Garden Club honored to have Dr. Kirk Speak at April 2017 Meeting-DR. KIRK’S GUIDE TO USE OF HERBS IN HEALING

 

 

 

About Dr. Kirk

 

Dr. Kirk has an amazing knowledge in both the field of Naturopathic Medicine and the inner workings of the body, mind, and soul. With 25 years of experience in the use of homeopathy, botanical medicine, nutrition, and mental-emotional aspects of health and dis-ease, Dr. Kirk assists people in weaving a tapestry of modalities into a workable treatment plan leading to a life of vibrant health and a deeper understanding of the Self.

If you want to avoid side effects of conventional medicine and get great result using traditional medicine, consult with her. Her on line consultation is a welcome addition to her many patients who live all over the world. We recently were blessed with having her speak to our Mayan Garden Club, in Mexico, on the use of ordinary herbs for medicinal purposes. It was the most popular program we ever have had. Thank you Dr. Kirk for giving us tools to maintain and improve health. We recommend her to all who want a healthy life style. Marguerite , President Mayan Garden Club”
[email protected]
www.joaniekirknd.com

 

                                       

 

 

DR. KIRK’S GUIDE TO HERBAL WATERS AND SUN TEAS  AND MEDICINAL QUALITIES OF HERBS

Herbal Waters and Iced Tea
4/25/17
Joanie Kirk ND
www.joaniekirknd.com
907-746-5475
[email protected]

Herbal Waters and Sun Teas

These are the easiest to make and the options are endless. The first step is to learn the medicinal qualities of a handful of culinary and garden herbs. That is what we will do today, learn a few simple herbs you can grow in a kitchen garden potted or inside. Pick the herbs you like to grow and use in recipes.

Here are a few obvious ones to start with:

Basil Leaf Stomach cramps, intestinal gas, mild carminative, fluid retention and edema, immune system, parasites
Uva Ursi Also known as Kinnikinnick, tonifying and soothing for the bladder and kidney, UTI’s.
Wormwood leaf Digestive spasms, worms and parasites, inflammation of the gall bladder, strong bitter.
Mint Calming and soothing for the digestive tract, cooling, mild carminative
Lemon Balm leaf Calming, anti-anxiety, nervine, settles the digestive tract
Marshmallow Root Soothes mucus membranes, cough, canker sores, bladder issues, digestive irritation, diarrhea
Parsley leaf Nutritive, high in minerals, mild to moderate diuretic action
Lavender flowers Calming, nervine, acts directly on the nervous system, digestive tract bladder
Ginger root Carminitive, immune system, encourages fever for viral illnesses
Rose Hips/petals Petals –Nervine, relaxing, great for stress headaches, nausea
Hips—Improves immune system, very high in vitamin C
Chamomille Tried and true nervine, however when steeped long and strong, this becomes a stimulant and powerful digestive bitter
Buchu African plant, excellent for urinary tract, so add some dried cranberry to tea

Many of these can be grown from cuttings, rooting easily in water or soil. At the end of the season,
Start some cuttings to have kitchen herbs all winter long.

Basic recipe for herb waters
In a quart or half gallon jar, place a few 6” sprigs of herb like mint, basil, parsley, marshmallow.
Add 3-4 slices of fruit, orange, lemon, lime, pina.
Fill with water, Set in sun or shade for a few hours.
This extraction will have a gentler yet profound medicinal effect than steeped teas.

Tried and true herbal and fruit combinations

Ginger-orange increase immunity, anti-inflammatory, colds, flu, warming
Pina-mint Digestive, anti-oxidant, refreshing, somewhat stimulating
Basil-lemon Refreshing, cooling, mild diuretic
Lavender-rose petal Good night now
Hibiscus-clove Lowers blood pressure, anti-oxidant
Chamomille-lavender-lemon-ginger Settles all that is wrong

I find that fresh herbs work a little differently than harvested, processed, or dried herbs. Like fresh
fruits and vegetables, the active constituents and nutrients of fresh herbs are more readily
available. If using dried herbs, steep in a small amount of hot water first, then add fruit and allow
to steep at room temp.

Commercial medicinal teas
Choice most are organic, they make combinations that are condition specifics.
Traditional Medicinals have been around a long time, but are not always organic.
Tulsi offer western and Ayur-Vedic herbs, usually organic.

Add fruit to commercial teas to lighten and enliven the flavors.