HERBAL REMEDIES FROM YOUR PANTRY

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HERBAL REMEDIES FROM YOUR PANTRY
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Got a headache, sore throat, indigestion, sunburn? Don't head for the medicine cabinet. The relief you need is probably on your spice rack.
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Herbs are definitely a popular item lately, which must be kind of amusing to the practitioners of Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine, disciplines that have been using herbal remedies for thousands of years. The earliest references to Ayurveda, the ancient health system from India, are found in the 5000 year old Hindu scriptures called the Vedas. The practice of Chinese Medicine, based on the concept of balancing the opposite values of yin and yang, is a mere 3000 years old. Both systems are primarily based on achieving health through proper nutrition and the use of herbal remedies for dis-ease. In this hemisphere, the native Americans were also skilled practitioners of natural healing through the use of herbs. (See this month's edition of The Way We Eat for related information.)
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While western medicine has been inclined to rely on chemical solutions and/or surgical intervention to cure our ills, there has been a recent surge of interest in these age old remedies. In Germany, for example, a special agency called Commission E, has been established for the purpose of reviewing the effectiveness and safety of herbal products. In this country we are seeing the development, at colleges and universities, of special departments to study natural product pharmacy and other "alternative" medical therapies.
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Although many of us may not yet be ready to stock our medicine cabinets with herbs, there is no reason not to take advantage of the ancient knowledge about the ones most of us have at our fingertips. Some of the most useful substances are ones that we commonly use to bake with and season our food, such as ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg. So what are they good for?
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Cinnamon, clove and nutmeg are what Eastern healers would call warming agents. They tend to expand, relax and open up the body systems. Cinnamon is used to relieve congestion in the sinuses and lungs and also congested coughs. As an antibacterial and mucilage (substance that coats and protects) cinnamon is useful in treating sore throat as well. Its warming effects help to alleviate the cold stiff joints of osteoarthritis. It is not, however, an appropriate treatment for rheumatoid arthritis which is a problem of too much heat in the joints.
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Cinnamon has also been used to diminish bleeding. Taken internally, it is alleged to minimize menstrual and gastrointestinal bleeding. It can also be used externally to help stop the bleeding of a minor cut or scrape by sprinkling the ground powder directly on the wound. It should however, be washed off when the bleeding stops to avoid infection.
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Like cinnamon, clove has been used to treat respiratory ailments and osteoarthritis. Its antimicrobial action is also alleged to relieve digestive disorders including intestinal parasites, fungi and bacteria. Clove has been known to provide relief from toothache and has also been reported to increase the effectiveness of insulin in people with type II diabetes.
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The list of ailments reportedly alleviated by nutmeg is equally impressive, including nervousness, muscle spasms, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, infertility, impotence and high blood pressure. It is probably most commonly used by natural healers for relief of insomnia but the timing may be tricky as there tends to be a delayed reaction. For best results this herbal remedy should be used 4 to 5 hours before bedtime to avoid daytime sleepiness and get maximum results when you want them.
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Ginger is another very commonly used herb that has an enduring reputation for treating a variety of ailments. It has long been used by sailors and others to treat nausea and motion sickness. Like cinnamon, ginger has been known to alleviate sore throat and arthritis.
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Certain herbs, including garlic, cayenne and thyme are believed to boost the immune system. Commonly used as a first aid measure on the battlefield, garlic is also believed to have antimicrobial, anti-fungal and antiseptic qualities when applied to infected wounds.
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In addition to the antioxidant benefit of the abundant vitamin C in Red peppers, they also contain a substance called capsaicin. Capsaisin has a definite pain-relieving effect and is a common ingredient in sore muscle creams. The powdered form of red pepper, cayenne, is sometimes recommended as a treatment for chronic headaches and in combination with salt and lemon juice for sore throat.
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Thyme is yet another sore throat remedy with the added benefit of relief from sinus congestion and sore nasal passages. Herbalists credit thyme with antibacterial, astringent and immune boosting qualities.
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Although health food stores now carry most of these common herbs in capsule form, the common household remedy is usually in the form of a solution or tea (one cup of boiling water, poured over one rounded teaspoon of the dried herb). The tea is covered and steeped for ten minutes and then strained into a cup. Since so many herbs seem to relieve sore throat, you may want to experiment or even mix several. The teas can also be used as a gargle. These teas may need sweetening with a bit of honey to make them more palatable and if using cayenne, start with very small amounts, like 1/8 of a teaspoon.
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If you're a herbal tea drinker you probably have the chamomile variety around the house. Like nutmeg, chamomile tea has often been used to relieve insomnia. And, as Peter Rabbit can attest to, it's a comfying treatment for upset stomach when you've spent too much time in Mr. McGregor's garden. Licorice tea has been used for sore throats, coughs and asthma. While black tea or rather the spent tea bag, is supposedly soothing when applied to a sunburn.
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One natural remedy that you may want to have around, although you wouldn't keep this one on the spice rack, is the aloe-vera plant. The juice, or gel, of this plant is well known for relief of burns (including sun burn) as well as frostbite and poison ivy. Applied to wounds it will help allay bleeding, reduce swelling, pain and redness and fight infection with its antibacterial ingredients. To use, cut a fresh leaf lengthwise and simply squeeze the gel on the affected area.
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This article is intended for informational purposes only. Nothing in this publication is intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis and advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or health-care provider before starting any new diet or procedure involving your health. Prompt professional medical guidance is recommended for any health problem.