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An herb is a plant. According to the Herb Society of America's Encyclopedia of Herbs, they come in various forms. They grow as trees, shrubs, annuals, vines, ferns and even mosses. There are thousands of different herbal plants.
A list of the most commonly used herbs and even some rare ones can be found on various websites. Some include pictures of the herb, lighting requirements for growth, the height of plants, spacing considerations when planting and the type and uses of each herb. This information is important when planning to develop your own herbal garden. -
The parts of the plants used for herbal medicines are the seeds, roots, stems and leaves. Herbs are commonly used for medical, beauty, aromatherapy and cooking purposes.
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Using herbs for medical use is common. The benefits are largely overlooked. There are about 100 herbs used for this purpose. Some of these herbs and their uses:
Alfalfa---infection fighter
Boneset---good for influenza
Chamomile---for menstrual cramps
Dandelion---used as a laxative
Elder---said to prevent cancerous diseases
Fennel---helps eyesight and weight loss
Mistletoe---has a calming effect -
For aromatherapy, there are five popular herbs: lavendar, basil, garlic, seaweed and tea tree. A professional masseuse will use one of these, or a blend, to not only create a relaxing atmosphere, but also for medicinal purposes.
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Herbs are also used in cooking, including onion, garlic, parsley, basil, cilantro bay leaf, thyme, oregano, marjoram, rosemary, cinnamon and nutmeg. It's good to have them on hand because of the many possibilities when following a recipe. The good news is that herbs never go bad. However, they do loose their potency. Cookbooks tell you to throw them out when they are six months old. The spice companies, however, tell you that as long as they taste good, keep them.
