Green Witch – Magickal Craft

I am not a doctor and nothing here is medical advice There are many, many healing herbs And making a list of the best healing herbs is hard because “healing” is such a broad term Healing from what? So I focused on the most common issues that we need help healing and herbs that do a variety of things for your body 15 powerful healing herbs to use are: Oregano Arnica flowers Chamomile Flowers Lemon Balm Tumeric Aloe Vera Basil Dandelion Root Marigolds Olive Leaf Parsley Slippery Elm St. John’s Wort Vanilla Extract Yarrow This is not a complete list! There are many more herbs that are excellent healers But there are more common and easy to get as a beginner Oregano Oregano is one of my favorite herbs for healing I have used it to fight colds and flu, help my psoriasis, heal closed skin injuries, and more It is super easy to grow, prepare, and use Used for Oregano can be used for many different remedies Oregano oil is a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and anti fungal agent It helps your body regulate, lose weight, and lower cholesterol Oregano can also reduce your chances of getting sicknesses and diseases Preparation and foraging I don’t forage Oregano in my area, but it grows very nicely I have two pots with Oregano plants in them and they are doing amazing Oregano can be used in cooking, but it isn’t as potent So using it that way is better for prevention instead for healing My favorite way to prepare Oregano is by making Oregano Oil In a jar, put equal parts of dried Oregano and Olive oil Mis until fully saturated and add more oil in you need to Gently close the jar and shake it every day for 4-6 weeks Once the time is done, use a cheesecloth or strainer to remove the Oregano from the oil Store in a cool dark place Even better if you can put it in a tinted jar or container Make sure to label it with the name and date Olive oil lasts a max of a year before getting rancid so knowing how old it is can be important Warnings Oregano should not be taken in large dosages Too much Oregano can be toxic You should not be taking Oregano more than 10 days in a row and more than 16 drops a day Oregano also should not be taken with any medications that slow blood clotting Taking Oregano is a blood thinner so be careful if you have a bleeding disorder Also, make sure to stop taking it at least 2 weeks before any surgery Oregano oil shouldn’t be taken by children or anyone pregnant It can also affect blood sugar levels in people with diabetes Arnica flowers Arnica flowers are daisy-like flowers that is great for healing small injuries Arnica flowers are great for sports injuries It is well known for its amazing anti-inflammatory properties and works great as a cream or balm Used for Arnica Flowers are used for many conditions including bruises, scraps, muscle aches, wound healing, joint pain, insect bites, and swelling There is some evidence that Arnica flowers help with burns as well Preparation and foraging Foraging Arnica flowers starts in early spring and continues to the end of fall Make sure you don’t overharvest so the plant doesn’t struggle since you can harvest both flowers and leaves They grow in zones 4-9 Arnica flowers can be taken orally or used on the skin But it is rarely used orally because an overdose can be fatal I like to make palms and creams The first thing you do for that infuses the oil with the Arnica flowers You follow the same process as Oregano Oil (but you can change the oil you want to use) Then you make the cream or balm as normal Warnings Just like most plants, Arnica flowers can be poisonous if taking in very large amounts If you take them orally, make sure to do it under the supervision of a doctor that knows herbal medicine Taking too much can be fatal so make sure that you are on the right dosage Making creams and balms is the safest way to take Arnica flowers Chamomile Flowers If you like tea then you probably recognize this one! Chamomile is often used to help with sleep But it has many more benefits too! Used for Chamomile is one of my favorite herbs to keep on hand It can be used for sleep, digestive relaxant, diarrhea, anorexia, morning sickness, nausea, vomiting, gas pain, indigestion, colic, fever, depression, avoiding cancer, colds, anxiety, hemorrhoids, and boosting immunity As you can see, Chamomile does a lot! Preparation and foraging Chamomile is an easier plant to forage It is best to forage in the morning when the dew is still sitting on the plants Chamomile grows in zones 3-9 Once you have the flowers, you can use them in teas or make capsule supplements They are edible so you can cook with them as well, but cooking reduces the benefits Warnings Most experts say that Chamomile is safe It does cause drowsiness and can cause vomiting if taken in very large amounts Lemon Balm Lemon Balm is a very relaxing and calming herb While it can be taken every day, it is recommended to avoid doing that for more than 6 months It is excellent in many different forms and could be a great way to heal Used for Lemon Balm is best known for being relaxing and helping with stress, anxiety, sleep, and pain from digestion But it can also be used for cold sores, releasing the tension, sore muscles, dementia, attention, and lifting mood Preparation and foraging Lemon balm is more often grown instead of foraged because it is an easier plant to grow Keep in mind that it grows fast and spreads fast It is in the mint family so it will take over a garden if you let it So it is recommended to keep it in a pot to contain it Lemon balm grows in zones 4-10 Preparation depends on what you want If you want to use it for digestion, mood, or as a calming agent then you will need to take it as a supplement or a tincture If you want to use it for cold sore and sore muscles, then you need to make an oil or a cream the same way as normal Warnings Lemon balm is generally a safe herb but should not be taken with some prescription medications For example, thyroid medications can react negatively with Lemon Balm Side effects are mild if you get any and usually involved increased appetite, nausea, dizziness, or wheezing But it is very uncommon to get bad side effects Pregnant or breastfeeding people should not be taking lemon balm because of the interactions with medications Turmeric Turmeric is considered a superfood and an extremely healing herb It is amazing what this plant can do for you if you know how to use it Used for Turmeric is often used for skin disorders, joints, and the digestive system It can help with conditions like arthritis, digestive disorders, respiratory infections, allergies, liver disease, depression, cancer prevention, Alzheimer's, heart disorders, and more It can do a little of everything! Preparation and foraging Turmeric is another plant that is often grown instead of foraged The part that you use is the root so make sure to safe seeds to keep your supply going The possibilities for using Turmeric are endless! You can make supplements, teas, and lotions as I have already talked about with other herbs But you can also cook with it or make drinks with it Let your creativity go wild and make what makes sense for what you want to use to treat Warnings Turmeric is known for making gallbladder issues worse and may slow blood clotting Some people have reported getting stomach issues like ulcers by taking Turmeric every day for a long period of time Turmeric is also known for making aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Tylenol less effective Aloe Vera Aloe Vera is a plant that is well known for healing sunburns but there are so many more benefits It can be prepared in many forms and help with many different conditions and just feels amazing when used Used for Aloe Vera can be used for many things and is definitely a favorite herb of mine It can be used as an antioxidant, antibacterial, dental plaque reducer, wound healer, canker sore treatment, reducing constipation, improvement and prevent wrinkles, lowers blood sugar, psoriasis aid, gum infections, arthritis reducer, and more The possibilities for this plant are incredible! Preparation and foraging Foraging is pretty easy in desert zones as long as you know where they are in your area I prefer to grow them because I love their look and I love having fresh Aloe Vera ready when I need it When you want to harvest it, just cut a stem off and use it how you need it Usually, Aloe Vera will be used on the skin (unless you have constipation) So you can use it how it is by blending it for easier use Or you can make creams or soap from it Warnings The biggest warning is don’t use it for more than a day or two as a constipation aid Using it too much can cause liver failure Only take Aloe vera orally if you talk to a doctor that understands herbs and natural healing Basil Basil is one of my favorite herbs to cook with I love using basil in my sauces like spaghetti sauce But like many other herbs, Basil has great benefits as well Used for Basil is an herb that can help with skin health, boost digestion, and detoxify the body It also prevents a lot of conditions like heart issues, cancer, diabetes, and more Basil is a great source of vitamins to keep you feeling great every day Preparation and foraging Wild Basil grows in zones 10 and 11 but grows annually in other zones This means they go through the entire lifespan in 1 year It is important not to over forage annuals so they don’t disappear Once you have gotten your basil, clean it and prepare depending on your goals You can look with it, make tea, make creams, make tinctures, or anything else that helps your healing goals Warnings Basil as a raw capsule medication is safe short term but should be used every day for a long time There is a chance that it can affect liver function during long-time use It also affects blood sugar levels so watch that if you are using it for diabetes Dandelion Root I love using Dandelion root I made a tincture and I add a little to my husband’s tea in the morning He has a family history of heart issues like stroke so it makes me feel better to have a prevention You can also make coffee from it instead of drinking normal coffee Used for There are so many amazing benefits of Dandelion root It can help with digestion, liver health, help with skin and eye problems, regulate blood sugar, regulate blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, aid weight loss, provide antioxidants, and lower the risk of heart disease. Preparation and foraging The entire Dandelion plant is edible but it does different things The best time to forage Dandelion root is in the fall when the flowers are gone This is because all the nutrients that the plant was producing in the flowers go back to the roots for winter Make sure to cook the leaves and stems after you harvest the root! Once you have the roots, dry them in the sun or dehydrator If you want to make coffee, roast them in a 350-degree oven for 10-15 minutes (make sure to flip them halfway through) They will darken in color but don’t let them burn Then you grind them just like coffee beans If you want to use it for other things, you can make tinctures, capsules, creams, or cook with it Warnings People with kidney, liver, and gallbladder issues should talk to a doctor before taking Dandelion root Also, don’t take it if you are on a blood thinner You can take it or drink it every day but don’t use super large amounts This can cause bowel issues Marigolds Marigolds are a plant that I don’t use often but I should It does so many things! Used for Marigolds support skin health, are an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, reduced eye infections, protect against UV damage, and soothe the mucus membranes. The possibilities for skin health alone are huge! This includes bruises, varicose veins, sunburns, eczema, and minor injuries to the skin Preparation and foraging Marigolds cannot live in areas that go under 40 degrees It is possible to grow them annually, so it depends on what is in your area Once you have gotten your Marigolds from foraging or buying them, you can create many things You can make a tincture, infused oil, cream, or a homemade sunscreen Warnings Marigold is mainly used for the skin so don’t take it orally unless you are cooking It can cause a lot of digestive issues like stomach ache, bladder irritation, kidney irritation, and intestines irritation It is a culinary herb so cooking with it is considered safe Olive Leaf Olive leaves are excellent anti-inflammatories and antioxidants Most people think of the fruit when they think of Olives, but we shouldn’t ignore the amazing benefits of topically using olive leaves Used for Creams and extracts made from olive leaves are great for infections, inflammation, and hypertension You can also use them for diabetes, support weight loss, and reduce constipation Preparation and foraging Foraging or growing leaves varies a lot There are many different types of olive trees Do some research in your specific area to find out what kinds grow near you Once you have the leaves, you can make a salve by infusing the olive leaves into oil and then combining with beeswax Or you can make tinctures or supplements There are a few options that depend on what you want to use your olive leaves to heal Warnings If you are on blood pressure medication, you shouldn’t be taking olive leaves They lower blood pressure and can negatively interact with your medication There are reports of people getting headaches or stomach aches after taking olive leaves Parsley If you do any cooking, you have probably heard of Parsley! It is one of my favorite herbs for the kitchen But it also has some great health benefits! Used for Parsley is rich in vitamins that help you feel good But it is also helpful for blood sugar, bloating, heart health, kidneys, flushing toxins, anemia, fighting breast cancer, brain health, and bone health The range that this herb has is incredible! Preparation and foraging Foraging parsley is pretty easy in most areas but make sure you do research Hemlock looks a lot like parsley and is very poisonous Never eat something that you are not 100% sure of and have done a ton of research Once you have your parsley, preparation is just like most of the other herbs on this list You can add it to capsules to make supplements I use parsley leaf in my digestion aid supplements You can make infusions and tinctures but be very careful not to take too much Warnings Parsley is a safe herb but should not be taken in very large amounts as medicine There isn’t a lot of research but you could have anemia, liver, or kidney problems if you take a large amount for a long time Slippery Elm Slippery Elm is another herb that I include in my digestion aid supplements It has so many benefits that it can be used for many different things! Used for Slippery Elm can help with wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation It can also help with coughs, digestion, sore throat, diarrhea, and stomach pain Preparation and foraging Foraging slippery elm is a little different because it is the bark of a tree It is best to harvest in the spring because the sap is rushing up from the roots to the newly forming buds which makes the bark even better for you The most common way to take slippery elm is by grinding it into a powder and putting it in capsules Warnings There isn’t a lot of research on whether it is good for long-time use The herbalists I talk to tell me that there is no danger as long as you take the appropriate amount It is also not recommended to take while pregnant St. John’s Wort St.John’s Wort is a very popular healing herb Unlike most of the other herbs I listed, St. John’s Wort helps heal the invisible things in your life Used for St. John’s Wort helps with a variety of things like depression, ADHD, extreme anxiety, and OCD In addition, it is also an antibacterial, antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory Preparation and foraging Foraging St. John’s Wort is pretty easy in most areas Just make sure you don’t forage next to roads You don’t want to use plants that have pesticides on them Preparation is mainly going to be supplements and cooking, but you can make a cream or oil if using for inflammation Warnings St. John’s Wort should not be taken with thyroid medication It may have very negative reactions, cause liver issues, and high blood pressure Vanilla Extract Vanilla extract is used a lot in the kitchen It is used even more if you bake! But there are a lot of benefits to consuming vanilla extract Used for Smelling vanilla can have a very calming effect on adults and help them sleep It is also good for your heart, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, benefits the brain, reduces sugar cravings, antibacterial, rich in vitamins, and improves mental health Preparation and foraging Foraging vanilla is hard is may areas but you can turn vanilla beans into vanilla extract at home Start my cutting open a handful of vanilla beans long ways Don’t cut in half We just want to open the beans Add to a glass jar or bottle and then fill the jar with vodka Close the jar or bottle and keep it in a cool dark place for 12 months Once you have left it alone for 12 months, the beans can be removed and you have vanilla extract Once you have the extract, you can use it mainly in cooking but can also use it like a tincture Warnings The main warning for vanilla extract is to make sure that you are not allergic before using it Yarrow Last one on this list is Yarrow This is a popular tea with amazing benefits Used for Yarrow can be used for enhanced wound healing, digestive aid, depression, anxiety, brain health, and inflammation It is also used for IBS, hemmeroids, menstrual pain, colds and the flu, hay fever, and a minor sleep aid Preparation and foraging Yarrow can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia It grows in open and sunny areas Once you have your yarrow, preparation depends on your goal Teas are an amazing choice for yarrow but you can make creams, oils, tinctures, and supplements as well Warnings Not much is known about Yarrow warnings right now The main one is to not take too much Pregnant people should also not be taking yarrow