Meadowsweet Herbs

Herbs for the Immune System

elaine — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 23:02:40 +0000

We have been seeing lots of sick people coming into the store lately. It’s ALMOST spring, so hold on, friends! Here are some good suggestions to get you through. We’ve compiled a list of useful herbs to help keep your immune system strong. Here’s what we recommend for your Cold and Flu First Aid Kit:

Vitamin C
Considered to be one of the safest and most effective nutrients known, its benefits range from immune system defense to heart disease, and one recent study noted that higher blood levels of vitamin C might be the ideal indicator for a person’s overall health. We recommend taking 500 mg daily, in addition to your daily servings of organic fruits and veggies.

Elderberry
High in a variety of flavonoids, including anthocyanins and quercetin, Elderberry has shown to help maintain healthy immune function and antioxidant support. Elderberry is also very high in potassium, beta-carotene, calcium, phosphorous and vitamin C. Ongoing research in Europe on the anthocyanins, found in the purple pigment, has shown them to exhibit antioxidant activity, immunostimulant and anti-inflammatory properties, anti-viral activity, cardiovascular protection, and even stress relief. It can be taken as either a cold infusion or tincture, or made into a delicious syrup with spices such as ginger, clove and cinnamon, and honey! Don’t miss our elderberry syrup recipe on our web page.

Vitamin D
Technically not a “vitamin,” vitamin D is in a class by itself, and its role in immune health is proven. Its metabolic product, calcutriol, is actually a secosteroid hormone that is the key that unlocks binding sites on the human genome. Those binding sites are found on many immune cells, and are involved in virtually every known major disease of humans. Current research has implicated Vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease and more.

Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the most well known immune-boosting herbs, and for good reason. In addition to functioning as an effective immunomodulator, it contains anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties. Polysaccharides, alkylamides and chicoric acid all help Echinacea improve the immune system’s ability to resist infections and heal wounds, and it is especially indicated for colds, influenza, infections, swollen glands, and bacterial or viral diseases.

Reishi
Studies of this medicinal mushroom have identified many powerful substances, including polysaccharide beta-1,3-D-glucan, which improves immune system function by raising the body’s amount of macrophages T-cells. Because of this, it has been indicated in the treatment of everything from allergies to AIDS, and especially of cancers and cardiovascular disease, by lowering cholesterol levels and blood pressure. Other constituents include alkaloids, triterpine acids, ergosterols, fumaric acid, coumarins, lactone, mannitol, and many polysaccharides: It’s no wonder that this amazing fungus has been called “the Mushroom of Immortality!”

Natural Love Potions

elaine — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 23:30:19 +0000

Want to do something special for your love this Valentine’s Day? Try one (or more!) of these sumptuous, flirty herbal recipes.

Decadent Aphrodisiac Elixir

1 ounce Damiana
1 ounce Kava
1 ounce Muira puama
1 ounce Saw Palmetto
1 vanilla bean Vanilla
1 teaspoon Cardamom
½ teaspoon Cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
¼ vanilla bean or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine all herbs in a glass jar and add 20 ounces of brandy. Let sit for 1-3 weeks and then strain. This elixir can be drunk straight (1 tablespoon–1 ounce), or added to orange, raspberry or pomegranate juice for a lover’s cocktail.

Luscious Yoni Butter

This is a natural lubricant that melts on contact. Totally edible, you can add a small amount of essential oil for flavor or to heat things up a bit. It is not safe for use with condoms.

2 ounces virgin coconut oil
1 ounces mango butter
1 tablespoon jojoba oil
1 teaspoon honey
30 drops essential oil. Consider peppermint for a cool, minty sensation, or ginger for a stimulating warmth

Combine all fixed oils and melt in a double boiler. Add essential oils, if desired and pour into a glass container. Then… Enjoy!

Aphrodisiac Foods:

Engage your senses of taste touch and smell. Consider a feast of foods have traditionally been used to help promote sexual interest and arousal.

Honey, chocolate, asparagus, , avocado, basil, garlic, oysters, coffee, vanilla, red wine, champagne, arugula, carrots, coriander, fennel, garlic, nutmeg and anise

Consider a chocolate fondue with some of these arousing foods foods:

Blood orange, bananas, almonds, figs, raspberries, strawberries, pineapple or pine nuts

http://www.alternet.org/health/132846

http://www.gourmetsleuth.com

Everything you Ever Wanted to Know About Bath Salts

elaine — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 20:46:38 +0000

“There is no place like a bath to stretch your soul and listen to your own inner voice.”
- Seneca

Natural bath salts are a wonderful way to heal your body and soul. You can use them to help encourage relaxation, detoxify the skin, relieve sore muscles and ease achy joints. Bath salts can even help with illness such as cold and flu by bringing blood to the skin and encouraging elimination thru sweating. Most importantly, they are a way to take time for your self, reminding us to take the time to relax, to pamper ourselves, to prioritize our own wellbeing. So sit back, relax, breathe and enjoy this article. Let me help you make bath salts another tool for your own self-care! Elaine Sheff

Tools:

Coffee grinder, blender or Cuisinart
Wisk, or large spoon
Large glass or stainless steel bowl
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons
Scoop
Glass jars
Labels

Types of Salts:

Don’t use table salt: anti-caking agents, bleached and iodized.
Sea Salt: astringent and antiseptic. Makes a good body scrub. Comes from the ocean instead of salt mines.
Epsom Salt: pure mineral compound of magnesium sulfate in crystal form, relaxes sore muscles, draws impurities out of the skin, mildly astringent
Himalayan Salt: full of up to 84 valuable trace minerals, giving these salts a beautiful, natural pink coloring that makes it a perfect option for attractive, colorful bath salts.
Celtic Sea Salt: natural balance of minerals and trace elements from the ocean, Grey bath salt is traditionally hand-harvested in Guérande, France in the Brittany region. The gray color is indicative of the salt’s natural trace minerals absorbed from its sea origins. Unwashed, unrefined, and additive-free, this gray bath salt maintains all of its health-enhancing nutrients vital to the human body like calcium, potassium, copper, zinc, iron and others. This salt is low in sodium.
Hawaiian Red Salt: natural, unprocessed salt, gets its distinctive color from purified red Hawaiian clay. Volcanic red clay is high in iron oxide. The recommended use of Hawaiian Red salt in your bath includes healing wounds, body aches, and muscle sprains. It is believed to draw toxins from overworked muscle tissue.
Baking Soda: (sodium bicarbonate): alkalinizing, good exfoliant, neutralizes the production of acid in the mouth and also as an antiseptic to help prevent infections occurring, has been used as deodorant, toothpaste and shampoo
Dead Sea Salt: differ greatly from other sea salts in mineral content, being made up of only 8% sodium chloride with a high percentage of magnesium, sulfates and potassium

Herbs:

Calendula: A soothing and healing herb for the skin. Encourages sweating. Excellent for scars, stretch marks, scratches, rashes and more.
Lavender: Soothing to the skin and the nerves. Helpful for burns, sore muscles, tension, sunburn.
Chamomile: anti-inflammatory and relaxing. Makes a good rinse for blond hair. Settles the stomach and encourages a restful sleep.
Lemon balm: Uplifting and soothing at the same time. Makes a lovely, nutritive tea.
Sage: encourages sweating, a good antimicrobial herb
Mustard seed: Mustard is an old remedy for chest congestion and colds. A mustard pack or a mustard bath encourages sweating, helps break up congestion and brings blood to the area.
Rosemary: stimulates the mind. Good for an invigorating bath
Rose: rejuvenating and slightly astringent to the skin, has a loving aroma that is excellent for stress and anxiety.
Ginger: Stimulates circulation and sweating. Aids in digestion and makes a spicy tea. Helpful for nausea.
Kelp: high in minerals, soothing to sunburn
Aloe Vera Juice: Healing to the skin and soothing for rashes and sunburn.

Natural Colorants:

Anatto Seed: A wonderful red colorant. Used over the centuries as a method of body painting in South America. Even now it is used as a dye in the coloring of margarine and cheese. It is slightly astringent to the skin. Good for burns, blisters and mouth sores.
Beet Powder: Wonderful for cooking and highly nutritious, it also makes a wonderful pink colorant for baths.
Alkanet Root: Primarily used as a dying and coloring agent, especially for fabrics, soap, and lip balm. It makes a red to pinkish color
Mineral Oxides: Natural mineral pigments from the earth. They come in many different colors and you can blend them together to make your own colors. Also good for making mineral make up, soaps and other natural body care products.
Chlorophyll: Chlorophyll is the major light-absorbing pigment in green plants that functions to initiate photosynthesis. It is extremely nutritive, being high in minerals (most notably magnesium) and vitamins. It is also antioxidant, anti-Inflammatory and anti-microbial. It has a deep green color.

Some Popular Essential Oils: (Not fragrance oils!)

Lavender: Good for insomnia, headaches, pain, burns, insect bites and skin problems. In small amounts it is relaxing, in large amounts it is stimulating. Helps to boost immunity.
Cedar: Relieves congestion, coughs and sore muscles. Cedar is also helpful for calming the mind and reducing oily skin.
Orange: Antiseptic, calming and uplifting. Good for nervousness, stress and tension. Useful for obesity, water retention and cold and flu
Birch: Good for body aches and pains such as sore muscles, joints, tendons and sprains. Pain relieving and anti-inflammatory. Use with caution as it contains methyl salicyate.
Eucalyptus: Helpful for colds, flu and coughs. Good for clearing congestion and helps to relieve muscle and joint pain.
Rosemary: Especially effective for respiratory infections, colds, flu and bronchitis. Good for physical and mental fatigue.
Peppermint: Helpful for digestion, nausea and motion sickness. Fights infection, helps to reduce pain and is uplifting. Wonderful in a footbath.
Tea Tree: Antifungal, antibacterial, will help stimulate the immune system during a cold or flu. Good for vaginal infections – yeast or bacterial. Makes a nice footbath.

Different Ways to Use Essential Oils:

Aromatherapy Diffusers
Body Care (such as massage oils, baths, lotions, shampoo, etc.)
Candles
Room sprays
Compresses
Inhalants and steams (humidifiers)

Other Things You Can Add to Your Bath:

Powdered milks (cow, goat, coconut, buttermilk): high in oils and vitamins, the lactic acid helps exfoliate dead skin cells
Oatmeal: soothing for rashes and skin irritations
Vegetable oils: great in body scrubs or for dryer skin
Vegetable Glycerin: a clear liquid that draws moisture to the skin
Tapioca Starch: gives a smooth feeling to the skin
Clays: help with skin problems, drawing, adds minerals
Corn Starch: softens and calms itchy skin
Arrow Root: gives a smooth feeling to the skin
Apple cider vinegar: can break up essential oil drops, helps restore skin pH balance, helps to solubilize minerals (softens water)
Borax: natural alkaline mineral, cleans without drying the skin (can be found in the detergent section of the grocery store)
Honey: good humectant (draws water to the skin), antimicrobial

Reslove to Stay Healthy in 2012!

elaine — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:15:46 +0000

Let us help make your New Year’s resolution to stay healthy a reality! We’ll even make it easy for you. Use this coupon for 30% off one item in the store to start you on your way to more vitality, well-being, energy, fitness, and a sense of balance in your life.

Click Here to View/Print Coupon »

One coupon per customer, please. You may also consider an Herbal Consultation with one of our Clinical Herbalists. Let them develop a personal health plan just for you. Happy New Year, from Meadowsweet Herbs!

New Make Your Own Lip Balm Kit!

elaine — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:09:19 +0000

I got the idea of these Make Your Own Lip Balm Kits when my niece visited Meadowsweet this summer. We made some bath salts for her friends in the store and she was so excited to make something herself. Her birthday was shortly after and I came up with this kit for her. Since then, I have given it as a gift numerous times. It is so much fun, I decided to offer it at the store. Know someone who might like it in their stocking? Come check it out!

15th Annual Holiday Tea Party

elaine — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 23:12:11 +0000

Friday December 2, 6-9pm

Please join us on First Friday for Meadowsweet Herb’s Annual Holiday Tea Party with an evening of celebration and gift shopping. Enjoy festive teas, delightful wines, decadent treats and 10%-50% off on all* of your purchases during the party. Choose from a lovely assortment of absolutely beautiful gifts for everyone on your holiday list including hand made Mara mugs, botanical Rosy Rings candles, aromatherapy diffusers, natural body care, jewelry, fair trade gifts, We’moon calendars, gift certificates, lots of stocking stuffers and many other useful and inspiring gifts! *Dr. Hauschka not included

Free Herbal Consultations

elaine — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:51:52 +0000

Have you ever wondered how it would benefit YOU to get a personal Herbal Consultation? Now is your chance to find out — for FREE! We specialize in natural health care integrating herbal medicine, flower essences, aromatherapy and dietary counseling into comprehensive holistic treatment plans. During the month of November, you can make an appointment for a free 15-minute herbal consultation with one of our trained clinical herbalists to create an individually designed program to address specific healthcare needs and optimize your well-being! Making a commitment to your health can bring long lasting benefits over years of your life. Start now — your well-being, physically, emotionally and mentally is your most precious gift and resource.

Dr. Hauschka Sale Starts Nov. 14th

elaine — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:47:39 +0000

November 14th – 19th

Get 15 % off all Body Care, Kits and new Fall Make Up!*

Our Dr. Hauschka Sale is one of our biggest events of the year. This is your chance to stock up on your favorite Dr. Hauschka organic body care products, try one of the Dr Hauschka kits (they make great gifts!), or get a jump on their new fall make up line that just came out! Give us a call before the sale to put an order together just for you: 406.728.0543. *Sale does not apply to facial care or regular makeup products.

Make sure to sign up for a free Personalized Makeup Consultation with esthetician Anna Tenenbaum happening Thursday, November 17th here at Meadowsweet!

November Natural Family Planning: Natural Birth Control Class

elaine — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 07:00:55 +0000

Did you know that a woman can only get pregnant a few days out of every month?

Learn how to avoid pregnancy naturally, or achieve it! The Fertility Awareness Method uses a woman’s natural fertility signs such as cervical fluid and basal body temperature to accurately determine when she can and cannot become pregnant. Both men and women are welcome and encouraged to come. It’s about time we all knew about a safe and highly effective birth control method that really works! Class taught by herbalist Elaine Sheff. Elaine is a certified instructor of Natural Family Planning and Fertility Awareness Methods. Class includes two information packets and charts.

Advantages of Natural Family Planning:

Highly effective with a 99.3% effectiveness rate when used correctly.
Can be used throughout all phases of a woman’s reproductive life, including breast feeding, perimenopause, or with irregular cycles.
Totally safe with no side effects.
Reliable: based on sound scientific knowledge and research.
Inexpensive to use.

Learn how to avoid or achieve pregnancy naturally!

A two part series: Sunday November 13th and 20th, 1-3:30pm

Cost: $95.00 for one person, $165.00 for a couple

New Herbal Foundations Classes are coming soon!

elaine — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 17:21:59 +0000

New and expanded Herbal Foundations Program: add to your herbal knowledge!

You asked for it and here it is: our new and expanded Herbal Foundations program! We are excited to announce that we have added two new sections to our original Herbal Foundations program, tripling the hours and vastly expanding the content. The original program, now our first section, is called SEED and can be taken as a nine-month series (starting January 2012) or a four-month intensive (starting May 2012). The second section of the program, ROOT, is another nine-month program that begins in January 2012. The third section, FLOWER, is a nine-month program that will be offered the end of 2012. Check out the details by going to articles and then classes & programs on our website.