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An Interesting Herb Fact
New Herbal Remedy Favorites and Dandelion
Dandelion is considered to be one of the newest additions to the herbal repertoire. Historians have noted that there is no mention of the dandelion plant in Western history until its first appearance in the Ortus Sanitatis of 1485. In traditional Chinese medicine, dandelion was also not mentioned until later times. The dandelion did not become a popular Chinese herbal plant until the 7the century. The name of the dandelion has always invoked curiosity. How did this herb get its funny name? The...
Common Herbal Remedies using Aloe Vera
The plant Aloe
(scientific name Aloe vera) is originally from tropical Africa, but it
can now be found all over the world. It is a very common ingredient in
many herbal remedies. It is believed that related species were
traditionally used as an antidote to treat poison arrow wounds. We know
that the Greeks and Romans traditionally used the Aloe vera plant,
making a gel to treat battle wounds. Aloe vera was also commonly used
during the Middle Ages, where it was a popular purgative. Aloe vera is
also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine. In India too the Aloe
Vera plant is widely used as highly regarded cooling tonic in gel form.
In the 16th century, Aloe Vera reached the West Indies, where it also
began to be widely cultivated. The character of Aloe Vera has been
described in many ways. Its leaves are often described as hot, bitter
and moist. Its gel is described as salty, bitter, cool and moist. The
actions of Aloe Vera are described as purgative and healing. Aloe Vera
has been known to promote bile flow, heal wounds, stop bleeding, expel
worms, reduces blood sugar and cholesterol levels. It has also been
known for its rejuvenating and anti-aging properties.
The most common way to prepare the Aloe Vera plant is as a gel. The gel
is thick and mucilaginous, and many herbalists recommend that it be
used as a first-aid cure for wounds, burns, and sunburn. Aloe Vera gel
can also help heal extremely dry skin, and it can be used to treat
fungal infections such as ringworm. Gel extracts of the Aloe Vera plant
have been successfully used to treat mouth ulcers. Recent research has
also shown that Aloe Vera gel may be helpful in treating breast and
liver cancers, as well as HIV. In traditional Indian Ayruveda medicine,
Aloe Vera gel is used as a tonic for excess pitta (fire element).
The leaves of Aloe Vera, although much less commonly used, can also be
helpful for several conditions. The leaves of the Aloe Vera plant are
believed to be a strong purgative. They can be prepared and used to
treat chronic and stubborn constipation. It is also believed that the
leaves of the Aloe Vera plant leaves can be used to stimulate bile flow
and to aid digestions. They can also be used to treat poor appetite.
One of the best things about the Aloe Vera plant is that they can be
grown easily indoors as a houseplant in most temperate climates. There
are several practical applications for the Aloe Vera plant. The Aloe
Vera gel can be applied directly to burns, wounds, fungal infections,
insect bites, and areas of dry skin. You can simply split the Aloe Vera
leaf and apply the gel directly. You can also collect the gel from
several split leaves of the Aloe Vera plant to make an ointment. The
gel of Aloe Vera can also be inhaled as a steam inhalation to treat
bronchial congestion. A tincture can also be made from its leaves and
taken as an appetite stimulant. |
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