Let Nature Be Your Medicine – Herbs That Heal

What most people don't realize about herbs are that they are what we call, "food stuff." Herbs are plants and as such they provide a variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients that the body uses to both nourish and heal it's self. Records show that Herbs were used by the Egyptians, Romans, Persians, and Hebrews as medicine to treat a host of illnesses. In fact the early pharmaceutical industry was based upon the ability to isolate medicinal ingredients from plants and make them available in purer form.

Nature however synergized the ingredients within plants to create an overall supportive effect. Therefore true herbal medicine makes use of the essential elements of the whole herb.

Herbs do perform many healing functions, however they must be used appropriately. Not all plant life is beneficial as some plants are very toxic and poisonous. In fact it is important to note that qualified herbalist use herbs with great care. Since herbs contain active ingredients, you should be aware that some of these interact negatively with prescribed medications. It is wise therefore to consult your physician before mixing herbs and allopathic medicine.

The easiest way to use herbs is to make herbal teas, especially if used over a long period of time. Mild herbs may be used daily as a tonic for general well being.

Chamomile would be good herbs to use as a tea. Most of us are aware of chamomile tea. The herb or plant is a good nerve tonic, sleep aid, appetite stimulant, and digestive aid. It is also good for headaches, muscle cramps, and pain.
If you read my blog two weeks ago I used chamomile to make a soothing salve for the skin. You may remember that the Anglo-Saxons looked upon chamomile as one of the nine sacred herbs given to heal the world by the god Woden. The ancient Greeks described chamomile as, "ground apple" because of its' very distinctive smell. The pungent flowers are what we use to make tea.

To make tea use approximately one to three teaspoons of herbs per cup of boiling water. Boil water in a kettle as you would for ordinary tea but do not use an aluminum kettle as the aluminum can cause a toxic reaction. Pour the water into a mug or pot and let it steep for five minutes but don't leave for longer than ten minutes or the tea may get bitter.
Herbal teas are a great way to use the health enhancing properties of herbs. So the story goes tea drinking dates back to 2737 B.C. when the second emperor of China Shen Nung discovered tea when tea leaves blew into his cup of hot water. Tea has a long history of being used both socially and medicinally. Perhaps the best use of all in these turbulent times is to make a cup of herbal tea, put your feet up, relax and release the stress of the world with each soothing sip.

Doctor Lynn
www.doctorlynn.com