Healing herbs have been used to treat health conditions for thousands of years. With the help of leaves, flowers, roots and berries, the plant world offers a variety of healing herbs that boosts the immune system, fights infection and naturally remedies disease. Today, you can make herbal remedies at home or purchase over-the-counter medications at your local pharmacy.
Fennel
Native to the Mediterranean region, fennel is a healing herb possessing anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Fennel essential oil and seeds (gathered in autumn) create remedies to treat morning sickness, nausea and stomach spasms. Prepare a gargle with fennel seeds to ease sore throats, use as eyewash for pink eye or make an infusion to treat indigestion. Safe for children, fennel also provides relief to colicky and teething babies.
Echinacea
With a reputation for containing active components that heal a body fighting the common cold--the roots, leaves and purple flowers of the echinacea plant have a stimulating effect on the immune system. Use the root to make decoctions for throat infections and tinctures to treat chronic infections. Follow Native American medicine and choose echinacea to treat toothaches. Create a healing herbal tea with the leaves and flowers to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Other conditions that respond to echinacea include cold sores, acne, fungal infections and canker sores.
Ginger
Available as an extract or eaten raw, cooked, crystallized or pickled, ginger is one of the most versatile of healing herbs--known for its natural anti-inflammatory effects. During the cold season, use ginger to treat congestion and kill the viruses that cause the flu and strep throat. Heal an upset stomach associated with pregnancy, motion sickness or chemotherapy with ginger. According to a Department of Environmental Medicine study conducted by Odense University in Denmark, powdered ginger relieves pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and muscle ailments.
Garlic
Leading the double life of a popular cooking ingredient and medicinal miracle worker, garlic packs an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-parasitic punch. Cloves of garlic contain volatile oil--a common element found in antiseptic and antibiotic healing herbs. Providing an immunity boost, garlic shows promise in taming colds, flu and other common infections. Garlic also cleanses the digestive system, kills internal parasites, and aids digestion. Common preparations include capsules, tablets, syrups and freshly chopped cloves.
Aloe Vera
With a history that traces back to Africa, the reputation of aloe vera as an effective choice in topical wound healing includes treatments for skin ulcers, minor burns, eczema, canker sores and seborrheic dermatitis. Today, home healers and modern medical practitioners use the potted plants for instant access to the clear gel in the leaves and a yellow sap (called 'bitter aloes') at the base of the leaf. To extract aloe vera gel--break off a leaf, split open and run a knife across the exposed leaf to collect.
Ginseng
Whether you choose American, Korean or Siberian, all types of ginseng assist in the healing process of illnesses, treat low energy and support the central nervous system. Use ginseng to improve feverish conditions and ease the pain of inflammatory conditions. The herb also improves physical strength, soothes a difficult childbirth and relieves symptoms of blood diseases. Dried and fresh ginseng root harvested after four years provides the highest concentration of the healing herb.
Tags: canker sores, healing herb, immune system, leaves flowers