I often try and give my stories an air of authenticity and one subject I find interesting is the use of plants for medicines. Here’s some amazing natural remedies I came across during the course of my research.
Different civilisations have used plants and herbs as preventatives and cures for thousands of years. As medicine has developed we have begun to refer to these natural remedies as alternative cures, but many of them can be used in addition to (or in place of) pharmaceuticals for a wide range of ailments.
This small yellow and white flower is harvested and used to treat both physical and emotional complaints including: indigestion, colic, skin inflammations, anxiety and tension. A cup of chamomile tea before bed is helpful for those suffering from insomnia, due to its relaxation properties.
A poor immune system is the reason many people get ill frequently. Echinacea can increase immunity as well as provide relief from the symptoms of colds and flu.
A popular addition to products geared at relaxing the body and mind, the scent of the plant alone can create this result. Lavender rubs are also good for pain relief and as an antiseptic when applied to wounds.
Peppermint is frequently brewed as a tea for gastroenteritis and other stomach problems, and even used in diluted amounts for colic in babies. In addition, most varieties of mint, (except pennyroyal which is poisonous) can be used to soothe headaches, relieve nausea reduce fatigue. The leaves can be chewed for relief, as flavour for hot or cold drinks or used as a garnish at meal times.
- Lemon Balm
A close relative of mint, this herb is used to treat insect bites and cuts, flatulence, as well as herpes symptoms.
This annual plant’s beautiful flowers are only surpassed by its usefulness. Applied topically marigold can be used to treat acne and sunburns. It can also be ingested to sooth digestive problems and ulcers.
- Navajo Tea
Also known as Green Thread or Coyote Plant, the Native Americans brew this tea to relieve symptoms of urinary tract infections.
This fruit, like many other berries, is well-known for its antioxidant properties. The leaves and roots of the plant are also useful in treating diarrhoea and dysentery, and as an anti-inflammatory.
Growing in the wild in several European countries, this plant should only be used in small doses as a treatment for intestinal worms. The leaves also repel insects when rubbed on the skin.
A plant native to both the Caribbean and the Amazon Rainforest, Anamu has been used for centuries to induce abortions, as well as to treat arthritis and diabetes. Scientific research has recently concluded that it is also an effective treatment against many types of cancer. It works by targeting the infected cells, and boosting the sufferer’s immune system which allows the body to fight back. The root of the plant is used to brew a tea, which should not be taken for more than 21 days consecutively, as Anamu is also a natural blood thinner.