Saturday, October 29, 2011

Herbs With Many Uses

For centuries, herbs and other natural products have been used as health aids and remedies. You can make various creams, infusions, ointments and poultices to help relieve many common ailments. You can use them for skin care, sore throats and colds, herbal teas, hair care, and soothing aches and pains. 
Here is a partial list of medicinal herbs:
ANGELICA - Dried leaves are used to make an infusion (tea) to improve energy, stimulate circulation and reduce flatulence. Has antibacterial and antifungal qualities. BASIL, SWEET - Steep leaves in water for a few minutes to make a tea to help indigestion. Make a cold-oil infusion to massage sore muscles. CALENDULA - Flowers make a healing mouthwash for the gums. Mix a cream using calendula petals and plantain leaves for healing of cuts. CATNIP - Make a tea to to relieve colds and fevers. Also used to treat headaches and upset stomachs. Has mild sedative qualities. CHAMOMILE - Use in a tea as a mild sleep aid or to aid digestion. Make a cream to treat dry, rough skin. COMMON YARROW - Infused tea fights colds and fevers. Make a cream with its flower petals to use on cuts and burns. CORIANDER - Chew leaves or infuse as a tea to relieve upset stomachs. Also used as a mild sedative. FEVERFEW - Eat three to five leaves daily to reduce migraine headaches. Infuse as a tea to relieve muscle spasms or reduce fever. HOREHOUND - Make a tonic of chopped horehound leaves and honey to treat sore throats. A cold infusion will help relieve heartburn. HYSSOP - Make a cream to treat bruises and burns. Infuse as tea to treat colds, flu, bronchitis and sore throats. PURPLE CONEFLOWER (Echinacea Purpurea) - Drink a hot infusion to stimulate the immune system. ST JOHN'S WORT - Infuse as tea to treat depression or as a mild sedative. Makes a cream to treat bruises and skin inflammation. SUMMER SAVORY - Hot infusion is gargled to treat a sore throat. Also drink as a tea to treat diarrhea and indigestion. THYME - Make a tea sweetened with honey to help relieve sore throats and coughs. Infusion used to relieve hangovers. VALERIAN - Roots used to relieve nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia and pain. Roots used in a cream to treat acne or skin rashes. 
As with all things for your health, you should do as much research about the herbs you want to use since all people are different.

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