- HubPages»
- Health»
- Alternative & Natural Medicine»
- Herbal Remedies
8 Healing Plants for Every Household
Natural Plant Remedies
Herbs have existed as natural remedies for a very long time. Their soothing properties make it easy for you to heal your body. Their properties encourage us to study, learn about their benefits, and work toward being healthy in mind and spirit. Whether you take herbs internally or apply them externally, they nourish your body through and through.
Before I go to an herbal store near me, I become familiar with the benefits of herbs begins with understanding their elements and experiencing the benefits first-hand. The following list of herbs should help you develop a connection to their healing properties.
Herb
| Benefits
| Improves
|
---|---|---|
Astragalus
| Antibacterial/Anti-inflammatory
| Respiratory System
|
Arnica Flower
| Reduces pain/Inflammation
| Chronic Pain in Joints/Muscles
|
Cascara Sagrada
| Detoxify the Colon
| Short-term Constipation
|
Black Cohosh
| Menopausal Systems
| Cramping, Hot Flashes, Vaginal Dryness
|
Chickweed
| Respiratory System
| Rheumatism, Joint inflammation, Chest Infections
|
Nettle Leaf
| Seasonal Allergies
| Post-nasal Drip, Cough, Sneezing, Itching
|
Turmeric
| Powerful Antioxidant Properties
| Kidney Function, Painful Inflammation, Cancer-causing Free Radicals
|
Licorice Root
| Anti-Inflammatory
| Respitatory System, Coughs, Sore Throat, Digestive System
|
"With the growing recognition of the value of herbs, it is surely time to examine the professional therapeutic use of these herbs. There are profound changes happening in the American culture and herbal medicine, 'green medicine,' is playing an ever-increasing role in people's experience of this transformation."
— David Hoffman, Herbalist1. Astragalus
This particular herb needs no introduction and earns a place in every herbal medicine cabinet. The list of remedies is a miracle in itself. As an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory resource, the astragalus improves the function of the lungs. It treats illnesses of the respiratory system -- pneumonia, bronchitis, and whooping cough. Could you take it as a supplement? The herb even increases the white blood cell count, builds the immunity system, and makes the body’s metabolism stronger. Another added benefit is the plant also helps heal the digestive tract and lower high blood pressure.
2. Arnica Flower
A popular herb is made into an ointment that soothes sore muscles and reduces pain and inflammation from sprains, bruises, and wounds.
Arnica heals chronic sores or abscesses. It even stimulates hair growth by rubbing it on the head.
Taken homeopathically can heal the body from within for such ailments as arthritis, back pain, stiff joints, and sore muscles.
3. Cascara Sagrada
The herb can quickly relieve symptoms of short-term constipation. Once taken, the plant agitates the lining of the bowels stimulating the rate of the alimentary canal. With that, cascara sagrada helps to detoxify the colon.
No matter how you approach the herb, when taken, the lower digestive tract benefits greatly.
4. Black Cohosh
Most women take it for menopausal systems with success. The herb treats female hormonal issues such as cramping, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness caused by menopause.
Men don't shy away from the herb either. Reports indicated black cohosh treats arthritis, muscular pain, stomach ailments, sore throat, and coughing.
5. Chickweed
People administered the herb both internally and externally. Tonic juice from the plant helps relieve rheumatism, joint inflammation, and chest infections. Applying the chickweed as a gel or cream helps speed up the healing process of itchy skin, eczema, acne, hemorrhoids, ulcers, varicose veins, and boils.
Every first aid kit needs a tube of chickweed cream.
6. Nettle Leaf
Nettle Leaf offers several ways to help the body heal. People use the herb to prevent adverse reactions during seasonal allergies, which is best known. It helps to relieve symptoms like post-nasal drip, cough, sneezing, and itching.
Clinical reports confirm that stinging nettle is an aid for allergies in the journal Planta Medica. One of the best ways to take the herb is as a tincture.
7. Turmeric
Turmeric helps the body heal in many ways and is a wonderful herb. It seems endless, so why not just take it every day in capsule form, and you covered all the healing benefits of this wonder herb.
Here are a few health benefits of turmeric.
It contains powerful antioxidant properties to fight cancer-causing free radicals and is a potent anti-inflammatory. Many studies report these benefits. Particularly in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the herb is most effective.
The herb contains curcumin, which eases symptoms of painful inflammation.
Another benefit worth mentioning is research indicates daily doses of turmeric for several months improves kidney function with those who suffer kidney inflammation.
8. Licorice Root
The sweet root makes a delightful cup of tea to help support your digestive tract and respiratory system. The Egyptians and Assyrians recorded using this medicinal herb. Ancient Arabia used licorice root to treat coughs and Greece for both coughs and asthma. China, the herb gave relief from inflammation of mucus membranes and digestive tract spasms.
Today, you can take licorice root for sore throats, coughs, tooth decay and heartburn. Other studies show the medicinal herb helps women with fertility, menstrual problems and menopause.
Many herbal companies make the tea, so keep a box of licorice tea bags on hand for a soothing cup as needed.
Herbal Medicine
I hope you are connected to the benefits of taking herbs and how they work on the body. Study and learn about herbs as valid alternative medicine from reliable herbal books.
Alchemy of Herbs by Rosalee de la Forêt helped me learn and understand the principle of using herbs to heal the body. I bought this book when I began my studies. I visit the herbs store near me and purchase the latest plant from my research.
It simplified my practice with herbs and made it easy to apply herbal medicine, which is my foundation for natural healing.
At least once a week, I crack open the book and find a reference I need to help someone I know or myself.
Learn about one herb and use it well, and learn about another herb and use it well. Keep at it until you have all the herbal remedies you need for your family and friends.
- Herbal Remedies of the Maritime Indians
A review of the writings of early settlers and missionaries has resulted in a list of 128 local plants and the medical problems to which they applied them. - Herbal Remedies
The sources consider these formulations moderate in efficacy and thus less toxic than most pharmaceutical agents.
This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.
© 2012 Kenna McHugh