Ginger plant is very popular in many countries, ginger can be used for cooking and also there is a use as a drug, usually ginger drinks made in camour with other cropsthe first mentions of ginger being used date back more than 3000 years. These first references were found in central Asia. Whereas today we often refer to ginger as a 'hand,' these records refer to it as a 'horn.' Asia was also the first region to start actively cultivating it and spreading it around the world via the Indian trade routes.
It wasn't until Marco Polo's expeditions that ginger achieved popularity in Europe. It began to be made into gingerbread and the records are full of references to fairs and carnivals selling this food. it wasn't long before its popularity grew so much that the Queen herself began enjoying it. Many authors cite Queen Elizabeth I's use of gingerbread men as indicating that she invented the sweet! With royal approval gingerbread became a fixed part of Britain's cuisine.
Growing Ginger
Most people buy their ginger as rhizomes and grow the plant from there. When you buy ginger for growing make sure that it has as many 'fingers' (Protrusions) as possible, as each of these 'fingers' will grow into a full plant. You will want to start growing your ginger in late winter indoors, then transfer it outside in late spring when it is warm outside
When you choose a pot, you will want one that is at least twice the size of the rhizome. Fill the pot with potting soil, being careful to leave a couple of centimeters at the top. The ginger will go on top of the soil. Don't worry if this seems strange, it is important for the early growth. Now you just have to water it regularly. Luckily ginger doesn't need direct sunlight, so you can grow it in a shady area.
After 3-4 months, it is time for harvesting. The newer roots will usually have the better flavor, so you will want to harvest them. It is easiest to simply trim off the bits that you need when you need them. Most gardeners don't use the older roots and throw them out at the end of the season!
Ginger Properties
Ever wondered why ginger is so delicious? Scientists have discovered a compound in the rhizome known as a 'gingerol.' Interestingly it changes when the ginger is cooked, which explains why cooked ginger smells and tastes different to the raw kind. This compound is chemically similar to 'capsaicin' which is found in chili peppers, so you definitely know why ginger has such a kick!
Zingiber officinale is great as an ornamental herb. It has small yellow flowers and goes great with most landscaping.
For a long time a lot of people have been using ginger as a medicinal herb. The medical uses of ginger are vast:
* Arthritis. Ginger has been linked with relief from the pain of this condition.
* Heart Disease. People who ate a diet rich in ginger were discovered to have thinner blood and a lower body cholesterol than those who didn't. Therefore ginger would help those with chronic heart disease. However it is not all good news, because of this ginger interferes with the effect of drugs such a warfarin, so people ho have had heart surgery should consult their physician.
* Sickness. Trials have shown positive results on both pregnant mothers-to-be and seasick people. Ginger not only reduces feelings of nausea, but also reduces the probability of actually being sick!
* Diabetes. The trials have so far only been tested on rats, but the research looks promising and soon we may see ginger being recommended for diabetics.
* Cold and Flu. As a tisane (In tea) ginger reduces the symptoms of colds and was especially beneficial in reducing the pain of a sore throat.
Tuesday, 11 January 2011
Traditonal Medicine herbs
Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise again and the interest is primarily from the pharmaceutical industry, which is always looking for 'new drugs' and more effective substances to treat diseases, for which there may be no or very few drugs available.
Considering the very long traditional use of herbal medicines and the large body of evidence of their effectiveness, why is it that we are not generally encouraged to use traditional herbal medicine, instead of synthetic, incomplete copies of herbs, called drugs, considering the millions of dollars being spent looking for these seemingly elusive substances?
Herbs are considered treasures when it comes to ancient cultures and herbalists, and many so-called weeds are worth their weight in gold. Dandelion, Comfrey, Digitalis (Foxglove), the Poppy, Milk Thistle, Stinging nettle, and many others, have well-researched and established medicinal qualities that have few if any rivals in the pharmaceutical industry. Many of them in fact, form the bases of pharmaceutical drugs.
Research into the medicinal properties of such herbs as the humble Dandelion is currently being undertaken by scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, believe it could be the source of a life-saving drug for cancer patients.
Early tests suggest that it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year.
Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers.
Professor Monique Simmonds, head of the Sustainable Uses of Plants Group at Kew, said: "We aren't randomly screening plants for their potential medicinal properties, we are looking at plants which we know have a long history of being used to treat certain medical problems."
"We will be examining them to find out what active compounds they contain which can treat the illness."
Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this group of scientists appears to be looking for active ingredients, which can later be synthesized and then made into pharmaceutical drugs. This is not the way herbs are used traditionally and their functions inevitably change when the active ingredients are used in isolation. That's like saying that the only important part of a car is the engine - nothing else needs to be included...
So, why is there this need for isolating the 'active ingredients'?
As a scientist, I can understand the need for the scientific process of establishing the fact that a particular herb works on a particular disease, pathogen or what ever, and the need to know why and how it does so. But, and this is a BIG but, as a doctor of Chinese medicine I also understand the process of choosing and prescribing COMBINATIONS of herbs, which have a synergistic effect to treat not just the disease, but any underlying condition as well as the person with the disease - That is a big difference and not one that is easily tested using standard scientific methodologies.
Using anecdotal evidence, which after all has a history of thousands of years, seems to escape my esteemed colleagues all together. Rather than trying to isolate the active ingredient(s), why not test these herbs, utilizing the knowledge of professional herbalists, on patients in vivo, using the myriad of technology available to researchers and medical diagnosticians to see how and why these herbs work in living, breathing patients, rather than in a test tube or on laboratory rats and mice (which, by the way, are not humans and have a different, although some what similar, physiology to us...).
I suspect, that among the reasons for not following the above procedure is that the pharmaceutical companies are not really interested in the effects of the medicinal plants as a whole, but rather in whether they can isolate a therapeutic substance which can then be manufactured cheaply and marketed as a new drug - and of course that's where the money is...
The problem with this approach is however, that medicinal plants like Comfrey, Dandelion and other herbs usually contain hundreds if not thousands of chemical compounds that interact, yet many of which are not yet understood and cannot be manufactured. This is why the manufactured drugs, based on so-called active ingredients, often do not work or produce side effects.
Aspirin is a classic case in point. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in Aspirin tablets, and was first isolated from the bark of the White Willow tree. It is a relatively simple compound to make synthetically, however, Aspirin is known for its ability to cause stomach irritation and in some cases ulceration of the stomach wall.
The herbal extract from the bark of the White Willow tree generally does not cause stomach irritation due to other, so called 'non-active ingredients' contained in the bark, which function to protect the lining of the stomach thereby preventing ulceration of the stomach wall.
Ask yourself, which would I choose - Side effects, or no site effects? - It's a very simple answer. Isn't it?
So why then are herbal medicines not used more commonly and why do we have pharmaceutical impostors stuffed down our throats? The answer is, that there's little or no money in herbs for the pharmaceutical companies. They, the herbs, have already been invented, they grow easily, they multiply readily and for the most part, they're freely available.
Further more, correctly prescribed and formulated herbal compounds generally resolve the health problem of the patient over a period of time, leaving no requirement to keep taking the preparation - that means no repeat sales... no ongoing prescriptions... no ongoing problem.
Pharmaceuticals on the other hand primarily aim to relieve symptoms - that means: ongoing consultations, ongoing sales, ongoing health problems - which do you think is a more profitable proposition...?
Don't get me wrong, this is not to say that all drugs are impostors or that none of the pharmaceutical drugs cure diseases or maladies - they do and some are life-preserving preparations and are without doubt invaluable. However, herbal extracts can be similarly effective, but are not promoted and are highly under-utilized.
The daily news is full of 'discoveries' of herbs found to be a possible cure of this or that, as in the example of Dandelion and its possible anti-cancer properties. The point is, that these herbs need to be investigated in the correct way. They are not just 'an active ingredient'. They mostly have hundreds of ingredients and taking one or two in isolation is not what makes medicinal plants work. In addition, rarely are herbal extracts prescribed by herbalists as singles (a preparation which utilizes only one herb). Usually herbalists mix a variety of medicinal plants to make a mixture, which addresses more than just the major symptoms.
In Chinese medicine for example there is a strict order of hierarchy in any herbal prescription, which requires considerable depth of knowledge and experience on the physicians part. The fact that the primary or principle herb has active ingredients, which has a specific physiological effect, does not mean the other herbs are not necessary in the preparation. This is a fact seemingly ignored by the pharmaceutical industry in its need to manufacture new drugs that can control disease.
Knowing that medicinal plants are so effective, that these plants potentially hold the key to many diseases, are inexpensive and have proven their worth time and time again over millennia, why is it that herbal medicine is still not in the forefront of medical treatments, and is considered by many orthodox medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies as hocus-pocus
Considering the very long traditional use of herbal medicines and the large body of evidence of their effectiveness, why is it that we are not generally encouraged to use traditional herbal medicine, instead of synthetic, incomplete copies of herbs, called drugs, considering the millions of dollars being spent looking for these seemingly elusive substances?
Herbs are considered treasures when it comes to ancient cultures and herbalists, and many so-called weeds are worth their weight in gold. Dandelion, Comfrey, Digitalis (Foxglove), the Poppy, Milk Thistle, Stinging nettle, and many others, have well-researched and established medicinal qualities that have few if any rivals in the pharmaceutical industry. Many of them in fact, form the bases of pharmaceutical drugs.
Research into the medicinal properties of such herbs as the humble Dandelion is currently being undertaken by scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, believe it could be the source of a life-saving drug for cancer patients.
Early tests suggest that it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year.
Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers.
Professor Monique Simmonds, head of the Sustainable Uses of Plants Group at Kew, said: "We aren't randomly screening plants for their potential medicinal properties, we are looking at plants which we know have a long history of being used to treat certain medical problems."
"We will be examining them to find out what active compounds they contain which can treat the illness."
Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this group of scientists appears to be looking for active ingredients, which can later be synthesized and then made into pharmaceutical drugs. This is not the way herbs are used traditionally and their functions inevitably change when the active ingredients are used in isolation. That's like saying that the only important part of a car is the engine - nothing else needs to be included...
So, why is there this need for isolating the 'active ingredients'?
As a scientist, I can understand the need for the scientific process of establishing the fact that a particular herb works on a particular disease, pathogen or what ever, and the need to know why and how it does so. But, and this is a BIG but, as a doctor of Chinese medicine I also understand the process of choosing and prescribing COMBINATIONS of herbs, which have a synergistic effect to treat not just the disease, but any underlying condition as well as the person with the disease - That is a big difference and not one that is easily tested using standard scientific methodologies.
Using anecdotal evidence, which after all has a history of thousands of years, seems to escape my esteemed colleagues all together. Rather than trying to isolate the active ingredient(s), why not test these herbs, utilizing the knowledge of professional herbalists, on patients in vivo, using the myriad of technology available to researchers and medical diagnosticians to see how and why these herbs work in living, breathing patients, rather than in a test tube or on laboratory rats and mice (which, by the way, are not humans and have a different, although some what similar, physiology to us...).
I suspect, that among the reasons for not following the above procedure is that the pharmaceutical companies are not really interested in the effects of the medicinal plants as a whole, but rather in whether they can isolate a therapeutic substance which can then be manufactured cheaply and marketed as a new drug - and of course that's where the money is...
The problem with this approach is however, that medicinal plants like Comfrey, Dandelion and other herbs usually contain hundreds if not thousands of chemical compounds that interact, yet many of which are not yet understood and cannot be manufactured. This is why the manufactured drugs, based on so-called active ingredients, often do not work or produce side effects.
Aspirin is a classic case in point. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in Aspirin tablets, and was first isolated from the bark of the White Willow tree. It is a relatively simple compound to make synthetically, however, Aspirin is known for its ability to cause stomach irritation and in some cases ulceration of the stomach wall.
The herbal extract from the bark of the White Willow tree generally does not cause stomach irritation due to other, so called 'non-active ingredients' contained in the bark, which function to protect the lining of the stomach thereby preventing ulceration of the stomach wall.
Ask yourself, which would I choose - Side effects, or no site effects? - It's a very simple answer. Isn't it?
So why then are herbal medicines not used more commonly and why do we have pharmaceutical impostors stuffed down our throats? The answer is, that there's little or no money in herbs for the pharmaceutical companies. They, the herbs, have already been invented, they grow easily, they multiply readily and for the most part, they're freely available.
Further more, correctly prescribed and formulated herbal compounds generally resolve the health problem of the patient over a period of time, leaving no requirement to keep taking the preparation - that means no repeat sales... no ongoing prescriptions... no ongoing problem.
Pharmaceuticals on the other hand primarily aim to relieve symptoms - that means: ongoing consultations, ongoing sales, ongoing health problems - which do you think is a more profitable proposition...?
Don't get me wrong, this is not to say that all drugs are impostors or that none of the pharmaceutical drugs cure diseases or maladies - they do and some are life-preserving preparations and are without doubt invaluable. However, herbal extracts can be similarly effective, but are not promoted and are highly under-utilized.
The daily news is full of 'discoveries' of herbs found to be a possible cure of this or that, as in the example of Dandelion and its possible anti-cancer properties. The point is, that these herbs need to be investigated in the correct way. They are not just 'an active ingredient'. They mostly have hundreds of ingredients and taking one or two in isolation is not what makes medicinal plants work. In addition, rarely are herbal extracts prescribed by herbalists as singles (a preparation which utilizes only one herb). Usually herbalists mix a variety of medicinal plants to make a mixture, which addresses more than just the major symptoms.
In Chinese medicine for example there is a strict order of hierarchy in any herbal prescription, which requires considerable depth of knowledge and experience on the physicians part. The fact that the primary or principle herb has active ingredients, which has a specific physiological effect, does not mean the other herbs are not necessary in the preparation. This is a fact seemingly ignored by the pharmaceutical industry in its need to manufacture new drugs that can control disease.
Knowing that medicinal plants are so effective, that these plants potentially hold the key to many diseases, are inexpensive and have proven their worth time and time again over millennia, why is it that herbal medicine is still not in the forefront of medical treatments, and is considered by many orthodox medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies as hocus-pocus
Slimming Tea
for fitness and slimming tea is really in love by some people who are overweight or who have high cholesterol slimming herbal tea had become one of the most talked about topic in several fitness forums and website discussions. Many people are now discovering the numerous health benefits that they can get from every cup of natural slimming tea. But actually, natural beverage is not something that people just recently discovered. The practice of using tea as part of a healthy diet and lifestyle has been existing hundreds of years ago. Tea drinking was part of cultures and traditions of most countries of Asian region, particularly in China where the best slimming tea plants can be found. Chinese people also use their tea as part of their traditional method of healing various diseases.
This tea is more than just a refreshing weight loss beverage like most people thought it was. Tea does not only reduce your weight, but it also improves the total wellness of your mind and body. There are a lot of health benefits you can get a cup of slimming tea. It has natural anti-oxidant properties that help block the fats from accumulating inside your body. The tea will then flush them out of your body along with the other toxins that you get from eating unhealthy foods. Slimming herbal tea works well in handling your stress. You can immediately feel the therapeutic and relaxing effect of your slimming tea even in your first sip. Tea also has the ability to improve the flow of nutrients and oxygen inside your body. Thus, tea is proven beneficial to heal wounds and other illness. It can expedite the healing process for damaged cells of your body and can contribute to your fast recovery during injuries.
Some research done by natural medicine experts also claim that slimming tea is the water that flows from the fountain of youth. It may really sound like an exaggeration, but tea is proven to help rejuvenate your cells and bring back the glow in your skin. Tea has properties that can make your skin look more radiant and glowing. The best slimming tea is actually the beauty secret of many models and celebrities.
Tea should become an integral part of everyone's diet. There are many of them that genuinely provide benefits to your overall health and there are also some of them that targets specific treatment objectives. Learn more about teas, particularly Blooming and Slimming Tea,
This tea is more than just a refreshing weight loss beverage like most people thought it was. Tea does not only reduce your weight, but it also improves the total wellness of your mind and body. There are a lot of health benefits you can get a cup of slimming tea. It has natural anti-oxidant properties that help block the fats from accumulating inside your body. The tea will then flush them out of your body along with the other toxins that you get from eating unhealthy foods. Slimming herbal tea works well in handling your stress. You can immediately feel the therapeutic and relaxing effect of your slimming tea even in your first sip. Tea also has the ability to improve the flow of nutrients and oxygen inside your body. Thus, tea is proven beneficial to heal wounds and other illness. It can expedite the healing process for damaged cells of your body and can contribute to your fast recovery during injuries.
Some research done by natural medicine experts also claim that slimming tea is the water that flows from the fountain of youth. It may really sound like an exaggeration, but tea is proven to help rejuvenate your cells and bring back the glow in your skin. Tea has properties that can make your skin look more radiant and glowing. The best slimming tea is actually the beauty secret of many models and celebrities.
Tea should become an integral part of everyone's diet. There are many of them that genuinely provide benefits to your overall health and there are also some of them that targets specific treatment objectives. Learn more about teas, particularly Blooming and Slimming Tea,
Monday, 10 January 2011
Natural Herbs for Sleeping
Never ending stress and the fast pace of our lives, sleep deprivation is a common problem faced by many. Many times you are so tired that all that you want to do is sleep. But when you try to go to sleep, you end up sleeping fitfully or not being able to sleep at all.
Exhaustion takes over your body, but you are still unable to fall asleep. This makes you reach for that sleeping pill. Sleeping pills side effects are many and hence, is not desirable. The other course of action is taking some natural medications that will not have any side effects and will make you sleep. Herbs are these natural means that will not only calm you down considerably but will also make you sleep peacefully. This article will give you some details about the herbs for sleep.
Natural Herbs for Sleeping
Experts prescribe herbs for sleep, so that it does not only help you to treat the insomnia symptoms but also to help rectify other imbalances in the body. Let us look into the various natural herbs for sleep. Many herb fans swear by these best herbs for sleep.
Valerain: Valerain is said to be a herb that induces restful sleep without any side effects. It has been confirmed by clinical researchers that valerine improves the sleep quality and helps the people suffering from insomnia. People with minor sleeping problems may find that their problems have been completely cured due to this wonderful herb. This herb also relieves spasms and helps in proper digestion. Make herbal tea, in the morning, by adding a tsp of valerain roots in a cup of warm water. Keep this mixture till the evening and strain and heat it before taking some before dinner and some just before going to sleep. However, it acts as a central nervous system depressant and hence should not be taken on a regular basis.
German Chamomile: Chamomile is put to a lot of uses and rest and relaxation are few of them. If you have trouble sleeping, take a cup of chamomile tea in the night. This herb also helps to ease tensions and anxiety. You can use tea bags to make this tea or use loose dried tea. However, since chamomile is used a lot in the kitchen, you can also use fresh chamomile to make the tea. Cover the tea to retain the medicinal effects and take it with honey. This is not only one of the best natural herbs for anxiety but is also the best natural herb for sleeping.
Lemon Balm: Also known as one of the calming herbs, lemon balm is used to reduce stress and induce restful sleep. However, various studies have shown that lemon balm is used in combination with other herbs like valerain and this combination is effective to induce sleep. Experts are not yet decided on the effects of lemon balm alone. If you suffer from minor sleep disorders or are not able to go to sleep once in a while, make lemon balm tea by pouring a cup of hot water on few fresh leaves. Allow it to steep for some time and then sip slowly before going to bed.
Passionflower: This is one of the effective herbs for sleep, which has been used since ancient times. This herb has sedating and tranquilizing properties but it doesn't give you a dazed feeling in the morning. This herb can be consumed in tea form or in capsule forms too. Passion flower tea is made by pouring a cup of hot water on few tea leaves and allowing the mixture to steep before taking it before dinner. Passionflower is also known as a good natural herb for depression.
Wild Lettuce: Wild lettuce has a relaxing and calming effect and is useful for people suffering from insomnia. It also helps in relieving muscular pains and is used to treat whopping cough in children. This herb can be infused to make tea. Another way to use this herb is by taking a bath by mixing some leaves in a bathtub full of hot water. Wild lettuce is one of the lesser known natural herbs for sleep.
Hops: Hops is a flowering herb plant and is put to a lot of uses. This herb is one of the effective natural herbs for sleep because it has qualities that help in reducing anxiety, insomnia and restlessness. One of the popular folk remedy is to fill up a pillow with hops and it will make you sleep like a baby.
Kava: Kava is one of the herbs for depression and anxiety. It is also good in curing insomnia and is ingested by people suffering from sleeplessness. It can be taken in the form of roots, powder or capsules. It is believed that large doses of this herb is to be taken for deep sleep. However, as they can cause addictions, large doses are not always recommended.
Jasmine: Tea made from jasmine flowers have amazingly calming effects on the nerves. This tea is also used by people who wish to sleep tight. Apart from this, jasmine is also used to treat menstrual problems, sensitive skin and weak stomach. Jasmine finds itself in many herbal remedies as it helps in relieving many illnesses.
The above mentioned natural herbs for sleep are very useful to induce sleep and to reduce your anxiety levels. Use these herbs for sleep and get up refreshed in the mornings. Do not exceed the consumption of these herbs and don't make it a habit of using these natural herbs for sleep everyday. As too much of anything is not always good, too many herbs can also lead to side effects of herbs. Ask for expert help in order to derive maximum benefits from these herbs.
Exhaustion takes over your body, but you are still unable to fall asleep. This makes you reach for that sleeping pill. Sleeping pills side effects are many and hence, is not desirable. The other course of action is taking some natural medications that will not have any side effects and will make you sleep. Herbs are these natural means that will not only calm you down considerably but will also make you sleep peacefully. This article will give you some details about the herbs for sleep.
Natural Herbs for Sleeping
Experts prescribe herbs for sleep, so that it does not only help you to treat the insomnia symptoms but also to help rectify other imbalances in the body. Let us look into the various natural herbs for sleep. Many herb fans swear by these best herbs for sleep.
Valerain: Valerain is said to be a herb that induces restful sleep without any side effects. It has been confirmed by clinical researchers that valerine improves the sleep quality and helps the people suffering from insomnia. People with minor sleeping problems may find that their problems have been completely cured due to this wonderful herb. This herb also relieves spasms and helps in proper digestion. Make herbal tea, in the morning, by adding a tsp of valerain roots in a cup of warm water. Keep this mixture till the evening and strain and heat it before taking some before dinner and some just before going to sleep. However, it acts as a central nervous system depressant and hence should not be taken on a regular basis.
German Chamomile: Chamomile is put to a lot of uses and rest and relaxation are few of them. If you have trouble sleeping, take a cup of chamomile tea in the night. This herb also helps to ease tensions and anxiety. You can use tea bags to make this tea or use loose dried tea. However, since chamomile is used a lot in the kitchen, you can also use fresh chamomile to make the tea. Cover the tea to retain the medicinal effects and take it with honey. This is not only one of the best natural herbs for anxiety but is also the best natural herb for sleeping.
Lemon Balm: Also known as one of the calming herbs, lemon balm is used to reduce stress and induce restful sleep. However, various studies have shown that lemon balm is used in combination with other herbs like valerain and this combination is effective to induce sleep. Experts are not yet decided on the effects of lemon balm alone. If you suffer from minor sleep disorders or are not able to go to sleep once in a while, make lemon balm tea by pouring a cup of hot water on few fresh leaves. Allow it to steep for some time and then sip slowly before going to bed.
Passionflower: This is one of the effective herbs for sleep, which has been used since ancient times. This herb has sedating and tranquilizing properties but it doesn't give you a dazed feeling in the morning. This herb can be consumed in tea form or in capsule forms too. Passion flower tea is made by pouring a cup of hot water on few tea leaves and allowing the mixture to steep before taking it before dinner. Passionflower is also known as a good natural herb for depression.
Wild Lettuce: Wild lettuce has a relaxing and calming effect and is useful for people suffering from insomnia. It also helps in relieving muscular pains and is used to treat whopping cough in children. This herb can be infused to make tea. Another way to use this herb is by taking a bath by mixing some leaves in a bathtub full of hot water. Wild lettuce is one of the lesser known natural herbs for sleep.
Hops: Hops is a flowering herb plant and is put to a lot of uses. This herb is one of the effective natural herbs for sleep because it has qualities that help in reducing anxiety, insomnia and restlessness. One of the popular folk remedy is to fill up a pillow with hops and it will make you sleep like a baby.
Kava: Kava is one of the herbs for depression and anxiety. It is also good in curing insomnia and is ingested by people suffering from sleeplessness. It can be taken in the form of roots, powder or capsules. It is believed that large doses of this herb is to be taken for deep sleep. However, as they can cause addictions, large doses are not always recommended.
Jasmine: Tea made from jasmine flowers have amazingly calming effects on the nerves. This tea is also used by people who wish to sleep tight. Apart from this, jasmine is also used to treat menstrual problems, sensitive skin and weak stomach. Jasmine finds itself in many herbal remedies as it helps in relieving many illnesses.
The above mentioned natural herbs for sleep are very useful to induce sleep and to reduce your anxiety levels. Use these herbs for sleep and get up refreshed in the mornings. Do not exceed the consumption of these herbs and don't make it a habit of using these natural herbs for sleep everyday. As too much of anything is not always good, too many herbs can also lead to side effects of herbs. Ask for expert help in order to derive maximum benefits from these herbs.
Herbs medicinal
native herbs and spices produce some of the world's best healing agents. There are several that are used to treat addictions by assisting to heal the whole mind/body system. Organic Aromatherapy Essential oils can be used to lift depression, create the right mood for romance and ease stress. They are also used to combat infections, repair dry or damaged skin. Herbal treatments are also used for treating high blood sugar and diabetes. Some are anti-bacterial, ease breathing, decrease fevers, quiet coughs and soothe aches and pains. Herbs can also be useful for having a healthy weight, food cravings, herbal appetite depressants, low energy, weight gain, natural weight loss without drugs, diets and herbs. There are traditional women's herbs that control the hormones, decrease water retention, decrease pain and cramping and enhance the food. These are used to treat menstrual problems like heavy bleeding, PMS, skipped periods, yeast infections and excessive bleeding.
Some usual medicinal herbs in routine life are:
Neem : This is used for treatment of all sorts of skin problems. The constituents are Nimbidol and Gedunin and these have good fungicidal properties. These are very effective in treatment of skin disorders like scabies, warts, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
Turmeric : This is used as a popular remedy for infections, boils, injuries and accident recovery.
Basil : This is worshipped as the purest and sublime plant. This is very effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. This provides relief to inflamed throat conditions.
Sandalwood : This is a unique Indian plant that has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of the sandalwood tree is very smooth and sandal paste results in an extremely smooth, unblemished and lustrous look to the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood is proved to be an aphrodisiac.
Chinese herbal medicine : These consist of special tonic herbs. These are taken daily to raise the resistance to disease, enhance energy and prolong life. Astragalus and ginseng are the most widely known. Others include schizandra, ligustrum, ganoderma and he shou wu. Such herbs are called "adaptogens". They strengthen the body and increase its ability to adjust to the stress. There is a positive effect on the immune system. They are being successful in treating immune-related disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, systemic candida and the management of ARC and AIDS.
Herbal medicine : These have three basic functions:
* Elimination and detoxification : They are used as diuretics, blood purifiers and laxatives
* Health management and maintenance : They are used to stimulate the body's own self-healing powers
* Health building : These are used to tone the organs and nourish the tissues and food
Herbal formulae have very less negative side effects as in case of drugs
Some other medicinal herbs
Aconite : This has anodyne, diaphoretic and diuretic properties. The tincture and liniment are used for general purposes. The preparations are used for outward application to the skin in lumbago, neuralgia and rheumatism. It is very poisonous.
Angelica : This is largely used in the grocery trade and for medicine. It is a popular flavoring for confectionery and liqueurs. It is also used to combat digestive problems, migraines, anorexia and gastric ulcers.
Boneset : This relieves the symptoms that are along with influenza. They also provide relief from aches and pains and assist in handling fevers. The mild laxative of the herb assists in clearing the body wastes and reducing constipation.
Clove : This is useful for digestive problems and helps the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract to relax. It also kills intestinal parasites. It acts as an anti-microbial agent against fungi and bacteria. Cloves also have an antihistamine action.
Dandelion : This is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The leaves are used in salads and teas and the roots as a coffee substitute. They can treat the liver, kidney, gallbladder and joint problems. It is used as a blood purifier and used for illnesses like eczema and cancer. It is also used to treat poor digestion.
Jasmine : This is generally used for infections with high fever, sunstroke, cancer of the bones, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, lymphatic nodes and breast cancer. It is used for mouth ulcers and the fresh juice for corns.
Passion flower : This treats the nervous restlessness, neuralgia, anxiety, sleep disorders, irritability and overcoming the difficulty in falling asleep. The narcotic properties are used in diarrhea, dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhea.
Summer savory : This has aromatic and carminative properties. This is mainly used as a culinary herb and may be added to medicines for the aromatic and warming qualities. When the juice is dropped into the eyes it removes the dimness of sight.
Yellow dock : This is widely used in the treatment of chronic skin complaints like psoriasis. It is useful in constipation and stimulates the gut muscles.
The flow of bile is promoted and there is a somewhat obscure action of being a blood cleanser. It has a role in the treatment of jaundice when it is due to congestion.
Some usual medicinal herbs in routine life are:
Neem : This is used for treatment of all sorts of skin problems. The constituents are Nimbidol and Gedunin and these have good fungicidal properties. These are very effective in treatment of skin disorders like scabies, warts, eczema, psoriasis and dandruff.
Turmeric : This is used as a popular remedy for infections, boils, injuries and accident recovery.
Basil : This is worshipped as the purest and sublime plant. This is very effective in treating skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. This provides relief to inflamed throat conditions.
Sandalwood : This is a unique Indian plant that has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of the sandalwood tree is very smooth and sandal paste results in an extremely smooth, unblemished and lustrous look to the skin. The fragrance of sandalwood is proved to be an aphrodisiac.
Chinese herbal medicine : These consist of special tonic herbs. These are taken daily to raise the resistance to disease, enhance energy and prolong life. Astragalus and ginseng are the most widely known. Others include schizandra, ligustrum, ganoderma and he shou wu. Such herbs are called "adaptogens". They strengthen the body and increase its ability to adjust to the stress. There is a positive effect on the immune system. They are being successful in treating immune-related disorders like chronic fatigue syndrome, systemic candida and the management of ARC and AIDS.
Herbal medicine : These have three basic functions:
* Elimination and detoxification : They are used as diuretics, blood purifiers and laxatives
* Health management and maintenance : They are used to stimulate the body's own self-healing powers
* Health building : These are used to tone the organs and nourish the tissues and food
Herbal formulae have very less negative side effects as in case of drugs
Some other medicinal herbs
Aconite : This has anodyne, diaphoretic and diuretic properties. The tincture and liniment are used for general purposes. The preparations are used for outward application to the skin in lumbago, neuralgia and rheumatism. It is very poisonous.
Angelica : This is largely used in the grocery trade and for medicine. It is a popular flavoring for confectionery and liqueurs. It is also used to combat digestive problems, migraines, anorexia and gastric ulcers.
Boneset : This relieves the symptoms that are along with influenza. They also provide relief from aches and pains and assist in handling fevers. The mild laxative of the herb assists in clearing the body wastes and reducing constipation.
Clove : This is useful for digestive problems and helps the smooth muscle lining of the digestive tract to relax. It also kills intestinal parasites. It acts as an anti-microbial agent against fungi and bacteria. Cloves also have an antihistamine action.
Dandelion : This is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. The leaves are used in salads and teas and the roots as a coffee substitute. They can treat the liver, kidney, gallbladder and joint problems. It is used as a blood purifier and used for illnesses like eczema and cancer. It is also used to treat poor digestion.
Jasmine : This is generally used for infections with high fever, sunstroke, cancer of the bones, dermatitis, conjunctivitis, lymphatic nodes and breast cancer. It is used for mouth ulcers and the fresh juice for corns.
Passion flower : This treats the nervous restlessness, neuralgia, anxiety, sleep disorders, irritability and overcoming the difficulty in falling asleep. The narcotic properties are used in diarrhea, dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhea.
Summer savory : This has aromatic and carminative properties. This is mainly used as a culinary herb and may be added to medicines for the aromatic and warming qualities. When the juice is dropped into the eyes it removes the dimness of sight.
Yellow dock : This is widely used in the treatment of chronic skin complaints like psoriasis. It is useful in constipation and stimulates the gut muscles.
The flow of bile is promoted and there is a somewhat obscure action of being a blood cleanser. It has a role in the treatment of jaundice when it is due to congestion.
Ayurveda Medicine plants
Ayurveda, the ancient Indian therapeutic measure is renowned as one of the major systems of alternative and complimentary medicine. As other herbal systems, greater parts of its medicaments are based on indigenous herbals. And the thorough and fractionate knowledge about the medicinal plant is mandatory for all who is working in the field of ayurveda, in order to identify and select the appropriate plant for a specific disease. In the recent years, the interest in medicinal plants has increased in a great deal. Apart form this; people from the west have also taken this matter seriously by conducting various researches on plant based medicines. But for reference, presently a complete website regarding the ayurvedic medicinal plants is nowhere available in the net. It’s a humble attempt to fulfill this gap. This work is mainly concerned with the morphology and the therapeutic properties of Indian medicinal herbs. The findings obtained by the research workers who have been engaged with medicinal plants are also incorporated here. We are presenting almost complete variety of indigenous ayurvedic medicinal plants especially that is grown naturally in Kerala, the southern most state of India, renowned as the Holy Land of Ayurveda.
You can come across realistic, high resolution digital pictures of ayurvedic medicinal plants, morphology, their therapeutic properties, the ayurvedic principle behind the selection of a plant as a medicine etc. with no access restrictions. Apart form this; the basic property of this site is regular renewal of its contents, to keep this site up-to-date and make it always fresh for a reviewer. This humble attempt is undertaken by a charity trust for the conservation of ayurvedic medicinal plants.
You can come across realistic, high resolution digital pictures of ayurvedic medicinal plants, morphology, their therapeutic properties, the ayurvedic principle behind the selection of a plant as a medicine etc. with no access restrictions. Apart form this; the basic property of this site is regular renewal of its contents, to keep this site up-to-date and make it always fresh for a reviewer. This humble attempt is undertaken by a charity trust for the conservation of ayurvedic medicinal plants.
Kind of Herbs medicinal
Experience are needed to gather and preserve medicinal herbs successfully. This usually requires a lifetime of practice and knowledge that is handed down from generation to generation. Lack of
knowledge when preserving and caring for medicinal herbs could lessen the medicinal properties if they are not cared for properly.
Medicinal herbs derive from plants and trees. While these different herbs can be grown in a home garden, they tend to have a more effective use medicinally when they are grown in the wild. It is best to gather herbs only in dry weather, when the plant is in full bloom and the seeds are ripe. Healing properties from herbs are cultivated from the bark, roots, flowers, seeds and leaves
Bark should only be removed from the tree in the spring when the sap is beginning to rise. The rough outer part of the bark is shaved off to reveal the smooth inner part of the trunk. This part is then peeled from the tree. It can be dried by placing it in the sun for a small period of time before finishing the drying process in the shade.
Roots of medicinal herbs should be dug up in the springtime while the sap is still rising on the bark or during late autumn after the sap has gone down. Roots need to be sliced and placed for drying in the shade. They can be tied up in small bundles and hung in a place to dry. All the parts of medicinal herbs can be dried in the shade if they are in an airy space. The sun quickens the drying process, but if they are left too long in the sun, their medicinal value will decrease.
Flowers, seeds,roots and leaves should only be gathered during their prime when they are in full season and placed for drying in the shade. They should be stored in heavy brown paper bags after being dried. When dried properly, all medicinal herbs can keep their value for years. There are hundreds of medicinal herbs across the world and too many to list, so only the more well-known and more commonly used herbs will be mentioned.
Different herbs to take for getting a good night's sleep include chamomile, valerian root, skullcap and passion flower. To help aid the digestion process in the body a person can use ginger, marshmallow or licorice. The liver can be helped by using milk thistle. Echinacea is widely known for its ability to strengthen the immune system.
Women experience different hormonal phases throughout their lifetime. Herbs to help with menopause and other hormonal issues include black cohosh, dong quai, licorice, ginger and angelica. St. John's wort can be taken to promote a sense of emotional well being. Men who have prostate issues may benefit from using saw palmetto.
Certain medicinal herbs such as fenugreek, hibiscus and indigo help with hair growth. Aloe vera is used to treat burns, wounds and certain skin disorders, and it can also fight off infections. Herbs like gotu kola, ginseng, asparagus and mango ginger have been used as aphrodisiacs to increase sexual desire.
knowledge when preserving and caring for medicinal herbs could lessen the medicinal properties if they are not cared for properly.
Medicinal herbs derive from plants and trees. While these different herbs can be grown in a home garden, they tend to have a more effective use medicinally when they are grown in the wild. It is best to gather herbs only in dry weather, when the plant is in full bloom and the seeds are ripe. Healing properties from herbs are cultivated from the bark, roots, flowers, seeds and leaves
Bark should only be removed from the tree in the spring when the sap is beginning to rise. The rough outer part of the bark is shaved off to reveal the smooth inner part of the trunk. This part is then peeled from the tree. It can be dried by placing it in the sun for a small period of time before finishing the drying process in the shade.
Roots of medicinal herbs should be dug up in the springtime while the sap is still rising on the bark or during late autumn after the sap has gone down. Roots need to be sliced and placed for drying in the shade. They can be tied up in small bundles and hung in a place to dry. All the parts of medicinal herbs can be dried in the shade if they are in an airy space. The sun quickens the drying process, but if they are left too long in the sun, their medicinal value will decrease.
Flowers, seeds,roots and leaves should only be gathered during their prime when they are in full season and placed for drying in the shade. They should be stored in heavy brown paper bags after being dried. When dried properly, all medicinal herbs can keep their value for years. There are hundreds of medicinal herbs across the world and too many to list, so only the more well-known and more commonly used herbs will be mentioned.
Different herbs to take for getting a good night's sleep include chamomile, valerian root, skullcap and passion flower. To help aid the digestion process in the body a person can use ginger, marshmallow or licorice. The liver can be helped by using milk thistle. Echinacea is widely known for its ability to strengthen the immune system.
Women experience different hormonal phases throughout their lifetime. Herbs to help with menopause and other hormonal issues include black cohosh, dong quai, licorice, ginger and angelica. St. John's wort can be taken to promote a sense of emotional well being. Men who have prostate issues may benefit from using saw palmetto.
Certain medicinal herbs such as fenugreek, hibiscus and indigo help with hair growth. Aloe vera is used to treat burns, wounds and certain skin disorders, and it can also fight off infections. Herbs like gotu kola, ginseng, asparagus and mango ginger have been used as aphrodisiacs to increase sexual desire.
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