​Dr. Christopher loved using lobelia! He referred to it as “The Thinking Herb” because of its ability to know what to do in each individual with their particular constitution. It is generally used in formulas to enhance their properties and deliver them wherever they are needed in the body

Lobelia inflate
​Family: Campanulaceae/Lobeliodeae
Parts Used: leaves and flowers (aerial parts), seeds are twice as potent as the herb.

Energetics: cooling, moistening
Systems Affected: whole body, especially nervous

• Antispasmodic
• Anti-emetic (low doses)
• Emetic (larger doses)
• Nervine
• Relaxant
• Vasodilator

Combine with other herbs as part of a formula and usually with a stimulant herb such as cayenne, peppermint, or ginger. Start with one drop and then increase drop by drop until relief comes. Chills and/or nausea will be your key if too much has been taken or applied. Use small amounts when applying topically or dilute in water or carrier oil, watching for the nausea marker.

• Tea 
• Tincture (lose doses such as 1-3 drops, 2 x day)
• Liniment (apply to temples and spine for pain, aches, and illness).
• Powder, Capsules
• Poultice, Compress
• Syrup, Honey
• Bath (2 Tbsp. per 1 quart of water, steep for 30-60 minutes, strain and pour in bath)
• Enema (blend with catnip)

​Lobelia is an annual that can be found in the nursery. It can be found in meadows, pastures, woods, and grassy places in nearly all parts of the United States. It flowers from July to September with pale blue blossoms that are followed by a seed pods the size of a white bean. It grows from 4-36 inches tall in patches. The seeds are twice as strong as the herb.

• Harvest between the end of July through October. Using gloves, cut all aerial parts.

​Prudence is needed for using this herb. It is very powerful and should be used in small doses as part of a formula, even when using topically. Your body will alert you when too much has been administered with a chilly feeling or if way too much has been taken, nausea, cramps, vomiting and diarrhea. These discomfort symptoms however are not life threatening, just the “cleansing” properties jumping into full gear.
 
Do not use if pregnant or nursing.

I've been pretty quiet around here all summer because all of my time has been spent putting together this Self-Reliance in Health Course Book to go along with the course I did last summer.

Here is what it contains:

• 11 Lessons on nutrition, gut health, herbs, and each system of the body.
• Home remedies for supporting each body system and ailments pertaining to those systems.
• Herbal containing over 70 different herbs and their uses.
• Detailed instructions on how to prepare herbs for use.
• Healing foods, therapies, and other home remedies.
• Everything you need to know about essential oils with a list of over 20 different essential oils and their uses.
• 100 recipes for health and healing.

As always this is a free resource because I feel called to share what knowledge I have with others. Pay it forward. 

Redmond Clay is a type of bentonite clay, but instead of being a sodium bentonite or a calcium bentonite, it is both! Because of this it seems to be more effective than most bentonite clays and what I have used for years with nothing but great results!
 
Clay has the ability to bind toxins due to a negative electrical charge of the clay particles. Most toxins including heavy metals are positively charged so they are drawn to the clay like a magnet and then flushed from the body. It also has a high ph which helps the body be more alkaline and it is filled with many natural minerals. All these properties can help bring balance to the body and correct many issues such as the following:

​How to Use:

• Best stored in glass but plastic can be used. Just keep in mind that some chemicals in the plastic may leach into the clay.
• Do not leave metal in contact with the wet clay, it will rust.
• Once mixed into a gel it will not go bad. If it dries out, add more water.
• Can be stored anywhere but direct sunlight.

 
Internal Use:

• Mix 1 tablespoon of powder in a quart jar and fill with purified water. Stir well and let it sit for 4-6 hours or overnight. Drink the liquid off the top or stir it up and drink.
• If drinking liquid off the top (which should give the same results as the clay itself), you can make one more drink with the clay solids from the bottom by filling the jar with water one more time.

 
External Use:

• Prepare a gel by mixing enough water with the clay to the consistency of ketchup.  Usually two parts water to one part clay.
• Apply the gel generously in a ½ inch to ¼ inch layer directly on the skin. Choose to keep uncovered, covered, or covered with plastic.
  • Uncovered: Apply gel and leave it on until it starts to dry (usually about an hour). Wash the clay off before it completely dries.
  • Covered: Covering with a cloth or band aid holds the gel in place and causes the clay to dry slower so it can go overnight or allow for moving around without getting it all over. Remove the clay pack before it is completely dry.
  • Covered with Plastic: Covering the gel with plastic wrap or a plastic bag keeps the clay from drying out at all. This method is crucial if applied to a burn. Wash the clay off and replace once or twice a day. Continue applying until the burn wound is “just pink skin”.
• Dry Powder: Sprinkle powder on diaper rash, wet conditions, or an open infected wound to cause more drawing/healing power.
• Baths: Detox using body or foot baths.
  • Body:  ½ cup of powder in a hot as you can handle bathtub. Soak for 30-45 minutes. Keep the water hot and get out while the water is hot. 
  • Foot: Fill a basin with hot as you can stand water, add 2-3 tablespoons of clay. Soak 30-45 minutes, keeping it hot, remove feet while the water is hot.
• Toothpaste: The gel makes an effective toothpaste. Cleansing, while pulling bacteria and toxins from the teeth, gums, and mouth. 

​https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/325241
https://redmond.life/redmond-clay/
https://draxe.com/nutrition/10-bentonite-clay-benefits-uses/
​

When I was first introduced to diatomaceous earth my first thought was, what exactly is this stuff? In very simple terms it is powdered fossils.  The mineral compounds of the powder bind to harmful organisms in the body, effectively eliminating them. I have personally used it to expel worms from my son when her was younger.  Here are some other great ways to utilize another natural way to care for the body:

The powder is very fine so covering your nose and mouth while sprinkling in the home or garden is highly recommended to avoid getting into the lungs and nasal passages. Because we each have different body constitutions some may be irritated by it.

Capsella bursa-pastoris
Family: Cruciferae (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower)
Parts: Aerial, leaves and blossoms

I always loved this "weed" as a child because I loved hearts and this particular plant has heart shaped seed pods that I always thought were the leaves.  I find it interesting that the main use of Shepherd's purse is for stopping bleeding of all types, when the seed pods are shaped like the heart which pumps blood.

I do have a story about this wonderful plant. I was on a pioneer trek with youth from our community and one young man had a horrible bloody nose.  The trek nurse did all she could to stop the bleeding but couldn't get it under control.  She knew I had brought my bag of herbal goodies and sent for me to help. I immediately pulled out the shepherd's purse tincture and gave him two squirts under the tongue.  Within seconds the bleeding stopped.  He had lost so much blood that he had to spend the evening lying down and I gave him some nutritive herbs to help build the blood back up.  By the next day he was up and walking again, but I had to leave him my shepherd's purse tincture which he clung to the remainder of the trek. 

This is one of the easy to identify plants by the heart shaped seed pods, topped with little white flowers.  It also flowers and seeds all year long so can be picked anytime.  Found in disturbed sites, roadsides, and as a garden weed. 

• Cut aerial parts or pull up the entire plant if you are "weeding" for drying or processing.

Can stimulate uterine contractions so avoid taking while pregnant.

Edible Wild Food - Shepherd's Purse
Herbs to Know in the Wild
A Modern Herbal - Shepherd's Purse
Backyard Medicine
​Herbs to the Rescue
Back to Eden
The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook

Every first aid kit needs a really great disinfectant to apply freely to cuts, wounds, and infections.  I have two that I'd like to share today.  These not only disinfect wounds and help them to heal, but they can also be used for boils, skin eruptions, headaches, bruises, sprains, pain, inflammation, cramping, sore muscles, tooth, mouth sores, throat infections, cold sores, burns, and whatever else you can come up with to use them for. 

Equal parts:

• oak bark
• goldenseal (or substitute with Oregon grape root)
• myrrh gum
• comfrey
• garlic
• cayenne

Mix together herbs and make a tincture using Vodka or 80 proof alcohol of your choice.  This can be applied topically as well as taken internally to fight any type of infection.  This is my go to for when I feel the tingling of a new cold sore.  I immediately start applying and apply every hour or so and it never turns into a full blown cold sore infection. You can purchase this from Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop if you want it ready made.

1 part echinacea root 
1 part goldenseal (or substitute Oregon grape root)
1 part myrrh gum
1/4 part cayenne 

This is an old formula that came from a famous herb doctor, Jethro Kloss.  Traditionally it was made with rubbing alcohol and used only as a liniment to disinfect wounds and rub into inflamed muscle and tissue.  I like to make it with Vodka so it can be used internally as well. ​ 

How to Make Jethro Kloss's Liniment - The Herbal Academy
Herbal Liniments
Herbal Home Healthcare 
Medicinal  Herbs A Beginner's Guide 

A couple of years ago my mother was concerned about her bone density and asked what she could take to prevent osteoporosis. I studied and prayed and was guided to put together this formula for her.  The purpose is to build and strengthen bone tissue.  In addition to this formula she also applies comfrey salve as a body lotion every evening.

Blend together equal parts of the following herbs:

This blend can be made into capsules (which I recommend due to the cayenne), tincture, or tea.  Basic dosage would be 2 capsules, 2 dropperfuls or 2 cups of tea, twice a day.

Equisetum arvense
Family: Equisetaceae 
Parts Used: stems

Horsetail is one of the oldest plants, the only one left of the Equisetaceae family. Known as scouring rush, shave grass, bottle brush and corncob plant.  The high silica content of this plant turns to calcium in the body which is used for building and strengthening bones, joints, tissue and nerves.  Horsetail is best absorbed into the body by being combined with a nutritive herb such as alfalfa, nettles, red raspberry leaf, clover, chickweed, dandelion, etc.

Horsetail has no leaves or flowers but spreads by spores. The immature plant is a solitary, hollow, jointed stem with a "cone" on the top that resembles asparagus.  As it matures segmented, stems will sprout from the nodes and resemble pine needles.  The mature plant has a higher source of silica than the single stem immature stage, therefore it is more medicinal. Found in roadsides, waste ground, trails and gardens.

• Harvest in early summer by cutting several inches above the ground. Dry immediately or make into a tincture or tea.

Edible Wild Plants - Horsetail
Horsetail by Dr. Axe
Healthy Bones and Joints by David Hoffmann
Backyard Medicine
​Practical Herbalism
​Healing Plants of the Rocky Mountains
​Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health

Pain is not a bad thing, according to Dr. Paul Brand and Philip Yancy, it is a "gift".  This "gift" allows our body to signal us that there is a problem that needs to be taken care of.  Pain is definitely a way to get ones attention.  Once the root cause of pain has been located and the problem being worked on, it is then time to turn the pain button down.  There are many nervine herbs and other ways that can help the body lower the pain signal until the root problem has been addressed. 

This is one of my herbal blends used to help the body turn down the pain signal.  It can be made into capsules, tincture, or tea, but due to the taste I highly recommend herbal capsules.

2 parts birch bark
1 part St. John's wort
1 part valerian root (or skullcap if you have an aversion to valerian root)
1 part wild lettuce
​1/2 part cayenne 

Recommended dosage is 2-3 capsules or 20-30 drops tincture every few hours as needed.

Pain Be Gone by The Herbal Academy
Herbal Ibuprofen (frugally sustainable)
Dr. Christopher Stop Ache (internal)
Dr. Christopher's Cayenne Ointment, MPR spray, or Sen Sei Menthol Rub (external)
Release trapped emotions - The Emotion Code and EFT (Tapping Solution)
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Hydrotherapy

​Pain management:

• Stimulate sensations in other areas of the body - like walking barefoot on rocks for example.
• Distraction – work, serving, reading, hobbies, pets, anything to divert the mind from pain.
• Focus on beauty – art, nature, poetry, music, fresh air, garden walk, feeling sensations of plants and inhaling their aroma, barefoot on grass, etc.
• Positive thoughts

This is a compilation of different nerve formulas meant to nourish, calm, strengthen, heal and even regenerate the nervous system.  These can be used for anxiety and stress relief, tension, hyperactivity, depression, nervous exhaustion, sleep, malfunctioning motor nerves, pain, or any condition linked to the nervous system.

​Because of how different each of us were created there are a variety of nervine herbs that will work great for one person, but react poorly with another one.  Nervine herbs should always be used as part of a formula verses a single herb for this purpose, and because they work better as part of a group.  Nervine herbs are meant to nourish and calm the nervous system but in some individuals the opposite can occur where the herb actually stimulates or irritates, if this happens just discontinue the use of that herb and try another one.  

Nervine blends work best taken over a longer period of time such as a couple times a day for two to three months. Use your light of Christ to feel out what would work best for you or your family, and if one doesn't work out, give another one a try.

1 part yarrow
1 part St. John's wort
1 part valerian blossoms (or root)
1 part skullcap
1 part hawthorn berry
1/2 part lobelia

Equal parts:

• black cohosh
• blue cohosh
• blue vervain
• skullcap
• lobelia

This can also be purchased ready made from Dr. Christopher's Herb Shop.

3 parts lemon balm
1 part chamomile
1 part oats
1/2 part chrysanthemum flowers
1/2 part rose petals
1/4 part lavender flowers
​stevia to taste

2 part dandelion root
2 parts Siberian ginseng
1 part astragalus
1 part burdock root
1 part cinnamon
1 part licorice root
1/2 part cardamom seeds
1/2 part ginger
​1/2 part ginseng root

2 parts oatstraw
1 part skullcap
1/2 part St. John's wort
1/2 part lemon balm
1/2 part lavender
1/2 part rosemary
1/2 part motherwort
1/2 part passion flower