Oregano - TruthWiki The warm, balsamic and aromatic flavor of oregano makes it the perfect addition to Mediterranean and Mexican cuisines. This popular herb whose name means “mountain joy” is available throughout the year. Oregano is known botanically as Origanum vulgare and is called wild marjoram in many parts of Europe since it is closely related to the herb that we know as sweet marjoram. It is a small shrub with multi-branched stems covered with small grayish-green oval leaves and small white or pink flowers. In Mediterranean climates oregano grows as a perennial plant, but in the harsher climates of North America, they grow as annuals. Health Benefits You may have seen a bottle marked “oil of oregano” in a health food store. An Effective Anti-Bacterial The volatile oils in this spice include thymol and carvacrol, both of which have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus . Potent Anti-Oxidant Activity A Nutrient-Dense Spice Description Dr.
Smoking To Cure Lung Infections and For Good Lung Health Some readers will be surprised by our endorsement of any herb that is to be smoked; especially one that is called a "tobacco". We endorse the medicinal use of Indian tobacco (lobelia inflata). Smoking truly natural substances is not necessarily harmful. Even real tobacco does not need to be dangerous, but it is made dangerous by the industry. Both the seeds and the dried leaves of Indian tobacco contain alkaloids which yield its effects. Indian tobacco has been traditionally used to effectively suppress common colds, bronchitis, and pneumonia. Indian tobacco has been used by many people who were trying to quit smoking, but it was banned in such products in 1993 by the F.D.A, even though the agency had no legitimate jurisdiction. One of its constituents, isolobelanine, helps to relax people whenever they are experiencing stimulant withdrawal symptoms, which includes nicotine withdrawal. Researchers have been studying the effects of Indian tobacco on amphetamine addictions.
15 Natural Herbs for Those with Bipolar Disorder Photo credit: bigstock.com If you or someone you love suffers from bipolar disorder (manic depression), then you know what a difficult disease this is. It varies from person to person, with some having what is considered to be mild episodes, while other experience frequent and life threatening episodes. If you are looking for alternatives to the typical fare of prescription medications, you will find that for this particular disorder, they are few and far between. Of all the herbs on the planet, nervines are among the strongest, so they are the most likely to cause side effects or interactions with other medications. The best 15 natural herbs and other natural means of helping those with bipolar disorder are: 1. Sometimes called Black Snakeroot. 2. This herb has a soothing effect to the nerves, which can help to provide the proper balance of neurotransmitters in the brain. 3. This is a traditional herbal remedy for depression. 4. 5. Continue to Page 2 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. Continue to Page 3 11.
You Could have Parasites and Not Know It! 12 Herbs that Kill Them Photo credit: bigstock.com Parasites are a fairly common problem, even in America. Most Americans think that there is no way that they could become infected. They live in one of the richest countries in the world, don’t they? Aren’t strict food and health codes followed? Well, yes and no. Even the CDC admits that many Americans are affected and are completely unaware of it. The staggering amount of parasites that can infect us is mind boggling, not including the harm that they can cause. It’s been estimated that about 1/3 of the general population is contaminated with some type of parasite. Don’t let some ugly little life sucking parasite take a hold of your body! 1. The Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine and the Maryland Medical Center both state that studies show papaya seeds are a great way to get rid of parasites. 2. Diatomaceous earth is super effective at absorbing E. coli, viruses, endotoxins, methyl mercury, and pesticide and drug residues. 3. Continue to Page 2
The Top 8 Cooling Spices for Summer 12th August 2015 By Dr. Edward Group Guest Writer for Wake Up World To keep the body cool during the summer months, ancient Indian medicine (Ayurveda) recommends consuming spices that promote cooling. Here are the top 8 cooling spices, according to Ayruveda, to include in your diet to feel fresh and comfortable during the summer heat. 1. Mint is more than just a remedy for bad breath; in fact, this perennial herb is an excellent cooling spice. 2. Although you may not even know what a fennel seed is, this readily available spice is thought to be highly cooling for those hot summer months. 3. Fresh cilantro leaves have been used in Thailand and Mexico for thousands of years. 4. Ayurvedic medicine considers coriander one of the most cooling spices. Coriander is actually the seed of the cilantro plant and is often used to flavor meat and vegetables. 5. Cardamom, another excellent digestion aid, makes a great addition to a summer morning tea. 6. 7. 8. What are your favorite summer spices? -Dr.
untitled Usnea - an herbal remedy for strep throat and staph infections. Usnea is a lichen rather than a plant. Lichens are unusual combinations of algae and fungi that work together as a single organism. It can be found growing on old trees in the cool damp of the forest. Native to the Pacific Northwest, this is an epiphytic herb, meaning that it grows abundantly on other trees without taking any nutrients from the tree, and instead gets its nutrients from surrounding air and moisture in rain or on the surface of the host tree. Historically, it was used to make skin creams, vaginal inserts, and mouthwashes and used as a dressing. Key Medicinal Uses Internally Usnea aids the immune system when used in a tonic. It can help those suffering from chronic fatigue, herpes, HIV and other conditions with a depressed immune system. Externally Usnea can be used as a mouthwash, a gargle or in lozenges to aid inflammation of the oral mucus membranes. Other Uses It is used as a fixative in perfumes that have a mossy note to them. Herbs to Combine/Supplement Cautions
20 of the Best Antiviral and Antibacterial Herbs and Plants Ever! Photo credit: bigstock.com Depending on your age, your mother or grandmother most likely used some type of herb or plants to help heal you when you were sick without you realizing it, or perhaps you just didn’t appreciate it at the time. For many of us, it’s not until we have our own children that we realize that we don’t want to put chemicals and other toxic things into those precious little bodies. Especially when it comes to antibiotics or antiviral medicines. You start to think that Mother Nature knew what she was doing when she made this planet, and that she must have put some type of healing plant on this earth to help us along. Before using these antiviral or antibacterial herbs, you would be wise to consult a herbalist for exact dosing instructions as everyone’s body, especially children’s, are unique and different herbs should be consumed in different quantities and in different ways, such as teas or tinctures. 1. 2. 3. Continue to Page 2 4. 5. 6. 7. Continue to Page 3 8. 9. 10.
How to Make Medicinal Vinegars & Oxymels Medicinal vinegars (Vinegar Extracts) have been around since ancient times, and were an excellent way to preserve and dispense herbs before distilled spirits were known about. While the advantages of using vodka or brandy to make your herbal tinctures are many – including greater potency and longer shelf life, there are those who wish to avoid alcohol for personal reasons or due to the higher cost, making vinegar extracts ideal for them to create. Vinegar extracts (also known as “aceta”) are weaker than alcohol based tinctures, so the required dose is higher. And, while vinegar won’t draw out as many of the beneficial components of an herb that alcohol will, it does excel at drawing minerals and vitamins from a plant. Add those extra nutrients to the already established benefits of apple cider vinegar and you have a very acceptable option for your herbal remedies toolbox. Making a Vinegar Extract: According to my well loved book, Making Plant Medicine Dosing a Vinegar Extract:
Ayurveda: Ayurvedic Herbology One of the main methods of treatment in Ayurvedic medicine is through the healing properties of plants and other substances. This style of Herbolism is based on principles that have been past down for a myriad of centuries. The wisdom of the vedic sages is at the foundation of this “Science of Life”. First shared as an oral tradition, the reliability of the knowledge has been substantiated by the generations that have benefited from its use. At first glance, one may think that it would be difficult to truly grasp the main concepts of Ayurvedic Herbology. In order to understand the dynamics of this herbal system , we will begin with the three properties - Rasa, Virya, and Vipaka. RASA means taste. VIRYA is determined by what effect an herb has on the temperature of the body - is it heating or cooling. VIPAKA is the post-digestive effect of an herb. Herbs may be categorized by whether or not they are moistening or drying and whether or not they are heavy or light. Dr.
Sarsaparilla Benefits & Information Sarsaparilla is the common name for Smilax ornata (formally smilax regelii), which has been used medicinally to treat everything from chronic pain to toe fungus. It has likely been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes of South America but was first introduced to Europe near the end of the Dark Ages. Today, it is still a popular supplement ingredient and medicinal treatment for a wide variety of internal and external health conditions. Description of the Plant This prickly vine is native to Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. A sarsaparilla root typically measures between six and feet in length. Uses Sarsaparilla root is globally recognized for medicinal properties. Sarsaparilla first came to Europe in the 1400s as a medicine discovered in South America and brought back via boat. Sarsaparilla is also consumed for pleasure in drink and pickled form. Today, sarsaparilla roots is available most readily in health food stores. Active Ingredients Preparation