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Is it possible to grow Medicinal Herbs at home?

The use of natural plant substances (botanicals) to treat and prevent illness is Medicinal Herbs. This practice has existed since prehistoric times and is now a primary form of medicine for around 80 % the world's population. Over 80,000 species of medicinal herb plants are in use throughout the world for their medicinal properties. Along with acupuncture, herbal medicine is considered for providing primary health care in China. It has in use for over 2,500 years there.

Medicinal Herb plants may be used directly as teas or extracts, or they may be used in the production of drugs. Approximately 25% of the prescription drugs sold in the United States are plant based. Many more herbal ingredients are present in over Laxatives. Medicines that come from plants include asprin from willow bark (Salix species) and digialis from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea).

Uses Of Medicinal Herbs

The first generally accepted use of plants as healing agents were depicted in the cave paintings discovered in the Lascaux caves in France. They are made of Radiocarbon, and are dated between 13,000 - 25,000 BCE.

Plants have an ability to synthesize aromatic substances, most of which are phenols or their oxygen-substituted derivatives such as tannins. Most are secondary metabolites, of which at least 12,000 have been isolated. This number is estimated to be less than 10% of the total. In many cases, these substances (esp.alkaloida) serve as plant defense mechanisms against predation by microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds.

Examples of some commonly used herbal medicines:
  • Artichoke
    It reduces total serum cholesterol levels.
  • Black Cohosh
    These along with other plants that contain phytoestrogens have some benefits for treatment of symptoms resulting from menopause.
  • Echinacea
    These extracts help to treat cold.
  • Garlic
    This lowers total cholesterol levels, reduces blood pressure, reduces platelet aggregation and has antibacterial properties.
  • St.John's Wort
    If this is administered in incorrect doses, it is more effective than a PLACEBO and helps in the treatment of mild to moderate depression in some clinical trials
  • Peppermint Tea
    This is associated with problems of digestive track, including irritable bowl syndrome and nausea.
  • Nigella Sativa
    (Black cumin) is a medicinal plant used for diverse ailments such as cough, pulmonary infections, asthma, influenza, allergy, hypertension and stomach ache. The seeds are considered carminative, stimulant, diuretic and galactogogue. It is often taken with honey. Seed powder or oil is applied for eruptions of skin.
  • Wormwood
    Wormwood is used for indigestion, gastric pain, and lack of appetite, as well for the related problems like heartburn, flatulence, fevers, dysentery, asthma, burns, and anemia. It is also said to be helpful for liver insufficiency by stimulating liver and gallbladder secretions. Wormwood is a cardiac stimulant and when taken in proper doses acts to improve blood circulation. Wormwood tea has been recommended to help relieve pain during labor. The powdered flowering tops have been used to expel intestinal worms and other parasites. A tea made of wormwood can be applied externally to irritations, bruises, or sprains and will relieve itching from rashes.

What Is Wormwood

Wormwood is a perennial plant that grows from 2 to 4 feet high. The woody rootstock of wormwood plant produces many bushy stems, which are covered with fine silky hairs. The chief constituent of Wormwood Plant is a volatile oil, which the herb yields in distillation from 0.5 to 1.0 per cent. It is usually dark green, or sometimes blue in color, and has a strong odor.. The oil acts as a local anesthetic when applied to relieve pains of rheumatism, neuralgia, lumbago, tuberculosis, and arthritis.

Basil (Tulsi)

Due to its phenomenal medicinal effect on all systems of human body, basil is worshipped in oriental culture as the purest and most sublime plant. Even the soil on which the basil plant grows becomes so pure that if you have a mud bath with that soil almost all ailments of the skin disappear. It is also effective for acne treatment, and skin disorders. Basil tea or tea with basil leaves is famous for soothing inflamed throat conditions.

Chinese Medicinal Herbs are classified according to their energetic qualities and functions. They are identified with terms like warming, cooling, tonifying or purging which describes the overall energetic configuration of the herb. Healing qualities of an herb depends on cultivation, harvesting, storage, selection, discernment of quality, and the different processing methods. Processing is done to increase potency. For instance, a herb can be decocted or made into a medicinal tea to draw the medicinal qualities. substances can be sliced to increase the surface area and potency, or alcohol can be used to extract the volatile oils.

Chinese herbs are safer than western pharmaceuticals and rarely have unpleasant side effects. A professional prescribing Chinese herb is usually able to eliminate or substantially reduce symptoms such as nausea, insomnia or headaches in a relatively short time..Deep healing may make a good deal depending on the type of illness and duration. Herbs are concentrated food. Their effects are very subtle and they work by assisting Nature and the bodies own healing abilities. Some of the Chinese herbs are Fresh ginger, Codonopsis, Dioscorea, Da Zao (black dates) or Hong Zao (red dates) etc.

Medicinal Herbs In Your Garden

You can be a doctor of your own ailments and there is no need for a medical degree. There is only one criterion. You should have a knowledge of herbs and the ones that are best for you. If you have medicinal herbs in your own lovely garden it will add charm to your life.

Some Tips To Grow Medcinal Herbs In Garden

Beginners can grow:

Strong herbs -- winter savory, rosemary, sage

Herbs strong enough for accent -- sweet basil, dill, mint, sweet marjoram, tarragon, thyme

Herbs for blending -- chives, parsley, summer savory
As your interest and needs increase, you can add to the variety of herbs in your garden. Keep in mind that herbs can be annuals, biennials, or perennials.

Annuals (bloom one season and die)Anise, Basil, Chervil, Coriander, Dill, Summer Savory

Biennials (live two seasons, blooming second season only) -- Caraway, Parsley

Perennials (overwinter; bloom each season once established) -- Chives, Fennel, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, Tarragon, Thyme, Winter savory.

Most used herbs will grow in the Northeast. To have a garden of your own the best is to decide on the size of garden. This will depend on the amount of variety you want.

Site And Soil Conditions

When selecting the site for your herb garden, drainage and soil fertility should be kept in mind. Drainage is probably the most important factor in successful herb growing. None of the herbs will grow in wet soils. If the garden area is poorly drained, you will have to modify the soil.

All herbs can be grown from seed. Although rust infects mints very few diseases or insects attack herbs. In dry weather, red spider mites may be found on low-growing plants. Aphids may attack anise, caraway, dill, and fennel.

A few herbs such as mints need to be contained or they will overtake a garden. There are some small procedures. Plant them in a can or bucket. Punch several holes above the bottom rim to allow for drainage. A drain tile, clay pot, or cement block also can be used. Sink these into the ground; this should confine the plants for several years. Herbs can also be grown in containers, window boxes, or hanging baskets. These methods will require more care, especially watering.

If possible, sow seeds in shallow boxes in late winter. You must transplant seedlings during spring. Herbs can also be grown indoors for enjoyment. Growing herbs indoors is no more difficult than growing them in the garden. Indoor plants will need the same conditions as herbs grown outdoors. Sunlight and well-drained soil mix which is not too rich must be dried thoroughly before storing. Herbs with high moisture content, such as mint and basil need rapid drying or they will mold.

You can have Medicinal herbs directly from your garden or from storeroom or Medicinal products Online. There are numerous medicinal products.
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