|
The
Featured Herb Table at Culm
Valley Integrated Centre for Health
In the
entrance to the Culm Valley Centre for
Integrated Health
is an area for SustainCare to introduce different herbs
for home use. Alongside the plants there are take-away postcards which explain the how the plant can be used to look
after ourselves.
For each plant we feature, there will be an information sheet
which can be read at the practice or printed off at home.
Have a squeeze and a sniff as you are
passing! Alongside the plant we have postcards for you to
take away with an explanation of how the plant can be used
to look after yourself. You could just grab a postcard and
stick in on your board or fridge.
There will be postcards
for every herb we feature so if you collect a postcard each
time you are passing, it won't be long until you have a
useful little information pack on herbs.
Coming
soon - Juniper
August & September
- Sage (Salvia officinalis L.)
From the Latin,
“to be saved,” sage was a sacred remedy with complex traditions
of use throughout history, particularly associated with women.
It has been used in modern times for problems of MENOPAUSE,
particularly HOT FLUSHES and NIGHT SWEATS. Recent research has
supported claims that sage can improve MENTAL FUNCTION and
MEMORY. The tea is a popular gargle and mouthwash for SORE
THROATS and GUM DISEASE. It may also settle an UPSET STOMACH.
The aroma of sage is due to an essential oil that is rich in
thujone. Thujone may account for the effects on mental function.
However as it is also a known risk in pregnancy and breast
feeding, in these times sage should be used only in cooking.
To make a tea for throat and mouth, steep a dessertspoonful of
dried sage in a cup of boiling water (or use a cupful of fresh
leaves). Leave for 5-10 minutes and then sip slowly, gargling
the affected area. It is not necessary to swallow the tea for
this purpose although it may settle the digestion if you do. Do
not swallow if pregnant or breastfeeding. For any other purposes
use half the above dose daily; it may however be more convenient
to take sage regularly as a tablet or capsule.
August & September
- Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.)
"For remembrance" Shakespeare wrote,
and this well-known kitchen herb is showing promise of ginkgo-like properties, stimulating mental functions and blood supply.
A camphor-like constituent of the aromatic essential oil, borneol, is a known stimulant to digestion, circulation and the
nerves.
In parts of Europe and Russia
rosemary is
a heart and circulatory tonic. It is also used widely to relieve
MIGRAINE and other HEADACHES, particularly when these are
associated with liver strain (such as after OVER-CONSUMPTION of
rich food or alcohol). Even inhaling the aroma will have a mild
PICK-ME-UP effect.
Make a tea of the fresh or
dried leaves as a stimulating pick-me-up and for headaches and
"liverish" symptoms. For best results use a dessertspoonful of
fresh leaves per cup, or a heaped teaspoonful of dried and steep
for a good 10 minutes. It has a good safety record through is is
a strong taste and may over stimulate some.
July
-
Lemon balm
(Melissa officinalis L.)
This
easily grown garden and pot plant is traditionally used for
ANXIETY and LOW SPIRITS, including declining mental function in
old age, and for NERVOUS INDIGESTION. Spirits of balm or
Melissengeist is still a hugely popular traditional German
remedy for nervous headache and nerve pain.
Clinical research has provided good evidence that lemon balm can
improve mental functions and reduce agitation in DEMENTIA and
ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE. Laboratory research has shown sedative and
antiviral activity. A distilled oil has been proved to be
effective as an external treatment of COLD SORES (Herpes
simplex).
To
use lemon balm make a tea of the fresh or dried leaves for mild
tension and upset stomach. For best results fill up to half the
cup with fresh leaves, or a heaped dessertspoonful of dried, and
steep for a good 10 minutes. It has an excellent safety record,
even for children.
June & July - Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia L.)
This species is widely used as a home remedy for
HEADACHE, SLEEP PROBLEMS, AGITATION and MUSCLE SPASM.
Clinical trials have shown that essential oil of
lavender can reduce agitation in DEMENTIA as well as earache (OTITIS
MEDIA) in children. Lavender is known to affect nervous system
activity in a way that may benefit MOOD, INSOMNIA and ANXIETY.
Linalool is the main active constituent. The pleasantness of the
aroma also has a direct benefit on mood. Laboratory research has
demonstrated anxiety-reducing, antibacterial, wound healing,
anti-clotting and anti-inflammatory activity.
Lavender oil is used
externally or as an inhalation and should not be swallowed. For
headaches or muscle pain a little can be rubbed on the skin; it
can be sprayed on a tissue or pillow and inhaled, or added to a
bath. A stuffed pillow of flowers is also worth trying at night
time. Lavender is generally safe for external use. Contact
allergy has been reported but is rare.
|
