Medicinal Herbs: It works?

  Introduction  

Medicinal plants which are also known as medicinal herbs have been used and practiced since ancient times by our ancestors. In the past, in the absence of different types of tablets, medicinal herbs have been sources of medicine to cure different types of diseases. Since it does not have any side effects it can be used by small kids and even an old person.

  A. History of Medicinal Herbs  

Phytotherapy is the study of plants used for healing. Plants have been used street to heal the sick in fact the world’s drug comes from the world’s dried plants. The ancient Greeks and Romans learned from early civilization and kept records of plants they used such as poppy for pain relief and garlic to fight infections and belladonna has been used in many ways.

“Hippocrates” the father of medicine knew the importance of medicine. He said, “Let your food be your medicine and your medicine your food”.  When the Romans invaded England they brought even more knowledge of plants used in cooking and healing which they shared with the local healers. Unfortunately, at the same time ancient practices were seen as superstitious much knowledge was lost.

In the 6th Century Christianity arrived in England bringing various traditions such as beautifully ordered monastic herb gardens filled with medicinal plants. Monks were the keepers of many herbs or manuscripts kept in ancient times. They traveled the world looking for medicine creating a network of information about medicinal plants.

During medieval times when we were not seen as equals by men one herbalist stands out. He regarded von Bingen amid an even nun who was considered the first female doctor in Europe. She was both a physician and a musician throughout the ages women have been central to medicine as midwives, nurses, and caregivers although some suffered for their art some village-wise women were condemned as witches in Curia. It was Henry the Eighth in the sixteenth century a huge fan of herbal medicine managed to legalize herbal medicine yet he complicated matters by destroying some monasteries and their herb gardens.

In 1652 Nicholas Culpeper published a complete herbal called the “English physician”. He wanted to help ordinary people make their own herbal remedies instead of buying expensive imported ones. Thus enabling people to dig their health into their own hands in fact for over 3,000 years across the globe almost all medicines were derived from plants.

In the 17th Century dangerous minerals medicines such as mercury became popular such as mercury became popular with doctors and the Industrial Revolution continued to move us even further away from nature.

The 20th Century saw huge advances in chemistry and technology the development of antibiotics held the rise of modern medicine. Increasingly plant by forgotten but now are needed more than ever. Today herbal medicine is more accepted. Medical herbalists trained at University collaborate with doctors. Herbal medicine is popular due to the lack of side effects and tailored individual prescriptions by medical herbalists. Medicinal plants can also enhance the benefits of medicine prescribed by your general practitioner(GP) and reduce some of its side effects as well as being easy to grow to your garden. Go on plant a seed it’s part of your natural healing heritage.

  1. Top 10 Medicinal Herbs:  

There are an uncountable number of Medicinal Herbs which are available around us. Here are some of them:

a. Sage

Its Benefits:

• High is Several Nutrients.

• Loaded with antioxidants.

• May Support Oral Health

• May reduce blood sugar symptoms.

b. Peppermint

It’s Benefits:

• May freshen your mouth.

• May ease digestive issues.

• May relieve clogged sinuses.

• May improve energy.

c. Rosemary

It’s Benefits:

• Combat Gastrointestinal Stress.

• Relieve Stress and Anxiety.

• Reduce Pain and Inflammation.

• Treat Respiratory Problems.

d. German chamomile

It’s Benefits:

• Reduces inflammation.

• Speeds wound healing.

• Reduces muscle spasms.

• Serves as a mild sedative to help with sleep.

e. Echinacea 

It’s Benefits:

• To cure common cold and flu.

• To  boost the immune system and help the body fight infection.

• Reduce symptoms such as sore throat, cough and fever.

• Boost collagen production.

f. Holy Basil

It’s Benefits:

• It may reduce blood pressure, sugar level and cholesterol.

• Ease inflammation and joint pain.

• Protect your stomach.

• Protect against infection and treat wounds.

g. Turmeric

It’s Benefits:

• Inflammation

• Degenerative eye condition.

• Arthritis.

• Anxiety.

h. Lemon Balm

It’s Benefits:

• Reduce stress, anxiety.

• Promote sleep.

• Improve appetite.

• Ease pain and discomfort from digestion.

i. feverfew

It’s Benefits:

• Treatment for fevers, migraine headaches.

• It helps to improve the appearance of facial redness and soothes skin irritation.

• Treatment for insects bite, stomach aches.

• Treatment of infertility and mensuration and labor during pregnancy.

j. Lavender

It’s Benefits:

  2. Medicinal Herbs and it’s Benefits  

  3. How to dry and store  medicinal herbs?  

➡️The easiest way to dry herbs is on the kitchen paper, because of it’s absorbent capacity. Check the leaves that are slightly brown or that have insect damage on them and then just leave the herbs for couple of days. It’s going to have some give left in it still. So these leaves are pretty much still holding together. Put those in a very simple brown paper bag and added a label & store in cool, dark place.

  4. How long do dried medicinal herbs last?  

➡️Store them in a glass jar with tight fitting lid. Label the jar before putting in a cold, dark place the herbs will last for up to 2 years.

  5. Do medicinal herbs expire?  

➡️The dried herbs can last for years. They typically won’t grow mold or become rotten like improperly dried food. Instead, over time most of them simply become potent.