The benefits of herbs has been reported for years. In fact, herbal treatment is something that goes back to ancient times, but it is also becoming more and more popular in modern times as the cost of medications soar and the side effects of many medications are often disturbing. Increasingly, people are more interested in healthy eating, and healthy eating usually lends its self to understanding the health benefit of herbs and an exploration of herbal treatments used in the past (and sometimes the present).
Now days, you can buy whole herbs from the nearest organic food store, and they are even becoming more common place in the neighborhood grocery store. There is also, of course, the option of growing the herbs yourself. At any rate, they are definitely worth looking into, especially since it is so easy to cook with them.
Since it is so easy to incorporate herbs into your diet, why not take a look at some of the most common herbs? Go ahead; see what they can do for you. You will likely want to look up some recipes to use them in. Below are a list of 25 herbs and how they have be reportedly been used for health benefits (some of these herbs have even proven themselves in scientific testing … some only have received anecdotal reports of health benefits).
1. Black Walnut – is not only good for helping the digestive process, but it also helps rid the body of parasites and fungal infections. It can even help with both warts and poison ivy.
2. Cinnamon – is one of the most commonly used spices. It is excellent for fighting bacterial and/or viral infections because they usually cannot live with cinnamon.
3. Basil – is one of the most well known herbs there is. It is commonly used in tomato sauce or on pizzas, but besides being a popular food flavor enhancer, it has other uses as well. Basil is used as an antiviral and an antibacterial. It also helps calm the stomach and other spasms.
4. Aloe Vera – is an excellent topical soother for burns. It also makes an excellent antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and natural laxative.
5. Black Cohosh – is particularly useful for women experiencing hot flashes due to menopause or for women experiencing menstrual cramping. Additionally, it helps with circulatory and cardiovascular problems. It even helps lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and stress.
6. Cypress – oil is used as an antiseptic, antispasmodic, and sedative among other things. It can even be used as a natural deodorant.
7. Clove Bud – is used to boost the immune system. In addition, it acts as an antioxidant and antibacterial.
8. Cayenne – is a good choice for relieving cold, flu, and sinus infection symptoms. It also aids with headaches and fever. Additionally, cayenne is used to help certain organs like the heart and lungs. It is even said to help with weight loss.
9. Dandelion – is not just a common weed; it is also very valuable to women experiencing PMS or menopause, and it increases ovarian hormone levels.
10. Echinacea – is great for aiding the immune system by boosting the white blood cell count. It is also used to help fight viruses like the flu. However, you cannot use this herb if you are allergic to sunflowers.
11. Garlic – is more than just a giver of halitosis; it rids the body of toxins, boosts immunity, lowers blood fats, helps get rid of yeast infections, helps with circulatory problems, and even helps asthma sufferers.
12. German Camomile – is often used in tea to help insomnia sufferers. It is also good for digestive issues, cleaning the blood, enhancing liver function, and good for healing blisters.
13. Eucalyptus – is used as an antibacterial and antiviral agent.
14. Geranium – is excellent for aiding in liver detoxification. It also stops bleeding and acts as an antibacterial agent.
15. Ginger – is used to help stop nausea and motion sickness. It is good for treating indigestion as well.
16. Lemon – is an excellent cleaning agent with a nice citrusy smell to boot, but is such a good cleaning agent because it is able to kill bacteria like meningococcal bacteria within 15 minutes of coming in contact with the bacteria. It kills other bacteria within an hour of contact.
17. Lavender – is another product that is good for burns. Its scent is also used to reduce stress and depression.
18. Marjoram – is an antibacterial. It also dilates the blood vessels, helps regulate blood pressure, and soothes sore muscles.
19. Mullein – is used as a natural laxative. It also helps asthma and bronchitis suffers.
20. Oregano – is a yummy addition to tomato or pizza sauce, but it also helps get rid of germs.
21. Rosemary – is used as an antibacterial and cleaning agent. It also aids the body in detoxification.
22. Sage – is an anxiety fighter. It also helps with nervous system and abdominal disorders.
23. Spearmint – is used for calming the nervous system. It also smells good for aroma therapy. It can also be used as a natural way to get rid of mice
24. Thyme – is used to fight anthrax and tuberculosis.
25. Myrrh – is an antiviral agent, but it also helps sooth the some skin conditions while supporting the immune system.
Although herbs are more often than not far less potent than medication, that doesn’t mean herbs are not potent enough to provide certain health benefits but also certain risks. Before indulging in to much of any one herb or trying self-medication with herbs it is a good idea to discuss herbal use and especially herbal treatments with your doctor. Especially if you already have an underlying medical condition. Be very cautious when using herbal extracts as now you are dealing with very concentrated herbs (it is recommended you get professional guidance when dealing with herbal extracts).
Herbs are a wonder of nature. Not only can they help make any meal more pleasurable, but also provide health benefits often unseen.
Why not start growing herbs in your kitchen? Growing herbs requires very little space so nearly any kitchen can have a mini herb garden Kitchen Herb Garden Manual
