Thursday, November 3, 2011

Herbs of the World - 5 Natural Remedies You Can Find Anywhere

The problem with natural herbal remedies is that some of these plants are regional and do not grow in all parts of the world. Here are five beneficial herbal plants you can find in most places around the world.


1. Aloe Vera (Aloe vera)
Originally from Africa, this plant is one of the world's most often used plants. Aloe Vera has thick, fleshy leaves that are beneficial for healing many illnesses and ailments. The plant's gel is found helpful in stopping bleeding, lowering blood sugar, lowering cholesterol levels, curing constipation, expelling worms, curing mouth ulcers, enhancing bile flow. It is also useful for healing wounds, sunburn and burns. Aloe Vera is also used as a main ingredient for cosmetic products such as shampoo and soaps.


2. Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
This tropical plant is widely used around the world as an herbal remedy as well as an ingredient in foods. Ginger root is particularly beneficial for our body because it can help heal many illnesses. The uses of ginger, among others, include preventing breech birth, relieving morning sickness, killing anisakid worms in fish (mostly used in sushi), relieving rheumatoid arthritis pain, killing cold viruses, reducing cholesterol levels, reducing plate-activating factor (PAF) that causes strokes, reducing inflammation, and many more.


3. Garlic (Allium sativa)
Although garlic is mostly known as a condiment, this plant also has great healing properties. Crushed raw garlic releases allicin, which is a stronger antibiotic compared to tetracycline or penicillin. Garlic is known to be a remedy for high cholesterol levels, high blood sugar, atherosclerosis, ear infections, kidney and bladder infections, yeast infections and strep throats. Garlic is also effective in killing fungi, viruses, bacteria and parasites.


4. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum casia)
Cinnamon is a native plant from Ceylon that is a known to aid digestion. Compared to Cassia or Chinese cinnamon, which originates from Burma, cinnamon has a lighter, delicate flavor and is more expensive. Cinnamon's bittersweet tree bark is a good remedy for cold-related illnesses such as cold and winter chills. Drink hot cinnamon for preventing and curing colds, flu, fevers and catarrh. Inhaling the oil made from cinnamon bark can be used to relieve chest infections and head colds.


5. Jasmine (Jasminum officinale L.)
Jasmine is characterized by its small, white and aromatic flowers. In the 16th century, European used this plant as the main ingredient in French perfumes, while the Chinese used Jasmine as a cleansing remedy. Jasmine tea can flush away toxins in your body when taken regularly. Jasmine tea has a bitter, pungent and cooling taste. Jasmine tea is known to promote relaxation, relieve pain (it works as a powerful analgesic), reduce fever and work as antibacterial agent.


There are many beneficial herbs scattered around our beautiful Earth.

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