Herbs have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. From pepper and dill for indigestion to chamomile for insomnia and lemon balm for headaches and tension, there are many healing herbs that can help improve your health. Rosemary is known to help with halitosis (bad breath) and to improve concentration, while thyme, sage, bay leaf and rosemary can help prevent stomach upset. Gingko is one of the oldest tree species and a key herb in Chinese medicine.
The leaves are used to create capsules, tablets and extracts, and when dried they can be consumed as tea. It is perhaps best known for its ability to improve brain health. Studies suggest that gingko can treat patients with mild to moderate dementia and may slow cognitive decline in dementia and Alzheimer's disease. Turmeric is native to India and is believed to have anti-cancer properties and may prevent mutations.
Recent research also suggests that turmeric may be a treatment for a variety of dermatological diseases and joint arthritis. It has been used as a medicinal herb for 4,000 years as part of an Indian alternative medicine practice called Ayurveda. The studies on evening primrose oil are varied but some studies have found that it has anti-inflammatory properties. It is known to help with conditions such as atopic dermatitis and diabetic neuropathy.
It can also help with other health problems such as breast pain. Flax seed is one of the safest options among plant-based dietary supplements. Harvested for thousands of years, today flax seed is praised for its antioxidant activity and anti-inflammatory benefits. While more research with humans is needed, studies suggest that flax seed may help prevent colon cancer and has the ability to lower blood pressure.
When consumed it can even help reduce obesity. Tea tree oil is known for its antimicrobial superpowers in wounds and topical infections. Wilson recommends that tea tree oil, like all essential oils, be diluted in a carrier oil. It is often already diluted in a variety of skin care products and creams. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of a tree native to Queensland and New South Wales, Australia. Echinacea is much more than those beautiful purple flowers that you see dotting gardens.
These flowers have been used for centuries as medicine in the form of teas, juices and extracts. Nowadays they can be taken as powders or supplements. The most well-known use of echinacea is to shorten the symptoms of the common cold but further studies are needed to verify this benefit. Ashwagandha comes from the plant Withania somnifera also known as ginseng from India and winter cherry from India. The evergreen shrub is native to Africa and Asia and grows in parts of the Middle East and India.
Ashwagandha has been used for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. This versatile herb is common in Ayurvedic medicine (Indian traditional medicine system) to increase energy levels, decrease anxiety and stress, reduce pain and inflammation, improve male sexual health by increasing testosterone levels in men, support erectile dysfunction, increase libido (sexual desire) and improve sexual pleasure. Ashwagandha is available in the form of capsules, tincture and powder as a dietary supplement. Most people don't immediately feel the effects of ashwagandha but it may take weeks before the benefits are noticed. Chamomile is a popular herbal remedy in the United States commonly used to reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health it is likely safe when used as tea or orally in the short term but more research is needed on its long-term safety. In Europe chamomile is used to help heal wounds and reduce inflammation and swelling. Its proven benefits include reducing anxiety levels, improving sleep quality, relieving muscle spasms, reducing inflammation in the digestive tract and helping with skin conditions such as eczema. Herbs have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments from indigestion to insomnia to headaches.
From gingko to turmeric to evening primrose oil to flax seed to tea tree oil there are many healing herbs that can help improve your health.
