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An Interesting Herb Fact
The Healing Beauty of Borage
The borage flower (Borago officinalis) is well known for its lovely blue color. The flowers have been used since Elizabethan times for both decoration and for its healing beauty. Recent modern research has shown that the plant may actually stimulate the adrenal glands, encouraging the production of adrenaline, that famous 'fight or flight' hormone that is responsible for getting our bodies geared up during the most stressful times in our lives. Herbalists describe the character of the borage...
Wash Sickness Away with Lavender
Lavender has been one
of the most popular medicinal herbs since time immemorial. Lavender's
name is derived from the Latin word lavarre, which means to wash. In
ancient Arab medicine, lavender was widely used as an expectorant. In
the folk medicine of Europe, lavender has held a reputation as a useful
wound herb. The most common types of healing lavenders are L.
angustifolia and L. spica. French lavender, L. stoechas, is perhaps one
of the most commonly used varieties of lavender.
The flowers of the lavender plant are used to create an array of herbal
remedies. Herbalists as bitter describe the character of the lavender
flowers, cooling and mainly dry. The flowers are known to contain
tannins, volatile oils, coumarins, triterpernoids, and flavonoids.
Lavender is well regarded for its ability to promote bile flow, and it
is well known as a relaxant, antispasmodic, circulatory stimulant,
antiseptic, a tonic for the nervous system, an analgesic, and a
carminative.
Lavender essential oil is one of the most popular of all aromatic
essential oils. Lavender essential oil can be used to treat a large
variety of problems and ailments. Many herbalists recommend that
lavender essential oil become an integral part of any household first
aid kit. Lavender essential oils can be used to create a variety of
herbal remedies. The essential oil of lavender can be used to make a
healing cream. Simply add a few drops of lavender essential oil to a
chamomile-based cream to treat skin problems such as eczema. You can
also add a few drops of lavender essential oil with a few drops of
water to treat scalds, burns, or sunburn. Lavender essential oil can
also be used to create a potent chest rub. Simply add 1 ml of oil to 5
drops of chamomile oil and rub into chest to treat bronchitis spasms or
symptoms of asthma.
Lavender can also be used as a hair rinse. Simply dilute 5-10 drops of
essential lavender oil in water to treat lice problems. Lavender
essential oil hair rinses can also be used on a fine comb to treat the
hair for nits. Lavender essential oil can also be used to make an
effective massage oil. Combine 1 ml of lavender essential oil into 25
ml carrier oil, and use as a massage oil. This massage oil is effective
in treating painful muscles. Herbalists also recommend rubbing this oil
into the temples and the nape of the neck to treat tension headaches
and migraines. Lavender essential oil can also help protect against
insect bites and stings. Simply smelling lavender can prove healing.
Lavender is one of the most important herbs of aromatherapy. It is
highly regarded for helping to ease feelings of stress, anxiety, and it
can help relieve the symptoms of insomnia.
There are some cautions that accompany the use of lavender. It is
particularly recommended that women who are pregnant avoid high doses
of lavender. High doses of lavender in any form have been shown to be a
strong uterine stimulant. |
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