What is a Botanical?

January 6, 2009

What is a botanical? The study of plants is called botany, so a botanical is a plant, or part thereof, that is valued for its medicinal or therapeutic properties. Some people groups have used these botanical – or herbal – supplements for thousands of years to alleviate some conditions. However, even though they are gaining in popularity, many professional health carers in the western world still doubt their usefulness. (more…)

Garlic

November 10, 2008

Garlic can rightly be called the king of the herbs. Although we think of it in terms of food and seasoning, garlic has long been prized for its numerous healing properties. For at least 5,000 years, garlic has stood as the king of healing herbs. It has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of further heart attacks in cardiac patients, and stimulate the immune system as a powerful antibiotic. The strong odor that garlic is famous for is due to its sulfur-containing compounds that are also responsible for most of its medicinal properties. So, when it comes to garlic, its strong smell and taste is also what gives it such healing properties. It has been shown that ‘deodorized’ varieties of garlic have less healing properties than the conventional, smelly varieties. (more…)

Feverfew

November 9, 2008

Feverfew has always been seen as a medicinal herb. Its very name implies that it is a cure for fevers, and folk healers employed it for this. Feverfew has been evaluated scientifically, and, though it does not reduce fevers, it was found to be an antispasmodic agent. It prevents the spasms in small blood vessels that are known to be an immediate cause of migraines. The chief active ingredient has been isolated, and might, someday, lead to a pure extract. Additional clinical studies have found that feverfew can stop vomiting and relieve nausea, while improving digestion. Other studies have reported: (more…)