Building Better Bones With Herbs

Nourishing herbal infusions are exceptional sources of bone-building minerals, according to master herbalist Susun Weed. She believes that “calcium-rich plants and moderate exercise build strong flexible bones. Hormones and calcium supplements build thick, rigid bones that break easily.”

Learn which herbs are rich in calcium, and how to make your own bone-strengthening herbal infusions, here:

Calcium-rich herbs (as recommended in Menopausal Years).

Nettle
Chickweed
Red clover
Comfrey leaf
Raspberry leaf
Oatstraw

How to make your own herbal infusion:
An infusion makes enough of a drink for a few days. The ideal container to make them in is a quart mason jar, although pint jars are fine, too, just use half the amount of herb.

1. Place a handful of herbal mixture in the clean mason jar.
2. Fill the jar with boiling water.
3. Cover and let set. For roots and barks make sure to let the mixture steep for at least 8 hours. For leaves, steep for at least 4 hours. The longer the steeping, the better, except for when infusing flowers, when you want to steep them for no longer than 2 hours.

Read more: Health, Alternative Therapies, Natural Remedies

Inspired by Menopausal Years, by Susun S. Weed (Ash Tree Publishing, 2002).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Jennifer C.

5:30AM PDT on Sep 10, 2011

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Nimue P.

8:24PM PDT on Jun 23, 2011

Thanks :)

Gypsy W.

12:23PM PDT on Jun 19, 2011

This is great, definitely something I'll have to try, I'm always worried about my bones as I always hated milk growing up, and later went on to be vegan, I doubt I get enough calcium.

Marcia M.

2:37AM PDT on Jun 9, 2011

Thanks.

Past Member .

9:44PM PDT on May 20, 2011

Thankyou :)

Megan S.

6:44AM PST on Jan 25, 2011

I wish I could buy herbs, but they're so expensive... :(

KS G.

3:46AM PST on Jan 25, 2011

Robert O.

2:54PM PDT on Nov 1, 2010

Thanks. I'll be sure to let my mother know.

sheila b.

9:52PM PDT on Mar 16, 2010

After all of the so called advances in medicine we continue to go back to the basics for healthier treatments, and preventative medicines. Grandma always knew best!

Jacqueline T.

5:45AM PST on Feb 27, 2010

This is great -- always love getting tips from Susun Weed. I used her Herbs for the Childbearing Year when I was pregnant and had great results. Glad to know I can count on her expertise later in life, too. Also check out Susan Brown at Better Bones -- lots of holistic tips for strengthening bone, focusing on the acid and alkaline content of foods.Here's her article about the The top 10 myths about osteoporosis — it’s more than just thin bone