Mad Scientist Club

Healing Properties Of Plants - Part 1

Plants, in addition to being food, can be helpful in treating many medical conditions such as, nausea, infections, inflammatory conditions, autoimmune disorders, high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels.

Alfalfa

Alfalfa, which is a perennial herb, has a long list of dietary and medicinal uses and research has proven that Alfalfa might lower blood levels of cholesterol and glucose. Many take Alfalfa supplements orally and is has been proven safe except in a small percentage of people where it produces lupus like symptoms. In the seeds and sprouts of Alfalfa, the amino acid L-canavanine is present and thought to cause this reaction. However, this is not present in the leaves of the Alfalfa.

Since the sixth century the Chinese have used Alfalfa to relieve fluid retention and swelling. The Arabs were the first to find Alfalfa and named it "the father of all foods." The leaves of the Alfalfa plant are very rich in minerals and nutrients, including potassium, calcium, magnesium, and carotene. The Arabs first fed it to their horses because they believed the Alfalfa made them swift and mighty. Alfalfa has been an animal crop for over a thousand years but is also used as an herbal medicine.

Alfalfa is a good diuretic and a good laxative. It also works well for urinary tract infections, kidney, bladder and prostrate disorders. The latest and greatest discovery of Alfalfa is the benefits that it might provide for lowering cholesterol. There are certain agents in Alfalfa that stick to cholesterol and keeps it from remaining in the blood stream. Further, it may also have a very strong relationship with lowering blood sugar levels.

Alfalfa has the potential for people to enjoy in their cuisine. It is good in salads and some people eat it as a vegetable by itself. Some claim that eating Alfalfa should be a big part of eating healthy. Besides wheat grass and algae, Alfalfa has the most nutritional value. It is high in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and has all of the required digestive enzymes.

Avid Alfalfa lovers warn that you may not like the way it tastes. It may feel like it's burning the tip of your tongue. You actually might just completely dislike it. However, they urge you to not give up it has an acquired taste and you will gradually begin to like it. The best news is that soon after eating it regularly you will find that your appetite for heavier foods will diminish.

Alfalfa is also great for reducing fevers and is very good for the blood. It contains natural fluoride and prevents tooth decay. Alfalfa makes a great tea because when the Alfalfa leaves steep in the hot water it is a source of nitrogen. The tea is not only good for humans but plants as well. People who grow Irises and Delphiniums just love Alfalfa tea because of the great effect it has on the plants when used as a foliate spray. Many with a green thumb also use Alfalfa as mulch for their flower beds.

Asafoetida

Asafoetida has been referred to as the "Food of the Gods." The main part of this plant that is used is the resin or volatile oil. The history of this herb is amazing as it was used frequently back in time by Alexander the Great for flavoring. Asafoetida was used to treat gas and the bloating associated with it. In India the resin gum is used in the preparation of vegetarian dishes. Today, it is one of the main flavorings in Worcestershire sauce.

Asafoetida is an herbal plant that has many diverse uses such as an aid for digestion, a remedy for headaches, an antidote, and an expectorant. Asafoetida has been used for mental disorders such as mild anxiety but is used primarily as a body remedy.

As mentioned earlier, it works on gas and the bloating associated with it but it also eases indigestion, stomach cramps, and helps with constipation. When Asafoetida is mixed with water it shows great promise for the treatment of migraines and tension headaches. As an antidote, it works great for snake bites. When mixed with garlic it shows great promise as an insect repellant.

As an expectorant, the Asafoetida oil helps to rid the body of excess mucus and eases respiratory distress. Many use it for whooping cough, asthma, and bronchitis. Mixtures that seem to work together for coughs and expectorants are: roasted fresh resinous gum powder with real ghee or a mixture of asafetida powder with honey, white onion juice, betel nut juice and dry ginger.

Asafoetida has a very unpleasant odor to it, so bad that many call it the "Devil's Dung." The foul odor comes from the resin that is removed from the plant's stem and root. Asafoetida is a species of the fennel plant but a relative of the carrot. The wicked odor is formed from the organic sulfur compound found in the essential oil. When it comes to value for the Asafoetida tree, the older the better and trees less than four years of age are virtually worthless.

When buying Asafoetida in the marketplace it will be available in three different forms. The primary ne is called tears and is commonly sold in Chinese pharmacies. It characteristically will have fragments of root and earth. It is also sold in a paste which is very commonly used as a condiment for flavoring such dishes as curry, beans, sauces, pickles, and many use it as a substitute for garlic.

Balsam of Tolu

Balsam of Tolu is an herb that comes from a very tall tree found in Central and South America in places like Columbia, Peru, Venezuela, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. This herbal plant has also been called Balsam of Peru because it was originally exported primarily from Peru but that is no longer the case. The resin of this tree is what is most valuable and is retrieved in the same fashion that one collects ribber from a rubber tree. The gummy resin that comes from the tree is then turned into balsam. Today, the main exporters of Balsam of Tolu are El Salvador, Columbia, and Venezuela.

In earlier times it was tribal groups from Mexico and Central America that used the leaves of Balsam of Tolu to treat such common ailments as external wounds, asthma, colds, flu, and arthritis. Some native Indians used the bark in a powered form as an underarm deodorant while others found it best for lung and cold ailments. Tthe rainforest tribes used Balsam of Tolu quite frequently for many medicinal purposes such as abscesses, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, headache, rheumatism, sores, sprains, tuberculosis, venereal diseases, and wounds.

As this herbal plant grew in popularity, the Europeans wanted in on the action and soon the Germans were using it for pharmaceutical purposes. They found that Balsam of Tolu worked very well for antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic purposes so they immediately started using it for such things as scabies, ringworm, lice, minor ulcerations, wounds, bedsores, and diaper rash. Today, it is used very often in topical salves for the treatment of wounds, ulcers, and scabies.

It can be found in hair tonics, anti-dandruff shampoos, feminine hygiene sprays and as a natural fragrance in soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes. In the early 1800's, the United States started to utilize Balsam of Tolu. It was mainly used as a cough suppressant and respiratory aid. Latter it was added to cough lozenges, syrups for sore throats, and as a vapor inhalant for respiratory distress.

Balsam of Tolu has a vanilla like smell and taste and it is used mostly for flavoring cough syrups, soft drinks, confectioneries, and chewing gums. Balsam of Tolu is widely available now in the U.S with the essential oil distilled from the gum and sold in small bottles and used topically, in aromatherapy. The fragrance is considered to be healing and comforting. It is useful for meditation and relaxation which is why it has become so popular amongst the world of aromatherapy. Balsam of Tolu has a very unique aroma which makes it excellent for exotic floral fragrances.

Its topical use is recommended for skin rashes, eczema, and skin parasites such as scabies, ringworm, and head lice. Balsam of Tolu is a sensitizing oil. It is more likely to cause allergic reaction to the skin or be a skin irritant to people who are sensitive or commonly have allergies to plants and herbs.

Basil

Basil is related to the Mint family and just knowing that should give you a good idea that it will have many medicinal uses as well. Right away most people associate anything mint with aiding the digestive system and also for its anti gas properties. Herbalists use Basil quite commonly for health ailments such as stomach cramps, vomiting, constipation, headaches and anxiety. When Basil is used for these purposes it is generally made into a hot tea for drinking. Some also claim that a nice hot cup of Basil tea can contribute greatly to a good nights sleep. At herbal stores you can also purchase Basil capsules as well if you do not care for the taste of the tea.

If you decide to grow an herb garden, you can thank the Basil plants for keeping the flies away as flies are also part of the group that does not care for Basil. Another interesting fact about Basil is that it was considered a royal herb with a strong association pertaining to love. Basil had a relationship with how men of a much earlier time planned on proposing to their fair maidens. The man would bring a branch of Basil and if the woman accepted his gift she silently agreed to love him and be faithful to him for eternity.

To this day basil and tomato sauce have formed somewhat of a marriage almost globally. Basil is very easy to grow as long as the temperature does not fall below 50 degrees and is in full sunshine. It is popularly used both in the fresh form as well as the dried. A rare known fact about Basil is that the longer it simmers in a dish the more the flavor intensifies. This makes sense as to why people simmer their pasta sauces for so long, to bring out all of the rich herb flavors. Normally in pasta sauces Basil is used in combination with Oregano. However, Basil is not just used for pasta or tomato sauce, it is also used for flavoring fish, vegetables, meats, and soups.

Originally, Basil was not the most popular herb in the bunch. Actually there were some who simply hated it, mainly ancient people. The name basil means "be fragrant" but still various cultures battled with a love hate relationship over basil. Americans loved it while Hindus plant it in their homes as a sign of happiness. On the contrary it was the Greeks who despised it most but those from India and Persia were not too fond of it either. One place that took a special liking to Basil was Italy and to this day not many people prepare a classic pasta sauce without the Basil.

Today, basil is one of the most common household herbs used and in most areas of culinary art it is a necessity. When used in its freshest form, Basil is torn from the plant and then just minced up with a knife. Usually somewhere nearby the Basil you will find some olive oil, garlic, and someone getting ready to prepare a fantastic tomato sauce.

Belladonna

Belladonna is not an herb that you are going to want to stock your pantry with. While it has its benefits, this is an herb that can be very dangerous and sometimes even fatal. It has some medicinal properties and an interesting history but it can be very dangerous. The nickname "deadly nightshade" is a good clue of its potency. There is however, a tincture that comes from this plant that is used for medicinal purposes. Belladonna is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and Asia Minor but is now grown quite often in the United States and India. When the plant is in full bloom the it is harvested and dried for use.

The most important contribution from Belladonna is atropine which is an important agent that is useful in dilating the pupils of the eye. This has proven to be very beneficial. Even small doses of atropine can cause the heart rate to increase. Some cough syrups are known to contain atropine and are used for bronchitis and whooping cough. Further it is used to soothe the stomach lining prior to an anesthetic being administered and also for peptic ulcers.

Belladonna goes by many different names and has been used for over 500 years. It can frequently be found growing in the wild, but be careful, a slight dose can be fatal. In the earliest times Belladonna was first used for it's cosmetic purposes. Women felt that if they used it to dilate their pupils they would look more sexy and alluring. In Italian the name Belladonna means "beautiful lady". Today it is still used in many eye doctors' offices across the country.

Belladonna has other great benefits for purposes still used. It has the ability to dry up bodily fluids such as breast milk, saliva, perspiration, and mucous. The alkaloids in Belladonna are used as treatment in gastrointestinal disorders such as colitis, diverticulitis, irritable bowel syndrome, colic, diarrhea, and peptic ulcer. It also works for asthma, excessive sweating, excessive nighttime urination, incontinence, common headaches, migraines, muscle pains, spasms, motion sickness, Parkinson's disease, and biliary colic.

Quite often Belladonna is used in homeopathic remedies for treatment of the common cold, earaches, fever, menstrual cramps, sunstroke, toothaches, headaches, sore throats, and boils. How the patient ingests and how much they ingest is determined by a few various factors such as their symptoms, mood, and overall temperament. When Belladonna is administered for homeopathic use it is highly diluted.

No one should ever use Belladonna as a self help measure and it should only be taken under the care of a qualified doctor. The amounts of Belladonna used are always in very low dose rates. When Belladonna is prescribed it is either added to sugar pellets or mixed with other types of drugs and is available by prescription only. So while it is clear that Belladonna is an extremely dangerous herb it is also very beneficial when used correctly.

Burdock

Burdock is a plant that is related to the daisy family. It is also closely related to Echinacea, Dandelion, and Feverfew. Burdock is an herb but it is one that has been much neglected. Back in ancient times the Greeks used the roots, the seeds, and the greens for healing purposes. Throughout the Middle Ages Burdock was used both as a food and medicine.

Today, Burdock is used for easing liver problems and digestive disorders. It was also found to be very effective for cleansing the skin of problems such as acne and to assist in digestive problems. To this day throughout Europe the stalk and the greens are still eaten because they hold such valuable nutrition and vitamin value.

As more and more research is being done on Burdock many new and interesting discoveries are cropping up. A relationship is being examined between Burdock and its anti fungal and anti bacterial properties, and even more important it is showing signs of possibly being able to fight tumors and as a cancer fighting agent as well. Research has shown that cancer causing compounds found in foods are stored in human fat tissues. Burdock might very well be of help in fighting cancer because of the role that it plays in depleting these mutagens.

Burdock is also very helpful in strengthening the immune system when it has become weakened by environmental factors. When mixed with other herbs such as Dandelion and Ginger it can be a very powerful blood purifier. The most unique fact about Burdock is that it contains a very high amount of inulin which is a natural occurring chemical within the body that mimics the actions of insulin. Because of this, Burdock has been successful in helping combat hypoglycemia and per-diabetic conditions.

If you look for Burdock in the market you may find it called gobo. It is often combined with other vegetables or added to Tofu. Some boil Burdock while others sauté or deep fry it. Many have said it might not be such a good idea to look at Burdock before you eat it because you might change your mind about taking a bite.

It looks thick, dark, and woody but indeed the opposite is true when it comes to the taste. Burdock is well recognized as a health food because it has low calorie content and a high fiber intake. It is also loaded with potassium, iron, and calcium. People claim that Burdock tastes like nothing else and has a taste all of its own.

The best description that people can agree on when it comes to the flavor of Burdock is that it is sweet yet earthy, with a tender and crisp texture. It is often added to stews, soups, and stir fries. In the form of food, Burdock is highly nutritional and full of vitamins but in retrospect Burdock is also an effective herb for bringing the body back into balance.

Catnip

"Catnip" is the common name for a perennial herb of the mint family. Catnip is native to Europe and is imported into the United States. In North America it is a common widespread weed. Catnip is most popular with cats and the reaction that it causes in them when they receive some dried nip from their owner. They roll around in it in all of their glory. The fact is that humans do not smell what cats smell when it comes to catnip so humans do not react the same way that cats do. It is known that the chemical nepetalactone in catnip is the thing that triggers the response. Apparently, it somehow kicks off a stereotypical pattern in cats that are sensitive to the chemical.

In humans catnip has been used for several ailments including the treatment of colic, headache, toothache, colds, and spasms. It is also known to induce sleep in most people but it others it can have a counter effect. Catnip also has antibacterial properties to it too. In the 15th century the English cooks would season meats with catnip and also add a pinch to salads. Many people also prefer catnip tea to Chinese tea. Some of the agents in catnip also act as a very effective cockroach repellent. It has actually been proven to be more effective by 100% than DEET.

When taken orally, catnip shows a great benefit for anxiety, insomnia, and nervousness. Nepetalactone is the active ingredient in catnip and is commonly used as an herbal sedative. Because of this it is also great for easing migraine headaches, stomach complaints, and also reduces swelling associated with arthritis, hemorrhoids, and soft tissue injuries. Catnip can be purchased in a liquid, dried, or a capsule form. It is the dried form that is commonly brewed into a tea. Folklore has it that if catnip is smoked it might produce minor hallucinogenic effects but that has since been disregarded. It was also said that when children would throw fits that catnip would be able to calm them and also stop children from having nightmares.

Some claims have been made that catnip is a distant relative of marijuana. There really is no validity to this claim except for the way that the cats act when they roll around in the nip which looks like they have a buzz. When the cat rolls around in it a euphoric effect is displayed but if the cat eats any of the nips, he is certain to fall fast asleep. Catnip has been called the mysterious herb by many. It is related to common kitchen herbs like thyme and sage, and can be easily cultivated as a houseplant. Another fact about Catnip is that as much as cats seem to love it mosquitoes hate it.