What Plants Heal - Healing Plants
If you think pharmaceuticals is the only way to stay healthy and remedy any illnesses you might have, you would be wrong! Herbalism has become so popular that experts involved in alternative medicine like Bryce Wylde have teamed up with Master Gardener Frankie Flowers to write a very important book called Power Plants. All in all, these two came up with 49 plants that are both safe and effective when used as remedies or natural healing cures. We personally asked Bryce about his list of the Top 5 Plants to Have in Your Garden.
1- Basil:
Not just good for cooking, this vivid green plant also has superior antibacterial and antiviral attributes that are incredibly good for the body. However, Basil is also an amazing option for your skin too. Have issues with acne? Why not try mixing 25 fresh leaves of basil in a blender, mix in 1 cup of plain yogurt or Greek yogurt and continue to blend until it's smooth. You can then apply this solution to your skin and leave on your skin for up to 30 minutes, then wash and rinse with cold water.2- Aloe Vera:
You may have heard of Aloe as being a great way to soothe burnt skin after a day in the sun, but this brilliant plant can do that and so much more. In fact, Aloe is especially good at getting rid of all types of burns including heartburn and indigestion. It's quick acting, quick healing and it has a ton of alkaline properties. If you have something like heartburn or indigestion, try removing 6oz of aloe from fresh leaves, add it into a blender with half of a lemon and 1/2 cup of water and blend thoroughly.3- Haskap Berries:
Once upon a time these were known as the Fruit of Longevity. Bryce often compares these little berries to blueberries, but says that the Haskap berry is actually 5 times more powerful than the blueberry when it comes to antioxidants and free radicals. Bryce says that if you cut a blueberry in half, the outer part of the fruit is the most pigmented whereas the inner part of the berry becomes quite translucent. This is the opposite for the Haskap berry it's pigmented the entire way through the berry. These pigments are what will help fight against things like cancer and neurological diseases. But, these pigments are also quite good at protecting the heart.4- Milk Thistle:
Milk thistle is known for being healthy for your liver. It's often mistaken for a weed by most gardeners. Your liver is consistently detoxing in your body all the time naturally, but milk thistle is a great way to move it along a little quicker. You will need to make an infusion with alcohol to extract the thistle. In a blender, mix in 1 cup of milk thistle plus 1 cup of quality vodka and blend until smooth. You can then store this mixture in a mason jar with parchment paper placed under the lid and store in a cool dry place for about 4 weeks. Be sure to give the jar a shake every day. After 4 weeks, strain the liquid into a sterile jar. Twice a day mix 1t of the liquid with water for the best results.5- Dandelion:
Another weed that most people get rid of, dandelions are actually highly capable of attributing detoxification to your body. Dandelion is a diuretic, healthy for kidneys and also good for people who retain a lot of water and experience bloating. The leaves of this weed help to cleanse your body and remove excess water and take some strain off of your liver as well. Try both hot and cold dandelion. You can find dandelion tea bags for a refreshing drink. You can also find dandelion leaves to make a salad with oil and lemon dressing and a few healthy vegetables.Below is a list of all Healing Plants:
| Type of Herb or Plant | Type of Use |
|---|---|
| Aloe | External—burns, bites, cuts, or scrapes |
| Chamomile | External—bites, stings, skin irritations Internal—soothes stress and relaxes |
| Cranberries | Internal—Helps in the cure of urinary tract infections, heart disease cancer, gum disease, or ulcers. |
| Echinacea | Internal—Strengthens immune system |
| Fennel | External—Relaxant when used in a bath Internal—Helps indigestion, cramps, asthma |
| Feverfew | Internal—Soothes migraine headaches and upset stomachs |
| Garlic | External—Skin irritations, fungal infections, acne, earaches, bites, and stings Internal—Reduces cholesterol, wards off colds and flu, lowers blood sugar in diabetics, protects liver from toxins, kills intestinal parasites |
| Ginger | External—Soothes toothaches Internal— Lessens against dizziness and nausea, lowers cholesterol, keeps blood from clotting, prevents heart disease and strokes |
| Ginseng | Internal—Stimulates immune system, lowers high blood pressure and raises low blood pressure, increases ability to handle stress |
| Lavender | External—Used as a massage oil for headaches, tense muscles, sunburn, or insomnia Internal—Relaxant, relieves tension |
| Mint | External—Decongestant when added to bath water, soothes bites and stings, acts as an anesthetic and a muscle relaxant Internal—Relieves nausea or cramping |
| Sage | External—Soothes sore throat, gum disease, canker sores Internal—Helps improve memory and aging |
| St. John’s Wort | External—Can be used for bruises and sores Internal—Helps depression |
| Thyme | External—Eases pain relief, can be used as an antiseptic and antidepressant Internal—Digestive aid and cough suppressant |
| Witch Hazel | External—Reduces swelling and relieves body aches and pains |
