Healing Powers of Herbs

Herbs have been used for centuries to heal.
We here at Cloverleaf Farm enjoy teaching people the power of healing naturally through herbs. We hold several classes throughout the year that help people use herbs to heal everything from Healing Anxiety Naturally to Lowering Your Cholesterol Naturally .

The classes are fun and taught in small groups. Each student learns how to take control of their health using the healing powers of herbs. In each class, the student learns to make an herbal remedy using organic herbs, and how to use it at home.
The next round of classes is starting in June. Please check Cloverleaf Farm Herbal Center for a list of classes and the dates.

Take control of your health using the wonderful healing powers of herbs.

The Essential Herbal...Calendula

In all natural first aid kits, there are the essential herbal items. With just a few essential herbs you can heal naturally just about any illness. There are 16 in all. In this article we will discuss Calendula (Calendula offincalis).

Calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula is a must have. I can't live without a good supply of organic calendula in my essential herbal supply.
Native to southern Europe, Calendula is now grown worldwide. Mostly as an annual. It's herbal healing actions are wonderful. It acts as an anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, detoxifier, and is also mildly estrogenic. It is also a great herbal wound healer.

Calendula can be used as an oil, ointment, liniment, or cream for use on the skin. It is taken internally as a infusion (tea) or tincture.
Use it on cuts, scrapes, minor burns, and even makes a great herbal sunburn ointment.
Taken internally, it helps the digestive system with inflammatory conditions. It cleanses the liver and gallbladder.

Calendula is a definite essential herbal healer for all parts of the body.

The Essential Herbal...Arnica

In all natural first aid kits, there are the essential herbal items. With just a few essential herbs you can heal naturally just about any illness. There are 12 in all. In this article we will discuss Arnica (Arnica montana)

Arnica(Arnica montana)

Arnica key constituents are sesquiterpene lactones, flavonoids and volatile oil. Sesquiterpene lactones are are a class of chemicals found in many plants. In 1981, they were studied in Germany, and they were found to act as counterirritants. This means that sesquiterpene lactones produce a stimulating sensation that boosts the circulation to the injured area where the Arnica is applied. Flavonoids give the plant their antioxidant activities. The volatile oil, or essential oil is the aroma of the plant.

Arnica has been extensively used in Europe since the 1700's in folk medicine.
Arnica is an effective herbal healing ointment for bruises, sprains, and muscle pain. It improves the local blood supply and speeds the healing process.

Arnica is used mainly as a ointment, cream, or gel. You can use a tincture as a liniment and rub onto affected area. Arnica should be applied 4-5 x a day for best results.

Arnica should not be taken internally except homeopathic dosages. It can be toxic. Arnica should not be applied to broken skin.
Arnica's key herbal healing actions work as an anti-inflammatory, an anti-swelling agent, and as a mild analgesic (pain reliever).

Healing Naturally...Using Aromatherapy for Stress

Aromatherapy for Stress

Essential oils are very effective in the treatment of stress and in the encouragement of relaxation.

• Essential oils of orange blossom, rose, chamomile and lavender have a noticeable calming effect.
  
• Scents of lavender, sandalwood and nutmeg help you shrug off the ill-effects of stress.
• Patchouli essential oil helps eliminate anxiety and lifts the mood (it is also said to be an aphrodisiac.).
• Clary sage essential oil acts as a sedative.
  
• Ylang-ylang essential oil acts as a sedative and mood regulator. Use it in moderation. It can cause headaches in some people.
• Lavender is probably the most useful of them all for relaxation. It is a sedative and a tonic. It helps you to relax, at the same time, it also eases aches and pains, such as headache. Sprinkle four drops on a tissue and inhale deeply for sudden stress. Our ancestors carried with them handkerchiefs perfumed with lavender water or rose water. After inhaling the scent of lavender, you will feel more relaxed in 10 minutes. I carry lavender everywhere I go.

The most effective methods for using essential oils to help calm the mind and relax the body include massage, baths, and vaporization. You can use them singly or in combination.

The Characteristics of Essential Oils Useful for Anxiety and Stress Management

Calm Oils Basil Bay Bergamot Cedarwood Chamomile Cinnamon Clary Sage Comfrey Cypress Frankincense Geranium Hyssop Juniper Lavender Marjoram Melissa Neroli Patchouli Rose Sandalwood Ylang Ylang

Uplifting Oils Basil Bergamot Geranium Juniper Lavender Lemon Balm (Melissa) Oils To Avoid In Pregnancy Basil Bay Clary Sage Comfrey Hyssop Juniper Lemon Balm (Melissa) Marjoram

Useful Essential Oil Blends

Essential oil combinations are useful for purposes of relaxation and producing a sense of calm. You can experiment with different combinations to determine the effects they produce on you. Try not to mix more than three oils unless it is specifically recommended

Healing Naturally...Using Herbs Wisely

The term herb we use on this site refers to plants used for medicinal purposes.

While using herbs to help treat illness may seem to some like a modern phenomenon, it has been around for over 5000 years. The medicinal benefits of herbs have been used for centuries by many different cultures. Man has always been dependent on herbs. What was a healing herb a hundred years ago is still a healing herb today. Many of the benefits of herbs are not so much based on scientific study but rather on the observations made by herbal healers through the centuries.

Herbs may be natural, but they are still potent medicine, and should be treated with care and respect. Herbs should be treated like other medicines in that it is important to follow the recommended dosages. Most herbs are typically milder than synthetic drugs and have fewer side effects, they are neither completely safe nor poisonous. Some are even dangerous if taken improperly or for extended periods of time. Most problems stem from overuse and misuse. Herbs, when properly used, are safe, gentle and effective.

Traditional doctors and pharmacists may have little training in herbal medicine, if that is the case ask your practitioner for a reference to an alternative practitioner. Practitioners with knowledge of herbs include herbalists, homeopaths, naturopaths, and doctors of Oriental medicine.

Herbs include leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems and flowers. They can also be found in the form of tablets, capsules, liquid beverages, bark pieces, powders, tinctures, extracts, creams, lotions, salves, and oils.

Before using any herb, it is important that you follow these important guidelines:

1. NEVER self-diagnose. Be sure you have received a diagnosis from a doctor before seeking alternative care. Proper medical care is critical to good health.
2. Work with your doctor. If you are currently on medication, you must work with your doctor before discontinuing any drug or starting any herbal treatment. Make sure your doctor knows about any herbal supplements you are taking. There could be possible interactions with other treatments you are receiving.
3. If you're pregnant (or trying to get pregnant) or breast-feeding, avoid herbal remedies. Substances in these remedies may pass to your baby.
4. Do not be fooled by the word "natural". Natural does not always mean safe. Herbs are natural substances, but that does not mean that they can be used indiscriminately. They are natures medicine, and should be treated that way. Many perfectly natural plants are highly toxic and poisonous. Before trying any herbal remedy, be sure that you know what it does, how to use it, and the possible side effects. Never exceed the recommended dose.
5. Keep in mind. Many herbs are effective on their own, but some work even better if they are part of a comprehensive treatment plan focusing on diet and lifestyle changes as well

Healing Naturally....No More Winter Itch Skin

Winter in the north doesn't have to mean rough, dry itchy skin. Say good-bye to the winter itch with a few simple herbal tips.
One of the great herbs for skin is Calendula. Calendula petals steeped in a carrier oil makes a wonderful oil to help heal that dry itchy skin. You can use almost any carrier oil, but our favorite is a combination of organic apricot and almond oil. Almond oil is light and helpful to all skin types. Especially good for eczema, helps relieve itching, soreness, dryness and inflammation. Almond oil is very lubricating, but not penetrating, making it a good skin protectant.
Apricot oil contains minerals and vitamins, especially Vitamin A. Apricot oil is wonderful for all skin types. It is very rich and nourishing and can be helpful for prematurely aged, sensitive, inflamed, delicate or dry skin.
Steep the petals in the oils of choice for 6 weeks. Add cocoa butter, shea butter or other ingredients to help soften skin. By adding the butters, this will make a Calendula ointment.
Other herbs that can be used or mixed into an oil are elderflower, comfrey, marshmallow root as well as rose.
Adding essential oils will prolong the life of the oil or ointment.

Healing Naturally...Lowering Cholesterol With Herbs

One of the medical buzz word these days is cholesterol. Your doctor tells you you need to lower your numbers. Well just what does it all mean. Just what is cholesterol.
Cholesterol is a fat like substance that circulates in the blood stream. It is produced by the body for building cell membranes and sex hormones. Cholesterol aids in our digestion process.
Eighty percent of cholesterol is manufactured by the body for necessary functions. Only twenty percent comes from the diet. So even a vegetarian can have high cholesterol.
Cholesterol travels throughout your bloodstream in lipoproteins. LDL or Low Density Lipoproteins delivers cholesterol to your body. HDL or high density lipoproteins are the "good" guys because they sweep the bloodstream clean of any excess cholesterol. Too much LDL is bad for your body, and having the HDL is good.
So, what is a good cholesterol number for you.
Total cholesterol should be less than 200 for best heart health. Between 200-239 is borderline high and 240 and over means you are at greater risk of heart attack and stroke.
Your LDL or Low-density lipoprotein levels should be less than 130. Form 130 to 159 is borderline high. At 160 or more your chance of heart disease rises.
Your HDL or high-density lipoprotein should be 60 or higher to reduce the chance for heart disease and stroke. Less than 60 improves your chances for heart disease.

Now that all the medical terminology is out of the way let us discuss herbal remedies to help lower that cholesterol. There are many ways to add herbs to your diet. You can drink them in a tea, or use them in your cooking. You can take them in capsule form. Anyway you take them, you will benefit from the medicinal properties of the herb.

I personally lowered my cholesterol over 25% by using just herbs, and diet.

*Turmeric (Curcuma longa)- Great spice from India that improves the action of the liver. It can help ease stomach pains. It has powerful antioxidant properties. Use in soups, add to chicken or fish. You can also take turmeric in capsules.

*Garlic (Allium sativum)- Originally from Asia, garlic is now grown worldwide. Garlic lowers blood pressure and is loaded with vitamins and minerals.Use in cooking everyday. Fresh is best or in powdered form. Be sure to use garlic powder and not garlic salt. You could also take garlic capsules.

*Olive Leaf (Olea eruopaea) - Olive leaf of course comes from the same tree we get olives for olive oil. It grows wild in the Mediterranean regions. Olive leaf can be used as a tea. Steep for 20 minutes and drink. Olive oil can also help in lowering cholesterol if used in cooking.

*Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) - One of my personal favorite teas. It is a shrub native to South Africa, and has lots of vitamins and minerals. It makes a delicious tea that has been traditionally used to sooth digestion, stomach cramps and colic. Besides helping to lower cholesterol, Rooibos helps to control your appetite, thus can be beneficial in a weight loss program.

Some other herbs that can be beneficial in helping to lower your cholesterol are Fenugreek, Green Tea, Red Yeast Rice, as well as Vitamin C, Carnitine, and grape seed extract.


This is not meant to treat or to cure any illness. Please consult with your health care provider for what will work best for you.

A New Year... A Healthier You

We hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. Now that the holidays are almost behind us, people will be making their New Year's Resolutions. Well, if one of your resolutions is to get healthy naturally, then you have found the right place. Over the next year we will let you in on all the secrets of traditional herbal medicine. You can use herbs to treat anything from acne to whooping cough. You just have to have to choose the right herbs.

Each month we will feature one herb for you to get to know. You will learn how it grows, how to harvest and use it for herbal healing. In between we will through in some extra tidbits on herbal medicine and herbal healing.

The first herb that we will highlight is Calendula (Calendula officinalis). Calendula is an easy to grow annual, that blossoms from June until November even blooming after the first light frost. Plant after the last spring frost. It has a beautiful daisy like flower with yellow to orange petals. It is a must have herb for all different kind of ailments and even helps rid the garden of certain unwanted pests. The petals are edible, and make a wonderful addition to a fresh summer salad. Infuse the petals in oil, and make a wonderful treatment for rashes, dry itching skin, and even babies cradle cap...to read more go to Cloverleaf Farm Herb Information.

For information about herbs and treatable conditions with herbs visit our herbal information page. We have packed that site chock full of all sorts of herbal information that we hope you will find very helpful in your daily lives.

And as always you can buy our organic herbal products at Cloverleaf Farm.