Stacey Gougliss-Wesselman - Herbal Remedies Made Simple: A Beginner’s Guide to Using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers for Health and Well-Being

A Beginners Guide to Using Plants, Herbs, and Flowers for Health and Well-Being STACEY DUGLISS-WESSELMAN AND SUSAN GREGG You know in your heart that plants are magical. Remember, as a child, planting a seed and watching it grow and blossom? It was a tangible metaphor for life, but it hinted at something even deeper. The right plants can help you manifest your dreams and desires. They are living beings with spirit and wisdom; if you open your heart and mind, they can offer you powerful, loving gifts. The act of creating one of the recipes in this book can be a spiritual practice in itself. Consider incorporating the process into one of your rituals, or simply meditate on a particular plants message and power as you add it to your concoction.

Do your best to stay in the moment as you work with magical plants, and combine ingredients with respect and intention. You can also use the products you make to bring a little extra magic into the often-overlooked, too- often-rushed everyday moments of your life. Turn your routines into rituals of their own. For example, if your daily face wash is Lavender Cleanser (shown ). Focus on them as you apply it, and turn your regular cleaning into true, mindful cleansing. To use this book, flip through the top pages to find an interesting recipe youd like to try.

Then flip through the bottom pages (denoted with a number inside of a circle) to discover the magical properties of the plants it features as ingredients. And as you get to know both the techniques and the plants you need in your life, feel free to create and adapt the recipes to your preferences. Make sure that all of the ingredients you select, whether they are home-grown or purchased at your favorite health food store or new age apothecary, are food-grade and/or safe to use topically. Read the labels, and dont be afraid to ask questions. And then, happy creating! DOSAGE GUIDELINES Here are some basic dosage guidelines for both the recipes in this book and those that you make up.

RECIPE TYPE	SUGGESTED DILUTION (this may vary depending on the recipe and oil used)
Massage oil	10 to 30 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml) carrier oil
Compress	3 to 5 drops per / cup (60 ml) water
Bath soak	5 to 10 drops in bathwater
Room diffuser (aromatherapy)	3 to 5 drops per small bowl of water
Face oil (lotion)/Body oil (lotion)	5 to 10 drops / 10 to 20 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil

REMEDY TYPE	STANDARD ADULT DOSAGES
Infusions and teas	1 cup (235 ml) 3 times daily
Decoctions	1 cup (235 ml) 3 times daily
Tinctures	/ teaspoon 3 times daily
Poultices	2 or 3 times a day for 2 hours at a time (for no longer than 2 days)

WHAT TO AVOID When using natural plants in recipes, its important to research every herb prior to use.

RECIPE TYPE	SUGGESTED DILUTION (this may vary depending on the recipe and oil used)
Massage oil	10 to 30 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml) carrier oil
Compress	3 to 5 drops per / cup (60 ml) water
Bath soak	5 to 10 drops in bathwater
Room diffuser (aromatherapy)	3 to 5 drops per small bowl of water
Face oil (lotion)/Body oil (lotion)	5 to 10 drops / 10 to 20 drops per 1 ounce (30 ml) of carrier oil

REMEDY TYPE	STANDARD ADULT DOSAGES
Infusions and teas	1 cup (235 ml) 3 times daily
Decoctions	1 cup (235 ml) 3 times daily
Tinctures	/ teaspoon 3 times daily
Poultices	2 or 3 times a day for 2 hours at a time (for no longer than 2 days)

WHAT TO AVOID When using natural plants in recipes, its important to research every herb prior to use.

There are some herbs that may be dangerous if used incorrectly or used at all. The following is a list of essential oils that should be AVOIDED. Bitter almond Sassafras Calamus Savin Horseradish Tansy Jaborandi leaf Thuja Mugwort Wormseed Pennyroyal Wormwood Rue Yellow camphor

T his is a gentle cleanser with lavender to soothe and tighten and chamomile to calm. The aloe, glycerin, honey, and jojoba all act as humectants, locking moisture in while also calming irritated or sensitive skin. INGREDIENTS 1 ounce (28 g) fresh lavender , or / ounce (14 g) dried lavender 1 ounce (28 g) fresh chamomile , or / ounce (14 g) dried chamomile 1 quart (1 L) water / cup (40 g) aloe vera powder 1 cup (235 ml) vegetable glycerin / cup (80 g) honey 15 drops jojoba oil 10 drops rosehip oil DIRECTIONS To make the herbal infusion, pour simmering water over the herbs and let them steep for 15 to 25 minutes. You should cover them while steeping to make sure you dont lose any of the plants goodness.

Strain with a strainer and cheesecloth. Combine the infusion with the remaining ingredients in a sterile mixing bowl, and mix well with a hand mixer. Once everything is fully mixed together, pour it into a sterile amber bottle. Store it in a cool place, preferably the refrigerator. After 1 week, discard and start fresh. To use, place the desired amount onto a facial sponge or washcloth and gently wipe in a circular motion, then rinse with warm water and pat dry.

Follow with toner and moisturizer. Yield: 1 quart (1 L), enough for 1 weeks worth of cleanser (depending on amount used)

Helps keep you young at heart ALOE VERA WILL Prevent accidents Ease the pain of loss Protect you Bring good luck Aloe vera in your home will bring good fortune and prevent accidents. Guard against negativity by hanging a leaf over your front door. It will remind you to be patient and that you were meant to blossom and grow. Burn it as incense to invoke the wisdom, love, and protection of the Moon Goddess. Lightens up your mood FENUGREEK WILL Purify your home Bring abundance Bring your dreams to life Fenugreek seeds attract money, so add them to your cleaning solution when you mop your floors.

Add a few seeds to an open jar in your kitchen every day to make sure you always have more than enough money. When the jar is full, empty them into your backyard and start over. Placing them under your bed will stop nightmares.

T his is a wonderful cleanser for oily or acne-prone skin; all the herbs work to control oil production, draw out oils, and fight against bacteria. The additional active ingredients aid the skins healing process and moisturize without clogging pores or leaving the skin greasy. INGREDIENTS / ounce (14 g) dried