Herb Uses
While herbs and spices are a great resource they are not a replacement for medicine. However; Using herbs and spices to enhance you health and well being is can make a huge difference in your life. This is not by any means a new concept.
What herb does what?
A brief look through you cabinets cauld change your life.
Remedies
Now that you know what to look for here are some quick remedies.
Food Preparation
Using herbs in food is easy and fun. Be creative!
What herb does what?
- Balm
- herpes, viral infections, tranquilizers, wound care.
- Basil
- intestinal parasites, acne, immune stimulant
- Caraway
- digestive
- Catnip
- digestive, colic, infection prevention.
- Chamomile
- digestive aid, ulcers, women’s health, tranquilizers, arthritis, infection prevention, immune stimulant.
- Cinnamon
- pain killer and infection prevention (sprinkled on wounds)
- Clove
- toothache, infection fighter
- Cocoa
- pick-me-up, asthma
- Coriander
- digestive aid, infection prevention
- Dandelion
- PMS, weight loss, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, cancer prevention, yeast infection.
- Dill
- urinary tract infection (bath).
- Fennel
- gas relief, prostate cancer
- Garlic
- powerful antibiotic, heart disease and stroke, diabetes, cancer, lead poisoning.
- Ginger
- indigestion, abdominal cramping, colds and flu, arthritis, heart disease and stroke.
- Marjoram
- herpes, cold sores
- Mint
- digestive aid, anesthetic, decongestant, infection prevention.
- Oregano
- cough remedy.
- Parsley
- congestive heart failure, breath freshener, bloating due to PMS, allergies, fever.
- Rosemary
- food preservative, decongestant, infection prevention.
- Sage
- wounds, preservative, digestion, diabetes, sore throat.
- Thyme
- antiseptic, digestive aid, cough remedy.
Herbal Remedies
- Tea
- using 2 tsp. of fresh herbs or one tsp of dried herbs in a teaball or strainer. Pour hot water over herb and steep for 10 min. Strain off herbs.
- Syrups
- make tea with 5 oz. of desired herb and 1 pint of water, steep for 20 min. Strain into a pan and add 1 cup honey. Stir slowly over heat until syrupy.
- Baths
- Place handful of fresh or dried herbs into tied cheese cloth. Place cheese cloth into warm bath.
- Steam Bath
- Place herbs in a pot of water that had been brought to a boil. Remove from heat. Tent a towel over head and pot. Allow steam to open pores and relieve sinus pressure
- Direct Application
- Sprinkle herb right into irritation or wound
- Ointment
- 1 cup oil that has steeped with desired herb(s) on low heat for no less than 2 hrs. Strain, return to heat, add 1/4 cup bees wax (allow bees wax to melt) pour into containers.
Food Preparation
Here are some suggested combinations:
- Basil
- carrots, green beans, potatoes, tomatoes, chicken, beef and fish
- Oregano
- potatoes, squash, dried beans, chicken, fish, pork and beef
- Rosemary
- cauliflower, mushrooms, beef, fish, chicken, pork and turkey
- Thyme
- asparagus, green beans, corn, peas, beef, chicken, turkey
Helpful hint when preparing herbs with food
- When using herbs in cooking add to dish shortly before serving so as not to cook out the nutritional benefits.
- When using fresh herbs use twice as much as dried.
- Bruise fresh herbs to help release flavor and essential oils
Labels: cooking with herbs, herb_uses, herbal remedies
posted by Anita C. Brown @ 4:59 AM Saturday, October 20, 2007 
