Blazing Star Herbal School

Archive for October, 2009

Kola is an herbal plant and it has great prominence in today’s world. This small herb is a great medicine for our nervous system. There are only a few medicines that helps to solve nervous problems and one among them is kola herb. It greatly influences central nervous system and used in solving problems associated with central nervous system.

Kola is a great energizer. Whenever one gets depressed or feeling tired, having a kola drink(we are not discussing about beverages) will bring us to the energetic state. It is often believed that consuming too much kola will make people addicted to it.

We all are part of this Nature. We will be happy and healthy when we follow the rules of this Nature. Say we have to sleep according to Nature but not our own timings, otherwise we get psychological  problems. Likewise, if man do such mistakes Nature provided a solution for it and it is called “Herbals”.

Herbals are nothing but plants or byproducts from plants that have medicinal value. In the past, our ancestors solely depended upon the herbals, as the time passing on we tend towards artificial ones which are generating many side effects. Artificial medicines can cure temporarily, but herbal medicines gives us the resistance power to avoid the disease permanently. Knowing this fact, so many us are now looking towards herbal medicines.

We often come across the marketing people selling herbal medicines saying that it is a great product and solve all our illness. In the past years, it was extensively marketed that taking Noni herbal will solve all the health problems. Doctors are suggesting, before taking any such medicine, one have to consult doctor and have to take his/her advice.

Since, a herb acts as a medicine as well as poison, we have to check whether it is suitable to our body or not. Some Herbal companies are following MLM strategy to earn huge profits by simply selling cheaper herbal products. No herbal can completely solve all the health problems, hence we have to make it a habit that commonly available herbals should be made as a part of daily diet so that we can avoid one time bulk intake.

Garlic is the herb having great history as well as controversies. In Bible, there is mention about garlic. Garlic is a herb with great medicinal qualities. In ancient times, Greek soldiers used it heavily to get guts and fighting spirit. Napoleon made it must to eat food item for his soldiers and he increase the quantity during wars.

Garlic is used in the treatment of respiratory problems. It fights effectively against bacterial infections. In Indian Ayurveda and chinese traditional herbal medicine systems, there is a great value for the herb. According to Indian epics, eating garlic result in sexual desires and anger.

Although, there are some controversies regarding the herb, it is a great medicine for all and hence we made it a part of daily food items.

Cinnamon is a herbal plant widely grown in Indian subcontinent. It is also called as Dalchini or Dalchina Chakka. The bark of the tree is dried and used in the medicine. The bark can have a pungent taste. It is used widely in food items, especially during functions. Our ancestors are very wise and made it as a part of special food items like fried foods.

Cinnamon, when taken in small quantities will give health and when used in excess, it results in health problems. People in India believe that cinnamon may cause cancer if taken regularly. However, more research is to be done on this herbal for using it efficiently.

We often listen and see about lavender spray and now we are going to discuss about the herb Lavender. Lavender herb has both medicinal and cosmetic applications.

It acts as a antidepressant and possess good flavour of aroma. When ever you are suffering with a mild headache, lavender spray can bring you to the normal state.

Lavendar is a good medicine for people suffering with sleeplessness. Lavender along with other medicines acts effectively than its own and used as a remedy to stress and depression.

One can make their own medicine with lavendar, however dosage and prescription is to be fixed by a doctor.

It is a small herbal plant and widely found in south asian countries like India and Srilanka. Indians have their own herbal medicine system and call it as “Ayurveda”.

Aghata is a major indegrient of Ayurvedic medicines. It fights effectively against common illness like diarrhea, stomach ache, indigestion, fever etc.. No part of the herb can be considered as waste since its leaves, stem and roots all are used in medicine. It leaves and stems are used in curing common illness while its root is used to cure wounds made by insects.

In rural India, people use Aghata’s root paste to cure wounds made by bees. However, the medicine is too be taken under strict supervision of doctor since it has side effects too and effects pregrants adversely when taken in large quantities.

Chandana is the common name used for sandal wood  in Asian countries . Chandana wood  can be directly used by grounding it with water. It can be directly applied to the skin.

It is a known fact that most of the skin problems are due to bacterial infections. Chandana is antibacterial  by its Nature and acts effectively against skin diseases.

It is used in preparing medicines against acne, scales on skins etc.. It is one of the most widely used herbs in the cosmetic industry and widely used in face creams. It is customary in south India, to apply chandana as a paste on the forehead and priests in kerala temples often gift us with chandana paste.

Tea is the most consumed liquid next to water. Day doesn’t turns without it. Herbal tea is good to health, but we are nulling its benefits by adding milk to it.

Usually, Tea is a rich antioxidant and protects our heart. But, most of us consume it along with milk and this is more in Asian countries as well as Europe. Milk is a rich source of proteins. Caseins, one of the proteins present in milk nullifies the effect of tea.

Several studies were conducted to study the effect and finally doctors arrived at the point, tea should be consumed seperately not mixed with milk to have good heart.

The final goal of any herbalist is to extract the required thing from herbs and preserve the medicinal qualities of the herbal extract. Herbal extracts are produced in different forms.

Some herbs like Aloe-vera will have strong tissues and contain fluid substance in them. These type of herbs are to be squeezed to get the required jell. Some herbs are grounded and made like a paste.

Some herbs will be mixed with hot water to get it mixed directly with water. Tea is one such example. Some herbs  will be made to undergo the process of fermentation to get the desired result.