Put simply, herbalism uses plants and foods for healing and for building and maintaining good health. Herbalism is the oldest known medical practice with an unbroken tradition that reaches back to the very beginning of recorded history. Other healing modalities such as conventional medicine, homeopathy, naturopathy, flower essences and food science have evolved from herbalism. In addition, professions such herbalists, healers, bonesetters, dentists, doctors, pharmacists, nurses, surgeons, and massage therapists all owe their origins to herbalism.
Today, herbalism is considered a biologically based practice by the FDA and includes the use of dietary supplements, foods and other natural substances. Dietary supplements consist of herbs, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and certain glandular substances used to supplement the normal diet.
In addition to herbs and foods, herbalists frequently use other natural approaches to wellness including sunshine, detoxification practices, exercise, lifestyle changes, fresh air, hydration and hands on healing. While practitioners such as naturopaths may also employ these tools in their work with clients, when it comes to the nuances of recommending herbs, herbalists generally receive much more stringent and in-depth training than is received by traditional naturopaths or naturopathic physicians. In other words, herbalists are specialist in herbs but their techniques are not restricted to herbal use only.
Herbalists come in many varieties: practitioners, growers, wildcrafters, medicine-makers, manufacturers and/or teachers. Whatever path an herbalist chooses, he or she retains a core belief in the power of plants and a love of nature and the environment. Herbalists embrace the recognition that God created this planet just for us and the plants for our use. That’s accompanied by faith in a botanical ecology that guarantees a holistic relationship among people and plants. So whether we learn about and use herbs from a strictly scientific perspective or rely on intuition and spiritual insights, we need to honor the being who created this place and these medicines for us. Then we can meet the plants with reverence and honor as another of Gods creations.
it must be to be heirs of that ancient school of medicine called Ayurveda; to be seated in a muddy pot bound by daffodil fertilisers; to be rained upon by the purest of Himalayan waters; to be hung down from hanging planters so as to look down upon the less significant lush or so would call the local gardener of the house; to be plucked and put on wounds for an instant healing. Such is the story of herbs. Herbal remedy is all you need for a healthy life, they’d say. So, here are the top 10 herbs that can be used to prevent the recurrence of every day stings.
No meal or snack should be naked. That’s what dietitian Monica Auslander Moreno tells her clients. “Herbs and spices make food tastier while boosting your health,”''
erbs, like basil, are the leaves of a plant, while spices, like cinnamon, are usually made from the seeds, berries, bark, or roots of a plant. Both are used to flavor food, but research shows they’re chock-full of healthy compounds and may have health benefits. “Herbs and spices fight inflammation and reduce damage to your body’s cells,” Moreno says. “That’s because each one is rich in phytochemicals, which are healthful plant chemicals.” Adding herbs and spices to your diet has another benefit: “Because they’re so flavorful, they make it easier to cut back on less healthy ingredients like salt, sugar,
You may have noticed that some herbs and spices are sold as supplements (oregano oil or capsules of cinnamon extract, for example). Unless your doctor recommends otherwise, “it’s best to eat the herb or spice instead of taking it in pill form
there aren’t many regulations about supplements and there’s little government oversight. So a capsule may not have the amount of something that it claims to, or it may have unhealthy additives.
Best Herbs for Your Health
If you’re new to cooking with herbs and spices, Moreno recommends trying a pinch at a time to figure out which ingredients and flavor combinations you like.
Here are some standouts to think about adding to your next meal:
Cardamom. This sweet, pungent spice is in many pumpkin spice mixes. It’s known to soothe an upset stomach, and lab studies show it may also help fight inflammation. One more perk? “Of all spices, cardamom is especially high in minerals like magnesium and zinc,” Moreno says.
Chili peppers. Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies will give your food a kick. They also may boost your metabolism and help keep blood vessels healthy. One possible reason is capsaicin, the compound that makes them spicy.
Cinnamon. “Cinnamon is great because it’s sweet but very low in calories and sugar-free,” Moreno says. “Plus, it’s easy to find and not expensive, and you can add it to almost anything, including coffee and tea.”
Lab studies show that cinnamon also may help with inflammation, fend off free radicals that can damage your cells, fight bacteria.
And some research suggests it may help lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes or are likely to get the disease, but other studies don’t back that up. “It can be a part of a healthful diet, but don’t mistake it for a diabetes cure,” Moreno says.
Cocoa. You may think of cocoa as the key ingredient in chocolate, but it’s a spice with many health perks. The cocoa bean is chock-full of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have been shown to boost heart health. Flavonoids seem to play a role in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and helping keep your coronary (heart) arteries healthy, among other things.
Cumin. Used worldwide and known as a key ingredient in many Indian dishes, cumin is naturally rich in iron. It may play a role in weight loss, too. One study of 88 overweight women found that those who ate a little less than a teaspoon of cumin a day while on a low-calorie diet lost more body fat and weight as those on the same diet who didn’t add cumin.
Garlic. This plant has a powerful compound called allicin. Lab studies have shown that it may lower your chances of getting heart disease. And other research shows that eating garlic regularly may help with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. But to get the benefits, you have to chop or crush the clove: Allicin is formed only after the cells in the garlic have been cut or crushed.
Cardamom. This sweet, pungent spice is in many pumpkin spice mixes. It’s known to soothe an upset stomach, and lab studies show it may also help fight inflammation. One more perk? “Of all spices, cardamom is especially high in minerals like magnesium and zinc,” Moreno says.
Chili peppers. Fresh, dried, or powdered, chilies will give your food a kick. They also may boost your metabolism and help keep blood vessels healthy. One possible reason is capsaicin, the compound that makes them spicy.
Cinnamon. “Cinnamon is great because it’s sweet but very low in calories and sugar-free,” Moreno says. “Plus, it’s easy to find and not expensive, and you can add it to almost anything, including coffee and tea.”
Lab studies show that cinnamon also may help with inflammation, fend off free radicals that can damage your cells, fight bacteria.
And some research suggests it may help lower blood sugar in people who have diabetes or are likely to get the disease, but other studies don’t back that up. “It can be a part of a healthful diet, but don’t mistake it for a diabetes cure,” Moreno says.
Cocoa. You may think of cocoa as the key ingredient in chocolate, but it’s a spice with many health perks. The cocoa bean is chock-full of flavonoids, which are antioxidants that have been shown to boost heart health. Flavonoids seem to play a role in lowering cholesterol and blood pressure and helping keep your coronary (heart) arteries healthy, among other things.
Cumin. Used worldwide and known as a key ingredient in many Indian dishes, cumin is naturally rich in iron. It may play a role in weight loss, too. One study of 88 overweight women found that those who ate a little less than a teaspoon of cumin a day while on a low-calorie diet lost more body fat and weight as those on the same diet who didn’t add cumin.
Garlic. This plant has a powerful compound called allicin. Lab studies have shown that it may lower your chances of getting heart disease. And other research shows that eating garlic regularly may help with high cholesterol and high blood pressure. But to get the benefits, you have to chop or crush the clove: Allicin is formed only after the cells in the garlic have been cut or crushed.
Ginger. Yes, ginger really can help with an upset stomach. “It has a calming effect on the lining of your digestive system, and can ease nausea, too,” says Moreno.
Lab studies also show that ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may play a role in preventing diseases like cancer.
Rosemary. An ultra-fragrant herb, rosemary is rich in antioxidants that prevent cell damage, Moreno says. Even sniffing it may be good for you. One study found that people who got a whiff of rosemary performed better on memory tests and other mental tasks, compared with those who didn’t. Researchers think one of its compounds, called 1,8-cineole, may boost brain activity.
Turmeric. This yellow spice gets a lot of hype, and for good reason. It’s a good source of curcumin, an antioxidant that eases inflammation. Research suggests that curcumin may help ease pain. And other research shows that eating even small amounts of turmeric regularly may help prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease, possibly by helping prevent the brain plaques that lead to dementia.
Many folks enjoy using family remedies carried down through the years. It’s a way of hanging on to our pasts in a world that has become so impersonal. Others seek to go natural and avoid the many chemicals and preservatives that are often added to foods and substances during processing. Herbal and natural food stores are thriving because of this. There are some good reasons why taking these approaches can be very beneficial. However, I must warn anyone who is starting out to please be very careful when using herbs for these reasons. Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or remedies.
Many drugs are made out of herbs. Herbs can combine with these prescribed medications-leading to potentially dangerous and/or life-threatening interactions. If you are serious about using herbal remedies, I strongly suggest you pick up a good book at your local book store and read up on it beforehand. Be very careful. When it comes to making poultices or teas it is important to know what parts of plants are to be used and what parts are to be avoided. If your herbal book does not have sufficient information on drug/herb interactions, I suggest you get a drug handbook to go along with your herbal remedy book.
If you are going to mix your own herbs to make poultices and teas, be selective where you purchase your herbs. Make sure you know how to recognize quality products. Like cooking herbs and spices, they may lose their potency with age. This may or may not interfere with the way they react when mixed or prepared with other ingredients.
Some people feel if a little is good then more is better. This is not often the case. Follow directions. Be careful to measure accurately, steep for the stated amount of time and strain when it is called for. Store appropriately and use within the allotted safe time frame.
When used appropriately and with care and attention, the use of herbal supplements and remedies can be very effective in decreasing pain and discomfort, and increasing health and wellness.
Lab studies also show that ginger has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and may play a role in preventing diseases like cancer.
Rosemary. An ultra-fragrant herb, rosemary is rich in antioxidants that prevent cell damage, Moreno says. Even sniffing it may be good for you. One study found that people who got a whiff of rosemary performed better on memory tests and other mental tasks, compared with those who didn’t. Researchers think one of its compounds, called 1,8-cineole, may boost brain activity.
Turmeric. This yellow spice gets a lot of hype, and for good reason. It’s a good source of curcumin, an antioxidant that eases inflammation. Research suggests that curcumin may help ease pain. And other research shows that eating even small amounts of turmeric regularly may help prevent or slow down Alzheimer’s disease, possibly by helping prevent the brain plaques that lead to dementia.
Many folks enjoy using family remedies carried down through the years. It’s a way of hanging on to our pasts in a world that has become so impersonal. Others seek to go natural and avoid the many chemicals and preservatives that are often added to foods and substances during processing. Herbal and natural food stores are thriving because of this. There are some good reasons why taking these approaches can be very beneficial. However, I must warn anyone who is starting out to please be very careful when using herbs for these reasons. Always check with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements or remedies.
Many drugs are made out of herbs. Herbs can combine with these prescribed medications-leading to potentially dangerous and/or life-threatening interactions. If you are serious about using herbal remedies, I strongly suggest you pick up a good book at your local book store and read up on it beforehand. Be very careful. When it comes to making poultices or teas it is important to know what parts of plants are to be used and what parts are to be avoided. If your herbal book does not have sufficient information on drug/herb interactions, I suggest you get a drug handbook to go along with your herbal remedy book.
If you are going to mix your own herbs to make poultices and teas, be selective where you purchase your herbs. Make sure you know how to recognize quality products. Like cooking herbs and spices, they may lose their potency with age. This may or may not interfere with the way they react when mixed or prepared with other ingredients.
Some people feel if a little is good then more is better. This is not often the case. Follow directions. Be careful to measure accurately, steep for the stated amount of time and strain when it is called for. Store appropriately and use within the allotted safe time frame.
When used appropriately and with care and attention, the use of herbal supplements and remedies can be very effective in decreasing pain and discomfort, and increasing health and wellness.
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