Herbal Headache Lozenges

 I suffer from headaches, about 2 a week. I also get the occasional migraine, which recently seems to be at least 1 a month. So you can imagine my desire to discover a remedy that will help me find relief. I have tried over the counter drugs, and have found that none of them really work. I typically drink double the amount of water I usually drink, extrac coffee and try to just rest. The last time I had a migraine, 2 days ago, I also added a fresh sprig of lavender massaged into my temples. That was nice, and was about 13 hours into the migraine. I then drank a pint of my Gruit. Low and behold, my migraine went away about an hour later.  So, what did it?! I'm going to say herbs! 

Today I am making herbal headache lozenges. Here is my recipe I will be making;

2TBS chamomile flowers

2TBS meadowsweet

2TBS willow bark

2TBS rosemary

2TBS peppermint leaves dried

And raw honey

Grind all of the dried herbs into powder with my "coffee" grinder, which I only use on herbs. Place herbs in a small glass mixing bowl and pour in just enough honey to cover herbs lightly and allow you to mix. Pour or shape into small rounds 1/2tsp. Let harden several hours. Store in a jar in refrigerator several months. I will try 1 lozenge at the beginning of a headache to see if that is enough to ward off any worse pains that typically follow.  

So, let's talk about the herb profile I chose. First off Chamomile. Chamomile is known for it's aid in digestion. It is also said to aid in healing ulcers, treating arthritic pains, preventing infections by boosting the immune systems infection-fighting white blood cells, as well as relaxing the muscles. Well, these are all great. I like the idea that this plant helps with pain....... so in it goes.

Next is Willow tree bark. Willow tree is full of salicylate which is what we use to make aspirin. That is reason enough.

Next is rosemary. Rosemary is said to calm the muscles, clear stuffy noses, settle the stomach, and it also contains a chemical that may help fight infection-causing and food spoiling bacteria and fungi. 

Next is meadowsweet.  What a nice name. It smells a bit grassy once it is ground up to powder. Meadowsweet also contains a small amount of salicylate. So it is a nice addition. 

Lastly, peppermint. First off, I love the smell and taste of peppermint. Peppermint is said to soothe the muscle lining of the stomach along with other muscles in the body, used as a germicidal, and as a vapor it is used to open the sinuses.

So, as you can see, this medley of plants should help a body to relax. 

I will let you know how these work for me. Update: The lozenges were sticky, though hard. I poured them into a cookie sheet lined with wax paper. I then froze it, cracked it wth a butter knife and tried one. YUM!!!

 They are amazing, and my little headache went away! Bonus! Next time around, I will cook them just a bit longer, then pour them into a silicone candy form. I also have a tea that I made with the same ingredients. I just use the honey to sweeten it because otherwise it tastes of asprin. 

Until the next time,

Keep brewing, keep cooking, and most definitely keep healing.

Cheers,

MysTorri 

Do your best, even when you don't want to.