Monday, March 31, 2008

Herbal TeaTime Anyone?

Mums, Homemakers, Queen of the Kitchen, it's time to pampered ourselves. Herbal tea infusions have been popular for centuries for their therapeutic properties. They relax, revive and taste great too. Combining the benefits of herbs with the taste and scents of fruits, herbal infusions are great pick-me-ups.

Try some of these.

At breakfast: Drink rosehip, orange and rhubarb. They help detoxify your body gently, giving your energy levels a lift.

After Lunch: Try peppermint. It's a well-known aid for digestion.

Mid-Afternoon: Enjoy blackcurrant, ginseng or vanilla infusion. It will give you an immediate boost.

Bedtime: Unwind with a cup of chamomile. It's renowned for its relaxing properties.

Any time of the day: A cup of elderflower, strawberry ad rose will both calm and relieve stress.
Cheers!

Friday, March 28, 2008

Heady lemon grass

Some good things in life still come fairly cheap, lemon grass for instance and most other herbs too. if you have tried cutting or pounding lemon grass, you will feel that this lemony bulb has appeal. Slit lengthwise or bruised, the scented base releases its full flavor to why curry, soup, meat or vegetable dish that requires simmering. The citrus fragrance and physical appearance of bruised lemon grass fried over slow heat is quite unlike anything else.

Steep it in curries and suck its pungent juice or fry the pounded lemon grass till dry. Hmmm...any which way you treat this herb, its heady scent can only leave you hungering for more of such goodness. Sliced and pounded, mix together with shallots, turmeric and shrimp paste or belacan, lemon grass or serai as it is commonly known here adds a distinctive taste to spicy concoctions. It is featured in the familiar tom yam soup, the Vietnamese staple of lemon grass chicken as well as in a myriad Malaysia, Thai and Indonesian dishes.

It is also believe that the herb helps expel 'wind' from the body. In some countries, lemon grass has been combined with other herbs to treat fevers, irregular menstruation, diarrhea and stomach aches. In East India and Sri Lanka, it is known as fever tea. it is also one of the more popular herbs in Brazil and the Caribbean for nervous and digestive problems. The Chinese use it to treat headaches, colds, stomachaches and rheumatic pains.

Friday, March 21, 2008

Benefits of Dandelion

Dandelion is a traditional herb which is widely used by physicians to cleanse and tone the liver, stimulate bile flow and prevent gallstones.

Supplementing your diet with Dandelion Complex will ensure a healthy liver and bile function, a healthy digestion, relief of indigestion, heartburn and gastritis.

It also provides relief of fluid retention and inflammation. In some cases, it can also help in the control of obesity.

Sunday, March 16, 2008

Evening Primrose Oil

Prementrual Syndrome (PMS) is a malaise that affects many women. The severity of it of course varies, depending on the individual. Few women do anything to alleviate tech symptoms, accepting tech aches, mood swings and bloatedness as part of 'that monthly curse'.

However, there is a natural relief to alleviate PMS symptoms. Evening Primrose Oil has been shown to be beneficial to relieving the symptoms of PMS. Evening Primrose works by minimizing bloatedness and breast discomfort. It also helps reduce irritability and depression brought on by PMS.

Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Botanical baths

Botanicals are a great way to add zest to tub time. Just place them in a scrubbing sack made of cheesecloth and steep it in the tub water before you get in . You can use on especial fragrance or go for a potpourri. Basil stimulates the intellect, relieves stress and cures the blues, while rosemary stimulates the memory. Sage will give you an invigorating all-over body soak.

If you use essential oils, add a few drops of shampoo or liquid soap to help the oils disperse more quickly.
Try lavender to promote alertness or rose oil to cure depression, insomnia, tension and stress. Neroli eases anxiety, hysteria and exhaustion while orange blossom promotes the healing of scars.

Lavish lavender
Ingredients:
1/2 cup dried lavender flowers or 1 cup fresh
1/2 cup dried rose petals or 1 cup fresh
1/2 cup dried lemon verbena or 1 cup fresh
1 muslin bath bag or a pair of old nylons

Methods:
Combine and place in the bag or the nylons. (if you use a bag, secure the top tightly with string; nylons should be knotted.) Tie the bag or nylons under the tap so the water can run through it, stimulating the aromatic properties. Float the herbs as you soak. Close your eyes, lie back and breathe in and out gently. You'll feel calm and ready for bed after 20 minutes.