Ayurveda: Ayurvedic Herbology
One of the main methods of treatment in Ayurvedic medicine is through the healing properties of plants and other substances. This style of Herbolism is based on principles that have been past down for a myriad of centuries. The wisdom of the vedic sages is at the foundation of this “Science of Life”. First shared as an oral tradition, the reliability of the knowledge has been substantiated by the generations that have benefited from its use.
How to Make Medicinal Vinegars & Oxymels
Medicinal vinegars (Vinegar Extracts) have been around since ancient times, and were an excellent way to preserve and dispense herbs before distilled spirits were known about. While the advantages of using vodka or brandy to make your herbal tinctures are many – including greater potency and longer shelf life, there are those who wish to avoid alcohol for personal reasons or due to the higher cost, making vinegar extracts ideal for them to create. Vinegar extracts (also known as “aceta”) are weaker than alcohol based tinctures, so the required dose is higher. And, while vinegar won’t draw out as many of the beneficial components of an herb that alcohol will, it does excel at drawing minerals and vitamins from a plant. Add those extra nutrients to the already established benefits of apple cider vinegar and you have a very acceptable option for your herbal remedies toolbox.
20 of the Best Antiviral and Antibacterial Herbs and Plants Ever!
Photo credit: bigstock.com Depending on your age, your mother or grandmother most likely used some type of herb or plants to help heal you when you were sick without you realizing it, or perhaps you just didn’t appreciate it at the time. For many of us, it’s not until we have our own children that we realize that we don’t want to put chemicals and other toxic things into those precious little bodies. Especially when it comes to antibiotics or antiviral medicines. You start to think that Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she made this planet, and that she must have put some type of healing plant on this earth to help us along. Before using these antiviral or antibacterial herbs, you would be wise to consult a herbalist for exact dosing instructions as everyone’s body, especially children’s, are unique and different herbs should be consumed in different quantities and in different ways, such as teas or tinctures.
Usnea - an herbal remedy for strep throat and staph infections.
Usnea is a lichen rather than a plant. Lichens are unusual combinations of algae and fungi that work together as a single organism. It can be found growing on old trees in the cool damp of the forest. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this is an epiphytic herb, meaning that it grows abundantly on other trees without taking any nutrients from the tree, and instead gets its nutrients from surrounding air and moisture in rain or on the surface of the host tree. Historically, it was used to make skin creams, vaginal inserts, and mouthwashes and used as a dressing. Key Medicinal Uses
You Could have Parasites and Not Know It! 12 Herbs that Kill Them
Photo credit: bigstock.com Parasites are a fairly common problem, even in America. Most Americans think that there is no way that they could become infected. They live in one of the richest countries in the world, don’t they? Aren’t strict food and health codes followed?
Temperate Climate Permaculture: Permaculture Plants: Plantain
Plantain is a weed I would welcome. Common Plantain (Plantago major) Common Name: Plantain
15 Natural Herbs for Those with Bipolar Disorder
Photo credit: bigstock.com If you or someone you love suffers from bipolar disorder (manic depression), then you know what a difficult disease this is. It varies from person to person, with some having what is considered to be mild episodes, while other experience frequent and life threatening episodes. If you are looking for alternatives to the typical fare of prescription medications, you will find that for this particular disorder, they are few and far between.
Smoking To Cure Lung Infections and For Good Lung Health
Some readers will be surprised by our endorsement of any herb that is to be smoked; especially one that is called a "tobacco". We endorse the medicinal use of Indian tobacco (lobelia inflata). Smoking truly natural substances is not necessarily harmful. Even real tobacco does not need to be dangerous, but it is made dangerous by the industry.
