烹飪和藥用草本植物

Some of the culinary herbs that we consume daily are also Medicinal Herbs.  Ginger for example, it is for daily cooking in Asia.  When we have cold, we will boil ginger tea and drink it, in order to easy the symptom of the cold.  Here are some other examples as below.
**Individual reaction vary and depends on dosages taken.  Result is not guarantee. **

Basil (Ocimum Basilicum)
This sweet basil may help to ease the pain of gas and stomach cramps.  Besides, a poultice of fresh basil leaves may help to relieve itch of insect bites and stings.
Recipe:
Basil Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh basil leaves and let them infuse for 10 to 15 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves add honey or sugar to sweeten it.
Poultice: Just mash some fresh basil leaves, then, directly apply to the skin which is bitten or sting by insects for about 15 mins.  You may wrap the skin with a layer of gauze or plastic wrap to avoid making mess.

Catnip
In the European medicinal folk traditions as a sleep aid or calming agent.  It is also a natural mosquito repellent.
Recipe:
Catnip Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh catnip leaves and flowers (optional), let them infuse for 10 to 15 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves and flowers, add lemon and honey to make it taste better.
Catnip Mosquito Repellent: Mash a brunch of fresh catnip leaves and put them in a jar.  Pour enough vodka or any unscented alcohol to cover them.  Then, seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Keep it in a cool and dark place for about 4 weeks.  Eventually, strain the herbs, discard them and complete.

Calendula
Calendula is said a powerful antiseptic and anti-inflammatory flower.  Calendula Tea is also useful for treating gastrointestinal problems (internal) and skin problem like diaper rash (external).  Calendula Oil can apply directly to skin or for making salve or DIY cosmetic like lip balm.
Recipe:
Calendula Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh calendula, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the flowers.  For internal use, add honey to make it taste better.  For external use, let the tea cool down and wash the affected skin.
Calendula Oil: Put dried calendula flowers petals in a jar, then pouring enough olive oil (grapeseeds oil or almond oil or coconut oil) to cover the flowers.  Then, seal the jar with a tight fitting lid.  Please it in a warm and sunny place for about 4 weeks.  Shake it ever yday if possible.  Final step, drain out the flowers petals.  

Chamomile
Chamomile has been approved by some countries' pharmacopoeias that it can treat conditions like colic, digestion, tension, inflammation as well as infection.  As chamomile flowers contains rich amounts of azulene and a volatile oil which  serve as anti-flammatory and antifever agents.  Drinking chamomile tea at bedtime for relieving general aches and pains so as to have a deep and restful sleep.
Recipe:
Chamomile Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh or dried chamomile flowers, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the flowers.  For a better-tasting, steep less.   Add honey to make it taste better.
De-stressing Herbal Bath: Mix together a handful of each dried chamomile flowers, lemon balm leaves and rose petals, then, place them into a cotton bag or an old stocking.  Place the herbal bag in the bathtub and let the hot water run through it for a few minutes, then, adjust the temperate of the water to a comfortable level.

Echinacea
Echinacea is one of the top immune-enhancing herbs, helping to build immune-system strength and to fight off disease and infection. Echinacea is particularly effective against bronchial and respiratory infections, sore throat and oral infections.  
Recipe:
Echinacea Tea:  Pouring boiling water to dried echinacea leaves, dried lemon grass and dried peppermint.  Let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves, add honey to make it taste better.
Echinacea Spray for Sore Throats: Boiling echinacea flowers and leaves for 25 minutes.  Drain out the flowers and leaves, let it cool down.  Then, mix the echinacea water with vodka, glycerin or honey,  and 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Shake it well, then store it in refrigerator.

Lavender
Lavender is helpful in alleviating headaches, stress and insomnia, drink lavender tea is useful.  Lavender oil is also believed to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory elements, which can help to heal minor burns and bug bites.
Recipe:
Lavender Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh lavender, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves and flowers, add lemon and honey to make it taste better.
Lavender Oil: Put dried lavender in a jar, then pouring enough olive oil (grapeseeds oil or almond oil or coconut oil) to cover the flowers.  Then, seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid.  Please it in a warm and sunny place for about 4 weeks.  Shake it every day if possible.  Final step, drain out the flowers.  
Lavender Massage Oil: Add a few drops (depends on how strong favor you need) of lavender essential oil to the lavender oil.

Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm in Greek term means "bee leaf".  It is a delicious remedial agent for heartache, depression and anxiety, nervous disorders, a whole of viral and bacterial infections.  A tea of lemon balm and chamomile is a good choice for stomach distress and nervous exhaustion.
Recipe:
Nerve & Stress Remedy: Pouring boiling water to fresh lemon balm leaves, chamomile flowers as well as dill seeds and leaf, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves and flowers, add honey to make it taste better.
Peppermint
Peppermint is known as a digestive aid and the herb of choice for relieving nausea and gas.
Recipe:
Digestive Aid: Pouring boiling water to fresh peppermint leaves, chamomile flowers and fresh dill leaves, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves, add honey to make it taste better.
Rejuvenation Tea: Pouring boiling water to green tea (optional), fresh holy basil leaves and peppermint leaves, let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves.

Rosemary
In ancient Europe, Rosemary is often used to treat indigestion.  It is also said to improve concentration and memory.  Besides, as rosemary contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, which can enhance immune system and blood circulation.
Recipe:
Rosemary and Lemon Thyme Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh rosemary and lemon thyme (Optional: Thyme), let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves and flowers, add lemon and honey to make it taste better.

Sage
Sage is a remedy for inflammation of mouth, throat and tonsils.  It is also said that Sage is offering relief from hot flashes and night sweats.  Besides, Sage tea is helpful for stress relieve.
Recipe:
Sage, Mint and Lemon Balm Tea: Pouring boiling water to fresh sage, mint and lemon balm.  Let them infuse for 15 to 20 minutes.  Then, drain out the leaves, add lemon and honey to make it taste better.
Sage Mouth and Throat Spray: Boiling a few sage leaves for 25 minutes.  Drain out the leaves, let it cool down.  Then, mix the sage water with vodka and 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil.  Shake it well, then store it in refrigerator.

Thyme
Thyme is an effective disinfectant. It can be used to treat sore throat and oral infections.  Besides, thyme for treating coughs, colds and chest complaints is also effective.
Recipe:
Thyme Syrup: Simmer fresh thyme leaves and flowers in water in low heat until it become strong tea.  Then, drain out the leaves and flowers, add honey to it and shake it well.  It can be kept in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks.  Take 1 teaspoon for every couple hours 1 day when you have cold or cough.