Cloves are used in mouthwashes and to relieve toothache; it has a major use as a local anesthetic for dental fillings. At one time, dentists routinely used cotton swabs saturated with clove oil to relieve the pain of a tooth. Today, they use it to prepare dental cements, fillings, and to treat dry sockets. Studies suggest that one or two cloves weekly provide cancer-protective benefits.
Cinnamon is often used as an antidote for diarrhea and stomach upset as well as a metabolism booster. Cinnamon’s unique healing abilities come from three basic types of components in the essential oils found in its bark. These oils contain active components called cinnamaldehyde, cinnamyl acetate, and cinnamyl alcohol, plus a wide range of other volatile substances. It helps in anti-clotting actions, anti-microbial activity, blood sugar control. Cinnamon's scent boosts brain function, calcium and fiber improve colon health and protect against heart disease. It has also been used as a traditional warming remedy. Cinnamon can lower blood sugar, triglycerides, LDL, and total cholesterol in people with type 2 diabetes. Aim for one-fourth to one-half teaspoon of cinnamon twice a day.
Kaffir Lime in folk medicine, the juice is said to promote gum health and is recommended for use in brushing teeth and gums. The essential oils in the fruit are incorporated into various ointments, and the rind is an ingredient in medical tonics believed to be good for the blood. Like lemon grass and galanga, the rind is also known to have beneficial properties for the digestive system.
Oregano, has herbs with the highest antioxidant activity belonged to its family. In general, oregano had 3 to 20 times higher antioxidant activity than the other herbs studied. On a per gram fresh weight basis, oregano and other herbs ranked even higher in antioxidant activity than fruits and vegetables, which are known to be high in antioxidants. In comparison to the antioxidant activities of a few select fruits and vegetables, the potency of oregano ranks supreme: Oregano has 42 times more antioxidant activity than apples, 30 times more than potatoes, 12 times more than oranges and 4 times more than blueberries.
Garlic mildly displays a host of benefits: it is antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, hypotensive (lowers high blood pressure), and lowers cholesterol and fat in the bloodstream. Garlic is used in Europe as an approved remedy for cardiovascular conditions, especially high cholesterol and triglyceride levels associated with risk of atherosclerosis. It is also generally regarded as a preventive measure for colds, flu and other infectious diseases. Garlic destroys cancer cells and may disrupt the metabolism of tumor cells, says Karen Collins, RD, nutrition advisor to the American Institute for Cancer Research.
Ginger is another great example of how a plant can be used as a food, spice or medicine. It has been used to treat nausea, motion sickness and vomiting. Ginger has a long history of use for all types of digestive upset and can be helpful to increase appetite.
Onions
have a variety of medicinal effects. Early American settlers used wild
onions to treat colds, coughs, and asthma, and to repel insects. In
Chinese medicine, onions have been used to treat angina, coughs,
bacterial infections, and breathing problems. The World Health
Organization (WHO) supports the use of onions for the treatment of poor
appetite and to prevent atherosclerosis. In addition, onion extracts are
recognized by WHO for providing relief in the treatment of coughs and
colds, asthma and bronchitis. Onions are known to decrease bronchial
spasms. An onion extract was found to decrease allergy-induced bronchial
constriction in asthma patients. Onions are a very rich source of fructo-oligosaccharides.
These oligomers stimulate the growth of healthy bifidobacteria and
suppress the growth of potentially harmful bacteria in the colon. In
addition, they can reduce the risk of tumors developing in the
colon.Chinese with the highest intake of onions, garlic, and other
Allium vegetables have a risk of stomach cancer 40 percent less than
those with the lowest intake.
Marjoram leaves can be be infused by you for a relaxing bath or also use it has hair conditioners . Rub the leaf on your tables as a furniture polish, or break the leaves into sweet bags, and potpourris. Infuse it to tea for relief insomnia, colds and coughs. Or use the tea to reduce tension and headaches. Drink the tea prior to sea travel, for it helps with seasickness and also pms cramps.
Thyme, a sweet smelling herb, has been used traditionally for common winter aliments. It has been used extensively for the high thymol, phenol, and carvacol content in Thyme oil. Essential oil compounds such as found in thyme extract are established for the therapy of chronic and acute bronchitis. The variety: English wild thyme is the best to use. You can infuse a tea with thyme and it will help with hangovers!!and other digestive problems. Sweeten this tea with honey for sore throats and coughs, and also for muscular pain, poor circulation, and to help relieve insomnia. The essential oil of thyme can help with headaches and can be used for an antiseptic hair spray. You can also infuse thyme into your hair rinse by heating your hair rinse and add branches of thyme-letting it set for a few hours (or leave it in the bottle until rinse is gone). By doing this rinse infusion, you will be helping your hair be rid of dandruff.
Parsley is a great cleansing herb! It benefits the lungs, stomach, liver, and thyroid, and has helped in passing all stones, and helps in bladder infections. It is full of nutrients that help give it the name of one of natures preventitive medicines. It is high in vitamin B and potasium, has high iron, chlorophyll, calcium, phosphorus, vitamins A & C. So eat your parsley for it will help build resistance to infections and diseases. Scientists have found a substance that inhibits the development of certain cancer cells.
Cardamom
fruits contains brownish black seeds, which have about 2-10%
volatile oil with the characteristic pleasant odour. The active
principles present in the oil cineole, terpinyl acetate, pinene,
sabinene and porneol.
