The Essence of Lavender

February 8, 2010 By marie Leave a Comment

Most spas prefer to use lavender when it comes to aromatherapy because it is a perfect way to make a person relax. The lavender is a very fragrant herb that is very aromatic especially when dried or converted to oil.

Lavender has a lot of medical properties. It can give you relief from bug bites, stings and itchy skin due to its analgesic properties. The lavender is also effective when it comes to the treatment of acne, scabies and athlete’s foot because of its antiseptic quality.

Respiratory conditions can also be treated with the help of lavender. Bronchitis, congestion from colds and flu and even sinusitis can be treated by adding a few drops of lavender oil to a bowl of steamy hot water and then making the person breathe the vapors.

If you need instant relief from headaches or sinus, then you can dab lavender oil on each eyebrow and each cheek.

Lavender can not only affect you physically but psychologically as well. The smell of lavender can be used to treat anxiety and get rid of exhaustion. The smell is also considered to be an effective treatment when it comes to getting some sleep. All you have to do is to place the lavender by your pillow.

A lot of alternative therapies like acupuncture and chiropractic and massage treatments use lavender oil because it helps the patient respond positively to the therapy which calls for better and more satisfying results.

There are some precautions that you have to take in mind though when it comes to using lavender. It is safe to put undiluted lavender oil in the body compared to other herbal oils but it is important that you avoid getting the oil in your eyes, lips, nose or other mucous membranes since it can irritate the said body parts. Lavender oil should not be used in open wounds as well.

With its relaxing scent, it is no wonder why a lot of companies use it for their creams, lotions and perfumes products. If you are longing for some relaxation and relief then you should use lavender to give you immediate peace and calm.

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The Wonders You Can Get from Sage

November 27, 2009 By marie Leave a Comment

Sage is a very well known herb that is a native to the Mediterranean area. Sage can be grown as a kitchen plant due to its value as a cooking herb for its peppery flavor which is widely used in meats, stuffing, sauces, cheese and even drinks. Sage can also be grown as an ornamental plant due to its attractive gray like leaves and blue to purplish flowers.

But Sage is also commonly grown due to its health and medicinal value. In fact the Latin name for Sage is “Sylvia” which means “to heal”. The Egyptians used Sage as a fertility drug while the Chinese valued sage tea as a stimulating tonic in ancient times. Today, a lot of ailments and illnesses are identified and considered to be relieved by this herb.

Sage Tea is the most common form of using the herb for healing. You can relieve sore throats and coughs by gargling on it. When drank in small repeated doses, Sage tea becomes a good remedy for nervous conditions, weak digestions and fevers with deliriums. Sage tea is also identified to help treat joint pain, headaches and kidney or liver complaints.

German researchers also shared that sage can help reduce 50% of sweating that is brought on by menopause, fever and night swears. This is done through sage leaf infusion or dry sage leaf extract.

Sage has also been identified as a good herb for the memory and senses. Rosemary sage in particular has been identified to have the ability to help improve a person’s memory and brain function. People who take sage oil have improved when it comes to word recall making Sage a promising treatment for Alzheimer’s.

Taking Sage is also a good way to cure your problems when it comes to digestion. This is because Sage has bitter compounds that can stimulate intestinal mobility, secretions, bile flow and the pancreas.

Take note that you must not use Sage in excessive amounts. You can actually overdose on sage since it large doses can be toxic. Women who are pregnant or nursing and those who are prone to epileptic fits are not advised to use sage as a medication.

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Holy Basil: Medicine and Flavor in One Herb

October 20, 2009 By marie Leave a Comment

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if you are planning to have a herbal garden then you should not forget to add Holy Basil to your plot. This will definitely benefit your health and cooking in so many ways.

The Holy Basil or Tulsi is a herb that has been recognized as an ancient remedy in India dating back from 1000 BC. Holy Basil is well known for its health and medicinal properties. The word Tulsi means “matchless” in Hindi as it has a lot of potentials. This plant is often seen in Indian temples and courtyards and they became popularly known as Holy Basil.

Holy Basil has been a principal herb of Ayurveda, an ancient traditional holistic health method of India. Ayurveda means knowledge of life and the core of these teachings and practices revolve around the use of herbs.

As a herbal remedy, the Holy Basil can be used against common ailments. Its leaves can be used as an anti-stress agent. The juice of the herb if applied locally can help in the treatment of ringworms and other skin disorders. The juice of the leaves can also help in problems like cough, fever, cold, diarrhea and vomiting. Holy Basil gives strength to the kidneys . When it is chewed it is said to relieve ulcers and infections of the mouth. It can also help reduce your blood cholesterol level. It can also be used as protection against insect stings and bites.

The Holy Basil can be used in your winter and spring diet since it can strengthen your immune system leaving your body free from the harms and ailments that environment pollution, toxins and phlegm can give you.

The herb is also used for cooking. Its delicious taste and aroma has made its way in the culinary world. Holy Basil is best used when it is freshed and is added during the last minute of the cooking process in order to retain its flavor.

For proper storage, put the Holy Basil in a plastic bag and store in the fridge for a short period of time. If you plan to store it for longer periods then have the Holy Basil blanched in boiling water quickly before storing it in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer.

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Chamomile for your skin

September 16, 2009 By marie Leave a Comment

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The health industry has been making a lot of buzz about chamomile. And chamomile products – particularly chamomile tea – have been selling like pancakes.

Chamomile is an herb that is one of the hottest sources of herbal medicines. This is because chamomile is found to cure and relieve people from a wide range of ailments. Chamomile can be consumed in the form of tablets and tea and can be applied externally as ointments and oils.

One thing that makes chamomile popular is that it is therapeutic. The herb is reach in essential oils and flavonoids. The essential oils are found to be useful in skin problems and flavonoids act as anti-oxidants that can nullify the harmful effects that free radicals produce in your body. This will help your body recover at a faster rate.

As mentioned earlier, chamomile has essential oils that are useful for the skin. Chamomile can be used to treat skin burns, allergies, rashes, abrasions and other problems. It can be applied to the skin as an ointment. However, for burns ointments are not allowed since the oil can trap the heat in the area. Instead, clean the area and wash with cool chamomile tea to give you a soothing effect.

If you wish to have fairer skin then chamomile can help you with that. Chamomile can also be used for skin lightening. Bathing with chamomile tea or taking in the steam from the pot will help give you the result of a lighter skin tone.

The herb has properties that can reduce dark circles around your eye and can help deal with eye fatigue. In order to use chamomile for this purpose, dip two bags of chamomile tea in hot water for five minutes then let them cool. Once the bags have cooled to room temperature, place them on your eyes.

If you have sensitive skin you can use chamomile as well. It has bactericidal and anti-itching properties that will help refresh your skin and reduce the swelling.

There are a lot of things that chamomile can do for you – not only for your skin but for your overall health as well. It is no wonder that chamomile and chamomile products is turning out to be a household regular. You should try to get some to and benefit from the many health advantages that you can get with chamomile.

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