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Herbs

We offer over 200 herbs including cooking spices. Below is our Guide to Herbs. Please rmemeber that this information is for reference purposes only, and is not intended to treat, diagnose, or prescribe. Read our Disclaimer on the left hand side of this page.

Guide To Herbs

HOW TO USE HERBS

INFUSION (TEA) An herbal infusion or tea is made by pouring freshly boiled water over the herbs and letting them infuse (steep) covered for 10-20 minutes. A general ratio is 1-2 tsp. of herbs to 1 cup of water. Herbal tea can also be made by a solar infusion. For a solar infusion, place the herbs in a glass jar & fill it with water. Place in a sunny spot & let infuse for several hours. Strain the infusion & drink. Enjoy!

DECOCTION Bring water to a boil, add the herbs, cover with a lid and simmer for 15-20 mins over low heat. Strain the herbs & drink.

TINCTURE A tincture is a liquid extract of an herb. It is extracted usually into a base of alcohol or glycerin. Tinctures are highly concentrated, so the dose usually is only a few drops. The drops can be taken on the tongue or in a little bit of water. Use as directed on the product's label.

INFUSED OIL Herbs can be infused into an oil base such as olive oil. The herbs are then strained out and the oil is used for topical application on the skin. The most common infused oils are calendula, arnica & St. John's Wort.

SALVE A salve or ointment has a thicker consistency than an infused oil which helps it stay in place when applied to the skin.

POULTICE A poultice is a warm mass of macerated herbs that are applied directly to the skin to relieve skin eruptions, venomous bites, inflammation, pain & to draw out infections.

HERBS & HEALTH
Throughout history, many cultures have used plant material to aid in the
healing process of many ailments. Native plants that grew around the
home were often used since availability was abundant. In Native North
American culture, Chinese medical practices, & the Indian ayurvedic
system, plants were used to tone, strengthen, detoxify, nourish & heal
the body. The use of herbs became the basis of allopathic medicine and
entries in pharmacopoeias describing drug compositions indicated an
herbal source.With the development of scientific matters, herbalism was
often pushed into the background. Recently, the use of herbs is being
revived and utilized in everyday holistic living.
An Herbal Bliss Tea & Herb Co offers a wide variety of bulk herbs,
tinctures & herbal body care products.

ANISE: Digestive problems, indigestion, colic, flatulence & spasms.
Combines well with ginger & cardamon to promote digestion.
ARNICA: Inflammations, bruising, sprains & swelling. External use only.
BLACK COHOSH: Normalizer of female reproductive system. Eases
cramps, delayed periods & hormone balancer. Reduces arthritic pain.
BLACK WALNUT HULL: Antiparasitic. Fights fungal & bacterial infection.
BLUE COHOSH: Menstrual irregularities, amennorrhea, dysmennorrhea
& eases pains of childbirth. Avoid in 1st & 2nd trimestres of pregnancy.
BURDOCK ROOT: Blood purifier, rids the body of toxins, increases urine
flow & promotes sweating. Externally treats eczema, psoriasis & canker.
CALENDULA: Externally helps skin inflammations, bruising, strains & burns.
CHAMOMILE: Mild sedative, eases stress, & promotes digestion.
Avoid if you have a ragweed allergy.
CHAPARRAL: Fights bacteria, viruses & parasites.
CHICKWEED: Used externally for cuts, wounds, itching & irritations.
CHASTE TREE BERRY: Normalizes pituitary gland function. Great for PMS,
balances hormones & eases menopausal changes.
COLTSFOOT: Eases bronchitis, irritating coughs & asthma.
COMFREY: Used externally to help skin wounds & irritations. Do not use
externally over deep wounds -- may lead to abscesses. Avoid if pregnant.
CATNIP: Mild sedative. Eases cramps, upset stomach, & diarrhea.
CRAMP BARK: Relaxes muscle tension & spasms. Good for menstrual
cramps & aids excessive blood loss during periods.
DANDELION ROOT: Rids excess water & salt in the body, protects
against liver & gall bladder disorders. Aids digestion.
DAMIANA: Aphrodisiac & antidepressant. Aids mucus congestion
& coughs.
DONG QUAI: Regulates menstrual cycle, relieves cramps & PMS.
Relieves menopausal symptoms/hot flashes. Rich in Vitamin A, B &
E. Guards against anemia. Avoid during pregnancy & heavy
menstruation. Causes photosensitivity
ECHINACEA: Boosts immunity, fights bacterial & viral infections.
Avoid if you have lupus, rheumatoid arthritis & autoimmune disease.
ELDERBERRY: Helps colds, flus, rheumatic conditions & catarrh.
EYEBRIGHT: Astringent, anti-inflammatory. Aids stinging/weeping
eyes & hayfever.
FEVERFEW: Eases migraines. Avoid during pregnancy/nursing or
if taking anticoagulants.
GOTU KOLA: Calming effect. Improves memory, leg circulation,
inflammation, swelling & tingling. Expectorant & heals after
childbirth. Avoid during pregnancy.
GINGER: Circulation stimulant. Aids digestion & nausea. During
pregnancy, do not exceed 2 cups of tea per day.
GINSENG: Increases stamina, circulation & enhances energy.
GUARANA: High in caffeine. Gives energy boost, aids concentration.
Avoid during pregnancy or if you have heart disease.
HOPS: Relaxant. Eases tension, insomnia, anxiety & indigestion.
Do not use in cases of marked depression.
HORSETAIL: High in silica. Conditioner for hair & nails. Strengthens
bones & controls oily skin. Helps the body absorb calcium.
JUNIPER BERRY: Aids flatulent colic, cystitis, & bladder infection.
Avoid during pregnancy or if you have kidney disease.
KAVA KAVA: Relaxation, insomnia, reduces water retention.
Prolonged use may cause liver damage. Avoid if on antidepressants.
LAVENDER: Eases headaches, depression, nausea, insomnia.
LEMONGRASS: High in Vitamin A. Purifies the body.
LICORICE ROOT: Aids ulcers, congestion, sore throats & menopausal
symptoms. Do not use if you have high blood pressure.
LINDEN FLOWER: Relaxes nervous tension. Hypertension &
arteriosclerosis. Good in feverish conditions.
LEMON BALM: Nausea, nervous tension, insomnia, cold sores,
reduces fevers & promotes sweating.
MARSHMALLOW ROOT: Calming. Expectorant, soothes sore throats,
chest irritation & ulcers.
MULLEIN: Aids inflammation in the trachea, coughs & bronchitis.
MYRRH: Antiseptic. Makes a great mouthwash to heal mouth sores, &
spongy gums. Aids stomach flu. Avoid if pregnant or have kidney disease.
MILK THISTLE: Aids liver function. Helps cirrhosis & hepatitis.
NETTLE: Hayfever. Rich in vitamin C, iron & calcium. Avoid if you have
kidney disease, heart disease or diabetes.
OATSTRAW: Depression, skin conditions, indigestion. High in B vitamins.
OREGON GRAPE ROOT: Improves the liver & bile production. Clears the
body of toxins. Bronchial congestion, arthritis, jaundice & menstrual
irregularities. Avoid if pregnant, anemic or if you have hypothyroidism.
PASSION FLOWER: Insomnia & nervous tension. Avoid during pregnancy
or if driving/operating heavy machinery.
PEPPERMINT: Digestive problems, gas, headaches, insomnia & sore throat.
PSYLLIUM HUSK: Constipation, hemorrhoids & a good source of fibre.
PENNYROYAL: PMS, cramping, delayed periods. Avoid during pregnancy,
do not take for more than 1 week, may cause liver damage.
PLANTAIN: Externally for inflammation, soreness, stings, & rashes. Eases
urinary infections & hepatitis.
RASPBERRY LEAF: Nourishes the uterus, eases menstrual cramps, & PMS.
RED CLOVER: Skin inflammations, relaxing, menopausal symptoms &
expectorant.
SENNA: Constipation. Moderate laxative.
SKULLCAP: Nervous tension, muscle tension, eases insomnia.
SPEARMINT: Aids digestion, gas, induces sweating to relieve fevers.
SLIPPERY ELM: Soothing to the throat, relieves coughs/sore throats &
stomach ulcers.
ST. JOHN’S WORT: Anxiety, depression & neuralgia. Avoid if on
prescribed antidepressants. May cause photosensitivity.
WILD CHERRY BARK: Eases coughs & asthma.
WORMWOOD: Treats parasites. Anti-inflammatory for the intestinal tract.
WILD YAM: Relieves intestinal colic, dysmenorrhea & ovarian/uterine
pains. Balances estrogen & progesterone levels.
YELLOW DOCK ROOT: Skin conditions psoriasis & eczema. Promotes the
flow of bile & eases constipation. Blood cleanser. Helps jaundice.
YARROW: Aids fevers, lowers blood pressure & urinary conditions.
VALERIAN ROOT: Insomnia, relaxant, eases muscle tension & has a
calming effect. High doses causes heart weakness & paralysis.

HERBAL BLENDING
Individual herbs may be combined into a blend that has a synergistic
effect. At An Herbal Bliss Tea & Herb Co., we have a variety of
herbal tea blends otherwise known as herbal infusions that are
already blended for your convenience.

HERBAL BLENDS (SPECIFICS):
ARTHRITIS
BLOOD CLEANSING
CALCIUM
COLD & FEVER
COUGH & SORE THROAT
FASTING
FEMALE BLEND
HEADACHE
HEARTBURN
KIDNEY BLEND
LAXATIVE
LOWER BOWEL TONIC
LIVER BLEND
LUNG & BRONCHIAL
NERVE FORMULA
NURSING MOTHER
RELAXING BLEND
STOMACH CALMING
STOP SMOKING
WEATHER CHANGING BLEND
WEIGHT LOSS

HERBAL BLENDS (PLEASURE):
CARIBBEAN SPICE
FEELING GOOD
LICORICE SPICE
MYSTICAL MINT
MU TEA
MOCHA SPICE
PEACE OF HEAVEN
PIXIE DUST
ROGER RACCOON

REMEDY INDEX
ABSCESSES: echinacea, marshmallow
ACNE: echinacea
ANXIETY: kava kava, St. John’s Wort, chamomile, skullcap, valerian
ARTHRITIS: black cohosh, juniper
ASTHMA: coltsfoot, mullein, wild cherry
BOILS: myrrh, echinacea, chickweed, plantain
BRONCHITIS: coltsfoot, mullein, fenugreek, thyme, wild cherry
BRUISES: arnica, calendula, St. John’s Wort
BURNS: aloe, calendula, plantain
CATARRH: echinacea, eyebright, golden seal, mullein, peppermint
CHILBLAINS: ginger, cayenne, horsetail
CIRCULATION: cayenne, ginger, rosemary
COLDS: peppermint, elderflower, yarrow, echinacea, golden seal
COLIC: ginger, peppermint, anise, cinnamon, chamomile
CONSTIPATION: senna, psyllium husk
COUGH: coltsfoot, mullein, damiana, licorice, wild cherry
CRAMP: cramp bark, valerian, ginger, skullcap
CYSTITIS: juniper, horsetail, echinacea
DEPRESSION: damiana, St. John’s Wort, oatstraw
EAR ACHE: mullein, garlic (best combined as an infused oil)
ECZEMA: burdock, yellow dock, nettle, red clover
FEVER: catnip, cayenne, ginger, peppermint, elderflower
FLATULENCE: cardamon, ginger, anise, peppermint, fennel
FUNGUS INFECTION: myrrh, golden seal, calendula
GALL BLADDER PROBLEMS: dandelion, milk thistle, yellow dock
GASTRITIS: marshmallow, slippery elm, golden seal
HAYFEVER: eyebright, nettle
HEADACHE: peppermint, lavender, feverfew
HEARTBURN: peppermint, lavender, cinnamon, anise, fennel
INDIGESTION: chamomile, peppermint, fennel, cardamon, ginger
INFECTION: golden seal, myrrh, echinacea, garlic
INFLUENZA: cayenne, ginger, peppermint, elderflower, echinacea
INSOMNIA: hops, valerian, passion flower, skullcap, chamomile
ITCHING: calendula, chickweed
LIVER TONIC: dandelion, yellow dock, milk thistle
MENOPAUSE: black cohosh, chaste tree, wild yam, licorice
MENSTRUATION (DELAYED): chaste tree, pennyroyal, blue cohosh
NAUSEA: peppermint, ginger, lavender, cinnamon
PMS TENSION: chaste tree, skullcap, valerian
PROSTATE: damiana, saw palmetto, horsetail
PSORIASIS: burdock, yellow dock, red clover, sarsaparilla
SORE THROAT: licorice, slippery elm, peppermint, ginger, myrrh