This extraordinary herb contains more than 75 nutritional compounds in approximately 1% of the plant. It has the ability to penetrate body tissue, up to seven layers deep. It cleanses and anaesthetizes and promotes wound healing and the growth of new healthy cells. It is anti-inflammatory, cools the skin and reduces scarring. May be added to sun creams for protection against UV rays and has shown anti-cancer activity.

Taken internally, it cleans out the intestines and detoxifies the body. It stimulates and supports immune function. Used in creams, it soothes, heals and moisturizes the skin and carries other ingredients used in the cream deep into skin tissue – making it an important additive in beauty products. Aloe Vera is excellent in shampoos and conditioners for dry, itchy scalp problems,dandruff and hair loss.

Studies have shown that Aloe Vera slows down the aging process through several actions. It is an excellent cleanser, it detoxifies the skin by removing wastes and toxins, plus its vitamins, minerals and amino acids nourish the skin.

The plant has the amazing capacity to produce fibro blast cells, six to eight times faster than normal cells. These cells manufacture collagen, which keeps the skin firm. Skin becomes smoother and softer as Aloe allows the skin to rejuvenate itself at a cellular level. Try adding pure Aloe Vera gel or liquid to your products and see the difference.

Listed by the American Herb Society as “The 2007 Herb of the Year”.

One of the most important herbs to have in the garden and perhaps the easiest to grow. Lemon balm will grow almost anywhere, in sun, shade or a combination. An excellent companion and bee attracting herb that is amazingly hardy. It will also grow in a pot, but do not plant with anything else in the pot.

This herb has been grown for more than 2,000 years. It was very popular during the tenth and eleventh centuries, for its role in promoting longevity and reviving the spirits. It relieves stress and anxiety, digestive problems and stress related headaches. It is excellent for hyperactivity and irritability, panic attacks, depression and to strengthen the brain. Lemon balm is totally safe for all ages, including babies, and may be used to help relieve morning sickness during pregnancy. The only contradiction with lemon balm is that it may interfere with thyroid medication, so do not take if using same.

The tea has a lovely calming, relaxing and refreshing benefit, it helps clear the head, sharpen the memory and calms butterflies before and during exams. Lemon balm is best used fresh as a tea – it does not dry well. It makes a wonderful hot oil infusion to rub into tummy for flatulence, colic, poor digestion, ulcers, uterine pain, shingles, menstrual problems. The oil will be greatly
enhanced by adding some pure essential oil of Melissa to the infused oil. It is an effective oil for cold sores and herpes outbreaks. It also has insect-repellant properties and is wonderful added to creams and skincare products.

Rudolf Breuss, in his book “Cancer and Leukemia”, recommends a program of vegetable juices and 2 cups of lemon balm tea sipped daily, for tumour of the brain. Breuss also recommends cold lemon balm tea, sipped for migraines and headaches. Scientific research in Japan on lemon balm showed inhibitory activity against HIV-1.

For acne – make a fresh plant facial steam and add strong herbal tea extract to a French clay mask to clear the skin. Lemon balm before bed will help to ensure a good night’s sleep and restore body functions. Minerals found in lemon balm are calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, and many trace minerals.

The beautiful pure essential oil of Melissa is more powerful than the fresh herb – a small bottle of essential oil requires around 70 kilos of leaf for extraction by steam. It is powerful, but very gentle – having wonderful anti-inflammatory properties, plus its anti-viral wonders, so is most useful in creams, ointments, lip balms etc. The gentle hydrosol is also most beneficial for skincare.

Lemon balm is a superb culinary herb and is xcellent as a cold drink, especially after an allergy attack to restore energy. Most beneficial for kids as a cold drink. Use lemon balm with pork, lamb, fish, poultry, beans, corn, broccoli, asparagus, soups, stuffing, salads, vegetables, jellies, marmalade, ice cream, yoghurt, kefir, cakes and desserts. It may also be added to vinegars, wine, liquors, soups or pot pourri and herb pillows.

Melissa is simply a must have in the herb garden!

Growing herbs often becomes a passion and Thyme is one of the easiest of all herbs to grow, whether grown from seed or from bundles of store bought plants – it should be planted in abundance for its uses are amazing.

Thymus vulgaris is the plant most used medicinally and also for use in the kitchen (generally known as common thyme). Sow seeds in trays in moist but not wet soil and cover very lightly, the seed is very fine and will rot if planted too deeply.

Seeds germinate in 3-4 weeks at 21ºC – so Spring is the optimum time for sowing. When they are about 2cm high and have been “hardened off” by exposing to ever increasing outside temperatures daily – returning them to shelter in the evening. When well hardened, plant them about 30cm apart or closer if you want a hedge. Thyme plants grow to about 30cm in height and make an easy care inexpensive hedge that the bees love.

Thyme enlivens the garden, purifying the air and enhancing the overall health of the garden and one can simply not have too much of it in the garden. Thyme enjoys an alkaline soil and a hot sunny position – it also does very well grown in pots which generate extra heat that thyme just loves. Wherever it grows, it is used in medicine, baths, tonics, general cleaning, and most of all in food. Thyme is added traditionally to soups, stews, casseroles, meat dishes, breads, potato and tomato dishes, apples and cheeses to list just a few.

Thyme tolerates even the heaviest of frost and responds well to trimming. Cut back about 1/3 of the bush each time. I find I can get about three cuts each year if I start in early Spring. Thyme prunings dry well and store well for later use – however the flavour of the fresh plant is always superior. Harvest thyme when in flower, cutting after the dew has dried and before the sun is at full strength, as this diminishes some of its flavour due to the evaporation of
essential oils.

Thyme infused in cider vinegar is wonderful in cooking and exceptionally useful when used in the bath. Take a wide mouthed jar and pack it with either fresh or dried thyme and cover completely with organic cider vinegar. Place in a warm position for at least three weeks, shaking daily, then strain and bottle appropriately. In the kitchen, this adds great flavour to any dish where thyme is suitable. In the bath, it enhances the immune system when used regularly, it helps heal skin conditions and is especially useful for tinea, ringworm, athletes foot or other fungal problems. It may also be used as a footbath for some of these conditions. Helpful for rheumatic pain also. A great cooking oil may be created by infusing thyme into olive oil in a double boiler and heating gently for five hours. (see past issues for this method or pop into our store).

We have received so many enquiries regarding the therapeutic use of Olive Leaf – we decided to include lots more information for you on the amazing benefits of this simple tree of life.

Many doctors are successfully employing Olive Leaf extract as therapy for patients who suffer from medically puzzling diseases such as chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, polymyalgia, arthritic inflammation and much more.

According to rheumatologist Lisa Weinrib M.D., “Olive Leaf extract is the missing link that functions as an antiviral and anti-retroviral agent by slowing down the organism’s reproductive cycle. A slowdown of the organism’s spread allows the patient’s immune system to go on the attack.”

The extract of Olive leaves operates in a multifaceted fashion. According to Dr James Privitera, it helps the body overcome microbial invasions by bringing about:-

• A critical interference with certain amino acids production procedures, necessary for a specific virus, bacterium or microbe to thrive.

• Interference with viral infection and/or spread by inactivating virus or by preventing virus shedding, budding, or assembly at the cell membrane.

• Direct penetration into infected host cells and irreversible inhibition of microbial replication.

• Neutralisation of the retrovirus’ production or reverse transcriptase and protease.

These particular enzymes are critical for a retrovirus such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to alter the ribonucleic acid (RNA) of a healthy cell.

This multifaceted approach is why Olive Leaf extract is so effective against so many diseases that involve the immune system. Coronary artery disease seems to respond well to its use. Clinical studies indicate that Olive Leaf alleviates numerous disorders related to insufficient arterial blood flow, including angina pectoris and intermittent claudication. It helps eliminate artrial fibrillation (arrhythmia), lowers high blood pressure, and inhibits LDL cholesterol from oxidizing.

Dr Robert Lyons performed clinical tests of 164 of his patients suffering from respiratory and lung conditions, using Olive Leaf extract. 157 fully recovered and 7 improved – that’s a 96% success rate. Some doctors believe that Olive leaf may be a true germ killer since it selectively blocks an entire virus-specific system in the infected host.

Olive Leaf extract is a powerful antioxidant and promoter of good health, acting as a strong immune system booster by increasing phagocytes – the body’s natural killer cells.

Olive Leaf is not a drug, nor does it cure disease – rather it attacks microbes and directly strengthens the body’s immune system to create healthy body function.

In chronic conditions, or cases of serious immune system problems, around 3 months of regular ingestion is required before significant improvement is realised. Olive Leaf works best in an alkaline environment and the drinking of 3-4 glasses of water between doses is highly recommended especially to assist ‘die-off’. (see alkaline water article)

“Die-off” effects may occur in those with chronic problems and this is a good thing. When this happens, dead microbes release toxins and other substances. The liver, kidneys, intestines and skin may become over burdened. One could feel ill or develop a skin reaction – this indicates that the Olive Leaf is working. Common reactions include fatigue, diarrhea, headaches, muscle/joint aches or flu-like symptoms. “Die-off” is only temporary and ends with enhanced will-being. “Die-off” only occurs with some people. Other than this, Olive Leaf has no side effects and is very very safe to use.

It is recommended to gradually increase the dosage of Olive Leaf to whatever dose gets to the base of the individual problem. For average non-chronic illnesses, this may be 2 capsules x 2 daily. For others, this dosage may need to gradually go up to a total of 10 – 12 capsules per day (divided up x 3 times daily). The same dosage does not work for everyone, because we are all biochemically different, with many diverse health problems, so listen to your body when taking Olive – you cannot harm yourself with it – even when taking large doses.

During clinical trials of this “wonder” herb, patients stated that Olive Leaf extract solved their tiredness and fatigue problems and that they felt a greater sense of well being and energy. One likely reason for this is that the body is now freed from fighting so many opportunistic invaders with a greater freeing up of energy.

Olive Leaf may be safely given to children and animals.

Olive Leaf Extract’s Effectiveness

Based on Clinical Testing

Olive Leaf extract works against the following:-

1. The generalized degradation of pathological microorganisms of all types – viruses, retroviruses, bacteria, fungi, yeasts, molds, protozoa and parasites.
2. The relief of arthritic-type inflammations.
3. Better control over the risks of elevated blood sugar.
4. Elimination of chronic fatigue and its related problems.
5. The creation or restoration of abundant energy with prolonged stamina.
6. The normalization of certain types of heart problems.
7. The improvement of blood flow.
8. The lessening of hemorrhoid pain.
9. Relief from toothaches.
10. The destruction of free radicals via antioxidant action.
11. The clearing of fungal infections, such as mycotic nails, athletes foot and jock itch.
12. Relief from malaria and dengue fever, as well as other exotic fevers.
13. The prevention and relief from all types of viral problems.
14. The reversal of problems associated with candida albicans and other yeast related discomforts.
15. Death and excretion of a variety of parasites.
16. The herb in case of a bird flu pandemic.

Note: We have pure organic Olive Leaf capsules and tincture in stock, as well as the dried powder to capsulate your own if you choose.