I wanted to have a page dedicated to Medicinal Herbs and info to help you, so here it is.
Plants are nature’s natural medicine.
A herb to most is a green plant to flavour your food, but a herb is actually any plant, which has a therapeutic effect on the body, either internally or externally.
I have include some basic info about some common ‘herbs’ below and I will be adding to regularly.
If there are any herbs you would like me to discuss, just reach out to me and I’ll happily share more info for you.
Herbal Medicine should be avoided:
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding,
- Due to have surgery or have had recently.
** Also don’t forget to check for possible drug interactions (see below and ask me for more info) **
All the plants and herbs, I will be talking about can be easily grown yourself, or sourced locally-head out for a wander and see what you can find.
I found 17 diff herbs in my garden the other day, I knew I had some but didn’t know there was that many.
Foraging is a great way or finding herbs out in the wild and generally these will be organic.
Avoid picking any herbs from the road side (pollution) and where dogs walk (probably peed on) and always wash thoroughly when you get home before using. I like to rinse my herbs in apple cider vinegar and water and allow to soak in the sink for a bit, will clean them and help them remain fresh as as long as possible.
As always, any questions I am always here and happy to help, drop me an email: jem@flawsomejem.com , let’s get you started on your own healthy journey.
Drug Interactions:
Herbs may interact with your medication, it could cause your prescribed medication to work faster or slower, or not at all, so it’s best to check of any known precautions to avoid.
- If you are using laxative, diuretic or diaphoretics- then you should avoid,
- Does your medication contain caffeine? If so then you should avoid using herbs,
- If your medication contains Cytochrome P450 isoenzymes-under no circumstances, do not use herbs.
- Hormonal Contraceptives, Benzodiazepines, Cyclosporin, warfarin, Proton Pump Inhibitors, Voriconazole, Tricyclic Antidepressants, Statins, Opioids, Calcium Channel Blockers, Antiepileptic drugs-if any of these are listed check with me which herbs you can use.
Mint:
Mint is one of my favourite herbs and is so versatile. I love the smell too. Check out the benefits below too.
Ways you can use Mint:
- To ease IBS and other spasmodic conditions of the gut,
- Eases Stomach Pain and Bloating-indigestion, heartburn, flatulence and constipation,
- Can help ease nausea and vomiting,
- Helps soothe, protect and encourage repair of the digestive system,
- Great for digestive issues related to tension, stress or anxiety,
- colds, flu, other viral infections,
- Manage fevers, alleviate congestion,
- Can help Headaches,
- Can help improve Focus and Brain Fog.
** BABIES & YOUNG CHILDREN SHOULD AVOID. CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR BEFORE USING DURING PREGNANCY. **
How to take:
- Take 1 teaspoon of dried herb per cup of boiled water to make an infusion/tea.
- Drink up to 3 times a day.
Thyme:
Thyme is another fab herb that can be easily found, or even grown yourself.
Thyme Can be Used:
- As an expectorant for a dry cough,
- Ease Nasal Congestion and Catarrh,
- For Lower and Upper Respiratory Infections (Chest Infections) -as it anti microbial are potent,
- Easing Spasms in IBS and those associated with diarrhoea,
- For Painful Periods,
- Can help Create Focus and Clear Brain Fog,
- As an antiseptic and disinfectant.
** IF USED IN PREGNANCY- USE IN VERY SMALL DOSES. **
How to Use:
- 1 – 2 teaspoons of dried herb in a cup of boiled water,
- Can be taken up to 3 times a day.
Rosemary:
I love the smell of Rosemary too and it’s such a fab herb, check out why you should be using it below.
Rosemary is good for:
- Helping to Increase Concentration,
- Ease Brain Fog,
- Lift Your Mood,
- Can help with Headaches & Migraines,
- Can also help with inflammation, tension and pain with joint and mobility problems,
- Can help with to improve your blood circulation,
- Clearing mucus from Respiratory System,
- Ease spasms in the Digestive System,
- Help Calm Nervous tension,
- Supports the Immune System
** DO NOT USE IN PREGNANCY. **
How to Use:
- 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb to a cup of boiled water,
- Enjoy up to 3 times a day.
Nettle:
You may be surprised to see Nettles here, but they are in fact one incredible herb, that is every where, free to all and is amazing! Check out why you need Nettles in your life.
Nettles Are:
- A natural antihistamine,
- A Natural Astringent,
- A Natural Anti Inflammatory,
- Great for chronic skin conditions,
- Great for arthritis and rheumatism,
- Can help improve the flow of urine and reduce pain in urinal problems, particularly men.
** CAUTION- CHECK FOR CONTRINDICTED ANTOCOAGULANTS. **
When foraging for Dandelions, avoid ones from road sides or where dog walkers pass and always wash thoroughly before using.
How to use:
- As a tincture, tea or topical application.
- 2-3 teaspoons of dried nettle leaf, infused in a cup of boiled water,
- Drunk as a ‘tea’ or topically applied to skin, up to 3 times a day.
- If using in tincture form 3-5ml a day is recommended dose.
Dandelions:
Dandelions are another surprise, I’m sure.
The petals are great as an infusion, the leaves are highly nutritious and I love to add them to my green smoothies for all those vitamins and minerals and the roots are also highly medicinal and are great as a detox or for cleansing and purifying the liver. Who knew this ‘weed’ was so powerful?!
When foraging for Dandelions, avoid ones from road sides or where dog walkers pass and always wash thoroughly before using.
** DO NOT USE IN CASES OF OBSTRUCTED GALLBLADDER OR BILE DUCTS. **
Dandelions are great:
- As a gentle laxative,
- An Anti Inflammatory,
- Anti Rheumatic- so great for those who suffer with rheumatoid arthritis,
- Primes the digestive system,
- Can help with nausea and vomiting, caused by pregnancy,
- Can aid fat digestion,
- Helps the Liver-therefore supports elimination & detoxification,
- Can help Balance Hormones after Pregnancy,
- Can be used an a topical tonic on acne and boils.
How to Use:
- Can be used Topically or leaves can be eaten, petals and roots can be infused to drink or apply topically.
- 2-3 teaspoons of dried root or petals per cup of boiled water.
- Up to 3 times a day.
Ginger:
Ginger is a well known, super herb, that I’m sure most people have tried in some form or other. Ginger as we know it comes from the root, whether in fresh form (like pic) or in dried powdered form which is the root dried and then ground down into a powder. Both forms are great, but in my opinion, fresh is always best.
What can Ginger do?
- It’s a warming aromatic digestive,
- Calms the Digestive System,
- Eases stomach pains and griping,
- Can ease wind and bloating,
- Can help with nausea,
- Promotes and encourages a normal appetite,
- Encourages and Promotes normal digestion,
- Can be used for Morning Sickness,
- Also great for those who suffer with circulation problems,
- Warming aromatic to use during Coughs and Colds,
- Helps the body bring up mucus,
- Very good for fever,
- It’s anti microbial so can help lots of infections,
- Also a natural Ant Inflammatory across the body, including the joints,
- Can help with Menstruation Pain.
** CAUTION – CONTRAINDICATED ALONGSIDE ANTI COAGULANTS, AVOID WHEN THERE IS ULCERATION OF THE DIGESTIVE TRACT AND IF GALLSTONES ARE PRESENT. SOME GINGER CAN BE VERY STIMULATING SO MAY REQUIRE A LOWER DOSE. **
How to Use:
- 1-2 teaspoons of fresh ginger / 1 teaspoon dried ginger to a cup of boiled water,
- Taken up to 3 times a day.
Lemon Balm / Melissa:
Lemon Balm, also known as Melissa is great for soothing tension and helping calm anxiety, but there are many other reasons to use, as you will see below.
Lemon Balm is fab for:
- A soothing but uplifting nervine, so can help calm anxiety and tension,
- Help Lift a Dark Mood,
- Can be used for helping Palpatations,
- To aid Sleep,
- Address Pain of the Nervous System,
- For Aiding Digestive Problems caused by stress, tension or anxiety,
- Can soothe spasm and discomfort in the digestive system,
- Highly Anti Viral,
- Can ease Period Pains and help regulate your cycle,
- Can be used for Hyperthyroidism (with Herbalists and Doctors instruction, and not whilst on prescription medication.)
** CAUTION – DO NOT TAKE WITH THYROID MEDICATIONS. **
How to Use:
- 2-3 teaspoons of dried herb per cup of boiling water,
- Up to 3 times a day.
