Medicinal Herbs and daily life use

[AussieScott]

The last 4 years I have been studying medicinal herbs, not just for aliments but for nutrition as well. There is a vast array of herbs from common weeds, to traditional herds, wild herbs that grow in the paddock/pasture lands, native forests, ect...

The medicinal and nutritional qualities of herbs amazes me, and let it be known majority of the pharmaceutical synthetic drugs are designed mostly from the original organic compounds found in plants.

Herbs are great for daily life, growing, cheaper healthier medicine, and great from a survivalist perspective...

Anyhoo I'm going to add some herbs on this thread now and then, feel free to do likewise...:)

[gold_fenix]

Great post, people really don't know the properties of plants

[mymy]

Very good topic! I think people don't realize what is benefit of herbs; if we use them more and know them better, we would be much healthier now.

Here is a good site about medical uses of herbs:
http://www.naturalherbsguide.com/


And if someone is interested in something a bit different, and more taboo, here is place where you can read about herbs in magic:
http://www.earthwitchery.com/herbsa-g.html

[AussieScott]

OK before I start, I'm going to post links and maybe add a couple of points as there is so much information out there now.

Disclaimer : Always check with your Doctor first before self medicating with herbs, as they are as effective as pharmaceutical drugs, when prepared and taken properly.

[AussieScott]

Stinging Nettle, I first noticed the use of this herb among my Italian step family, as the older ladies would collect it and make yummy soup out of it, in the early spring time.:)

The stinging barbs on this bush contain two physiological active chemicals, Histamine and acetlycholine, interesting enough the stinging barbs of the nettle under a microscope look like hypodermic needles.

Roman soldiers use to beat themselves with stinging nettle in order to keep them warm and alleviate the physical aches and pains of soldiering. Villages would also use it as a cure for arthritis and rheumatoid. Back in the ancient days.

Today stinging nettle is mainly used as a relief from enlarged prostate issues, by drinking a steeped tea, made of the dried, crushed roots.

Many uses for this herb, be it medicinal, food for nutrition, or practical like rope and linen...

Interesting article on the history of the Stinging Nettle, it was also used to bring on a late pregnancy and to increase milk production in cows and women.

http://www.herballegacy.com/Vance_History.html

Other modern uses for the herb.

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail107.php

Great site for counter-interactions, and when not to use it.

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/stinging-nettle-000275.htm

Nutrition

http://www.livestrong.com/article/350785-stinging-nettles-nutrition/

This would have to be the overall best site, for all of the above, plus it has preparation and dosages.

http://www.rain-tree.com/nettles.htm

From the above site I just worked out I could use this herb to counter my Borreby tendency of too much testosterone production, and grow back some head hair...:D To virile for my own good.

[Ain Sophia]

My mother actually cured herself of hepatitis c using only herbs and supplements. True story.
I myself never get sick because of them.

Although I grow some myself, I admit I tend to use commercial extracted preparations..