Reme-D’s

12/09/2025

🌿 Herbal Remedy Preparations: What They Are & How They Work

If you’ve ever wondered what a tincture is, or what makes an oil infusion different from a tea — this one’s for you.
Herbal medicine isn’t one-size-fits-all. The way we prepare herbs changes how they support the body, how quickly they act, and what benefits we receive from them.

Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common herbal preparations so you can better understand what you’re using — and why. 🌱

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✨ Tincture

A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract made by soaking herbs in alcohol (or glycerin for alcohol-free).
It pulls out the medicinal properties and creates something potent, shelf-stable, and fast-acting.
A few drops can go a long way.

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✨ Herbal Tea (Infusion)

This is the gentlest, most familiar form.
Tea is made by steeping leaves, flowers, or soft herbs in hot water.
It’s perfect for daily nourishment, calming the nervous system, digestion, and relaxation.

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✨ Decoction

Used for tougher plant parts like roots, barks, or seeds.
These need to be simmered longer to extract their medicine.
Decoctions are grounding, strong, and supportive for deep healing.

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✨ Oil Infusion

Herbs are steeped in oil over time (or gently warmed) to draw out their benefits.
These oils are used on the skin or as a base for salves and balms.
Perfect for pain relief, inflammation, dry skin, and wound care.

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✨ Salve

A thickened herbal oil — solidified with beeswax — that you apply topically.
Used for sore muscles, cuts, scrapes, bruises, burns, and skin repair.
Think of it as “herbal medicine you can rub on.”

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✨ Herbal Vinegar / Oxymel

Herbs infused into vinegar (or vinegar + honey).
Vinegar extracts minerals beautifully and supports digestion, detoxification, and immunity.

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✨ Herbal Honey

Honey infused with herbs — sweet, soothing, and medicinal.
Great for colds, coughs, sore throats, gut support, and daily wellness.

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✨ Glycerite

A glycerin-based extract — similar to a tincture, but alcohol-free.
Great for kids, sensitive systems, and anyone who prefers gentle sweetness.

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🌼 Why this matters:

When you understand how herbs are prepared, you understand how they work.
You learn which forms are best for quick relief, which are best for long-term nourishment, and which ones your body responds to most naturally.

Herbal medicine is beautiful because it’s flexible.
There is always a form that fits your needs.

12/09/2025

🌿 Herbal Learning Series: Inflammation & Joint Support

Today’s Spotlight: Herbs That Calm Pain, Soothe Swelling & Support Mobility

Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or stress —
but when it becomes chronic, it can show up as:

✨ stiff joints
✨ pain or swelling
✨ slowed mobility
✨ tenderness or tension
✨ fatigue or “heavy” feeling in the body

Herbs can offer gentle, long-term support by reducing inflammation, nourishing connective tissues, and soothing discomfort from the inside out.

Here are some of the most effective herbs for joint and inflammation support:

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🌿 1. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)

Why it helps: Contains curcumin, one of the most studied natural anti-inflammatories.
Use:
• Add to tea with black pepper for absorption
• Golden milk
• Capsules or tincture
• Cook into meals

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🌿 2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Why it helps: Increases circulation, reduces inflammatory pathways, and supports joint mobility.
Use:
• Ginger tea
• Add slices to hot water
• Tincture
• Fresh ginger compress on painful joints

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🌿 3. Boswellia (Boswellia serrata)

Why it helps: Known as Indian Frankincense, powerful for joint pain, arthritis, and mobility.
Use:
• Capsules or tincture
• Combine with turmeric for stronger results

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🌿 4. Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)

Why it helps: Remineralizes the body, reduces inflammation, and supports connective tissue health.
Use:
• Daily nettle tea (hot infusion)
• Add to herbal blends
• Tincture

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🌿 5. White Willow Bark (Salix alba)

Why it helps: Natural source of salicin — supports pain relief and inflammation.
Use:
• Tea
• Capsules
• Tincture

(Avoid if allergic to aspirin.)

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🌿 6. Devil’s Claw (Harpagophytum procumbens)

Why it helps: Known for relieving joint stiffness, arthritis, and chronic inflammation.
Use:
• Capsules
• Tincture
• Powder added to smoothies

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🌿 7. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Why it helps: Increases blood flow and reduces inflammatory response.
Use:
• Tea
• Herbal baths
• Topical oils or salves

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🌿 8. Arnica (Arnica montana) (External use only)

Why it helps: Reduces swelling, bruising, and muscle/joint pain.
Use:
• Cream
• Oil
• Salve for sore joints

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🌿 9. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Why it helps: Anti-inflammatory and supports the stress response, which plays a huge role in chronic pain.
Use:
• Powder in warm milk
• Capsules
• Tincture

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🌿 10. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

Why it helps: Lubricates tissues and supports joint comfort.
Use:
• Tea
• Tincture
• Blend in joint support teas

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🌿 Herbal Tea Blend for Inflammation Relief

✔️ 1 part Turmeric
✔️ 1 part Ginger
✔️ 1 part Nettle
✔️ ½ part Mullein
✔️ Pinch of black pepper

✨ Steep 10–15 minutes
✨ Drink 1–2 cups daily
✨ Add honey if desired

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✨ Topical Joint Support Oil

Infuse these herbs in warm oil for 4–6 weeks:

• Arnica
• Rosemary
• Ginger
• Turmeric root

Use as a massage oil for stiff or sore joints.

12/07/2025

🌿 SUNDAY MORNING POST

“A Gentle Week’s End: What Forgiveness Has Been Teaching Me.”

Good morning, friends.
As we come to the end of this forgiveness week,
I’ve been thinking about the unexpected ways forgiveness
changes us from the inside out.

Forgiveness teaches patience—
because healing takes time.

It teaches compassion—
because we start recognizing our own humanness
in the mistakes of others.

It teaches strength—
because letting go requires courage
just as much as holding on.

It teaches peace—
because forgiveness unclutters the mind
in ways we didn’t realize we needed.

And most of all,
forgiveness teaches freedom.

Freedom from replaying old moments.
Freedom from carrying other people’s choices.
Freedom from bitterness that weighed more than the hurt itself.

This week hasn’t been about having it all figured out—
it’s been about noticing the places where your heart softened,
even just a little.

So today, take a quiet moment to ask yourself:

What has forgiveness been teaching me?
Where have I felt even a small release?
What feels lighter than it did before?

Those tiny shifts matter more than you know.

Here’s to ending this week gently,
gratefully,
and open to the healing still to come. 🤍✨

12/06/2025

🌿 SATURDAY MORNING POST

“How Holding Grudges Hardens the Heart — and How to Soften Again.”

Good morning, friends.
Today’s forgiveness theme reaches into the quiet corners of the heart—
the places we don’t always talk about.

Because the truth is…
when we hold grudges,
our heart doesn’t stay the same.

It tightens.
It armors.
It becomes guarded where it was once open,
sharp where it was once soft,
distant where it was once warm.

A grudge doesn’t protect us—
it simply builds a wall so tall
that eventually we become the ones trapped behind it.

But here’s the hope:

The heart knows how to soften again.
It remembers.
It’s wiser.
And softness is not weakness—
it’s strength healed.

Softening begins slowly:
in the way you speak to yourself,
in the way you release the replay of the hurt,
in choosing peace over proving a point,
in recognizing that you deserve a heart that feels light again.

God didn’t create your heart to stay hardened.
He created it to heal,
to love again,
to open in safe places,
to grow gentler through grace.

You are allowed to put down the weight.
You are allowed to soften.

Not for them—
but for the beautiful, open-hearted person you’re becoming. 🤍✨

12/05/2025

12/05/2025

12/05/2025

12/05/2025

🌿 Herb of the Day: Garlic

Botanical Name: Allium sativum

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🌼 About the Herb

Garlic is one of the oldest and most powerful medicinal plants in the world, valued across nearly every culture for its ability to strengthen the immune system, support heart health, fight infections naturally, and nourish the body from within. Its potent sulfur compounds — especially allicin — make it a true herbal powerhouse for daily wellness and long-term vitality.

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🌿 Key Benefits

• Immune System Support
Garlic’s natural antimicrobial and antiviral properties help the body fight illness, reduce severity of colds, and strengthen immune defense.

• Heart & Circulatory Wellness
Known for supporting healthy blood pressure, circulation, and cholesterol levels, garlic gently nourishes cardiovascular function over time.

• Antimicrobial & Gut Support
Garlic helps balance gut flora, fight unwanted pathogens, and support digestive health while feeding beneficial bacteria.

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🍵 How to Use

Raw or Fresh Garlic:
Crush or chop and let sit for 10 minutes to activate allicin.
Use in honey, on food, or swallow small pieces like a supplement.

Garlic Honey:
Combine crushed garlic with raw honey; use during illness to support immunity and soothe the throat.

Cooked Garlic:
Add to soups, broths, stir-fries, and everyday meals for gentle ongoing wellness support.

Tincture:
Use for deeper immune or cardiovascular support (only when properly prepared and diluted).

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💛 Reflective Note

Garlic reminds us that healing doesn’t always arrive softly — sometimes it comes with strength, warmth, and a quiet fire that clears what no longer serves us. It teaches resilience, protection, and the beauty of simple, steady nourishment.

12/05/2025

🌿 HERBAL LEARNING SERIES PT. 3 - GUT & DIGESTION

A gentle guide for daily comfort, digestion, and long-term gut harmony.

These seven herbs work together to soothe the digestive system, support nutrient absorption, reduce bloating, calm irritation, and nourish the gut lining. They are safe, effective, and easy to weave into a simple daily rhythm.

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🌼 THE HERBS & THEIR BENEFITS

1. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

• Stimulates digestion — increases digestive fire and improves motility.
• Relieves nausea & bloating — excellent for upset stomach, gas, or sluggish digestion.
• Anti-inflammatory — calms the gut and supports healing.

2. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)

• Reduces gas & cramping — one of the best carminatives for bloating.
• Supports smooth digestion — relaxes intestinal muscles.
• Kid-friendly — gentle enough for children.

3. Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

• Eases spasms & cramping — relaxes the gut and relieves tension.
• Improves motility — helps food move smoothly through the system.
• Soothes nausea — cooling, calming relief.

4. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

• Calms the gut–brain connection — reduces stress-related digestive upset.
• Anti-spasmodic — eases cramping and digestive tension.
• Gentle on the stomach — ideal for children and adults.

5. Slippery Elm (Ulmus rubra)

• Soothes and coats the gut lining — excellent for reflux, IBS, and irritation.
• Supports repair — mucilaginous properties help calm inflammation.
• Restores comfort — gentle enough for long-term use.

6. Dandelion Root/Leaf (Taraxacum officinale)

• Supports liver & bile flow — improves digestion of fats and overall gut function.
• Leaf acts as a mild bitter — stimulates healthy digestion.
• Root nourishes the microbiome — prebiotic benefits.

7. Marshmallow Root (Althaea officinalis)

• Deeply soothing & demulcent — coats and heals irritated tissues.
• Supports gut lining repair — wonderful for inflammation or dryness.
• Balances the digestive tract — calming for both diarrhea and constipation.

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🍵 HOW TO ADD THESE HERBS INTO YOUR DAY

Morning (Gentle Wake-Up for Digestion)

• Warm water + lemon
• Ginger tea or peppermint tea
• Dandelion root coffee alternative (ground + brewed)

Midday (Support for Bloating, Meals, & Absorption)

• Fennel tea after meals
• Chamomile for stress-triggered stomach tightness
• Add ginger to lunch — tea, powder, or fresh

Evening (Gut Repair & Calming the System)

• Marshmallow root cold infusion for soothing
• Slippery elm before bed (paste or tea)
• Chamomile to relax gut + nervous system

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💛 DAILY GUT AFFIRMATIONS

“My digestion is calm, supported, and nourished.”
“My body knows how to restore balance.”
“I am gentle with myself as I heal.”

12/05/2025

🌿 FRIDAY MORNING POST

“Forgiving Someone Who Never Apologized.”

Good morning, friends.
Today’s forgiveness theme reaches deep —
because some of the hardest forgiveness
is the kind that happens without closure.

There are people who will never say they’re sorry.
Not because you didn’t deserve an apology,
but because they aren’t able or willing
to see the hurt they caused.

And waiting for an apology that never comes
delays your healing
in ways you may not realize.

But here’s a truth that offers freedom:

You don’t need their apology to take your next step.

You don’t need their understanding
to let go of the heaviness.
You don’t need their regret
to reclaim your peace.
You don’t need their words
to begin healing.

Forgiving someone who never apologized
isn’t letting them “off the hook”—
it’s setting yourself free from being tied to their behavior.

Your heart wasn’t created to live inside someone else’s choices.

Forgiveness is choosing to stop waiting
for what someone else may never give.
Choosing peace.
Choosing closure from within.
Choosing to protect the softness of your own spirit.

You deserve freedom,
even if they never say the words you needed to hear. 🤍✨

12/04/2025

🌿 HERB OF THE DAY: GINSENG

Panax ginseng / Panax quinquefolius
(Asian & American ginseng varieties)

✨ What It’s Known For

Ginseng has been treasured for centuries as one of the most powerful adaptogens on earth. It supports energy, stamina, immune function, cognitive clarity, and overall vitality. Traditionally used in Chinese medicine and Indigenous herbalism, this root is all about strengthening the body from the inside out.

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🌱 Key Benefits

• Boosts natural energy

Ginseng helps combat fatigue while supporting steady, balanced energy throughout the day without the jitters or crash.

• Strengthens immune function

Rich in powerful ginsenosides, ginseng can help your body better defend itself against stress, illness, and seasonal bugs.

• Supports cognitive clarity

May improve focus, memory, and mental endurance—especially helpful during periods of overwhelm or mental fog.

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🍵 How to Use Ginseng

Tea (Root Decoction)
1. Slice dried ginseng root.
2. Simmer gently for 15–20 minutes.
3. Drink 1–2 cups daily for sustained energy and immune strength.

Tincture

• Use 1–2 dropperfuls up to twice daily.
• Excellent for quick absorption and consistent support.

Powder

• Add ½–1 tsp to smoothies, coffee, tea, or warm milk.
• Great for daily stamina, especially in busy seasons.

Capsules

• Ideal for those who prefer standardized dosages and long-term vitality support.

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🌿 Traditional Uses

• Improved stamina for long workdays
• Strengthening the lungs and immune system
• Enhancing fertility and libido
• Supporting recovery after illness or depletion

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💛 A Gentle Note

Ginseng is powerful — a little goes a long way.
Avoid taking it late in the evening if you are sensitive to energy-boosting herbs.

12/04/2025

🌿 HERBAL LEARNING SERIES PT. 2 - IMMUNE SUPPORT FOR KIDS & ADULTS

A gentle, whole-family approach to staying well, strengthening resilience, and supporting the body through every season.

When it comes to immune health, consistency and nourishment matter far more than intensity. These herbs work best when introduced as daily allies — surrounding the body with steady, reliable support so the immune system stays strong, responsive, and calm.

Below are your selected herbs for this topic, followed by simple rhythms for using them safely for both adults and children.

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Meet THE HERBS

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)

Rich in antioxidants and antiviral compounds, elderberry helps shorten duration and ease severity of seasonal illness. Beautiful for daily syrup or gummies.

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea / angustifolia)

A powerful immune activator that supports the body during the early stages of sickness. Best used at the first sign of symptoms.

Oregano (Origanum vulgare)

Strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory herb. Useful for clearing congestion, supporting immunity, and fighting stubborn pathogens.

Turkey Tail (Trametes versicolor)

A medicinal mushroom known for strengthening immune modulation and gut–immune connection through polysaccharides and beta-glucans.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum)

“The Mushroom of Immortality.” Supports immune balance, deep resilience, restful sleep, and overall vitality.

Lemon (Citrus limon)

Vitamin C–rich, cleansing, uplifting. Supports lymph flow, digestion, and overall immunity.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale)

Warming, anti-inflammatory, circulatory stimulant. Helps move congestion, ease nausea, and activate immune response.

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

One of the best herbs for supporting lungs, soothing coughs, and helping the respiratory system stay clear and strong.

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🌿 HOW TO USE THEM DAILY

A simple rhythm for real-life families.

✨ Morning Immune Ritual

Lemon + ginger warm water
• Adults: 1–2 slices ginger + 1 lemon slice in warm water
• Kids: Warm lemon water only (ginger optional and mild)
Wakes digestion, hydrates cells, and activates gentle immunity.

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✨ Daily Immune Support (Maintenance)

Elderberry syrup
• Adults: 1 tablespoon daily
• Kids: 1 teaspoon daily

Reishi or Turkey Tail powder/tincture
• Adults: ½–1 tsp powder or 30 drops tincture daily
• Kids: ¼ tsp added into warm cocoa, applesauce, or smoothies

Builds foundational immune strength and resilience.

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✨ At the First Sign of Illness

Echinacea tincture
• Adults: 30–60 drops every 2–3 hours for 24–48 hours
• Kids: 10–15 drops every 2–3 hours

Ginger tea
Simmer fresh ginger slices in water for 10 minutes.
• Adults: 1 cup as needed
• Kids: Mild version with honey after age 1

Oregano (for adults only unless supervised)
• Adults: 1–3 drops diluted in oil or taken orally depending on preparation
(Kids: stick to mullein, elderberry, and gentle teas)

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✨ For Coughs, Congestion & Respiratory Support

Mullein tea
• Adults: 1–2 cups daily
• Kids: ¼–½ cup warm, sweetened with honey after age 1

Softens coughs, opens the lungs, and soothes irritation.

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✨ Evening Reset Ritual

Reishi tea or tincture
• Adults: Daily in the evening
• Kids: Small dose added into warm milk or cocoa

Supports deep rest — one of the most powerful immune boosters of all.

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💛 Daily Affirmations for Immune Strength

For Adults
✨ “My body knows how to heal. I give it what it needs, and it responds with strength.”
✨ “I am building resilience one small daily choice at a time.”

For Kids
🌼 “My body is strong and brave.”
🌼 “Healthy habits help me grow.”

For Families
💛 “Our home is a place of nourishment, wellness, and care.”