What are herbs and how are they useful for us? Herbs are usually plants or flowers that are used in a natural approach often to relieve unpleasant symptoms, but primarily the goal is to support the body's own natural healing process. For many herbs, the goal is to support the immune stimulation response of the body and thus have the body heal itself. Other
uses for herbs include: anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-viral, anti-biotic and anti-spasmodic properties.
Many medications currently in use and approved by the FDA are derived from either plants, herbs or roots. These include:
Aspirin from the bark of a willow tree
Taxol from the Pacific Yew Tree and used in the treatment of Breast and other Cancers and
Vincristin from the Madagascar Periwinkle flower and used in the treatment of Leukemia and Lymphomas
In addition to other healthy lifestyles we choose, we also have ready access to generally, safe herbs and herbal preparations (tonics, tinctures and extracts). Favorite herbs and their uses are listed below:
ECHINACEA(Echinacea spp) From the purple cone-flower,
comes a powerful immune-stimulant.There are anti-biotic, anti-fungal and
anti-viral properties and this herb can be used for any type of infection:
internal or external. People with auto-immune diseases and MS should not
use this herb.
GOLDENSEAL(Hydrastis canadensis) A bitter,golden powder
used to treat infections. It is an anti-biotic and immune stimulant. One of
its uses is to dry up mucus secretions. It should not be used internally
during pregnancy.
PEPPERMINT(Mentha piperita) Used in many herbal teas,
the leaves soothe digestion, reduce fever and relieve sinus and
chest congestion.
GINGER(Zingiber officinale) Well known in ginger ale,
this herb is an anti-spasmodic which means it relaxes tense muscles and
muscle spasms, and reduces intestinal gas. Other uses include relieving
motion sickness, nausea of morning sickness and in sinus/chest congestion.
As you can see, herbs have a definite place in our ever changing
lifestyle and world. There are many magazines devoted to herbs and
herb gardens that are currently on the shelves. Also see Health World On-Line for an interesting look at global health resources.
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