Natural Therapies - Part two

Planting a garden for growing herbs is easy and attractive. Including in this garden herbs for health makes it all the more productive, as we are all aware of the ancient wisdom of using herbs to cure everyday disorders. I have here a few ideas for inclusion in a "health garden", as well as a brief description of each plant and it's purpose. It really must be said though, to use some caution. If you are making your own cures for ills, be sure to pick the correct plant and wash it well before use. If in any doubt about the remedy, consult a good herbal encyclopedia or ask a local herbalist for advice. Herbs contain powerful substances and should be treated with respect, as many can have contraindications and need to be used with caution.

That said, with the right care and know-how, there is no reason why you cannot have the basics right in your backyard. There are of course many more herbs for medicinal purposes than I have listed here, but this list is easy to grow and easy to harvest and use. They are all pretty easy on the eye too, and a flourishing herb garden is indeed a beautiful sight. Here's a few of the more commonly grown herbs:

BAY: Best known for it's culinary uses, the stimulating effect of bay can be helpful for a weak digestion, and the oil is antiseptic. Externally it is used as a rub for sprains and bruising.

CHAMOMILE: This wonderous plant contains muscle relaxants that calm the stomach, soothe sore eyes and are effective in menstrual disorders. Chamomile also relieves sciatica and arthritis and can be administered for headaches, migraine and neuralgia.

DANDELION: This is a powerful diuretic and dandelion tea is excellent for cellulite, water retention and urinary infections. It detoxifies the system and is beneficial in liver problems and gall bladder infections. YOu can eat the young leaves in salad and their diuretic action, which eliminates uric acid from the body, is helpful in arthritis. For warts, apply the milky sap from the stem over a few weeks.

LAVENDER: The famous fragrance oflavender is loved for it's own sake, but the aromatic oil has powerful remedial values too. It is strongly sedative so a few drops in a night time bath will facilitate restful sleep. Lavender oil is anti-depressant and can be used to lessen emotional tension. Rub lavender oil onto the temples and neck for headache, or drink lavender tea made from the flowers. Used in massage oil, lavender eases muscular aches and strains.

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