Sunday, July 31, 2011

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Marigold:
This very strong smelling flower is planted in many gardens to keep bugs away for vegetables. Infusions made from the flowers is used to treat stomach cramps, diarrhea, ulcers, and fever. Topically, marigold is used to heal skin inflammations, such as acne, wounds, and burns.
Next week I will be posting the recipe for the topical cream.

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Catnip (Nepeta cataria)

To start I just what to make it clear that I take absolutely no responsibility for anything that happens if the readers of this blog use any information in this blog. And I recommend consulting with a certified health adviser first. Now that that is over with, lets get on with the fun part!
Catnip:
When most of us think of Catnip, we think of the family cat. We all know that most cats can't resist the smell of catnip, but catnip has many uses. It is most often used for feverish colds, it helps to produce perspiration without raising the heat of the system, and helps the patient get to sleep. It also helps with trouble in the nervous system, such as nervous headaches and hysteria. Stomach problems have also been helped by catnip.
One fun fact before I finish this post: Catnip is used in the book series Warriors, where it is called Catmint.