Therapeutic Teas

 

White pine trees, Pinus strobus, are considered by some admirers
To be one of the most magnificent of forest trees.
The rapid growing pine, one of America's
Most valued timber trees, is also grown as a shade or
Ornamental tree. Native Americans used white
Pine needles medicinally as a remedy for many illneses;
A tea made from the needles was found particularly useful.
Today, we know pine-needle tea is especially
Beneficial for such respiratory problems as colds
And congestion. When it's used in a bath,
The tea is considered quite effective in treating
Chronic gout pain, nerve pain and arthritis,
As well as sprains and muscle strains.
The needles from the white pine tree are used
More commonly as a remedy than the familiar
Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris, which has similar
Components and is used as an ornament or
Christmas tree. While pine needles aren't available
Commercially, they may be gathered in the wild.

Preparation of the tea

A tea made with white pine needles is most effective
When using the young needles. Boil 3 tbsp. of fresh or
Dried pine needles in 1 qt. of water for about 2 min.
Cover and let steep for 30 min. Drink 3-4 large cups of tea,
Sweetened with honey to taste, between meals.

Therapeutic effect: Freshly gathered young pine
Needles contain ample vitamin C, as well as an essential oil.
In combination with tannic acids, bitter principles and resins,
The tea will inhibit mucus production in the bronchi
And act as a disinfectant. When used in a compress,
It can help heal wounds and relieve pain.

A good stimulant

Pine is refreshing and invigorating and may give a boost
To anyone suffering from lethargy and exhaustion.
The abundant vitamin-C content, a necessary nutrient
For all cells to repair and regenerate, makes pine-needle
Tea a good choice for those who don't get
Vitamin C from other sources.

Finding white pine

Because white pine isn't available commercially,
It's necessary to forage for the needles yourself.
The tree is distinguishable by its flexible, blue-green
Needles, arranged in bundles of five.

Caution: Some people may experience contact
Dermatitis from the resinous sap of the tree.

Medicinal Uses

• For coughs and bronchitis Pine-needle tea is an excellent remedy for acute bronchitis, especially when it is accompanied by stubborn and thick mucus production and expectoration. The components in pine have wound-healing, decongestive and disinfectant effects on the respiratory passages. Painful throat irritation is reduced and inflamed bronchi are soothed. Even inhaling the vapors of this tea can bring relief. Drink 3 cups daily with a little honey, if desired.


• Bath therapy A pine-needle bath is energizing and invigorating; because pine also is anti-inflammatory, a bath may be beneficial for rheumatism and gout, sprains or strains. To prepare a bath, place a large handful of fresh needles in a muslin bag and bring it to a boil in 1 qt. of water. Cover and simmer for 30 min. For the best effect, add both the liquid and the bag of needles to the bath.


• As a diuretic Pine-needle tea has a mildly diuretic effect and will help remove small deposits that often accumulate in the kidneys and the bladder. This "gravel" may lead to paintful kidney stones. The germicidal effect in pine's essential oil alleviates inflammations associated with the urinary tract.

Healing Tea Mixtures

To flush the urinary tract
1 oz. white-pine needles
3/4 oz. dandelion leaves
3/4 oz. goldenrod herb
Prepare this medicinal tea (front), to stimulate urination and to flush crystalline deposits from the body, preventing a build-up that can lead to kidney gravel and stones.

For circulation
1 oz. white-pine needles
3/4 oz. hawthorn blossoms
1/2 oz. peppermint leaves
1/2 oz. rosemary leaves

Prepare this blend (front) for an invigorating tea. Because it is a mild stimulant, anyone with high blood pressure should drink only small amounts of the tea.

For neuralgic pain
1 oz. pine needles
1 oz. calendula flowers
1 oz. St. John's wort
Prepare a tea (front) with this medicinal plant mixture to help calm nerves and to alleviate headache from neuralgic pain. Drink as a tea or use it in a compress to relieve headache pain.

5 Types of Headaches

A headache, one of the body's most powerful alarm signals, is often a sign of physical or psychological overload. There are several types of headaches, and they differ according to how and where the pain occurs. These include tension, cluster, simple and combination headaches and migraines-an especially intense form that is often accompanied by nausea and impaired vision. The pain can be triggered by many things. A common cause of headache is tense muscles in the head or neck. Headaches may also be a symptom of stress, caffeine withdrawal, allergies, certain infectious diseases of the result of too much alcohol. Constricted or expanded blood vessels, as well as altered pressure in the head (which may occur when the weather changes), can also produce headaches. Natural methods-including relaxations exercises, massage and homeopathic remedies-can often be as effective as standard medications in preventing or relieving the pain caused by the different forms of headache.

How To Reduce and Relieve Headache

Types Of Headaches

1. Simple headache - Hammering, buzzing, pulsing in the head. Causes:stress, sensitivity to weather or changes in atmospheric pressure, high blood pressure, fever or lack of oxygen.
2. Tension headache - Dull, oppressive pain occurring in the temples. Begins at the back of the head and neck or in the forehead and spreads throughout the head. Causes:muscular tension or bad posture.
3. Cluster headache - Piercing, burning pain, which occurs on one side of the head and always in the same place. Cause:unknown.
4. Migraine - Pains is usually on one side of the head only. Often accompanied by nausea, vomiting and vision problems. Causes:hereditary factors or circulatory disturbances in the brain.
5. Combination headache - Dull oppressive pain that usually begins in the morning and reoccurs between migraine attacks. Cause:unknown.

Some cases of migraines are preceded by the presence of certain warning signs, including sensations of flashing lights or zigzag lines. The appearance of these ominous warning signs, called an aura, foreshadows the occurrence of a migraine. The actual headache usually occurs within 20 minutes of the warning signs on the opposite side of the head. Although the aura is usually characterized by visul stimuli, sometimes it can take the form of other sensations, such as the detection of odor, lingual difficulties, disorientation, tingling, or numbness.

A Helpful Headache Remedy

Run yourself this warm bath to alleviate tension and relax blood vessels. Combine the following essentials oils with an emulsifier (cream or honey): 3 drops of chamomile, 3 drops of lavender and 3 drops of rosemary. Add the mixture to the bathwater.

What You Can Do: Headaches can be alleviated by cold compresses, bath, acupressure and relaxation techniques. You should minimize your exposure to external stimuli, exercise in fresh air and abstain from smoking and alcohol.

Relaxation and avoidance of stimuli Create a soothing environment, free of such external stimuli as light and noise. Ventilate the room; a fan will help circulate the air (but don't let it blow directly on you). Close the windows and draw the blinds. Turn off the radio and TV and unplug the phone. If the area still noisy, put cotton balls or ear plugs in your ears. Consciously try to relax, preferably with the aid of a relaxation technique, such as yoga.

Help from acupressure Use your thumb and index finger to press against the bridge of your nose at the corners of your eyes. Or, rub the center of the fleshy webbing between your index and thumb.

Herbal remedies Speak with a nutritionist or doctor about taking herbal supplements to prevent headaches. It is thought that kava kava can relieve tension headaches, and feverfew and gingo biloba are often recommended to prevent migraines.

Extra Tip

This time-tested home remedy can provide quick headache relief. Put a few drops of fresh lemon juice into a cup of black coffee and drink it in small sips. Warning:This is not for people with sensitive stomachs!

Poultices for Pain

• Cold compress moisten a cloth with cold water, put 2 drops of peppermint oil on it and apply it to the painful area for about 15 min.
• Potato poultice Cut 2 large, unpeeled potatoes into quarters and boil until tender. Mash them and press out the excess moisture. Wrap the warm mixture in a cloth; place it on the back of the neck for about 15 min.
• Horseradish poultice Add a small amount of water to finely grated horseradish. Wrap it in a cloth; apply it to the neck for not more than 5 min. This will stimulate the skin, which helps extinguish headache pain. If your skin is sensitive, spread cream over your neck before applying the poultice.