Healing Herbs - Part 5

There are literally thousands of herbs that are used for healing around the world. Most herbs can be taken in capsule, tablet or liquid forms as well as in teas. Here are five more of some of the most popular healing herbs and instructions for using them. Of course, if you are pregnant or have serious health problems, be sure to talk to your doctor before using medicinal herbs.

1. Thyme:

Eases cough and upper respiratory infections.

Pour boiling water over 1 tsp. of dried herb and steep to make a tea.

2. Uva Ursi (bearberry):

Helps relieve fluid retention and fights inflammation in the urinary tract.

Pour cold water over 1 tsp. of coarsely powdered leaves and let stand for 12-24 hours to make a tea.

3. Valerian:

Good for insomnia.

Pour boiling water over 2 tsp. of finely cut root and steep to make a tea.

4. Willow Bark:

Helps ease pain, fever and headaches.

Pour boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of finely chopped bark and steep to make a tea.

5. Yarrow:

Good for indigestion and for stimulating the appetite.

Pour boiling water over 1 heaping tsp. of finely chopped herb and steep to make a tea.

Source: The Doctors Book of Food Remedies: The Newest Discoveries in the Power of Food to Treat and Prevent Health Problems-From Aging and Diabetes to Ulcers by Selene Yeager and the Editors of Prevention Health Books. Read more!

Herbal Therapy

What is it?

Herbal therapy is the use of medicinal plants for health and healing. It is one of the oldest forms of what is now called alternative medicine.

How does it work?

Plants contain a variety of chemicals that are beneficial to health. In fact, a large number of modern drugs contain compounds that were originally found in plants. Consider saponins. Found in many plants, these compounds break down excess mucus and improve elimination from the bowels. Other common compounds, called tannins, can slow bleeding from wounds, and some are now known to have antimicrobial properties.

Medicinal herbs can be taken in many forms. One of the most common is herbal tea. Another preparation, a tincture, is a concentrated liquid extract of the herb. There are also herbal tablets and capsules, fresh herbs as food and, for external use, poultices, compresses, creams and salves. External preparations often utilize essential oils.

What can it do for you?

Medicinal herbs can be taken for any condition, but they're often used in mainstream culture as a supportive treatment, taken in combination with other types of conventional or alternative care. Herbs can reduce the side effects of certain medications, for example. But while some herbal and nutritional treatments interact beneficially with prescription drugs, others have negative interactions.

Herbal therapy is often recommended for treating chronic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, memory problems and arthritis. It's also helpful for acute illnesses such as colds and for healing skin, muscle or other problems.

Is it safe?

Just because herbs are natural does not mean that they are always safe. While some people may assume that if a little bit of an herb is good, more must be better, the fact is that large doses of herbs may cause problems. Ginkgo, for example, has been shown to improve memory by affecting circulation, but large doses of the herb may cause problems for an elderly or sensitive person who is taking a blood-thinning medication at the same time. For maximum safety, herbs should be used under the guidance of a qualified herbal practitioner.

Source: Alternative Cures: The Most Effective Natural Home Remedies for 160 Health Problems by Bill Gottlieb, author of New Choices in Natural Healing. Read more!