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Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Herbal Remedies - All Natural Medicine for Your Chickens and for You

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By Amber of Drexel, MO


* The following recipes use measurements for dried herbs unless otherwise specified. If you wish to use fresh herbs, use half the specified amount.

Example: If a recipe calls for 2 tsp dried basil and you want to use fresh you would use 1 tsp fresh basil. The oils are not concentrated in the dried as herbs lose potency in the drying process.



  • If using dry herbs, look for those that have the same tint as when alive. They should not be grey (save mugwort, sage and herbs that are naturally grey when alive).
  • They should have a STRONG scent when the jar is open. If you go to a shop ask to smell the herbs - even if you don’t know what they should smell like. They shouldn’t have a faint smell or a perfumey smell either. They should smell earthy and floral.
  • Another sign of a reputable shop are individually priced essential oils– for instance Lavender and White Pine are generally not the same price.
  • After 6 months the medicinal value of most dried herbs decreases.
  • Any of these herbal teas are also great for people!



* The following recipes suggest measurements for dried herbs unless otherwise specified.

Respiratory Tea
Used for wheezing, sneezing, runny nose, and chest congestion.

3 tsp Astragalus root
1 tsp lavender
2 tsp chamomile
2 tsp nettle
1 tsp peppermint

  • In a med saucepan bring 5 cups of water and the astragalus root to a boil - boil for 3 mins.
  • Take it off the burner, add other herbs and cover.
  • Let sit 5-15 mins. (The longer you let it sit the stronger it will be.)
  • *It is important to cover the pot to keep the essential oils in. the oils hold the benefits of the herbs.
  • Strain the mixture into a container.
  • Allow to cool.

Serve for 5-7 days.
Rule of thumb – continue to serve for 3 days after the symptoms are gone.


Infection Fighter

2 tsp Echinacea (immune system boosting and attacks bacteria)
2 tsp goldenseal (kills a wide range of bacteria and fungi)
1 tsp minced garlic (highly antimicrobial, fights bacteria, fungi, viruses and parasites)
2 tsp licorice root (anti inflammatory, eases cough and nourishes adrenal glands)
1 tsp marshmallow root (soothes inflamed mucus membranes, mildly stimulating for the immune system)


  • In a med pot, add 7 cups water and the Echinacea, garlic, licorice and marshmallow root.
  • Simmer for 3-5 minutes with cover on.
  • Remove from heat and add goldenseal.
  • Cover and let sit 5-10 minutes. (The longer it sits the stronger it gets.)


Let sit until it cools to room temperature
Fill a gallon waterer half way with tea and add warm water the rest of the way.

Save the rest of the mixture in the refrigerator in a tightly covered container.

 fresh mint

Wound Wash
My favorite wound wash is witch hazel with 10 drops of lavender essential oil added.


Infused Herbal Oil Salve
Make an infused herbal oil by mixing: 

3 tsp calendula
3 tsp comfrey
3 tsp st. johns wort
3 tsp lavender
2 cups of olive, safflower or jojoba oil. 


  • Let sit for 2 weeks, shaking once a day.
  • Strain
  • Add 1/4 cup beeswax per 1 cup infused oil.
  • Heat until beeswax is completely melted (low and slow is best here)
  • To test texture, put 1 tsp of the mix in a small glass bowl and put in freezer to set up for a few minutes. Test the texture. If it is too soft, add more beeswax - too hard, add oil.
  • While the finished product is still hot pour into jars or tins.
  • Store in cool dark place.


Natural Styptic Powder
Ordinary Corn Starch works wonderfully to stop bleeding from minor wounds and scratches.



Another Note:
Lavender essential oil is a very important item that every natural chicken keeper should keep in the first aid box - the real, organic stuff. It is antibacterial, antibiotic, reduces pain, swelling and bleeding. It is your complete “go to” product for injuries.
I use it on my kids boo-boos and of course my own. It is gentle enough to use it on an infant without cutting it with a carrier like olive oil.
For calming, I like the oil because you can just dab some on. You can put a drop on a tissue to smell, or a drop on your pillow.
I make lavender tea cookies (there is no tea in it - they are “tea cookies” with lavender in them) I love them. You can put the oil with some water and a bit of witch hazel in a spray bottle and spray it around the house, and that same solution can be used in your hair or as a face wash. It is so gentle and easy to use!
I also like the dried lavender flowers for tea.



More information on herbal remedies:
A Compendium and Workbook of Management, Nutritional, Herbal, and Homeopathic Remedies
Compiled and Edited by Karma E. Glos


Need to buy herbs? See these online stores:

 
Brief description of various healing herbs:
Lavender essential oil is a very important item that every natural chicken keeper should keep in the first aid box - the real, organic stuff. This gentle little flower does it all. It is antibacterial, antibiotic, reduces pain, swelling and bleeding. It is your complete go to product for injuries.
I use it on my kids boo-boos and of course my own. It is gentle enough to use it on an infant without cutting it with a carrier like olive oil.
For calming, I like the oil because you can just dab some on. You can put a drop on a tissue to smell, or a drop on your pillow.
I make lavender tea cookies (there is no tea in it - they are “tea cookies” with lavender in them) I love them. You can put the oil with some water and a bit of witch hazel in a spray bottle and spray it around the house, and that same solution can be used in your hair or as a face wash. It is so gentle and easy to use!
I also like the dried lavender flowers for tea.
Rosemary- antiseptic, astringent, circulatory stimulant. It promotes healing and kills bacteria
Thyme- Great antibacterial, antibiotic, antimicrobial,. Its a great wound herb and great for colds and flu
Sage- Astringent, tonic, is a great infection fighter, fights colds and fever, clears congestion, soothes sore throats
Basil- astringent, infection fighting, great for acne, calms the nerves
Chives--- I just eat them
Parsley-rich in vitamins, reduces fever, allergy symptoms
Echinacea-  Take internally Echinacea is great immune system builder. Topically it helps the body repair wounds. Stimulates the white blood cells which destroy bacteria, viruses, and foreign invaders also activates the production of a protein interferon which protects cells against the invasion of viruses.
Garlic- strong antibiotic, expectorant, antihistamine, great for colds and respiratory infections
Mint-
Peppermint- digestive tonic, antiseptic, pain relieving, calms upset stomach,
Spearmint- Good for relieving cold symptoms, headaches, great for indigestion

*

9 comments:

  1. Good info. How do you use the herbal oil salve?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Do you actually give the chickens the tea?
    Thanks for sharing at Wildcrafting Wednesday.
    Jennifer

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes - right in their waterer. Treat daily until the symptoms have been gone for at least 3 days.

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  3. Hi I have a Rhode island red who constantly makes a noise that sounds like an "alarm" call. It's not just during egg laying and is constant off and on during the day. She is free range has chicken company and is 2nd in pecking order and a friendly bird. Is there something I can give to calm her down? She's driving the neighbors & us nuts! Help we don't want to get rid of her!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jodie - if there is no discharge from the eyes or nose, and no raspy breathing, she is not sick (which is a good thing). The not so good thing is that there really isn't a way to treat her unless you have an avian vet near by. I have one that does this also, but she is healthy as can be. It is likely our two noisy pullets have something stuck in their nasal passages - like grass - from free ranging. I'm not really sure there is much a vet can do either, but if you do have an avian specialist, it might be worth a try to get her checked out.
      Leigh

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    2. Tho information is very very useful as id prefer to treat my chickens naturally than with drugs! Are the above oils that you put in the water and syringe,how much adlib? Would boots sell all of these like the Bach flower remedies....l would like to know more. Do you have a book that we can buy with this information in please.

      Delete
  4. greatest the image website beatiful

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi there! I was wondering if you had any herbal remedies for pulled tendons in chickens. She has been dealing with this for several months. It gets better then she overworks it and she starts limping again. The vet thinks she needs more calcium, but she is on layer feed, oyster shell and eggshells. My husband was thinking of feeding her jello or chondroitin (people remedies). I saw a supplement for dogs and cats but it has a long list of herbs that I have had no success in finding out if they are poisonous to chickens or not. Here is the list: marshmallow root, valerian root, horsetail, bladderwrack kelp, devils claw and ashwagandha. Any ideas would be helpful! Thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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