I fell and broke my wrist two summers ago, with subsequent surgery to pin the bones back into place. Right after the accident, I began taking homeopathic Arnica to help with the inflammation, and then while the cast was on, I added homeopathic Symphytum (comfrey) and WhiteDove Herbals Hair and Nails formula (which is high in minerals and silica) to speed bone healing. My surgeon was impressed with how quickly he was able to remove the cast, but this is when the real challenge began. Immediately after the pins were removed, I felt a numbness in my hand, especially in the index, middle, and ring fingers. I was diagnosed with moderate to severe carpal tunnel syndrome (and it was in my right hand, my mouse hand!) The surgeon recommended surgery to release the nerve, but I wanted to try herbs first. I began sleeping at night with a washcloth soaked in tincture strapped to the wrist with an ace bandage. I started with Arnica tincture to bring down the inflammation, then switched to comfrey tincture to help regenerate the tissue, but when I switched to St. Johnswort tincture, the carpel tunnel released and the numbness went away! St. Johnswort is used traditionally externally as an anti-inflammatory and nerve regenerative. Now, when I'm on the computer too long or use the wrist to much, I use WhiteDove Herbals Trauma Response Oil which is a combination of Arnica, St. Johnswort, Lobelia and Cayenne oils with essential oils of Camphor and Cajeput. This relieves any swelling, inflammation and pain quickly.

The Nettles Decongesting Blend and Sinus & Nasal Seasonal Relief are two blends that can supply relief from allergic symptoms within 30 minutes of taking them.

So enjoy the springtime, stay out of the drug store, take a walk and breathe freely!

Another therapy that I use is to douse a handkerchief in anti-fungal essential oils, such as tea tree, lavender or patchouli and place it over the nose at night to breathe in the anti-fungal, anti-microbial vapors, effectively getting them directly into the sinuses.

Often just one packet of Sinus and Nasal Seasonal Relief, taken internally will dry up over-productive mucous membranes, making breathing easier and reducing pain.

Herbal Steam: Bring 2-3 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and add 1 heaping tablespoon each of the aromatic herbs Sage, Rosemary, Oregano and Thyme (or any other aromatic herb that you like. Essential oils in plants are generally anti-microbial and immune stimulating). A few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil or Tea Tree oil can also be added. Place a towel over the head and around the pan and inhale the healing anti-microbial steam.

Herbal Snuff: Place 1/16 tsp. Goldenseal powder in the depression on the hand between thumb and forefinger. Inhale into one nostril. Repeat for other nostril.

Did you know that the fresh leaves can be boiled or steamed and eaten like cooked spinach? They are delicious and the formic acid sting is neutralized by cooking or drying so you needn't worry about that.

So, the other day, I took my 6-year-old grandson out to my favorite nettles patch to harvest some of the young, juicy plants to boil for dinner that night. I had outfitted him with gloves and a long sleeved shirt and warned him that they can sting. We had a great time clipping the young leaves and then washing them and boiling them up in salted water. As they were boiling, Asante was just obsessed with the thought of a plant that could sting like an ant. He just couldn't believe it. So, silly grandma that I am, I suggested that he go handle some with his bare hands to feel the sting. Long story short, he ended up complaining all evening about "those stupid stinging nettles plants", and refused to even try them deliciously boiled and covered in garlic butter. (However, his 2-year-old less adventurous sister loved them!)

First, since we are entering allergy season, I will be addressing allergies and discussing causes, herbal solutions, and methods that I believe work effectively.

For those of you that don't know us - here's a bit about Rocky Mountain Herbals:

Rocky Mountain Herbals is located on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains in a town called Hygiene. We are a small family run business, that places the quality of our products above all else. All of our products are made right here in Hygiene, by our supplier WhiteDove Herbals. The extracts are made by hand and in small batches to ensure the products meet our unusual standards of quality, efficacy and purity. Many of the herbal ingredients in our products are grown on a small organic farm just down the road from where we ship our products.

WhiteDove Herbals produces all of our products to meet or exceed our standards of purity and quality.

A mild saltwater solution is commonly used in the neti pot, but I don't know if herbs or essential oils are added to the water in Ayurvedic tradition. (Any Ayurvedic practitioners out there who would like to comment?) I have used several essential oils and herbal teas, including nettles, in my neti pot with varying results. Any herbs that are soothing to mucous membranes (like marshmallow or licorice), that fight fungal or bacterial infections (like tea tree, goldenseal, or Yerba Mansa) or that regulate mucous production (like Yerba Santa) can be used. Be careful, and make sure to use a weak dilution with essential oils or herbs high in essential oils (herbs that have a strong odor) to avoid irritation to the mucous membranes.