| |
|
An Interesting Herb Fact
Herbal Remedy Treatments Made from the Angelica Plant
The angelica plant is a tall biennial that grows with candied stalks and roots. Angelica has been used for hundreds of years to create herbal remedies. The stalks of the angelica plant are candied. The roots of the angelica plant have been traditionally used to create tonics that are used to combat various kinds of infections as well as to raise an individual's energy levels. There are many species of the Angelica plant, and they are often used in Eastern medicine. One of the most important of...
The Healing History of Horsetail
Horsetail is one of the
oldest botanical healing herbs in known history. It is believed that
horsetail is a close relative of many of the trees that grew on the
Earth roughly 270 million years ago during the Carboniferous period. It
is believed that horsetail is also the source of the modern cola seams.
The horsetail plant is brittle and grows in jointed stems that are rich
in healing silica. Horsetail has been used since Ancient times. It was
used by the Greeks to help heal wounds. These days, horsetail is most
commonly viewed as an invasive weed, although it still remains a
standby favorite for herbalists and practitioners of natural medicine.
Herbalists described horsetail as dry, slightly bitter and cold. The
plants constituents include silica, saponins, alkaloids (including
nicotine), bitter principle, phytosterols, tannins, and several
minerals, including potassium, manganese, and magnesium. The actions of
horsetail have been described as astringent, anti-inflammatory, a
tissue healer, and it is also known to stop bleeding. Many parts of the
horsetail plant can be used to make several herbal remedies. The most
commonly used parts are the aerial parts. The aerial parts of the
horsetail plant are astringent and the stems have been known to stop
bleeding, wounds, nosebleeds, and heavy menstruation. Horsetail is also
known as a strong diuretic, and as a possible treatment for urinary
track and prostate disorders. It is also known as a tonic to tonify the
urinary mucous membranes. The aerial pars of horsetail are also used to
control bed-wetting, and it can also be used to treat various skin
problems. Many herbalists also prepare horsetail to treat damage
incurred from lung disease. The plant is traditionally harvested
throughout its growing season. In traditional Chinese herbal medicine,
the dried stems of horsetail are used to treat fevers. It is also
prepared to treat eye inflammations and eye infections, including
conjunctivitis and corneal disorders.
There are many applications for horsetail. It can be prepared in a
decoction to treat heavy menstruation, skin disorders (including eczema
and acne), and to treat stomach ulcers, urinary tract inflammations, as
well as prostate and lung disorders. To prepare as a decoction, simply
simmer the aerial parts for at least three hours to extract its primary
constituents. Horsetail can also be prepared as a poultice by crushing
the plant's aerial parts into a powder and then paste. Use the
horsetail paste to treat leg ulcers, chilblains, sores, and wounds.
Horsetail can also be used as a mouthwash and gargle. Simply dilute the
horsetail tincture and use for mouth and gum infections, rinsing
several times a day.
Some herbalists also recommend taking horsetail in a juice. Liquidizing
its stems, and then ingesting the liquid juice three times a day make
the juice of the horsetail plant. Horsetail is also commonly taken in
capsule form. Taking powdered horsetail in capsule form is often more
convenient than taking the herb in juice or decoction form. It can be
used to treat various ailments, except for nosebleeds. |
|
|
