Growing Medicinal Herbs

Although medicinal herbs do not often provide quick relief to illnesses and have gentler and milder concentrations than commercial drugs, they remain to be the most widely accepted alternative medicine. In fact, in some countries, herbal medicines are considered the primary cure for most diseases. And for those who are living the natural lifestyle, medicinal herbs are the best medicines to relieve one's pains and aches the natural way.

One of the main reasons why people favor herbal medicines over those chemically formulated drugs is because they have relatively few, if not none at all, side effects. And they tend to be cheaper too, especially if you grown them in your own backyard. Others even claim that some medicinal herbs are actually more potent and effective than their commercial counterparts.

It really pays to have your own medicinal herb garden, or even just a few pots planted with these wonderful medicinal herb plants. Soon enough, you'll feel as if you have your own mini-drugstore or first-aid cabinet filled with all-natural remedies for the most common sicknesses.

However, despite all the positive affirmation for herbal medicines, you must still exercise caution when using them, especially if they are to be taken internally. Herbs, although natural, may still have adverse effects on your body. And do not automatically assume that because a certain herb is good for a lot of things, that it's good for everything. Ask people, possibly experts, when you're not sure if a particular herb is the right cure for your ailment.

As with any type of herb garden, choosing which medicinal herb to plant in your herb garden depends on your needs. Plant herbs whose healing properties match the most common ailments in your family. This way, you're sure that your medicinal herb garden will serve its purpose, many times over.

And to give you an idea, I've enumerate a few frequent aches and complaints and the list of medicinal herbs can be used to remedy them.

EXTERNAL APPLICATIONS

Compress. This is done by soaking a cloth in a cold herbal solution, then applying it directly to the affected area.

Poultice or Cataplasm. This is a soft, moist and often heated mass of herbs spread on a cloth and applied on the affected area. It is often used to relieve muscle tension and inflammation and also to treat wounds, especially abscess wounds. This is applied over the skin for a few hours or until the herbs cool down. If pain or aching is not yet relieved, make a new poultice and reapply.

Salves, Ointment and Creams. You can make your own salve by powdering or pulverizing dried herbs and mixing them with vegetable oils (extra virgin olive oil is recommended) and melted beeswax. You can heat them a little to make sure that they are mixed well together. You can also add powdered herbs to ointment and cream preparations.

Essentials Oils and Extracts. Herb extracts and essential oils have become popular because of their usage in massage and cosmetic products. Essential oils and extracts refer to the concentrated liquid or essences extracted from herbs. Their only difference is the process. Essentials oils are either distilled or cold-pressed. Extraction involve the use of solvent such as supercritical carbon dioxide and ethyl alcohol to separathe liquid part from the solid part of herbs that are not suitable for cold-pressed or distilled methods. Common applications of essential oils and herb extracts are topical, although some swear by the benefits of ingesting these liquids. Care must be taken however, because these products can be harmful to your health when taken internally. Essential oils are recommended to be diluted first with water or a 'carrier oil' because most are too strong, thus will possibly cause irritation when applied directly to the skin.

INTERNAL APPLICATIONS

Decoction, Tea, and Infusion. Decoction is done by boiling the leaves, roots, seeds, fruits or bark of the herbal plant. Tea is made by steeping fresh leaves or dried leaves, bark and seeds in hot or boiling water until desired concentration is achieved. Infusion is like making tea, but only the most fragile and volatile parts of the herbs are used.

Powder and Capsule. Dried herbs can be grinded into powder form and mix with everyday drinks such as juice, tea and coffee. You can also place powdered herbs inside medicine capsules and take like a regular capsule.

Tincture. Herb tincture is a liquid extracted from herbs in a solvent, which is often alcohol. Although water, apple cider vinegar and glycerin can also be used, they are not as potent as alcohol. To make a tincture, place fresh or dried herbs in a jar with your solvent of choice (if you're using alcohol, use pure grain alcohol or neutral grain spirit as they are safe to be taken in). Close the lid tightly making sure that the liquid inside will not evaporate. Then place the jar in a dark place such as cabinet or drawers. You may even cover it with a dark cloth. You have to shake the solution regularly until the time it is ready for use.