I Heart Herbs - Lemon Balm

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Lemon Balm

Latin Name: Melissa officinalis

Plant Family: Lamiaceae

Character: cold, dry, slightly bitter, sour 

Constituents: bitter, flavonoids, polyphenols, rosmarinic acid, tannins, volatile oil

Actions: antibacterial, anti-depressant, antispasmodic, antiviral, carminative, diaphoretic, digestive stimulant, nervine, relaxes peripheral blood vessels, sedative

Parts used for medicine: leaves, fresh leaves, dried leaves, fresh aerial parts 

Harvest before flowering. 

Melissa comes from the Greek word for "honey bee". 

Lemon Balm has the same healing and tonic properties as 

honey and royal jelly. 

Lemon Balm Knowledge

Lemon Balm was a favorite in medieval times for it was considered to be an elixir of youth.

The leaves are great for depression and for anyone suffering from anxious digestive upsets.

Lemon Balm leaves are good for feverish colds.

It makes a refreshing lemon tea in the summer.

Check out this refreshing recipe.

I plan on drinking it on a warm summer day.

Make an infusion for nausea, indigestion, nervous exhaustion, depression, and the early stages of a cold. 
Use fresh leaves if possible.

The tincture has similar actions to the infusion but stronger. Small doses are usually more effective, dosage 5-10 drops.

Make a compress using a pad soaked in the infusion to relieve any painful swellings, like gout.

Use the ointment for sores, insect bites and as a bug repellent.

For depression, tension, asthma, and bronchitis use hot infused oil as a gentle massage oil.

The essential oil can be used in an ointment base to treat and prevent insect bites.

Just a few drops of lemon balm essential oil creates an excellent antidote for depression.

Make a massage oil with the essential oil in a carrier oil of almond or olive oil and use for tension or chest complaints. 

Lemon Balm Plant Spirit Prayer 

"Fly, little fairy, as fast as you can, 
and bring magic to each lemon balm with 
the stroke of your hand. 
Using your wand, filled with God's grace, 
make nectar of its leaves for the entire human race."

from "Plant Spirit Journey"

by Laura Silvana

The spirit of lemon balm gives you 
courage, plus emotional and mental strength. 

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.
Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a holistic life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs - Red Clover

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Red Clover

Latin Name: 

Trifolium pratense

Plant Family: 
Fabaceae/Leguminosae

Character: 

cool, slightly sweet

Constituents: 

flavonoids, potassium, phosphorus, vitamin C, protein, chromium, calcium, coumarins, phenolic glycosides, salicylates

Actions: 

alterative, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic

Parts used: 

Flowers~harvest during flowering.

It has a pleasant taste and is mildly strengthening.

Red Clover is suitable for general consumption and long term use.

What is it used for?

Red Clover is used for coughs, bronchitis, and skin complaints.

In the 1930s red clover became a popular anticancer remedy.

It still may be prescribed for breast, ovarian, and 
lymphatic cancer sufferers.

The crushed flowers can be applied to insect bites and stings.

Take the tincture internally for eczema and psoriasis.

Make a compress for gout and arthritic pains.

As an ointment is is wonderful for lymphatic swellings.

Cover the fresh flowers with water and 
simmer for 48 hours in a slow cooker.

Strain, dry and combine with an 

equal amount of an ointment base.

For stubborn dry coughs take the syrup.

Use the infusion as a douche for vaginal itching and conjunctivitis.

Spiritual & Emotional Properties

Red Clover's spirit helps in healing a person's relationship

with their mother and father.

It helps heal pain and conflict between a wife and husband.

It provides courage when an apology is called for.

It encourages honesty within oneself and aids you in taking responsibilities for your actions.

Red Clover is about honoring.

It helps you find honor within yourself and others.

Red Clover Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

Red Clover Plant Spirit Prayer

"From the time of birth to the ending of life,

may the cycle of Spirit never be broken.

May the fire of God bless us

and keep holy the path we walk."

from "Plant Spirit Journey" by Laura Silvana

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.

Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs - Comfrey

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Comfrey

Latin name: Symphytum Officinale

Plant Family: Boraginaceae

Character: Cool, moist, sweet

Constituents: allantoin, alkaloids, inulin, protein, mucilage, potassium, silicon, tannin, starch, calcium, phosphorus, protein, iron, Vitamins A, B1, B2, B12, C, E, carbohydrates, fiber, magnesium, selenium, thiamine

Parts used for medicine: aerial parts, root

Harvest during flowering in early summer.

Traditionally referred to as knitbone,

comfrey knits together tissues

and promotes cell growth.

Comfrey has amazing healing properties.

I say that comfrey has Wolverine like healing powers.

Wolverine!

Healing Properties of Comfrey

Excellent vulnerary

Speeds cell reproduction

Great for healing and soothing insect bites

Accelerates bone injury healing

Helps with ulcers

Eases arthritic joints

Can be used for a variety of skin issues, including stretch marks

Use the cream for osteoarthritis and any bone or muscle damage.

Puree the leaves to create a poultice for minor fractures, 

such as broken toes and ribs.

You can also use in larger bones for hairline cracks.

You can also create a poultice from 

the powdered root with a little water.

Appy to varicose ulcers and stubborn wounds.

This can also treat bleeding hemorrhoids.

My favorite way to use comfrey is as an oil. I make my own.

All you need is comfrey leaves and olive oil.

Make your own Comfrey Medicine Oil

Harvest comfrey leaves and let them dry overnight.

Remember oil and water do not mix.

If the leaves are wet, your oil will become rancid.

Stuff a mason jar full of the comfrey leaves.

Add olive oil to cover all of the plant material.

Let it set for 6 weeks.

Strain and use!

From the infused oil you can make a salve by 
heating the oil in beeswax.

Contraindications:

Do not use on unclean wounds,

comfrey heals rapidly and can trap infection.

It can be damaging to the liver.

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.
Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs - Thyme

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Thyme

Latin Name: Thymus Vulgaris

Plant Family: Lamiaceae

Character: Drying, pungent, slightly bitter, warm

Constituents: Flavonoids, saponins, tannins, volatile oil

Actions: Antibiotic, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, antimicrobial, diuretic, expectorant, vulnerary

Parts used: Aerial parts

Harvesting: Harvest before and during flowering in summer, discard the woody stems.

Some Thyme Info

The name thyme comes from the Greek word, 
thymos, meaning spirit.

Thyme attracts butterflies and honey bees.

Thyme is a wonderful antioxidant and 
has antimicrobial properties.

It is an excellent source of vitamin K.

Thyme is full of iron, manganese, calcium, and dietary fiber.

Thyme can be found fresh, dried, or ground.

Culinary

Thyme is a popular culinary spice.

Aromatic and pungent, thyme adds great flavor to stews, soups, gumbos, clam chowder, stuffings,

and slow-cooking beef dishes.

I absolutely love the savory taste it gives chicken.

It's also a nice addition for salads and vegetable dishes.

Medicinal

Thyme is stimulating and opening.

Thyme is an expectorant that is excellent for deep chest infections with thick yellow phlegm.

It is great for coughs and asthma.

Use an infusion or tincture for chest infections, irritable bowel, and stomach chills.

Gargle the infusion for a sore throat.

For coughs and lung infections, take thyme syrup.

You can use the leaves as insect repellant.

Essential Oil

To produce thyme essential oil the leaves and flowers are distilled.

The fragrance of thyme enlivens the spirit.

The essential oil is uses for chest rubs, insect bites, infected wounds, and arthritic conditions.

When ingested, thyme essential oil soothes sore throats, coughs, and laryngitis.

You can inhale thyme essential oil for relief of asthma, bronchitis, sinus issues, and lung congestion.

Apply the oil to the skin to help clear acne, oily skin, dermatitis, and eczema.

You can soothe insect bites by applying thyme essential oil.

Add thyme to your favorite massage cream or oil to ease muscle and joint pain.

It relieves sprains and strains.

To reduce water retention and cellulite, add thyme to a carrier oil and massage into the skin.

Thyme essential oil can be found in soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, perfumes, and cosmetics.

Folklore

Cicely Mary Baker "Wild Thyme Fairy"

The Greeks associated thyme with restoring vigor and valor.

Romans believed this as well, their soldiers bathed in thyme before battle to gain courage, strength, and valor.

In the Middle Ages, ladies embroidered a sprig of thyme on their knight's scarf as a sign of their bravery.

Egyptians used thyme in their mummification brew.

Thyme was used as a religious incense.

A sprig of thyme was placed in the coffin of the dead.

It was believed that the souls of the dead would live on in the flowers of the thyme plant.

Nicholas Culpeper recommended thyme to get rid of nightmares.

*************

Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.
Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I Heart Herbs - Lavender

*Please note - The information provided is collected from my various herbal books, classes, and personal research. I am not a doctor. Always, always, always consult your physician or qualified healthcare provider before beginning any new treatment. Do your own research and think for yourself. Don't believe everything you read. Questions are good!

Lavender

Latin Name: Lavandula

Plant Family: Lamiaceae

Parts Used for Medicine: Flowers

Harvest toward the end of flowering when the petals have begun to fade.

Character: bitter, dry, mainly cooling

Constituents: Volatile oil, tannins, coumarins, flavonoids, triterpenoids

Actions: antispasmodic, antiseptic,antibacterial,analgesic, carminative, circulatory stimulant, cholagogue, increases serotonin, nervine, relaxant, vulnerary

Lavender comes from the Latin word "lavare" meaning to wash.

Lavender Essential Oil

In the 1920’s, French chemist, Rene-Maurice Gattefosse was working in his perfume lab and burned his arm. He plunged it into the first batch of cool liquid he could find which happened to be lavender oil. The burn healed quickly with no scarring. After this miracle, Gattefosse devoted his life to researching the healing properties of essential oils.

We have discovered that lavender essential oil has a multitude of uses for our health. It is used in creams, lotions, massage, aromatherapy, and as a sleep aid. The essential oil of lavender is one of the most popular aromatic oils. Inhaling lavender essential oil calms your mind, body, and soul.

• Add lavender essential oil to a spray bottle filled with water. Spray your sheets and pillow prior to hitting the sack for blissful sleep.
• For eczema, add a few drops to chamomile cream.
• Add lavender oil to lotion for soothing a sunburn or to moisturize dry and chapped skin.
• Used in massage lotions and oils, it aids in relieving pains, sprains, muscular aches, and rheumatism.
• For minor burns, apply 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil to the affected area.
• Apply the undiluted oil to stings and insect bites.

Lavender is an excellent addition to your first aid kit!

Lavender essential oil blends well with bergamot, cedarwood, clary sage, geranium, patchouli, pine, rosemary, and sandalwood.

Other Lavender Uses

• Make a tea with the flowers and drink up for headaches, nervous exhaustion, and indigestion.
• One can make a sleep pillow with the dried flowers.
• Make a tincture for headaches and depression, dosage up to 5 ml, twice a day.
• For halitosis, use as a mouthwash.

Lavender Folklore

Lavender Fairy by Cicely Mary Barker

• The Egyptians used lavender for mummification.
• The Greeks liked to anoint their feet with lavender.
• The Romans used lavender for baths and laundry.
• Roman soldiers found it was quite useful for wound healing and fighting off infections.
• Queen Elizabeth the 1st drank lavender tea to soothe her frequent migraine headaches.
• Rumor has it, Cleopatra seduced Mark Antony and Julius Caesar while wearing lavender perfume.
• To lure suitors, young ladies would wear little lavender bags in their cleavage.
• Lavender is used to heal a broken heart.
• Lavender was also used for protection. It was hung on the bedpost or made into a candle to keep evil energies away from the home.
• On Midsummer, one can call upon the faery world by mixing chamomile, lavender, mugwort, and rose petals.

Lavender is definitely one of my favorite herbs. It's great to have on hand for almost anything - bug bites, a sleep aid, burns, bruises, relaxation - and the faeries like it.

*************
Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.
Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

I'm juicy.

Do you juice?

With the summer months approaching and 

the garden growing, I plan on juicing more and more.

Here are my favorite juicy concoctions.

#1 - sweet potato, gala apple, and ginger 

#2 - beets, gala apple, and ginger

#3 - kale, granny smith apple, pear, sweet potato, carrot, 

and ginger

#4 - golden beets, pear, granny smith apple, and turmeric 

I also love to combine carrots, parsnips, and ginger. 

You may have noticed I add a pinch of ginger to 

almost every juice. 

It's good for you and perks up the taste. 

Beets and sweet potatoes are my favorites to experiment with. 

Oh-and cabbage! 

What are your favorite juice recipes? Please share!

*************
Are you facing a huge transition in your life?

Are you ready to release your obstacles and step forward into the life of your choosing?

Are you kind of lost as to where to even begin? 

Book your free 20 minute consultation with me today.
Click here.

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,

~Amy

The Magick Muse

 Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams is a life coach, tapping facilitator, reverend, creatress, teacher, writer, herbalist, and all out muse. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.

Take It Off

It is time.

It is time to let it all go.

It is time to let go of all the negative aspects of Asheville, all of the difficulties and challenges.

You see, all of the negative has manifested onto my body.

When I see pictures of myself, I don't know who I am.

I don't physically look like the way I think I look.

Crazy, right?

So, I am facing reality. I let go and release.

It is time to be mindful of my body.

Really, really mindful.

I believe the more you put into something, 
the more you get out of it.

If you want to really accomplish a goal, 
you declare it to the world - 
you create a vision board, you practice affirmations, 
you make it so.

You live and breathe that goal and you begin the transformation.

To start preparing my mind, I found an old picture of myself. 
I don't want to look like some skinny scrawny celebrity 
or anything like that. 

Hell, no. 

I want to look like me.

I've been putting this picture on everything - candles, notebook paper, my calendar, my desktop background -

Puerto Vallarta June 1998

This version of Amy is the symbol of my weight loss journey.

I plan on losing 5 lbs a month.

How do I plan on transforming myself?

With my mind for starters!
I am mindful of my actions.

Juicing.
I've replaced breakfast with a yummy and healthy juice.

Having healthy meal portions and 
eating slower - really chewing my food.
I'm putting a reasonable amount of yummy and healthy 
food on my plate. 
I'm working on putting the leftovers away 
before I sit down to eat.
That way there isn't even temptation to eat more.

Walking
3 weeks ago I got back into my gym routine. 
I love hopping on the treadmill.
I'm also spending more time wandering around 
downtown Asheville, 
which is a fantastic environment to walk around in.
The mountainous uphill/downhill sidewalks can get
challenging and exhausting.
The shops and people watching make it so worth it.

Hiking
Spring is upon us and I plan on exploring 
more North Carolina mountain trails
and journeying to waterfalls. 

Yoga
I am having my own personal Yoga Sundays.
Every Sunday afternoon, I'm doing yoga in my sacred space.

Strength Training

I love lifting weights at the gym.
Strength training is part of my routine. 
My body craves it and I can really tell the difference 
when I incorporate weights.

Boxing
I want, really, really want
my own boxing stand.
I love to box. 
If I had one at home, I could
 kick its ass any time I felt like it.

Gardening
I plan on being one with my garden this year.
At least once a week I'm going to be out there,
weeding, harvesting, and connecting with my special plants. 

Meditation
I meditate every morning after my morning pages, 
focusing on breathing, relaxing, and 
envisioning my authentic self. 

Finishing and moving through the exercises 
of the fabulous book, 
"A Course in Weight Loss" by Marianne Williamson.

Practicing Affirmations

My chosen affirmations:

I choose perfect health.

I am beautiful inside and out.

I am lighter, tighter, and brighter.

I am my Authentic Self!

Having Monthly Check-Ins
I am having New Moon check-ins. 
Every New Moon, I am going to measure myself and 
check my weight. 

I can do this.

I must be healthy inside and out.

"Spiritually, your wanting to lose weight 
is not a desire to become less of yourself, 
but rather a desire to become more of your true self." 
~Marianne Williamson 

Peace, Inspiration, & Love,
 ~Amy
 The Magick Muse

Amy Riddle, C.C., Holistic Alchemist and Manifestor of Dreams
is a life coach, crafter of sorts, writer, herbalist, reverend, and all out muse.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Alternative Medicine with an emphasis on herbs. 

She is a certified professional life coach with the Life Coach Institute of Orange County. 

Amy craves to inspire others to be healthy and whole in body, mind, and spirit. 

She has an affinity for striped socks, stinging nettle, and all things faery.