Herbal Remedies For Everything That Ails You

Herbal medicine is the indigenous medicine for every culture worldwide. Herbs were available long before drugs, and herbal doctors, medicine men and skilled shamans used herbs to treat every type of illness. Today, the practice of herbal medicine is a highly respected. Many people seek alternatives to drugs, and herbal treatments offer possible solutions for almost everything that still ails us in the modern world. Use caution with herbs, because they can cause side effects. Consult a health practitioner before using unfamiliar herbs.

Coughs

Coughing is caused by numerous factors including allergies, flu, colds, smoking, pleurisy, lung cancer and choking. Several herbs that relieve a cough are licorice root, marshmallow root, sundew, mullein and grindelia. To soothe a tickling cough with a sore throat, use licorice root tea. Licorice root creates a thin film that coats the throat and esophagus, protecting them from irritation. Both grindelia and sundew are excellent treatments for spasmodic coughing and whooping cough. AltMD mentions that grindelia is an anti-inflammatory and an expectorant that helps loosen congestion and expels mucus. They also note that sundew helps relieve coughing that is characterized by an itching or tickle in the throat pit. It too helps loosen congestion and makes an excellent herbal tea. Licorice root can raise the blood pressure when taken in large quantities over a long period.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis may be the result of allergic rhinitis, head cold, the flu or other viruses. It is characterized by a nasal discharge, congestion and pain in the facial sinuses and head. Herbs that may be helpful for treating sinusitis are elderberry, fenugreek, horseradish, eucalyptus, barberry and anise. Both eucalyptus oil and horseradish are used as inhalants, to help clear the sinuses from inhaling their fumes. Elderberry, barberry and anise are immune-enhancing herbs that help strengthen your overall system, enabling you to better fight off a virus or other infection. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that elderberry has anti-bacterial properties, enabling it to work against bacterial-based illnesses. Fenugreek is helpful for drying out mucus membranes, reducing welling and relieving congestion.

Acid Indigestion

Acid reflux or indigestion is a common ailment, often seen in people after overeating. Painful burning in the chest accompanied with gas and bloating accompany many cases of acid reflux. Herbal remedies such as green tea, basil, mint and Amla may offer relief to some people. Green tea is not only soothing to the digestive tract, but may offer protection to the esophagus against Barrett's esophagus and esophageal cancer, notes Life Extension. Mint and basil are in the same family and both are useful to soothe the pain and discomfort of acid reflux, as well as reducing gas and bloating after meals. Amla is an Ayurvedic herb used to treat acid reflux and heartburn. It is often administered with warm milk or taken with vegetables to settle the stomach and relieve bloating and the feeling of being overly full. Green tea may cause insomnia or nervousness due to its caffeine content. If you are sensitive to caffeine, buy decaffeinated green tea instead.

Herb Tea

Almost all herbal remedies can be taken in herbal teas. Traditionally, many herbs were given mixed or infused into tea to make them easier to assimilate and more palatable. Many herbs are very bitter and the tea dilutes the flavor while preserving the active ingredients. You can always add a little bit of honey if an herbal tea is too bitter. Some herbs are more effective in hot tea, but many can be taken either hot or chilled. Never reboil herbal teas if you are reheating them. Place the prescribed amount of dried or fresh herb into water and cook for approximately 10 minutes or however long your practitioner suggests. Strain the herbs and allow the tea to cool so you can drink it easily. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the refrigerator.

Precautions

Always consult a medical practitioner when using herbs to make sure you are using the right herbs for your condition. If your symptoms persist or worsen, stop taking the herb and seek medical attention. Some symptoms such as chest pain or long-term, spasmodic coughing may indicate serious illnesses and should be dealt with immediately.