How to Use Herbs in Natural Remedies

More people look for natural remedies as they become aware of the side effects of conventional medications. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 4 billion people, or 80 percent of the world’s population uses herbal medicine in one form or another. If you find yourself in this group, here are some ways to use herbs in natural remedies.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Boil herbs to make a compress, one of many natural remedies to treat injuries. Soak a cloth in the herbal solution and apply it to the affected area. Resoak the cloth when it starts to cool down and reapply to the area. You may repeat the procedure a few times.

2. Make a concoction from the seeds, roots, or bark of a plant. Simmer for approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Do not boil—boiling destroys plant properties.

3. Use essential oils as inhalants, in tea, or as a mouth, ear, or eyewash. Other uses are in massages or on burns.

4. Take an extract form in juice or water to treat severe illness or malabsorption problems. Extracts are the most potent and effective form of a plant.

5. Steep the flowers or leaves of a plant to make an infusion. Infusions can be used in natural remedies to treat a number of conditions such as inflammation and infections.

6. Apply ointment to an affected area. Make an ointment by adding an extract or powdered form of an herb to a salve.

7. Make a poultice by grounding herbs. Poultices are often used as natural remedies to treat a sore or inflamed area, or to relieve inflammation.

Tips & Warnings

• Most herbs used in natural remedies have a bitter taste and should not be used for extended periods.
• The more pleasant-tasting herbs are safe to use more often and are potentially less toxic.
• Freshly picked herbs are more potent.
• If dried properly, the bark, roots and other herb parts can retain their medicinal value for years.
• Although herbs are natural, they can interact with medications or can cause other problems if not taken correctly. Consult your health care professional before taking herbal remedies.

Resources

• Natural Remedies Encyclopedia
• Home Remedies

[Toanjalo]

on 12/28/2008 Thanks for the great tips.

[grouch]

on 12/8/2007 Huge warnings should be thrown up here. Herbs can help treatments or totally kick you out of any progress you have made. Your doctor might not always have all the information due to having multiple doctors. After you ask them ask the pharmacy they are the end all when it comes to this and may be able to help you out. My doctor told me that I could not take an herb with the medications I was on and come to find out it was only don't take them together. All I had to do was wait 2 hours.