Posted by Maria Dimitrova

Read this if: You want to solve health problems without paying the cost of the side effects of drugs

[ed: herbs are drugs too. Before you use any of the remedies below, read up on side effects you might expect]

I am a great fan of herbal tea now and it’s a wonderful, heart-warming ritual to start the day with it or enjoy it in the cold autumn and winter evenings after going back home. I even comfort myself while freezing at a bus stop with the thought of how I would make myself a nice cup of tea as soon as I get back home. It somehow makes the winter cold more bearable.

It’s a pity that I didn’t know the value of the tea drinking tradition when I was a child. Herbal tea and the healing properties of herbs  were overlooked in my family and every time my sister or I had the first symptoms of cold or other type of sickness, my mother gave us drugs. She knew the common prescribed medicine in such cases and often didn’t even bother to take us to a doctor.

I must admit she had success but what she didn’t take into account was the negative effects of drugs as they are often unseen. Another drawback of frequently reaching for the medicine is that the body doesn’t get the chance to fight against the bacteria and viruses on its own for a while. It gets used to receiving immediate external help.

Despite all my efforts to convince my mother to try using herbs before taking drugs, she prefers relying on the pharmaceutical means because she is too scared that the illness would become more serious if she doesn’t cut off the symptoms as soon as possible.

Her fear is not wholly devoid of foundation as herbal teas and tinctures take more time to work. It’s advisable to resort to natural remedies as soon as the first symptoms appear. Some herbs can be taken as preventive measures against illnesses. Immunity enhancing herbs are especially appropriate for prevention.

Try substituting the morning coffee with tea and after some time you’ll start associating the refreshing, healthy drink with getting up and preparing for the new day. The variety of tastes, flavours and healing properties of herbs is enormous. I have bought such a wide range of herbs and combinations of them that I am unlikely to get bored with drinking herbal tea.

Let’s take a look at some of the herbs and what they can do for you if you follow the instructions on the packets of these natural remedies. Observing the dosage and preparation recommendations will ensure that you won’t overuse them and at the same time you’ll achieve the desired results.

Sleep problems and anxiety
* Valerian. Studies have shown that valerian aids sleep, often as well as pharmaceutical sedatives and without being addictive. In a study published in the European Journal of Medical Research, investigators gave 202 insomniacs valerian or a Valium-like tranquilizer. After six weeks, both treatments were equally effective. Research strongly supports that valerian works. It takes a week or more to begin noticing benefit.

* Chamomile. It is a time-honored sedative herb which can be safely used by children and adults alike. Dose: Tea, 1 cup 2-3 x daily; Tincture, 30 drops 3 x daily.

* Lavender. It is a gentle strengthening tonic for the nervous system. A few drops of lavender oil added to a bath before bedtime are recommended for persons with sleep disorders. Additionally, the oil may be used as a compress or massage oil or simply inhaled to alleviate insomnia.

* St. John’s Wort.Modern scientific studies show that it can help relieve chronic insomnia and mild depression when related to certain brain chemistry imbalances. Because this herb can sensitize the skin to sunlight, if you are taking a full dose, avoid direct skin exposure to bright sunlight.

* Wild lettuce. This plant is a mild sedative and nervine used for restlessness and insomnia.Because of its safety of use and calming effects, wild lettuce is a good children’s remedy.

High blood sugar

Herbs can help restore the regular functioning of the body by providing glands with the necessary nutritional substances. The following foods have strong uses for the pancreas and balancing blood sugar as with diabetes. They apply to either Type I or Type II because herbs as foods, not chemicals, have the “wisdom” to help the whole body and work where it needs help.

* Dandelion leaves and root. They increase the pancreas production in Type I and provide valuable nutrients for the liver and kidneys for Type II.

* Burdock root extracts.They have lowered blood sugar in animal studies. In Europe, the fresh root is used for lowering blood sugar, its inulin content making it particularly suitable for diabetes. It works by filling the intestines with fiber, which prevents the absorption of sugars. Burdock fibers also prevent the absorption of toxic compounds from food.

* Cinnamon. It can aid in regulating the activity of insulin, so helping in blood sugar control. The cinnamon powder sold in grocery shelves is often too old to have much if any medicinal value. On the other hand, it is not a good idea to use a therapeutic amount in your cooking and baking. Use high quality, organic cinnamon in supplements and herbal teas to reap the medicinal benefits.

* Stevia. It is a herbal sweetener that has zero calories and a licorice like taste. Stevia can be substituted for sugar in baking, herbal teas, and other drinks. Stevioside, one of the active components of stevia, was shown in studies to lower blood sugar in healthy adults and may be a possible therapeutic herb in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Choose the natural green leaves instead of the artificially processed white stevia. [editors note: I would not touch this stuff with a 10 foot barge pole]

Obesity

There are countless products sold in pharmacies claiming to help with weight loss. Beware that some of them, including herbal laxatives,  might have very harmful side effects. Diet tea, cascara, senna, buckthorn, aloe and rhubarb root can cause cramping, diarrhea, and if overused, could cause your bowels to no longer function without laxative stimulation.

Ephedra, also known as ma huang, in high doses can raise blood pressure, increase heart rate, and over stimulate the central nervous system. The FDA reports more than 800 reports of side effects linked with the use of ephedra, including heart palpitations, seizures, stroke, chest pain, and heart attack. This herb has caused at least two deaths.

Herbal fen-phen (whose main ingredient is ephedra) has not been shown to work in clinical trials, buy its misuse is associated with sever side effects, from heartbeat irregularities to death from heart attack and stroke.

* Cayenne. If you don’t detest spicy food, try sprinkling a dash of cayenne on your food. It contains an ingredient called capsaicin that stimulates saliva, stimulates digestion and accelerates your metabolism at a safer level.

* Seaweed. A good source of trace minerals such as chromium and iodine, seaweed is a natural thyroid stimulant. It is usually contained in kelp capsules or tablets. If you suspect your weight problem is due to a thyroid problem, or if you currently take any thyroid medication, you should check with a doctor before taking kelp or seaweed.

Allergies

The following herbs, along with others contain natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatory chemicals that open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages and help to alleviate allergy symptoms.

* Stinging nettle

* Ginko Biloba

Arthritis and other inflammations
* Curcumin. The yellow pigment in this Indian spice, is an anti-inflammatory. In combination with boswellia, it treats osteoarthritis, according to investigators at India’s Central Drug Research Institute. Use turmeric or yellow curries in cooking.

* Fresh ginger. Make a strong tea with grated fresh ginger, about 1 1\2 cups of water to a tablespoon of ginger. Strain and add to bath water, with 6 drops of rosemary essential oil. Good for sore muscles, fibromyalgia, and arthritis pain.

Fatigue

* Ginseng. It  has been used in Chinese medicine for centuries to treat a number of ailments. However, ginseng is best known for its ability to increase stamina and maintain high levels of energy, both physically and mentally. Despite being able to increase energy, ginseng also helps with stress and can lower blood pressure, according to the Chinese Herbs Organization.

* Ginger

* Cinnamon

* Anise

Some stimulant herbs can be harmful and should be used with greater precaution – kola nut, guarana, damiana, dong quai. Avoid using ephedra.

Stomach problems

Teas are the best way to take herbal gastrointestinal remedies according to Jill Stansbury, N.D. (doctor of naturopathy), chair of the botanical medicine department at the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Ore, . The warm liquid is easy to digest and allow the remedy direct contact with the stomach and intestinal walls. Herbs in pill form can be hard to digest, and most tinctures contain alcohol, causing them to be absorbed largely in the mouth.

* Peppermint. The ability to calm cramping stomach and intestinal muscles makes it a superb treatment according to herbalists. It can be used in cases of heartburn, gas, stomachache and when you’ve had too much food. It also makes peppermint a popular alternative treatment for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), an intestinal disorder that causes abdominal pain, bloating, and irregular bowel movements in about 5 million Americans, most of them women.

* Marshmallow root. It offers plenty of health benefits and fighting inflammations of the digestive tract ( peptic ulcers, hiatus hernias, mouth ulcers, enteritis and colitis) is also among them.

How to use this herb to cure acid influx and heartburn:

* Ginger. It can be used to treat gas, along with its associated bloating and pain. Herbalists now know that ginger works against both nausea and vomiting, making it an excellent preventive against motion and morning sickness. And unlike its pharmaceutical counterparts, ginger doesn’t cause drowsiness.

* Chamomile. In Germany where where herbalism has long been considered conventional, chamomile is considered “capable of anything” but in the area of stomach problems it is a superherb. It efficiently relieves flatulence and heartburn.

Immunity

* Echinacea. It is one of the best known herbs for enhancing the immune system and it is effective against a wide range of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.  It is most effective when taken at the onset of a cold or flu.

A great recipe for a healing tea in case of colds and flu:

* Ginseng. It is an herb that affects the immune control centres of the nervous system, both directly and indirectly through the adrenocortical hormones.  It tones, increases output, and restores equilibrium.

* Myrrh. The extract of myrrh has been shown to improve the bacteria killing effect of white blood cells and is effective in fighting all kinds of infections, whether bacterial, viral or fungal.  It is also directly anti-microbial.

* Green tea. It’s gained popularity as an immunity booster and weight loss means but you should use it with precaution as some of the substances contained in it irritate the stomach. Don’t drink it on an empty stomach.

* Rooibos tea. It contains lots of vitamins, minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium which boost immunity and also help to build strong bones and teeth.