Using herbs for health

Using herbs for health has been practiced for many years even dating back to the Ancient Egyptian times. There are so many herbs that can be used in herbal remedies and healing that it would be impossible to list them all here. I detail here in this section a selection of herbs that are used often in herbal remedies and that are quite readily available in the high street or grown at home.

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Yarrow Achillea millefolium

Yarrow is used in remedies for colds, hayfever and catarrh. It is a diuretic and can be used to treat urinary problems and to help ease fluid retention. It can also be used to reduce blood pressure. The parts of the plant used are the leaves, flowers and essential oil. Yarrow can be used in infusions, tinctures and for massage.

Caution - do not use during pregnancy. Also, contact with the plant can cause contact dermatitis and rarely can cause the skin to be more sensitive to sunlight.

There are certain herbs to avoid during pregnancy

Buchu Agathosma betulina

This herb originates from South Africa and was traditionally used in the form of a powder to protect the skin. It has a blackcurrant flavour and is used to treat cystitis and fluid retention. The parts of the plant used are the leaves. It is a diuretic, and is a tonic and warming for the kidneys. It can be used in infusions, tinctures and capsules.

Using herbs for health

Lady's mantle Alchemilla xanthoclora

This herb is an excellent astringent and is also useful when treating diarrhoea, sore throats and weeping dermatitis. It is also often used in the treatment of menstrual disorders such as heavy periods, and in ointments to treat vaginal itching. The parts of the plant used are the aerials and leaves. It is a menstrual regulator, digestive tonic, anti-inflammatory herb. It can be used in tinctures, infusions, ointments, gargled and as a pessary.

Garlic Allium sativa

Garlic has long been used in the treatment of colds and catarrh. It's use dates back to the Ancient Egyptian times. It has also been recently acclaimed in the treatment of circulation disorders and heart problems. The parts used are the whole clove and oil. It is an antibiotic, expectorant, hypotensive and antihistamine, as well as antiparasitic and hypolipidaemic. It can be used in tablets, ointments and raw in cooking. A word of caution - it can be an irritant in weak stomachs and sensitive skins. Avoid using garlic during pregnancy (in high doses) and also whilst breastfeeding

Aloe Aloe vera

Aloe vera yields a sticky gel that is mainly used as an external wound healer. It relieves burns and inflammation of the skin in cases of eczema and thrush. It is also promoted as a restorative in creams and lotions. It is a tropical plan which is grown as a house plant in more temperate climates. The parts of the plant used are the sap and leaves. It is a purgative, bile stimulant, wound healer and is also used as a sedative. It can be used in tinctures, capsules and ointments.

Using herbs for health

Marshmallow Althaea officinale

Marshmallow is used for the treatment of bronchitis and irritating coughs and also for cystitis. The root is particularly good for treating gastritis and heartburn. When used externally it can be used on a variety of skin problems, having a soothing and softening effect. The parts of the plant used are the root, leaves and flowers. The root and leaves are demulcent, expectorant, diuretic and wounds, whilst the flowers are used as an expectorant. It is used in the form of syrups, infusions, tinctures, ointments and poultices.

Using herbs for health

Dang Gui Angelica polymorpha var sinensis

In China, Dang Gui is regarded as the most important tonic herb after ginsng. It is used as a blood tonic in the case of anaemia, also in the treatment of menstrual problems and after childbirth. It is also a mild laxative. It is sometimes sold as Tang Kwai in the West. The rhizome is the part of the plant that is used. It can be used in decoctions, tinctures, tonic wines and capsules. Word of caution - avoid in pregnancy

Celery Apium graveolens

Celery helps the body excrete uric acid which aids arthritic conditions, especially gout . The parts of the plant used are the seeds and the essential oil. It is an antirheumatic, sedative, antispasmodic, diuretic and hypotensive. It is used in juices, infusions, tinctures and powders. Caution - celery seeds do contain bergapten which can increase photosensitivity in the skin. Also, the oil and seeds in high doses should be avoided in pregnancy.

Burdock Arctium lappa

Burdock is a cleansing herb for the skin and rheumatism problems, and also where sluggish digestion is causing a build up of toxins in the body. The parts used are the leaves, root and seeds. The root is cleansing, laxative, diuretic, antirheumatic and antiseptic. The leaves are mild laxative. The seeds anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. It is used in infusions, decoctions, tinctures and poultices.

Arnica Arnica montana

Arnica is used to help the body heal after wound injury and as so it is used after surgery, sprains and bruises. It can be used as a circulatory stimulant but it is extremely toxic and is used in dilute homeopathic doses. The rhizomes and flowers are the parts used. It is anti-inflammatory, healing and a circulatory stimulant. Only take in homeopathic doses internally. Do not use on open wounds. Can cause contact dermatitis occasionally.

Using herbs for health

Wild Oats Avena sativa

This plant is a good tonic for the nerves and has a restorative effect. It has also been shown to reduce levels of cholesterol. The seeds, straw, bran and whole unripe plant are used. It is an antidepressant, restorative nerve tonic. The oatbran is antithrombotic and reduces cholesterol. It is used in tinctures, poultices, juice and tablet form.

Marigold Calendula officinalis

Marigold is found in calendula creams for dry skin and eczema, and also is a menstrual regulator and digestive remedy. It is useful as a treatment for vaginal thrush and athlete's foot. It is detoxifying and useful in chronic infections. The flowers and essential oils are used. It is used in infusions, tinctures, infused oils, creams and ointments, mouthwashes and pessaries.

Gotu kola Centella asiatica

Gota kola is one of the most important Ayurvedic tonic herbs and is used to have a rejuvenating effect in old age and failing memory. The aerial parts of the plant are used. It is a tonic, antirheumatic, diuretic, sedative and laxative. It can be used in infusions, tinctures, powders and poultices.

Fringe tree Chionanthus virginianum

Fringe tree is used as a liver and gallbladder remedy for jaundice, gallstones, hepatitis and poor liver function. The root and bark are used. It is a liver stimulant, bile stimulant, laxative, and diuretic. It is used in decoctions, tinctures and capsules.

Using herbs for health

Lemon Citrus limon Lemon is ideal for use in the treatment of colds and flu. It also helps protect the stomach from problems and also a preventative in circulatory disorders. The fruit and essential oils are used. It is anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antiviral and reduces fever. It is used in juices, syrups and as a massage oil.

Myrrh Commiphora myrrha

Myrrh is a strong antiseptic and is useful for treating tonsillitis, mouth ulcers and gum disease. The oleo-gum resin is used. It is antiseptic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, astringent and antispasmodic. It is used in tinctures, capsules, garlic and mouthwashes, and also in steam inhalations. Caution - avoid in pregnancy.

Echinacea Echinacea spp (E. pallida, E. purpurea, E. angustifolia)

Echinacea is probably the most important herbal antibiotic used today. It is excellent in fighting all manner of infections and is readily available in health shops and supermarkets. The roots and aerial parts of the plant are used. It is antibiotic, antiallergenic, a lymphatic tonice, wound healer and an immune stimulant. It can be used in capsules, tinctures, decoctions, creams and infusions.

Californian poppy Eschscholtzia californica

Californian poppy is also known as nightcap. It is suitable for sleepless children and as a pain reliever. The aerial parts of the plant are used. It is sedative and a mild hypnotic and is used in infusions and capsules.

Eucalyptus Eucalyptus globulus

Eucalyptus is a powerful antiseptic. It also makes a good rub for joint and muscle pain. The leaves and essential oil are used. It is antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, stimulant and can be used in infusions, tinctures and capsules, as well as the fresh leaves being used in steam inhalations. Eucalyptus is also a remedy used in the treatment of Bronchitis

Eyebright Euphrasia officinalis Eyebright is used for treating eye problems such as Conjunctivitis It is also used in a very effective way for the irritant symptoms of hay fever and is useful as an anticatarrhal for sinusitis. The aerial parts of the plant are used. It can be used in infusions, capsules and tinctures. Also can be used as an eyebath.

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