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 Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:36 pm
So recently I've been more and more interested in the medicinal qualities of herbs, and they can do many things! You'd be amazed. I just got a peppermint plant and when I found out what it can do I was very happy =) It's my favorite now. I'll post some common herbs and their uses in the following posts. If you're interested in more, check out The 55 Best Herbal Remedies
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:39 pm
Peppermint-
Mentha Peperita
A well-known digestive aid, this herb has also been used to treat coughs, colds, and fever as well as colic, food allergies, indigestion, nausea, gallstones, headaches and irritable bowel syndrome.
Both cooling and warming, taken internally peppermint induces heat and improves the circulation. It also disperses blood to the surface of the body which causes sweating. For this reason it is often useful in treating chills and fevers, colds and flu.
It also has an astringent and decongestant action helps relieve stuffiness and congestion.
Peppermint makes a good general tonic to recharge vital energy and dispel lethargy.
Taken internally, this herb produces a cooling and numbing effect which extends to the respiratory tract. This same effect is also apparent on the skin.
Peppermint has an analgesic effect. The essential oil is often added to lotions, creams and salves to ease inflamed joints in arthritis and gout, for headaches, neuralgia, sciatica and general aches and pains.
Internally, peppermint has a soothing effect, calming anxiety and tension and relieving pain and spasm.
It can be used for menstrual pain, asthma and insomnia.
In the digestive tract it relaxes smooth muscle and reduces inflammation, relieving the pain and spasms of colic, flatulence, heartburn, indigestion, hiccups, nausea, vomiting and motion sickness. This herb contains tannins which help protect the gut lining from irritation and infection and make it useful for treating diarrhea, constipation, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
The bitters stimulate and cleanse the liver and gallbladder, helping to prevent gallstones.
The volatile oils have an antiseptic action, and are antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal and antiviral.
Peppermint is easy to grow and is available in teas, oils and menthol lozenges.
*From the editor: During times of extreme nausea when nothing can be kept down, try putting a bit of salve under the nostrils and over the salve apply a tiny drop of essential oil of peppermint on each side. (The salve keeps the oil from stinging the delicate area under the nose.) I find that inhaling the vapors stops the nausea fast so at least water can be taken to avoid dehydration.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:44 pm
Feverfew Tanacetum parthenium (Composite Family)
This herb is used in treatment of headache, arthritis, menstrual discomforts, fever and general aches & pains. Also useful for treating migraines. Feverfew has a stimulant effect in the uterus but it also has relaxant properties as well.
It can be used to bring on delayed or suppressed periods, to relieve period pains and reduce symptoms of PMS.
Feverfew has also been used traditionally for hot flashes during menopause.
This herb is used to relieve tension in a rigid cervix.
It is sometimes taken during childbirth to increase circulation, and stabilize contractions if early labor stalls.
Ariel parts are used medicinally.
*It is important to use freeze-dried capsulesas other forms of this herb may cause digestive upset or allergic reactions.
CAUTIONS: Avoid during pregnancy as this herb can cause uterine bleeding in very rare cases. Also avoid if using blood thinning medication.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:47 pm
(I thought this one was interesting =) )
Dandelion Taraxacum officinale (Composite Family)
The leaves of this plant are a powerful diuretic. The roots are a blood purifier which helps remove toxins from the liver and kidneys.
Because it is high in vitamins and iron, this herb is useful for treating anemia.
It's diuretic properties make it a useful treatment for bladder infections.
A bitter, appetite stimulant, this herb increases production of bile to help relieve constipation, gallstones, hemorrhoids and IBS.
The root of this herb is often combined with milk thistle in a tincture form for stimulating and detoxifying the liver.
The flowers contain a substance called helenin as well as vitamins A and B-2 (riboflavin), which may be helpful in treating night vision problems.
Steep a handful of freshly picked flowers in a pint of hot water for about 20 minutes. Drink 1 cup twice daily.
In the spring dandelion leaves and roots produce mannitol, a substance used in the treatment of hypertension and a weak heart.
For a nice spring tonic try juicing a handful of Dandelion leaves with a bit of parsley and 1 apple.
For a tasty, easy-to-make tonic wine try this:
Pick dandelion flowers on a warm, dry day.
Macerate 1 cup (60 g) flowers and steep in 4 cups (1 liter) white wine for 1 month in an airtight container. Strain out the flowers and sweeten to taste with a little bit of honey if desired.
This is a nice tonic for the gallbladder.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:51 pm
(Gingko helps with circulation, so it's a proven sex herb. The better circulation, the more pleasure the female organs get.It's also good for those struggling with libido. It's nature's sexual enhancer!)
Ginkgo biloba
The fruits and seeds have been used in Chinese medicine since 2800 BC. Within the last couple decades western medicine has predominantly made use of the leaf extract.
Beneficial compounds include:
Flavone glycosides, diterpene lactones, ginkgolides, bilobalide, Ascorbic acid, catechin, iron-based superoxide dismutase, p-hydroxybenzoic acid, protocatechuic acid, shikimic acid, sterols and vanillic acid.
The antioxidant activities of this herb act as a free-radical scavenger. It also produces arterial and venous changes which increase cerebral blood flow and decrease blood vessel spasms. This herb also decreases viscosity of the blood. It is used to decrease progression of tissue degeneration in patients with dementia and similar conditions. The anti-inflammatory effects of this herb are said to be useful in peoplewith allergies,asthma, bronchitis and other inflammatory conditions.
This herb is a widely used remedy for treating memory loss and degenerative diseases of the brain and central nervous system. It stimulates circulation and inhibits excessive blood clotting. It is also useful for treating Alzheimer's, anxiety, depression, ADD, cancer, cataracts, glaucoma, diabetes, impotence, heart attack, stroke, and tinnitus.Available in teas, tinctures and capsules.
CAUTIONS: Extremely large doses may cause headaches, dizziness and or nausea.
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Posted: Sat Jun 19, 2010 6:54 pm
If you're suffering from a particular illness, just post it here and I'll find an herb for you. And if you have a helpful herb, feel free to post about it here =) I found everything on
http://www.herbalremediesinfo.com/HERBS.html
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