Natures' healing herbs are found every where around us. Many that I am going to discuss here are considered by many as weeds in their yards, gardens and fields, while others actually try to plant and grow them. Many can be cultivated, while others have to be harvested from their natural environment and are in some instances becoming endangered. Ginseng is an example of an herb which is harvested in their natural environment of the woods and is now protected with harvesters needing a license to harvest, and limits set on the size of roots which can be harvested as well as when and where.
Knowing and recognizing the various types of plants is only a part of what one needs to know in order to benefit from the earth's bountiful pharmacy. It is necessary to know what part of the plant to use and how as well as for what. Some plants can be used for a variety of things by using the various parts of the plant. While still others have only parts of them that can be used. It is just as important to know the effect these herbs can have such as whether they act as an anti-coagulant or a coagulant or as a plant estrogen, etc. Not knowing and attempting to use could have disastrous affects - always use natural plants as medicine with caution.
While some of the healing herbs are to be used as a poultice or tea to help cure a health problem, others are used in cooking and in teas to help prevent health problems or as a daily supplement for health benefits. Ginger is a wonderful example of this. Actually Ginger is going to be the featured Daily Herb in tomorrow's blog, be sure to check in for it. But as I was saying, Ginger is used as a treatment and a preventive. Ginger is used in teas, cooking, poultices, rubs and a variety of ways. Many different herbs are used for both culinary and medicinal purposes with many healthy benefits.
Check back daily for the Daily Herb - each day will feature a healing herb. I will tell where the practice of using the herb originated from, scientific data to back up the uses, the ways to recognize the plant, the ways to harvest as well as which parts to harvest, how to prepare, and recipes for uses in teas, poultices, soups, stews, etc. Each plant is different but each plant is a part of Nature's huge never ending medicine chest outdoors in this world!!!
Enjoy! Just Me Granny D
