Aromatherapy

Posts Tagged ‘herbs’

For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a great many ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we will debate each of these categories in order concentrating upon medical uses and essential oils.

Through the ions o time there have been various other uses of herbs which we will not be looking at here and these include them being used as currency, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask disgusting odors. Herbs come from many parts of the planet and each race commonly had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be focusing on modern uses.

The Use of Herbs In Religion

Herbs are still used in numerous across the globe.  The majority of Christians will recognize myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be extremely familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is grown by many and praised as a Goddess. In Pagan and Wiccan religions herbs are used extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Herbs In The Kitchen

The leaves of different plants are used in the kitchen however there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and a herb, such as basil, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

The Use of Herbs in Medicine

As well as being intense in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being researched by scientists.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the method known as distillation but some require a different process of extraction such as such as solvent extraction or expression.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching limbs. When my limbs are terribly painful I gently massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.

Herbs should be handled with with safety in mind as some can be extremely destructive to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are pregnant as something that seems safe could be alarmingly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be avoided completely in its dilute state. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used but to avoid the risk of miscarriage you should avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you know for certain they are safe.

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