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An Interesting Herb Fact
The Healing Power of Marshmallow
It is believed that the marshmallow plant has been used to create herbal remedies since Ancient Egyptian times. The plant itself takes its name from the Greek world altho, which roughly translates as "to heal." The root of the marshmallow plant is very rich in sugar, and herbalists consider the plant to be very mucilaginous. The mucilaginous nature of the plant is thought to make the tissues soften. The leaves of the marshmallow plant are often used as an expectorant. It is also known as a...
Chase the Blues Away with St John's Wort
St. John's Wort has
slowly become one of the most popular herbs for treating mild symptoms
of anxiety and depression. It is said that the St. John's Wort plant
got its name from the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem. It is said that
the knights would use the plant to the terrible wounds that they came
across on the Crusade battlefields. St. John's Wort also had a
supernatural aura attached to it. In those medieval days, many believed
that St. John's Wort had the ability to dispel evil spirits. People who
suffered from mental disorders were often given the plant in order to
calm the so-called evil spirits. St. John's Wort was often also
associated with choleric disturbances and humors. Some believe this is
because of the plant's yellow color. The yellow color of St. John's
Wort has caused some people to associate the plant with hysteria and
jaundice.
The taste and character of St. John's Wort has alternately been
described as cool, drying, bitter yet with a hint of sweetness. The
main constituents of St. John's Wort are glycosides, volatile oils,
flavonoids, tannins and resins. The primary actions of St. John's Wort
can be described as analgesic, astringent, antidepressant sedative,
antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and restorative toward the nervous
system. There are many ways to prepare St. John's Wort to take full
advantage of its properties. One of the most popular ways to take St.
John's Wort is through a capsule or tablet. These have become so
popular that they are now available at most local drugstores and
pharmacies.
However, taking St. John Wort as a fresh herbal remedy is always
recommended as it ensures that you are receiving the best quality and
potency available. Here are a few ways you can take St. John's Wort
naturally. You can take St. John's Wort as an infusion to treat
symptoms of depression, anxiety or emotional upsets. St. John's Wort is
also recommended to treat the symptoms associated with menopause or
premenstrual syndrome. Some herbalists also use St. John's Wort to
treat colds and infections. St. John's Wort is often combined with
elderflower to treat colds.
St. John's Wort is often also prepared as a wash or cream. As a wash,
use an infusion of St. John's Wort to bathe wounds, bruises, skin
sores, or other skin problems. As a cream, you can use St. John's Wort
to treat areas of localized nerve pains. In the past, St. John's Wort
has been used to treat the painful symptoms of conditions such as
sprains, sciatica, cramps, and it has even been used to treat help
relieve breast engorgement during lactation. Cream made with St. John's
Wort has also been used as an antiseptic and styptic. As an antiseptic,
St. John's Wort cream can be used on sores, skin ulcers and scrapes.
St. John's Wort can also be prepared as an infused oil or tincture. As
infused oil, you can use St. John's Wort on burns and muscle joint or
inflammations. As a tincture, take several drops a day for a minimum of
two months to treat nervous tension or depression. |
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