Growing Your Own Herbs
Did you know that it most commonly used spices and culinary herbs also have medicinal properties? Many of these herbs are also very easy to grow in your own backyard, front yard, or in any sunny spot in your home. Here is a guide to the more commonly seen medicinal culinary herbs. Pick a few and start growing your own medicine! Used daily in flavoring dishes, herbs can help reduce sodium consumption and prevent disease before it happens. As with all herbs, don't use in large medicinal dosages without consulting with a health care practitioner trained in herbal medicines first, especially if you are pregnant.
Parsley for example is very high in nutrients and can be considered a natural multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. It is also used to freshen breath after a meal.
Dill is high in essential oils and helps relieve intestinal spasms and cramps. It also increases milk production in nursing moms and if taken regularly, can help to avoid colic in their babies.
Oregano is known to stimulate the flow of bile to help digestion. It is also strongly antiseptic, which means it can help with respiratory conditions like coughs and asthma. Externally applied, it can help with toothache and painful joints.
Marjoram supports digestion and treats flatulence, colic and respiratory problems. It also has an effect on the nervous system and can help relieve anxiety, headaches and insomnia.
Tarragon is used to stimulate digestion and help increase appetite. It is also said to have a mildly sedating effect.
Rosemary is used frequently to ease headaches and to improve concentration and memory due to its stimulant effect on the circulatory system, especially on the circulation of blood in the head. It can also help in reducing chronic stress and digestive weakness.
Sage has long been known for its relaxing, antiseptic and astringent properties. A gargle made with tea of fresh sage leaves works great for sore throats, canker sores and painful gums.
Thyme has strong antiseptic and tonic properties, so it is a very useful remedy to strengthen the immune system and provide support in people suffering from chronic infections, especially fungal infections. An infusion of thyme can help with minor sore throats and coughs. Together with Rosemary, it can be used as an external rub for aching muscles.
Peppermint is probably best known for its support of the digestive system and its ability to increase the flow of digestive juices and bile. Applied to the skin, it can help relieve pain, and can be used as an inhalant or chest rub during respiratory infections. In Chinese Medicine, it is also used to help fight the common cold. Make an infusion with peppermint leaves and chrysanthemum flowers to help ward off the sniffles.
Lemon Balm is also known as Melissa, and has a strong calming effect on the central nervous system. It is used for insomnia, nervousness and depression - simply make a tea of Lemon Balm leaves (you can add Lavendar and Chamomile as well) and let the lemony aroma lift your spirits and calm you down.
German Chamomile has been used for centuries as a digestive aid for young children. With its strong antispasmodic action, it also works great in relaxing tense, aching muscles, and if taken as a tea before bedtime, it can battle insomnia.
Chrysanthemum has been used for thousands of years in the East as a remedy for eye problems and to fight a cold. It can reduce mild fevers, helps with dizziness and headaches associated with high blood pressure, and can be used as a poultice for acne and pimples.
Lavendar is widely used in form of essential oils as a remedy for nervousness, anxiety and insomnia. You can make little pillows out of dried lavender flowers and put them into your closet to repel moths, or use the essential oils on the temples to ease headaches. Add dried flowers to epsom salt and take a relaxing soak at night to prevent insomnia.
Dandelion is usually looked down upon as a bothersome weed. In reality, it is a powerful medicinal herb. It has strong detoxifying properties and can be used as a vegetable, salad or herbal tea to eliminate toxins due to infection or pollution. Drink a strong tea of dandelion after a night of drinking, and combat hangover. Use the mashed leaves as a poultice for mastitis or acne and boils. It also has a strongly cleansing effect on the liver and increases bile production, so it can aid in the prevention of gall stones.
Aloe Vera has prickly, greenish succulent leaves containing a sticky gel that is widely used for its ability to heal wounds, burns and ulcers. Break off a leave, scrape out the gel and apply liberally onto burned areas - it works great on sunburns as well. Or use it mixed in water or tea internally to help with peptic ulcers and IBS.
Parsley for example is very high in nutrients and can be considered a natural multi-vitamin and mineral supplement. It is also used to freshen breath after a meal.
Dill is high in essential oils and helps relieve intestinal spasms and cramps. It also increases milk production in nursing moms and if taken regularly, can help to avoid colic in their babies.
Oregano is known to stimulate the flow of bile to help digestion. It is also strongly antiseptic, which means it can help with respiratory conditions like coughs and asthma. Externally applied, it can help with toothache and painful joints.
Marjoram supports digestion and treats flatulence, colic and respiratory problems. It also has an effect on the nervous system and can help relieve anxiety, headaches and insomnia.
Tarragon is used to stimulate digestion and help increase appetite. It is also said to have a mildly sedating effect.
Rosemary is used frequently to ease headaches and to improve concentration and memory due to its stimulant effect on the circulatory system, especially on the circulation of blood in the head. It can also help in reducing chronic stress and digestive weakness.
Sage has long been known for its relaxing, antiseptic and astringent properties. A gargle made with tea of fresh sage leaves works great for sore throats, canker sores and painful gums.
Thyme has strong antiseptic and tonic properties, so it is a very useful remedy to strengthen the immune system and provide support in people suffering from chronic infections, especially fungal infections. An infusion of thyme can help with minor sore throats and coughs. Together with Rosemary, it can be used as an external rub for aching muscles.
Peppermint is probably best known for its support of the digestive system and its ability to increase the flow of digestive juices and bile. Applied to the skin, it can help relieve pain, and can be used as an inhalant or chest rub during respiratory infections. In Chinese Medicine, it is also used to help fight the common cold. Make an infusion with peppermint leaves and chrysanthemum flowers to help ward off the sniffles.
Lemon Balm is also known as Melissa, and has a strong calming effect on the central nervous system. It is used for insomnia, nervousness and depression - simply make a tea of Lemon Balm leaves (you can add Lavendar and Chamomile as well) and let the lemony aroma lift your spirits and calm you down.
German Chamomile has been used for centuries as a digestive aid for young children. With its strong antispasmodic action, it also works great in relaxing tense, aching muscles, and if taken as a tea before bedtime, it can battle insomnia.
Chrysanthemum has been used for thousands of years in the East as a remedy for eye problems and to fight a cold. It can reduce mild fevers, helps with dizziness and headaches associated with high blood pressure, and can be used as a poultice for acne and pimples.
Lavendar is widely used in form of essential oils as a remedy for nervousness, anxiety and insomnia. You can make little pillows out of dried lavender flowers and put them into your closet to repel moths, or use the essential oils on the temples to ease headaches. Add dried flowers to epsom salt and take a relaxing soak at night to prevent insomnia.
Dandelion is usually looked down upon as a bothersome weed. In reality, it is a powerful medicinal herb. It has strong detoxifying properties and can be used as a vegetable, salad or herbal tea to eliminate toxins due to infection or pollution. Drink a strong tea of dandelion after a night of drinking, and combat hangover. Use the mashed leaves as a poultice for mastitis or acne and boils. It also has a strongly cleansing effect on the liver and increases bile production, so it can aid in the prevention of gall stones.
Aloe Vera has prickly, greenish succulent leaves containing a sticky gel that is widely used for its ability to heal wounds, burns and ulcers. Break off a leave, scrape out the gel and apply liberally onto burned areas - it works great on sunburns as well. Or use it mixed in water or tea internally to help with peptic ulcers and IBS.
