Herbalism

Guide To Some Common Herbs That Heal

By: Lee Dobbins

Herbs have long been an acceptable way to fight common ailments and while they should not take the place of medical advice, can be a great supplement to your current medical care. There are many common herbs that have healing properties which you may not even know about.

Some of the herbs like garlic, parsley, rosemary and cayenne you may associate more with cooking, but these plants also have medicinal properties that you can easily put to use by using them in teas, compresses and even as spices in your meals!

Some common healing herbs include:

Aloe Vera
The gel within this plant is reputed to heal wounds and other skin problems such as sunburn. It is also a strong laxative. The plant can be grown in your garden in tropical climates or on your window sill. Slit open the leaves and use the juice inside.

Cayenne
Cayenne is great for the circulation and it’s no wonder with it’s spicy bite! You can use it in your food, or if you are really brave, in a tea. You can also take it in a capsule. It is said that Cayenne will help to expedite the healing effects of other herbs.

Chamomile
This herb has many uses. In a tea, it has a relaxing effect and can sooth the digestive system. It is also excellent for the skin when applied topically in a cream or lotion. Many herbal soaps, shampoos and lotions include this herb which has been used since ancient times.

Echinacea
This much publicized herb can help stabilize the immune system. It can be taken as a pill or tincture or pulled out of the ground an eaten as a snack! You may have some of these purple daisy like flowers growing near you and not even realize that they have medicinal properties.

Garlic
You thought it was just a tasty root to put on bread but this herb has been used since ancient Egypt and has properties that strengthen the immune system. It is used as a treatment for infections, coughs and colds.

Ginger
Our herb guide likes ginger as it can be used in so many dishes. It is reputed to aid in circulation.

Parsley
Rich in potassium, this herb is often used as a garnish and left uneaten. I suggest you put it right in your salad and eat it up – it has many vitamins and is reputed to strengthen the kidneys and help with waste removal.

Rosemary
This herb stimulates circulation and aids in memory.

St. John’s Wort
No herb guide would be complete without mention of this herb which is used to treat mild depression and elevate mood.

About the Author: Lee Dobbins writes for pet and health related websites. Visit www.herbs-home-remedies.com for more on natural home remedies and herbs. Don’t forget to check their extensive article database at www.herbs-home-remedies.com/articles1.html

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Herbalism

The Yin And Yang Of Chinese Herbs

By: Jin Huang

The Chinese believed the human body is just like the Universe. The Chinese believed that the Universe is formed by two elements called “Ying” and “Yang”. “Yang” represents “sun light”, “positive” or “hot”. Ying represents “dark”, “negative” or “cold”.

All the Chinese food or herbal medicine was classified in one way or another as either with “Ying” characteristic or with “Yang” characteristic. The “Ginseng” was considered as one of the herbs with “neutral” characteristic. It means “do not expect “ginseng” to cure most forms of diseases”. Many people have a wrong idea that ginseng heals every form of disease.

Ginseng is probably the most famous Chinese herb. It has been used in Asia for more than 5,000 years. In China, ginseng has been treasured since the dawn of written history. In the Qing Dynasty of ancient China, ginseng was prized more than gold.

Ginseng is available in literally thousands of tonic formulations and it is featuring the most of the traditional preventative herbal remedies. Many people seeking to improve energy and vitality use ginseng daily.

Chinese medicine doctors specified “ginseng” as the main herbal medicine to heal any forms of disease. The ginseng is usually considered as a “supplement” for people with all forms of disease. The “neutral” herbs are good to help your body maintain “neutral”, if your body is in balance of “Ying” and “Yang”. The “Ying” and “Yang” in human body must be balanced in order to maintain health. If the human body has too much “Ying” or “Yang”, people will get ill. The examples of disease resulting of too much “Ying” (cold) in the body are “Pneumonia”, “Coryza”, and “Diarrhoea”. The examples of disease resulting from too much “Yang” (hot) in the body are “cancer”, “Constipation” etc…

Ginseng requires about six years maturing, but it is difficult and expensive to grow. Its value is found in its stained root which contains a complex mixture of carbohydrate compounds, nitrogenous compounds, fat-soluble compounds, vitamins and minerals. The curative powers of ginseng are unique in the way they affect the whole body. Ginseng has also been recognized as a potent immune system tonic by modern researchers.

A good herbal medicine doctors are those who know how much unbalances that a patient has in his/her body. How much “Ying” or “Yang” is needed to get the body balanced? In addition, how much is “too much” or “not enough” for human body to take. The combination of different “food” or “herbal medicine” to create “Ying” or “Yang” to “just right” for the human body is the basic principle behind almost all the Chinese medicine. Please do not confuse the “cold” and “hot” with the weather. Cold weather does not necessarily make your body system “cold”, in Chinese medicine point of view.

The “balance” is the most important “word” of human health and spirit in the Chinese medicine point of view.

About the Author: Jin Huang has an interest in Chinese Culture related subjects. If you are interesting in finding out more information on Chinese Culture, please visit this successful Chinese Cooking site: chinesefood.smartreviewguide.com

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com

Herbalism

Herbs And Spices That Contribute To Your Health

By: Bronwen Roberts

What you eat will show on your face and body: it will impact on the way you carry yourself, the amount of energy you have, and your level of passion for life! You are what you eat and that’s a fact.

BASIL GROWS ANYWHERE

Take advantage of this herb that grows prolifically, just about anywhere. If you don’t have a garden, it will grow in a pot on your balcony. The great thing about basil is that it adds sweetness to your meal and has none of the downside effects of sugar e.g. mood swings, weight gain, addiction, and (yes) acne. In fact, Basil can be used to treat acne; just add boiling water to a bunch of leaves and flowers. Allow to cool, strain and apply directly to the skin.

Try and eat basil as raw as possible: basil grown in strong sun will have the best and most intense flavour and perfume. Basil must be handled carefully: it is preferable to tear the leaves as cutting can produce a strong aniseed flavour. Purple basil (if you can find it…) with its intense flavour and beautiful colour is wonderful in salads as well as mixed with grilled vegetables.

Medicinal qualities include helping with nausea and stomach disorders. Basil juice can be used to treat insect stings and cuts. Basil is particularly good in treating symptoms relating to nervous disorders.

FENUGREEK: THE WONDER PLANT

Fenugreek is a plant that is native to southeast Europe and west Asia. Its seeds are often used in Middle Eastern or North African dishes. The slight bitter taste of this spice enhances the many flavours that are used in Eastern cooking.

Fenugreek is famous for its medicinal qualities. For centuries, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans have used fenugreek to treat various disorders. It can improve cholesterol levels and help stabilise blood sugar in diabetics.

Fenugreek can also aid digestion. Occasionally it can cause diarrhoea, depending on the constitution of the patient, so doses need to be monitored. Decreasing your dose should alleviate this side effect. In addition to seeds and capsules, fenugreek also comes in powder and gum forms.

GINGER: A POWERFUL HEALER

Ginger is thought to have originated in South-East Asia. Its hot, spicy and clean flavours have become popular in many cultures over the centuries. In ancient times it was a highly prized Eastern import to the Roman Empire, where it was used mostly for medicinal purposes. In medieval England, ginger was used as a condiment and was as common as pepper. It was also eaten as a ‘sweet’ in a preserved or glace form. Ginger has been used predominantly in the Middle East, Africa and South America but where it has really flourished has been in Asian cuisine. Eaten sliced, juiced, grated, ground, minced or mashed, or preserved in vinegar or sugar, ginger has become the quintessential spice.

Ginger has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for centuries to purge the body of colds and viruses and as a stimulating tonic for digestive disorders and the female reproductive system. Allowed to steep in tea, it induces sweating, which helps fevers run their course. It also tones and helps boost the immune system.

Ginger is also helpful in the treatment of period pains, digestive disorders, nausea and colds. It has been known to successfully treat travel sickness and nausea in pregnancy; used instead of traditional medication. Its revitalising qualities lift the spirits and ease depression.

A HOUSE OF GARLIC

It is one of the most pungent of vegetables and also the most popular. The powerful bite and odour of garlic are caused by a reaction between sulphur compounds and enzymes which are activated by the air when the bulbs are crushed or cut. Garlic is integral to nearly all stocks, soups and stews. It is credited with medicinal qualities as well as its versatility in cooking, for which it is well known. Used whole, chopped or crushed, raw, sautéed or roasted, garlic has a distinctive flavour (not for the fainthearted…) that can vary from pungent to sweet. Garlic grows underground as a bulb consisting of many cloves, each of which is encased in a papery skin. The smell of garlic only emerges once the cloves are cut, causing damage to the cell walls. The more you cut the cloves, the stronger the smell. Cooking the garlic, however, destroys the compound, rendering it milder and sweeter. When choosing a head of garlic, make sure it is firm and dry, with no discolouration.

Most of the modern research on garlic has concentrated on its ability to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as offering protection against strokes and heart disease. While garlic is gathering a reputation for helping to maintain a healthy heart, regular amounts of garlic seem to also help the body fight off infections.

About the Author: www.youarewhatyoueat.tv You Are What You Eat promotes healthy eating: high quality food is one of the easiest and most effective ways to promote and improve physical well-being. By thinking more carefully about what you eat and making healthier food choices, you can get the very best out of your life. Whatever your size, what you eat is crucial to the way you live, look and feel.

Article Source: www.NewAgeArticles.com