10 World's Most Beneficial Herbs | Healthy Living slideshows | Well Being center

Lady Fern

Lady Fern is a plant that is grown and its roots and stem are used for treating illness naturally such as lung disorders. It is most commonly used to fight chest infections, lung and breathing problems and digestive tract infections. It can be grown indoors and outdoors and it can be used to help treat illness holistically rather than taking traditional medicines during colds and flus for people possibly suffering with asthma or other respiratory tract diseases. However there is only limited scientific evidence when using this herb and it is the project of many researcher to determine its effectiveness.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of bluebrightly by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/lynnwohlers/6984088874/
www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/08/healthy-herbs-spices-healthiest_n_2089007.html
http://webecoist.momtastic.com/2008/09/30/most-powerful-potent-medicinal-medical-plants-in-nature/

Astragalus

Astragalus has been used for years in traditional Chinese medicine and is often combined with other herbs to help fight the body of stress both physical and emotional. This herb has been associated with helping protect against cancer and diabetes, it also helps to lower the blood pressure and boost the immune system to fight common colds and viruses. There has been recent research that shows it is effective at lowering cholesterol to decrease the risk of heart diseases and improve heart function. One of its more recent uses is the ability to help fight nausea and fatigue from chemotherapy in cancer patients.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Scott by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/79498006@N06/7409218414/
umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/astragalus

Blood flower

The blood flower has a good and bad side, the plant flowers beautifully but the sap from this flower can cause dermatitis and is poisonous if ingested aborigines from Australia use it to kill fish for hunting. However the roots are used in traditional medicine for their pain relieving properties, as use as antibacterial or anti fungal to treat common infections. In china, the blood flower is used to control a fever, improve blood circulation and to help decrease the risk of excessive bleeding. In other ways the whole plant can be dried and then made into a drink to help cure tonsitillitis and bronchitis, it is clear this flower has many uses and a great herb to try.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of nick fullerton by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/18203311@N08/4870609265/
herbs-treatandtaste.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/blood-flower-perhaps-agent-that-will.html

Burdock

Burdock root has many health benefits as well as traditional medicinal uses. The health benefits are from the antioxidants found in the dried seeds and roots which have been shown to be disease preventing and promotes good health. It is also low in calories, has a high amount of potassium and a small amount of vitamins such as E and C. In terms of how it is used in medicinal ways it has been associated with being a blood purifier to help expel toxins from the blood stream and works as a diuretic. This herb is also used to help treat skin infections such as eczema.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Peter aka anemoneprojectors by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/anemoneprojectors/9444549586/
www.nutrition-and-you.com/burdock-root.html

Calendula Oil

Calendula is most commonly used as an oil to treat dry or damaged skin with fast healing properties. It is also associated with its anti inflammatory properties to treat wounds, it also contains antiseptic which means it can be used to treat burns, skin rashes and other irritations. Another primary use for calendula oil is to fight the signs of ageing as it has been linked to protecting the skin from damage in particularly around the eyes and it can also be used as an alternative for nappy rash. However there are a few people who are allergic to the oil so you must test on a small area first.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Jack Wolf by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/wolfraven/4339669432/
www.livestrong.com/article/120336-calendula-skin-benefits/

Catnip

Catnip is most commonly ingested in the form of catnip tea and drank in a similar way to green tea, steeping a tea bag with hot water. There is many positives to drinking catnip tea. It is useful in treating colds and flus as a replacement for over the counter medications and it is a detoxifier which can sweat out the toxins in the body. Eliminating headaches and migraines has also been linked to catnip as the natural remedy helps to relax your muscles from stress which can cure a headache, it also can cause a sedative effect so can help you drift into a natural sleep.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lamb by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/lambj/4653468321/
www.nutrinews.com/blog/10-healing-benefits-of-catnip-tea/

Sage

Sage is used for its medicinal benefits to help alleviate symptoms of digestive and mental disorders. Sage is high in antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin K. Sage is linked to treating Alzheimer's because it helps improve memory and information processing among sufferers. A 50mg dose of sage oil has been shown to significantly improve word recall in a study published by Journal of pharmacological Biological Behaviour. Sage has been described as a fix all herb as it can be used to treat most ailments and illnesses to alleviate the symptoms such as stomach pains, asthma, diarrhoea and excessive sweating.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Alan Levine by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/cogdog/8236193470/

Dandelion

Dandelion can be grown and its above ground parts can be used to make medicine and traditionally dandelion tea. It can be used to help with a variety of conditions and just like many other herbs there is limited scientific evidence to back up how effective they are but many people still use them. It has been linked to improving loss of appetite and upset stomachs, muscle aches, eczema and bruises. It has also been show to have laxative effects to help people suffering with bowel movements, and it is also linked to treating infections and cancer as are many herbs.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of rambletamble by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/edblcrl/3675761531/
www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-706-DANDELION.aspx?activeIngredientId=706&activeIngredientName=DANDELION

Holy basil

Holy basil is an apaptogen to help counter life's stresses. It has many other uses such as to treat the common cold and flu. Diabetes, asthma, bronchitis, headaches and stomach aches have also been seen to be improved with the use of holy basil. It is often used as an antidote to mercury poisoning and as a mosquito repellent or to counteract a snake bite. As well as ingested benefits it can be applied to the skin to treat ringworm but is often used in stir fry's and spice dishes due to its peppery taste. There is no evidence about the long term use of holy basil so periods of about 4 weeks is optimum.

Sources & Links

Important notification about information and brand names used in this slideshow!
Photo courtesy of Third Eye a.k.a. TreeNetra by Flickr : www.flickr.com/photos/snapr/1841101896/
www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1101-HOLY%20BASIL.aspx?activeIngredientId=1101&activeIngredientName=HOLY%20BASIL

Mint

Mint is most commonly associated with improving and maintaining fresh breath but the herb comes in lots of different varieties and it has many medicinal purposes. Mint has been linked to improving digestion as it soothes the stomach in cases of indigestion or inflammation, it can be taken when you feel floated by drinking mint tea to relieve the pain. The strong aroma of mint is a good remedy for nausea as well helping to relieve respiratory disorders by clearing congestion of the nose and throat as well as the bronchi and lungs. Lastly, it has been linked to fighting depression and fatigue as it is a natural stimulant/