A practical guide to herbs and their healing properties features more than remedies for a wide variety of ailments, accompanied by an A-to-Z directory of Craft a soothing aloe lotion after an encounter with poison ivy, make a dandelion-burdock tincture to fix sluggish digestion, and brew up some lavender-lemon ba. Essential Medicinal Plants. This Book provides all the basics Herbal Healing, starting with a complete breakdown of Essential Healing Herbs, health uses and common uses.
Plants have been u. National Geographic Guide to Medicinal Herbs. This herb is used to refresh and clear the throat. Agrimony is sometimes used for loose bowels as well. This herb is sometimes prescribed for fevers, digestive and bowel troubles, coughs and asthma. It can be used externally for skin sores. Do not take if pregnant or nursing or if you are planning to have surgery within two weeks. See our Agrimony page for more in-depth information and pictures.
Also grows in North America and North Africa. This plant is commonly used for arthritis, digestive problems, as a diuretic and for reducing high cholesterol. Alfalfa is high in beta-carotene and builds the immune system.
This plant also contains chlorophyll, which is good for reducing bad breath and body odor. CAUTION: Pregnant and nursing women should not eat alfalfa seeds due to their content of stachydrine and homostachydrine may promote menstruation or cause miscarriage. People in general should never eat alfalfa seeds. They contain high levels of the toxic amino acid canavanine. It also grows in Latin America and the Caribbean. The gel inside of the leaves of the Aloe plant can be used externally to treat minor burns, sun burn, cuts, scrapes and poison ivy.
Aloe gel is good for moisturizing the skin and is a main ingredient of many skin care products. Many people use it to reduce acne and treat other skin problems.
The Mayo Clinic website states that this is not safe and can lead to severe cramping, diarrhea and dangerous imbalances of electrolytes even if used infrequently. American ginseng is an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a substance which is good for the body in general and protects against stress of all types.
This type of ginseng has been used to strengthen the immune system, increase strength and stamina, treat digestive disorders, treat diabetes, treat ADHD and as a general tonic for wellness. Many people believe that the best American ginseng comes from the state of Wisconsin in the U.
American ginseng is considered a cooling ginseng, where Korean ginseng has a more warming effect on the body. See our American Ginseng page for more in-depth information and pictures. Amla is often used in the Ayurvedic medicine system of India. It is rich in vitamin C and also contains many other vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
Amla is often used to treat inflammation of the joints, fevers, urinary tract infections and to control blood sugar. It is high in fiber and may be helpful in treating constipation. See our Amla page for more in-depth information and pictures. Angelica has traditionally been used for menopausal troubles, flatulence, appetite loss, digestive problems, respiratory ailments and arthritis.
It is believed to be a hormonal regulator and uterine tonic. Angelica tea is often used to treat PMS as well. Is has a strong licorice taste. Anise is consumed to improve digestion, prevent flatulence, reduce bad breath and to treat coughs. Cultivated in North America. Arnica is used externally as an ointment for sore muscles, sprains and bruises.
It possesses anti-inflammatory, analgesic and anti-septic properties. Not recommended for long term use as it may cause skin irritation. This herb is very popular in the Ayurvedic system of health in India.
It is considered an adaptogen. It is commonly used to relieve stress and strengthen the immune system. It has the ability to strengthen the body and increase endurance. This herb has been used in India for over 3, years as a rejuvenator. The seeds of this plant are thought to have a diuretic effect, while the leaves possess anti-inflammatory, analgesic and sedative properties.
The chemical components of the root have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, immune strengthening and sedative properties. This is a great herb for athletes and active people that need to increase their energy, strength and stamina. This herb may also have a mild depressant effect and should not be taken with sedatives or alcohol. See our Ashwagandha page for more in-depth information and pictures. Cultivated in the U. Astragalus is one of the most popular herbs in the traditional Chinese medicine system.
It has been in use for over years. This herb is most often used as a diuretic and for lowering high blood pressure. Many people use it to treat upper respiratory infections as well as the common cold, as it seems to increase the production of white blood cells. Traditionally, this astragalus has also been used to increase energy, strengthen the immune system, treat excessive sweating, ulcers and diarrhea. See our Astragalus page for more in-depth information and pictures.
Habitat: Bacopa is native to India. Bacopa has been used as an effective brain tonic in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for thousands of years in India. It is beneficial to long and short term memory. Bacopa is often used to treat depression, anxiety asthma, allergies and bronchitis. It also possess some anti-inflammatory properties.
See our Bacopa page for more in-depth information and pictures. Bearberry is often taken as a tea. This herb is commonly used to treat urinary tract infections and inflammation of the urinary tract.
It has astringent, diuretic and antiseptic properties. Never take it if you are pregnant or if you have kidney disease. Do not give Bearberry to children. Bee Balm was often used by the Native Americans to treat intestinal problems, colic and flatulence.
Tea made from this plant was used to induce sweating and break fevers. Bee balm is often used to treat the common cold and sore throat as well.
The leaves of this plant are a good source of essential oil that contains thymol. Thymol is an antibiotic and often used as an ingredient in mouthwash. It is a great source of easily digested and highly absorbable nutrition.
Many people take it to increase energy. See our Bee Pollen page for more in-depth information and pictures. Bilberry has been used for centuries by European healers to treat such things as stomach cramps, diarrhea and diabetes. Now bilberry is most often used to prevent night blindness. It seems to be able to strengthen the capillaries and protect them from free radical damage. This plant contains flavonoids called anthocyanosides. These are a powerful antioxidant.
In the past, bilberry has also been used as a remedy for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and bruising. See our Bilberry page for more in-depth information and pictures.
Native Americans used black cherry as a medicinal herb to treat coughs. The bark from the black cherry tree was often made into a tea or syrup and used to expel worms, heal ulcers and treat burns. They also used it as a remedy for sore throat, pneumonia and lack of appetite. Black Cherry bark contains a glycoside called prunasin. This substance quells spasms in the smooth muscles of the bronchioles, thus reducing the cough reflex.
The Cherokee Indians used black cohosh as a diuretic and as a remedy for fatigue and tuberculosis. Other native Americans used this herb to treat menstrual irregularities, rheumatism and sore throat. Today, black cohosh is used mainly to reduce the severity of premenopausal and menopausal symptoms, such as excessive sweating, depression and hot flashes.
Blue cohosh may be toxic and has not been tested for safety. See our Black Cohosh page for more in-depth information and pictures. Boneset was used by the Native Americans to induce sweating and to treat colds, flu, arthritis, indigestion, loss of appetite, constipation, cholera, dengue, typhoid and malaria.
This plant is still in use today to treat colds, flu, fever and minor inflammation. NEVER consume fresh boneset. It is toxic. It must be dried before consuming. Do not use it if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. This book will guide you through the step-by-step process of learning about and growing your own healing herbs, starting with the basics of what each herb can do and proceeding to show you everything you need to cultivate them yourself.
The first things you will learn in this guide are the basics of all healing herbs, starting with a complete breakdown of the numerous healing herbs known to be easily cultivated in temperate climates. It originated in Europe but is native to North America, found in areas east of the Mississippi River.
This herb gives the user an overall healthy feeling by soothing the central nervous system, decongesting the liver and respiratory system, cleansing toxins, easing coughs and colds and lowing fever.
The body gets a general calm effect. Chaparral grows in the western deserts of the USA. Native Americans have used chaparral for many years to relieve pain and inflammation. M including arthritis, tuberculosis, skin conditions, and the common cold.
Stomach upsets, joint pain, bruises, loss of appetite, intestinal gas, aching muscles, gallstones, and eczema are some of the issues that Dandelion can address. The herb can also be used as a skin toner, blood or digestive tonic. Chronic fatigue syndrome, neuralgia nerve pain , sinus pain, and sciatica back and leg pain are conditions that elderberry can treat.
It can also be used for allergic rhinitis hay fever , laxative for constipation, induce sweating, and increase the flow of urine. Irish moss , sometimes called "sea moss", provides a ready supply of vitamins B2 and B9 as well as whole host of essential minerals that the body needs!
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