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 Single Cut and Sift Herbs
| Perhaps the most ancient – and some believe the most effective – way of using plants for healing is in the form of teas. This is where the medicinal properties are removed from the plant material and infused into liquid. There are several advantages to choosing herb teas. They are safe and gentle yet very powerful. They can be used singly or combined to achieve a specific or synergistic effect. Taking an herb in a liquid form is very easy for the body to use; it gets into the bloodstream faster and with less body energy than taking a capsule or pill, which must be processed by the liver. (We do not generally recommend you rely strictly on teas during the acute stage of an illness, but they certainly can compliment your treatment, bringing comfort and relief.) Herbal teas are also very affordable.
Folks are always asking if tea bags are useful. While there are some high quality tea bags made by reputable companies available, you need to keep in mind that the more a plant is processed, the more its healing properties are diminished. Getting a plant into a tea bag requires quite a bit of processing. They are unbeatable when it comes to convenience, but if you’re looking for a more effective (and affordable) healing remedy, you should consider sticking with loose tea, also known as a “tea cut”, or “cut and sift”.
Tea cuts are in their loose, raw (usually dried) state, and must be combined with boiling water to extract the medicinal properties. With aerial parts such as flowers, leaves and stems, we make an “infusion”, which means to add boiling water to the herb and steep it in a teapot or glass container. With the tougher parts of a plant, such as roots, berries, and bark, we make a “decoction”, which means to boil the plant in water on the stove, usually for 15 minutes. Both infusions and decoctions require the plant material be strained from the liquid prior to dosing.
The usual dose is one cup 3 times daily. Herbal teas will usually last up to 3 days in the refrigerator. They can also be used in the bath (strain first!) and as compresses for topical applications. Our herbs are certified organic, domestically grown or ethically wildcrafted, and of the highest quality available. They are classic cut & sift… no teabags here. It’s hard to beat nature’s purest form of herbal healing.
Our on-line store offers a short list of the most popular and mainstream cut & sift herbs. However, we do stock literally hundreds of different herbs at our retail store in Safety Harbor Florida . So just send us an email or give us a call if you need something you don’t see here.
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| Calendula Flower
Calendula officinalis
More commonly known as marigold, calendula is a standout when it comes to skin complaints. It was used in ancient times by eastern cultures for any local inflammation or infection of the skin. Infused strong and used topically as a compress or added to baths, herbal salves, ointments or gels, calendula is powerfully anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiseptic. It sooths skin irritations, and speeds the healing of wounds and infections.
Internally, a tea made of the flower petals is used to soothe the digestive tract, and to stimulate the liver and gallbladder.
Caution: Because it has the ability to stimulate the uterus, internal preparations of calendula should be avoided in pregnancy.
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| Chamomile
Matricaria chamomilla
Chamomile is a popular calming herb that has been used extensively in Europe and the U-S for centuries. In fact, it’s recorded history dates back to the early Romans, who used it as a soothing treatment for skin conditions, menstrual cramps, and digestion.
Indeed, tea from the flowering tops of this plant are used today for indigestion, gastrointestinal disorders, as a mild sedative, and to treat anxiety and nervousness. It is a wonderful remedy for insomnia, as well as an effective anti-inflammatory used to treat skin disorders.
Chamomile tea is tasty, extremely safe, and a wonderful choice for soothing tummies and irritable children.
Caution: Those with allergies to the ragweed family may be sensitive to chamomile, although reactions are exceedingly rare.
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| Elder Flower
Sambucus canadensis
The elder tree is a medicinal marvel. In fact, it is referred to as “the medicine chest of the people”. All parts of the plant are used to treat common complaints, but modern usage favors the flowers and berries.
Elder flower tea is an absolute must for any condition affecting the upper respiratory tract, including colds, sinusitis, and hay fever. It lowers fever, reduces mucus, and has a wonderful calming effect, making it an excellent choice for nervousness, irritability, and insomnia. It has a mild honey-like taste, and is quite safe for children.
Elder berries are widely used in a tincture form to fight viruses and boost the immune system. The leaves are used for bruises, sprains and wounds, and in the 19th century an ointment made from the leaves was used for to treat skin tumors.
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| Nettle Leaf
Urtica dioica
Nettle leaf, or stinging nettle, is one of the best nourishing tonics available from nature’s pharmacy. The Greek physician Dioscorides documented its use in the 1st century AD, to support respiratory, urinary, and reproductive health.
It is favored by practitioners for its ability to maintain proper immune function - particularly as an antihistamine - in the treatment of allergies and hay fever. It is an expectorant and antiseptic, and is also used to treat anemia, asthma, goiter, urinary tract disorders, hemorrhoids, arthritis, eczema, and calcium deficiency. Nettles are also used to balance blood sugar, enhance sexual performance and promote healthy hair growth.
Nettle leaf is one of the most nutritive of medicinal plants. It's rich in chlorophyll, protein, vitamins A, C, D, and K, and minerals, especially calcium, iron, and potassium. American Indian women drank nettle tea during pregnancy to nourish and strengthen the fetus, ease delivery and prevent hemorrhage. Nettle also improves the quality and quantity of breast milk. It's also valuable to the menopausal woman, because its rich store of minerals and nutrients nourishes and calms the central nervous system, eases depression and mood swings, and supports healthy adrenal function. The root of the plant has traditionally been used to support the male reproductive system, and promote prostate health.
Caution: If you take any pharmaceutical drugs consult a qualified practitioner prior to use. Nettle leaf may potentiate blood thinners, sedatives, and antidiabetic medications.
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| Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis
This is one of our all-time favorite herbs. So soothing, so effective, and so tasty! Lemon balm - also known as melissa or bee balm - has earned the historic nick-name of “cure-all”… and modern research backs this up.
Although Lemon Balm has just recently made its mark in America, it's been prized by herbal practitioners in Western Europe for over 2,000 years. And for good reason. It is powerfully antiviral and antibiotic. It has the ability to help heal wounds, ease indigestion, relieve menstrual cramps, fight cold sores (herpes simplex), relax nerves, soothe anxiety, and treat insomnia.
Lemon balm relieves cramps, gas, colic, chronic bronchial catarrh, and some forms of asthma. It is also used for migraine and toothache, and for headaches and dizziness during pregnancy. The crushed leaves can be used as a poultice for sores, boils, tumors, and insect bites. Use it as a compress for eczema and inflammatory skin conditions. It is a wonderful, safe choice for children, and has a delicious lemony flavor.
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| Peppermint Leaf
Mentha piperita
Peppermint is perhaps the most pleasant tasting of nature’s cures. It is well known for its ability to tame tummy troubles, aid digestion, and relieve pain. It’s also an adaptogen, helping to balance body systems. In short… peppermint just makes you feel good.
It’s popularity dates back to ancient Rome, where the tea was revered as an aphrodisiac. So much so, that Roman soldiers were forbidden to have peppermint out of fear their minds might be on love and not the battlefield.
Today we use it for all manner of gastrointestinal complaints, even irritable bowel syndrome. It reduces gas, stimulates the production of bile and tones the muscles that line the stomach and intestinal tract, which is why it can also relieve diarrhea.
Peppermint tea is also very effective at relieving colds and reducing nasal congestion, treating migraine and tension headaches, insomnia, and stress. The essential oil can be used as a topical analgesic, and in dilute form to massage on sore muscles.
The tea is delicious and safe for children.
Caution: Do not use peppermint at high doses on a daily basis for
more than a month unless instructed by a qualified practitioner.
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International Customers:
We value our international customers and we will make ordering as quick and convenient as possible.
Please be advised that orders placed from customers outside the United States will incur extra shipping charges.
Please place your order and you will be contacted via email with notification of the shipping charges and to confirm your order total.
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