For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a great many ways. These uses can be categorized into three distinctive categories; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we shall discuss each of these categories in order focusing upon medical uses and essential oils.
Throughout history there have been various other uses of herbs which we will not be examining here and these include them being used instead of money, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask bad smells. Herbs originate from many parts of the world and each race usually had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.
The Use of Herbs In Religion
Herbs are still used in many around the world. Many Christians will recognize myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be extremely familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a form of Basil, as it is grown by many and revered as a Goddess. In Pagan faiths herbs are used widely in spells, rituals as well as for healing.
Culinary Uses of Herbs
The leaves of different plants are used in the kitchen but there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, and a herb, such as basil, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person on the planet has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.
The Use of Herbs in Medicine
As well as being intense in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being examined by accademics.
Essential Oils
An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually created by the method called distillation but some need a different process of extraction such as expression or solvent extraction.
Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use roughly three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching legs. When my legs are very painful I gently rub it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.
Herbs should be used with great care as some can be extremely toxic to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are planning on having a baby as something that is otherwise safe can be dangerously problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be avoided completely in its raw form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage I strongly advise that you avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you know for definite they are safe.
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Filed under Alternative Medicine by Health Writer
There are a great deal of matters that we need to deal with on a regular basis which involves our wellness. One very general matter that people live with in common are Headaches. As a matter of fact, many people have Head Aches so frequently that they simply learn to live with them and deal with the pain as best they can. Still others have Head Aches, such as migraines, which are almost inconceivable to ignore and become a life altering because of their intensity. As a result of these Head Aches, numerous people have chosen acupuncture in order to find some relief from their agony.
There are truly two different types of individuals who come to an acupuncturist in order to seek respite from their Head Aches. There are those who are currently experiencing a Head Ache and those that are trying to get some kind of preventative care in order to end the next Head Ache from coming or to reduce its intensity. These are two very different scenarios and are treated differently from the acupuncturist’s standpoint. Depending on your scenario when you enter their clinic will make a difference in how treatment goes.
The reason why this is the case is because acupuncture is a way of moving energy throughout your body and it also can increase blood flow to certain areas. The way of treating an existing Cephalalgia, or headache differs somewhat from the treatment that will assist in blocking future Headaches. Your doctor will be able to make that determination and to adjust the treatment accordingly.
several people try acupuncture treatments to stop their Headaches but they are nervous whenever they enter into the clinic. Perhaps they have never experienced acupuncture earlier and are wondering how it is going to feel or if it is dangerous. The fact is, acupuncture is one of the least risky medical treatments that is in existence. Although it is possible for problems to come about, it is very infrequent and if the doctor is effective and employs sterile means when inserting the needles there is little need for worry. The needles themselves rarely hurt whenever they enter into the skin and often make the individual feel either mentally relaxed or even restored.
So, if you are going through Cephalalgia, or headaches, the medieval Chinese art of acupuncture may be able to assist you in dealing with them. By bringing your body back into balance, you may be able to overcome your Cephalalgia, or headaches once and for all.
Filed under Alternative Medicine by Health Writer