Page 96 - Lost Book Remedies
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The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

        native  to  North  America,  it  cultivates  easily  and   completely. Give it an hour to soak in and do its magic.
        spreads wild in many warm, dry areas.                   Then wash away the oil and use your nit comb. From
                                                                this point forward, add a drop or two of lavender oil to
        Edible Use: Several parts of lavender are edible in-    your shampoo or rinse water to keep lice away. Laven-
        cluding the leaves, flowering tips, and petals. They can   der oil is also an excellent, good-smelling insect repel-
        be used as a condiment in salads and make a nice tea.   lent.
        Fresh  lavender  flowers  can  be  added  to  ice  creams,
        jams, and vinegars as a flavoring. Oil from the flowers   Respiratory Problems: Lavender essential oil is
        is also used as a food flavoring.                       an excellent treatment for respiratory problems of all
                                                                kinds. This can include simple, everyday problems like
        Medicinal  Use:  Medicinal  uses  are  anti-anxiety,    colds, the flu, sore throats, coughs, and sinus conges-
        antiseptic,  antispasmodic,  bile-producing,  diuretic,   tion. It can also be used for more difficult and chronic
        nervine, reduces gas, sedative, and stimulant.
                                                                respiratory  issues  like  asthma,  laryngitis,  bronchitis,
        Aromatherapy: Lavender is an important relaxing         whooping cough, and tonsillitis.
        herb, having a soothing and relaxing effect upon the    Apply it topically to the skin on the chest, neck, and
        nervous system. In most cases, all that is required is to   under the nose where it will be easily breathed; or add
                                           breathe   in   the   it to a vaporizer or a pot of steaming water. The nicely
                                           aroma  from  the     scented  steam  opens  the  air  passages  and  loosens
                                           oil.  This  relaxes   phlegm while it kills the germs that cause the infection.
                                           the  body,  relieves
                                           stress,  calms  the  Urinary  Tract  Infections,  Cystitis  and  Re-
                                           nervous   system,  tained Fluids:  The diuretic effects of lavender help
                                           and  eases  head-    it to flush the body from excess fluids and toxins and
                                           aches.  The  same    relieve swellings that may be present. As the fluid is re-
                                           effects   can   be   moved,  the  oil  also  exerts  an  antibiotic  influence,
                                           achieved  by  add-   which  kills  any  underlying  infection,  and  it  removes
                                           ing whole fresh or   toxins that may also be causing problems.
                                           dried  flowers  to
                                           the  bathwater  or   Lowering Blood Pressure: Removing excess flu-
                                                                ids help lower the blood pressure and reduce swellings
                                           placing the flowers
                                           under  the  pillow-  of  all  kinds,  and  the relaxing  effects  of  the  lavender
                                                                help get rid of stresses that may be contributing to the
                                           case  at  bedtime.  I
                                           add it to my First   problem.
                                           Aid  Salve  so  that  Harvesting: I usually go out looking for Lavender
                                           the aroma is calm-   when  the  weather  is  dry  and  there  is  no  wind.  The
        ing to anyone injured who is using the salve.           morning  and  evening  are  particularly  favorable  to
                                                                gathering flowers because many of the oils are dissi-
        Aches and Pains: Its relaxing effects extend to the
        muscular system as well. A massage with lavender oil    pated during the heat of the day. Cut lavender stems
        can calm throbbing muscles, relieve arthritis pain, ease   are cut at the base of the plant.
        and  help  heal  sprains  and  strains,  and  relieve back-  Recipes. Lavender  Tea:  To make lavender tea,
        aches and lumbago pain. The oil also contains analge-   start with one teasapoon of dried lavender flowers or
        sic compounds that help ease the pain from muscle re-   one tablespoon of fresh lavender flowers. Place in a tea
        lated stress and injuries.                              pot and cover with one cup of boiling water. Cover the

        Kills Lice and Their Nits and Insect Repel-             tea pot to keep it warm and allow the tea steep for 10
                                                                to 15 minutes to absorb the medicinal qualities. Strain
        lent: The essential oil of lavender nourishes the hair,   it, and drink warm several times daily.
        gives it a nice shine, and makes it smell wonderful. It
        also helps keep the hair free from lice.                Lavender  Tincture:  Ingredients:  1½  cups  of
                                                                chopped  lavender  flowers,  stems,  and  leaves,  1-pint
        Use the essential oil, diluted with a carrier oil such as   (500 ml)100 proof vodka or brandy. Place the lavender
        coconut  oil  or  olive  oil,  to  coat  the  scalp  and  hair

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