7 herbs you could start using today
Have you planted a medicinal herb garden yet? They’re becoming more and more popular. It used to be that when patients would mention using herbs for medicinal purposes, their doctors would laugh at them. Now the medical community has a much deeper respect for this ancient way to prevent and treat illnesses and injuries.
As I’ve mentioned before, don’t try to use herbs in place of conventional medicine for serious and life-threatening situations. But when it comes to day-to-day, non-emergency health issues including headaches, colds, coughs, aches, bruises and many more ailments, herbs can be highly effective.
Here are seven more of my favorite medicinal herbs.
Borage – This herb is credited with treating ailments such as respiratory viruses, colds, flu, dry cough, sore throat, bronchitis, asthma, stress and menopausal symptoms. It is reported to help with arthritis, rheumatism, joint pain and bowel diseases. Borage is also good for skin problems and aids with depression while reducing blood pressure and cholesterol.
Catnip – Used in capsules, teas and tinctures, this herb has been found to be a remedy for diarrhea, upset stomach, gas, nausea, hiccups, stomach cramps and indigestion. Catnip leaves contain antioxidant vitamins, making it helpful for treating colds. It can be used in a compress for tonsillitis and toothache, and topically for skin sores and hemorrhoids.
Cayenne Pepper – This herb is a circulatory stimulant to strengthen heart and blood vessels while lowering cholesterol. It is said to aid in weight loss; regulate blood sugar; reduce colds, fevers, flus and sore throats; dull pain; and serve as a laxative. As a topical cream, Cayenne Pepper can help with arthritis, bursitis, muscle and joint pain, and shingles.
Echinacea – Studies suggest this herb sparks the immune system, relieves pain, reduces inflammation, and has hormonal, antiviral and antioxidant effects. It’s recommended to treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast infections, athlete’s foot, hay fever, boils, burns and ulcers. Echinacea has been called an important immune-enhancing herb.
Hyssop – This herb is used for upper respiratory ailments and infections. It’s brewed into a tea to help fight colds, sinusitis, bronchitis, asthma, influenza, laryngitis, tonsillitis and coughs. Users report that it helps with shortness of breath and wheezing. Hyssop has a regulating effect on blood pressure, raising it if it’s too low and lowering it if it’s too high.
Nettle – Containing antihistamines and anti-inflammatories, Nettle opens bronchial and nasal passages. It’s been used to deal with asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia. It’s also been effective in reducing blood pressure; aiding swollen prostate glands; helping maintain kidney and liver function; and topically treating wounds, stings, bites and rashes.
Yarrow – This herb is reported to stop bleeding when you chew the leaves, or crush the leaves and flowers and press them against the wound. It’s said to be helpful for poor circulation, congestion, asthma and depression. Topically, Yarrow can be used for wounds, scrapes, rashes, nosebleeds, hemorrhoids, poison ivy, varicose veins and toothaches.
What herbs have you found to be effective, and which conditions have you treated with them?
My grandma told me about watermelon seed tea for urinary infections. Back in the 1970’s it really helped. I don’t know if modern watermelons have the same power.
This lady in the grocers had huge skin ulcerations and was in a wheel chair. She also was diabetic. What ould I have told her to be of assistance?
Where can I get information on the preparation of the herbs for use or ingestion… and how about dosages? I am trying to make an extract of wild lettuce for chronic pain, but do not know the dosage of the concentrate.
Celery seed is great for lowering blood pressure probably due to its diuretic effect, supposed to help with menstrual cramps. Also cinnamon(preferably Ceylon type) is great for keeping blood sugar under control, I’ve been using it for 2 years and my A1c rarely ever is over high normal.
I have something that’s been great for me. A fellow told me about it and said I’ll give you some if you’ll come by. He asked me if I knew a certain guy. I said yes, we used to work together. He told me he was a diabetic and the doctors had been treating him a year and wanted to take part of his foot off. He was going to have to sell his cows and quit his job. I called the fellow and asked him about it. He said, yes this guy bet me his farm it would heal my foot. So he said he tried it and after he went to the doctor, the doctor said I don’t understand it; your foot is healed. His wife told me he is working himself to death and this summer he help me lay rock on a house. I have been taking it for about 7 years now. I used to have to go to the doctor for infections, sore throats, colds and flu several times a year. It hasn’t been necessary for me to go since. The product I’m talking about is 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. It has to be diluted in a glass of water because of it’s strength. You can go on line at Guardian of Eden and get all kinds of information. I told a fellow about it who had pneumonia three times a year. I saw him later and he said he quit having pneumonia. We became friends and he took me crappie fishing. I talked to my pharmacist about this and he said it’s just oxygen and water. Bad bacteria can’t live in oxygen and good bacteria thrive in oxygen. I took some to the Philippines with me on a mission trip and gave to some who were a diabetic and asthma. One’s foot was healed and others told me their asthma was 100% better. This is not the over the counter 3% that has an additive that you’re not suppose to ingest but food grade. I have had less sickness the last seven years that I had any one year in the past 59 years before that. And I don’t have to take antibiotics anymore. Some have told me they were very skeptical but after they have seen what it has helped people that their whole family is on it now and haven’t had any sickness. You can live without food for several days and survive. You can live without water for two or three days and still survive. But you can’t live without oxygen ten minutes and survive. Check it out and use as directed. It has many cures.
How do you use the 35% Peroxide drink it or apply to body parts. I have a half gallon in my freezer have had for 15 years, it won’t freeze that’s how you know its still good. It can be very dangerous if you don’t handle it right. It will take moles and age spots off your skin the 35%, but you have to centralize it right on the mole or skin tag not on good skin
I use cinnoman pills to lower blood pressure and tryglycerides, also use garlic to reduce blood pressure and as an antibiotic. Not really a herb, but use colloidal silver for infections! as well as super glue on fingers breaking open, stops the pain, seals off a cut and prevents infection and makes it harder to bruise…A real winner!
I don’t use herbs, but I have been using and consulting on the use of certified pure therapeutic grade essential oils which I sell. I really like lavender (stops bug bites from itching, stops bleeding from minor cuts & also stops pain). Our OnGuard is currently being tested in hospitals. Breathe is fabulous for asthma, stuffy noses. White fir worked well on a shoulder injury. Frankincense helps with my joint pain from arthritis, etc.
I use hot peppers to deal with a cold. (I grow the little tabasco peppers and dry them.) Eating a bowl of soup with a pepper cut up into it really clears my sinuses, reduces congestion, and speeds healing, without irritating and drying out my membranes the way over-the-counter cold meds seem to do.
You see you see, garlic is not good for you, as it kills everything it touches. In the second world war the Americans would place a little garlic juice on the tip of the hard nose 303 projectiles, and it was found that a graze on the skin inflicted by a bullet with the garlic juice and the victim would die very quickly. I have to keep away because it smells so bad that it would kill me . I hate the taste ,the smell and the look of it. And I only come out at night!!? Horrible stuff.
Garlic pills lose the stench, really lower high blood pressure, and act as an antibiotic/antiviruus, so has a really good side!!
Yeah, I think that 303 had a little more going for it than garlic! Ha Ha, very humorous!
I just wanted to say Thank You to each of you. I’ve learned a lot just today reading each comment.
Again Thank you and God Bless You All. Kathy
ROSEMARY ::: WHY DONT YOU’LL HIGHLIGHT MAIN WORDS?? \ ROSEMARY FOR INFLAMATION(S) AND GETTING RID OF THE “DEVIL: OK? ALSO CLEARING UP YOUR BRAIN SO YOU WILL READ THE BIBLE WIT H ENTHOUSIUM AND REALLY UNDERSTAND IT …I PRAISE GOD FOR YOU’LL.
Aloe Vera grows every where you can use the broken stems and use the juice . it’s better than what you get in the store, cures cuts and bruses in a day, or 2.
HEY LAWRENCE, GET AGRIP WHY DON’T YOU!!. GO THUMP YOU BIBLE CRAP ELSE WHERE. ROSEMARY JUST RIDS THIS PLAIN FROM BAD SPIRTS. IT HAS NO HEALING OF INFLAMATION. I KNOW, I HAVE TRYED IT IN A TEA FOR MY MUSCEL PAIN. DOES NOT WORK. GO VENT YOU HATE ON A MUSLIM BLOG!
Actually Punisher, yes it does have healing properties. Rosemary tea is good for a cold or sinusitis. It also helps with low blood pressure, used as a hair rinse it helps to get rid of dandruff, effective at preventing dental plaque, it is also an anti-fungal.
An old standby would be aloe, kept in the kitchen for burns. And lavender is great for stimulating healing.
If you are an avid gardener or a person intent on preparing for self reliance then having a garden with several herbs would be a smart move on your part. In my garden and around my house I have several herbs. I have basil, thyme, sage, dill, mint, and garlic just to name a few. They are easy to grow, easy to cultivate, and easy to incorporate into my every day living.
When my wife cooks she sends me out to the garden to get her a little bit of this and a little bit of that. When the herbs start to overrun its area, I would dry the herbs and set them aside for later use. (watch out for the mint, it can and will take over the garden very quickly, but it makes a nice jelly.)
I also have Aloe Vera. Like I said, my wife loves to cook, which means that she gets burns and cuts, a lot.
Anyway, look around your home and see what will grow in your area. If you can’t get it to grow outside then think potted plants. It doesn’t hurt to think healthy when you act smart.
GROWING UP MY DAD HAD A GARDEN ALL THE SICILAN FOLK HERBS YOU COULD HAVE. I LOVE ANIS ROOT. VERY GOOD FOR A UPSET STOMACH. I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT AND HAVE MY OWH POTTED HERBS.
please take off the “caps lock” on your keyboard. All capital letters means that you are shouting at everyone.
I am just learning about plantain and all it can do. But before I use any herb I research it very well from several sources. Not all sources give you all the effects and interactions. Many herbs are not suggested for pregnant women and many have interactions with heart medications. So be careful. Jewel weed is another that I have used on my children who have reactions to poison ivy with better results than other medication. Made into a salve it repels insects and reverses many skin irritations. And is a preventative of poison ivy and Tick and insect bits.
I use Elderberry syrup in the winter to keep fro having colds and flu….went the entire winter last year without even a sniffle.
Your right! Elderberry syrup will prevent even the Flu going around…but…Vitamin C and D-3 1000 MG have prevented any cold or flu for me for the last 30 years, and I worked in a hospital with the sickesrt of the sick…Never even caught a cold!!
I’ve been drinking organic Echinacea Plus tea all winter to prevent colds and organic Ginger tea for stomach problems.
My yoga/Pilates instructor reccommended L-Lycene to get rid of cold sores. Interesting enough, my cat got bad lesions on one corner of his mouth and the vet suggested L-Lycene cat treats. No more lesions and he loves them with his special vet cat food.
i wish you had added pictures, I’m still trying to find out what nettles looks like. Bjg
Yeah, we need pictures! The only one I know is “Wooly Lambs Ear.” You didn’t mention that one. Good for several ailments and the leaves make good toilet paper.
Get a copy of Rodele’s Encyropedia of plants…it has pictures or Backyard Medicine
My mom’s an avid gardener & had Lamb’s ear in it. Never in my wildest dreams did I think of using Lamb’s Ear as toilet paper! Is that for real?!
Go here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urtica_dioica and find pictures of them all. But wear leather gloves to pick it because there are hairs on the underside that will sting, It is called stinging nettles, but if you take the leaf and rub it where the sting is it will go away I am told. After the first time i always wear leather gloves and haven’t had a problem since.
Oh and research ever herb you are going to use carefully. They are like drugs and some of them have interactions with other drugs or are toxic in certain situations or in certain amounts.
Thank you for sharing these herbs and their good effects as well as cautions to have with them. I will try and share some of my own later. Send me some more info if you have it. I appreciate this tyoe of info.
Mullein leaves, either chewed, or preferably dried and brewed into a tea, is a great decongestant and expectorant in treating colds or flu. The flowers are also useful. Mormon Tea is another one, and has been used in the Southwest since Aztec times. It is of the ephedra family of plants and is said to be effective as a decongestant and asthma remedy.
Mullein is also an antispasmodic and takes away cramping of any sort.
So how do I get starts or seeds from these plants???
check to see if your area has a gardening club. Nashville, I know, has an Herb Society and the gardeners have an annual sale where they offer interesting herbs for pretty cheap.
found this about borage : The leaf and flower contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids which are toxic to the liver when consumed internally. For this reason, internal use is not recommended except under the guidance of a qualified health practitioner. Not recommended while pregnant. Not recommended for long term use.
Everyone should do their own homework and make their own decision. Wikipedia does confirm the presence of PA in Borage. However, it also states: “Borago officinalis (< 10 ppm, non-toxic)".
Borage is used all over Europe for centuries for all kinds of products. You have probably consumed some. Perhaps people were dying of liver failure and did not connect the two. Who knows?
Hepatotoxicity is not something to fool around with. It is the main reason drugs are removed from the market, the cause of many hospital visits, and acute liver failure.
Flowers, leaves, stems and seeds are all edible.
Wiki: The leaves contain small amounts (2-10 ppm of dried herb) of the liver-toxic Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) intermedine, lycopsamine, amabiline and supinine and the non-toxic saturated PA thesinine. PAs are also present in borage seed oil, but may be removed by processing. (citations omitted.) It does not mention the stems or flowers.
Perhaps this should be utilized if other remedies fail to work; and then, only for a brief period at low doses. I personally would not use it if getting to an ER was questionable.
The best natural remedy for migraine headaches is butterbur. It’s not an herb but can be purchased in capsule form. Taken twice a day, it prevents migraines. A good food to help with lactose intolerance is yogurt with live cultures. Works better than medicines.
Onions and garlic. I don’t know if these are technically considered herbs or vegetables, but I eat a lot of them and cannot remember the last time I had the flu or even a mild cold, but it was many years ago. Both contain anti-bacterial and anti-viral compounds to help ward off colds and flu, as well as anti-inflamatory antioxidants and other compounds said to help protect against heart disease and cancer. I believe that prevention of disease is preferable to finding a cure.
I suffered with colds, and the flu for 40 some years until I read about garlic, and had only one cold, and when I looked back over what I eat , I realized that I had not seasoned with any garlic for a week , that’s all it took to get a cold, all nutrients will be depleted out of your body in 2 to 3 days so you need a little almost every day, just a little.
Around 2001, I lived in low-income housing with my darling chihuahua Babe. Babe walked on tiny white particles on the apartment sidewalks, which she later licked. The manager stated the weed and feed she’d spread on the lawn was “safe”. Within a few hours, Babe had a seizure and went unconscious. I could not afford to take my dog to a vet. I phoned several vet offices, which were closed. The last number I phoned was the dog groomer’s son, who said his father had worked for a pharmaceutical company; that tests showed cayenne pepper administered quickly would help a person or animal survive a stroke, seizure, or heart attack. I placed a few dots of cayenne pepper on Babe’s tongue and she popped up and walked to the front door. She did her business then wanted back indoors. Well, the so-called “harmless” weed and feed caused Babe permanent damage. She continued to have seizures, mild heart attacks, and strokes for the next three years. I would immediately have Babe swallow one of the # 3 cayenne capsules I made, and Babe would instantly revive. However, Babe got exposed to a toxic spray being dropped over fruit trees at a different location, her heart worsened, and I had to have her euthanized. The point: Cayenne pepper (capsicum) can save a persons or animals life if administered quickly and properly. Cayenne extended my Babe’s life by an extra three years, Thank God. Carmen Graham
Garlic is not only a SUPER FOOD, it also is an amazing insect control agent. I have found it works very well in repelling aphids, grasshoppers, bean beetles, leaf miners, etc. in my veggie garden. If I am going camping, hiking, fishing or such, it also repels mosquitoes and other blood sucking insects. Try it for yourself next time you are out in the “wild”
Not to mention vampires….just a joke.
I guess that is why you don’t hear of Italian Vampires. LOL
In ancient times, Jerusalem was surrounded by marsh like environment where garlic grew wild. The inhabitants of Jerusalem would go out and pick this wild herb as a poor man’s spice to their meals. By eating this herb the inhabitants were able to repel the mosquitoes that lived in the marshes. When the city was under siege, the opposing soldiers would become sick and die. Those that survived would return home, sick for life.
Leeks, onions, other plants and herbs also assist in repelling mosquitoes and blood sucking insects. Deet is a man-made repellant. FYI.
I am so sorry, I left out an important sentence. The soldiers would become sick and die because of malaria. Malaria is a mosquito borne illness. Those soldiers that didn’t die would go home sick for life.
COMFRY ROOT, MIX 1 PART COMFRY ROOT POWDER IN 1 PART COCONUT OIL. USE AS A LOTION FOR MUSCLE AND JOINT PAIN. A LITTLE GOES ALONG WAY. EASY TO GROW, LIKES WATER.
Comfrey is an incredible medicinal plant, applied to the skin for ulcers, wounds, joint inflammation, bruises, rheumatoid arthritis, swollen veins (phlebitis), gout, and fractures.
HOWEVER………A HUGE word of caution
Humans should NEVER consume Comfry! ONLY use it eternally.
Comfrey can harm the liver. Do not take comfrey if you are taking a medication that can harm the liver. Some of these medications include acetaminophen (Tylenol), amiodarone (Cordarone), carbamazepine (Tegretol), isoniazid (INH), methotrexate (Rheumatrex), methyldopa (Aldomet), fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), erythromycin (Erythrocin, Ilosone, others), phenytoin (Dilantin), lovastatin (Mevacor), pravastatin (Pravachol), simvastatin (Zocor), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), rifampin, rifabutin (Mycobutin), & others .
The studies about comfrey are skewed. Comfrey does come from the same family as borage but does NOT contain the toxic amounts of APs. Lots of people and animals have eaten pounds of comfrey with absolutely no liver damage. Comfrey is so good for us that big pharma continues to cast fear and doubt about it.
Thanks for clearing up the comfrey hype. I take it for a week or so in capsules to help my arthritis and sinus problems. Have to put comfrey root powder into caps myself. The root powder is stronger than tea from leaves and heals broken bones fast. Would love colored pictures of all these herbs and directions on how to prepare them. (All in one place) BTW use arnica gel to rub on bruises right away when injured.
Thank-You Virginia, that is really good to know.