavor within a few weeks after drying or as an

essential oil. The essential oil (less than 1%) is of complex and

variable composition. Within the species, several different chemical

races exist, and furthermore climate, soil and time of harvest

influence not only the amount but also the composition of the

essential oil. The most important aroma components are 1,8 cineol,

linalool, citral, methyl chavicol (estragole), eugenol and methyl

cinnamate, although not necessarily in this order; in fact, hardly

any basil contains all of these compounds in significant amounts.

 

Chamomile - German (Matricaria recutita), Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) -

an herb of the sun, Chamomile's bright yellow flowers bring power

and light to your space and rituals. Chamomile's medicinal properties

range from skin inflammations to lightening hair to treating

digestive problems. As a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and

antibacterial, it improves digestion by relaxing the muscles

throughout the gastrointestinal system and it can induce an overall

sense of calm and well-being.

 

Dandelion - (Taraxacum officinale) - The common dandelion is an

unusually nutritious food. Its leaves contain substantial levels of

vitamins A, C, D, and B complex as well as iron, magnesium, zinc,

potassium, manganese, copper, choline, calcium, boron, and silicon.

Worldwide, the root of the dandelion has been used for the treatment

of a variety of liver and gallbladder problems. Other historical uses

of the root and leaves include the treatment of breast diseases,

water retention, digestive problems, joint pain, fever, and skin

diseases. The most active constituents in dandelion appear to be

eudesmanolide and germacranolide, substances unique to this herb.

Other ingredients include taraxol, taraxerol, and taraxasterol, along

with stigmasterol, beta-sitosterol, caffeic acid, and p-

hydroxyphenylacetic acid.

 

Dill (Peucedanum graveolens) - The summer herb of the season, Dill

like the other umbelliferous fruits and volatile oils, both Dill

fruit and oil of Dill possess stimulant, aromatic, carminative and

stomachic properties, making them of considerable medicinal value.

Oil of Dill is used in mixtures, or administered in doses of 5 drops

on sugar, but its most common use is in the preparation of Dill

Water, which is a common domestic remedy for the flatulence of

infants, and is a useful vehicle for children's medicine generally.

 

Elderflower - Elder flowers are highly effective in managing upper

respiratory congestion and infections. Picked from the elder tree in

mid to late summer, they seem to capture the dry warmth of this time

of year, perfect for drying up that runny or blocked nose. These tiny

pale white flowers have a delicate floral taste and contain

flavonoids and small amounts of mucilage and tannins, a perfect

combination for soothing healing and protecting mucous membranes. An

old tradition was to make fresh Elderflower wine in summer ready to

drink in winter…Food as medicine?

 

Fennel - (Foeniculum vulgare) - Fennel, a hardy, perennial,

umbelliferous herb, with yellow flowers and feathery leaves, grows

wild in most parts of temperate Europe, but is generally considered

indigenous to the shores of the Mediterranean, as it spreads

eastwards to India. It has followed civilization, especially where

Italians have colonized, and may be found growing wild in many parts

of the world upon dry soils near the sea-coast and upon river-

banks.On account of its aromatic and carminative properties, Fennel

fruit is chiefly used medicinally with purgatives to allay their

tendency to griping and for this purpose forms one of the ingredients

of the well-known compound licorice powder. Fennel water has

properties similar to those of anise and dill water: mixed with

sodium bicarbonate and syrup, these waters constitute the

domestic 'Gripe Water,' used to correct the flatulence of infants.

Volatile oil of Fennel has these properties in concentration. Fennel

tea, formerly also employed as a carminative, is made by pouring half

a pint of boiling water on a teaspoonful of bruised Fennel seeds.

 

Lavender - (Lavandula officinalis) Lavender is laid on the fires of

the Summer Solstice and is soothing to the spirit. Good for stress

and depression as reflected in the skin. These flowers pressed into

essential oil form can relieve stress and depression. Good for

headaches, burns, and skin problems. It is analgesic, anti-coagulant,

anti-convulsive, anti-depressant, anti-fungal, anti-infectious, anti-

inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-spasmodic, anti-toxic, cardiotonic,

and is a sedative. It has a very balancing effect on the body,

emotions, mind and spirit.

 

Pine - Pine Needle was used by the ancient Romans and Greeks to treat

respiratory problems and muscular aches. A holiday staple, this

fantastic scent is often used to accent potpourri and diffused into

the air. It promotes a healthy immune and musculoskeletal system.

Distilled in Austria from the finest pines, Pine Needle can be

diffused to help strengthen the respiratory tract and maintain sinus

passages. When massaged into the skin, Pine Needle supports healthy

circulation and soothes the discomfort of sore joints and muscles. A

true disinfectant, a strong germ killer, excellent for viral

infections and for muscular aches, rheumatism and arthritis. In this

aspect, Pine is used for its properties of purification. It

represents the Male aspects of the Divine at this time. Consider

burning Pine with Meadowsweet for an incense of energetic balance.

 

Rose - The Mother of All Flowers, the Rose has amazing powers of

love, trust and self acceptance. Roses are representative of faith,

hope and love and has the qualities to restore the very center of

one's

being. A gentle tonic of the heart, Rose oil's psychological

properties lie mainly in its effect on the mind,the center of our

emotional being. Rose oil calms and supports the heart and helps to

nourish the soul! Also symbolizing the feminine, red is the color of

choice for Roses used or gathered at Midsummer. Long associated with

the eternity of true love, at Midsummer this flower also blesses the

Sacred Union.

 

St. John's Wort - (Hypericum perforatum) - Aromatic, astringent,

resolvent, and expectorant. Used in all pulmonary complaints, bladder

troubles, in suppression of urine, dysentery, worms, diarrhea,

hysteria and nervous depression, and other hemorrhages and jaundice.

The flowers, leaves, and stems are all utilized and may help to

inhibit viral infections, including herpes. Good for depression and

nerve pain. The Welsh called this plant the " leaf of the blessed " ,

believing it to be the ideal combination of water with fire, and

between light and dark, night and day, making it a perfect

celebratory herb at Midsummer.

 

Thyme - The pungent oils found in Thyme are an effective

antimicrobial in the treatment of respiratory infections. When taking

Thyme, people often note tasting it on their breath as the oils

permeate through the respiratory system to reduce the proliferation

of viruses during infections. It also warms the digestion and reduces

metabolic congestion, aiding to clear the body of conditions for

infection.

 

Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) - This germicide and antibacterial

oil is great for cleaning infected wounds or as a gargle for a sore

throat -- use a 10-percent solution but use pure 100-percent tea tree

oil. This essential oil is a disinfectant and good in healing all

skin conditions including acne, athlete's foot, nail fungus, herpes

outbreaks, insect bites, warts, cuts and scrapes, scabies, vaginitis.

 

 

Seasonal Healing is one of the best ways to remind ourselves that it

is time to evaluate our health. Our moods and bodies change as the

seasons change. See more on seasonal healing:

 

http://www.peacefulmind.com/seasonal.htm

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

http://www.peacefulmind.com/herbology.htm

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit