With the westernized diet, comes westernized ailments. Heart disease, diabetes, and inflammatory diseases plague the nation like never before. The traditional approach to these ailments is pharmaceuticals.
Prescription drugs have their place when needed in emergency situations. We are thankful for them when such an occasion arises, but should you be taking them everyday for your entire life?
The main concern with the pharmaceutical industry is two-fold. One, they are assigned to keep your body running, but not fix the cause of the ailment; like a big, expensive, detrimental Band-Aid.
Secondly, it is in the pharmaceutical company’s best interest to have sick people, that need their expensive Band-Aid day after day. If the root of the problem were corrected, revenue streams would dry up.
Statista reported:
“The United States alone holds over 45 percent of the global pharmaceutical market. In 2016, this share was valued around 446 billion U.S. dollars. Many of the global top companies are from the United States. In 2016, six out of the top 10 companies were from the United States when based on pure pharmaceutical revenue.”
What if we were to pocket a few of those dollars, and spend a small increment on some homeopathic medicine that would actually give ease to some of the common ailments we face?
Prescription drugs come with several unwanted side-effects, but we take them anyway because we don’t know another way.
Well, here is the ‘other way‘. Let nature be your medicine. There are several plants that can be grown in your home that you can invest in; they will diminish many illnesses and even help curtail disease.
This is not medical advice, only an informative avenue to seek out alternate medicinal approaches.
The medicinal herb plants will be a small investment up front, but nothing compared to the $1000 per person per year spent in the United States on pharmaceuticals, according to a report by PBS.
The five plants discussed below mostly have decorative appeal to them as well; with their colorful petals and pleasant aromas, you will enjoy having them around.
1. The basil plant is easy to maintain in a kitchen window. It needs 6-8 hours of sun a day and the leaves can be picked whenever needed. You can make a tea or eat the leaves right off the plant when an anti-inflammatory is needed.
Off Grid News reported:
“Many naturopathic doctors prescribe basil in treatment of diabetes, respiratory disorders, allergies, impotence, and infertility. This may be because basil contains cinnamanic acid, which has been found to enhance circulation, stabilize blood sugar, and improve breathing in those with respiratory disorders.”
2. Chamomile’s history begins in ancient Egypt where it is first mentioned to treat fevers. It was commonly used by the Romans for a medicinal herb and incense.
Its aroma smells similar to the apple blossom which is how chamomile got its name, meaning ground apple. This dainty flower with small white petals is a great accent for any room.
Lauren Gelman, who wrote the book “Baking Soda, Banana Peels, Baby Oil and Beyond”, wrote for Reader’s Digest reporting:
“Use the flower heads of this medicinal herb for infusions and salves to relieve indigestion and colic, anxiety and tension, and skin inflammations and irritations.”
3. Echinacea is a purple flower with red center that grows naturally in many places in the northern United States and can just as easily grow in a planter or as an addition to your outdoor garden.
You probably first heard of echinacea by your grandmother, who may have gave you a tea when you got a cold.
The history goes much farther than your childhood memories. Wendy Pearson, from Medicinal Herbs and Nutraceuticals Research, reports:
“For hundreds of years, the Plains Indians used it as an antiseptic, an analgesic, and to treat poisonous insect and snakebites, toothaches, sore throat, wounds and communicable diseases such as mumps, smallpox, and measles. It was also used by the Cheyenne, Choctaw, Comanche, Dakota, Meskawaki Fox, Pawnee, Sioux, and Omaha tribes.”
Echinacea works by increasing white blood cells which is why it so effective at treatinginfections. The medicinal properties are in the root stalk of this botanical remedy.
4. Feverfew looks similar to the chamomile flower but has a larger yellow center and a strong bitter aroma. This botanical remedy is part of the daisy family and grows daily in home gardens or windowsill pots.
The National Institute of Health reported:
“Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium L.) (Asteraceae) is a medicinal plant traditionally used for the treatment of fevers, migraine headaches, rheumatoid arthritis, stomach aches, toothaches, insect bites, infertility, and problems with menstruation and labor during childbirth.”
It’s most widely practiced use would be chewing the leaves or making a tea to ease migrainesormenstrual cramps. Although, this wonder herb has many pharmacological benefits.
5. One of the most notable medicinal sensations in recent years is Lavender, probably because of its ability to treat a wide array of ailments.
This pretty, slender purple flower in the mint family has a pleasant floral aroma. This plant grows well indoors, but you need to be mindful not to over water it, to prevent root rot.
Lavender was considered a “Holy Essence” by the Greeks, and King Solomon mentions this flower in the Bible. The potent oil of the flower is most commonly used in medicinal applications.
Lavender Sense reported:
“The oil is used as a disinfectant, an antiseptic, an anti-inflammatory and for aromatherapy. An infusion of Lavender is claimed to soothe and heal insect bites, sunburn and small cuts, burns and inflammatory conditions and even acne. Lavender oils are also used for internal medical conditions, among others indigestion and heartburn.
Lavender oil is said to soothe headaches, migraines and motion sickness when applied to the temples. It is frequently used as an aid to sleep and relaxation.”
Americans use more medicine than anywhere else in the world. We are, also, supposed to be one of the smartest and most innovative countries in the world. There seems to be a disconnect between our minds and bodies.
The Huffington Post reported:
“Numerous surveys over the past 150 plus years have confirmed that people who seek homeopathic treatment tend to be considerably more educated than those who don’t. What is not as well known is the fact that homeopathic medicine is the leading “alternative” treatment used by physicians in Europe”.
People of the United States would fare well to say goodbye to some of their pharmaceutical crutches, and replace them with inexpensive homeopathic medicines that help balance the body back to a natural state; rather than just trying to keep the motor running.
Using these medicinal plants can be a preventative measure to boost immunity before illness strikes. There are many more plants that you can add to your repertoire, but the ones aforementioned treat most common ailments with ease.
Please let us know in the comments if you have tried these herbs successfully or if you have any questions to begin your botanical journey.