Herb of the year 2023

 Ginger

Zingiber officinalis

This year we celebrate Ginger as herb of the year for 2023 according to the International Herb Association. This is an important herb to us, and was cherished by Dr. Christopher. He used ginger in many of his herbal formulas. He called it a lead sheep because it has the ability to take the other herbs where they need to go. He was able to target the area in need because of the ginger in the formula.

Dr. Christopher tells the following story about ginger. 

“I remember when a lady called from Salt Lake to my residence in Cottonwood at three o’clock in the morning. Her daughter was screaming in the background with terrible stomach pain. I was tired, as I had been out on night calls and had just barely retired to bed, and I said, “Take some ginger and baking soda. The pain will stop; and go back to bed. I’ll call in the morning.” She begged, “Oh, you’ve got to come.” So I said, “all right.” I pulled on my clothes and set out. It was eight or ten miles, so before I got there the pains grew so acute that she finally decided to do what I told her to do. And when I arrived, the daughter met me at the door - all smiles - no pain.”

In the School of Natural Healing book, it mentions ginger as a mild stimulant. It goes from the capillaries, through the venous structure, to the heart and back again. It is more diffusive than cayenne, but may be used as a substitute for it when it is unavailable. Ginger is well known for its circulatory and digestive properties.

Studies have shown ginger to be useful in motion sickness and nausea, rheumatoid arthritis, migraines, and as an anti-inflammatory agent.

Historically ginger has been used as a carminative. It helps to expel excess gas out of the intestinal tract. Its qualities are antispasmodic, diaphoretic, sternutatory (makes you sneeze), rubefacient, pungent and condiment. Some of the things it has been used for are boils, bronchitis, colds, congestion, diarrhea, flatulence, flu, gout, headache, menstruation, nausea, neuralgia, paralysis of tongue, sore throat, and toothache.

Externally ginger can be used for inflammation. A decoction can be made and used as a fomentation to relieve pain and congestion. In the tub a couple of tablespoons can be added to the water to promote perspiration in case of fevers. This can also help relieve tired and achy muscles.

I think ginger is a great selection for herb of the year. We have used it many times for a variety of reasons and we often mix it with other herbs to enhance their use. May we all honor the herb Ginger this year and always.

Gifts from the Heart

 Gifts From the Heart

Jo Francks, MH

Giving gifts from the heart that you have made yourself and put your love into is fun and rewarding.

Making them with children is always adventurous. We used to have fun making fizzy bath bombs that my kids would give to their friends for Christmas. They smelled good, were inexpensive, and their friends loved them. For adults, bath salts are nice and can be just the thing people need after a stressful holiday season. 

Here are a few fun ideas for making gifts from the heart.

Fizzy Bath Bombs:

1 cup baking soda

½ cup cornstarch

½ cup citric acid

10-20 drops essential oil

Mix together and sprinkle lightly with witch hazel in a spray bottle until it holds together when a little is squeezed in the hand. Spray a little and stir, repeat. It can take some time. Add the Essential oils at the end of mixing. Kids like peppermint, or citrus scents. Lavender can be used as a relaxing scent. Pack tightly into molds. Mini cupcake molds, candy molds or ice cube trays. After about 10 minutes turn molds upside down and tap to get the bath bombs out. It takes practice. If they fall apart spray with more witch hazel and re-mold.

Bath Salts:

1 cup epsom salts

1 cup coarse sea salt 

10-20 drops essential oil

Food coloring (optional)

Place salts in a large bowl and mix well. Scoop about ½ cup in a small bowl. Add the drops of essential oil and food coloring and mix well. Add the blended mixture to the large bowl a little at a time until you are pleased with the scent and color. Pour your salts in a glass jar with a tight fitting lid. Shake every day for a few days before packaging.

For relaxing bath salts add 10 drops orange, 5 drops lavender, and 5 drops Ylang Ylang essential oils.

For energizing bath salts add 5 drops eucalyptus, and 10 drops peppermint essential oils

Playdough:

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

2 teaspoons cream of tartar

1 teaspoon vegetable oil of any type

1 cup water

Essential oils about 10-15 drops (optional)

Food coloring (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a pan and heat on medium heat stirring constantly. When it all clings to the spoon and becomes a ball, remove from heat and place the dough on a piece of wax paper. Allow to cool until it can be kneaded. Knead the dough until it is smooth. If you would like to add essential oils, use about 10 drops by poking a few holes in the dough, drop 1-2 drops of essential oil into each hole, knead the dough until it is well mixed. Keep in an airtight container.

Food coloring can be added during the heating process if desired.

Garden Sage

 Garden Sage

Salvia officinalis

Jo Francks MH

An ancient Latin proverb goes, “Why should a man die when Sage flourishes in his garden?”

Sage is an herb that is so beneficial for so many things one could ask the question, “What isn’t it good for?” There is a lot of history of sage from many cultures. It was used daily in many societies and considered a valuable part of their good health habits.

The Chinese have been using sage for centuries. They use it for kidney infections, sore throat, diarrhea and other discharges. In India it is used for excessive perspiration, tickling coughs, stomach disorders and infection.

In Dr. Christopher’s Herb Syllabus book there is a short sentence mentioning the memory, “It is said to be good for the memory and to enhance mental acuteness.” I have learned not to overlook what the books say. I have also found that fleeting statement to be true. After using sage tea for a couple of weeks to test it, I found my memory improved and was more alert and able to concentrate. It also improved my sleep. 

Sage is known as a flavoring for various dishes especially at Thanksgiving to flavor the stuffing. If we knew it’s full potential we would all have a plant growing right out our back door. It is an astringent and because of this there are lists of things it can help with. If we start from the head down, we already mentioned the memory, it is also good for sinus issues, headaches, and is especially good for sore throats and mouth sores. Rubbing the fresh leaf on the teeth can help whiten them. Using the cold tea will help reduce night sweats and excessive perspiration. The tea or diluted tincture can be applied to the armpits to help reduce perspiration in this area. During pregnancy it is used to help prevent miscarriage. Although a nursing mother would want to put it’s use on hold until she’s ready to wean the baby. At that time sage will help dry up the milk when taken cold. It has also been used to reduce hot flashes and it works really well for this. 

Another one of Sage’s benefits is as a diaphoretic. It will make you sweat when taken hot. This makes it helpful in illnesses accompanied by a fever. Sage can be used internally and externally for rheumatism. It will stop bleeding when applied externally, and will bring color back to the hair. 

I hope you have found something that you can use sage to help you with. It is a very useful and resourceful plant. It is worth growing and in some areas is an evergreen and will keep its leaves all year long. The leaves can easily be dried for use in the winter.