" The plants are calling you. They have a rich and diverse vocabulary and speak in many tongues. For the scientist the plant may speak in the minute language of chemicals and isolates; to the medicine person they speak in the multi-versed language of healing; to the poet, they speak in beauty. No matter what language you speak or comprehend the plants will converse in a manner in which you can understand, though it may take a listening ear and an open heart to hear them. Ask anyone who has dug their hands deep in the dirt, planted seeds, harvested medicine, and taken time simply to get to know plants on their own turf, they will tell you- these people who know and work with plants- that the the plants communicate in a language clearly discernable if we but choose to listen. And the plants are calling us now, asking us for help. The wild gardens are in trouble and the precious medicines of the earth are being lost...." -Rosemary Gladstar

The yoga relaxation exercises are good ones. I've used them and had them work, but sometimes if the mind is too hyper you can have trouble even concetrating on that. My best solution is milk plus a carb. The combination works really well. I know you're watching weight so here's what I usualy do. I have yogurt with cereal in it. It serves the lactose and carb mix without being too heavy or sweet or fattening. Granola is great with the yogurt, but I've used cornflakes often. I generally don't have sugared cereals in the house, so have even used Cheerios. Smiles. I hope you find something that works. The valerian might. Cammomile tea? Btw, ambian didn't work for me at all. Neither does tylenol pm except making me tired the next day. But a nice bowl of cereal works. Might be different strokes, but can't hurt and an easy option to try.

I would prefer not to live my life without having an Aloe Vera plant in my garden. It is SO useful - it's fantastic on minor burns, on insect bites, as a moisturiser, in fact on just about any of life's little scratches and scrapes. It's other name is First Aid Plant. Lemon Balm is excellent rubbed on as an insect repellent, but will ease the pain of insect bites very quickly. Lavender tea or the essential oil is very good for burns, and if bathed in or dabbed onto the forehead, will ease a headache. A leaf of yarrow is the best styptic ever - it stops bleeding. Wonderful if you've been too enthusiastic when shaving! Comfrey leaves make an excellent poultice for sprains and bruises and muscular soreness. Very soothing for tendonitis, too. Soapwort and chickweed are two of the best treatments for a range of skin problems, including eczema and psoriasis. Then there are the antifungal herbs like thyme or tea-tree and many others which are used externally to treat thrush and tinea and ringworm. There are many herbs used externally for things like cold sores - St. John's Wort, Hyssop, Myrrh, Peppermint, to name a very few. You could even say that herbs used in sleep pillows are used externally for medicinal purposes. Lavender, Hops, Roses and many others all have relaxant properties when used in this way. Of course 'external use' must include cosmetics like face and handcreams, shampoos etc. The list of herbs used in such products is endless, but you must include lavender and roses in the list of popular ones. Rosemary and sage are frequently used in hair rinses etc. In one way or another, cosmetic herbs have 'medicinal' uses - adjusts oiliness or dryness of the skin, treats dandruff etc. Here's a short list of vulnerary herbs - all used externally on wounds as a sort of 'first aid', in washes or as poultices: Aloe Vera, Agrimony, Arnica, Bistort, Burdock, Calendula, Chickweed, Cleavers, Comfrey, Elder, Elecampane, Fenugreek, Flaxseed, Garlic, Gentian, Goldenseal, Horsetail, Hyssop, Liquorice, Lungwort, Marshmallow, Mullein, Plantain, Poke Root, Rosemary, ShepherdÂs Purse, Slippery Elm, St. JohnÂs Wort, Thyme, Turmeric, Witch Hazel, Wood Betony, Yarrow. These are just a few examples of herbs used externally - there are thousands of remedies using thousands more.

Thanks, and I searched for a Herb forum for this, didn't find one here. I'll look again. I'm not telling anyone to home cure anything, but it's amazing to me the benefits of the plants I'm growing and finding in the yard, plus finding research on the internet. I've had a lot of happy accidents this year. I'm looking to grow turmeric, if it grows where I'm at. I've tried a few things in the wrong climate already, not looking to start a plant this time of the year. I'm also going to try ginger, but near spring. My plants won't last through the winter. I've been nursing what I was hoping to be hyssop or bee balm, but got snakeroot instead. It's poisonous taken in large dosages, but still a good medicinal plant. I have books on the measurements of most of the plants I'm speaking of. Nutrition is half the battle, even if it's not a winning one towards illnesses. Not starting a debate, or get on someone's nerves, but being chatty, like I am, people take that wrong. I'll check the board out and see what they have.