Indian Medicinal Herbs

There is a sudden emphasis on the holistic approach to healthcare – newspapers, television and journals are flashed with advertisements about the popularity of the ancient Indian herbs which are extremely effective in dealing with any kind of ailment in the most natural and safest way.

Herbs play a very important role in the modern times when the damaging effects of food processing and over-medication have assumed alarming proportions. Not

only as alternative medicines, herbs, are also used in cosmetics, various food items and most popularly teas. People are slowly starting to believe that herbs have a vast potential for their use as a curative medicine.

What are herbs?
In the language of Botany, a herb can be defined as a plant that does not have a wooden stem and withers and dies after flowering. However, we now use this term commonly for all plants (with woody/non woody stems) which can be used for medicinal or culinary purposes (any part of the plant like leaves, stems, roots, flowers, fruits or seeds).

Uses of Herbs
Using herbs to treat different diseases have in used in the Indian and Chinese traditions for more than thousands of years. You will be surprised to know that most of the medicines that we use today are originally derived from botanicals herbs of yester-years. For example aspirin is derived from the white willow tree; quinine from the bark of the cinchona tree and digitalis from foxglove.

Herbs have been very effective in preventing illnesses; their widespread popularity can also be attributed to the gentle nature of medications that do not have any side effects.

As I have mentioned earlier, herbs are used in many ways. The ultimate objective of their use is that they should interact directly with our body chemistry. Though they are used in food, cosmetics, drugs or even fragrances, it must be remembered that that their key ingredients must be absorbed in our body for showing the benefits. Once these herbs enter the blood stream, they distribute themselves and influence the whole body system. In this article I will discuss about a few Indian herbs that are very effective for medicinal purposes.

Medicinal herbs
Atharva Veda has mentioned various herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes. Some of these are very common and used in everyday lives:

Neem – this herb is very powerful for handling all sorts of skin related issues like scabies, eczema, warts, psoriasis and dandruff. Neem contains Nimbidol and Gedunin that have very good fungicidal properties.

Basil – more commonly known as Tulsi, basil is considered to be one of the purest and most sublime plants. It is also used for dealing with skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. For cough or cold or any inflammation of the throat, tea made with basil leaves can be used for instant relief.

Turmeric – turmeric or haldi is a common and popular medication for treating any kind of injuries and infections.

Sandalwood – also called chandan, this plant has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of a sandalwood tree is very smooth and can be made into a fine paste. Sandalwood paste can be applied on any parts of the body to give a smooth, unblemished and lustrous look. Its unique fragrance is also used in various oils and soaps

Ancient Indian health secrets

Yoga: Yoga is believed to be born in India more than 26, 000 years ago during the Golden Period, more commonly known as the ‘Sat Yug” and means “union” in Sanskrit. Sat Yug was well known for a time of eternal peace and abundant blessings amongst the people who could afford all the time to seek the truth and search within. Nonetheless, historians have argued that Yoga is only 5000 years old – the Indus Valley Civilization is responsible in opening up the various channels of the knowledge and origin of Yoga. The term can be more precisely termed as ‘asana’ (again in Sanskrit) that denotes the practice of physical postures. However, asana forms only one of the parts of the whole yoga that focuses on the physical aspect; the others concentrate more on the mental and spiritual well being of an individual. Nevertheless, in the present world the terms asana and yoga can be used synonymously.

Yoga can be practiced by anyone and everyone. Unlike the aerobics or the other forms of physical activities that are aimed at the young and flexible, this form is meant for older ages like 70 to 80 years. Besides, according to the needs it can be customized, so that you can avail the best benefits.

Yoga has the remarkable ability to cure almost all types of ailments and shows huge amount of health improvements. In fact, medical science is validating all that was known and done by the yogis for thousands of years. So, various yoga therapies are now being incorporated in the field of medicine. There are definitely a lot of practical reasons for encouraging such steps. Even medical insurance companies are honoring yoga as legitimate and authentic healing practices. You will also be surprised to know that this ‘wonder form’ is also much less expensive and more effective method of treatment. Diseases like asthma, arthritis, heart problems and carpal tunnel syndrome have all shown considerable improvement after the patients practiced specific yoga techniques.

Indian Medicinal Herbs: There is a sudden emphasis on the holistic approach to healthcare – newspapers, television and journals are flashed with advertisements about the popularity of the ancient Indian herbs which are extremely effective in dealing with any kind of ailment in the most natural and safest way.

Herbs play a very important role in the modern times when the damaging effects of food processing and over-medication have assumed alarming proportions. Not only as alternative medicines, herbs, are also used in cosmetics, various food items and most popularly teas. People are slowly starting to believe that herbs have a vast potential for their use as a curative medicine.

Medicinal herbs
Atharva Veda has mentioned various herbs that can be used for medicinal purposes.

Some of these are very common and used in everyday lives
Neem – this herb is very powerful for handling all sorts of skin related issues like scabies, eczema, warts, psoriasis and dandruff. Neem contains Nimbidol and Gedunin that have very good fungicidal properties.

Basil – more commonly known as Tulsi, basil is considered to be one of the purest and most sublime plants. It is also used for dealing with skin disorders as it is a blood purifier and kills bacteria. For cough or cold or any inflammation of the throat, tea made with basil leaves can be used for instant relief.

Turmeric – turmeric or haldi is a common and popular medication for treating any kind of injuries and infections.

Sandalwood – also called chandan, this plant has an extraordinary fragrance. The bark of a sandalwood tree is very smooth and can be made into a fine paste. Sandalwood paste can be applied on any parts of the body to give a smooth, unblemished and lustrous look. Its unique fragrance is also used in various oils and soaps.

Chyawanprash: Chyawanprash (also called chyavanaprasha or chyavanaprash, and chyawanaprash) is an ancient Indian health tonic that has multiple benefits which includes energy enhancing, rejuvenating and immunity boosting. It is used all across the world today especially in India. Chyawanprash can be used by all irrespective of any age group. It brings about a harmonious synergy in the body that leads to a better metabolism.

Herbs That Lower Blood Pressure

It is really amazing to know that Mother Nature is always ready to provide your life with health care and essentials for survival. This provision includes lowering your blood pressure. Surprisingly, there are lots of traditionally used herbs that lower blood pressure. Most of them are made into supplements, and are also used to treat other conditions.

Herbs are beneficial in lessening chest pains, improving circulation especially for those with irregular mens, and treating cardiovascular diseases. That’s why you should get to know which herbs can lower your blood pressure, so that when you go shopping for natural blood pressure reducing supplements and alternative medicine, you would know basic information on what to find ingredients that are useful in reducing blood pressure.
Arjuna Bark (Terminalia Arjuna)

This is a deciduous tree found all over India. Ayurvedic medicine has used its bark for over three centuries. A number of studies have shown its effects on different cardiac disorders like coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertension. There had been no undesirable side effects or signs of hepatic, renal, or hematological abnormalities.
Black Cumin Seeds (Nigella Sativa)

Cumin seeds have been used in folk medicine for a long time, as a hypotensive remedy and diuretic. Research shows that Nigella sativa seed’s oil can be a powerful acting antihypertensive agent.
Forskolin (Coleus Forskohlii)

This has also been used in Ayurvedic medicine for a long time. Forskolin is known to show antispasmodic and hypotensive effect. It helps relax your arterial vascular smooth muscle, resulting to lower blood pressure.

Garlic

Raw garlic has important cardiovascular effects, like lowered blood pressure. Studies show that it can decrease your systolic pressure by 20-30 mmHg and your diastolic pressure reading from 10-20 mmHg.
Hawthorn (Crataegus Oxycantha Monogyna)

It is believed that Hawthorn can dilate your coronary blood vessels. It has been traditionally used for treatment of cardiovascular disorders in various cultures, and has been noted to show mild lowering of blood pressure effect, which sometimes takes up to four weeks for optimal results.
European Mistletoe (Viscum album)

Mistletoe has hypotensive and anti-cancer properties. It is known to possess cardiotonic, hypotensive, antispasmodic, vasodilatory, thymus stimulating, and tumor-inhibiting activity. However, mistletoe’s pharmacological effects have been successfully exposed in animal studies.
Olive Leaf (Olea Africana and Olea Europea)

This extract is taken from the leaves of the olive tree. It contains a very complex makeup of substances that act as vasodilators, which lowers blood pressure. This herb’s action has been studied for more or less two decades. Studies show that it can give significant decrease in blood pressure, without side effects.
Indian Snakeroot (Rauwolfia Serpentina)

This is an ancient Hindu remedy. This herb is the innate source of Reserpine, which is one of the pioneers of commercial blood pressure medication. Its healing wonder is due to its control of nerve impulses throughout pathways that control your blood vessels and heart. However, it has many adverse effects such as concentration problems and drowsiness. It should be avoided if you have stomach ulcers, depression, or ulcerative colitis.
Yarrow (Achillea Wilhelmsii)

This herb was found to contain substances that are effective in lowering lipids and blood pressure. A significant decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure after 2 months treatment using yarrow extract drops, were shown in research.

The use of herbal remedies is one way to attack hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions. However, it would be best to seek the advice of a cardiologist first before using alternative remedies. It would be better if you read more on your condition; Cardiologychannel is one helpful site that provides more information on cardiovascular problems.