I have to thank my son’s bump on the head for some of my conviction about the benefit of Bach flower remedies. Jon was about a year old and had hit his head quite badly. The bump was swelling before my eyes, and I decided to try out the Bach rescue cream that I’d recently purchased. The bump was partly in his hair and partly on his forehead. I carefully put the cream on – it was difficult to get the cream close to the skin where his hair was. The next day the bruise on his forehead had gone completely, but the bruise in his hair was still there, although it was not as bad as I had expected it to be. This amazed me and made me determined to learn about these amazing remedies.

I bought and studied the little booklet that explained all about them - as a very busy mum I was happy to have something that wasn’t too big to read! I was also happy that the remedies weren’t drugs and could be used safely with even tiny babies. There are 38 different flower remedies for various psychological states, and I instantly could see how I could use them for myself, my family and my friends: larch is for someone who lacks self confidence, aspen is for generalised fears, impatiens for impatience, heather for those who want to be the centre of attention all the time, and scleranthus for the undecided.

The remedies were developed by Dr Edward Bach -pronounced ‘Batch’ - who lived in England from 1886-1936. He was trained as a doctor and worked as a pathologist and bacteriologist, but he felt that medicine was not getting to the root of the problem. He learnt about homeopathy, and developed various important homeopathic remedies, but he was still not satisfied, and this led him to develop the Bach flower remedies.

The remedies are based on flowering plants and trees, and are designed to correct inappropriate psychological states. This doesn’t mean that they’re not suitable for physical problems, because Bach believed that there was “a factor above the physical plane which in the ordinary course of life protects or renders susceptible any particular individual with regard to disease, of whatever nature it may be.” From Heal Thyself by Edward Bach. In other words, if you are dissatisfied or distressed, you are more likely to catch a cold or become chronically ill.

Bach found the remedies through intuition: sometimes he would hold a flower in his hand and experience in his body and mind what the remedy was capable of, and sometimes he experienced deep negative emotions and would go out into the countryside searching until he found the flower that would turn off these feelings. Bach also found that if he floated the flowers in a glass bowl containing spring water in the sunshine, this healing property of the flower passed into the water. For some plants that flowered early in the year, such as holly, Bach boiled the flowers and stems to overcome the problem of the lack of sunshine.

The remedies are normally taken in one of two ways:

• Putting two drops of the chosen remedy in a glass of water and sipping it frequently
• Putting two drops of several remedies in a bottle with water and/or brandy and taking 4 drops 4 times a day

There is one combination that Dr Bach found he used a lot, and he called this ‘rescue remedy’. This is a mixture of 5 of the 38 flower remedies (cherry plum, clematis, impatiens, rock rose and star of Bethlehem). It can be used for any emergency or stressful event. This is really helpful after a fall, or an argument, before visiting the dentist or taking an examination. The normal way of taking it is to put 4 drops in a glass of water and then to take small, frequent sips. You can also take it straight from the bottle in a real emergency. Many nurses I meet swear by it, and secretly and unofficially recommend it to their patients.

Rescue cream contains the same 5 remedies as the rescue remedy drops, but with the addition of crab apple and is useful for cuts and bruises, and for babies who fall and bang their heads!

The remedies are made using brandy, and this may be a problem for some people. An alternative way to take them is by dabbing them on the wrist, behind the ears and at the temples – this way the benefit of the remedies may be felt without imbibing alcohol.

The remedies do not interfere with any drugs, and can be taken with good effect by the terminally ill. Babies and pets seem to benefit often apparently instantly and miraculously, and many adults can tell you of amazing results for themselves and their children.

Remedies from flowers and trees are subtle” elixirs” that claim to be able to help to rekindle a feeling of mental and emotional, as well as physical, well-being. Some aim to bring relief from unsettling moods and emotions such as anxiety, fear, guilt, and anger, and others encourage people who use them to recognize and let go of deep-seated behavioral patterns that give rise to such feelings. Above all, they claim to be able to help people feel calm and content in times of stress. Flower and tree remedies are so safe and harm­less that they are often used as self­treatment. They are not targeted at particular symptoms but at states of mind accompanying illness.

Though flowers have played a role in healing for centuries - Australian Aborigines and Native Americans were using remedies made from flowers to ease emotional upsets and achieve peace of mind thousands of years ago - the healing power of flowers was only rediscovered in the West in the 1920s when it was revived by Dr. Edward Bach.

Bach (pronounced Batch) was a British Harley Street physician specializing in pathology and bacteriology, with a practical understanding of homeopathy. As a young practitioner he quickly noticed that patients with “physical” complaints often seemed to be suffering from some form of anxiety or “negative” emotional problem. He came to think that the emotional background was the cause of the illness.

Disenchanted with the standard medical approach of relieving the symptoms rather than the cause of illness, he began a quest for a new healing system that could help with the psychological aspect of illness. His search ended with the flowers blossoming in the fields and hedgerows around his cottage.

Bach decided intuitively upon the plants that would give relief. It is said that he put himself into the frame of mind corresponding to that which he saw as being a cause of illness, before trying out the effects of plants on himself. The first of the plant remedies pinpointed by Bach related to what he saw as 12 key personality types. The next 26 flower remedies brought relief from different kinds emotional discomfort and distress. The table silo below summarizes the 38 remedies developed by& during the 1920s and 1930s.

In most cases, your infant’s fever should be left alone. Fever serves a very useful purpose and is the body’s ally in fighting infection. There are a few natural remedies, however, that are safe for babies that will help your little one feel more comfortable.

It’s a good idea to see a Naturopath, Homeopath or other licensed health care provider who specializes in natural remedies before using them on your baby. He or she can point you in the right direction when choosing herbs and homeopathic remedies as well as help you with dosing.

Lemon balm leaf, chamomile, peppermint, licorice and elder flower have been traditionally used to treat infant fevers. A baby older than 2 can be given one half cup of herbal tea, up to 4 times a day, for 24 hours. For babies younger than two who are breastfeeding, it is best if Mom takes the herbs herself in order to pass along the medicinal properties to her nursing infant. Or you can purchase over the counter herbal formulations with dosages designed for infants at your local health shop.

Echinacea and goldenseal have been proven in some studies to clear up infection. Try a combination specially designed for children. Maple Creek Naturals -www.maplecreeknaturals.com- offers excellent herbal kid’s products.

Garlic also has antibacterial properties. If your baby is older than 9 months, you can make a batch of chicken broth with garlic, and serve it to your baby.

Ginger tea can help with a fever. It’s also great for stomachaches. Ginger has warming properties and is wonderful for babies who are chilled. Make a weak tea with grated fresh ginger. If your infant is over one year of age, add a drop of honey to sweeten.

Homeopathic remedies are effective for infant fevers, but the specific remedy must match the individual child’s symptoms. Check a homeopathic reference book to find the right one, or call a Doctor of Homeopathy.

Be sure to keep baby well hydrated with clear liquids. If baby is nursing, offer the breast frequently so that baby will get plenty of fluids and the natural immune factors in breastmilk.

Keep in mind that if your infant is younger than 6 months old, it’s a good idea to call your Doctor about a fever. Additionally, if baby is listless, lethargic, acting unusual, having difficulty breathing or complaining of a stiff neck, phone your Doctor immediately.

Master your skills through home management, and lower the cost of living and more so, enter the excitement of mixing your own.

The use of Herbs: -

Ø Their uses for Culinary, Medicinal and cosmetics.

Ø Remedies for the common ailments

Ø The life span of plants fruits and flowers.

Ø Yearly maintenance calendar, and characteristics,

Ø Basic blend methods, ready for you to mix.

Ø Infusions, Decoctions, Tinctures, Compresses, easy wines with herbs, mixing your own money saving beauty products

Ø And a little sense of humour won’t hurt

Now; that’s food for thought;

Using herbs, to sustains good health, is logical and smart, and of a good mind and body. Every ounce of herb is worth a pound of remedies. To everything there is a beginning, but where is the beginning to everything. Herbs are highly known for their uses, and are of true nature.

The A to Z household Kit has step-by-step instructions in alphabetical order. Herbs have a great ability to solve problems to a great range. So we need to recapture, the body we lost through our busy world, and the journey in this book will help you cross that bridge.

You will experience tranquillity to the mind and a big lift on the pocket. Self-improvement and a new field to your destination if ever there was a time, it is now! Raise your standards and open the door of home management. An easy job seems mighty hard if you keep putting it off. The next step is yours.

A must for every home

Medicinal Plants -

Herbs, their characteristics, life span, remedies and properties, it’s fruit, care and their uses. Household hints, household tips, money saving ideas, new ideas, remedies for common ailments, blending your own beauty products, self-care and slim your way to diet

Living with herbs sustains good health and is logical and smart, you feel well, age gracefully and help with remedies for minor health problems in our day-to-day life. Planting with enthusiasm, herbs have an ability to solve Culinary, Medicinal and Cosmetics solutions. A symbol of good mind and body.

The body requires a life of health qualities to appreciate the good qualities of true calmness and a healthy existence to the new change of environment’s herbal journey, which give you the chance to cross the bridge.

Trust me the results brings tranquillity unimaginable.

When was the last time you stopped for a moment to watch a passion flower open gently and softly? Without planting, there will be no plants, without plants there will be no herbs, and no flowers. Without plants, herbs and spices there will be no food flavouring in our cooking. There will be no remedies or solutions to help us solve healthy problems. An ounce of herbs is worth a pound of remedies. A full and satisfying life awaits you. The herbs will get you there; can even help you give up smoking, should you decide. The calmness of herbs will allow you room, to lead your life to your choosing.

The first aicffjit: - of herbal living gives you control for self- improvement and the healing of the common ailments, especially if there are children in the house.

Herbs the Medicinal Plants

Medicinal plants and herbs contain substances known to modern and ancient civilizations for their healing properties. Until the development of Chemistry and, particularly, have the synthesis of organic compounds in the 19 Century, medicinal plants and herbs where the sole source of active principles capable of curing man’s ailments.

They continue to be important to people that do not have access to modern medicines and, moreover, modern pharmaceuticals rely heavily on the same active principles, be they natural or synthetic. The active principles differ from plant to plant due to their biodiversity, i.e. to the plant’s genetic coding ability to produce them.

Inferior.These encompass bacteria, microscopic algae, mushrooms, ferns, brushes and trees, the vegetable world comprises three main groups of plants: Superior, Intermediary and among others. Their identification is a task of specialists and the limit between the vegetal and animal world is not clear.

To simplify matters, we consider plants those recognized as such by ordinary people. Books about medicinal properties of vegetables normally seem to treat differently herbs and medicinal plants.

However, herbs are seed producing annual, biennial or perennial plants that do not develop a persistent woody tissue. Perhaps because herbs have such an important historical and tradition in healing, sometimes they are treated as a special category of plants i.e., those particularly valued for their medicinal, savoury or aromatic qualities. In the following list, herbs are considered as medicinal plants and taken only for their medicinal or aromatic properties.

Since the traditional or popular name of medicinal plants varies so much according to regional and cultural aspects, the have been grouped alphabetically according to their most common English name. The scientific designation follows in each case

Forms of medicinal remedies

Infusions: -

Infusions are a simple way of extracting the active principles of herbs through the action of hot water. The preparation of infusions is similar to way we prepare tea. This method is used to extract the volatile components of the dried or green aerial parts of herbs and plants like flowers and leaves. Infusions may use single herbs or a blend and are drunk hot or cold. Certainly this is the most common and cheap method of extracting the medicinal compounds of herbs.

Decoctions: -

Roots, barks and fruits being thicker and less permeable than the aerial parts of medicinal plants, do not liberate their active principles by simple infusion. It is necessary to simmer these parts in boiling water in order to extract their medicinal constituents. The material should be cut or broken into small pieces. In order to avoid loosing volatile constituents, use a lid over the simmering pan. After cooling down and separating the solid from the liquid, decoctions can be taken hot or cold.

Tinctures: -
Most of the volatile components of medicinal plants and herbs are soluble in alcohol. By immersing dried or fresh parts of plants in alcohol, the active principles are easily extracted at concentrations that exceed those that can be achieved by infusion or decoction. Highly concentrate solutions that will last for one to two years are a convenient way to store and use medicinal plants constituents.

Ideally tinctures should be made using pure ethyl alcohol distilled from cereals. However, since this product is not available to the public, good Vodka with 45-35% alcohol can be used. The extraction is fairly quick. A 50% mixture of herbs and alcohol kept in a tightly closed jar will hold a tincture ready for use at the prescribed dosage. Never use methyl alcohol, methylated spirits, isopropyl alcohol or any other kind of unknown spirit to make tinctures.

Syrups: -

With some rare exceptions, like peppermint that is a familiar flavouring agent in toot paste and chewing gum, infused or decocted herbs are not palatable, especially for children. In order to disguise their taste, infusion and decoctions can be mixed with honey or unrefined sugar from cane. These syrups combine the soothing action of these solvents to the medicinal properties of the infusions and decoctions resulting in additional benefits specially for treating cough and sore throats.

Infused Oils: -

Pure vegetable oils like sunflower, almond and olive oil are easily found at grocer stores. They have the property of dissolving the active, fat-soluble active principles of medicinal plants and herbs. This process is called infusion and can be carried out at room temperature or higher. Infusion is a slower process than alcohol extraction but has the advantage of resulting in oil based solution of medicinal constituents that can easily be used to make creams and ointments. Hot infusion is recommended for the harder parts of the plants while cold infusion is more suitable for flowers and leaves.

Essential Oils: -

Essential oils are the volatile oily components of aromatic plants, trees and grasses. They are found in tiny glands located in the flowers (nerol), leaves (eucalyptus), roots (calamus), wood (sandal) and resins (frankincense). Essential oils are extracted by four main methods: steam distillation, expression, solvent extraction and effleurage. In the first method the oil is extracted by the action of hot steam and then selectively condensed with water from which it is separated.

In the second method the oil is extracted by pressure or centrifugation. In the third method the oil is dissolved in a volatile solvent that when evaporated leaves a heavily natural wax substance called concrete. When separated from the wax, the resulting liquid is called an absolute, the most concentrated from of aroma available. Effleurage is a longer process involving the dissolution of the oils in animal fat and its separation using alcohol. Although essential oils main usage is in cosmetics and perfumery, many of them do have proved therapeutic properties.

Ointments: -

Ointments are prepared like hot infused oils, the difference being that herbs are simmered in waxes or fats containing no water. After separating the simmered herbs by squeezing and cooling, the result is a solid mixture of the wax or fat with the medicinal constituents of the plant. Petroleum jelly, soft paraffin wax and bees wax are some common bases used. Ointments form an oily barrier on the surface of injuries and carry the active principles to the affected area.

Creams: -

Creams are mixtures of oils or fats with water. Since water and oils are not miscible, it is necessary to add an emulsifying agent that avoids their separation. Creams are therefore stable emulsions of oils or fats. Medicinal properties are added to creams when they use or are made with tinctures, infusions, oil infusions, essential oils or decoctions. Creams are permeable allowing the skin to breathe and sweat. Their water content and some additional hydrophobic agent like Glycerine promotes the hydration and cooling of the skin.

Drying Herbs: -

Herbs should be dried as soon as they are cut. They should be dried carefully to preserve as much as possible of their properties. The best method of drying is hang-drying find a warm, dry, dark location for a great many of the most useful culinary and decorative herbs. It takes about five days for herbs to dry, when they are kept in a warm environment. If the weather is cold, it can take up to 15 days. Fresh herbs should be picked in batches so that they all dry at the same rate.

Method: -

Pick the herbs when fully developed; remove damaged leaves and woody stems.

Simply tie about 10 stems of the herb together and hang them upside down, if you live in a dusty area slip a paper bag over the bunch. Drying is complete when the leaves are fragile and papery.

Remove the leaves from the stems when dried, keeping them as intact as possible, use a piece of folded paper and use this to pour herbs into an airtight, preferable dark gassed jar and bottle them for future use. Crush the herbs before using them.

What is UMF Manuka Honey?

Unique Manuka Factor or commonly known as UMF is the only worldwide standard in identifying and measuring the antibacterial strength or quality of some strains of Manuka. It is a guarantee that the honey being sold has the special UMF antibacterial property and a UMF rating of 10 is the minimum recognised. Ordinary manuka has only the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property which is common to most types of honey, whereas UMF Manuka has both the natural hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property and its own natural UMF antibacterial property, giving it increased antibacterial potency. The UMF property is very stable, unlike the hydrogen peroxide antibacterial property common in most honey which is easily destroyed by heat, light as well as certain enzymes in body serum.

UMF Manuka is the preferred honey for wound dressing and other special therapeutic uses and studies are showing Manuka with high levels of UMF could be very effective in helping relieve stomach ulcer symptoms and gastritis, and sore throats, and when applied topically, in assisting the natural healing of skin ulcers, wounds, burns, boils, cracked skin. That is also why many skincare products also contain UMF manuka as a special ingredient and promise positive benefits from their regular application on the skin.

UMF is not in the nectar of all Manuka flowers, which are known as Leptospermum scoparium and belong to the the Tea Tree bushes found only in New Zealand’s costal areas. Some Manuka bushes do not produce honey with the UMF property every year, and the concentrations of UMF can vary from batch to batch and year to year. The reason why only some Manuka honeys have the unique UMF antibacterial property is not yet known. It could be from a subspecies of Manuka or due to some environmental factor such as soil type. In the shop, you will find the varying UMF strengths - UMF 10, UMF 15, UMF 20, UMF 25, and the higher the UMF, the more expensive is the honey. All genuine UMF manuka honeys are packed into jars and labelled with a registered trademark UMF® in New Zealand by licensed companies, and have a rating of UMF 10 or more. These licensed users of the UMF® label have to meet standards of regular monitoring and auditing of their honey quality. So if you come across an UMF honey which is packed in another country other than New Zealand, or a jar which labelled UMF 8, you should know something is amiss.

Another reason why Manuka honey, which is available in most Kiwi homes, is favoured by so many honey fans is that it has a higher than normal conductivity, which is an indirect measurement of mineral content of a honey — about 4 times that of normal flower honeys. I particularly love the taste of Manuka honey - it has a lot of depth and a unique unforgetable foresty aroma stands out amongst the honey varieties. I often find myself mixing a tablespoon of the honey with warm water or hot tea whenever I experience sore throat, cough, cold or flu symptoms, or when feel “heatiness” in my body. Now, the honey shops here (in Singapore) also sell New Zealand made Manuka honey lozenges for soothing the throat. I paid about 9 Sing dollars (about 6 US dollars) for a pack of 20 such honey drops with UMF 20+ and propolis which contained very high level of bioflavonoids. Its ant-inflammatory properties worked perfect in curing my phelmy throat and it was delicious despite that it tasted a bit bitter due to the propolis, and it gave me a slight numbing effect on my tongue as I sucked it.

Source: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/manuka-honey.html

There are as many ways to make Crystal Healing Elixirs as there are ways to clean your healing crystals. I only subscribe to one method as for me it is the safest one available. You do not need to worry about whether the crystal is toxic or if the crystal will dissolve in water.

All you need is a glass container.

A quantity of spring water, I do not recommend tap water as it can contain additives.
The Healing Crystal or Crystals that you wish to use to make the elixir.
Take the water and place it into the glass container and seal the container.
Place the container with the water in a cool place out of direct sunlight.
Next take the Crystal or Crystals and program them for what it is you require of them.
Then place the programmed crystals next the glass container NOT IN THE GLASS CONTAINER.
Leave them for about 5 hours if you feel the need to leave them longer please do so.

You may the use the elixir as you see fit.

You will need to make a new batch about every seven days. (I find that sometimes the elixir does not stay fresh after this length of time. It can be kept in the fridge if you like).

Elixirs can be used for any number of things, they can be used to treat Stomach Ulcers in this case you would use healing crystals like, Peridot, Rhodonite, Sunstone and Siberian Blue Quartz.

I would use about seven drops three times a day, but again this is up to you and the person taking the elixir.

Elixirs are also useful for skin conditions such as Eczema here I would bath the affected areas with the elixir as often as needed. Healing Crystals for this purpose would be Phosphorite, Amethyst and Clear Quartz.

As with both these methods you can use one or all of the crystals combined.

The uses for elixirs are unlimited just use your intuition. BUT make sure that the person whom you are treating is happy to use this method.

You can also use your Healing Crystals to enhance herbal remedies, and bush flower and Bach flower remedies as well.

There is absolutely no need to be spending your hard earned money by buying essential oils, because making them yourself is a very easy process. All it takes is a little know-how and some basic supplies and you will have the basic essential oil for your body lotions, soaps, candles or bath salts in no time at all. The process is simple enough that your children can do it, with fantastic results. You can give away the things you make, such as pillar candles or massage oils for birthdays, anniversaries or as gifts for special occasions.

Making the oil starts with flowers. Most aromatherapy essential oils are made up of scents from flowers so that may be the best place for you to start. Begin by picking out a flower that you love. Roses, lavender and honeysuckle are very popular flowers because their scent is so strong. A flower with a strong scent is your ally in this process. You will need an oil base such as grape seed oil, cheese cloth to strain the oil/flower mixture, jars for the process and pretty jars for the final product. You will also need to have a mallet, storage bags with a zipper, and a funnel to pour the essential oil into the containers which can later be mixed to make body lotions, bath salts, soaps and even candles.

Take the flowers and place them in the storage bag. You will take the mallet and gently tap the bag until the flowers have become slightly mashed. You do not want them pulverized. The next step is putting the cheese cloth over one of the empty jars. The crushed flowers will go into the cheese cloth and you will pour a cup of grape seed oil over them. Each day, for three more days, you will take a fresh batch of flowers (1 cup each time) and keep pouring the oil back and forth over the cheese cloth. The fourth day you will have your finished product which you can store in the decorate jars. Making essential oils is that easy.

Those decorative bottles of essential oils will make the perfect gift for someone on your list. Who would not want such a personal gift from someone they care about? The process is inexpensive, easy and the results are absolutely wonderful. You can always create other things out of the oils such as bath salts, body lotions and even your own personal massage oil. Keep them or give them away. Either way you will be immensely pleased at the results of your aromatherapy hobby.