We all dread going to the doctor and more so, taking the prescribed medicines. Nature is so clever it puts the medicine inside our food, so it remains for us to begin to understand how to make use of this wonderful gift. Some of the time, nature gives us plants such a powerful healing power it is hard to believe, but all you have to do is look at your garden, terrace or kitchen field. Use plants that are expensive or exotic is quite trendy, in the hope of creating an incredible strength. But our attention should stop near around us as nature is the supreme provider of everything we need. They say we only need six, doctors, sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise, and diet. Who wants more?
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Today we’re going to talk about food that easily eliminates pain and you’re going to be shocked to find out that these plants are at your disposal actually. You’re going to learn how to use them to counter aches, fatigue and even mood swings.
1. BASIL
A sacred herb which is used at home for peace and happiness. ,There are over 60 varieties: spicy basil such as genovese or pistou, purple basil such as basil rubin, flavored basil such as lime basil or Thai basil. It is used to sharpen the memory, combat colds, flu and the herpes, eliminate infections, remove phlegm from your bronchial tubes, relieve mucus in asthma, has antibacterial properties and it is an anti-stress agent. Tasting like anise, basil is a plant rich in carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, which protects cells from the harmful effects of free radicals and prevents blood vessels from oxidizing cholesterol. So, basil decreases risk of heart attack and atherosclerosis. Because of the compounds of magnesium, basil relaxes the muscles and the blood vessel and is thus recommended to keep the cardiovascular system healthy, increase blood circulation. Basil is beneficial for the entire immune system, as it kills bacteria that cause viral infections to develop, colds, flu and herpes.
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How to use:
Tea:
- 10-12 leaves washed and crushed and a teaspoon of ginger rake fry in a skillet over low heat until the leaves soften. Add a cup of water and boil for a few minutes. Add a teaspoon of honey and drink 3 hot teas a day, through rare sips; after the main meals.
How to grow:
Growing Basil is relatively easy, as long as the growing environment has the correct levels of light and temperature. The basil should receive 6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day for optimal growth. Every other day test your soil for moisture to see if your basil needs any watering or not. If your soil is dry, water at the plant’s base until the soil is moist to a depth of around 11⁄2 inches. You can start with planting by yourself or purchase it.
2. ROSEMARY
Rosemary has long been believed to have memory-enhancing effects, it contains diterpene that has neuroprotective properties that can defend against Alzheimer’s disease, as well as the natural memory loss that happens with ageing. Remarkably even the rosemary scent has been found to improve memory. Additionally, the rosemary promotes focus. Hair growth, poor circulation, digestion, anti-dandruff and scalp nourishment, mood elevator, migraine relief, pain relief, immune booster, antibacterial, fresh breath, liver detoxification.
How to use:
Powder:
– The plant will be finely ground. Usually, a teaspoon of powder is taken 4 times a day on the empty stomach. Keep it under the tongue for 10-15 minutes, then swallow with water. The powder should not be stored for more than 7 days as its properties are altered.
How to grow:
It is best to grow rosemary from a leftover cut, rather than plant seeds. Visit a community garden and suggest a cutting; or ask a neighbor to cut their vine. The best time to do so is in late spring, but if you live in a warmer climate, it can also be achieved in early fall. Strip the leaves from the bottom of the stem one inch back. Before the rosemary is planted, strip the leaves off the lower portion of the cutting (about 1 inch from the end of the stem). That part of the plant is going to get into the soil. Rosemary with water rarely. Rosemary likes drier soil, don’t overdo watering. The daily garden watering will be satisfying. It likes to spray much of the rain water. And don’t think about producing fertilizers. This isn’t the herb it wants.
3. SAGE
Just before or just at the beginning of flowering, the leaves should be gathered. Then, leaves may be dried, but not above 95°F. Sage can either be administered internally as an infusion, tincture, or gargle. Red Sage’s leaves are often used to promote mouth inflammation, throat, and tonsils are calming for the mucous membranes as their volatile oils. It may be used internally as a mouth wash to treat gingivitis, inflamed tongue (glossitis), and other inflammations of the mouth including ulcers of the mouth. Treatment for laryngitis, pharyngitis, and tonsillitis can also be gargled. Also, it reduces sweating when taking indoors. It is used externally to treat wounds. Whether you are pregnant or planning to breastfeed, do not take Sage. When taken internally, it can reduce the production of breast milk and relax uterine muscles.
How to use:
Infusion:
– pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoons of leaves and let infuse for 10 minutes. Drink this solution up to three times a day.
How to grow:
A lot of your success in growing sage is because of what you don’t do. Don’t let your sage plants overwater. They need only be watered during dry spells at all. And don’t overfeed them. Sage plants do not need a lot of fertilizer necessarily. Over-fertilizing makes them grow faster, but they have a weaker flavour,defeating the purpose of growing it.
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4. THYME
Thyme contains an essential oill rich in potent antispetic properties, antibacterial, and strong antioxidant. It is used in mouthwashes to treat mouth and throat inflammation infections. Thyme has expectorant and antispasmodic properties, making it effective in bronchitis treatment, whooping cough and upper respiratory tract inflammation.
How to use:
Infusion:
– put 2 teaspoons of dry and crushed herb in 250 ml boiling water and leave to cover for 10 minutes. Drink one cup a day; divided into 2-3 replicas; for one week.
How to grow:
Thyme can withstand indirect light, that makes it ideal for herb garden in the kitchen. The best results can be seen on planting thyme where it gets six hours of daylight. Once the thyme has been planted, if possible place the container in a window facing south- or west. A strong sand mix, potting soil, peat moss and perlite should provide adequate nutrients and drainage.
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5. OREGANO
The plant has a powerful, thyme and sage-like odour. Has powerful antiseptic properties and it is also highly potent as an antibiotic. As such, it may be very useful in treating microbial action-induced conditions, such as gastric problems, nausea and fever. This also deals with stomach problems, respiratory and immune systems.
How to use:
Tea:
– 4-6 leaves of fresh oregano, 2 and 1/2 cups of water, 1 spoon of natural honey. Boil water, chopp oregano and cook gently for 10 minutes. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Strain and enjoy.
How to grow:
Whether you decide to start from seed or set some cuttings in advance, get them started indoors around 6-10 weeks before your last frost date. Since last frost they can be transplanted at any time. But at your local greenhouse, you might buy the plants you started. Oregano is to tend to be quite simple. Give your plants about 1 inch per week of water, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. Oregano doesn’t worry for fertilizer so this stage can be skipped.
6. PARSLEY
Parsley is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids which play an important role in the body’s proper functioning. The calcium helps to develop and maintain the bone system, amino acids inhibit tumor growth, and thyroid function is regulated by iodine. Also, parsley is four times richer than an orange in vitamin C, and has more iron than spinach. It is also a rich pro-vitamin A source that helps protect vision and strengthen the immune system.
How to use:
Juice:
– is indicated if you are experiencing kidney stones. Two tablespoons on empty stomach will be consumed for 40 days; only at the doctor’s indication.
How to grow:
Seeds may be planted outdoors in March or April and again for early growth in late summer the next spring. Indoor seeds can also be started 8-12 weeks before the last frost. Prefers soil enriched with plenty of organic material, such as compost and well-rotted manure.
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7. CHIVES
Chives have a moderate anti-inflammatory effect that can reduce the risk of rheumatoid arthritis. This is rich in vitamin C that helps to support the immune system. Vitamin E has antioxidant properties that improve the immune system, too. And also have antibiotic properties. The natural antibacterial and antiviral agents in chives work with vitamin C to kill harmful microbes and certain infections of the yeast.
How to use:
Juice:
– can be applied to wounds to treat fungal infections.
How to grow:
Instead of seeds, it is best to start growing your chives from seedlings so you can enjoy quicker results. You want well-drained and nutrient-rich soil when planting your chive seedlings. Chives will quickly thrive in a full sun spot, but if you have only partial light, they will survive, they just won’t grow as fast. You want them to be 8-10 inches apart when planting your chive seedlings, so that they have space to spread.
8. LAVENDER
Lavender not only has a wonderful scent and colour, it also has various health and medicinal purposes. In plant composition, more than 40 components have been established that can not be obtained by laboratory synthesis. The plant’s composition contains oliphalic alcohol, acetic acid, tannin and bitter principles, which attribute the virtues of lavender healing to over 70 diseases. Lavender has important therapeutic properties: anti-collagen, antiseptic, diuretic, anxiolytic, and relaxant.
How to use:
Lavender Tea:
– Infuse 0.8 g to 1.5 g of dried lavender flowers (one teaspoon of 2 teaspoons of flowers) into 150 ml of boiled water for 5 to 10 minutes. Drink up this tea up to 3 times a day, depending on affections, or before bedtime to combat insomnia.
How to grow:
If you grow your lavender in pots, cover with Styrofoam peanuts or gravel two inches down the rim. It will help make drainage smoother, so that the lavender won’t get sick or hurt. Plant one lavender per plant, keeping it in the middle. Just water your lavender when the soil’s dry. As already mentioned, humid soil is very bad for lavender, so you don’t want to overwater it. However, underwatering can trigger the growth of fungus and illness.
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9. DILL
Potassium rich, sodium and sulfur, dill is a very strong diuretic. Improves fear and fatigue of the nerves, insomnia, digestive disorders, strengthens nails. Has digestive properties, antispasmodic, and anti-inflammatory.
How to use:
Powder:
– Dill powder is obtained by grinding the seeds and dried inflorescence by means of a grinder. You can take a teaspoon twice a day, but before it is swallowed, hold it for 10-15 minutes under your tongue. The treatment lasts for 21 days.
How to grow:
Place the seeds in loose soil near the soil surface for planting dill. For the best results and quick growth, you’ll want to plant them about half an inch deep from the soil. Fill the seeds with loose soil and water lightly and put them in the sun. If you have higher winds you want the plants to be protected to avoid damage. You will find your dill plants appearing in around two weeks. That is why you want to make the plants smaller, so that they can grow faster.
10. MINT
Mint is an aromatic herb with many curative properties, known from ancient times. It has an effective pain reliever for headaches and migraines. It is used for indigestion, has antiseptic and antibacterial properties to treat wounds and burns, alleviates discomfort with arthritis, used as an antiviral decongestant.
How to use:
Tea:
– Mint tea after meals to have a pleasant breath and reduce the symptoms of indigestion and bloating.
How to grow:
If cared for properly, your mint plant can last for many years. Mint enjoys well drained soil, and is rich in nutrients. It can grow both in full sun and in part light.
Even if you don’t have outdoor gardening space, there are plenty herbs that you can grow indoors successfully on a sunny windowsill. So you can enjoy its fresh flavors and amazing health benefits throughout the year.
