About Natural Healing

Natural health is the result of a variety of different sources coming together, and using the best from various options available, in order to provide good health.  By building the strong points and preventing the weak ones, we can create a lifestyle that is naturally healthy.

Though terms like alternative medicine and natural health are generally associated with the Far East (modern additions to natural health that concern themselves with the body-mind connection are influenced by eastern alternative medical theories), most of the core concepts behind natural health are of European origin.

In times past, the only health care that was available was self-care. While rudimentary science existed, it was by no means useful for health care.  Most health care and guidance came from folk healers, their medical qualification being nothing more than a short apprenticeship under an equally-trained mentor.

“Natural health” is all about maintaining quality health and curing sickness by simple natural therapies, because the human body has complete capacity to heal itself from most forms of sickness, mostly through prevention. All healing is basically self-healing and this is considered to be a basic property of all things alive.

To Sleep. No More.

Anxiety and depression have plagued humanity for thousands of years, bringing about sleepless nights, and subsequent miserable days.

Insomnia herbs have been around just as long. With the advent of modern medicine, however, came an overabundance of drugs and sedatives to help give modern humans our much-desired rest. Unfortunately, these drugs also produce not-so-desirable side effects.

And so we have come full circle and turned back to the insomnia herbs of yore, and have rediscovered that old cures are often still the best treatments.

Valerian root is your best bet to help you rest. It is "the safest and most effective sleep aid with no side effects," according to British scientist turned herbalist Dr. Malcolm Stuart, who says the best time for a drink would be around 8 PM. Thirty minutes before going to bed, use one to two teaspoons of the dried root to make a sleep-inducing tea. Unlike sleeping pills, valerian causes no hangovers. And unlike its counterpart drug, which may trigger an addiction, you will not develop a dependency on this herb.

Similar to valerian root in terms of its sedative effects is catnip. Not only is this herb used as a cure for insomnia, but it is also thought to relieve nervousness, anxiety, and even migraines. Dosage for catnip is again similar to valerian:  one to two teaspoons of the dried herb for one cup of boiled water and set aside to immerse for about ten minutes. Do not boil the herb along with the water as this may destroy some of its active ingredients.

Chamomile is milder and is safe for children to consume, especially when the young ones are restless. The usual dosage is two teaspoons of dried chamomile flower for every cup of tea.

Lavender also makes for a very soothing brew at bedtime (three flower heads to one cup of boiling water, soaked like catnip), and inhaling a few drops of its oil or mixing it with your bath water has the same calming effect. It may also be rubbed onto your body during a massage and its flowers and seeds stuffed into your pillows.

In Chinese medicine, the longan fruit and sour jujube seed are both known to calm the spirit. The former is used to treat insomnia, while the latter complements stronger herbs.


While the insomnia herbs mentioned above may be taken on their own, you may also prepare an herbal cocktail if you wish. Try blending valerian with chamomile, catnip, or some other mild herbs like hops and passionflower. Add a bit of the natural sweetener stevia for flavor if you find the taste a tad too strong for your palate. Don't drink too much to spare yourself sleep-disrupting trips to the bathroom.

While there is nothing essentially wrong with relying on insomnia herbs, homeopathy, and aromatherapy to fall asleep, it is still best to let nature take its course and allow your body to fall asleep on its own, the way it's built to do. In order for your body to perform optimally, a lifestyle overhaul is in order.

To be free from sleep disorders, engaging in exercise, proper stress management, and sticking to a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables are the ideal solutions, aside from consuming your favorite serving of insomnia herbs. In the meantime, have a cup of tea. Cheers!


Resource Box: Help your plight against insomia with these relaxation CD's at Self-Help Street:

Thinking About A Storage Shed

The Place is in need of a new/improved storage shed. I need a new building, not only for storing items I use in the yard and seasonal items: I would like some room for a wood shop, as well.

I have two old sheds here, but they are dilapidated and unsafe. I hope to reuse materials from both existing sheds, for ecology purposes - and sentimental reasons, as the materials are from the original family house, built in the late 1930's.  Part slate shingle, part thick slabs of some kind of wood - hopefully, most of these old pieces can be salvaged.

I found these shed plans at a special discount price. Ryan Henderson, who has been building wooden outdoor sheds for over twenty years, offers this "step-by-step quality sheds plans and woodworking course" at a ten-dollar discount (as of this writing).

The detailed information in Ryan's course is phenomenal! I now have some idea of  the 'extraneous' materials I'll need - and specific instructions for a firm foundation, which is my fundamental (ha!) concern.

'I Forgot My Mittens'...

Well, I didn't accomplish a lot through the winter: it was one of the coldest - and snowiest - seasons on record.  Here in Alabama, we usually get one dusting of snow per winter; but this winter we received three fluffy white blankets.  I imagined the soil, cozy and resting, awaiting its busy spring.

I have heaped compost, and a few bags of organic soil. I have tilled and weeded some of the flower gardens.

Still, much to do....