7 Top Medicinal Plants

Mother nature's herbs are the culinary and medicinal plants used around the world by humans since the beginning of time. They are the low-growing aromatic plants used as fresh or dried seasoning, for their medicinal and healthful properties, and in perfumes. There are a wide range of herbs that fit this description.

Here Are 7 Of The Best:

1) Garlic

Garlic is a natural antifungal antibiotic herb used to disinfect wounds, treat ear infections, typhus and cholera, among other things and as an antioxidant agent. It is believed by many to be beneficial for risk factors for heart disease, blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and cancer.

Excess consumption of garlic, however, can cause upset stomach, flatulence, bloating, bad breath, body odor, skin irritation, occupational asthma and postoperative bleeding. People with bleeding disorders should not use garlic.

2) Parsley

There is a saying, "If parsley is thrown into fishponds, it will heal the sick fishes therein." Parsley is one of the best known and most nutritious of the herbs. It contains substantial quantities of A, B, and C vitamins, and calcium, iron, phosphorous, potassium and magnesium minerals. Its diuretic quality is very useful for water retention, kidney and urinary problems.

3) Oregano Oil

Oregano has healing, antioxidant and anti-microbial properties and is powerful as a painkiller. It is used to treat a broad range of maladies including a mildly upset stomach, earaches, toothaches, insect bites, bronchitis, nervous tension, rheumatism, and even athlete's foot. It's also useful in relieving bloating, swollen glands, urinary tract problems, rheumatoid arthritis, a lack of perspiration and gas.

4) Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is one of the nature's most powerful anti-oxidants that play a valuable role in preventing both cancer and heart disease by helping to prevent vascular blood clotting and reducing cholesterol levels. It also possesses anti-microbial properties that support immune-system health and protects against respiratory and digestive infections. The excess of green tea extract may cause dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, heart palpitation, headaches, a loss of appetite, and insomnia.

5) Super Kelp

Super kelp, also known as sea kelp and sea wrack, is a sea herb. It is one of the best sources of natural iodine and trace elements. It cleanses the kidneys and stimulates the thyroid and pituitary glands to produce growth hormones. It is also used as the principle agent in cures for obesity.

6) Milk Thistle

Milk thistle has active substances that help maintain a healthy liver function by cleansing the liver from damage caused by alcohol, toxins and viruses.

It is an herbal remedy for many maladies. Alphabetically: anthrax, asthma, bladder stones, bleeding from the lungs or bronchia cancer, catarrh, chest ailments, dropsy, fever, hepatitis, jaundice, malaria, melancholy, piles, plague, pleurisy, rabies, spasms, spleen and uterus problems and vaginal discharge.

Milk thistle used in excess can also cause a number of uncomfortable conditions including stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, rash or other skin reactions, joint pain, impotence, and anaphylaxis.
Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised to not consume milk thistle.

7) Horse chestnut

Horse chestnut supports the circulatory system and strengthens capillary cells and reduces fluid breakage. It is also helpful in treating varicosity, hemorrhoids and phlebitis. It is believed to be an excellent antioxidant to prevent wrinkles.

Despite the many known valuable qualities of herbs in strengthening the body and in treating many of its diseases, they should be taken on the advice of an herbal practitioner. They contain many different active substances, which, like all medicines, can trigger side effects with some individuals and interact badly with other herbs, supplements, or medications.