The Health Nut Blog

For thousands of years the human race has utilized herbs in a great many ways. These uses can be categorized into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we shall debate each of these categories in order concentrating upon the medicinal uses and essential oils.

Through the ions o time there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be discussing here and these include them being used as money, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask sickening smells. Herbs originate from various parts of the globe and each race usually had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.

The Use of Herbs In Religion

Herbs are still used in various religions around the globe.  Many Christians will be familiar with myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a species of Basil, as it is grown by many and praised as a Goddess. In Pagan faiths herbs are utilized extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Kitchen Uses of Herbs

The leaves of different plants are used in cooking however there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and a herb, such as basil, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person on the planet has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

Herbs And Medicine

As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being researched by academics.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the method known as distillation but some need a different method of extraction such as such as solvent extraction or expression.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However the majority of folk know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching limbs. When my limbs are very painful I gently rub it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.

Herbs should be handled with immense care and attention as some can be extremely toxic to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are about to have a baby as something that sounds safe could be alarmingly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be totally avoided in its dilute state. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage you should avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you know for definite they are safe.

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# posted by NeilG @ 7:38 AM