Medicinal Herbs with Healing Powers


Holistic Treatment of Hypertension, Cancer, Cholesterol, Fibromyalgia, and More

; all rights reserved; content may not be copied, rewritten, or republished without author’s written permission; Author’s Google profile; Posted Feb 25, 2013

An organic rosemary plant; photo © Kelly Smith

 


Herbs have been used for improving health and curing aliments for centuries. We may be overwhelmed by pharmaceutical drugs today due to the wonders of science, but at one time plants were all humanity had to rely on.

Traditionally, the knowledge was passed down verbally from generation to generation. Sometimes this meant a shaman, which still happening in some cultures today, sometimes it meant a family elder, and other times it was a villager.

Does Herbal Medicine Really Work?

It depends on who you ask. Like flying saucer searchers, new age practitioners, and the Loch Ness Monster observers, this concept has its proponents and detractors. Many conventional doctors poo-poo the idea, but of course the two disciplines are in competition.

But in fact, many herbal chemical structures have been scientifically shown to be effective. For example quinine occurs naturally in the bark of the cinchona tree which was the original source although today it is synthesized in the lab. It is used as a fever-reducer, pain-killer, and a malaria treatment.

Another prime example is aspirin. The active ingredient is salicylic acid which was first isolated in willow bark and spiraea. Even Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, administered it sometime between 460 BC and 377 BC for headaches and fever!

Conditions to Treat with Medicinal Herbs

For the herbs listed below, use your own judgment and always consult your doctor about drug interactions.

  • Cancer. The “big C” might just be the most worrisome and expensive disease. Since it is still so mysterious, herbs are thought to prevent it rather than cure it. Try Alfalfa red clover, evening primrose, hemp seed oil, and walnuts.

  • High Cholesterol Reduction. It seems that everyone that has a medical exam are told they have this condition. Alfalfa, fenugreek, Fo-ti, dandelion root, flax, pumpkin seeds, and red rice yeast extract will help you on this front.

  • Diabetes. Unless you have type II, which can often be treated by losing weight, this condition is more of a management issue.

    Bitter melon, burdock root, cinnamon, dandelion root, fenugreek, garlic, gurmar, yacon Root, and prickly pear all help regulate blood sugar. Apples and steel-cut oatmeal contain soluble fiber, which can lower cholesterol. This will help to prevent plaque buildup in arteries, and slow the uptake of glucose.

  • Low Libido. Everyone wants to take care of this one, right? Forget dried rhinoceros horn; its bogus. Instead try panax ginseng, Fo-Ti, yin yang huo (horny goat weed), muira puama, yohimbes, stinging nettles, and damiana.

  • Arthritis. If you or someone you know has arthritis, you know how debilitating it can be. A few things you can try for relief are 3 tablespoons of organic vinegar a day, avocado oil combined with soy, boswellia (frankincense), and ginger root.

    For external massages, give castor oil, eucalyptus oil, pine oil, wintergreen oil, and rosemary infused oil.

  • Hypertension (High Blood Pressure). I have this condition myself and couldn’t stand the side effects of the meds. Some of the things that helped me are herbal. A daily staple is green tea and hibiscus tea steeped with chopped cinnamon sticks and fresh-cut organic rosemary.

    Put the ingredients in your drip coffee carafe and add the appropriate amount of water to the reservoir. Brew as usual and turn off the pot as soon as all the water passes through into carafe.

    I generally drink the first cup hot and consume the rest as ice tea throughout the day. Use a strainer to catch the tea and other ingredients and they can go straight to your compost pile. Waste not, want not!

    Another non-med method that I have had great success with is the RESPeRATE blood pressure lowering device. It works like this—I listen to the breathe-in breathe-out tones through the supplied ear buds and it gradually lowers breaths/minute. It is very relaxing and relaxes blood vessels like the meds do.

  • Fibromyalgia Remedies. This is a painful, debilitating condition that doctors do not completely understand. Indeed, many are still members of the it’s all in your head club. Herbs that will relieve some of the symptoms by reducing inflammation and improving circulation include cayenne, white willow, lavender, rosemary, and ginger.

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