Wednesday, April 13, 2016

A Few Beneficial Herbs

Herbs are the culinary and medicinal plants humans have used for thousands of years. These are the aromatic plants which are used, fresh or dried, for seasoning, for their medicinal properties, or in perfumes. There are a wide variety of herbs such as kelp, garlic, parsley, green tea extract, horse chestnut, milk thistle, and oregano oil.

Herbs are very useful in strengthening the body and in treating some diseases. However, they contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. So, they should be taken on the advice of an herbal practitioner, or you should consult a doctor for any problem your are experiencing before using any plant as a medical treatment.


Kelp
Kelp (also known as “Sea kelp” and “Sea wrack”) is a sea herb that is one of the best sources of natural iodine and trace elements. It is also used as the principle agent in cures for obesity. In addition, it cleans out the kidneys and stimulates the thyroid and pituitary gland to produce growth hormones.
Garlic
Garlic is a natural antibiotic and is used to disinfect wounds, treat ear infections, cholera and typhus. This herb is antifungal and antioxidant agent and can help lower cholesterol. It may also be beneficial for risk factors for heart disease, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancer. An excess of garlic can cause upset stomach/flatulence, occupational asthma, postoperative bleeding, bloating, bad breath, body odor, and skin irritation. People with bleeding disorders should not use garlic.

Parsley
Parsley (Petroselinum) is one of the best known,diuretic and most nutritious herbs which contains large quantities of vitamins A, B, C, and the minerals calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium, and magnesium. It’s very useful for kidney and urinary problems, as well as water retention.

Green Tea Extract
Green tea extracts are one of the nature’s most powerful antioxidants. It helps prevent both heart disease and cancer by helping prevent vascular blood clotting and reducing cholesterol. It possesses antimicrobial properties that supports immune system health and protects against digestive and respiratory infections. An excess of green tea extracts may cause irritability, insomnia, heart palpitation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, and loss of appetite.

Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut supports the vessels of our circulatory system and helps strengthen capillary cells and reduce fluid breakage. It is believed to be an excellent antioxidant to prevent wrinkles. It also helps in the treatments of phlebitis, varicosity, and hemorrhoids.

Milk Thistle
Milk thistle has some active substances that helps maintain healthy liver function by protecting the liver from damage caused by viruses, toxins, and alcohol. It is a herbal remedy for anthrax, asthma, bladder stones, cancer, chest ailments, dropsy, fever, bleeding from the lungs or bronchia, hepatitis, rabies, jaundice, vaginal discharge, malaria, melancholy, pleurisy, spasms, spleen, and uterus problems. Taking an excess of milk thistle may cause stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, rash or other skin reactions, joint pain, impotence, and anaphylaxis. It should not be taken in pregnancy or while nursing.

Oregano Oil
This herb has healing, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. It is used to treat a mildly upset stomach, bronchitis, nervous tension, insect bites, rheumatism, earache, toothaches and even athlete's foot. It is also useful in relieving bloating, gas, urinary tract problems, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen glands, and a lack of perspiration. In addition, it is can be used as a pain killer.