Healing Herbs

He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.  (Psalm 104:14)

Herbs have been around since the beginning of time, and this can be verified in God’s Word in the very first chapter:  And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. (Genesis 1:29)

As I searched through books and the Internet, I found there doesn’t appear to be a definitive definition on just what exactly an herb is.  Here are some that I did come across:
a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavouring, food, medicine or perfume any plant material that’s used to alleviate unwanted symptoms or boost overall health

I believe we have been given herbs to prevent and cure most ailments known to man.  But unfortunately, just like anything natural that is good for you, they have been labelled as alternative medicine.  Some in the medical profession may “give in” a little and admit there may be some benefits to herbs, but if you are really sick, then only drugs can help. Those who scoff at herbal therapy are really just mocking these miracle foods that have been given to us by the Creator Himself.

Herbs can be taken in a variety of methods.  Teas, tablets, tinctures (the herb has been soaked in a liquid to release its medicinal compound), salves, sprays, lozenges, etc.  A naturopath can help you choose the correct method and dosage.

So here is just a small sampling of some common ailments, in no particular order, and some herbs known to be effective in treating them.  Keep in mind “treating them” can mean making the ailment more bearable, or perhaps curing the problem altogether.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): In most cases, UTI is caused by a bacterial infection.  It is most common with women, and studies indicate that a high percentage of women will encounter a UTI at some point in their lifetime.  A burning sensation while urinating is a common symptom. Herbs: stinging nettle, uva ursi, corn silk, goldenrod, marshmallow.

Stress: Stress causes so many health problems, and most of us encounter stressful situations on a daily basis.  When stress reaches a point where it is overbearing, it is time to take action.

Herbs:  chamomile, Siberian ginseng, St. John’s Wort, lavender, milk thistle.

Headaches: There are headaches, then there are migraine headaches.  Those who have migraines claim it is just like having your head in a vice.  They are most commonly caused by a narrowing of the arteries in and around the brain, resulting in insufficient blood flow.  Headaches are frequently the symptoms of a deeper problem. Herbs:  ginger, feverfew, yarrow, peppermint, cayenne pepper, valerian root.

Fatigue: It is normal to be fatigued; perhaps you’ve been working extremely long hours on a project.  It is not normal to be fatigued on a daily basis.  Many factors can contribute to fatigue, poor diet being one of the main culprits. Herbs:  licorice root, rosemary, codonopsis, gotu kola.

Arthritis: The older we get, the more aches and pains we encounter. That’s just a fact of life. The pain from arthritis occurs due to inflammation that occurs around the joint, damage to the joint from disease and daily wear and tear of the joints. The medical profession claims there is no known cure for arthritis, only temporary relief.  Those in the profession of alternative medicine know otherwise. Herbs:  devil’s claw, green tea, turmeric, yucca, willow, boswellia.

Sinusitis: Sinusitis occurs when there is some sort of interference with the normal flow of mucus.  Colds and allergic reactions are sometimes the cause.  This results in an accumulation of mucus, frequently resulting in an infection. Herbs:  garlic, saw palmetto, ginger, goldenseal, xanthium, cayenne pepper.

High Blood Pressure: In a normal healthy body, the heart routinely pumps oxygen-rich blood throughout the arteries out to the body’s tissues.  The heart continuously adjusts the required amount of pressure to pump the blood.  Occasionally this blood pressure is elevated, and can remain symptomless for many years, damaging vital organs in the process. Herbs:  garlic, hawthorn, dandelion, ginseng, cinnamon, butcher’s broom.

Hay Fever, Allergies: It’s that time again, one that allergy sufferers could do without. All of that sneezing and sniffling can certainly take its toll on you. Because of our overall poor diets, hay fever is becoming more common, especially in the younger generation, worldwide. Herbs:  stinging nettle, ephedra, peppermint, licorice root, astragalus.

Eczema: Many ailments are the result of some sort of blockage of elimination of toxins.  Some skin disorders such as eczema are a classic case of the body being forced to use the skin as a means of elimination.  Therefore you can’t cure eczema simply by treating the skin condition.  You must get to the root of the problem. Herbs:  burdock, yellow dock, dandelion, gotu kola, Echinacea, goldenseal.

If you have access to the Internet, there is an excellent website called “Herb Reference”; its address is www.herbreference.com.

Just as the name suggests, it is an excellent resource for hundreds of health conditions, along with the herbs and natural foods that would be most beneficial to treat them.
Just remember, before you begin using herbs, you first might want to consult the advice of a naturopath, especially if you are on any medication, are pregnant or nursing.

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor and I don’t have any medical training. I am just an individual that researches information that other people have studied and proven to be effective, and I just pass that information on to you.