I do a bit of research for myself and friends when it comes to health and helpful stuff. We are in an era that science is looked to to reproduce natural helpful things, like morphine.... but, some key things are left out of the reproduction at times and make it more than hard for the individual to ingest properly or to even tolerate. There are many who can't afford the health care we have in this country, now or when the forced plan will go into effect. So, i thought a listing of different helpful herbs, legal ones really, would be nice for quick reference.

Yarrow

Medicinal Uses

White Yarrow is used medicinally in a number of ways. As a digestive aid, it is said that Yarrow assists in relaxing the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, making it an antispasmodic. These same antispasmodic qualities are also found to be effective in smoothing the muscles of the uterus, thus helpful in the treatment of menstrual cramps. In addition, Yarrow has traditionally been used as a sedative.

One of the most common uses of this plant is in the use of wound treatment as it contains two chemicals that promote blood coagulation. It is also used as an anti-inflammatory, a pain-reliever, and an antiseptic.

The Navajo use Yarrow for both fever and headaches, in addition to healing sores on people and animals, and especially for healing saddle sores on horses.

When Yarrow is used as a flower essence, it relates, in part, to the crown chakra center, assisting in the process of developing strength of aura, and also directing the light of the higher centers into the earthly body and the lower centers. It is often used with those who are particularly affected by their surroundings and who also have an exceptional capacity for teaching, counseling and healing.

Note: A scientifically conducted trial in India has shown Yarrow to help treat hepatitis.

Garlic is a plant native to Africa and central Asia. It was discovered and used by the ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Jews, Greeks and Romans. Garlic earned a renowned place in the modern natural medicine. In the Middle Ages and Renaissance when the population was facing great plagues, garlic was used very often as a protective medicine. It gained its fame owing to some wrongdoers who fended off the plague by using antiseptic garlic vinegar. As a result, garlic was known as the best antidote against the plague under the name of "the vinegar of the four thieves". The diuretic qualities were discovered by Bartholius, who recommended it for treating ague, while Sydenham would recommend it as a dropsical treatment.

The active compounds of garlic are volatile oil, the mixture between sulfide and allyl oxide in an almost pure state, two very important mineral antibiotic components (sulfur, iodine, zinc, and manganese) and vitamins B and C.

The main therapeutic qualities of garlic describe it as being antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating digestion, reducing high blood pressure, glandular regulator, diuretic and even cancer deterrent.

Internally, garlic is not used so much due to the strong smell that remains in the mouth. Yet it is still being used often for treating various afflictions: the consumption of 2-3 cloves of garlic a day has wonderful results in treating pharyngitis and intestinal infections. It also counteracts flu complications and helps treat gout and insures a general state of health.


Externally, garlic enemas are effective against intestinal worms. Other usages of garlic are:

- ground and mixed in grease or oil it is recommended as an ointment. This mixture is named "devil's mustard" and is used and is used at treating white tumors;
- the mixture obtained from a clove of garlic mixed with camphorated oil used in rubbing the back and chest with is effective against scabies;
- the disinfection of wounds can be successfully done by grinding a clove of garlic and mixing it until a solution is obtained (10% garlic juice and 1-2% alcohol) or by making dabs or garlic (30 g of ground garlic put to sit in 500 ml of vinegar for 10 days);
- the mixture obtained from a clove of garlic mixed with camphorated oil is successfully used in treating asthenia and rheumatism;
- for the individuals who are hypertensive it is recommended that they take a mixture prepared from garlic (2-3 cloves of garlic are grained and left to sit in 1 liter of alcohol for about 15 days). The resulting mixture is consumed by taking two spoonfulls everyday before eating;
- cases of bad acne get better by rubbing the inflamed spots with half of garlic clove;
- wounds [and] blackheads can be treated by applying poultices made of ground garlic. Results are visible after two weeks. Poultices of warm oven-cooked cloves of garlic can be further used to protect healthy skin.
Garlic juice is another useful treatment obtained from this herb. It has noticeable results in treating: hypertension, infectious diseases, lung problems, bronchitis, tuberculosis, asthma, intestinal parasites and can even deter cancer occurrence.


Indications:

- several drops of garlic juice digested with a small quantity of sugar are efficient in stopping a bout of asthma;
- a wad of cotton soaked in garlic juice calms an ear ache;
- eliminating the intestinal worms, a mixture of 20 ml of garlic juice with 200 ml of warm milk drunk early in the mornings is very efficient as a treatment.
Caution!To eliminate the unpleasant smell of garlic it is advisable to chew 2-3 coffee beans, aniseed or caraway, an apple or a piece of parsley.

Another less known benefit that garlic has is its aphrodisiac effect. Research has shown that garlic is capable of improving the blood flow through the veins and also the sexual performance in men. Unfortunately, garlic consumed in normal quantities is unable to reach spectacular results, but the edible products containing garlic may aid you in this sense.

Oregano is usually thought of as a culinary herb, but it has been used medicinally for thousands of years. Try a Tea made with Oregano for indigestion, bloating, flatulence, coughs, urinary problems, bronchial problems, headaches, swollen glands, and to promote menstruation. It has also been used in the past to relieve fevers, diarrhea, vomiting, and jaundice. Unsweetened tea can be used as a gargle or mouthwash. Alternatively, the leaves can be dried, pulverized, and made into capsule form for when it is inconvenient to make a tea. Please see the link below for details. At this point in time, there have not been enough studies done to refute or to support any of the above claims, but Oregano is a safe herb for testing at home, so feel free to experiment.

Externally, Oregano leaves can be pounded into a paste (add small amounts of hot water or tea to reach the desired consistency - oatmeal may also be added for consistency purposes). This paste can then be used for pain from rheumatism, swelling, itching, aching muscles, and sores. For tired joints and muscles, put a handful of Oregano leaves in a coffee filter, mesh bag, or cheesecloth bag and run steaming bath water over it. Allow it to steep in the tub with you as you relax in the warm, fragrant water.

Lastly, an Oil can be made with Oregano leaves to use for toothache pain. Put a few drops on the affected tooth for relief.

It can also get rid of warts, any kind.

Onion (Allium Cepa)


Was cultivated 6000 years BC in the Nile Valley.The onion contains Na, K, Ca, P, Fe and small quantities of vitamins like A, B1, B2 and C.

As a medicine it is recommended raw because through boiling it loses a large part of its main actions.


Intern: the onion is an energizer. It is also useful for edemas, cirrhosis, pleurisy, and it has antiseptic features.
Extern: it is an active remedy for stomatitis, aphtha as it has a powerful effect on staphylococcus.
Therapeutic features:


Excess of uric acid: leave overnight two crushed onions, until it is obtained a paste, in half a liter of boiled water. In the morning, filter and drink a cup of this product with some lemon juice and sweeten with honey.


Abcess, furuncle: for them to grow mellow apply on the swollen parts ripe onion and hold for 10-15 minutes. Repeat this 4-5 times a day.


Burns: for a slight burn apply on the wounded part a crushed onion mixed with a pinch of salt.


Diabetes: follow regular onion cures as it works on the pancreas. Consume raw or cooked onion at all 3 meals, daily, for a week. Repeat the cure every 3 months.

Diarrhea: boil 200 grams of onion leaves for 10 minutes in a liter of water. Consume half a liter of the obtained liquid daily.


Edema: pass through the rasp 300 grams of raw onion, then mix it with 400 grams of honey and 600 grams of white wine. Stir and take 2-4 spoonfuls a day.



Hemorrhoids: cut the onion in two and wash it, let it cool off and apply on the painful spot.


Cough, bronchitis: boil 3 cut in half onions for 8-10 minutes in half a liter of water. Filter and sweeten with honey, drink half a cup a day.


Against freckles: massage the face with apple vinegar in which a crushed onion was left to macerate for 4 hours. It can also be used onion juice mixed with warm water.

Cannabis.

Anonymous Coward  Wrote:

Cannabis.

if only it were legal....

Dandelion

From a pharmaceutical point of view, the herb has many qualities: cholagogus, choleretic, alkalizing, laxative, diuretic, venotonic and astringent. The root contains a bitter compound - taraxacina - pectins, and sterols, vitamins B1, C and D, inulin, tannin and reshines. With a high amount of vegetal fibers, dandelion prevents the unwanted assimilations of glucose and facilitates the elimination of feaces. The contained potassium is responsible for the diuretic action. Dandelion also contains curative substances which are very important for treating metabolism disorders.

The substances contained by dandelion stimulates the stomach's activity as well as the liver's and bile's, causing a high diuresis and helping an organism to eliminate, trough urine, the toxic products of metabolism. Dandelion can be successfully used in cases of hypoacid gastritis, dyspepsia, biliary dischinesis and for preventing the formation of renal calculi. The diuretic effect also helps eliminate the renal calculi. Trough the diuresis it causes, dandelion eliminates toxins and indirectly helps treat eczema and other skin diseases.

Because of the contained vitamins A and C, dandelion is also known as an anti-oxidant and anti-cancer agent.


Mixtures and treatments

Dandelion is recommended as an adjuvant in all the diseases that involve a glandular disequilibrium. Because of these qualities, the specialists are using it to successfully treat liver diseases. And its effect? It increases the biliary secretion, regulates the blood circulation and stimulates the appetite when in convalescence periods. Because of its diuretic action, it eliminates toxins efficiently. This way, it indirectly treats eczemas and other skin diseases, gout, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, varices, etc. It reduces the level of cholesterol. Dandelion is also efficient in treating the hepatic dermatosis, cleaning the blood from impurities and calming rheumatic pains. Here are some of its uses:

Internal use

Consumed as a drink or as salad, dandelion is a great remedy. A healthy salad can be prepared from a handful of dandelion leaves mixed with parsley and dill, oil and vinegar. It can be consumed two or three times a day, before primary meals.

Decoct for lowering the cholesterol level: 15g of leaves and 15g of roots must be boiled in one liter of water for 30 minutes and it can be consumed a cup before each primary meal.

Dandelion juice is obtained from hashed and pressed dandelions. If it's consumed immediately and in high quantities, the juice has a remarkable effect over the blood, by purifying it and enriching it with iron.

In cases of liver disorders the following recipe can be applied: 25g of leaves and 25g of roots must be boiled in one liter of water for 30 minutes. It must be consumed before each meal, one cup only.

Against anorexia and constipation, 20g of leaves and 20g of roots must be boiled in one liter of water and the product must be left for 24 hours, before consuming it, one cup before each meal.

To ameliorate the acne and cellulite 25g of leaves and 25g of roots can be boiled for 5 minutes in one liter of water and left to infuse another 10 minutes.

External use

The decoct obtained from the hole herb is used to treat cataract. 10g of leaves, roots, flowers and stalks must be boiled in 3/4 liter of water for 20 minutes. The fresh mixture is then used to wash the area around the eye 4 or 5 times a day.

For treating greasy hair, the following recipe can be applied: fresh and hashed dandelion leaves must be applied on the dry hair and left there over night. The following morning, the hair must be washed with shampoo.

For attenuating freckles it is recommended to use dandelion juice or a lotion prepared as follows: 15g of fresh flowers and leaves, boiled for 10 minutes in 1/2 liter of water.

That's wonderful!

You don't only need the herbs because of lack of access to insured health care.

You need to understand natural and traditional healing because modern medicine sucks so badly.

Doctors are not like real scientists, they are like technicians who memorize off the shelf technology (drugs and treatments) and search for one-shot answers to complex problems. Many times their expensive solutions don't work and sometimes they do additional damage. They are like the guy who needs an iPhone app for everything he does, and if there's no app he's paralyzed and useless.

And there is no clear dividing line between food and medicine, if you understand herbal and natural healing.

The Lucky AC  Wrote:

That's wonderful!

You don't only need the herbs because of lack of access to insured health care.

You need to understand natural and traditional healing because modern medicine sucks so badly.

Doctors are not like real scientists, they are like technicians who memorize off the shelf technology (drugs and treatments) and search for one-shot answers to complex problems. Many times their expensive solutions don't work and sometimes they do additional damage. They are like the guy who needs an iPhone app for everything he does, and if there's no app he's paralyzed and useless.

And there is no clear dividing line between food and medicine, if you understand herbal and natural healing.

pretty much true. Everything one eats has a purpose in the body besides fuel, even the much feared "red meat"... high is iron and other uses

Mustard

Because of the presence of mucilages, mustard has laxative effects. The white seeded mustard has milder effects, being a source of vegetal oil and an excellent source of proteins, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Combining it with warm water has the consequence of increasing arterial pressure and stimulating blood circulation. At the same time, mustard has anti-inflammatory properties.

Treatments

- Mustard is a herb with various usages. Mustard baths are recommended for treating headaches, colds and cough. The consumption of one spoonful of mustard seeds 2 or 3 times a day could have laxative effects. Also, the mustard seeds, whether white or black, are used for treating respiratory problems.

- The lack of food appetite can be alleviated through consuming black mustard seeds dissolved into a glass of milk, administered 15 minutes before a meal. Asthma can be treated by applying, during a period of 20 minutes, black mustard flour poultice on the chest area. Against headaches, or pains caused by long exposure to cold or to air drafts, it is recommended that a small bag of 200g of black mustard seeds be added into the bath water, kept inside for 10 minutes and then removed. The effects of rheumatic pains and neuralgias are also decreased through the use of general baths.

- Intoxications can be treated by drinking, on an empty stomach, a glass of water, which was mixed with a spoonful of black mustard flour administered on an empty stomach. The mixture will induce a state of vomit, therefore permitting the elimination of toxic materials from the stomach.

- Bronchitis, asthma and pneumonia are treated by applying a black mustard flour poultice on the chest area. It is maintained as long as the burning sensation is not strong, it is then removed and the area is to be covered with a warm material.

Mixtures

Mustard flour

Mustard flour is obtained through grinding or crushing the mustard seeds. The dust is kept in dark coloured containers and in cool places. It is recommended that the mustard flour be used in the first 2-3 weeks after its preparation, after this period its curative capabilities are reduced considerably. Internally, the mustard flour is administered in milk or wine, and externally, at the preparation of poultices.

The poultice

The poultice is prepared from 100g of mustard flour, mixed with warm water, of a temperature of 25-30 C. degrees until a soft paste is formed. The paste is then put between two cloths and applied on the troublesome area. It is kept for about a quarter of an hour, then removed with the possibility of applying it on another area. For children, or for those who cannot tolerate the irritating property of mustard, the poultice is prepared with 50g mustard flour and 100g flax flour.

General or local bath water, used for treating rheumatism, colds, neuralgias or articulation inflammations, are obtained from 25-30g of mustard flour placed in a small bag, on which 2-3 liters of warm water, of about 25-30 C. degrees, is poured. In case of a general bath, a greater amount, 250g, of mustard seeds is added, and the bag is to be stirred in the water. The local bath, as the general one should not last more than 20-30 minutes.

Mustard is used in the alimentary industry, as a paste, as seeds, powder or flour. In the form of paste, mustard is used in the spicing of meat, of fish or of eggs. Mustard seeds are used for spicing pickles, sea fruits or meat. Mustard flour is used for spicing steaks.

Warning

Administering black mustard to children under the age of 6 is not indicated, since severe intoxications could occur. Also, administering mustard, black or white, for prolonged periods of time becomes irritating and toxic, especially in the case of individuals suffering from dyspepsia, with a sensitive stomach or colon and individuals who suffer from irritations of the urinary tract.

Another Helpful Herb...

Spinach

Spinach contains an impressive range of active substances which are indispensable to the body. In its structure we find mineral salts (sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, copper), vitamins (C, B1, B2, B6, PP, E, K, folic acid, vitamin A), chlorophyll, amino acids such as arginine and lysine, but also lipids, protides, glucdes and fibers. With only 17 calories, 100 grams of spinach supplies the body with 5 mg of iron, 500 mg of potassium, 170 mg of calcium, 23 mg of vitamin C, 2 mg of vitamin E, 150 micrograms of folic acid, 3500 micrograms of beta-carotene and 7 grams of alimentary fibers. Because of this, an alimentary diet which contains spinach, leads to the strengthening of the body. The magnesium contained in spinach helps prevent diabetes; iodine helps treat skin diseases and strengthens the immune system; vitamin K contributes to bone resistance; vitamin B improves cerebral activity, helps in maintaining the firmness of the skin and controls insomnia; potassium stimulates the cardiac muscle; beta-carotene prevents sight problems and sulfur increases hair attractiveness. Alimentary fibers, vitamins and minerals contained make spinach a good depurative and detoxifier. The toxins originating in nourishments that are rich in fat and proteins of animal origin are thus eliminated quickly. At the same time, alimentary fibers prevent constipation and colon cancer. They interact with the absorption of fat and adjust the level of cholesterol in the body. Moreover, spinach can help eliminate intestinal parasites. All of these are sufficient reasons to start a diet based on spinach or at least for introducing it more often into everyday nourishment. By being nutritive, tonifying, mineralizing, calming for the nervous system and also a good coagulant, spinach benefits growth.


Mixtures and treatments

Spinach is recommended by nutritionists especially for convalescents, asthenics (both those suffering from physical asthenia and those with nervous asthenia) children, rachitics, elder people and for pregnant women also because the plant is efficient in the process of regenerating epidermis. Also, spring asthenia caused by deficiency of minerals and vitamins is successfully controlled through the consumption of spinach. Because of its properties, it is also recommended in the fight against cardiac affections, arterial hypertension, high blood sliminess, renal affections, atony of the urinary bladder, cystitis, diabetes, gout, renal insufficiency, obesity and also acne, abscess, psoriasis, burns, eczemas, wounds. Further on we shall present a few simple treatments using this plant, while observing that only the consumption of spinach in its raw state will keep all its elements active.

Spinach juice

It is said that administering 0.5 l of juice per day can cure even the most severe cases of constipation. However, one fresh glass of spinach juice, drunk in the morning, is also good for nervous depressions and fatigue. Spinach juice helps in the process of recovery of diseased organs, helps with duodenal ulcer, pernicious anemia, weakness, convulsions, deficiencies of the suprarenal glands or of the thyroid gland, low and high blood pressure, gum bleeding, limb inflammations, headaches, migraines, furunculosis, dental abscesses etc. To obtain the juice, spinach is placed in the meat chopping machine and afterwards the juice is collected.


Spinach infusion

The infusion is useful for increasing diuresis in kidney or bladder diseases. This mixture is obtained by pouring a cup of boiled water on one teaspoon of crushed spinach leaves. The infusion is kept covered for 15 minutes. After filtering it, it is to be consumed in doses of two cups per day.

Cataplasms

For external use, spinach cataplasms can calm burns. The leaves are soaked in boiling olive or soybean oil and they are fastened with a bandage on the affected areas. It is recommended to apply two or three cataplasms during the day. Also in external use, to obtain a healthy hair, the following receipt can be used: boil 125g of fresh spinach in 500ml of water for 15-20 minutes. The cataplasm is applied when the mixture has cooled down through a light massage of the scalp. After approximately an hour, the hair is washed.

Warning

The consumption of spinach is not indicated for people who suffer from hepatitis, rheumatism, gastric and intestinal inflammations, or for people who are on a diet without salt. Those who confront themselves with hepatic affections should only consume it moderately - because of the oxalic acid that it contains.

User-Friendly  Wrote:

Another Helpful Herb...

only if he can type faster than me and with fewer errors....

Rosemary

Among the main properties of rosemary we can enumerate: analgesic, antiseptic, antidepressant, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, antiviral, aphrodisiac, disinfectant. Its active elements have choleric, antiseptic, diuretic and tonic aspects at a nervous level, stimulating bile secretion and eliminating it in the intestines, destroying microorganisms, increasing the quantity of eliminated urine, improving the blood flow and refreshing and energizing the mind. Apart from this, scientific researches indicate that rosemary is an ideal memory stimulant for both adults and students. Rosemary contains a series of secondary elements such as carnosol and carnosic acid, with a reflecting action in case of free radicals. Rosemary also has calming effects by working against fatigue, sadness, anxiety, calming muscle soreness, digestive pains and also, indigestion caused by stress.

In aromatherapy it is appreciated for bringing youth, protection, love, optimism, vitality health and a restful sleep.
Treatments and mixtures

Rosemary can be consumed under the forms of tea, tincture, capsules or ethereal oils. Rosemary consumption improves digestion, fights against obesity, liver diseases, gastritis, cholesterolemia, bronchic asthma, edemas, and adjusts fast heart beats caused especially by irritability, coffee or tobacco excess. Because of its antiseptic and tonic properties, rosemary is extremely beneficial in cases of fainting, influenza, hangovers, asthma, bronchitis, cramps, constipation, cystitis, headaches, polypus, colds, cough, sinusitis or muscular pains. The plant also has a good influence on the blood circulation and blood pressure.

As a natural fortifier, rosemary is extremely efficient during convalescence because it increases energy and optimism, also being recommended in cases of asthenia. For long term periods it fortifies and revitalizes the body.

Rosemary tincture

Indicated in cases of indigestion, diabetes, vomit, stomachal atony, colics, liver congestion, icterus, chronic and painful inflammations of the biliary bladder, high cholesterol, insomnia, dizziness, headaches, irritability, depressive states, convalescence, weak memory, asthenia, palpitations, asthma, and convulsive cough. Two teaspoons of tincture, diluted in a cup of water, are administered before main meals. Rosemary tincture is also used for sprains, swelling (articular or ankle swelling), rheumatism and torticolis. For this, a teaspoon of tincture is diluted in 100 ml of water and administered three to four times a day.


Rosemary essential oil

The essential rosemary oil is a main ingredient in the industry of cosmetic products because of its analgesic, aromatizing, anti-inflammatory, peripheral blood circulation stimulating, antimicrobial and hair fall preventing action. Adding a few drops in a votive light or in the bath water, the essential rosemary oil is adequate for states of anxiety, headaches, debility, and weakness. It acts through unblocking the interior energies and in aromatherapy it is believed to help improve relationships with others.

Capsules

They are recommended in biliary dyskinesia, renal and rheumatic diseases, physical and intellectual overwork. Taken as a phytotherapic supplement (a capsule taken three times a day before the main meals) is efficient in abdominal diseases, anemia, rheumatism, coughs and minor cardiac disturbances.

Warning

Consumption during pregnancy or in cases of epilepsy or hypersensitivity should be avoided.