Here Comes The Sun

Living and working on a farm, you can't help but be out in the sun.
I have always loved the sun. I love being outdoors, but sometimes forget I have been out too long. Days like today and yesterday.
On days such as this, I reach for my all natural organic sunburn treatment. It is a combination of herbs such as calendula, avocado oil, lavender, vitamin and other herbs to help soothe and cool the skin.
It is even more wonderful when you put it in the refridgerator ahead of time. This cools the skin even more.
Remember to wear your sun screen, don't stay in the sun too long, and if you do reach for natural organic skin care to help soothe and heal your skin.

Herbal Healing for Sore Muscles

Spring is here. I can tell from my sore muscles. After not working out much all winter, it seems all that I do creates sore muscles. Whether it is my back from working in the gardens, or my arms from putting up new fence posts, my body is telling me it isn't happy.
While most people reach for OTC products such as Ben-Gay or Icy Hot, we prefer a more natural approach. We use the methods below to help heal our sore muscles naturally.
1. Stretch. Always warm up.
2. Massage. Massage is one of the best ways to detox your muscles. It can actually help if you massage before working as well. Use an herbal oil such as Lavender, or Peppermint to help relax and rejuevenate those overworked muscles.
3. Drink lots and lots of water. Water helps to remove toxins from the body, including muscle.
4. When your mucles get tired, or achy, try using arnica, comfrey, crampbark or prickly ash. We make an oil, mix them up and add essential oils to it. It makes a wonderful massage oil.
5. Don't overdue. Overworked muscles take time to replenish themselves. Relax and recooperate.
Herbal healing is healthy healing.

Herbal Remedies for Stress Reduction

Stress. We all have it. Stress is part of our daily lives.
When stress becomes too much to handle, don't visit the doctor, reach for herbal remedies.
They are safe and non toxic to your body unlike most stress reducing medication.
We will talk about 3 of the herbal remedies for stress here.
#1. Chamomile. Almost everyone knows the powers of chamomile. It is soothing to the soul.Used usually in tea form. Drink 3- 5 cups daily. Chamomile can also be used in tincture form. If using a tincture, the dosage is usually 6-10 drops 3 x a day.
#2. Lemon Balm. Lemon balm has been used for years for stress and anxiety. It is calming and soothing. Lemon balm is also drank as a tea, or taken as a tincture. Same dosage as chamomile. If you have thyroid disease, you should not use lemon balm. This is especially if you are taking thyroid medication. It interferes with the absorbtion of your medication.
#3. Lavender. Lavender is usually used as an essential oil in perfumes, creams and other body care products. Did you know you can actually drink it as well? It makes a beautiful, flowery tasting tea. Add a touch of honey to sweeten. During the summer months, we drink Lavender Lemonade all the time. Not so much for it's calming properties, but just because it tastes good.
It turns a lovely purple color.
Stress doesn't have to get you down. You don't have to let it take over your life. Take control of stress with natural ways. Take control with herbs.

Essential Herbs - Tea

Here at Cloverleaf Farm, tea is not only what we grow, but how we drink. Teas are natures cureall for most everything. We use herbs for everything from the common cold and virus to the wounds on our hands. We grow them, sell them, and know how to use them.
There are certain herbs and herbal preparations we have on hand at all times.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is used the most. It is used as a tea for stomach troubles as well as the ointment for burns or scratches. It is one of the most versitile herbs. Click here for more information on calendula. It is also used in our Sunshine Mint Jelly. It is by far the most reached for herb in our house.
We are herbal tea drinkers. Loose leaf is the best way to drink herbal tea. Most packaged herbal teas don't hold up to using loose leaf. To us, one could never have enough herbal tea. Herbs we always have on hand for tea drinking is Rooibos, Mint, Chamomile, and Valerian. Rooibos makes a beautiful red tea that helps to lower cholesterol. Mint makes a great after dinner tea to soothe the stomach. Chamomile is also a good after dinner tea to calm and soothe. You can mix it with mint or drink alone. It is also wonderful to help you sleep at night. Valerian is nature's valium. Trouble sleeping? Make yourself a cup of valerian tea, and drink right before bed. It will help you slip into a restful sleep.