Category: Natural Remedies

The Health Benefits of Calendula

Calendula is a medicinal flower that has several health benefits. Taken internally as a tea, tincture, or extract, calendula is highly beneficial and soothing for ulcers, indigestion, colitis, heartburn, gall-bladder problems, liver problems, menstrual cramps, and chronic inflammation.

Calendula’s antiviral properties also makes it a great support for the immune system and lymphatic system. Calendula extracts even have anti-cancer properties and have been known to benefit leukemia, breast, prostate, cervix, lung, pancreas, and colon cancer. Topically, calendula can be applied as a cream, salve, lotion, or oil and works wonders for skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, boils, shingles, athlete’s foot, sunburn, chickenpox, measles, bee stings, diaper rash, yeast infections, warts, and acne. It is also a good eye wash for conjunctivitis and dry itchy eyes.

A few drops of calendula oil can be applied directly into the ear to help ease the pain of an earache. The carotenoids contained in calendula reduce the signs of aging by decreasing the appearance of wrinkles and provide moisture and tone to the skin. On a cellular level, calendula also has the ability to help heal the after-effects of radioactive exposure, such as chemotherapy. As an anti-microbial, calendula is effective against ringworm and scabies.

Calendula cream is also good to use for broken bones, sprains, bruises, and varicose veins as it will help to decrease swelling in bodily tissues. Calendula tea & creams can be found online or at your local health food store, but these brightly colored flowers can also be easily grown at home too. Use the fresh petals as a beautiful addition to your salad or dry the flowers and use as a delicious tea that you can enjoy anytime.

 

The Health Benefits of Basil

Basil is an herbal antibiotic, antiseptic, carminative, and appetizer that has an special affinity for the stomach. Basil significantly benefits the stomach during digestion and can provide immediate relief from gas, stomach cramps, and nausea.

Basil also contains powerful anti-inflammatory properties and can provide relief for inflamed bowel conditions such as colitis, IBS, crohn’s and celiac disease. Basil is also highly antibacterial and antiviral making it effective against bacterial infections, intestinal parasites, colds, flu, mono, shingles, and herpes. Basil is a rich source of magnesium which relaxes muscles and blood vessels and supports cardiovascular health by lowering the risk of irregular heart rhythms and spasms.

The essential oil of basil contains eugenol which works similarly to aspirin and ibuprofen in decreasing the swelling in joints and tissues to provide relief from arthritis and fibromyalgia. Basil’s fungicidal properties also aid in healing wounds, skin rashes, warts, and insect bites. You can purchase creams and salves or crush fresh leaves in a small amount of coconut oil, apply to the skin, and wrap with a fresh bandage daily.

Consider making fresh basil a staple in your diet and regularly add to salads, homemade pesto, guacamole, green smoothies, and even fruits like strawberries and bananas, the health properties are not to be missed.

 

The Health Benefits of Mache

Mache is an exceptionally nutritious salad green that is soft, buttery, creamy, and nutty. This delicious flavor profile is due to its high omega-3 content making it one of the most enjoyable and healthy green leafy vegetables available today.

Plant based omega-3’s, like those found in mache, are easily assimilated and allow the body to immediately utilize the nutrition and put it to good use by lowering triglycerides, improving HDL, reducing inflammation, maintaining healthy cognitive function, and reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer, and digestive disorders. Mache has 30% more iron than spinach and is also packed with folic acid which helps to alleviate the effects of depression, fatigue, and stress.

Once a rare speciality green, mache is now found in most major supermarkets in the packaged salad section of the produce department. It is a wonderful base for your salads or can be eaten as a tasty snack straight from the bag.

 

The Health Benefits of Lomatium

Lomatium is a powerful herbal antibiotic that is highly effective for the respiratory ailments such as COPD, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchitis, chronic cough, and asthma. Lomatium can also significantly improve overall immune function and is a fantastic herbal preventative to use during cold and flu season.

Lomatium contains antiviral properties that have been shown to be a potent treatment for viral illnesses such as influenza, hepatitis, mumps, hiv, shingles, measles, chicken pox, mononucleosis and epstein barr. It also has the ability to help relieve chest pain and upset stomach that frequently accompanies the flu.

Lomatium is also particularly beneficial for urinary tract and bladder infections. Lomatium’s strong anti-inflammatory properties are known to decrease swelling in joints and reduce bloating and edema which makes it a great herb for those who have autoimmune disorders and suffer with chronic pain, fatigue, lower back pain, and inflammation.

Lomatium has the ability to make the blood more alkaline which can help to detoxify the body. Topically, lomatium is excellent for disinfecting cuts, scrapes, rashes, and wounds. Lomatium grows in the wild in the south west and was revered by the Native Americans as one of their top herbal antibiotics.

During the 1917 flu pandemic, lomatium root was successfully used by the Native Americans to help keep them healthy and help ward off illness. Lomatium can be found online or at your local health food store in tincture, extract, capsule, tea, and salve form.

 

The Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena is a fragrant medicinal herb that has mild antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and expectorant properties. Lemon verbena is excellent for the digestive tract as it is known to be good for relieving nausea, cramps, bloating, indigestion, heartburn, flatulence, diarrhea, stomach or gastro-intestinal spasms, and colon irritability. It is also often used as a natural slimming aid as it has been shown to burn fat, break down cellulite, and regulate the metabolism. Lemon verbena is highly beneficial for crohn’s disease, colitis, celiac disease, sciatica, nervous twitches and ticks, and any stress related disorders. Lemon verbena also works as a natural remedy for Candida due to its powerful anti-fungal properties.

Lemon verbena is also particularly good for the nervous system and can help relax the nerves and muscles, calm the mind, alleviate depression, ease anxiety, and provide a general overall feeling of peace. Lemon verbena is also effective at loosening up and removing mucus from the lungs and sinus passages and can aid in providing relief from the symptoms of colds, coughs, flu, asthma, and sinus and respiratory infections.

It is also helpful in reducing fever in the body. Lemon verbena is often used by women for its ability to help regulate their menstrual cycle and reduce the symptoms of PMS. Lemon verbena has a bright lemony scent and is a great addition to salad dressings, smoothies, fruit salads, baked goods, and rice and vegetable dishes.

Lemon verbena tea is a relaxing and medicinal tea that can be prepared by adding two teaspoons of dried or fresh herb to 1 cup of boiling water and allowing to steep for at least 15 minutes or more.Fresh lime and raw honey can be used if desired. Lemon verbena is a relatively easy herb to grow in a pot or in the garden. Dried lemon verbena can be found online or at your local health food store.