Nobody ever talks about this stuff. It’s pretty common knowledge that eating oranges is great for you because of Vitamin C. But there’s so much more. Orange peels are a useful herb and so easy to obtain. I have seen dried orange peel sold, but you can just as easily save the peel after eating an orange. It’ll dry in no time on a plate, or a basket if you have a large amount. Once dried, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Orange peels are a great additive in any carminative tea. They’re mildly bitter and can strengthen digestive function. It’s particularly useful for gas, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and decreased appetite.
There are many other uses for orange peel, including cleansing and culinary uses.
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Orange, being citrus, has quite a few other uses as well. People looking for safer cleaning solutions will infuse orange (or other citrus–I prefer lemon) peels in vinegar for an easy all-purpose cleaner.
Candied orange peels can be made into a tasty treat (you can even dip candied orange peel into chocolate).
Using the same methods as in making a tincture, you can easily put orange peels in vodka to infuse for 4 weeks. Strain and you have orange vodka.
Another fun thing to do with dried orange peel is burn it. Orange oil is pretty flammable and burning this in the fireplace makes excellent kindling.
And as always, oranges are just enjoyable as is. Who doesn’t enjoy a juicy orange?
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Staying on our most recent topic of digestion, we’re going to look at cardamom seed today. Cardamom seed is a native to southern India and part of the ginger family. Cardamom can be useful for gas, bloating, nausea, lack of appetite, colic, diarrhea, headaches from indigestion, and digestive upset caused by nervousness.
Cardamom can reduce mucus buildup caused by heavy foods. Its carminative properties aid in gas. It’s also alkaline. These properties basically aid in the digestion of heavy and acidic foods. Cardamom contains the phytochemical cineole, which can assist with bad breath, gum disease, sore throats, and respiratory issues.
The cineole phytochemical is antiseptic and can help with mouth ulcers.
Cardamom has a warming and stimulating effect when consumed. Use it when you’re feeling tired. I love it during the winter time, where any form of warmth is welcome. If that’s not enough reason to use it in the wintertime, think about its defense properties against phlegm. This is a huge issue for most during the wintertime.
Cardamom can be used to increase blood circulation to the lungs. This can help prevent convulsions and spasms.
Cardamom has a tonic effect on the kidneys and urinary tract. It can be used to strengthen a weak bladder and help with kids who still wet the bed. It is used in some blends to aid in urinary tract infections.
Bee balm has several uses in one’s health and wellbeing. Bee balm is especially helpful for digestive and respiratory issues. I am not growing bee balm and do not have any near me, but it does grow wild throughout the US.
Bee balm, very much like hyssop, is especially useful for stomach viruses. It is a carminative used for gas, bloating, rumbling in the tummy issues, diarrhea, nausea, and general upset stomach. This makes bee balm a powerful ally for stomach issues that are especially caused by a virus.
Bee balm is a nervine that is also helpful for tension headaches, but is also known to help with cold and flu respiratory symptoms. Fever? Bee balm can also help with breaking it.
Do you grow or use bee balm in your herbal medicine cabinet? How do you incorporate bee balm in your life?
Want to see what herbs we have in our garden? Take a look here.
Angelica root is a warm carminative herb. It’s extremely useful for gas, appetite, intestinal spasms, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and indigestion. Angelica root is also antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, and an emmenagogue. The smell and taste of angelica is very similar to carrots and is used often in digestive tonics. It should be avoided during pregnancy because of its high volatile oil count and its emmenagogue properties.
Angelica can also be used as a nervine. Angelica can have a significant anti-anxiety effect.
If you’re having stomach issues and are also sick, angelica root can help as it’s also an expectorant and decongestant. Angelica is a great lung tonic, so while releasing mucous, it also strengthens lung tissue. Look to angelica to aid with coughs, bronchitis, and flu.
As an emmenagogue, angelica can help with cramping caused by a menstrual cycle. It can also be used to induce a cycle, especially for irregularity.
Add angelica to blends for colds and flu, fevers, and monthly cycles.
Want to see what herbs we have in our garden? Take a look here.
Motherwort is a cool and dry bitter tonic. It’s part of the mint family and it’s used frequently for indigestion and to aid the body in complete digestion. It likes open disturbed land and is very easy to grow and reseeds itself.
Antispasmodic
A herb with antispasmodic actions means it can aid in muscle spasms. This can also be useful for digestive issues since this motherwort already has actions that aid in digestion.
Emmenagogue
Along with its antispasmodic properties, motherwort also has emmenagogue properties. This aids in uterine cramping during menstruation and can help induce a cycle (especially helpful if you’re irregular).
Hypotensive
Motherwort is hypotensive, which means it can aid in lowering blood pressure.
Nervine, Sedative and Heart Tonic
One of the most fascinating bits of information found on motherwort is that it’s a nervine. It’s extremely helpful for anxiety that leads to heart palpitations as it’s also a heart tonic. Motherwort can be used to increase blood flow through the coronary artery and improve microcirculation throughout the body. Motherwort can stabilize heart rate and prevent blood platelet agglutination (without thinning the blood). Motherwort can also be used for angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart).
Safety
Motherwort should not be taken by pregnant women or people taking cardiac medications.
Want to see what herbs we have in our garden? Take a look here.
Nobody ever talks about this stuff. It’s pretty common knowledge that eating oranges is great for you because of Vitamin C. But there’s so much more. Orange peels are a useful herb and so easy to obtain. I have seen dried orange peel sold, but you can just as easily save the peel after eating an orange. It’ll dry in no time on a plate, or a basket if you have a large amount. Once dried, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place.
Orange peels are a great additive in any carminative tea. They’re mildly bitter and can strengthen digestive function. It’s particularly useful for gas, nausea, diarrhea, bloating, and decreased appetite.
There are many other uses for orange peel, including cleansing and culinary uses.
