Organic Herbal Remedies

Three thousand years before the birth of Christ, the Chinese were establishing the foundation for the practice of herbal medicine as we know it today.

In the beginning all herbs were simply referred to as ‘divine herbs’ by the shamans who used them along with incantation and ashes to ‘heal’ people. There were no ‘doctors’ as we know them today and certainly no corner drug stores.

 The entire socio-economic structure 5000 years ago was built on agriculture. Agriculture itself is where so much of the knowledge of herbs and herbal remedies originated. People used what was available to heal their ailments and their observations of the world around them led to the essential knowledge of what plants and/or animals, animal products and insects had healing properties.

As farmers weeded their fields they learned that the weeds they eradicated provided fertilizer for their crops and that some of those same weeds had healing properties that could cure them of disease and ease their pain.

Shen Nong may or may not have been a real person...some believe that the stories are only legends...others believe that he was a real person. He is referred to in Chinese history as ‘The Divine Husband’ and reportedly poisoned himself with seventy poisons in one day and then used hundreds of herbs to cure himself.

Since research was not government regulated 5000 years ago, much of todays herbal knowledge is the product of simple trial and error testing...most of it done on human beings who had no where else to turn.

Modern day scientists are just now getting around to testing the healing properties of herbs and they are being very pleasantly surprised by their research. They are finding out that what Chinese herbalists have known for centuries about the healing properties of herbs are in fact scientifically verifiable.

The old saying is, ‘Go West young man” but if you are looking for a cure for many human diseases and whether you are a ‘young man’ or an ‘old woman’, you might be better off going East.
 
During the 5000 years that herbal medicine has been practiced in China, they have learned more than just a few things. Medical certified doctors in China often include herbal medicine in their bag of cures. Even though they have been well versed in Western medicine and are licensed to practice it, they will still use age old herbal remedies when caring for their patients. There is a very good reason that they do this. They do it because it works. Sometimes Western medicine is better...sometimes it just isn’t.
 
There are, of course, many differences between the practice of Western medicine and the practice of Chinese Herbal medicine. The one that is most impressive is that Western medicine looks at the disease while Chinese herbal medicine looks at the patient who has the disease.
 
There are many similarities between the practice of Chinese herbal medicine and Western medicine, as well. Western medical practitioners supply ‘prescriptions’ for drugs that are intended for cure or to alleviate symptoms of their patients. Herbal medicine practitioners prescribe drugs in the form of herbs that are intended to do the same thing. The main difference here is that the prescriptions given to patients by Western doctors must be filled using drugs that are regulated by the government while herbs prescribed Herbal doctors can be purchased at almost any health food store.
 
Different herbs are used for different ailments. Just any old herb isn’t going to help much if it isn’t the right one for the problem. There are herbs that are:
 
Diuretics: These are herbs that increase the body’s output of urine. Some herbs that are used for this purpose are Blue Flag, Couchgrass, and Jewel Weed.
 
Astringents: There are herbs that stop bleeding. Some astringent herbs are Bistort, Acorn, Balm and Willow bark.
 
Alkalizing: These are herbs that raise the ph level. Some alkalizing herbs are Dandelion and Kelp.
 
Tonics: These are herbs that are supposed to give strength. Some tonic herbs are Barberry, Snakeroot, Tansy and Chamomile.
 
Nervine: These are herbs that either calm or excite the nerves. Some nervine herbs are Black Willow Bark, Black Currant, Kelp, Chamomile, and Rosemary.
 
Diaphoretic: These are herbs that promote sweat. Some diaphoretic herbs are Dandelion, Fig, and Olive.
 
Laxative: These are herbs that are meant to loosen the bowls. Some laxative herbs are Agar, Fit, Pitcher Plant, and Benne.
When you stop to consider the use of herbs as healing agents, the idea seems to be perfectly natural. Back in the beginning of time, there were no doctor’s offices to visit when one became ill. Herbs were what were available and so that is what people used. Over the centuries much knowledge and wisdom have been passed along. What didn’t work was left behind, what did work moved forward....centuries of trial and error, so to speak.
 
Many of today’s miracle drugs are only synthetic versions of herbal remedies that have been known and used for centuries. It makes one wonder why Western medicine is so resistant to the use of herbs as healing agents. Western medicine refers to the use of herbs as “alternative medicine’ but it could be that Western medicine is the alternative.
 
For years and years Western medicine said that there was just simply no cure for the common cold but herbalists have been treating the common cold for centuries with herbs that Western medicine has only recently discovered can help patients recover much more quickly.
 
There is even a rumor that there is an herbal cure for diabetes that Western medicine would rather that we didn’t know about because the treatment of diabetes is such a lucrative business. This is, of course, only a rumor but one that those with diabetes might want to try to verify for themselves.

This Hub page in no way is meant to even imply that Western medicine should be abandoned. Western medicine has made great strides in medical treatments for many diseases. Many of the ‘miracle’ drugs that we have today, however, are taken from the centuries old practice of herbal medicine.
 
Western medicine does seem to be slowly acknowledging the effectiveness of herbs as medicine. Many Western doctors now go to China to study the use of herbs and some are applying that education to their practices although the AMA does tend to frown upon it.

Herbal teas have become very popular in America today. An entire industry has grown up around the production of the more popular herbal teas and these teas can be purchased in single serving bags or in bulk by the pound at many places both in the brick and mortar world and on the Internet.

In addition to herbal tea sources, you can find many very good recipes for herbal teas on the Internet and in current issues of books and magazines.

The Chinese recognized the value of all tea centuries ago and even developed an elaborate ceremonial ritual for serving it.

Have you ever heard the old saying, “I wouldn’t do that for all the tea in China”? It’s a very broad statement....there is a lot of tea in China and now there is a lot of tea all over the world.

Tea is served hot and tea is served cold. Tea is served at social gatherings and at kitchen tables all over the world. Herbal tea has taken its place in the world’s love affair with tea.

Centuries ago Chinese herbal medicine practitioners used the leaves and/or roots of medicinal herbs to brew tea as a method of delivering the healing properties contained in those leaves and roots to their patients.

It has long been thought that the fact of boiling the water (and thus purifying it) had a great deal to do with the healing powers that people thought ancient shamans possessed. Tea is always brewed by boiling the water used to make it.

Many of these brews were so bitter and tasted so vile that people refused to drink them so the ancient shamans learned to add appeal to their teas by adding honey (honey is called the nectar of the Gods and the perfect food) or other herbs that were aromatic and tasted better.

The Legend of Tea

Legend has it that this is the way that tea came into existence:
In ancient China about 5000 years ago, the emperor, Shen Nung, ordered that all water must be boiled before it was used. Shen Nung was said to have been a wise ruler and an accomplished scientist.

One summer day, Shen Nung was out in the country side very distant from his palace and he and his court stopped to rest. According to Shen Nung’s orders, a servant began boiling water for the group to drink when some dried leaves from a nearby bush fell into it. The water immediately turned dark. Because the emperor was a scientist, he was interested in the liquid and decided to taste it. He found it to taste good and be very refreshing and that, according to legend, is the way that tea was born.

Tea Goes Around the World

Tea and tea making spread from China first to Japan when a Buddhist priest, Yeisei brought tea leaves with him when he returned to Japan. Yeisei is known as ‘The Father of Tea’ in Japan.

The Portuguese Jesuit Father Jasper de Cruz was the first to write about tea in 1560. At that time Portugal had advanced technology for their navy and they were first to establish trade with China and Japan.

From Portugal tea found its way into the rest of Europe. First the Dutch Navy embraced tea and from their it went to England. In today’s dollars, tea cost about $100 per pound so it was a drink reserved for the very wealthy. As supplies increased the price fell and soon tea became available to the common people....and they loved it.

Tea was a very popular drink in France briefly. The French at first embraced the idea of tea but they soon found they had more of a fondness for wine, strong coffee and chocolate.
In 1650, Peter Stuyvesant brought the first tea to the colonists in America at the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam (later re-named New York by the English).

Herbal Teas Today

Herbal tea today can be bought at most large grocery stores in America. Large international companies like Lipton now sell herbal teas. It can be bought in specialty shops and on the Internet, as well.

Brewing tea always begins with boiling water. The herbs are boiled and then steeped in the water in a closed container. The herbs are then strained out of the liquid and the tea is served hot or cold.

Some of the better known and more widely used herbal teas are:

Burdock Cleanses the blood Stimulates the liver Helps to regulate blood sugar Anti-inflammatory Antioxidant properties

Cardomom Eases stomach cramps Stimulates digestion Reduces gas and flatulence Chewing the seeds can freshen breath

Chamomile Soothes the stomach Calms the nerves Induces sleep Eases cold symptoms

Cinnamon Improves circulation Eases cold symptoms Relieves stomach upsets Reduces menstrual cramps Regulates blood sugar and insulin

Damiana Improves circulation Eases cold symptoms Relieves stomach upsets Reduces menstrual cramps Regulates blood sugar and insulin Eases depression and anxiety Diuretic and laxative Stimulant Menstrual aid Reputed aphrodisiac qualities

Dandelion Effective diuretic Stimulates and cleanses the liver Expectorant May reduce the incidence of gallstones

Fennel Improves appetite Stimulates digestion Eliminates flatulence Relieves stomach cramps Soothes throat, and coughs

Ginger Improves circulation Relieves cold and flu symptoms Eases stomach cramps and nausea Reduces menstrual cramps Regulates blood sugar

Hawthorn Lowers cholesterol Balanced blood pressure Strengthens circulation Improves overall heart health Anti-oxidant

Kava kava Muscle relaxant Promotes sleep Eases anxiety Diuretic Improves urinary tract health

Lemon Balm Lifts the spirits Relieves stomach disorders Relaxes the nerves

Licorice Relieves coughs and sore throats Improves digestion Eases menstrual cramps Increases libido Reduces seasonal allergies and congestion

Mint Eases many stomach and digestive problems Helps relieve headaches Relaxing

Motherwort Relieves symptoms of PMS Good for uterus after childbirth Reduces anxiety

Nettle Cleanses the blood High in vitamins A and C Improves liver and kidney functions Eases coughs and other respiratory problems Relieves diarrhea and constipation

Raspberry Eases diarrhea High in several vitamins and minerals Menstrual pain aid Antioxidant

Rosehips High in vitamin C Antioxidant Prevents bladder infections Eases headaches

Rosemary Improves circulation Stimulates the liver Eases joint pain and headache pain Relieves cold symptoms

Sage Calms the nerves Improves digestion Eases lung congestion and coughs

Skullcap Soothes the nerves Reduces anxiety Eases PMS mood symptoms

St. John's Wort Relieves anxiety and irritability Lifts the spirits and improves mood Relaxant

Strawberry Relieves diarrhea Soothes the stomach Helps ease arthritis and rheumatism

Thyme Improves immune system Promotes perspiration Eases sore throat and cough Antiseptic

Valerian Relaxant Promotes sleep Eases the nerves Relieves stomach cramps

Yarrow Reduces cold symptoms and chest congestion Improves digestion and appetite

The health benefits of herbs served in tea is a much more pleasant way of imbibing them than by swallowing large capsules. Tea is increasingly becoming the method of choice for people around to world to gain the benefits that herbs can give them.