This post isn't intended to persuade you to completely cut ties with all over the counter (OTC) and prescribed medicines, but more to encourage you to familiarize yourself with, and maybe even try your thumb at growing your own, remedial herbs and plants. There may come a day when doctors, hospitals, stores, and pharmacies aren't so widely available like they are today, so this is much more rewarding than just having something nice to look at in your yard, greenhouse, or window sill. Instead of adding more confusion to your life and trying to figure all this out at the last second, make yourself familiar now with which plants and herbs are medicinal and what they may help with.
I thought about all the natural remedies that I've heard about or used based on other people's suggestions, and wanted to make a decent list to start you off with. This surely isn't every single one, but it's a start. There are many uses for most of these, so this list will just touch on some of their healing properties. I'll conduct further research and come back in future posts with the specifics on the identification, growing, remedial uses and health benefits, and the applications (preparation) for each one in this list, along others that I learn about along the way.
Aloe Vera - cuts, burns, achy, joints/arthritis
Basil - helps with nausea, lack of appetite, and gas, also as a mild antiseptic and anti-inflammatory
Calendula (Pot Marigold) - antifungal, antiseptic, wound healing
Cat's Claw - boosts immune system
Cayenne - prevents blood clotting, relieves migraines, tooth pain, and joint soreness, can be used on snake bites, wounds, and sores, and can bring relief from flu symptoms
Chamomile (German Chamomile) - calms colic in children, also helps upset stomach, calms nerves, and can be used as a sedative
Cilantro (Coriander) - digestion, also cleanses body of metals and toxins
Cinnamon - since about 99% of bacteria and viruses can't live in the presence of it, this would be good for an antibacterial/antiviral
Dandelion - increases ovarian hormones, calms PMS, and helps with menopause
Eucalyptus - reduces swelling
Fennel - eases stomach muscles, aiding in digestion
Feverfew - lowers fever (thus the name), headache and migraine relief, and can relieve the symptoms of arthritis
Foxglove - wound healing (topical use only, could be fatal if ingested)
Garlic - body detoxification, immunity enhancer, lowers fats in blood, fights infections, helps yeast infections, helps with asthma, sinusitis, circulatory problems, heart conditions, and possibly even cancer
Ginger - anti-inflammatory, nausea, motion sickness, indigestion, and circulatory problems
Lavender - helps with insomnia, alleviates stress, may also help heal cuts, wounds, and sores
Lemon Balm - can reduce stress and anxiety, helps fight off the herpes simplex virus and others that are similar to it, calms stomach spasms, and can be used to soothe and heal bites and stings
Mullein - soothes cough, helps heal bronchial/respiratory infections
Oregano - can prevent inflammation, also has anti-oxidants that could prevent chronic diseases like cancer
Parsley - can fight kidney and bladder infections, used as an iron supplement, can boost energy and circulation, and can be used as a diuretic
Peppermint - relieves vomiting and indigestion, also soothes sore muscles
Rosemary - helps the brain receive more oxygen, giving energy and sharpening the memory, also used for muscle pain relief and digestive problems
Sage - astringent and antibacterial properties that can heal mouth, gum, and throat inflammation, may also be able to stop bleeding
Sorrel - helps jaundice, can be applied to ringworm, sore throat relief, and lower fever
Spearmint - energy booster
Thyme - relieves mild diarrhea, has antiseptic and antibacterial properties that can prevent colds and flu
Turmeric - may slow rheumatoid arthritis
Just like OTC and prescribed medicines, natural remedies have guidelines too. Not only do you need to be 100% sure that you can properly identify the plants and herbs you're about to use, but you need to know which parts are needed. Some things are great for topical remedies, but could be fatal if ingested, so knowing the application guidelines is crucial. Natural remedies can also have some side effects depending on the user. If you're allergic or sensitive to any specific herbs or plants in their natural state, you clearly shouldn't attempt to alter any part of them into a medicinal application. Like every other OTC and prescribed medicine, you need to be familiar with dosages and what they can and can't be paired with. Some aren't intended for children or the elderly, and just like every other medicine, pregnant women need to take extra caution.
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For more guidance on remedial herbs and plants, their identifications, applications, possible side effects, and so on, be sure to check back in and click the 'Natural Remedies' label on the side of the page to find future updated information. If you have any experience using any natural remedies, please share some details in the comments below. I'm sure there's loads more to add to this list and not only will it help anyone else who's interested in this, but every bit of information that I can learn from you is much appreciated. If you haven't subscribed yet, please consider doing so, leave a comment if you have one, and share this with others who may find it useful. I'm still interested in finding similar blogs and sites too, so please share yours or your favorites in the comments below.
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