Medicinal Herbs
From Wittenberg Green Guide
This health-related article is for background information only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please do further research before trying any home remedies. Please seek medical attention for serious maladies.
Many common herbs and plants have medicinal properties suitable for home use. Here are some of them.
Contents |
Basil
Garlic
Mint
Mint (Peppermint, Spearmint, any member of the mentha family)
Plants of the mentha family have been used for centuries to cure a wide variety of ailments. Mint leaf tea is used to treat colds, fevers, coughs, sore throats, headaches, nervous tension, muscle spasms, insomnia, gas, colic, indigestion, and diarrhea. It is also valued for its antiseptic qualities. Externally, the leaves may be poulticed for head and body aches. The strong flavor of mint is also useful for masking other unpleasant tastes, especially in medicinal teas.
Tea can be as strong or weak as desired, as mint is not toxic. The essential oil, however, can be fatal if swallowed. Leaves may cause contact dermatitis in certain individuals.
Mullein
Common Mullein has been traditionally regarded as an extremely useful medicinal herb, and is still popular in holistic medicine today. Tea from flowers and leaves (flowers are generally preferred) can be used as an expectorant, antispasmodic, and diuretic; and may treat asthma, bronchitis, coughs, chest colds, and kidney infections. Leaves may be poulticed for skin ailments such as ulcers and piles. Flowers soaked in olive or mineral oil are sometimes used as ear drops. The plant contains chemicals that soothe mucus membranes and calm inflammation. Scientific research has confirmed that these chemicals also have powerful antiviral, antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-tumor properties.
