Sunday, November 1, 2009

Favorite Healing Herbs

There are herbs that are excellent for healing, that can be smelt, or applied topically (on the skin). Here are a few of my favourites:

Raw (unprocessed) honey is excellent for applying to open wounds. The sugars act as a preservative, antibacterial. There are other qualities, unknown, in the honey (unheated) that help the wound heal dramatically faster. Not only that, it greatly reduces scarring.

Tea tree and eucalyptus oil are an excellent antiseptic, though diluting it is wise, as it is very potent. It is also good for cleaning and disinfection.

Tiger's grass. This ground cover plant is used by wounded tigers. They roll around on it, exposing their wound to it. I'm not sure what it's properties are, but the animal wouldn't bother if it didn't work, especially when it's life depends on it. Further research is needed.

Clary sage. It does have some antibacterial properties, but it is excellent for premenstrual tension (PMT). Also, it imitates the pheromones, so women generally find it attractive. It is also excellent in shampoo, like all sages, as it adds lustre to hair, especially darker hair.

Aloe Vera. This standard needs little explanation. Great for sunburn, chapping, wounds, scrapes. It can even be consumed as a stomach soother, though I think it needs to be processed in a certain way. The sticky substance inside is the active useful part, though you have to be wary of the skin. It also is great for spiking up your hair!

Peppermint. An excellent digestive as a tea, it is really good for heartburn and indigestion, as well as being very cooling.

Slippery elm bark makes an excellent water softener, breaking surface tension, bubbles up, and lifts dirt well, so is a great alternative to soap.

Melissa, aka. Melissa officialis, is a herb which has antiseptic, antiviral qualities which is good for wound healing. It is used to counteract herpes, acne, eczema, irritated skin, insect bites and stings, neuralgia and shingles. It was used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as a surgical dressing amongst other things.

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