THE HEALING POWER OF HERBS

The Story below is from the Daily Mail. Sadly people have forgotten what treasures we have all around us and many are for free. Modern medicines have their "roots", excuse the pun! in herbal medicine. The ones below in the article are only a tiny tip of the iceberg of what we can use. Common plants, such as Dandelion, The roasted root makes an excellent coffee substitute, is an extremely high source of potassium and is also a diuretic. Feverfew, which many gardeners view as a weed can alleviate Migraine, though I have to say the leaves are very bitter and you need lashes of dressing to make them palatable. Chamomile is often used in soothing skin remedies and the infused flowers enhance blonde hair, I have tried this myself and used it on my blonde daughter to enhance golden highlights. Pot Marigold (Calendula) and NOT the French Marigold (Tagetes) is extremely soothing especially for stinging nettles, and other skin conditions, I'd say better than the common Dock leaf.  And even the common stinging nettle can be made into a soup or infusion and be used as a tonic as it too is rich in iron. All of these can be obtained in their purified state at a herbalist and are generally very inexpensive and the list is vast.

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Basil reduces blood pressure, while coriander prevents food poisoning... the healing power of herbs

Thyme may ease the misery of acne, according to a study published last month. So which other herbs and spices can benefit your body? 

BEST FOR... ANAEMIA 

ROSEMARY: Rosemary leaves are high in iron — a lack of this mineral can cause fatigue and anaemia. The herb also contains carnosic, which can shield the brain from damaging free radicals. This lowers the risk of strokes and neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer’s, says a study in the Journal Of Neurochemistry.

Herbal remedies: Basil, left, can lower blood pressure while oregano, right, can cure thrush

BEST FOR... BLOOD PRESSURE

BASIL: A study at Xinjiang Medical University found an extract of the herb reduced blood pressure in a similar way to medication. It’s thought it affects levels of endothelins, proteins which constrict blood vessels.

BEST FOR... DIABETICS 

FENUGREEK: A daily extract of its seeds improves diabetics’ blood sugar control and decreases insulin resistance, say researchers at the Jaipur Diabetes and Research Centre in India. 

It may also increase inadequate breast milk supply, nursing mothers have reported. But as the spice is also a traditional remedy to induce childbirth, the seeds shouldn’t be taken during pregnancy. 

BEST FOR... THRUSH 

OREGANO: This contains the powerful antifungal agents thymol and carvacrol. A study at Georgetown University Medical Centre in Washington showed that carvacrol inhibited the growth of the fungus Candida albicans (which causes thrush) better than a common antifungal medication. 

BEST FOR... PREVENTING FOOD POISONING

CORIANDER: Coriander oil has been shown to fight against food poisoning bacteria campylobacter, according to research published in the Journal Of Medical Microbiology. 

Chicken and red meat (particularly mince) can carry campylobacter, which may cause illness if food is undercooked. You could add ground coriander seeds (which provide the essential oil component) to your burgers and chicken dishes.  

BEST FOR... MOOD AND MEMORY

Sage advice: The herb can improve your memory

SAGE: Healthy young volunteers who were given capsules with high doses of sage essential oil in a study at Northumbria University said their mood was consistently enhanced.

In older people, Australian research found extract of sage improved memory and attention. The herb is thought to inhibit breakdown of acetylcholine, a brain chemical associated with attention span and sharp memory. 

BEST FOR... STOMACH ULCERS 

CARDAMOM: If you’ve had a stomach ulcer, or are prone to them, try adding cardamom to spicy dishes or rice pudding. Indian researchers found its oil extracts protected the stomach lining and helped guard against ulcers induced by alcohol and aspirin. The active ingredient is thought to be nootkatone, obtained from ground pods.

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