Mullein: "The Respiratory Herb"

Mullein is one of my favorite herbs to have on hand for winter. I used it often in our home while raising my children and now for my grandchildren. It is soothing for respiratory symptoms, coughing, drainage down the back of the throat, or earaches. Mullein, Verbascus thapsus, grows in fields and along the side of the road in Ohio. You may even find it in the crack of the driveway. It loves poor soil. Mullein is a biennial, which means it only lives for two years. The first year it grows in a simple rosette of soft, fuzzy, oblong leaves. The second year it sends up a tall stalk and blooms with tiny yellow flowers. Leave the stalk to release seeds for the next year.

You can use flowers, leaves, and roots for herbal medicine. I use the leaves the most, as an expectorant and bactericidal, wonderful for the respiratory system. Its long list of traditional herbal uses include: allergies, asthma, bronchitis, broken bones, coughs, croup, diarrhea, earaches, emphysema, swollen glands, lungs, swollen joints, and pain. It also has sedative properties. Mullein flowers can be used as an antiseptic for wounds, to prevent infection, and soothe nerve pain. I love to make earache oil from the flowers. I call it, “liquid gold”, because you have to go out each day to pick just a few flowers and save them up until you have enough to make the oil. Mullein roots have uses too – make into a tincture for bedwetting, symptoms of facial nerve pain, or for bones when something seems “out of joint”.

I have used mullein for swollen glands in the neck. Make a tea of the leaves, add peppermint and sweeten if you like, and drink a quart a day. Also make a strong tea to use externally on a cloth over the swelling. You will quickly see the lymphatic inflammation go down in the gland. You can also dip a whole fresh leave in hot water and use it as a poultice on the swelling.

I have seen mullein do wonders for people just out of the hospital with bronchitis or complications of COPD.Mullein tea makes a very inexpensive, safe, and effective herbal medicine! A favorite combination for use with asthma or other breathing difficulties is to use 3 parts mullein with 1 part lobelia in a tincture form. See Dr. Christopher’s writings to learn more about how to use mullein to help with breathing and opening up the bronchial airways.

Nature’s Sunshine has a terrific formula called ALJ. I use it and keep it as a staple in my herb cupboard. I like to make it into a glycerite tincture for my granddaughter, as she likes the taste of my homemade remedy better. This recipe is tried and true – it works! I use it as a decongestant/expectorant with colds and allergies. Here is how I make it.

Lisa’s Version of ALJ – In a pint jar place one-fourth cup of each herb: Boneset, Fennel Seeds, Fenugreek Seeds, Horseradish Root, and Mullein Leaves. In a large measuring cup mix together: One and one-third cup hot water with two-thirds cup vegetable glycerine. Pour the liquid over the herbs in the jar, make sure the herbs are covered well. Screw on lid. Let set for 2 weeks, shaking the jar daily. Strain and put liquid into a tincture bottle. Dose: 2 dropperfuls every 2 hours for an adult for 3 days, as you feel better reduce the dose to 3 times a day. May use once a day for more chronic allergies, usually in the morning. To figure a child’s dose, go by body size – half an adult size body gets half a dose (1 dropperful), a smaller child maybe one-fourth a dose or half a dropperful.

Directions for Earache Oil – Collect as many mullein flowers as you can, dry them slightly by laying them out for a few days on a plate. Place the wilted and dried flowers in a glass canning jar that is size appropriate to the amount of flowers you have gathered, they should only fill it halfway. Cover the flowers generously with olive oil. Screw on lid. Let set for 2 weeks, shaking daily. Strain and place in a tincture bottle with dropper. To use, warm the oil by setting the bottle in a glass of hot water, test the oil on your wrist. Place 3 drops warm oil in the ear, followed with half a cotton ball to keep it warm. Use as needed for the pain.

Take the time to gather your herbs, dry them, and make your tinctures and oils before you actually need them. Be prepared with these wonderful remedies at home. Save money, use less drugs, have less need for doctor’s appointments, and keep your family healthy! Call ME, your local herbalist, if you need help.

Increase Your Vitality

How do you feel today? Tired, overwhelmed, depressed, sick, stressed, in pain? Or are you “on top of the world”, full of joy, energy, laughter, and just plain healthy. It is easy to let the work of daily living take its toll on your body. All at once you wake up to notice that you look terrible and feel even worse! Been there?

At the beginning of this year, I took a good look in the mirror and wasn’t happy with what I saw or how I felt. It is easy to “let yourself go”, being too busy working or taking care of others. Maybe it is time to take care of yourself for a while. Yes, it really is ok to think about how YOU are doing – you have permission to take some time for yourself. These are some of the changes I have made to take care of myself and increase my vitality.

Vitamins – I began taking DoTerra’s Vitality Pack for multivitamins, omega oils, and antioxidants. Amazing the difference! I have far more energy now. Most of us do not eat everything we should daily, yep – I am talking vegetables! So taking supplements can really make a difference. Call me if you want to save money with a DoTerra membership.

Dance – I always wanted to learn how to dance, you know, like Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. So my husband and I have been taking ballroom dance lessons. What FUN! It is great exercise too. Next, I want to learn line dancing – anyone know a good place to learn?

Cleanse – Any time my vitality is lagging, I know the toxins have built up in my body and it is time to do a cleanse. Many people are afraid of cleansing, thinking it will be too uncomfortable. I like to use a simple herbal box cleanse, like the Tiao He Cleanse from Nature’s Sunshine. It helps support the liver and bowels to remove toxins and even addresses parasites. The herbal cleanses I carry in the store are designed to allow you to continue with your daily life and work without being too interruptive. You eat normally, just try to eliminate junk foods. It is just like changing the oil in your car, it keeps you running smoothly.

Ketogenic Diet – My husband and I both committed ourselves to losing weight this year. The keto diet is a challenge to get started, but once you learn how it works, it is easy to maintain. I have lost 24 pounds and hubby has lost 40 pounds in just 3 months! I feel great, have energy, and am not hungry. I always have struggled with low blood sugar and the grumpiness of not feeling good if I didn’t eat in a timely fashion. This new diet is changing that. I no longer feel a slave to needing to eat and find I don’t have to think about food all the time. Stop into the store and buy my favorite book on the subject, Simply Keto, by Suzanne Ryan. She has a simple, easy to understand explanation of the keto diet and great, easy to make recipes!

Reiki and Yoga Practice – I am trying to establish a daily practice of meditation, Reiki, and yoga. Reiki is a light touch healing technique which helps you find balance and maintain the energetic flow in your body, mind, and spirit. This spring I took the Level 2 Reiki class so that I could offer Reiki sessions to others (Call me for an appointment). For myself, I have set up a simple yoga mat in a quiet corner of my home to make it easy for the daily practice of both of these. Keeping a positive energy feels amazing, but it doesn’t just happen, we have to work at it. That is why they call it practice.

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils – I have attended several essential oil classes this spring and am learning how amazing they are! Not only physically, but emotionally. I now run a diffuser every night as I sleep, all day here in the store, and I love to wear my diffuser necklace too. I want to know how to use these wonderful herbal oils in my daily life!

Daily Skin Care – Wrinkles, puffy or dark circles under eyes, brown spots, dry skin, these are not healthy looking. Growing older is not fun, but it does inspire us to take better care of ourselves. I was at the shopping mall, when one of those expensive vendors grabbed me and put me in front of a mirror. She started talking about some of these skin problems and how her products could help (for a cost of $250). Yikes! After a good look at the difference I saw in the mirror, I knew it was time to take better care of my skin. Rather than spend a lot of money, I ordered DoTerra’s Essential Skin Care kit and got started with a daily routine. I also found a wonderful Eye Cream on my store shelf that makes a huge difference. My skin feels soft, moist, and smooth – all it takes is a few natural products and a little time to take care of myself.

Grandchildren – I now have 5 beautiful grandchildren. If I need a little positive energy, I just give one of them a hug or a smile, even just seeing a picture of them or hearing them laugh will increase my vitality and mood. Children are a blessing, make sure you have a few in your life.

These are a few changes I have made in my life so far this year! I hope this simple list inspires you to take better care of yourself. Summer is a great time to give a little extra time to YOU. As your vitality goes down, your disease goes up. Prevent disease by increasing your vitality. It is that simple! Call me for a personal consultation, I would love to help you through this process.

Warm Up With Teas That Heal

Have you had a cup of tea today? Herbal teas are fantastic tonics for the body. They are one of the quickest and easiest ways to use herbal medicine, as there are no capsules to digest and the liquid quickly goes into the digestive system. A medicinal tea is made with one teaspoon dried herb, to one cup of boiling hot water, and steeped for 15 minutes. Drink a cup of herbal tea three times a day for a therapeutic dose. These are some of the most popular herbal teas you might want to try.

Dandelion, Taraxacum officinale:  so popular that it needs no description…it is in every yard!  Be careful to harvest where is has not been sprayed with herbicides.  Dandelion contains:  Vitamins A, B, C, D, iron, potassium, sodium, calcium, and electrolytes.  The leaves are nutritious and the roots medicinal.  Dandelion’s bitter leaves are diuretic, easing water retention and reducing blood pressure.  It is the great detoxifier, cleansing the liver, kidneys, urinary system, and skin.  Dandelion is useful for chronic conditions such as arthritis, removing the toxins from joints.  It reduces the cell damage done by free radicals.  Parts used:  leaves and roots.

Coneflower, Echinacea angustifolia, purpurea, or pallida:  native to North America, this perennial has large daisy-like flowers with a cone center.  All three varieties stimulate the immune system, although the angustifolia is considered the most medicinal having the antibacterial echinacoside.  Stimulating the production of white, ”killer” cells and regulates red blood cells, echinacea works on a cellular level to fight bacteria, viruses, fungus, and microbes.  Echinacea is a lymph system cleanser, tumor inhibitor, blood cleanser and antiseptic.  It removes toxins and fights infections.  As an immune stimulant it should not be taken continuously, but only for short periods with a break…two weeks on with one week off.  Nutritionally, Echinacea contains B vitamins, iron, calcium, selenium, and silica.  Parts used:  roots.

Ginkgo, Ginkgo biloba:  the oldest known tree, it is in the fossil record along with the dinosaurs.  Ginkgo has an amazing ability to withstand toxic environments and was the only living thing to survive the atomic blast at Hiroshima.  It can grow 150 feet tall, or be trained as a bonsai tree.  Ginkgo may be used to combat an allergic reaction.  The tea makes an excellent throat spray for allergies or asthma.  Ginkgo is respected for use in circulation problems, especially increasing circulation to the brain and extremities.  It is high in antioxidants, which works especially to keep the heart free of deposits.  Ginkgo soothes the arteries, steadies an irregular heartbeat, and helps to prevent strokes.  Parts used:  leaves.

Mullein, Verbascum thapus:  native to North America, mullein is a tall biennial with wooly leaves and a spike of yellow flowers.  Mullein is one of the greatest herbs for the respiratory system, helping the body to rid itself of mucus.  The antibacterial flowers are used as an oil to soothe earaches.  It is soothing and anti-inflammatory to the glandular system.  Mullein has narcotic properties without being harmful.  It is a great herbal pain killer, calming irritated nerves.  Parts used:  leaves and flowers.

Red Clover, Trifolium pratense:  perennial, growing wild in North America and cultivated as a hay crop.  Clover grows 1-2 feet tall, its green leaves having three leaflets with a distinctive V-shaped marking, and pink/purple glove-shaped flowers.  It has a long history of use in respiratory infections, coughs, colds, and bronchitis.  Red clover tea is known as a blood cleanser, helping persistent skin problems, eczema or psoriasis.  It also makes an excellent wash for the eyes or skin.  Red Clover has historically been used in cancer prevention formulas. It has phytoestrogens which may help to balance female hormonal issues. Parts used:  flowers.

Red Raspberry, Rubus idaeus:  native to Europe, it grows wild and is cultivated in North America.  Raspberry leaves are very astringent, excellent as a treatment for diarrhea or vomiting.  Raspberry tea is a wonderful herb for women, particularly in pregnancy to prevent miscarriage or uterine hemorrhage, and to tone the pelvic muscles.  Raspberry has vitamins A, B-complex, C, E, calcium, niacin, iron, magnesium, potassium, selenium, and zinc.  It is a great tea for children, helping with canker sores.  Parts used:  leaves and fruit.

Lisa Purdy is not a physician and all recommendations are not to be considered diagnosis or prescription.  Any information is for educational purposes only.  

You are responsible for your own health choices.

What is In Your Medicine Chest?

Drugs with a lot of side effects? 

NSAIDS have been shown to harm the liver, kidneys, and stomach lining. Is that really what you want to take for that headache or PMS cramps? I use a homeopathic remedy called Formula 303. It combines valerian root, passionflower herb, and magnesium into a fantastic little pain reliever. I keep this in my purse and use it as my first go to for headache pain.

Pain and inflammation a little more intense? Maybe a little too much snow shoveling or work in the garden? Then I use Curamin X Strength – pain relief in 20 minutes. Any side effects? Nope!

Feeling nausea, bloating, gas, upset stomach? I keep a jar of crystallized ginger by my desk for any time my tummy feels off. It is great to take on trips for motion sickness too!

Digestion problems more intense? Relying on antacids? Did you know they have a very bad form of calcium that can build up in the body? Think kidney stones, bone spurs, or inside your arteries – whoa, definitely a bad idea! Try digestive enzymes instead – these help to break down the food in your stomach, solving the cause of distress.

Did you know that there are natural alternatives to most of the everyday drugs you rely on? You can improve your health by taking the time to evaluate your drug choices and bring in more natural remedies. Be Your Own Doctor classes start in March if you want to learn more! 

Medicine Chest Makeover Challenge!!!

Go thru each item in your medicine chest. Evaluate side effects and target drugs you want to replace. Check for out of date items and throw them away – yes it is ok to get rid of them! As each drug in your medicine cabinet runs low, find a natural alternative to replace it. One choice at a time – you can live more naturally! Need help? Make an appointment with your herbalist for assistance.