Treasures of the Earth: Natural Healing with Herbs

I remember the first time I walked into a small herb and essential oil merchant store. The shelves all lined with glass jars containing the delicate herbs and oils in so many colors and scents. I just felt exhilarated and it felt like a coming home. Something drew me in and made me feel more alive just being there surrounded by these earthy treasures. You know you have found your passion when the sights and smells of something makes your heart sing. That is how I feel about natural remedies and helping people feel better.

Here’s a great example of a natural remedy that has a ton of healing benefits packed into an easy to use tonic.

Fire Cider: Great Winter Tonic

• ½ cup Garlic (the all-natural antibiotic)
• ½ cup Horseradish (great for heart health and digestion)
• ½ cup Onions (circulation support)
• ¼ cup Fresh ginger (breaks up mucus and also gives digestive support)
• ¼ tsp Cayenne to taste (great for circulation)
• Honey to taste
• Apple Cider Vinegar.(Unpasteurized and Unfiltered)

Chop fresh garlic, onions, and horseradish into small pieces and then grate the ginger. The amounts and proportions suggested can vary according to your own tastes and preferences. You can always adjust amounts used and dominant flavors desired in your next batch. Place these prepared ingredients into a wide mouth quart jar and cover with Unpasteurized Organic Apple Cider Vinegar (such as Braggs) The vinegar should be about two to three inches above the herbs. Add cayenne to taste but not too much or it will be too hot. Let the mixture sit two to three weeks in the covered jar. Strain and discard herbs. Add honey to the liquid to taste. Fire Cider will be hot, spicy and sweet all at the same time.

Rosemary says, I loved to take little shot glasses as a tonic and often people use it as salad dressing and/or on rice or steamed vegetables. It’s quite tasty!

This recipe comes to us from the infamous Rosemary Gladstar. She has been inspiring herbalists for almost 40 years and I think of her as the Julia Childs of the herbal world. When you watch her video lessons, you are immediately drawn in by her great passion for her work and her gentle, peaceful spirit. Through her many books, courses, conferences and herbal products she has inspired many budding herb enthusiasts. I love that she encourages you to take her recipes and then make them your own. Add your own bit of flare and creativity to them. Mingle in your own tastes and desires for the outcome and you now have something of hers but also something you have ownership in.

The prescription drug industry is big time business to the tune of $200 billion per year being spent annually in the United States alone. For example, the difference in cost using the popular drug Celebrex, used to treat arthritis, costs over $4 per day, while ginger supplements, an herbal remedy for inflammation, cost just $0.38 per day.

• Safer and better for you
• Way Cheaper
• No side effects (or very limited)
• Readily Available
• Doesn’t require a prescription (Doctors Visit more $$)

The best six doctors anywhere,

And no one can deny it,

Are sunshine, water, rest, and air,

Exercise and diet.

These six will gladly you attend,

If only you are willing,

Your mind they'll ease,

Your will they'll mend,

And charge you not a shilling.”

~ Wayne Fields

My favorite reference manual on finding these types of natural remedies is Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs. This is a real beginners guide and she doesn't assume you know anything about the subject matter. I always hate when something is called "Beginners" anything and is full of jargon and technical ideas you aren't familiar with. I love this author's no nonsense approach and she gives very clear directions that anyone can follow. She also really knows her material and brings 35 plus years of experience in herbal remedies and essential oils to this reference guide. Using something like this can help you find safe and all-natural remedies that will save you money and keep you healthier for 2014!

Great resource for natural remedies: Health Secrets 4 Life

Money Saving Tip: Save yourself some money by checking for this title at your local Half Price Books or buy the Used option at the Amazon link below!