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Medicinal Herbs For You
Herbs are most commonly grown for their use as in cooking recipes, where their pungent scents and tastes are useful for adding flavor to foods. However, what most people don't consider is that herbs are great for medicines as well. Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to cure the ails of people, though the use of herbs has given way to actual medicines in the modern age. However, for those interested in exploring the different uses for medicinal herbs today, let's look at a few:
Peppermint
Peppermint is a versatile herb, with a strong scent and flavor that is used in sweet dishes, such as desserts, and savory dishes, particularly with lamb and also in Thai dishes. However, peppermint is one of the medicinal herbs that are useful for treating stomachaches, helping to ease some of the irritation. Peppermint also has antiseptic properties and can act as a muscle relaxant when applied topically; in Greek times, athletes rubbed peppermint on sore muscles.
Lavender
The next of our medicinal herbs comes from the same family as mints, though they come from a plant more commonly associated with fragrance than use in food. Lavender's antiseptic properties are so well-known that in World War II, it was used to disinfect floors and walls in hospitals. In addition to the antiseptic properties, lavender is considered to be a relaxant, and can be used to relax before bed time when infused with water and drunk as a tea. However, among medicinal herbs, lavender is also one that can sometimes cause small allergic reactions, so be careful with it and especially avoid ingesting this herb during pregnancy.
Sage
Sage is another of the medicinal herbs with known useful properties. Used in the past to treat sore throats, sage comes from an evergreen bush and can be used internally or on the skin. Internally, this herb can treat sore throats, indigestion, and help ease symptoms of depression. Sage is particularly useful among medicinal herbs for women, who can take this herb to treat excessive lactation when nursing a baby, as well as treat problems associated with menopause. Externally, this herb can help treat skin infections. As we can see, most of these herbs not only have useful properties when taken internally, but are useful when used on the body as well, often due to antiseptic or antibacterial properties. Because of their usefulness, it's a great idea to keep fresh herbs around, not just for cooking, but for helping to treat what ails you.
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