The use of herbs as medicines and preparations goes back through the ages. In years gone by those people who prepared and brewed herbs were thought to be witches, hence the magic spells as many of the herbal preparations cured people’s ills.
Today scientist have tested most of the herbs and found the truth about the medical properties they contain and their uses in helping and maintaining good health.
Let us start with garlic, this herb has always been a great favorite with the Indians and Italians but it is now widely used around the world and has become a popular herb.
The health properties of garlic are exemplary; the regular use of garlic will help to prevent cardiovascular disease. In recent tests at Oxford and the US it was found that a 12% reduction in cholesterol was noticeable in all patients that were given garlic tablets, and this reduction was noticeable after only four weeks of treatment.
Garlic is also known to aid the prevention of cancer by raising the bodies level of glutathione transferase, this is a liver enzyme known to detoxify the body of carcinogens.
Researchers in China found that a high intake of garlic reduced gastric cancer, other researchers also noted that suppressor ratios of T-cells in AIDS patients that take garlic were improved.
Garlic has been proven to work against various micro-organisms including bacteria resistant to antibiotics, it is known to be antifungal and antiviral. It is also said to aid in the prevention of colds and coughs.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn is another excellent medicinal herb, it is a scrub or tree that can grow up to 25 feet in height, it has thorny branches and white blossoms, the hawthorns flowers, fruit and berries are used for medicine.
It is used to cure insomnia and to prevent a miscarriage, It is also used for heart ailments strengthening muscles and preventing arteriosclerosis.
Hawthorn is a heart tonic it is used for its stimulating and sedating properties, it increases blood flow to the heart by dilating the coronary arteries, it lowers blood pressure and eases the heart’s workload by dilating arteries in the arms and legs, and increases the force of the heart’s contractions.
It strengthens the force of each contraction of the heart and slows the heart rate down when necessary. Hawthorn in combination with other herbs may help to reduce anxiety and anxious mood. It is also effective for curing insomnia.
Infusions from the flowers or leaves help improve poor circulation and restore blood pressure to normal levels. Hawthorn, combined with ginkgo biloba is used to enhance poor memory by improving the blood circulation within the head, thereby increasing the amount of oxygen to the brain. It has also been used as an active ingredient for revitalization, regeneration, and stimulation of the immune system and in the early metaphylaxis of treated cancer patients.
