For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in various ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive categories; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we shall discuss each of these categories in order focusing upon medical uses and essential oils.
Throughout history there have been numerous other uses of herbs which we will not be discussing here and these include them being used instead of cash, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to overpower sickening smells. Herbs come from many parts of the world and each race often had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.
Herbs And Religion
Herbs are still used in a multitude of across the world. Most Christians will recognize myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is grown by many and worshipped as a Goddess. In Wiccan beliefs herbs are utilized widely in spells, rituals as well as for healing.
Culinary Uses of Herbs
The leaves of various plants are used in the kitchen however there is a difference between leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and a herb, such as oregano, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.
Herbs And Medicine
As well as being intense in flavor herbs can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being examined by accademics.
Essential Oils
An essential oil is the concentrate extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are commonly created by the method called distillation but some need a different method of extraction such as such as solvent extraction or expression.
Essential oils have a number of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However the majority of folk know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use approximately three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching legs. When my limbs are very painful I gently rub it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.
Herbs should be handled with with safety in mind as some can be extremely poisonous to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are about to have a child as something that seems safe can be surprisingly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should not be used in its raw state. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage I would avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are 100% certain they are safe.
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