More and more people are turning to whole-plant herbal remedies
as preventive health care and for treating specific health problems.
We are going “back to our roots” as we relearn the time-honored
remedies our ancestors used. The really wonderful thing is that
once we start learning again, we find that using herbal remedies
is very easy to do.
Herb shops and simple herb classes are popping up everywhere. People
only need to take a few classes to gain enough knowledge to help
prevent illness or to care for most common illnesses that occur
in their families. These classes even teach how to make simple herbal
medicines like tinctures, salves, etc., so you leave with hands-on
knowledge and the confidence to continue to make these remedies
in your own kitchen.
This is the way our ancestors used herbs and plants for healing.
They might have macerated a plant and put it on the body for healing,
or boiled a big pot of herbs and put it in their bathtub, to take
in the healing constituents through the skin. Of course, the most
well-known way to take herbs is by making a tea.
The mystery really starts to unfold as we learn how many things
can be done with just a handful of herbs. As an example, when we
think about chamomile flowers, we often think about using them to
help relax and calm a child so they are able to go to sleep (such
as from the Peter Rabbit stories). But, did you know that chamomile
is also a great digestive aide, is rich in absorbable calcium/magnesium
and other bone-building minerals, is anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal
(both internally and externally for fungus and inflammation), helps
boost mental alertness, and helps rejuvenate hair and skin texture?
Chamomile is used in formulas for insomnia, stress and menstrual
pain; and relieves gas and indigestion, ulcers or poor enzyme activity.
Chamomile speeds healing internally and externally, can be used
as a mouthwash for thrush or as an eyewash for conjunctivitis or
inflamed eyes, as a gargle for sore throat or a steam for nasal
congestion.
Chamomile is a great herb to take when traveling. You can purchase
un-filled tea bags in assorted sizes at health food shops and fill
them with loose chamomile flowers. These are easy to make and ready
the moment you need them. Make a tea for indigestion, motion sickness,
colds, flu, fungal infections, hectic travel stress, menstrual pain,
etc. Gargle with the tea for a sore throat or to rinse tired or
dry eyes. Pop a few teabags in the bathtub for sunburn, windburn,
mosquito or other insect bites, or anytime your skin is irritated.
As you can see, one herb can serve many purposes. You do not have
to know hundreds of herbs to care for yourself and your family naturally.
