Basic Natural Healing Herbs to Have at Home
The words “natural healing herbs” sound like a hip new saying. It is everywhere in the media and if you know your herbs then you are “it.” Well, it is not as easy as it sounds. There are so many herbs to choose from and each has its own healing capability.
There are herbs that are regional and those that are imported. Some come in forms of teas while others have been compounded to a simple pill form that you can take with your morning orange juice. Some herbs are for topical use only, which means you rub it on the area of pain and some herbs add benefits in your cooking. Where do you begin?
There are many forms of educated materials to choose from and your own physician may even have some advice from which you can benefit from. Here are a few that are consistently relied upon and are doable for the average person who has little time to take a class on herbs.
The Power Of Curry
Curry, which is used in many Thai recipes, contains turmeric which in turn contains curcumin. This has been known to help reduce swelling in arthritis patients. When the swelling is reduced then so is the pain.
When curcumin is combined with a small amount of quercetin (an antioxidant found in onions, apples, and cabbage), then the benefit can be a reduction in colon polyps. Polyps are the precancerous lesions found on the colon. If the polyps are reduced then the likelihood of cancer is too.
Cinnamon, It’s Not Just Good For Your Oatmeal
Cinnamon has been used for flavoring such treats like cookies, oatmeal and toast but it has been proven that the benefits are greater than your taste buds. Cinnamon extract, when taken daily, reduces your blood sugar. If you are a victim of type 2 diabetes, then cinnamon can be your true friend. Not only does it reduce your blood sugar, but it also reduces related heart risks. One study has shown that cinnamon reduces your cholesterol and your triglycerides. Having this spice in your cabinet and using its water soluble extract in your daily regimen will be like having your own coach in your corner of the daily fight of diabetes.
Rosemary Vs. HCAs
Rosemary is found in many herb gardens and adds a pleasant smell to your garden and your home. Many use it to flavor their chicken before roasting it. These are great uses of this herb, however consider its more health-impacting capabilities; mainly, reducing HCA’s (heterocyclic amines).
HCA’s are the potent carcinogens that cause many cancers. HCA’s can be formed when meat is fried, broiled, or grilled at high temperatures. When rosemary was added to beef before cooking, these toxic levels were reduced.
Rosemary may also reduce tumors. The extract helps prevent the carcinogens binding with the DNA which would cause tumors and many studies are underway seeing if the extract will reduce tumors that have already been formed.
Ginger – Mom’s Favorite Remedy
It is no wive’s tale that ginger ale helps when you have a bellyache. It has been tested and found that time after time the ginger helps ease the nausea in pregnancy, motion sickness, and general stomach upset. Ginger is a powerful antioxidant that blocks the chemical that your brain produces when experiencing stomach upset and stops the production of free radicals, which is another cause of stomach sickness.
But wait, there’s more. Ginger also regulates blood flow which will help lower blood pressure. It also has many anti-inflammatory properties that might help with arthritis pain. There have been studies that prove that ginger’s anti-inflammatory power also killed ovarian cancer cells. This could be a great herbal supplement for many different patients.
Pesto And Stress Relief
Holy Basil is not an expression used when seeing copious amounts of basil in one’s herb garden but it is a special type of basil that has wonderful effects on stress. Teas made with this basil wonder have helped relieve indigestion and headaches. Both of which are symptoms of stress and stress related disorders.
Worry Free With St. John’s Wort
It has been proven time after time that St. John’s Wort has helped many patients with mild depression without major side effects. This relaxing drug also helps increase the body’s melatonin which increases your natural sleep pattern. You should have sweet dreams and worry less with this herbal remedy.
Garlic May Leave You With Interesting Breath, But It’s Worth It
Using a high consumption of aged garlic extract has lowered rates of several cancers, including ovarian and colorectal. Many people have reported a reduced number of polyps when taking this herb for over a year. This potent herb contains many phytochemicals that decrease high blood pressure by many points and it helps prevent strokes.
Adding any one of these herbs may increase your quality of life and help prevent future troubles. Doing a little homework to find out which ones would benefit you would truly be worth the time.