Everyday uses for herbs to naturally promote health and wellness

"Let medicine be thy food and food be thy medicine." - Hippocrates In Western culture, when people think of medicine, they think of pills, capsules and injections, but in many cultures the benefits of herbs and plants have been the traditional medicine since the ancient times. Today, people are beginning to come back to herbal treatments in the quest for more holistic approaches to health. Where the modern view of allopathic-oriented science has been the norm for the last century, maintaining better health through nutrition as preventative medicine is finally coming back into the spotlight. In many cultures, it has always been the standard.

Unfortunately, when most people hear the phrase “herbal medicine” they think about the mass produced supplements in pill and capsule form being advertised in the pages of magazines, on television and all over the internet. These can be questionably sourced products that are far from the natural state of the herbs they claim to be. The fact is that true herbal healing can start at home, right in your own herb garden. Many health benefits are found in the plants we use to flavor our food, and even in plants commonly looked upon as weeds.

I could very easily compile a massive list of every plant that has medicinal benefits, there are endless amounts of informative books written on the subject. I will instead focus on a small selection of plants that can be easily cultivated in your own yard, or sourced from your local farmers market. Many you may already associate with health benefits, but there are some that I believe may surprise you!

Basil contains many nutritional benefits oils and extracts are said to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties Contains vitamin K, vitamin A, manganese, and magnesium. Naturally anti-inflammatory Similar to Echinacea, Basil can assist in combating common viruses like colds, the flu, and the herpes family of viruses.

We all know that mint is a great breath freshener, and it tastes great in candy, but mint is also a very powerful antioxidant. Mint contains small amounts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, and vitamins C and A Mint plants contain antioxidants that provide relief from seasonal allergies. When steeped as tea mint can alleviate cold symptoms, indigestion and even Irritable Bowel syndrome.

Rosemary is delicious in chicken dishes, but it also one of the oldest known medicinal herbs due to its astringent, tonic, carminative, antispasmodic, and diaphoretic properties. An antimicrobial agent, used in powdered form as flea/tick treatment. 4 to 6 g/day can be used to treat dyspepsia, high blood pressure, and rheumatism. May be used to alleviate headaches and reduce stress. Aids in asthma and bronchitis treatment. Used in aromatherapy for chronic pain treatment.

Not just for cooking, sage can be steeped into a tea that helps alleviate sore throats and symptoms of asthma. Sage also has anti- inflammatory and antioxidant benefits which makes it helpful in alleviating: Respiratory problems, including bronchitis, congestion and sinusitis, when used in a steam inhaler. Inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and atherosclerosis. Cognitive issues such as Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Excessive perspiration. It is common for herbalists to recommend sage for menopausal women troubled with night sweats.

Thyme has non-culinary uses as far back as ancient Greece and Egypt. Due to its antibacterial properties, tinctures made with thyme steeped in alcohol are an effective acne treatment. Thyme is a good source of vitamins C and A.

Known as the most common garnish on American plates, parsley actually offers some benefits besides adding color to your plate. Parsley seed has been traditionally used to decrease flatulence and also to treat colic pain. Parsley root has been used as a diuretic while parsley juice can be used to treat kidney ailments. The leaves can be used treat insect bites, lice, and other skin parasites. * It should be noted not to use parsley oil. Although trained herbalists have administered it to regulate menstrual flow in the treatment of amenorrhea and dysmenorrhea, and is purported to be an abortive (Drugs.com).

Parsley’s spicy cousin cilantro is also known as coriander, and can be used in leaf or seed form. Has anti-inflammatory and cholesterol lowering properties. Helps stimulate secretion of insulin and lower blood sugar. A good source of potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, and magnesium. Coriander seed oil has traditional medicinal uses such as analgesic, anti-spasmodic, deodorant, digestive, and fungicidal. Leaves, root, and stem of cilantro/coriander plant have been found to have anti-septic and carminative properties.

There are many very beneficial plants that many of us consider nuisance weeds. People will pay for a landscaper to remove them, or poison their lawns to eradicate them, but they actually have proven medicinal properties.

In the past, Europeans used remedies made from dandelion (Taraxacum sp.) roots, leaves and flowers to treat fever, boils, eye problems, diabetes and diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine take dandelions for stomach ailments and breast problems, such as inflammation or lack of milk flow. Dandelions have a bitter taste and contain vitamins A, B, C and D, along with iron, potassium and zinc.

Chicory is commonly viewed as nothing more than a pretty purple weed on the side of the road, but Chicory roots and leaves are actually edible. Has probiotic properties Beneficial in relieving conditions such as constipation, diarrhea. Chicory is an appetite stimulant and can be used in treating dyspepsia. Young leaves can be eaten like spinach. Roots can be roasted or boiled and eaten like potatoes. Chicory is also a popular addition to coffee, particularly in the southern states.

Here’s one you might recognize from your back yard. Many people don’t realize that this plant has valuable use both topically and internally. Going back to ancient times, plantains (not the banana like fruit)/plantago has been used in a poultice to speed up the healing of wounds. When steeped into a tea it can be used to treat diarrhea. The young, tender leaves in spring are good in salads, and impart a delicate earthy flavor. The leaves from later in the season are tougher and are more suitable for use in teas and soups.

Traditionally, burdock has been used since ancient times to clear toxins from the blood. It is also useful for treating common skin ailments, like eczema, acne and psoriasis. Both the leaves and roots of burdock are edible and may be used to aid digestion. It contains high quantities of antioxidants that help to prevent damage to cells. It is a good idea not to overuse burdock, as it may cause flatulence.

Brushing up against stinging nettle can cause a release of histamines that can cause an itchy rash, but when ingested it is actually quite good for you. The entire plant, roots, stems, leaves, and flowers have nutritional and medicinal properties. Not only is it high in micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, riboflavin, thiamine and potassium, it is also loaded with phosphorus. Nettles also contain high vitamins A, C, D, E, and K. Studies have shown that stinging nettles are useful for cleansing the body of metabolic waste and increasing the production of red blood cells. Traditionally nettles have been even been used to increase treat arthritis, itchy scalp & dandruff. When ingested it aids in seasonal allergy relief and is even shown to promote liver and kidney health.

It is important to remember that even herbs can have potentially negative interactions with prescription medications. During pregnancy it is advisable to avoid the use of herbs during pregnancy, particularly in the first trimester, unless under the supervision of a knowledgeable practitioner. There are a few exceptions to this, as it is considered safe to take up to 1,000 mg of ginger in capsule or candied form to help alleviate symptoms of morning sickness. It is also safe for pregnant women to use Echinacea if they develop a cold or the flu. Women who are breastfeeding should avoid most medicinal herbs for the first four to six months of a baby's life, with the exception of herbs that help stimulate breast-milk production, such as fenugreek and alfalfa

Herbal Medicine. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2015, from Therapies.html Parsley Uses, Benefits & Side Effects - Drugs.com Herbal Database. (n.d.). Retrieved July 5, 2015.