Herbal remedies can promote internal health in a variety of ways. Some herbs help to strengthen the eyes, while others target the prostate gland, while still others have antibacterial or antifungal properties. The medical establishment does not recognize herbal remedies for being able to cure any named diseases, but most have been used safely by countless generations of indigenous people for a wide variety of ailments.
Saw Palmetto Berry
Saw palmetto berries come from smallish palm trees that grow in southeastern coastal regions of the United States. Saw palmetto berry extract is a traditional American Indian folk remedy used to treat urinary problems and sexual dysfunction in men. Whether it was recognized by the indigenous peoples or not, saw palmetto is now recognized as being able to reduce benign prostate growth in men, which is the most common cause of urinary problems in elderly American men, as cited in "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Specifically, it inhibits the production of dihydrotestosterone, or DHT, a steroidal hormone linked to noncancerous prostate enlargement.
Bilberry
Bilberry is a popular herbal remedy in Europe and is related to the blueberry and similar in appearance. Bilberry extract is considered very useful for reducing eye fatigue, repairing delicate tissues within the eye and enhancing visual acuity, according to "The New Healing Herbs." Bilberry is rich in vitamins A and C, both strong antioxidants, as well as anthocyanosides, which strengthen blood vessels within your eye and inhibit inflammatory processes. Bilberry can be used to mitigate the symptoms of macular degeneration, progressive myopia, glaucoma and cataracts.
Garlic Cloves
Fresh garlic, eaten raw or pressed into an oil, has been considered an internal health remedy since the times of the ancient Greeks. The principal biologically active compound within garlic is allicin, which displays strong antimicrobial properties. Fungal, bacterial, parasitic and some viral infections can be remedied by consuming garlic, which is considered an effective "blood cleaner," as cited in "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine." Garlic is particularly effective at fighting Candida yeast infections. Although a potent antimicrobial, garlic seems to be able to safeguard the beneficial flora and fauna of the gastrointestinal system.
Spirulina
Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in warm, mineral-rich fresh water. It is made up of about 70 percent complete protein, which means it contains all the essential amino acids in the appropriate ratios, according to "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." In fact, spirulina contains more protein per gram than soybean, more beta-carotene than carrot and more iron than meat. As such, spirulina is considered a premier "super food" because of its nutrition, which also includes phytochemicals, minerals, chlorophyll and fatty acids.
Resveratrol
Resveratrol is a natural compound found in abundance in the skins of dark colored grapes that is responsible for the cardiovascular benefits of red wine and grape juice. According to "Nutritional Sciences," resveratrol has strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which not only protect blood vessels, but which are also useful for combating the symptoms of arthritis. Resveratrol also shows promise as an anticancer compound, although more human research is needed to determine its effectiveness.
References
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "The New Healing Herbs"; Michael Castleman; 2010
- "The Essential Book of Herbal Medicine"; Simon Mills; 1994
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
- "Nutritional Sciences"; Michelle McGuire; 2007
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