We treat every ailment with synthetic pharmaceuticals in the form of pills, tablets, drops, gels, syrups and so on. But there are cases when even conventional medication fails to offer us a fitting solution for what ails us. Often, when looking to improve or restore health and wellness, going herbal is the key.
The use of herbs for medicinal purposes may sound like an outdated and chimeric practice, but before discrediting it as unsafe or inaccurate we should remind ourselves that our most efficient pharmaceuticals are almost always derived from natural herbs. Even more interesting is the fact that medication we deem highly efficient often contains only very small amounts of herbal extracts (less than 10% or 8%). And still, it does us so much good.
And despite many medical professionals discreditting herbalism (a.k.a. using herbs for medicinal purposes) as a viable medical option, the scientific community shows increasing interest in the properties and health benefits of herbs and herbal remedies. Aside from wives’ tales, there is significant scientific research we can rely on to tells us exactly what are the properties, health benefits, side effects, risks and adequate dosage of each herb.
Reservation towards herbalism is perfectly understandable, but you might change your mind completely about herbal treatments once you try these 6 amazing herbal remedies:
1) Ginger for inflammation. Whether it’s a sore throat, stomach inflammation or gastritis as a result of a Helicobacter pylori infection, high inflammation levels in the body or arthritis pain due to swollen and stiff joints, ginger (Zingiber officinale) is the perfect remedy for you. This is because ginger is an incredible natural anti-inflammatory, capable of drastically reducing inflammation levels in the body. It is such a potent herb that many people have even reported getting rid of the persistent Helicobacter pylori bacteria by consuming a teaspoon of honey with a sprinkle of ginger every morning for 6 months.
The key is to eat ginger regularly. Whether you consume it fresh, add some ginger powder to a glass of fruit juice or drink it as a tea, ginger will turn around your health.
2) St John’s wort for depression and anxiety. St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) is one of those incredible plants that are more effective than conventional medication itself. The herb exhibits great effectiveness in the treatment of anxiety, panic attacks and even depression and has been shown to be much more efficient and even safer than regular antidepressant medication. While it is not safe or wise to throw away antidepressants to go on St John’s wort, careful planning and consideration may lead to a gradual introduction of the herb in one’s diet to help better manage symptoms of anxiety or depression and improve the conditions.
St John’s wort contains hypericin, a compound that inhibits a class of enzymes known as monoamine oxidases which were linked to depression and anxiety, hence its efficacy. However, studies show that the herb increases the potency of regular antidepressant medication, so, if you are already on antidepressant, discuss this with your doctor prior to taking St John’s wort.
3) Yarrow for bleeding. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is an amazing medicinal herb. It goes by the names of common yarrow, arrowroot, bloodworth, eerie, hundred leavedfrass, milefolium, milefoil, noble yarrow, nosebleed, sanguinary, soldier’s woundwort, thousand seal and so on. As you have probably noticed, most the many names it has been attributed reveal its most potent effect: stopping bleeding.
Consuming 2-3 cups of yarrow tea made by infusing dried yarrow leaves, stems and flowers is excellent for inducing clotting and stopping bleeding, for reducing inflammation, fewer and pain.
4) Turmeric as an antioxidant and cancer-preventive agent. Curcuma longais a member of the ginger family and an excellent natural anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anticancer food. The spice boasts an extreme vitamin and mineral content and is especially rich in antioxidants. Adding turmeric to almost any dish at the end of the cooking process (rice, chicken, sunny side up eggs and so on) contributes immensely to reducing inflammation levels in the body. Inflammation has been linked to increased cardiovascular disease and cancer risks, hence the importance of consuming anti-inflammatory foods.
Another great use for turmeric is tooth aches. Apply turmeric powder to the ailing tooth to temporary help reduce the pain sensation.
5)Sea buckthorn, hawthorn and rose hip for cardiovascular health. The common sea-buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna) and rose hip (Rosa canina) are three incredible herbs with wonderful benefits on cardiovascular health. The sea-buckthorn is ideal for reducing high blood pressure and blood cholesterol.
Hawthorn infusions not only increase the efficacy of certain hypertension medication, but were also shown to help in the treatment of palpitations, fatigue associated with heart failure, shorthness pf breath, chest pain and hypertension. Last, but not least, rose hip is a great natural diuretic with considerable blood pressure-lowering properties.
Chamomile (Matriarca recutita, Chamaemelum nobile) has calming effects on the nervous system and, at the same time, boasts anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties (great for colic).
These 10 wonderful herbs can be a great addition to your pantry, provided you are not allergic to them and do not exceed the dosage prescribed by your healthcare professional. Pregnant and nursing mothers, however, are advised to avoid medicinal herbs altogether as research on their effects on pregnancy evolution and baby health are poor.
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