The question of “what herbs can be used for medicine” is not an easy one to answer, mainly because the answer depends on the type of herb. For instance, a herb such as an English Ivy would be very useful in the home to help prevent dandruff and reduce the symptoms of allergies. However, if you are looking to use a particular herb for pain management or as a remedy for a specific illness, you would have a much clearer idea of what herbs can be used for medicine.
When growing herbs indoors in a sunny window, it is a good idea to select plants that will not go dormant during the winter. These plants would include alfalfa, asters, buttercups, cherries, chives, cucumbers, sunflowers, and turnips. Although, if the plants do not go dormant, you might consider growing strawberries and blueberries.
Herbs that can be used for cooking are usually more readily available than herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes. There are a lot of variety and therefore a greater variety of herbs to choose from. An example of this is basil, which although grown mostly for its pleasant aroma, is excellent when used as a garnish. In India, it is known as Guggulu and is dried and added to stir fry and curries. Other examples are thyme, oregano and ginger.
One of the main uses for herbs in the home is to provide culinary herbs for the kitchen. Basil is one of the most popular culinary herbs because of its numerous health benefits. It has been recognized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as one of the most beneficial herbs for preventing the spread of infectious diseases. It has also been proven to lessen the effects of allergies. Since most cooking requires the use of oils or fats, using basil helps lower your consumption of fat and therefore helps lower your risk of heart disease.
In addition to being used for cooking, herbs are also widely used to add flavor to many other recipes, such as breads, gravies, sauces, salsas, marmalades and salad dressings. You can also grind the fresh leaves and mix them with meat to make your own hot, fresh-from-the-roaster spice rub. Many herb products that are commercially sold contain oil from herbs and this is one of the easiest ways to incorporate herb oil into your cooking.
The most popular type of herb used medicinally is the herb called Rosemary. This is because it has many valuable ingredients. As a cough remedy, Rosemary can be used as often as necessary and in different forms. It can be used as a vaporizer for colds or as an inhaler for those who have asthma. For digestive problems, Rosemary can be used to treat nausea or indigestion. Rosemary has also been known to treat headaches and migraines.
Garlic is a close second in popularity among herbs. Garlic has many uses both medicinally and flavorwise and it’s not difficult to grow yourself if you live in a colder climate where it can be found growing wild. Like Rosemary, it can be used both as a vaporizer and as an inhaler for those with asthma or other lung disorders. It can also be used to treat skin problems, headaches, stomachaches, diarrhea and menstrual pains.
The benefits of what herbs can be used for medicine are many. These plants can be grown at home in your garden or purchased from a local herbalist. They don’t require much effort to care for and they are quite easy on your budget. With just a few drops of their oil you can have almost instant relief. As you can see, the uses of herbs are almost limitless and we’ve barely scratched the surface.