Herbs and Healing

Herbs and Holistic Health

How can herbs benefit your health? The holistic approach to medicine views illness as an imbalance of the mind, body and spirit and this is expressed through physical or emotional ailments. Herbal remedies are used from plant materials to help promote good health.

Below are examples of specific herbs and the illnesses they might help to ease:

Buttercup and Herbal Medicine - Anger and irritability

Although buttercups aren't used in traditional herbal medicine, they are used in homeopathy to help calm angry moods and to ease eyestrain and muscular problems.

Camomile herb tea - Insomnia and sore eyes

For insomnia, before going to bed try camomile herb tea.

For tired and sore eyes, strain and cool the tea-bag then cover the eyelids.

Echinacea and Herbal Remedies - can help in the early stages of a cold

Garlic and Herbal Remedies

The Ancient Egyptians thought garlic held the secret to eternal youth. Garlic has many interesting properties and has a range of uses in medicine. Garlic is a good source of nutrients; it has been used successfully to treat intestinal disorders and it is known to help heart disease.

Ginseng and Healing Herbs - a general 'pick-me-up' and aphrodisiac

Thousands of years ago the Chinese believed ginseng could calm the 'animal' spirit and heal peoples' fears. Nowadays the Chinese still use ginseng as a herbal remedy and also as an aphrodisiac. Western herbalists too believe that ginseng will help improve a person's sex life, prolong their lifespan and increase their energy and stamina. This herb is available in several forms including ginseng root, ginseng tea and ginseng capsules and tablets. It does seem to act as a tonic and mild stimulant however there could be side-effects of which anyone using ginseng should be aware. It is recommended that tea, coffee and alcohol should be avoided while taking ginseng.

Ginger and Herbal Remedies - Helps relieve stomach upsets

Gorse and Herbal Remedies - Feelings of uncertainty and helplessness

Gorse can be made into a drink which is used to cleanse the kidneys. Other herbalists will use it as a remedy to help curb feelings of helplessness and uncertainty.

Extract of Hawthorn and Herbal Medicine - May help people with heart disease

Henbane and Healing Herbs - Fever

Henbane is a poisonous plant but herbalists might use it externally for symptoms such as sciatica or gout. If it is applied with vinegar to the forehead it can ease headaches and it might also help patients with fevers to sleep. This is another plant which is used in modern medicine as it can be useful in treating nervous complaints.

Horseradish and Herbal Medicine - Joint pains, mouth sores

Horseradish is a good blood cleanser. Its juice can be used externally to treat mouth sores and to cleanse spots.

Lavender Oil and Alternative Therapies - Burns

A drop of lavender oil can help sooth burns.

Onions and Herbal Remedies - Coughs and Colds

Believe it or not, onions are good healers. Onion juice can be an effective antiseptic. They help coughs and colds when they are eaten and they are also said to help people develop their powers of imagination!

Star of Bethlehem and Alternative Healing - Feelings of discouragement or anxiety

Star of Bethlehem is a bulbous herb with white flowers, generally found in South Africa. It helps bring comfort in times of shock, bereavement or sadness. This is a herb that has been of value in modern medicine as it is an important source of cardiac glycoside and it must be handled with care. The Star of Bethlehem is useful in emergency situations.

St John's Wort and Alterntive Medicine - Used to treat depression.

Please Note It is not a good idea to try prescribing herbal remedies for yourself until you are certain about what you are doing. There are however many books on the market which will give you more advice on the subject.