10 MEDICINAL PLANTS FOR HEALTHY BODY AND MIND PART II April 12 2020
St John’s wort
St John's wort is a herb commonly recognized for its potent therapeutic properties, some of which antiviral. It has active phytochemical components helpful in boosting energy, immunity, and levels of dopamine in your body. St John’s wort comes in handy when people treat depression or anxiety disorders naturally. According to some studies, low doses taken daily can even be effective in preventing and curing cancer.
TIPS, IDEAS, AND RECIPES
+ Most commonly, at John's Wort is made into tea from fresh flowers. It has a delightful taste with subtle citrus notes. Steep 2-3 teaspoons of the fresh flowers in hot water for about 4 minutes to make the tea. Strain the plant material from the liquid and enjoy the herbal elixir a few times throughout the day.
+ To make the tea from dry flowers, put 1 teaspoon per cup or about two tablespoons for a 6 cup pot. Steep between 3 and 10 minutes, depending on how strong you need it. For medicinal purposes, make it strong and don’t mind the slightly bitter flavor. The bitterness is almost unnoticeable with shorter steeping time.
+ because of its herbal nature, an extract of St Johns wort can be ingested in the form of tablets. No prescription needed for its purchase at any health store that sells herbal supplements.
+ high doses should be avoided as they may have a bad interaction with some drugs such as MAOI or protease inhibitors. It may cause side effects in case of preexisting psychological disorders or contradict contraceptives such as birth control pills. It should also be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Melissa
Melissa, also known as lemon balm, is an aromatic perennial herb that has a variety of uses for humans and ecosystems alike. Bees love and feel very attracted to it. Known as a tonic for the nervous system, Melissa calms the troubled mind. Just like St John’s wort, people find it useful in times of shock and grief. Depression or anxiety It also helps us sleep better, relieving insomnia, and nervous tension. Scientists have been studying Melissa’s antiviral and anti-inflammatory powers and discovered its effectiveness in treating different viruses like influenza and herpes simplex virus. The lemon balm essential oil is rich in citral, a compound that helps fight inflammation and reduces pain, which are common symptoms of viral infections. Aromatherapists use this essential oil to support the immune system and calm the nerves. In traditional medicine, Melissa is known as a cooling herb and essential oil, a property that comes in handy when we have a fever and need to reduce it.
TIPS, IDEAS, AND RECIPES
+ lemon balm popsicle recipe – a fun project for the whole family
2 cups of strong Melissa tea (infused for about 20 minutes)
1/4 - 1/3 cup raw honey
The juice of half a lemon
Brew the tea and let it steam for 20 minutes and then strain it. Mix all ingredients and stir until the honey is well incorporated. To add extra fun and visual effects slice fruits like kiwi, strawberries, dragon fruit in thing pieces. Add the fruits into the popsicle mold and pour the mix of tea, honey, and lemon juice. Stick your molds in the freezer for several hours.
+ to support your nervous system and promote deeper sleep take lemon balm in a tea. Add 1/3 cup of fresh melissa leaves to a large teapot. Put hot water and let it steam for about 15-20 minutes. If you only have dried herb, use only 2 Tsp. Drink the tea in the second half of the day.
+ to heal herpes blister mix the following ingredients:
1 drop Melissa essential oil
1 drop eucalyptus essential oil
1 teaspoon aloe vera gel or carrier oil
Mix well and add the blend in a small jar or a bottle. Apply to the herpes blister and be very careful not to touch the surrounding skin.
+ to reduce fever and strengthen your immune system make the following preparation: 2 drops lemon essential oil
2 drops Melissa essential oil
1 drop peppermint essential oil
3 drops eucalyptus essential oil
50ml carrier oil like almond, hazelnut or grapeseed
Add the ingredients to a bottle and mix well. Massage the oil on the chest, back, arms, legs, and feet.
+ to reduce musculoskeletal pains and aches (when you have the flu or a cold), injuries, swelling mix 5 drops lavender and 3 drops Melissa essential oils with a 50ml carrier oil. Add the mixture into a bottle, shake well to blend the ingredients, and massage the achy area.
Eucalyptus
More than 700 different plants make up the Eucalyptus genus, and more or less, they have similar attributes. For the purpose of this article, we'll focus only on one type that is the most common - Eucalyptus Globulus
The most effective way to benefit from their therapeutic properties is to use the essential oil - inhaled, blended in massage oil, dispensed with a humidifier. It can also be added to your jacuzzi or bathtub.
The effectiveness and versatility of eucalyptus make for a broad spectrum of applications. It kills pathogenic viruses and bacteria, making it an excellent choice during the flu season because of the boost it will give you an immune system. Eucalyptus helps in the prevention and treatment of common colds, inflammations, and infections, especially when the illness affects the respiratory system. Its expectorant and decongestant capabilities help with cough and clearing up mucus from the lungs. Also, eucalyptus oil can reduce fever and relieve headaches.
+ to relieve stiff, tired muscles mix the following ingredients in 30ml carrier oil:
4 drops Eucalyptus oil
4 drops Rosemary oil
4 drops Lavender oil
shake well and do a self-massage or ask your partner, to give you some love with his/her hands.
+ Alternatively, mix equal parts of these essential oils in a bottle and add 2-3 drops to your bath. The aromatic vapors may clear blocked nasal passages and relax your muscles (including the muscles that expand and contract your lungs).
+ to ease breathing during colds, bronchitis, sinusitis, or hay fever, or to prevent airborne infection vaporize 3 drops Eucalyptus and 3 drops Tea tree.
+ to ease coughs in adults, mix 4 drops Eucalyptus 2 drops Myrrh and 4 drops Himalayan cedar in 20ml (4 tsp) carrier oil and rub it into your chest, morning and evening.
For children between the ages of 5 and 10, simply use 1 drop of cedar. Essential oils, even diluted, are too strong for younger children. To relieve their coughs, use hydrosols instead: tea tree, lavender, and eucalyptus.
+ to lift depression and brighten your mood diffuse 3 drops eucalyptus and 3 drops peppermint
+ to clear a cluttered mind, take a bath with 2 drops eucalyptus and 4 drops frankincense. If you don't have a bath, simply add them to your diffuser and sit down for a meditation.
