Herbal Medicine

Garlic is known for its many uses in food preparation and for its many health benefits.

It is rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6, manganese and a sulfur compound called Allicin, believed responsible for most of its health effects.

Trace amounts of other vital nutrients can also be found in garlic, and the reputed bad breath effect of garlic can be avoided with garlic supplements which are just as effective as raw garlic.

Health Benefits Of Garlic

1. Garlic treats acne scars, skin diseases, and allergies and is a natural topical treatment to remove blemishes.
2. Garlic boosts the body’s metabolism of iron. Its sulfur compounds help increase the production of ferroportin, a protein that allows stored iron to leave the cells becoming available where needed.
3. Garlic’s high sulfur content also contains the hair-making protein keratin. It stimulates strengthening and growth of hair, making it an effective treatment for hair loss.
4. Studies have shown that a daily garlic supplement can help fight the onset and effects of the common cold by as much as 63 percent.
5. A long-standing practice is the topical use of garlic to treat fungal infections. There is scientific evidence to support this use for fungal infections including ringworm, jock itch, and athlete’s foot.
6. Garlic helps relaxation of smooth muscles and widening of blood vessels, lowering the risk of high blood pressure. Its active compounds are comparable to the effects of prescribed drugs.
7. Garlic supplementation can improve athletic performance. Not only was it used by ancient cultures to alleviate fatigue and enhance endurance of laborers, but it was also given to Olympic athletes in ancient Greece.
8. Garlic is a heart healthy supplement, lowering the risk of heart disease by reducing levels of total LDL cholesterol. Additionally, it improves the body’s ability to dissolve blood clots that could potentially block arteries and lead to heart attacks.
9. Garlic’s nutrients help to ensure bone health. For example, the manganese contains enzymes and antioxidants that assist the formation of bones and connective tissues. It also facilitates bone metabolism, and calcium absorption.
10. Garlic is known to boost the function of the immune system, adding to general good health. Here are a few suggestions to help you incorporate this dynamic herb into your food preparation.

Getting More Garlic In Your Diet

• Quick and easy hummus dip – purée fresh garlic, canned garbanzo beans, tahini, olive oil and lemon juice.
• Steamed spinach – sauté with garlic, adding fresh lemon juice for a zesty delight.
• Tasty garlic mashed potatoes – purée roasted garlic, cooked potatoes and olive oil.
• Add garlic to any and all of your sauces and soups.

Throughout history, garlic’s strong aroma and flavors have made it an essential part of the cuisine of many countries, and an integral part of maintaining good health. Put the exceptional benefits of this powerful herb to work for you. 

Ginger, an underground stem or rhizome has been used for many centuries as food and medicine. It contains natural oils, the most active being gingerol, known for its superior anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Well known as an effective natural remedy for nausea, ginger is also a remedy for several other conditions. Here is a look at 6 ways in which ginger can help to improve health, and some simple ways in which you can incorporate ginger into your diet.

Health Benefits

1. Ginger reduces nausea and vomiting due to morning sickness, chemotherapy treatments, sea sickness and postoperative upset. Ginger’s chemicals work primarily in the stomach and intestines, as well as in the brain and nervous system creating their anti-nausea effect.
2. Ginger alleviates pain and inflammation, it is proven helpful in managing osteoarthritis, headaches and menstrual cramps. Ginger also eases pain in the stomach, chest and lower back. Pain caused by muscle soreness and upper respiratory tract infections may similarly be improved with the use of ginger.
3. Fresh ginger eaten just before a meal opens the appetite then activates digestive juices for the breakdown of food and release of essential nutrients. The absorption and assimilation of these nutrients is likewise improved with ginger.
4. Ginger has a warming effect that stimulates microcirculation – the flow of blood in the smallest vessels of the body. This accounts for its use to clear nose and throat congestion and in the treatment of conditions such as sinusitis.
5. Abdominal cramps, bloating and flatulence may all be relieved with ginger. Some antacid, laxative and anti-gas medications contain one of the chemicals found in ginger as an active ingredient.
6. Ginger inhibits the growth of several types of bacteria, thus helping in the fight against infections. It has been shown effective against bacteria that cause gingivitis and periodontitis. It also inhibits the salmonella virus which causes diarrhea and the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) with mild, cold-like symptoms.

Adding Ginger To Your Diet

• The flavors in ginger work well with seafood, oranges, pork and apples but you will find its unique flavor enhancing a wide selection of other dishes.
• Add fresh ginger to smoothies or juice.
• Spice up a salad or stir fry and add zesty flavor to your next fish recipe with fresh or dried ginger.
• Grate ginger to make some soothing ginger tea, or simply steep fresh ginger in boiling water.
• Add chopped crystallized ginger to a batch of muffins infusing them with its peppery flavor and hint of lemon.

Ginger has been a constant factor in both food preparation and many medicinal treatments for centuries. It can be easily included in any diet to take a full advantage of its many wonderful properties.

All species of the Echinacea plant (also called American Coneflower, Black Sampson and Black Susan) are native to North America. All parts of the plant are seen to have medicinal value and are available in extracts, juices, teas, tinctures, tablets, capsules and ointments.

Description

A perennial herb of the daisy family, its nine species grow to 1 to 2 feet (20 to 30 centimeters). Commonly called purple coneflowers, the Echinacea blooms large showy heads of composite pink to purple flowers. The name derives from the prickly scales in the conical dark brown to red seed heads that resemble the spines on a hedgehog or sea urchin.

History

The Native Americans used Echinacea as a traditional herbal remedy more than 400 years ago to treat infections and wounds, and as a universal ‘cure-all’. Settlers adopted the use of the Echinacea and it became widely accepted and utilized. The introduction of antibiotics and lack of scientific evidence to back its value led to a steep decline in its use.

Recently, the Echinacea has regained popularity, in part because some antibiotics are shown as losing their effectiveness against particular types of bacteria. Additionally, there is a new up-trend in using traditional remedies to maintain wellness.

Uses And Benefits

The three commonly used Echinacea species are the Narrow-leaf Coneflower, the Pale Purple Coneflower and the Purple Coneflower or Eastern Purple Coneflower. Medicines are made from the flowers, leaves and roots of one, two or a combination of the three species.

The Echinacea is thought to help decrease inflammation; relieve pain; stimulate the immune system; exhibit hormonal and antioxidant effects; and directly act against yeast and other types of fungi. These properties account for the long list of uses to which the plant is applied.

Uses include fighting infections – usually the common cold, the flu and other upper respiratory infections, where it is thought to reduce symptoms, such as sore throat, cough and fever. Gum disease, tonsillitis, streptococcus infections and ear infections are also treated by Echinacea. Other infections treated with this herb are urinary tract infections, and vaginal yeast infections.

It alleviates chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), rheumatism, migraines, acid indigestion, dizziness, rattlesnake bites, and attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Skin applications treat boils, abscesses, skin wounds, burns, eczema, psoriasis, skin damage due to UV radiation, bee stings, and hemorrhoids.

Preliminary studies suggest Echinacea may help inhibit colon tumors when combined with cichoric acid.

Side Effects

Many intensive reviews have shown that Echinacea by-products do not usually present side effects. In the rare cases when side effects were observed, they were both mild and reversible.

Conclusion

Traditional use and scientific studies have shown the versatility and usefulness of the Echinacea plant. Professional herbalists, however, feel that we have yet to tap into the full potential of this amazing plant.

Learn more about history of Kampo -Japanese Traditional Medicine here