Do you ever look at someone and go…WOW! Thinking to yourself – how does she do it? Glowing skin, dazzling smile, sparkling eyes. And, she can do the King Pigeon yoga pose with ease and grace! What?! She’s how old?! Well, then she must be using the twelve most potent medicinal plants, of course!
This happens to me quite often. I see women around the same age, who radiate health and vivaciousness my own cannot match. Yet.
And I always wonder – What do they do differently? Or is it just genetics? Or is it a magic pill?
It leaves me perplexed on better days.
And now…
Like many people, I’ve been hit by this super unknown virus you’ve probably never heard of. I’d been doing relatively well and managed to dodge it for almost two years. But the little bugger finally found me.
I Want My Mojo Back!
Although I’ve been lucky that my illness was mild, when I looked in the mirror I almost wept.
It wasn’t me!
It was some middle-aged woman grimacing back at me.
Limp hair, droopy face with an upside-down smile, dry withered skin.
Dang it, I’m not even that old!
Do you feel that way sometimes?
But I’ve always been the kind of person to wallow in a good sulk for as long as the biscuit tin is full, and then roll up my sleeves and look for a solution.
So I decided that I can turn things around if it kills me.
Inspired to search for natural ways to reignite my zsa-zsa-zsu, I found some inexpensive yet powerful plants to get me some of that glow and sparkle back.
Now I’d like to share them with you.
Best Inexpensive and Natural Ways to Get Your Sparkle Back With Medicinal Plants
While plants cannot replace medicine if you suffer a serious health condition, they certainly boast many beneficial properties that can significantly improve your health and overall state of being.
Let’s look at healing herbs and spices.
Fragrant herbs and vibrant spices you can toss right in your dishes and tea to increase the healing properties without having to take additional vitamins and minerals.
Herbs and spices together provide a wide array of nutrients that can help with everything from PMS to autoimmune diseases.
This article will help you understand a little more about healing herbs and spices, how the medicinal plants can benefit your health, and some simple ways to use each one.
Safety Tips For Using Medicinal Plants
- As with any medicinal plants, it’s best to start with small doses.
- If in doubt or you’re unsure if the plant is suitable for you, consult your doctor.
- Purchase products from an established source, check the ingredients and research the manufacturer, as some products may contain heavy metals or no true herb at all.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/news/know-what-youre-buying
Medicinal Plants I: Healing Herbs
You have probably heard of most, if not all these healing herbs. You might even have used them in your foods or drinks before.
This is not a complete list, but rather a selection of easily available and affordable options.
These herbs are versatile and you can use in many ways, from making a cup of tea to adding dried or fresh herbs to your dishes while cooking.
Chamomile
The humble chamomile is probably the most common herb on this list and one of the easiest to find. It has been used for thousands of years as a traditional remedy.
Chamomile is a relaxing herb that also has many healing properties.
You can apply it as a very mild sedative if you suffer from anxiety and stress. Equally, it can help to reduce inflammation in the body, and even lessen pain from headaches and migraines. This delicate beauty has the power to lessen your menstrual pain.
You should be aware that it can cause some drowsiness, so best enjoy with a cup of tea in the evening.
Tip: Medical News Today recommends 1 to 2 cups of tea a day to see incremental health improvements.
Ashwagandha
Another excellent herb to consider for healing your body with food is ashwagandha.
This is one of the most prominent herbs in Ayurveda, an ancient natural healing system. According to the ancient Indian medicinal wisdom, it helps to maintain a young body and mind.
Like chamomile, it is great for dealing with anxiety and stress and reducing symptoms of depression.
This herb, also known as Winter Cherry, helps to reduce inflammation in the body and increase muscle strength.
Ashwagandha is also an excellent way to give your immune system a healthy, natural boost.
It’s known to increase energy levels and improve the ability to focus.
Tip: Ashwagandha is great to add to your tea or milk at night before bed.
Aloe
Most people know aloe vera as a plant that is best for topical application, such as applying to sunburn to cool it off and reduce swelling.
Aloe Vera has antioxidant and antibacterial properties and helps wound healing.
As well as being suitable for topical application as a natural treatment for chronic skin conditions like eczema, you can also eat it.
This isn’t one of the more common purposes, but it does help with digestive issues like constipation and IBS.
Consumable aloe vera supplements are safe to eat and available from many health product retailers.
But be sure not to eat aloe vera products intended for the skin!
Tip: Add 3-6 tablespoons of aloe vera juice to your daily drinking routine.
Lavender
It is hard to go wrong with lavender, another flowering herb.
Lavender is very popular not just as a strongly scented plant adorning your garden and used in essential oils, but you can also use the herb itself.
It is great for anxiety and depression, relaxation, relieving pain from headaches, and even has antibacterial properties.
While lavender tea can reduce insomnia, prevent heart disease, and relieve tummy troubles, the essential oil can treat skin conditions.
Tip: Drink a cup of lavender tea an hour before you go to bed to help you get a restful sleep.
Black Cohosh
Black cohosh is another type of healing herb, where the root of it is where the medicinal properties come from.
It is great for women with PMS symptoms, especially menstrual cramps, and headaches.
It comes in a tincture or extracts in most cases, so this will not be an herb you add to the food you cook.
Black Cohosh is recommended as a safer alternative to replacement hormone therapy.
Tip: Take five 5 drops of black cohosh tincture 3 times a day to alleviate cramps and hot flushes.
Echinacea
Another herb you can get for medicinal purposes is echinacea.
You might see this mentioned quite a bit as a natural remedy for illnesses like the cold or flu.
It is also used as a natural way to speed up healing from a skin wound and to stave off infection.
Like most herbs on this list, it won’t replace conventional medicine but can enhance its effects.
Echinacea is my personal favorite. I reach for the tincture every time I register the first symptoms of whatever is trying to get me. Within a few hours, it feels like the symptoms retreat. So far, it has worked for me without fail.
Tip: If you feel you’re coming down with cold or flu, dissolve a few drops in a glass of water. This stuff works!
Garlic
Garlic is an herb you probably use on a regular basis in your food. If you haven’t been using much garlic, now is a great time to start!
While it provides some amazing health benefits, including lowering your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, garlic is also a natural antimicrobial herb.
Like echinacea, garlic is my personal go-to nifty little ingredient. When I start feeling like I’m run down and there are viruses about, I make sure I add 3-4 cloves of garlic per day. It’s very rare that my symptoms ever develop fully into an illness.
Tip: If you’re using raw garlic, make sure to chop or crush it, to release the healing compounds.
Rosemary
Why not add some rosemary to your pork chops, chicken, or vegetable dishes?
Rosemary is very easy to grow at home, making it an excellent choice for a backyard garden.
This redolent herb can improve memory, protect the liver, and improve skin conditions like dermatitis.
Rosemary tincture, for example, is used for its anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial properties.
Lots of anti- there and that’s why this amazing herb should have a place in your kitchen cabinet.
Tip: Take up to 2 ml of tincture 3 times a day.
Medicinal Plants II: Healing Spices
Moving beyond the herbs, you also have quite a few spices to choose from to enhance your health.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is a spice that has a long tradition of healing properties.
A traditional ingredient in Tibetan dishes, nutmeg is known in this culture to help with the nervous system.
Indeed, nutmeg can assist with balancing your mood and improving mental health. It can help treat insomnia and balancing out your circulatory system as well.
It’s a versatile spice that can add flavor to sweet and savory dishes alike. So you can enrich at least one dish a day with a dusting of this nutty deliciousness.
Tip: For fresher, crispier taste, grate the nutmeg straight into the dish rather than using ground spice from the container.
Ginger
The lovely, aromatic ginger is a fiery plant that’ll warm you up on a wintry night and refresh you on a hot day.
Ginger is filled with phytonutrients that can help with heartburn, nausea, and migraines, and is even great with chronic pain like arthritis.
Some people have also found it lowered their asthma symptoms.
In cooking, it adds a feisty bite to any bland dish.
Tip: Cut up fresh ginger to make tea and add honey and lemon. Perfect for seasonal colds as a hot beverage and refreshing as iced tea on a sizzling summer’s day.
Saffron
Next up is saffron, which is a highly underrated spice.
The main medicinal benefit of saffron is protecting and cleaning both your liver and your blood.
It can also help to improve your digestive system when used in dishes on a regular basis.
Saffron is rich in antioxidants and some studies suggest that it can prevent cancer, improve your mood, and alleviate premenstrual symptoms.
And let’s not forget – saffron slows the advancement of Alzheimer’s disease.
Tip: When cooking with saffron, sprinkle only a dash in your food. In larger amounts, saffron produces a bitter taste.
Turmeric
Last is turmeric, which has been getting a lot of buzz in health news lately.
Turmeric used to be considered an alternative to saffron but is now a leading spice with healing powers.
Turmeric not only tastes great, but it works great as an anti-inflammatory and can provide your body with more natural antioxidants.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis, this magical spice can lessen your pain.
Raw or cooked, turmeric is so versatile, you can add it to your curry as well as your latte!
Tip: The recommended dose of turmeric is between 2.5 to 5g a day
Nature abounds with beautiful plants full of amazing healing properties, Her gift to us. So use what She has to offer but use it wisely. Remember, safety comes first! Please refer to the safety tips and links before using any medicinal plants or purchasing any products.
This article was written by Zuzana Halliwell. I am not a doctor or health professional and cannot be held liable for the information written here. This article is meant to provide information about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. The content is based on my own personal experience and on information provided by medical professionals that is available to the public. It is not intended to provide medical advice. Do not use it as an alternative to seeking help from a medical professional.
