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An Interesting Herb Fact
Lemon Balm and Rejuvenating Herbal Remedies
Lemon balm is one of the most beloved of the healing herbs. The scientific name of this herb-Melissa officinalis-reveals much of its history. It is thought that bees and lemon balm have been inextricably linked since ancient times. The name scientific name Melissa is derived from the Greek term for "honey bee." Moreover, many herbalists agree that lemon balm has much of the same healing and tonic properties that royal jelly and honey has. Lemon balm has traditionally been honored as an herb...
Echinacea: Cure to the Common Cold?
Perhaps the most famous
herbal remedies these days are made from the Echinacea flower. Native
Americans have traditionally used Echinacea to treat colds, fevers,
snakebites, and stubborn wounds. It is believed that the early settlers
adopted the Echinacea plant early on as a popular home remedy to treat
colds and influenza. The plant was a popular choice with the 19th
century Eclectics. In recent years, Echinacea has grown immensely in
popularity for its antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
Echinacea has also been used in AIDS therapy. The cultivated purple
coneflower is known as E. purpurea, but E. angustifolia is generally
considered to be the more potent version by most herbal practitioners.
The character of Echinacea has alternately been described as cool, dry,
and strongly pungent. Its constituents include volatile oils,
glycosides, antibiotic polyacetylenes, amides, and inulin. The actions
of the Echinacea plant are described as antibiotic, an immune
stimulant, antiallergenic, and a lymphatic tonic.
Several parts of the Echinacea plant are used to create herbal
remedies, but the most common parts that are used are the root and the
aerial parts. The root of the Echinacea flower is most commonly used to
make tinctures or powders. These tinctures and powders are used to
treat many different types of infection or inflammation. Many
traditional herbalists have used Echinacea to treat recurring kidney
infections, as well as to treat less serious conditions including the
common cold, influenza, and cold and respiratory infections. The aerial
parts of the Echinacea flower are often used to make an effective
antibiotic. These are usually taken in capsule form.
There are many applications for the Echinacea flower. For instance, the
flower can be used in a decoction. Simply take 10 ml doses every one to
two hours, especially during the acute stage of infections. Echinacea
can also be made into a tincture. Herbalists recommend taking two to
five ml doses of Echinacea tincture. Take the tincture every two to
three hours for influenza, chills, and for urinary tract infections.
For more serious or chronic conditions, herbalists recommend that
standard doses of Echinacea be combined with the appropriate herbs. For
instance, Echinacea can be combined with buchu and couch grass to make
a potent tincture to treat kidney infections. It can also be combined
with cleavers to treat mononucleosis. To treat food poisoning or
snakebites, roughly 10 mil doses can be used.
A special wash can be created from the Echinacea flower that can be
used to treat infected wounds. Simply bathe the affected area with this
wash several times a day. Echinacea can also be used in an effective
gargle. Simply combine with warm water to treat sore throats. Echinacea
can also be made into a powder that is dusted over infected skin
conditions, including weeping boils, infected eczema, and other skin
infections. One of the most common ways of taking the Echinacea plant
is in capsule form. Herbalists and naturopaths recommend taking three
200 mg up to three times a day to treat acute infections, colds,
influenza, urinary tract infections, and kidney infections. |
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