Benefits of Herbs

Herbs are generally regarded as any plant substance or by product that can be broken down into a smaller and beneficial form. This does not exclude plants that cannot be broken down but plants that can be dissolved into teas, tinctures, creams or other usable medicines are much more valuable of which to gain an understanding.

Your body does not specifically require any herbs like it does vitamins, minerals and amino acids but many have been shown to have spectacular effects on overall health and the prevention of diseases and harmful conditions.

Some experts have found that many herbal remedies for mild conditions have been even more effective than several conventional, modern techniques employed by medicinal science. It is fairly obvious that all herbs are organic substances that generally carry no side effects. One of the most effective and easiest ways to administer ingested herbs is through the use of sifted or boiled teas.

Otherwise, many herbs can be administered in other ways that are actually not much more difficult to prepare. For more information on how to properly prepare herbs, please refer to our website's section entitled Preparation of Herbal Supplements.

This article will review the benefits of many of the most important herbs that your body needs. If you like to learn more about each herb, please refer to our website's section entitled Herbal Glossary.

Alfalfa

This herb acts as purifier of the blood and is usually found in the form of sprouts. This herb can easily be ingested to reap its full benefits. In addition to being a valuable herb, alfalfa also contains many vitamins and minerals that are essential to your body's proper function. The benefits of alfalfa include:

• Purifying of the blood.
• Acts as a preventative agent and treatment for arthritis.
• Has been shown to lower bad cholesterol.
• Contains minerals that can aid in the prevention and relief of tooth decay.

Astragulus

Astragulus is often used as a preventative herb to help the body fight and resist the common cold. This herb can easily be ingested to reap its full benefits. One of the most valuable benefits of this herb is its ability to produce interferons. These proteins can be used to eliminate viral infections. The benefits of Astragulus include:

• Stimulation of the immune system.
• Has been shown to be valuable in the reduction of chemotherapy side effects.
• Often used to fight and prevent the common cold.
• Valuable agent in the fight against viral infections.

Black Cohosh

Women will find this herb to be very valuable as it is most often used to balance women's hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle. This herb can easily be ingested to reap its full benefits. In labor, this herb can be used to induce labor an regulate contractions. The benefits of Black Cohosh include:

• Lowering of blood pressure that is above normal levels.
• Relieves the effects of arthritis by acting as a natural anti-inflammation agent.
• Has been used to induce labor and regulate contractions.
• Most often used to balance women's hormones and regulate the menstrual cycle.

Black Walnut

This valuable herb is one of the few that is most valuable in the form of mouthwash or gargle. It is readily found at most supermarkets and is related to the common Walnut with which most people are familiar. This herb also acts as a purifier of the blood. The benefits of Black Walnut include:

• Useful as a mouthwash for the alleviation of sore throats.
• Purifying of the blood.
• Lowering of blood pressure that is above normal levels.
• Has been known to act as a vermifuge.

Cayenne

Cayenne is one of the most readily available herbs on the market. Its most common form is in the seasoning Cayenne Pepper. This herb can be readily digested in its seasoning form without being robbed of its benefits. The benefits of Cayenne include:

• Purifying of the blood.
• Lowering of blood pressure that is above normal levels.
• Valuable in the improvement of circulation.
• Has been shown to be helpful in the improvement of respiration.

Dandelion

This herb is the same as the "weeds" that you can typically find growing in your yard. It mainly acts as an agent for the removal of toxins from certain organs in your body, especially the liver. This herb can easily be ingested to reap its full benefits. The benefits of Dandelion include:

• Treatment of infections of the liver.
• Early testing has been promising in the prevention of breast cancer.
• Can act with other vitamins and minerals to remove toxins from the liver.

Echinacea

This herb can be readily used to protect and promote a healthy immune system. The herb when presented in liquid form is actually quite sweet. One of the most common locations of this herb is in natural cough drops and cold treatments. Its benefits include:

• Stimulation of the immune system.
• Treatment of mild infections and the common cold.
• Often used to reduce the effects of fever.

Garlic

This herb is the exact same as what you may have used to season or add flavor to a recent dish. It is readily available at your local supermarket and has many benefits (one of which includes the repelling of vampires!). It can be ingested as a seasoning or used in a gargle to alleviate the effects of a throat infection (along with salt and water). Its benefits include:

• Lowering of blood pressure that is above normal levels.
• Treatment of mior infections in the throat.
• Increasing of phagocyte producing agents.
• Is often used as an effective antimicrobial.

Marshmallow Root

This root must usually be purchased in an herb store or healthy food market as it is normally difficult to find in the wild. It is normally used as a topical agent or gargle to alleviate skin disorders and issues that occur in the mouth, especially in teething infants. Its benefits include:

• Often used in cream form to relieve dry skin and chapped lips.
• Has been shown to be successful in the relief of pain associated with teething.
• Can be ingested to help with urinary tract infections.
• One of its most frequent applications is in the assistance of skin re-growth after cuts.

St. John's Wort

This herb is often found in a capsule form to treat mild cases of depression and anxiety. Even though this is its most frequent application, it is also often used for many medical conditions that may arise. Its benefits include:

• Relieves the effects of arthritis by acting as a natural anti-inflammation agent.
• Early tests have been promising in the treatment of diseases of the lung.
• Can be used to treat urinary tract infections.
• Most often used in the reduction of depression and stress.
• Can be used as a topical agent to assist in the healing of skin lacerations.

This article represents a mere subset of herbs available for use. Although 12,000 different natural herbal compounds have been identified, this likely represents only about 10% of the total herbal compounds in existence.

Herbs have historically held many purposes in culture and daily life. While many herbs are treasured for their medical and nutritional benefits, many more others are used for their pleasant scent or utility. Herbs have long been a common addition to religious ceremonies.

While Christians use myrrh and frankincense both in liturgy and in practice, some Native American cultures like the North American Cherokee use white sage and cedar for spiritual cleansing and "smudging" (a practice similar to using herbs as incense).

Perhaps the most common use of herbs is for culinary purposes. In general, herbs are considered different from vegetables in that they provide little to no substance, instead, their primary purpose is to add flavor and pleasant aromas to food.

But many of these same herbs also contain phytochemicals (like all plants) which can be used individually or added to food.

Popular herbs like St. John's-wort are sometimes used to treat stress and depression. But like almost any substance, herbs like St. John's-wort have toxicity levels that can bring about medical complications if not used with caution.