Basil The Sweet Herb

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil is my favorite of all the herbs because it is so versatile and easy to grow. Those of you who follow my recipes site will know that I like to grow my own herbs and as basil is normally ready to eat just 6-weeks after planting I naturally use it often.

Basil is an attractive annual, about 18 inches (450 mm) tall with light-green, fairly broad leaves. There are several species of cultivated basil, one having purple leaves, so it is also a decorative plant in your garden.

Basil grows easily from seed planted after all danger of frost has passed. Pinch stems when the plant reaches 18 inches (450 mm) tall to promote bushy, compact growth. Avoid lush growth as it may reduce the flavor.

Green leaves can be picked about 6 weeks following planting. It is best to cut leaves for drying just before flowers open. However, if you can use fresh the taste is far better and it is also an extra vegetable to compliment a healthy diet.

Spicy-scented basil leaves are one of the most popular of all herbs used in cooking. There are two particular ways I like to use basil; the first, and most common, is to mix it with pine nuts and a little garlic, a splash of balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil in a blender to make Pesto. Pesto can be kept for a few days in the refrigerator. Use about 90% basil to 10% pine nuts.

The other way I like using basil is with freshly picked tomatoes, sliced, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkled with chopped basil. This dish can be served alone as an appetizer or as part of a salad.

The other great thing about basil is that you should grow one basil plant between each tomato plant in your garden. The plants compliment each other and the basil acts as a deterrent to many of the bugs that like tomato. It never fails to amaze me the way nature has a habit of making complimentary plants that together protect each other in growth and them compliment each other on the table.

Top chef's use basil with all tomato dishes, whether cooked or raw. The other thing to remember about using olive oil is that it is an omega 3 oil and very good at promoting "good" cholesterol.

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Ma Huang - Chinese Herb

Ma Huang, the native-Chinese herb used in fat-burning supplements and also known as Ephedra, has been used as a natural treatment for a variety of illnesses spanning the past five thousand years. Early ailments treated by products of the Ma Huang plant include allergies, asthma, and related wheezing, coughing, fevers and colds. Although more prevalent in China, several species of Ma Huang are also found in North America, particularly in Utah.

The Ma Huang plant is an evergreen shrub that grows to an average of 50 cm tall and is native to desert regions in the countries where it can be found. Characterized by its variety of colors, the shrub has tiny leaves that remain green only briefly and tough yet flexible stems. Dependant upon the particular species, Ma Huang shrubs can display colors including green, yellow, red, or brown-gray.

Ma Huang works as a stimulant. Biologically similar to methamphetamines, the substance derived from this plant has an effect similar to Epinephrine, only far stronger. A variety of stories concerning the use of Ma Huang exist in folklore, including its use by guards of Genghis Khan as a way to remain awake while on duty, and the consumption by early Mormons in Utah as a replacement for caffeine-loaded coffee and tea.

Because of the highly powerful stimulant reaction caused by derivatives of Ma Huang, herbal practitioners recommend use of the entire stem rather than extracts. Ephedrine extracted from Ma Huang is known to cause elevations to blood pressure and heart rate, while the effects of consumption of the entire stem are far milder. Beyond use as a stimulant, Ma Huang is also known for its mood elevating properties as well as its potential to speed weight loss by affecting the body’s metabolic rate through appetite suppression.

Ephedra is most popular is modern-day herbal medicine as a dietary supplement used by patients seeking mild to extreme weight loss. Most effective in individuals who already experience lower basal metabolic rates, Ephedra stimulates the body’s fat burning ability while taking away feelings of hunger. The resulting weight loss is often very welcome, but care should be taken to limit the rate of lost weight to a healthy level.

Although usage in moderation can have a positive impact on your health, Ma Huang is not without side effects. Because of its primary purpose as a stimulant, Ma Huang can cause sleeplessness and insomnia, although these symptoms will clear quickly after discontinuing use or adjusting dosage. Anyone suffering from problems related to blood pressure and heart disease should use with great caution, as Ma Huang can lead to dangerously high blood pressure and heart rates. Finally, because of its interaction with the body’s metabolic process, Ma Huang can lead to feelings of nervousness and anxiety and lead to dry mouth, headache and tremors.

The use of Ephedra or Ephedrine was banned by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States in 2004 due to an increase in adverse reactions and even several deaths reportedly caused by its ingestion. Following additional research into both the benefits and detriments of the use of Ma Huang, a Federal District Court overruled the ban in 2005, but set into place a provision that limits dosage to 10 mg or less. As with any drug or dietary supplement, use Ma Huang carefully and upon consultation with your doctor.

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Ganoderma

Let us see if Ganoderma which has been discribed as the "miracle herb" can help you with your health regime.

Ganoderma is a type of mushroom that has been know to the far east for thousands of years for its meraculous medicinal properties.

These mushrooms are regarded as "Spirit Medicine" by the Chinese as they are among the most powerful herbs in Asia.

Chinese medicine has used Ganoderma for over 4000 years and was highly prized as an elixir of immortality.

Research has been done by both Chinese and Western scholars in recent years and with analysis and clinical experiments done by colleges, hospitals and pharmaceutical manufacturers its potency is finally coming to light.

So how can Ganoderma help you?

Well here is a list of what Ganoderma can do for you!

* It an anti-inflammatory

* detixicant

* diuretic

* liver protector

* increases energy levels

* intestine regulator

* increases libido

* helps with sleep disorders

* cardiotonic

* blood pressure

* antitussive

* hemocatheresisis and expectorant

* tranquillizer

* helps protect against tumor activity

Ganoderma is a traditional tonic used to nourish,tonify and supplement the whole body as it removes toxins and disperses accumulation.

It has even been know to help some people with hair regeneration!

Ganoderma has also been know to re-activate the pancreas to secrete insulin in some type 2 diabetes sufferers.

Ganoderma can also function as an insulin. Whereas taking insulin ordinarily will not do this and in fact may accelerate the

aging of the organ. Ganoderma will help retard its ageing with no adverse side affects.


Ganoderma contains a veritable pharmacy of substances which can also help with the immune system by enhancing production of antibodies,T-cell,macrophages which are the bodies most powerful defense against cancer.


Scientific evidence shows that Ganoderma counteracts damage caused to the immune system by radiation therapy including anti-tumor activity. It protects bone marrow cells against free radicals generatged by X-rays.

Ganoderma can be taken long term without any side effects.

So to answer the question "Can it help you?"

Without a doubt I believe it can help you as part of an overall health plan along with diet and exercise.

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Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine is the use of botanicals (plants) either alone or in combination to prevent and treat certain ailments and illnesses. Singularly or in combination, the numbers of herbs available is astounding. There are over a half million known herbs that could be used as possible remedies.

Herbal remedies around the globe vary in strength from very mild, gentle remedies that we even use as food, to potential poisons if taken at the wrong dose. The old adage that, "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" could not be more true. This is especially true when it comes to natural remedies.

People native to different geographical locations have long used plants and plant extracts to cure specific maladies.

Sometimes the use of herbs is referred to as "folk" medicine. Folk use of herbal remedies is familiar to all of us in some form or another, because this is how these remedies are learned. Remedies and recipes for herbal teas are handed down from generation to generation and are still remembered and used to this day. Unfortunately, that is what fuels the fire of the scientific community and their disdain. It really is their loss, because generations of experience and knowledge should not be so readily dismissed. In fact, many of our modern medicines have their roots in herbal medicine.

With all our so-called advancements in the medical field, it’s interesting that physicians are still treating "effect" rather than "cause."

Thankfully, the current changes in the world toward traditional remedies is changing for the better.

Source: www.isnare.com