Access these plants’ healing powers

If you have ever seen the “Hunger Games” movies, you probably remember that Rue and Katniss had an alliance. Rue saved Katniss during the games by putting plants on her wounds that removed the venom from the tracker jacker attack. 

Rue used medicinal plants, the only resource she had to save Katniss. Although, with advanced technology and health care we do not need to rely on this type of medicine, it is good to explore the uses of plants as a medicinal resource. 

Herbal medicines are plant-based remedies that are created from different mixes of different parts of plants, like leaves, roots or roots. 

Herbal medication can be used as treatment for many of the same thing pharmaceutical drugs are prescribed for. According to the National Institute of Health, medical herbalists prescribe herbal medicine for joint and bone pain, emotional and mental health, digestion, allergies, fatigue syndrome, etc. 

If you don’t know what plants/herbs to start with or how to start healing your body with plants, here is a simple guide on medicinal plants: 

– Most herbs are not tested to see how they work with other herbs, supplements, medicines, foods, etc. 

– It is very important to tell your health care provider the herbs that you are consuming. 

– The use of “Natural” on a label does not automatically mean safe.

– Products can be added to the original plant during herbal preparation.

Common medicinal plants: 

– Ginger (root)- Ginger can be consumed fresh, as a powder, dried as a spice, in oil form or even in juice. Ginger provides many benefits including relieving nausea, motion sickness and pain. Ginger can also be helpful with digestion and preventing constipation. Common ways to consume ginger are through tea, chopped or crushed in curries and crystalized in desserts. Oh, and you can’t forget about the infamous ginger chews. 

– Echinacea (leaf, stalk, root)-  A common use for echinacea is to prevent colds, flu, infections and to heal wounds. The plant, which is in the daisy family, should not be used with medicines that cause liver problems. Although research is inconclusive, the strongest research was found with its effects on people with colds. 

– Dandelion (leaves, stem, flower, root)- Contrary to the belief that dandelions are just colorful weeds, they do provide medical benefits as well. Dandelion flower extract is found to be a great source of antioxidants and vitamin A. Like other herbs, dandelion can be used to stimulate appetite, reduce fever, stimulate menstrual period, etc. 

– Garlic (cloves, root)- Garlic is known to be heart healthy. Studies show that it lowers blood sugar, cholesterol and reduces blood clots. Garlic can be incorporated into a diet in many ways, including eating garlic raw, garlic oil, cooking with it, garlic tea, garlic supplements, etc.