Make a friend of comfrey Bruises are broken blood vessels which have leaked blood under the surface of the skin. If you have fresh comfrey growing in the garden, make a comfrey poultice of it. This is great for any kind of bruise of sprain. Crush a big handful of fresh comfrey leaves (or add several tablespoons of dried comfrey leaves to an equal amount of warm water). Put them between two layers of gauze to hold them together. Place the compress on the bruise and bind it in place with a bandage. Leave it on for at least a couple of hours. When the pain has subsided apply Calendular & Comfrey ointment to further speed the healing process. Calendular & Comfrey ointment 2 tablespoons almond, apricot or grapeseed oil 1 teaspoon beeswax 2 teaspoons of tincture (1 teaspoons calendula, 1 teaspoon of comfrey tincture.) Put the oil and beeswax in a double boiler and allow the beeswax to dissolve into the oil, stirring well. Test by dropping a little on a plate and allowing to cool at room temperature. It should be soft enough to scoop from a jar. If it's too runny add a little more beeswax until you have a good consistency. Stir in your tincture. Allow it all to cool a little and then pour your mixture into jars. Seal it straight away and store your ointment in a cool, dark place. It should keep for up to a year. Hand bathing My personal favorite formulas for hand bathing (and bath bathing) are Chamomile Smoothie and Comfrey Brightener. Pour enough comfortably hot water over your herbs to cover your hands. Swish the loose herbs or bath bag around, dip your hands in, and relax. After 10-15 minutes take your hands out and gently pat them dry with a warm towel. Comfrey Brightener Into a bath bag put equal quantities of comfrey, nettle, dandelion, and orange peel.

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The classic definition of a herb is a non-woody plant which dies down to its roots each winter. This definition is far too limiting. It was probably made up by 19th Century European botanists who had never seen the rainforest in which, of course there is no winter to die back in. Neither had they ever heard of woody trees and shrubs such as hawthorn and ginko and elder which are some of the best selling herbs on the market these days. I define a herb as a medicinal plant. It can come from any climate and be a leaf, a bark, a flower or a root. It can be home-grown or wild, a weed, a spice, a plant which is used for its healing or culinary or beautifying properties. Once you discover the power of herbs it is easy to become so enthusiastic about them you go overboard trying to use them for everything. It is not wise to take lots of different plants all at the same time. Or you might start to think that since a small amount of something is good for you, taking twice or three times that amount will be even better. It isn’t. If you want safe and sane herbal help here are a few guidelines to follow: Herbs occasionally interact with conventional drugs. Be sure to tell your doctor that you intend to try a herbal remedy. If you want to use herbs to treat a serious medical condition, find yourself a good medical herbalist to work with. Don’t do it yourself. Take no more than recommended dosages of a herb or combination. If you notice any adverse reaction, stop right away. Use only the very best herbs whether they be fresh, dried, teas, tinctures, extracts, or capsules. Give plants enough time to work. Many herbs, such as St John’s Wort and Wild Yam, are slow to build beneficial effects on the body. Look to six weeks for results.   Herbs This Week Archives

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