Healing Wise

November 25, 2011 in Health Concerns, Intestinal Health, prostate | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 21, 2011

Capping Best When Making Infusions

HI,

My question is now can I make an overnight infusion of the chickweed and oatstraw (on different days) the way I do the nettles? I mean when I read up about it, it seems that they might need less time or so... and what is the deal with a sealed jar... I have an open coffee container (glass) with a lid and a little open space. Is that not okay to let it sit before I strain it. Wondering why it needs to be sealed.

Hello,

I make all of my infusions overnight. There is no harm in having them soak eight hours as opposed to four. Those numbers are the minimum amount of time needed, so yes, usually blossoms will not need as long as roots, but again, you're fine doing overnight. Canning jars are the best for making infusions - you want to make sure water goes up to the top of jar, leaving as little room for air as possible and the lid is on, avoiding evaporation and keeping as much of the plants constituents in the infusion rather than disappearing into the air...

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

November 21, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 20, 2011

Herbal Allies for Nerve Damage

After listening to your brilliant lecture yesterday on Osteoporosis, I am preparing to make 3 herbal infusions: Nettles, Oatstraw, and Red Clover.

I would love to make an infusion for my hands. I have what appears to be damage in both hands, first three fingers, and much like Carpal Tunnel. Is there an herb that I can use in a herbal infusion that might aid in the regeneration of nerves in my hand? If you have a name, or names, I will try it sooner than soon....Thank you and blessings...

Hello,

Oatstraw infusions for nerve pain and regeneration, nettle infusions for large amounts of needed minerals ... I would also do some comfrey leaf infusions. St. Joan's (St. John's) Wort oil and/or Solomon's Seal oil for massaging the area - you can also take the tincture of both internally as well.

Nourishing bone broths with barley and other whole grains, good organic fats, and eggs in your diet, as b12 has been shown to offer help. You may want to check out our forum at www.healingwiseforum.com. A search there should bring up a number of posts in relation to carpal tunnel.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

November 20, 2011 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies, Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 19, 2011

Rotating Nourishing Herbal Infusions

Hello,

I have had the opportunity to listen to Susun Weed on a few radio shows aired on PRN. I then borrowed one of her books from my local library, and also plan to order a book or two. I would like to get started drinking a couple of the herbal infusions (yes I watched her YouTube videos), maybe start with Stinging Nettle & Red Clover.

My question: Based on the Susun’s radio interviews, I believe I should drink 1-2 quarts of both, Nettle & Red Clover, each week But I thought I heard her say not to drink them at the same time, should I drink 2 cups of one infusion one day, then the other infusion the next day – alternate days? Or what would you suggest?

Thanks for your time.

Hello,

No hard and fast rules except that Susun doesn't recommend mixing the herbs when you are infusing them. If you are making a quart at a time and drinking 2 cups a day, you could make a quart of the nettles, drink over two days and then do a quart of the next herb, drinking over the next two days. That way you are using them before they have a chance to go bad.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

http://www.natural-dog-health-remedies.com/herbal-tinctures.html

November 19, 2011 in Nourishing Herbal Infusions | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 13, 2011

Tinctures for Dogs

Hi Susun,

...I saw you on YouTube and thought you were great. I have a question for you, my wife and I have a two dogs one of which is (Mocha) she is eight years old. Susun, every year she gets a very bad rag weed allergy.

I heard what you said on your video on how to cure it, but I did not understand it. On the video I believe you say, wait till the rag weed blooms cut of the flower and? this is where I got lost. Could you please explain this part in a little more detail? Just what I must do and how, as well as how often should I give it to my dog per day.

Thank you so very much!

Hi,

In the videos, Susun is showing her method of creating simplers - tinctures made with one herb and without exact measurements. You simply take the flowering tops and cut them up into small pieces: flower, stem, leaves and put into a jar. You pack the jar full of herb, but not crammed in there - leave a little spring if you push down on the top. Afterwards, you fill the jar with vodka (100 proof best if you have it) and cover the herb completely. Make sure the herb is always covered, you may have to top it off in the next few days. Shake it several times a day, letting it rest in a dark spot. I feel best to let it sit for at least 4 weeks before using.

Only problem is that alcohol tinctures are not recommended for dogs and cats. They can often have bad reactions, so really would be best to create the tincture using glycerin instead of alcohol if you plan on using it with animals. Be sure to use 100 % vegetable glycerin.

Follow the same basic instructions for making the alcohol tincture substituting glycerin for alcohol. To make a glycerin tincture you can cover your herbs with 100 % glycerin alone or combine 3/4 part glycerin with 1/4 part water.

Another option would be to use apple cider vinegar. Again the same, covering the herbs with the vinegar, shaking often. You would need to either have a plastic lid, or cover top with plastic as the vinegar turns the metal lids. This can then be added to dog's drinking water with the added benefit of repelling fleas.

Information on dosage:

How much of an herbal preparation should be given to your dog depends on his size.

For dogs that are:

1 to 10 pounds, add 1 to 3 drops of a tincture to their food or water, 2 to 3 times a day.
11 to 20 pounds, add 3 to 5 drops of a tincture to their food or water, 2 to 3 times a day.
21 to 50 pounds, add 5 to 10 drops of a tincture to their food or water, 2 to 3 times a day.
51 to 100 pounds, add 10 to 20 drops of a tincture to their food or water, 2 to 3 times a day.

Hi Kim,

I hope your all well. I just wanted to follow up with Mocha and her rag weed allergy. Thanks to all your advise, this was by far the best she has ever done. No where near the amont of iching, scratching and pink skin! Thank you again for all your help! My wife has now read two of Susun's books.......

Hello,

Wonderful news! Very happy for Mocha ... Herbs can truly do wonders and am delighted your wife has followed up with some of Susun's books as well. I find it so powerful to be able to make much of my own medicine. Best wishes...

Kim

Wise Woman Team

November 13, 2011 in animals, Herbal Safety, Tinctures | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 09, 2011

Shelf Life of Herbs

I have a question for Susun.

I bought a pound of stinging nettle and comfrey. What is the shelf life for these items stored in the plastic bag they came in. Do you recommend vacuum sealing them in a jar? I also, have dried chickweed. Can I do a tea with it or vinegar?

...Thank you.

Hello,

Once the bag is open, it would be best to simply put them in a brown paper bag, kept away from temperature fluctuations, light and heat. Dark and cool is best - back of cupboard, etc. Hard to say exactly how long they would last as for ones purchased, most likely, you will not know how old they were when packaged. I would just periodically check them, making sure that the smell is not off. Remember that a herb dried should be the same as what they looked like alive, so red clover should be pink, not dark brown and so forth.

I have certainly used ones that were stored for over a year and still were good.

Dried chickweed would be good for teas and infusions, saving fresh plant material for vinegars and tinctures, if possible.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

November 09, 2011 in Weeds, Wise Woman Q&A | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 04, 2011

Herbal Allies for Hematoma

Dear,

My dog has a hemotoma, a swollen ear. The vet prescribed a steroid to no real effect; I have tried ice packs and mustard rub to no real effect.

Can you please suggest something? The next step for my dog is surgery.

Thank you.

Hello,

I would try some poultices on the affected area - use as often through out the day as possible. Some good ones to try would be chickweed, yarrow - maybe some homeopathic arnica to help with swelling. You might want to do a search at our forum in case some other ideas have been suggested there. www.healingwiseforum.com

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team

November 04, 2011 in Health Concerns, Herbal Allies | Permalink | Comments (0)

November 03, 2011

Dandelion Tincture Aids Digestion

Why is it that when I eat or drink anything my belly blows up? Digestive pills help and probiotic's but no solutions so far. When wearing pants the waste line changes so much.

Hello,

I would try dandelion root tincture, 10-20 drops before eating... Also I would do a search at our forum www.healingwiseforum.com as there should be some additional resources there.

blessings,

Kim

Wise Woman Team