Many of the Clients that I see in my clinic take a variety of supplements to boost their diet with the vitamins and minerals that may be lacking in the food they eat. I love the concept of letting “Food be your Medicine” so I started to introduce them to a unique way of getting these important nutrients by teaching them about Healthy, Healing, Herbal Infusions. These herbal infusions are made from herbs that have a high nutrient content and that are also safe to drink, for most people, on a daily basis. This way of getting high-quality nutrient-dense liquids was inspired by one of my most favorite herbalists, Susun Weed, who has a vast knowledge about health and herbal medicine.
Some of the herbs that can be drunk on a regular basis as Healthy Healing Herbal Infusions are:
DANDELION LEAF Taraxacum Officinale folia
Dandelion Leaf is
an amazing nourisher for the liver, stimulating bile secretion which in turn aids digestion. It cleanses the kidneys and is packed full of minerals such as potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Potassium in particular is important for the regulation of blood pressure and heart rate and is essential for red blood cell production.
Dandelion leaf is also crammed full of the following vitamins – riboflavin, folic acid, pyridoxine, niacin, vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, B5, C, E, and K which are all necessary for optimal health. Vitamin A is abundant in Dandelion leaf and is really important for healthy skin, mucous membranes and vision. Dandelion leaf is also the herb that contains the richest source of vitamin K which promotes bone mass building.
How to make:
30mg of dried herb per 1L of boiling water into a preserving jar and seal with a lid. Leave overnight and strain, drink over the next one or two days. Add a little honey for palatability and if you have a cold constitution add a warming herb such as ginger.
Contraindication:
Dandelion Leaf Infusion should not be taken by people with gall stones, kidney stones, kidney disease and people on diuretics. Do not take in known allergy to the daisy family. There is not enough information about the effects of Dandelion Leaf during pregnancy and lactation so it should be avoided. Anyone taking prescription medication or have a serious illness should check with their qualified wholistic health practitioner.
NETTLE LEAF Urtica dioica
Nettle has the ability to restore and rebuild the body, energize and provide abundant nutrients. Nettle leaf is a great source of vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K and the minerals calcium, chlorine, chromium, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, potassium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, silica, silicon, sodium, sulfur, and zinc. Nettle has the ability to correct anemia which is too often associated with candida and due to its adaptogenic properties can alleviate stress by supporting the adrenals. As the botanical name suggests “Urtica” can act as an anti-histamine and also has a cleansing action on the kidneys.
The qualities of Nettle are salty and cooling.
How to make:
30mg of dried herb per 1L of boiling water into a preserving jar and seal with a lid. Leave overnight and strain, drink over the next one or two days. Add a little honey for palatability and if you have a cold constitution add a warming herb such as ginger.
Contraindication:
Nettle infusion should not be taken by people taking prescription medication, especially blood thinner and blood pressure-lowering preparations, without checking first with their qualified holistic health practitioner.
HORSETAIL Equisetum Arvense
Horsetail is great for keeping bones and cartilage healthy, treating cystitis, urinary incontinence, enlarged prostate, osteoarthritis, tendon repair, spurs, and breaking down abnormal growths. Horsetail has a high content of silica and decent amounts of Vitamins A, B, C, and E and the Minerals calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, cobalt, iron, sulfur, manganese, copper, selenium, iodine, chromium, zinc, and sodium. It is a tasty tea to drink and is often used by women going through menopause as it helps to strengthen the bone matrix and tone and tighten the muscles used for urinary control. Remember to add those warming herbs if you are a cold-bodied person!
The qualities of Horsetail are cold and pungent.
How to make:
30mg of dried herb per 1L of boiling water into a preserving jar and seal with a lid. Leave overnight and strain, drink over the next one or two days. Add a little honey for palatability and if you have a cold constitution add a warming herb such as ginger.
Contraindication:
Horsetail infusion should not be used by people taking prescription medications, which include Disulfiram, Metronidazole, and Benzodiazepines, without checking first with their qualified holistic health practitioner. It should also be avoided during pregnancy, lactation, excessive alcohol consumption, or if you have a thiamine deficiency.
OATSTRAW Avena sativa
Oat straw is rich in the minerals calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, silicon, and sodium and contains smaller amounts of cobalt, manganese, potassium, tin, zinc, vitamins E, and K. Oatstraw infusion contains lots of protein (not so in tea or tincture) and very high amounts of B vitamins – with the exception of vitamin B12.
Oatstraw has the ability to increase your libido, improve digestion, and due to its nerve strengthening properties can stabilize mood. It is non-drowsy or stimulating and with each cup, you can be provided with over 300 milligrams of calcium. Oatstraw is a safe and effective nervine tonic and works well for people who are overworked or facing some emotional trauma. It also appears to have a balancing effect on hormones which can bring regularity to the menstrual cycle and calms pre-menstrual syndrome. Oatstraw will help to lower cholesterol.
The qualities of oat straw and cool and salty.
How to make:
30mg of dried herb per 1L of boiling water into a preserving jar and seal with a lid. Leave overnight and strain, drink over the next one or two days. Add a little honey for palatability and if you have a cold constitution add a warming herb such as ginger.
Contraindication:
Oatstraw Infusion has no known side effects however if you have an allergy to oats or have celiac disease then it should be avoided. Anyone taking prescription medication or have a serious illness should check with their qualified holistic health practitioner.
How to make:
30mg of dried herb per 1L of boiling water into a preserving jar and seal with a lid. Leave overnight and strain, drink over the next one or two days. Add a little honey for palatability and if you have a cold constitution add a warming herb such as ginger.
Contraindication:
Red Clover Infusion has no known side effects however if you have an allergy to clover then it should be avoided. Anyone taking prescription medication, especially blood thinners, or has a serious illness should check with their qualified holistic health practitioner.
The information presented on this website is meant to be for educational purposes and not as a recommendation or a cure for any disease. If a serious health imbalance is present, or you are taking prescription medication you should seek the advice of a qualified holistic health practitioner.