Healing Injured Joints

Being a gardener or farmer definitely puts some wear and tear on the joints and connective tissues, so familiarizing your self with plants specific to healing connective tissues is a very good idea.  In my case, not only am I a gardener, but I am a student of Jiu Jitsu, a martial art that specifically emphasizes joint locks--so researching this topic definitely has its personal benefits.  Unfortunately, it took a sprained ankle to motivate me to finally get around to it!  The information below is the result of that research—I hope you find it helpful.

The most common herbs used externally in varying configurations for an injury like a sprain are:

Calendula

St. Johnswort (effective enough on it’s own!)

Arnica Montana

Cajeput (a species of Tea Tree!)

Some of the many other herbs indicated for external use in trauma and inflammation include:

Plantain Plantago major 

Tansy, Tanacetum vulgare

Indian Tobacco, Lobelia inflata

Formulations

Here is an external formula adapted from Michael Moore’s public online manual “Herbal Formulas for Clinic and Home”:

Olive Oil                                              12 Parts
Hypericum Oil                                       3 Parts
Beeswax                                            2 ½  Parts

Calendula Flowers                                 1 Part

Arnica montana Herb                            1 Part

Grain alcohol/witch hazel                     1 Part

Cajeput Essential Oil                            ¼ Part

Make a 1:6 steeped oil with the Calendula and Arnica.  Add the Hypericum Oil (made from the fresh flowers), heat slowly, dissolve the beeswax.  Add the Cajeput and pour into tins.

The names for this salve are CHAC Salve (Calendula, Hypericum, Arnica and Cajeput), OSFA Salve (One Size Fits All) or Rescue Grease or Limbaugh Leech. (Michael Moore, 2008)

Internally, some of same herbs can be used in a different formulation by Michael Moore. 

TRAUMA TINCTURE

  Hypericum (fresh plant tincture)                  3 parts     
  Calendula (fresh flower tincture)                  2 parts
  Arnica montana (fresh plant tincture)          1 part

“Mix these tinctures from fresh plants (if you can), using the volumes of compressed herbs for the parts. Useful in acute conditions, such as sprains, contusions, hyperextensions and muscular-skeletal trauma.  It should be applied topically and taken internally, (10-20 drops) both modalities every two hours for three or four rounds.  Taken internally it will also help for faintness and lightheadedness resulting from parasympathetic or vagus discharge caused by physical manipulation or trauma.”(Michael Moore, 2008)

Note: According to The Eclectic Materia Medica, and Kings Dispensary, ¼ to 10 drops of Arnica can be taken safely.

Other random tidbits of herbal information:

• For tendinitis and sprains with dull pain and muscle strain add Black Cohosh (be aware though, that some people report headaches with using Black Cohosh.)

• Add silica rich herbs like horsetail and the green herb parts of oats to teas and formulas to help rebuild the tissues, and especially if bone healing is needed.

• Comfrey can be used in external applications; internally it is not recommended due to the potential hepatotoxicity, though I could not find any research on the short term use. 

• Now let’s not forget Solomon’s Seal, which is also a powerhouse herb for healing insults to the connective tissues.  It can be used internally and externally.

• Two other herbs that have been used as folk remedies in external applications on sprains are wormwood, as a warm fomentation or vinegar, and Chrysopsis graminifolia (Fevergrass/Grass-leaved Silver Aster) as a poultice.   I couldn’t find much more on the use of these herbs, but I figured I would throw those in there just in case you want to try something new!  

~ posted by Melissa Emma, Connecticut Herb Association board member

The information, products and statements posted on this blog are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.  Please seek professional medical advice for the treatment of any health conditions.

References:

Michael Moore: http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/MansMM.html

Henrietta Kress: http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/felter/arnica-mont.html

Rosemary Gladstar (2001) Rosemary Gladstar’s Family Herbal

Event - Spring Tonics Program

Event - Spring Tonics Program

presented by CHA member, Michele Maclure

When: Wednesday, March 21st at 6:30 to 9:30 pm

Where: Home of Michele Maclure

As we celebrate with the beginning of the Spring Season we will learn and taste spring soups, teas and tonics. Handouts will be provided.

Feel free to bring your own materia medica sheets on spring tonics to share.

(Snow date March 28th same time and place.)

RSVP and Directions: Contact Marlene at 203 272-0471, orgoldenspirit133@sbcglobal.net . Facebook users may RSVP here: Directions will be shared at that time.

Soapnuts: The Chemical Free Solution to Your Dirty Laundry

contributed by CHA member, Jeanie Beresford

So many of us today are conscious about maintaining our wellbeing. We research ingredients, read labels, and drink filtered water. We make sure we get outdoors and get exercise, and we meditate and seek solace in spirit. However, one of the things often overlooked in our quest for health is the largest organ we have - our skin. What is on our skin every day? Clothing! And how do we wash our clothing? With toxins of course!

Some of the toxins found in laundry detergent are: Napthas or petroleum distillates that have been linked to lung inflammation and cancer as well as affecting the mucous membranes. Phenols, also in detergents, are rapidly absorbed and cause toxicity throughout the entire body. It is toxic particularly to those who are hypersensitive and can cause death even at low exposures. Nonyl phenol ethoxlyate, a surfactant has been banned in Europe as a hazard to human and environmental safety. It also slowly biodegrades into even more toxic compounds and is a proven endocrine disrupter to humans and as well as toxic to aquatic organisms. Another surfactant commonly used is LAS, and this substance releases slowly biodegrading benzene into the environment. Optical brighteners are often added and they make the clothes appear whiter, though the clothes are actually no cleaner. Brighteners are toxic to fish and can cause allergic skin reactions in humans when the skin is later exposed to sunlight. Some laundry detergents still contain phosphates, although most states have banned them. They help soften water but when added to the environment, stimulate the growth of some marine plants which then lead to an unbalanced eco system. EDTA, is an accepted alternative to phosphates, yet it does not biodegrade well and unfortunately, can re-dissolve toxic heavy metals into the environment allowing them to re- enter the food chain. Bleach, which we are all familiar with, is involved in more household poisonings than any other chemical. It is believed to cause reproductive, endocrine and immune system disorders. And how about the wonderful fragrances? Many are petroleum based and known hormone disruptor's as well as immune system irritants. Many of these chemicals remain on our clothing, brushing the skin and entering dermally to do their damage. Now, have you ever even thought about using a natural laundry detergent? Did you even know there was one?

In my quest for a more natural way to clean my clothes, a few years ago, I accidentally discovered an organic soap, commonly referred to as Soap Nuts. Being naturally curious, I purchased a small bag of Soap nuts, also commonly known as soap berries, experimented with them and now will use nothing else for my laundry. Amazingly, they truly clean! Soap nuts are not actually a nut, but a seed casing for the Sapindus mukorossi tree, so no fear for those who have nut allergies. They contain a natural saponin, or soap, and clean just as well, in my humble opinion, as most laundry detergents. 

Though Sapindus grows throughout the world, including the south western United States, the ones that contain the most saponin, however, are found in the Himalayans and India. There are ethical companies out there who insist the berries be harvested free trade.

How do you use soap nuts? You simply place 5 or 6 nuts into the provided drawstring muslin bag, and toss them in the washer. If you are using cold water, they prefer to be warmed up a little in some hot water to activate them and the little nuts do what they do best: Clean. You can use them over and over until they become soft, usually 5-7 loads, then happily dispose of them in your compost and refill the bag. That’s it! The laundry comes out unsoiled, fresh smelling and naturally soft. Because of their PH, they are safe for even the most delicate of washable fabrics. Also because they don't contain unnatural chemicals, with multiple uses, they eventually clean the cloth fibers of the previous chemicals. Diapers, for example become more absorbent. Speaking of diapers, soap nuts are perfect for babies clothing as well as children and adults e with allergies and skin sensitivities. They can also be easily made into a liquid by simmering 5 or 6 nuts in a quart of water for an hour or so, let sit overnight, and strain into a spray container with water to clean surfaces and floors, used in a dishwasher, diluted and sprayed on plants as a herbicide, used as a shampoo and body wash for humans and their pets, carpets, and more. As if that is not enough, they are 100 percent compostable, safe for the septic systems, and excellent for high efficiency washers.

Jeanie Beresford, is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner owner of Blessed Creek Soaps and owner of Re-Nourished, a holistic healing practice in which she teaches classes on weight management and promotes health based on properly prepared nutritionally dense whole foods and lifestyle choices. She may be reached at Jean@Re-Nourished.com.

You can get a great starter sample that cleans 10-14 loads plus instructions for $2.50 plus shipping at BlessedCreek.com

Event - Earth Day Celebration

Sunday, April 22, 2012 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm


Join us at the Powder Mill Barn(32 South Maple St. Enfield,CT) for an Earth Day celebration and plant swap!

Come and listen to what others are doing to honor planet Earth and share your ideas as well.

As part of our effort to honor and celebrate Earth Day, we will also have a Plant Swap . Bring plants, cuttings, seedlings or seeds to share with our members and take some home for your own garden.

There will be vendors with live plants, earth based crafts and herbal goods available for purchase.

Join us for an informative and fun day.


RSVP at our Facebook Event Page

For more information, call or email
connecticutherbs@gmail.com or (860) 763-5206