In recent times, medicinal herbs are part of a successful trend of medicinal innovation. Though there are a number of manufactured medicines, there are people who would want to take in something more natural. Most of these natural bulk herbs have healing properties as well as benefits beyond healing. There are proven ways of making sage leaves an essential element in some culinary dishes and concoctions. Sage leaf is one common natural medicinal herb. These are small shrubs located in Mediterranean regions. The leaves are green and have a strong aroma of citrus.

These small herbs are commonly added into culinary masterpieces. Poultry and meat dishes, cheeses and even wines have exceptional flavors when combine with sage leaves. Some people would even want these sage leaves to be added to their bread and butter. Aside from its ability to become a good element in creating sumptuous drinks and dishes, sage leaves have powerful properties of meat cure and preservation such as labiatic acid and carsonic acid. Moreover, it suppress fish odor. Nevertheless, it does not stop in culinary efficiency. A sage leaf can also take away some pain and sickness in a person when taken in. It is extensively for fevers, pains, coughs and matters of digestion. Medical professionals would say that sage leaf is a great help in relaxing stomach cramps and indigestion. Sage leaves are made into drinking tea, which are preferred by most people. Chinese strongly believe in the efficacy of medicinal herbs in providing solution for their digestive problems as well as other sickness. Even the oil of the leaves can treat ulcers that are caused by some bacteria in the stomach. Sage leaf is also said to treat sweating. Body temperatures are regulated through sage leaf oil and reduce sweating of the body.
Those who live in deserts can use sage leaf to prevent frequent or too much sweating under very hot temperatures. This rare property of a sage leaf is good ingredients for making a successful deodorant. Sage leaves are also great elements in making powerful mouthwash and gargles. Some properties of sage leaves are believe to cleanse teeth and gums as well as strengthen them. Moreover, sage leaves also sharpen our memory and senses for quicker responses. These valuable properties of a sage leaf are evidence of effective healing. Natural medicinal herbs can have similar goals in curing sickness and improving health.

Sage leaves as well as other herbs are nature’s excellent way in offering assistance. Find out more about sage leaf's benefits today.

If you have ever walked through an open field and ended up with socks or pant legs covered with burrs, you have already met burdock. Officially Arctium lappa, the root, seeds, and leaves of this pant are very medicinal! A native of Europe, Asia, and North America, the burdock root has a gummy consistency and tastes sweet while the leaves are bitter, similar to dandelion. Some liken the stalks to the taste of celery.

Some of burdocks secret ingredients include calcium, arcigen, essential oil, chlorogenic acid, inulin, flavonoids, mucilage,lactone, polyacetylenes, resin, potassium, tannin, and taraxosterol. It contains vitamins C and B3 (niacin), as well as significant amounts of chromium, magnesium, copper, and iron. The trace amounts of organic mercury in the root make it ideal for mercury detox formulas.

Not just the roots of Burdock herb contain medicinal substances. In fact, historically, the seeds of the burdock plants were crushed to make an oil to relieve pain from arthritis, and for treating rheumatism, eczema, ulcers, acne, gout, and psoriasis. The burdock seeds contain healthful fatty acids. The oil from the seeds can be used to increase perspiration. This cleanses the body for influenza, liver disorders, or gallbladder, and to activate the kidneys. The leaves or leaf tea has been used in treating poison ivy or poison oak. Some just like to eat the leaves like lettuce and the root as a vegetable.

The most popular western use of Burdock root and seeds is as a primary herb in blood purifier formulas. Just how this works is uncertain though it seems to be related to its diuretic properties. It has many nutrients like iron, inulin (a carbohydrate), and beneficial oils. Also, burdock root can be used as a gentle laxative and help rid the body of uric acid. Some active ingredients of burdock are polyacetylenes, that are known to be effective antibacterials and antifungals.

Burdock root has been used for centuries as a remedy for arthritis, viruses like colds, measles, tonsillitis, throat pain, and, as mentioned, as a diuretic. The Chinese believed it was an aphrodisiac, and effective in treating impotence and barrenness.

Treating dandruff and encouraging healthy hair growth are two more applications of this herb. A simple massage of the scalp with burdock root oil does wonders. Burdock contains arctigenin, a substance effective in slowing cancerous tumor growth, and Essiac and Hoxsey, both chemicals used in cancer treatment.

Burdock is easily obtainable as an ingredient in teas, ointments, Bur oil, or pills. Many herbalists say it is safe to be taken internally, externally, or as food. However, it is important to make sure that the herb is pure. It is not toxic this way. Be careful in gathering it yourself. It looks a bit like belladonna, a plant that can be fatally toxic if ingested.

Though burdock may help with abnormal blood sugar levels, it should be used cautiously in this way. Some say don’t use burdock if you are pregnant because it may cause uterine contractions. Others claim it is perfectly safe. But as a body cleanser, it is best to use burdock in combination with other herbs or at least in small amounts. Otherwise, it could work too good. Also, don’t expect it to work overnight as a blood cleanser. Give it at least three months.

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Comfrey has a long history of effectiveness as a healer plant. It has the reputation of being able to knit bones together thus accounting for many of the common names (boneset, nipbone, knitbone, and healing herb).

The Comfrey leaf is similar to Foxglove leaves, though they have smaller veins not extending into the wings of the leaf-stalk. The leafy stem, 2 to 3 feet high, is stout, angular and hollow, broadly winged at the top and covered with bristly hairs. The lower, radical leaves are very large, up to 10 inches long and covered with rough hairs which make people itch when they touch them.  The flowers are either creamy yellow or purple, growing on short stalks. They appear in April or early May.

Comfrey is a contact tissue healer. Until the early 1800’s, it was only used on the skin to treat burns, cuts, bronchitis, skin ulcers, varicose veins, and rheumatism. Then the Comfrey leaf was made into a tea and used as a mouthwash or gargled to treat hoarseness, throat infections, and bleeding gums. It is rich in vitamin C and calcium and contains B12, carotene (vitamin A), and chlorophyll.

Internally and externally comfrey is used in the treatment of colitis, varicose veins, assorted pulmonary complaints (pleurisy, bronchitis, bronchopneumonia), rheumatism, metritis, diarrhea, and periostitis. It is utilized as a diuretic and bulk laxative and is credited with scar healing. It is also used as a sedative.

Comfrey contains Allantoin which is its effective healing agent. This has been shown to help grow new flesh and bone cells and to hasten healing. Comfrey also decreases the inflammation from pulled tendons. A tincture is often used to treat athletes foot and acne. Comfrey tea and extract have been used by women as a douche to treat yeast infections. Sore and caked breasts are treated with a poultice of comfrey. This helps relieve tenderness quickly.

Some eat comfrey leaves and shoots as a vegetable. It is ground up in a blender with other green vegetables or herbs to make a healthy drink. It is increasingly popular with health conscious people.

Comfrey tea is made by mixing an ounce of leaves with a pint of boiling water. A tincture usually consists of 10 drops from the extract of the root mixed with water and applied wherever needed. Internally, the leaves are taken in the form of an infusion, 1 oz. of the leaves to 1 pint of boiling water.

Many claim that comfrey is so safe that anyone can use as much as they want any time. However, a few precautions are in order. Care should be taken when using Comfrey with very deep wounds as its rapid healing power can lead to tissue forming over the wound before it is healed deeper down, possibly leading to abscesses. Make sure that wounds are thoroughly cleaned and protected from infection.

Jasmine Green Tea is different from regular Green Tea in that it is both a leaf and the blossom of the flower.  Jasmine is cultivated widely for its beautiful flowers. Over 200 species are known, each with fragrant white, yellow, or red flowers.

The jasmine plant was brought to China from Persia sometime in the third century AD but never became popular there until about 1000 years ago. Yin Hao is considered the finest jasmine tea. Other popular versions are Xiang Pian, Dragon Phoenix Pearl, and Mo Li Hua Cha, the latter being possibly the most popular scented tea worldwide.

To make jasmine green tea, they start with a Chinese green tea for a base. Two popular ones are pouching and oolong and a few start with a black tea base. The tea leaves are picked and processed in April and May. Then they are kept dry until the jasmine flowers bloom in late August and September.

The flowers are gathered when they are fully open, either at midnight or early in the morning. Then they are placed with the tea so that the scent of the flower can be absorbed over the next four hours. The flowers are then removed. This will be repeated from two to seven times over a month's processing before the tea is ready for sale. Grading of the tea is determined by how many scentings the tea has gotten over a month. Low grade is 2-3 scentings. Higher grades will use seven scentings over the month.

What’s so great about this stuff? Most green teas with jasmine contain a significant amount of polyphenols. These are plant-based substances that have proven to fight cancer, viruses, and have antioxidant properties. By eliminating free radicals the tea helps prevent certain cancers and slow aging. Jasmine reduces blood sugar for diabetics, and also reduces high blood pressure. This helps prevent heart attacks, strokes, thrombosis, and arterial sclerosis.

Other Jasmine Tea health benefits include the ability to reduce the risk of blood clot, prevent allergy and flu, reduce blood sugar, keep fluid balance, boost the immune system and provide oral care and fluoride that helps protect against cavities and prevent tooth decay. One of the jasmine tea health benefits is to improve intestine conditions by blocking development and growth of bad bacteria and strengthening good bacteria.

In addition, jasmine tea fights food poisoning, including cholera, dysentery, and piccoli causing gastric ulcers. Gargling with jasmine green tea is believed to be one of the most effective ways to protect oneself from influenza, as the tea performs anti-viral functions.

Today, jasmine is known in alternative health care as an effective anti-depressant, including post-natal depression, and menopause problems. Along with raspberry leaf tea, it has been used to help childbirth and milk production. It can help relieve muscle and joint pain, including chronic back pain and is considered a romantic enhancer.

Recent studies show that jasmine tea can be used to lose weight. The presence of jasmine in the tea caused the ones drinking it to lose more weight than those simply drinking oolong tea. Some believe the presence of catechins in the jasmine cause the body to burn calories faster and decrease body fat.

The tea is easy to make. Just add a half teaspoon of the jasmine mix to a cup of nearly boiling water and allow it to steep two or three times for two minutes. Then drink at least four cups of this a day. A good quality jasmine green tea will work well with fruit and flower salads, or with desserts made with flowers, or soft cheeses with pressed flowers. Jasmine green tea is also served with strongly flavored foods, curries, chicken and fish, and vegetarian dishes, or served alone.

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Lobelia’s official name is lobelia inflata but it is also known as Indian tobacco. It was a very common herb prescribed by early North American doctors. Its main use was in healing respiratory ailments such as asthma, pneumonia, bronchitis, and coughs. The plant stem, which has only a few branches, is smooth on top while the lower part is rough and hairy. The lower leaves, about two inches in length, have stalks, while the upper, smaller ones don’t. The leaves are pale green or yellow and have a sharp taste and an uninviting odor. The sparse flowers are pale violet-blue on the outside and pale yellow on the inside.

Lobelia consists of a bitter glycoside (lobelacrin), resin, gum, various alkaloids, a pungent volatile oil (lobelianin), chelidonic acid and fats. Lobeline is its most important ingredient. Others include nor-lobelanidine, lobelidine, nor-lobelaine, lobelanine, lobelanidine, and isolobenine. It also contains fourteen pyridine alkaloids.

Though not addictive, lobeline works much like nicotine in its effect on the central nervous system. This is why it is a main ingredient of many treatments to help people quit smoking. Lobeline is a relaxant and is used to treat muscle and spastic colon problems.  It also dilates the bronchiole tubes and this improves respiration.

Lobelia’s claim to fame is its success in treating respiratory problems like bronchitis and pneumonia. One thing it does is to stimulate the adrenal glands to release the hormone epinephrine. This causes the airways to relax. As we said, lobelia is a strong relaxant and clears obstructions in the breathing passages. It also relaxes the stomach, a common need for asthmatic children. In fact, many people have used it in place of inhalers to stop asthma attacks.

Here are some other treatments suggested with lobelia. Rub the extract on the gums of a teething baby. Rub lobelia tincture or extract on the shoulders of a restless child; this is an excellent way to help him get to sleep. Ingest it to remove congestion from the stomach, expel mucus, and to encourage the flow of oxygenated blood. To treat ringworm, bruises, and insect bites use a poultice of lobelia. Catnip and lobelia used as an enema help treat mumps in males. Lobelia also acts as a sedative ranking somewhere between veratrum and aconite.

Ellingwood recommended lobelia for the following pathologies: "spasmodic asthma, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, membranous croup, infantile convulsions, puerperal eclampsia, epilepsy, tetanus, hysterical paraxysms, hysterical convulsions, diphtheria, tonsillitis, pneumonia," among others. Add to the list a treatment for laryngitis in children and for treating barking coughs.

Lobelia is available for internal use as a dried herb, in a liquid extract form, and as tinctures. Externally, it is available in ointments, lotions, suppositories, and plasters. You can make a tea by mixing ¼ to ½ teaspoon of the dried herb with eight ounces of water. Then let it steep for 30 to 40 minutes. Take two ounces of this four times a day but, be warned, many think it tastes awful! Take .6 to 2 ml of the tincture each day. This is based on a 150 pound adult. Adjust dosage for children proportionately.

Lobelia is a powerful herb and therefore cautions are in order. Taking too much will cause lobelia poisoning. Signs of this will include weak pulse, weakness, difficulty breathing, heartburn, and collapse. People with heart disease, high blood pressure, tobacco sensitivity, paralysis, and seizure disorder should not take lobelia without consulting a doctor. Lobelia is not recommended by some for th ose women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. If the system is highly toxic, lobelia can be a strong acting emetic, even in small doses. The nausea and vomiting that results, though not pleasant, will be beneficial to the patient.