Garlic is excellent when you are sick. It stimulates your immune response, is anti-microbial and promotes sweating. It is useful when traveling to discourage parasites. Garlic contains allicin, a substance which has antibacterial, antioxidant, lipid lowering and anti-hypertension properties. Garlic also decreases cholesterol, LDLs, and blood pressure.

Nutmeg (seed) aids digestion, flatulence, diarrhea and nausea. It is a mild sedative in small doses and narcotic in large doses. It works well steeped in warm milk or brandy.

Cardamon improves antioxidant status while breaking down blood clots without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels.

Cinnamon prevents heart disease and also prevent diabetes. The Center for Applied Health Sciences in Ohio conducted a study of 22 subjects, half of which were given a 250mg of water soluble cinnamon daily while the other half were given placebo. It was discovered that those who drank cinnamon had a 13 to 23 percent increase in antioxidants connected with lowering blood sugar levels. Cinnamon is also an astringent, dispels gas, anti-bacterial, anti-microbial, and relieves diarrhea.

Cloves are anesthetic and work well for toothaches (a drop of the oil on the offending tooth) and as a sore throat gargle.

Oregano contains the compound carvacrol which has been proven to be effective against blood pressure. Oregano also helps indigestion, coughs and headaches. It is an emmenagogue and is a good poultice for painful swelling.

Fennel (seed) is a wonderful warming plant to help ease flatulence, indigestion, colic and gastro-intestinal spasms. Fennel will also ease throat tension and coughs as well as bring up phlegm from the lungs. 

Garden sage (leaf) is cooling, disinfectant and astringent. It cools a fever, cleanses the blood, eases headache and nervous tension. It also stimulates digestion and is an emmenagogue. Garden sage also works well as a mouthwash for sore throat, mouth ulcers and bleeding gums. 

Ginger is heating and increases circulation especially to the pelvic region. It is useful for nausea, motion sickness and to stimulate the appetite. Ginger makes a lovely footbath to warm you on a cold night.

Onions contain quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol found to prevent heart disease and stroke.

Turmeric (root) is warming, analgesic and astringent. It promotes bile, relieves a congested liver and gallstones and aids digestion. Turmeric also reduces tumors and uterine fibroids and is an emmenagogue.

Peppermint (leaf) is both cooling and stimulating. It helps cramps from gas, bloating, motion sickness and nausea. Peppermint can also soothe a headache by drinking the tea or putting a cool cloth soaked in tea across your forehead.

Rosemary (leaf, flower) is warming, both a circulatory and liver tonic. It is a digestive aid and stimulates the liver as well as gastric juices. It is an emmenagogue and will soothe a headache. Rosemary is antiseptic and a great wound soak.

Tarragon (leaf) stimulates the appetite, relieves flatulence and colic. It is also anti-fungal and anesthetic.

Thyme (leaf) supports the stomach. It is also antiseptic (good as a wash for skin infections) and antispasmodic. It works well for congested lungs and shortness of breath.

In aligning your bodies and creating balance in your life, it is important to think about ways to live healthy.  Our chakras each serve a different purpose, as the energy centers of our body that act as bridge between universal energy and our physical body.

Herbs can help energize and cleanse our chakras to restore balance.  Try drinking different herbal teas to help with this.  I’ve put together a list of each chakra and it’s corresponding chakra below:

Chakra 1 - located at the base of your spine deals with issues of survival. It is easy while living in this planet to get caught up in work frenzy and leading a hectic life. Red raspberry leaf fosters recognition of playtime and living a balanced life.

Chakra 2 - is located below your navel and relates to areas of sexuality and emotions. Wood betony is an herb to help relax and balance this chakra.

Chakra 3 - involved with controlling outcomes in your lives. It’s located in the navel area. Marshmallow root relaxes the third chakra and softens personal desires to control your life. This is a good herb to take when you feel powerless in controlling certain situations.

Chakra 4 - located in the heart area. Hawthorne berries can help you trust in the process of life and encourage you to feel safe in following your heart.

Chakra 5 - area of your will and is located in the throat area. It has to do with communication and expressing your desires. Red clover blossoms assist in allowing a free flow of self-expression.

Chakra 6 - known as your third eye and it is the area of intuition. Eyebright helps you to honour the lessons that all of life brings to you.

Chakra 7 - also known as the crown chakra. It is your area of accessing divine wisdom. Lavender flowers help in opening up this chakra.

You will find that these in tea or tincture form are helpful and will restore balance in the body.  It is all natural and creates equilibrium between the mind, body and spirit.

Namaste