Prevention with Basil

Basil has been known since ancient times. Native to Sri Lanka and India, basil was brought to Europe during the expeditions of Alexander the Great. It is a holy plant in India, and was very much appreciated by the ancient Egyptians: bouquets of basil were found in their pyramids. An aromatic plant, basil is used in the culinary art as a seasoning for various dishes. Traditional medicine uses basil as a remedy for chronic gastritis and stomach aches. Its pharmacological actions are sedative, diuretic, and antiseptic. Starting from the essential oil content, as related to the other active elements, basil is recommended in the treatment of gastrointestinal and renal afflictions, bronchitis and fever. The use of basil leaf tea is recommended for nervous system fatigue, insomnia, and painful menstruation. To avoid the unpleasant effects of insect stings, rub the wounded spot with fresh basil leaves or juice from fresh basil plants.

Heart attack
Experimental medicine studies show that eating basil on a daily basis prevents heart attacks. Basil protects the coronary arteries from cholesterol deposits, keeps blood pressure under control, and has complex action on the central nervous system, protecting the cardiovascular system from the adverse effects of stress.

Food poisoning
A recent study shows that putting a single drop of essential basil oil in one liter of drinking water that is consumed throughout the day helps avoid many infections from bacteria consumed in food. Especially during the summer, these bacteria can produce food poisoning, with symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and fever. Seasoning food with basil is recommended, especially during summer, because the volatile substances in basil keep the food unchanged for longer, protecting us from infections of the digestive tract.

Asthma
Consumed in salads, sauces or soups, basil protects the respiratory system from allergic reactions, preventing in good measure the relapse of pulmonary infection, and protecting the airways from inflammatory processes that lead to asthma.

Atherosclerosis
One of the secret benefits of Mediterranean cuisine on the cardiovascular system lies in the basil. Along with oregano, basil is the main spice used in flavoring sauces for pasta, but also in salads, and many types of pizza. Antioxidant substances contained in basil prevent plaque formation in arteries and keep blood vessels elastic.

Please consult with your doctor or a professional herbalist before using any herbal remedy.

The Benefits of Fir

The green eternity of the fir tree is an unsolved mystery showing that, through the fir’s core must travel particularly strong saps that might be useful to man. The fir tree is an old remedy used in a variety of diseases. In ancient times, baths with fir tree were used to strengthen the weak and those recovering from illness, and for healing the bones and chest pain. Fir resin was used in greases for musculoskeletal infections or for healing wounds and burns. The fir tree’s fragrance was considered a true elixir for lung diseases. Chest problem patients were advised to go at night in a fir tree forest, where the conifers’ ethereal emanations immediately had a healing effect. In winter, it used to be customary to place freshly crushed fir needles and branches at the head of a patient with chest problems. The fir buds and honey syrup with healing virtues were used in treating asthma, asthmatiform bronchitis, and tuberculosis. Fir resin was used for fumigation. The smoke of fir resin was said to ward off disease, sorrow, and all evil spirits.

Fir buds are picked in the spring. The fir bud’s syrup is the best treatment for bronchitis, cough, and various diseases of the respiratory system. Fir buds mixed with honey are covered for six weeks, after which it is strained to obtain the syrup. The syrup can be taken one teaspoon at a time or diluted in a warm cup of tea. Drink it especially when coughing or having a chronic lung disease.

Baths with fir branches or buds

Pick a handful of buds and twigs (mainly tips) and put them in three liters of water. Boil for three hours, then strain. Pour this liquid into the bathtub. Baths with fir branches or buds are recommended in various conditions for the restoration of poor circulation, or against various infections, and even in cases of paralysis and stroke. The liquid obtained can be used against hemorrhoids, cystitis, and urinary tract or genital infections. Take a few 20 minutes baths every day for a few days.

Treatment with fir syrup

Fir trees secrete a large amount of aromatic oils with excellent healing effects. The fir needles’ syrup is made of fir needles loosened up from branches with a knife, washed and then crushed with a rolling pin. Fill a quarter jar with these fir needles, then fill with honey. Close tightly. Keep on stove or near a heat source for three weeks, then filter the obtained syrup. It has a strong fir smell (much stronger than the buds’ syrup). Use for the following conditions:

• Persistent cough, decreased immunity of the respiratory system: Take half a teaspoon of fir needle syrup six times a day. The treatment lasts at least seven days and has anti-infectious, regenerative, and immunostimulating effects.
• Excessive appetite: administered five minutes before and after the meal, one tablespoon of fir needles syrup, no water. This preparation is good also as dessert, because it inhibits the appetite for sweets for quite a long time.
• Intellectual fatigue: take one or two teaspoons of fir needles syrup when you have to make an extended mental effort. The honey in the syrup nourishes the brain and balances blood glucose levels, while the volatile oil from fir needles is a good mental and psychic tonic.
• Sterility in women: take a one or two months cure with fir needle syrup. Fir needles have a strong stimulation and regulation effect over the activity of women’s reproductive glands.

Compresses with boiled fir branches are an excellent cure for wounds that do not close, sprains and fractures that are hard to heal, and infections. Apply compresses on the affected area several times a day until healed. Fir tree resin ointment is recommended for healing burns, light cuts, rheumatism, hemorrhoids, asthenia, convalescence, muscle pain, hyper- and hypothyroidism, and as an adjuvant in multiple sclerosis.

Please consult with your doctor or a professional herbalist before using any herbal remedy.

Remedies from spring flowers

After a barren winter, spring can not wait to come and fill our vases with seasonal flowers. But did you know that you can prepare real, natural remedies from them?

Bluebells, for coughing:

Bluebells flowers infusion helps treat bronchitis, kidney disorders and constipation. Put a teaspoon of bluebells flowers into 250 ml of boiling water. Sweetened with honey and drink three cups a day until the cough goes away.

If you suffer from gout, prepare a concoction from the leaves of bluebells in apple cider vinegar, and apply as poultice on the painful area. If you have eczema or skin sores, put a handful of bluebells flowers in a pint of boiling milk, let it cool, then apply on the skin.

Lily-of-the-valley regulates heartbeat:

In addition to their pleasing appearance, lilies-of-the-valley have unexpected therapeutic properties. A concoction of this flower stimulates and soothes heart palpitations. Here's a cure for heart failure: over a teaspoon of flowers, pour a cup of boiling water and let boil 10 minutes. Let it cool, then squeeze and drink one teaspoon three times a day. For external use, put 5-8 lily-of-the-valley flowers in half a liter of vinegar and let them soak for 10 days, stirring frequently.

Once you have filtered it, apply on the painful places. It is particularly useful in migraine, so you can apply it on the forehead or neck. Be careful though, as intoxication with the fruit, seeds or other parts of this plant is manifested by nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.

Yellow Daffodils reduce asthma symptoms:

Yellow daffodils, in addition to their role of ornamental plants, have some sedative, disinfectant and emollient properties. From this plant, petals are used for therapeutic purposes petals. Yellow daffodil can be used to treat agitation, diarrhea, cough and asthma. For this purpose, you can prepare an infusion of daffodils. You need a teaspoon of dried and crushed flowers, over which pour 200 ml boiling water. Leave covered for 10 minutes, then squeeze and drink two cups of tea a day, in the morning and evening, until symptoms begin to disappear. Use gloves when you grind the petals of daffodils, as contact with its sap may irritate your skin or aggravate allergies.