Herbal flu remedies

Herbal flu remedies can be used to prevent flu or if you have it, heal the condition. These herbal flu remedies are natural antibiotic herbs that do not destroy microorganism unlike the prescription drugs. These herbs are not harmful to the immune system too which is a possible side effect of prescription drugs. And they promote healthier bodies.

Among the herbal flu remedies are:

Echinacea:

This is one of the herbal flu remedies that increase levels of properdin, which activates part of the immune system increasing defense against virus attacks.

Garlic:

Is another of the herbal flu remedies that also boosts the immune system and fight virus attacks.

Ginger:

Is another herbal flu remedies that has antiviral compounds to fight flu.

Vitamin C:

Is one of the herbal flu remedies that provides relief for the flu symptoms and fights body infection. Sources of vitamin C include citrus fruits.

Goldenseal:

Is another one of the herbal flu remedies that has both antiseptic and immune stimulating properties. It also increases blood supply to the spleen. Berberine is one of its key ingredients that activate macrophages or special white blood cells which destroys bacteria, fungi, viruses and tumor cells.

Licorice:

Is one of the herbal flu remedies that contains anti-viral compounds that encourages the release of the bodies own anti-viral components known as interferon.

Sage:

Is another of the herbal flu remedies that soothe sore throats and has antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties.

Peppermints:

Is a herbal flu remedies that induce sweating and cool the body. It also contains painkiller properties for headaches and migraines.

Lemon balm:

Is one effective herbal flu remedies. It promotes sweating and expels toxins in the body.

Blackberry:

Contains vitamin C and used as a cleansing tea.

Borage:

Has expectorant properties and it induces sweating.

Catnip or catmint:

Encourages sweating and a hot infusion using catnip mixed with hot water is one of the effective herbal flu remedies.

Fenugreek:

Is an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and has expectorant qualities and heals flu.

Juniper:

Helps relieves the accompanying congestion in colds, flu and coughs. Put a few drops of oil to hot water and inhale the steam by placing your face over the bowl then cover with towel.

Lemons:

Are rich vitamin C sources which are good herbal flu remedies.

Yarrow:

Contains anti-inflammatory components and it induces perspiration. It is often referred to by herbalists as one of the important herbal flu remedies. It is often combined with elderflower and peppermint for maximum effect. You can also infuse yarrow with chamomile and add it to warm bath.

Herbal body care

Total body care is a necessary regimen. It isn’t enough to take care of the face; the rest of the skin deserves some pampering too. There are a number of herbs which you can use for herbal body care. The body is composed largely of the skin organ. In order to take care of the boy, you need to take care of the skin. The herbal body care applied will essentially provide protection for the skin too.

Herbal body care for dry skin includes using body lotions, scrubs and bath oils. Refrain from using soap since it could dry your skin even more. For dry skin itches, add quarter-cup vinegar to bath. The herbs that could promote oil production and herbal body care in dry skin are: chamomile, fennel, rose, geranium, lavender, palmarosa, sandalwood and small amounts peppermint and rosemary. Frankincense, jasmine, neroli and rose although expensive are also beneficial.

Herbal body care for oily skin involves using herb that normalize overactive oil glands which include herbs such as sage, lemongrass, basil, eucalyptus, cedarwood, cypress, lemon, yarrow and ylang-ylang. Bathing could also help oily skin if used with Aromatic Bath Salts or Aromatic Batch Vinegar. Avoid high heat in saunas since it encourages skin to become oilier. Bath salts make bath water feel silky, remove body oils, perspiration and soften the skin.

Herbal body care for sun-damaged skin involves PABA (part of the B-complex vitamins) and cinoxate (cinanamic acid from cinnamon). These two herbal body cares are commonly used ingredients in sunscreens. Sesame oil is also believed to decrease the impact of the sun’s burning rays by 30 per cent. Olive, coconut, peanut oils and aloe vera are herbal body cares that block out 20 per cent of the rays. Using three to six percent dilution of extract of helichrysum also called immortelle is also an effective herbal body care that serves as sunscreen. Carrot-seed essential oil is very helpful to sun-damaged skin and is used to treat pre-cancerous conditions. The beta-carotene found in this oil is also effective herbal body care used in protecting against skin cancer induced by ultraviolet rays. The South American herb pau d’arco is also an effective herbal body care that is an antioxidant that helps treat skin cancer.

Do not use bergamot if you go out into the sun. This herb contains phototoxic compound called bergaptene which skin’s sensitivity to light and can cause skin discoloration or rashes.

Herbal body wraps

Herbal body wraps are used to produce both therapeutic and cosmetic benefits. This is done by cleansing the body of toxins and reducing several inches. Herbal body wraps are good for anyone who wants to improve, tone and tighten the skin. People with loose skin due to weight loss or pregnancy can especially benefit from it. Those who undergo joint pain and inflammation can benefit from the effects of herbal body wraps.

Simple herbal body wraps are made up of clay and some natural sea salt. To make these herbal body wraps more complex you can add more ingredients such as herbs and not more than 2 tablespoons of essential oil.

Essential oils that you could use for herbal body wraps include: lavender, sage, lemon, sandalwood, lemongrass, rosemary, grapefruit and olive oil. Herbs that can be added to herbal body wraps include: alfalfa leaf powder, ground basil, chamomile flower powder, rose petal powder and rosehip powder.

Herbal body wrap recipe for clay body wrap include:
1 cup bentonite or green clay
¼ cup sea salt
2 tbsp. olive oil
2 cups water

To make the body wrap concoction, boil water and add sea salt until has dissolved. Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Adjust the water to form a wet paste. Rub the mixture over the entire body and cover yourself with thin towels or a clean white sheet. Salons recommend that you use proper wrapping sheets in order to squeeze the tissues together for better results. Then lay in the tub for 45 minutes to one hour.

Herbal body wrap are considered messy. So, the best place to do herbal body wraps is in the bath tub. Better bring a portable television or listen to your favorite tunes while laying on the tub for 45 minutes to one hour. Take a warm shower before you apply the herbal body wraps in order to open the skin pores. Drink plenty of water before and after the herbal body wrap to flush out toxins. You can use an inexpensive thermal blanket to keep warm. And finally, avoid caffeine, sugar, fried fatty foods, soda drinks and alcohol for the next 48 hours.

Another way to draw out toxins from the body is to take a hot Epsom salt bath. Hot water draws out toxins out of the body and as the water cools it pulls of the toxins from the skin. When magnesium sulfate or Epsom salt is absorbed through the skin while bathing, it draws the toxins in the body, reduce swelling and relax muscles. Do not take hot baths if you have high blood pressure, heart, diabetes or kidney problems.

Epsom salt detox bath recipe:
1 cup Epsom salts
1 handful sea salt
2 tbsps. bath oil

Pour the above in the bath tub as the water is filling.

Medieval herbal medicines

During the medieval times, people relied on a number of herbal preparations to treat various ailments. In the twelfth century, people were not even aware of bacteria and viruses. As a result, illnesses were deemed as punishments from God. The underlying principle of medieval medicine revolved around four aspects: black bile, yellow bile, phlegm and blood. It was believed that the balance of these four contribute to the well-being of the person. Some of the medieval herbal medicines used during that period were the following:

Anise Seeds: They were used in medieval herbal medicine to treat gas and encourage seating and an added ingredient in sweets and candies.

Lemon Balm: This herb was used as medieval medicine to counter melancholy. It was also used as food, furniture polish and to attract bees.

Calamus: This was used in medieval medicine as body powders. To achieve this purpose, the roots were dried and ground.

Cloves: This herb was used in medieval medicine as an antiseptic and painkiller.

Coriander: The seeds of this herb were used in medieval medicine to prevent fever.

Chamomile: This herb was used in medieval medicine as treatment for headaches.

Cumin: This herb was used in medieval herbal medicine to treat gas.

Flax: Seeds of this herb was used as laxative and placed in the eye to remove foreign objects.

Frankincense: This was used for incense and as medicine.

Ginger: The warmth in this herb was used to treat stomach problems and as medicine for plague.

Horehound: This herb was used in medieval herbal medicine as cough syrups. The drinks were used for coughs and colds.

Lavender: The dried flowers were used as medieval herbal medicine for headaches.

Marjoram: This was used in medieval herbal medicine as comfort for stomach pains.

Mint: This medieval herbal medicine was used to treat stomach ailments, wounds and to counter venom.

Mugwort: This was used as foot ointments and in treating women’s ailments in medieval herbal medicine.

Myrrh: This was a tree gum used as antiseptic on wounds.

Nutmeg: This nut was used in medieval herbal medicine as aid in improving digestion.

Rosemary: The flowers of rosemary were used in medieval herbal medicine as an all-purpose medicine. It was burned as an incense to eliminate or prevent infection particularly plague.

Rue: It was used in medieval herbal medicine to treat venomous bites and poor eyesight.

Saffron: This herb is used as medieval herbal medicine for treat infections.

Sage: This is used as medieval herbal medicine for cleansing the system.

Thyme: This herb was burnt in medieval herbal medicine to fumigate against infection.

Yarrow or Achillea. This herb was used to treat wounds, headaches and bite of mad dogs in medieval herbal medicine.

Ginkgo Biloba

Nicknamed as a “living fossil”, the Ginkgo biloba is a unique tree that remains unchanged through the passage of time. It has been in existence since the time of the dinosaurs and therefore considered as the sole living link between the lower and higher plants. The Chinese, and later the Japanese, who called it Ginkyo, meaning “silver apricot” referred to it as a symbol of longevity because of its history.

The Plant

The Ginkgo biloba is classified under gymnosperms (meaning “naked seeds”) for its seeds are not enclosed in a ripened fruit but are protected only by a fleshy seed coat. The Ginkgo biloba is distinguished from other gymnosperms by its fan-shaped foliages. Its leaves are bi-lobed, hence the name “biloba.”

A Ginkgo biloba tree can grow up to about 30 or 40 meters (100 ft.) in height and spread its foliage across 9 meters of space. The trunk can be as wide as 4 meters (13 ft.) in diameter and in open areas, can even become wider than that. The girth of Ginkgo bilobas that grow in temple grounds are about 10 meters in diameter.

The Ginkgo biloba has branches that may be long or short growing at nearly right angles. Because of the highly variable branches of the Ginkgo, older trees are usually irregular in form. The buds of are mounded with distinct form and leaf scars. The short leaf shoots clustered near the tip of the branch produce the seeds and the pollen.

The leaves of the Ginkgo biloba are its most recognizable feature. They are 5-8 cm wide and sometimes even twice as broad as that. They also resemble the leafshape of a Maidenhair fern (Adiantum), hence it is often referred to as the “Maidenhair tree.” During fall, the leaves turn a brilliant gold making the people in the olden times think it precious; so much so that they called it “tree of forty gold crowns” for that was how much it cost in former times.

Health Benefits

In the last three decades, the Ginkgo biloba has been proven to prevent many problems and ailments throughout the entire body. It is gaining recognition as a brain tonic, enhancing the memory as it positively affects the vascular system, especially the cerebellum. Ginkgo biloba is also used as treatment for vertigo, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), and a variety of neurological disorders and circulation problems. Because of its strangely soothing effects on the neurological aspects of the body, it is also believed to help counteract the effects of aging, including mental fatigue and lack of energy.

The Ginkgo biloba has the ability to increase blood flow to the brain and throughout the body’s network of blood vessels. These vessels are very important since they supply the blood and oxygen to the organs. Because of this ability of the Ginkgo biloba tree, it promotes increased metabolic rate, regulates neurotransmitters, and boosts oxygen levels in the brain.

Preparation Tips

Ginkgo biloba was used in the ancient times as a water-based herb so it may be effective as a tea. However, some studies have suggested that Ginkgo biloba doesn’t break down in water. Fortunately, the herb is available in capsules, tinctures, or powdered form. As a tea, it blends well with sage, rosemary, and Gotu kola.

Herbal Decongestant

Every one of us has at one time or another experienced having a cold. You feel stuffy, your nose feels swollen, and what’s worse, this causes your sinusitis to act up. Sure, the symptoms that comes with the common cold are so uncomfortable, you feel like screaming, only you can’t because your throat feels funny, too.

There are actually several herbs available that can help relieve the discomfort of the common cold. These herbs, called herbal decongestants, work by opening up clogged nasal passages to ease breathing. Herbal decongestants can be bought and used individually. But for best results, a blend of these botanicals provides the unique healing qualities of many different herbs in just a single pill.

Herbal and nutritional supplements have long been used traditionally as treatment for illnesses during the cold season. Ailments such as colds, flus, coughs, sore throats, and congestion can be prevented and eased through herbal decongestants. However, because of the many herbal decongestants present, you might get confused on which one to take to remedy which illness. Add to that the confusion of when to take a particular herbal decongestant and the length of time it should be used and you find yourself in a truly botanical tangle.

Previously, the primary herbal mainstay for herbal decongestants used to be Ma Huang, which is the Chinese name for Ephedra. Ephedra, in its synthesized form, is more commonly known as ephedrine which is actually the basis for many prescription and over-the-counter drugs. Ephedrine has been associated with several cases of heart attack and stroke and in some, even death, so that U.S. health officials decided to ban the use of ephedra in over-the-counter herbal decongestants and other products in December of 2003.

For general safety, it is strongly recommended that you limit your intake or perhaps avoid altogether using Ma Huang as an herbal decongestant. As an alternative, you can utilize a combination of herbs in order to create for yourself an herbal decongestant program. Remember that the most effective herbal cure is one that combines all the positive effects and nutrients brought by a specific sequence of herbs.

A synergistic effect is created if you rotate and alternate remedies, thus enhancing your body’s ability to maintain optimal health. This is especially true in the winter when the body’s resistance may be compromised. In addition to that, natural remedies and herbal decongestants in specific cycles can make the body more sensitive and responsive.

During the acute phase of the cold, the best herbal decongestant supplement you can turn to is a combination of Echinacea and Goldenseal. These two herbs have anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties and therefore have the ability to nip the cold or flu in the bud. If the infection persists, you can use herbs known for their blood-cleansing abilities. These herbs include red clover, sage, and burdock which drain the lymph system of toxic metabolites created by the blood during an acute infection.

Zinc as a lozenge and antioxidants, such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and Selenium should be able to work synergistically with the blood cleansers in reducing tissue and blood toxicity. During the recovery phase, you can use the herbal combination of Chinese Astralagus. This herb tonic can enhance the function of the immune system and improve the body’s resistance.