Many traditional cuisines use medicinal herbs, such as astragalus and codonopsis in soups and stews. Turmeric is an excellent liver protector and anti-inflammatory, and cayenne clears the sinuses and boosts metabolic rates. The aromatic herbs—anise, caraway, and fennel—aid digestion. Nausea from PMS or pregnancy decreases with the use of ginger. Thyme and lavender have anti-bacterial properties, and garlic boosts immunity and fights infection.

	The beauty of herbs is that they work with your body, not against it.

The beauty of herbs is they work with your body, not against it—herbal remedies encourage the body to heal itself. Here are a few sample recipes for mind and body healing .

Strong Bones Broth

This broth can be added to soups and stews, or used instead of water for cooking. It includes ginger to increase mineral assimilation, and eleuthero to support the adrenal glands.

8 cups water
2 cups horsetail
2 cups nettle leaf
1 cup dandelion, watercress, or parsley greens, in any combination
¼ cup chopped fresh ginger
2 Tbls. eleuthero (Siberian ginseng)

Place the water in a stainless steel pot, add the herbs, and simmer for 45 minutes. Strain the broth, press as much liquid from the herbs as possible, and then discard the herbs. Drink one cup of the broth in the morning and evening before meals, or use it in cooking. Stored in the refrigerator, Strong Bones Broth will keep for up to four days.

Liver-Boosting Tea

This tea will help purify and strengthen your liver, and boost any other therapies you are using. The recipe makes one quart, can be made in large quantities and refrigerated for up to three days.

1 quart water
5 tsp. burdock root
1 tsp. dandelion root
½ tsp. schisandra berries
½ tsp. ginger root