Some really effective herbal medicines are in the kitchen, and here in Part 1 are my favorite uses for myself and my clients. In Part 2 next week, we’ll flip things around and look at culinary uses for medicinals typically neglected in the kitchen. You can geek out more on how to use kitchen herbs and spices for health here and here. Remember that quality counts .
Lemon balm, also called Melissa officinalis and “the Herb of Good Cheer,” has easily become one of my favorite herbs in the past year. It tastes like a mellow, citrus-y herb (exactly what you would expect from something called “lemon balm”) but what I love most is that it’s an “all-in-one.” Not only is lemon balm calming for your nerves but it also has powerful healing properties and is especially helpful for killing viruses and lowering inflammation. Here are just some of the many benefits of lemon balm:
We all bring baggage home from work. Sometimes it’s the day’s tiredness; sometimes it’s work that has to be finished. Mostly it’s stress—disguised as anger, impatience, and sometimes just plain old meanness.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) is intensely fragrant and very pleasing to look at, but don’t let the perennial’s cute, daisy-like appearance fool you. Centuries ago, the flower was used in certain areas of Greece, Egypt, and ancient Rome for its many healing purposes. The medicine is said to be contained in the flower area of the herb, which contains strong oils. There are many kinds of chamomile, and they can be used in things like teas, oils, tinctures, soaks, homemade salves, vapors, washes, and more.
Often times when we think of medicinal plants we see flowers, stalks, and stems, but the medicine goes much deeper with some. Today’s walk through Mother Earth’s Medicine Cabinet will take you deep into the ground to have a look at some plant roots that heal.
Bulgur is processed wheat that is native to the Mediterranean basin region and is one of the earliest processed foods that began being used approximately 4000 years ago. It is made by steaming wheat then drying it and cracking the dried kernels. Bulgur was initially processed by boiling wheat in a huge pot for many days to be sure it was thoroughly cooked; then the contents of the pot were spread out on roofs to dry in the sun.
Stress. I have yet to meet someone who is not dealing with it. Who of us is not worried about money, our health, or how to juggle all of our time? We all experience stress on a regular basis, and it is unfortunately difficult to avoid in our fast-paced, money-driven Western society. Stress can come in a variety of ways and in different levels of intensity.
During the winter months, our immune systems take a hit. That's why it's important to maintain a healthy diet, and get a little extra vitamin C. Boosting the immune system, vitamin C helps keep us healthy and happy. It's no coincidence that citrus fruits are in season during the winter. It's nature's way of keeping us healthy. But how much Vitamin C do we really need?
Magnesium deficiency can be hard to detect. Common symptoms can easily be mistaken for a myriad of other health concerns. Responsible for more than 300 chemical reactions, magnesium is hard at work maintaining proper body function. Getting the daily recommended amount is crucial to health. Yet roughly 80% of healthy adults have a magnesium deficiency.
If you are suffering from insomnia, sleep can be a challenge. Tossing and turning, wondering if you're going to finally get some rest, or if the night will be like all those other sleepless nights is a terrible thing. Even for those that only have the occasional bout of a restless night suffer the consequences the following day.