Archive for the ‘Articles’ Category
Herbs For Good Health
Herbs have been used for centuries by people for medicinal uses, and for flavorants in their foods. Many herbs were used as preventative medicine as well. They were often dried to preserve them when they were out of season and unobtainable. Many of them were used fresh or brewed into teas that could be taken either as refreshing drinks or for medicinal purposes. Herbs and spices were always considered to be highly prized commodities. As time goes on more and more herbs are added to the list of commonly used herbs. Herb growers are constantly reviving old favorites and cultivating new ones.
Garlic is a very well know herb that most of us are acquainted with. It not only adds a delicious strong flavor to food, but is an excellent anti bacterial agent as well. It has been said that it could reduce the risk of blood clots forming, thus reducing strokes and heart problems. It can be used either fresh or in a dried form.
Many gardeners worldwide are incorporating edible herbs into their garden designs. Not only are many herbs attractive plants that bring beauty and fragrance to the garden, but they have the added attraction of being useful as well. It is so convenient to be able to pick fresh herbs from your own garden to add to salads, soups and various other dishes. They are also excellent to use for making various teas. It is great fun to experiment with them and find your own favorite mixture. Many of them can be mixed together to give a unique flavor. Save dried herbs in airtight containers to use later on. Many varieties can be frozen as well.
Herbs taken medicinally are so much better than taking strong drugs for various types of ailments. Herbs often reduce the symptoms of various illnesses and eliminate the necessity of strong drugs and chemicals. Always first try the herbal way before you go the drug way. Get advice from your natural health store and see that you have a supply of herbal remedies in your home for all those unexpected illnesses that can crop up in a family. Echinacea is excellent example, and can be used for all those sore throats and cold and flu symptoms. It is freely available in drug stores and is a good alternative for flu medication made from chemicals.
Many herbs are used in personal products and skincare products. Think of chamomile, for instance, that is often used in creams and potions for irritated hyper allergenic skins. It has a wonderfully soothing effect on the skin and eliminates redness and soreness. Natural personal products, especially hair shampoos are very popular. The public is becoming more and more aware of the benefits of using products that contain natural products.
Natural medications are also becoming increasingly popular and the benefits of herbs are constantly being high lighted by consumers. Most people are beginning to reject the idea of taking medication that contains chemical generics that could have long-term negative effects on the body.
Related Blogs
Uses Of Herbs Through The Ages
It is amazing how the knowledge of uses of many herbs has not been lost through the ages. Many recipes have survived for hundreds of years and are still just as effective as they used to be. Take this recipe for instance that was recorded in 1597; the distilled water of Rosemary flowers must be drunk first thing in the morning and last thing at night to make the breath sweet. If you wish you can add a few cloves, mace, cinnamon and a little aniseed. If you wish to try this recipe, make a tincture of all these herbs and use 1-2 teaspoons with a glass of water as a refreshing mouthwash.
Centuries ago, sage was said to strengthen the sinews and fennel was supposed to restore lost sight and give strength to those that had to do battle. Hoodia is a plant found in the desert of Southern Africa and has also been used by the natives for hundreds of years. It reduces hunger pangs and is excellent for weight loss products. Ancients, from observing animals, gained much knowledge of the herbs growing in their area. What animals ate would obviously not be poisonous. By a process of elimination they found herbs to cure their common ailments and abrasions. The people that became skilled in using herbs were looked up to in the community.
They learnt how to dry plant parts when they were in season so that they could be used during the wintertime. In order to “revive” the dried leaves and flowers, they seeped them in boiling water. They discovered that the water from the dried herbs was just as effective as the fresh herbs. This is probably how the brewing of various teas came into being. The roots and bark were saved in a dry place and were used by breaking pieces off, grinding them and making them into medicines.
Related Blogs
Learn More About Herbs
There are literally thousands of herbs that have been identified as having specific medicinal properties. Others are valued for their flavor they add to food or for their specific fragrance, which can be made into perfumes and fragrances. Many herbs are used in the manufacturer of personal products. There are many herbs that are especially good for healing ailments of the skin.
It seems like nature provided a cure for every ailment – we just have to find them. Herbs are grown all around the world and each one seems to have specific properties. Not only the leaves of the plants are useful but many times the berries, flowers and roots are used for various purposes. It is very interesting to make a study of herbs and as you gain more knowledge you will realize that it is far better to try an herbal cure rather than reach for medication that contains manmade chemicals.
Ginger – the underground stem is usually used – it can be used in many forms, fresh, dried or in powdered form. It can also be used as extractions, pills and so on. Ginger is always at its best when used fresh. It is not only good for medicinal purposes but also for culinary use.
Yarrow plant – the flower tops and leaves of this plant has been used for many centuries for medicinal purposes. It is an antibiotic, anti inflammatory, anti septic, diuretic and a mild sedative.
Red Clover – this plant contains many vitamins, proteins and minerals and anti oxidants and because of this it has many uses and is excellent in the assistance of balancing hormones. It is beneficial for many ailments.
Related Blogs
About Herbs
What exactly is an herb? Herbs are plants that have a particular significant value for us. It could be for their healing properties, special flavors, aromas or fragrances. Various herbs have been recognized as having medicinal qualities for ailments since time began. Early man learnt to know which herbs to use when he felt ill, or hurt himself and needed topical healing. They also used herbs to give them a sense of wellness and vitality. It is amazing how they discovered an herb for almost every ailment they knew about. It must have taken a bit of trial and error with various herbs before they realized which ones were effective for relieving various aches and pains.
Today we still rely on many herbs for pain relief and for preventative medicine.
Herbalists never grow tired of doing research on herbs – there is always the chance of discovering a new one with properties that could aid with modern diseases. Most of us who take food supplements are enjoying the fruits of research done on herbs.
By taking herbal food supplements we are getting the benefits of freshly picked herbs processed into tablet form to be taken with ease every day. Prevention is better than cure – look after your health daily and you will ward off sickness and diseases. When you choose your brand of supplements make sure that no generics or chemicals have been added to the natural ingredients. Many manufacturers of food supplements do this to cut down the costs – make sure that you are not taking generics that could be harmful to your health.
Related Blogs
South African Hoodia
The Hoodia is a leafless, spiky, succulent plant, grown in the desert areas around South Africa. Flies pollinate the flowers of this plant and they have an awful unpleasant smell, like the smell of rotting meat. The natives of this area have used these plants for medicinal purposes for many hundreds of years. Because they are desert dwellers, food is very scarce and they live off plants and bulbs when they are available. They also hunt for the occasional antelope that venture close to the perimeters of the Kalahari Desert.
The San Tribe – better known as the Bushmen – go on periodic hunting trips, and are away from home for a couple of days. In this time they do not have any access to food. This is where the Hoodia comes in, they eat pieces of this plant, and can then go without food for a couple of days and not feel any hunger pangs.
Only recently have scientists become interested enough in this plant, which is a protected species, to discover what properties it has. A South African scientific team researched this plant and then also invited the British to research the product. American scientists have also done tests on Hoodia, but no conclusive evidence can be found that this substance does not harm the human body and that it does indeed, work as an appetite suppressant. The proof, however, is in the fact that this plant has been used for thousands of years by the Bushmen and their ancestors, as an appetite suppressant, and no after effects have ever been reported.
There are many testimonials online of thrilled consumers, who have lost x-amount of weight within a certain period of time, simply because they do not get hungry and have cravings. By controlling your appetite you will be able to lose weight without any negative feelings.
