For a great many generations the human race has used herbs in various ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we shall debate each of these categories in order focusing upon the medicinal uses and essential oils.
Through the ions o time there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be looking at here and these include them being used as money, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to smother disgusting odors. Herbs come from various parts of the planet and each race usually had strange uses for them. It is interesting to see that the Ancient Greeks, Romans, Sumerians and Egyptians all wrote about them in detail and other writings are in existence from Ancient India and China. In this article we shall be focusing on modern uses.
Religious Uses Of Herbs
Herbs are currently used in numerous across the planet. Many Christians will remember myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a species of Basil, as it is cultivated by many and worshipped as a Goddess. In Pagan and Wiccan beliefs herbs are used extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.
Using Herbs In Cooking
The leaves of various plants are used in cooking but there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, and a herb, such as parsley, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.
The Use of Herbs in Medicine
As well as being powerful in flavor herbs can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being scientifically researched.
Essential Oils
An essential oil is the substance extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are invariably manufactured by the method known as distillation but some need a different method of extraction such as by using solvents or expression.
Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching limbs. When my limbs are very painful I gently rub it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.
Herbs should be handled with immense care as some can be extremely toxic to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are about to have a child as something that sounds safe could be dangerously problematic, such as peppermint oil which should not be used in its dilute form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used but to avoid the risk of miscarriage I advise that you avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you know for certain they are safe.
The awesome thing is that growing your own herbs is as hard as buying a herb kit and placing it near a window.
Tags: buying a herb kit, essential oils, Herbs, organic garlic oil
Great blog, yet another great post!