Herbal Remedies for Alleviating Various Conditions

Technological advancements have come with a variety of changes in all sectors of the society. The most notable ones are in industries and health. Initially, most drugs used to be produced from plants. This was also the case when at the turn of the 21st century, more than 10% of drugs produced considered nature and its produce. Quinine, codeine, and morphine are some of the drugs which have been put to extended scale of usage, that have come from plants.

Recognition that natural remedies have a role to play in modern medicine is a positive step towards ensuring a healthier and more affordable pharmaceutical regime. Every system has its failures, and just like the side-effects you are likely to experience in modern medication in the form of pills, herbs too have their extremes, therefore, an extensive study regarding their safe usage is necessary.

In The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies, Nicole Apelian draws some of the most applied herbs and their uses. Moreover, she documents these substances based on her research which she embarked on after suffering from MS – an autoimmune condition that left her bedridden and helpless from the modern pill. She began a quest to find a natural cure and along that journey, she came up with hundreds of other remedies that she derived from herbs, spices, and shrubs that grew freely in our farms, behind our houses, in the fields, forests, etc.

This article hereby seeks to tear a page into Nicole’s world by giving you some of the solutions that she registered. Stay vigilant of poisonous plants, dangerous ones, and those that have no evidence of healing. Read on and find out more:

Turmeric

Many know this as a spice. Turmeric is a herb originating from India. They have been using this spice as an alternative medicine for centuries.

Turmeric comes in an original deep orange color that you will have an easy time noticing it among other substances on the shelf. It is believed to have anticancer properties. Also, studies hint at turmeric having the ability to prevent genetic mutations.

Furthermore, the spice is an anti-inflammatory regimen that is taken by people with arthritis to relieve swelling and pain. It is also ideal for cooking by providing its antioxidant property that helps to prevent the development of visceral fats in the abdomen that may lead to obesity or even worse diabetes type II. In other terms, turmeric is a perfect preventative drug for diabetes. Apelian uses this substance extensively in making salves that are used to keep many autoimmune conditions at bay. Moreover, you can use this herb for cosmetic purposes, especially for skin treatment.

Evening primrose oil

Studies associate this herb with plenty of infections. It has a vibrant yellow color. Research pins it to the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and PMS. Moreover, evening primrose oil is known to alleviate inflammatory infections, diabetic neuropathy, and atopic dermatitis. Nicole uses this oil by mixing it with other herbs for the treatment of multiple sclerosis. Other notable conditions that the oil helps to alleviate include polycystic ovary syndrome, menopause-related symptoms, blood pressure, etc. These flowers are also called moonflowers for they bloom as the sun sets.

Lavender

It is a purple aromatic flower used mostly to relieve anxiety. Studies have further shown that lavender can be used to heighten one’s cognitive performance as well as lighten their mood. This is why most people prefer using lavender in place of tea or coffee in the morning as a beverage. Furthermore, lavender is used as a sedative and has anti-inflammatory benefits. It can be used in aromatherapy as well. However, it should be diluted before applying it on the skin for safety purposes. Notably, you can use lavender for anxiety, stress, blood sugar, and migraines.

Chamomile

Chamomile is a popular flavoring agent used mostly in teas. What people don’t know is the medical side of it. It is known to have anti-anxiety benefits and a hoard of many other properties. However, treatment of generalized anxiety disorder is on the top drawer. Potentially, it can be used to treat cancer. This however needs more study to ascertain its role.

Flax seed

This herbal solution is available in both oil and seed forms. It is majorly used in dietary supplements for it has extensive benefits in this area. The most notable ones however include anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation properties.

The seeds are safe for consumption and have no side effects. Moreover, they are used in diets for their ability to prevent obesity, blood pressure, and colon cancer.

Gingko

The medical properties of this plant are found in its leaf. The extracts have been applied in Chinese medicine for decades now. Its applications vary from treating respiratory conditions to mental disorders to autoimmune complications. The following conditions are thought to be relieved by ginkgo leaf extracts.

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-?????Bronchitis???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????- Alzheimer’s disease?????????????????????????????????????????????

-?????Tinnitus???????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????- diabetes????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????

-?????Fatigue?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????- eye health

-?????Bone disease?????????????????????????????????????????????????????????- diabetes??????????????????????????????????????????????????

Seed extracts of the ginkgo plant are toxic and may cause death when used in large amounts.

St. John’s Wort

A lot of studies have been conducted on the suitability of this herb. Most concur that it is effective when used as an antidepressant. Therefore, it is widely used in the treatment of anxiety, stress, etc. Furthermore, Apelian mixed this herb to make a tincture that she used to cure rheumatoid arthritis.

Echinacea

This flower is used in teas, juice, and other remedies. The flower extracts of this plant are made into powders and supplements which are used in the relieving effects of the common cold as well as boosting one’s immune system. Although the herb is safe for consumption, more studies need to be conducted. Moreover, it had mild side effects which you should look out for. They include allergic reactions and stomach upset.

Oregano

This is a short scrubby herbaceous plant with soft and fuzzy textured deep green leaves. Oregano is widely applied in the treatment of respiratory infections such as stuffy noses and coughs. Furthermore, the herb is majorly used to relieve pains that result from menstrual cramping and treats microbial infections.

Peppermint

Peppermint is one of the most favorable substances from the mint family that is used for a large course of uses including preparing ice cream, yogurt, and other snacks. Its medicinal properties are however applied in the treatment of digestive upset and cases of flu.

Peppermint is also mixed with honey to cure sore throat. Also, its oil is extracted and applied to the temples to ease headaches and migraines. Moreover, large-scale of peppermint has been approved in Germany for the manufacture of liver and gall bladder curative drugs from it.

Curly parsley

This is a culinary plant – one which you can easily domesticate in the pots around your house or on the front porch. It has serrated leaves that curl up from the stem. Besides, it has a clean flavor which can be accounted for by the presence of flavonoids, myristin, apiole, terpinolene, appin, and other components. These compounds carry the medicinal benefits of the parsley plant.

The herb is thus used in the treatment of urinary tract infections, conditions of the bladder, gastrointestinal distress, etc. It also induces menstruation.

Valerian

The roots of the valerian plant are harvested for the preparation of root beer and food flavoring. It is medically used in the treatment of insomnia and anxiety.

Feverfew

From its name, feverfew is a herb that was initially used to treat fever. However, studies show that it can as well be used for the treatment of migraines and arthritis. However, feverfew has many side effects such as ulcers, and irritation, and, those who stopped taking the herb may have headaches.

Garlic

This is a common spice that you are likely to find in a majority of kitchens globally. Apart from its flavor, garlic is a healthy addition to the herbal family, and it is used for the treatment of a range of infections. In this regard, medical studies have settled n garlic’s ability to cure some ailments including blood pressure, lowering LDL cholesterol, and microbial infections. Large contents of garlic can affect clotting. For this reason, it should not be used before surgery.

Milk thistle

From the milk thistle plant, its fruits are harvested for their medical properties. It is used in the treatment of liver infections and in controlling cholesterol levels in the body.

Rosemary

Rosemary is used as an antibacterial agent. Therefore, it is applied as a mouthwash and disinfectant for this reason. It also treats headaches, epilepsy, and poor blood circulation.

Ginger

Just like garlic, ginger is equally used as a spice in most kitchens. However, the roots are superior in controlling nausea and sickness. Extensive research on the role it plays in relieving colds and flu is underway, however, it is also applied to cancer patients to ease nausea caused by chemotherapy.

The bottom line

Nicole Apelian highlights a variety of herbs she met in her journeys traversing the world with a singular objective; alleviating people from pill dependency by providing natural alternatives that not only strengthened one’s immune system but also improved their general health.

The herbal interventions in this article are just but a handful, more solutions and be found in her book of herbal remedies mentioned earlier in the text.

Disclaimer: This article is based on a book review. The medical assertions and opinions presented herein belong to the author of the book, not the writer of this article.