Herbs with a lifting energy are used for diseases, Herbs with a floating energy have diaphoretic properties which are used for the initial stages of colds, flus, fevers and eruptive skin diseases. Herbs are commonly used to guide and assist healing for a wide range of emotional and physical illness. Below are some common medical herbs and some of their possible usages:
St. John’s Wort – Flower petals, leave and stem tissue are said to have antidepressant properties. This is a popular folk remedy for treating minor cuts, burns and inflammation.
Evening Primrose – North American native plant, but found all over the world, also known as evening primrose, willow-herb, scabish, scurvish, tree primrose, primrose and fever plant. The entire plant is edible with seeds rich in unsaturated fatty acids such as linoleic acid, y-linolenic acid, and oleic acid. Used for relief of breast pain, PMS, eczema, cirrhosis, rheumatoid arthritis and menopause.
Plume Poppy – Also known as plume poppy is source of sanguinarine and a competitor of bloodroot for this sanguinarine, with anaesthetic, antiseptic, antitumor properties, and also used as fungicide.
Indian Tobacco – Indigenous plant to North America, found in meadows pastures and cultivated fields of eastern US as far west as Arkansas and Nebraska, also known as Indian tobacco, lobelia, bladder pod, emetic weed. A Plant used for antispasmodic qualities to treat whooping cough and asthma, acting as a stimulant on the respiratory system and to induce vomit. Externally it can be used as a poultice for bruises, insect bites, sprains, and poison ivy irritations. This plant may be toxic and is not recommended as a home remedy. It may also act as a nerve depressant in large doses, and its excessive use can lead to severe depression.
Pale Coneflower and Purple Coneflower – Traditional Indigenous perennial plants for native North Americans, similar to narrow leaf species. Flowers and foliage are used for medicinal preparations to stimulate and bust the immune system to prevent colds.
Buckhorn Plantain – This perennial plant was introduced into North America 100-200 years ago, also known as plantain or buckhorn plantain. It is an Anti-inflammatory plant containing iridoid glycosides and phenols which is mucilage rich. The plant is used topically as an adjunctive, emollient, and itch-relieving treatment in dermatological conditions, as well as in case of eye irritation.
Slippery Elm – Has been used as an herbal remedy in North America for centuries. Native Americans used slippery elm in healing salves for wounds, boils, ulcers, burns, and skin inflammation.
Psyllium Seed – Medicinal preparations are made from seed, or seed is taken orally as bulk laxative which effect is purely mechanical and linked to mucilage, a compound of this plant.
Milk Thistle – It is native to the Mediterranean, it is also known as Milk thistle. Medicinal preparations are used for the treatment of liver disease, as well as to treat death cap mushroom poisoning.
You may try medicinal herbs remedies as infusions, decoctions, tinctures, syrups, infused oils, essential oils, ointments and creams, although some laboratories are manufacturing pills and tablets using specific techniques to avoid chemicals. Just remember, while herbal healing techniques are unique to each individual, I subscribe to the belief that illness results when the body’s harmony with nature is disrupted.