A hodgepodge of tips for herbalists

Using herbal medicine and natural remedies in everyday life

Pineapple enzymes help heal the body after surgery. — Eating fresh pineapple before scheduled surgery helps speed healing and reduces recovery time - photo provided by Pexels.com.

From eating flower petals to adding essential oils to your foods, there are many ways to get the healing benefits of herbs into your diet.

Did you know fresh pineapple contains live enzymes that help your body to heal after surgery?

Did you know that sometimes massage can be harmful or even life-threatening?

This page is a hodgepodge of tips about everything from making herbal honey to protection against rancid meats.

Eat a fresh pineapple one week before scheduled surgery.

Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can help provide optimal healing after trauma, operations, and dental surgeries. One week before planned surgery, eat a healthy diet of fresh vegetables, dried beans, whole grains, fresh garlic, and a whole fresh pineapple.

Pineapples (Ananas comosus) cost less than $5.00 and will give your body the enzymes it needs for speedy healing. Pineapples contain bromelain which stops inflammation, fights infection, and shortens recovery time.

Pineapples are also good sources of fiber, minerals, and other nutrients. They have many health benefits due to high levels of antioxidants. Pineapples are proven to help the nervous system and to heal the colon.

Also, during the week before your surgery take a teaspoon of grape seed oil or other OPC (a flavonoid derived from grape seeds and pine bark), get plenty of Vitamin C (citrus or rose hips), B vitamins (like wheat germ), and beta carotene (carrots, sweet potatoes).

Cut out grease, high fat dairy, and sweets. Even if not undergoing surgery, try the above directions for one week and see how you feel.

Salad with dandelion and violet flowers — Flowers like dandelion and violets can be added to salads and other foods.

Many flowers are healthy additions to food.

Many flowers can be eaten! Borage, rosemary, calendula, chives, onion tops, dandelion, clover, fennel, geranium, nasturtium, rose, and violet petals make colorful additions to salads.

Try adding them to cocktails, lemonade, and herbal tea for taste and presentation.

Try one drop of neroli essential oil in whipped cream.

A few essential oils can be added to food but may evaporate when heated. Try adding one drop of neroli to fresh whipped cream. It’s delicious on chocolate pudding!

Other essential oils that may be used in small amounts for flavoring include anise essential oil, rose essential oil, geranium essential oil, mint essential oil, ginger essential oil, clove essential oil, and rosemary essential oil.

Use only one drop or the taste might be bitter. Most essential oils should never be taken internally, so do your research!

Use aromatic, herbal honey on toast or in tea.

Aromatic honey is easy to make. Add a drop of lemon essential oil, ginger essential oil, clove essential oil, or peppermint essential oil to a fourth cup honey. Stir well and use in tea or on toast.

Culinary herbs protect the body from toxins.

Fresh culinary herbs make healthy additions to the diet.

Try bay, oregano, rosemary, or savory on beef.

Use anise, caraway, cumin, parsley, rosemary, or thyme on pork.

Add basil, rosemary, tarragon, fennel, and dill to chicken and fish.

In days before refrigeration, meat that smelled “off” was wrapped in layers of green herbs such as basil and rosemary before cooking. The herbs saved many hungry people from food poisoning by drawing out and neutralizing rancid toxins during cooking.

Massage and healing touch help heal the body and spirit.

Massage helps the body to relax and heal. Massage is a wonderful tool, but there are times when it is not appropriate.

Never massage a person that has a fever.
Never massage the abdomen of anyone with high blood pressure (or ulcers).
Do not massage the legs of anyone with varicose veins, diabetes, phlebitis, or blood vessel problems.
Massage no closer than six inches on either side of bruises, cysts, skin breaks, or broken bones.
Massage people with swollen limbs gently. If in doubt, contact a professional!

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

Synergy is often used in herbal medicine. An example is ginseng and licorice. These herbs are good to use individually, but together they offer exceptional benefits.

Combined, ginseng and licorice balance body sugar and increase immunity with amazing results.

Many factors work together to form good synergy in our lives. Good diet, regular exercise, aromatherapy, massage, prayer, and meditation are all good examples.

Visit my herbal terms glossary to learn more about terminology in herbal medicine.

*Bromelain supplements may affect heart rate. Never add "absolute" essential oils to food and do not take them internally. Absolute essential oils are processed differently than other essential oils.

Always consult with a healthcare professional before using any herbal remedy especially if pregnant, nursing, or taking other medicines.

Sources:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33233252/

Blessings to you and yours!

Thanks so much for reading my blog. Jan.

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