Healing Power of Herbs

“Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with all choicest fruits: henna with spikenard, saffron, calamus and cinnamon, trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, and all chief spices. . .a well of living water and flowing streams of Lebanon.”

These beautiful lines from the Song of Solomon describe a garden of Eden, ancient and exotic, where the bounty of Nature provides all we could wish for. That may seem far off now, but the simplest plants have much to offer: peppermint, lemon verbena and fennel for delicious teas, and a host of modest culinary herbs to enliven the dullest kitchen – coriander and marjoram, parsley, sage and thyme. Many common herbs are rich sources of essential nutrients too; vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which support natural immunity and disease resistance, nettles for iron and Vitamin C.

With so many challenges to health from environmental pollution and inadequate nutrition, it is common sense to incorporate a variety of herbs and spices into the diet. Formerly priceless rarities such as nutmeg and cloves are easily available and using turmeric we benefit incidentally from an entire medicine chest. Or consider ageing: there are many exotic remedies for memory and the mind, such as ginkgo, yet two of the best are usually overlooked – basil and rosemary!

To find out more about how herbs can help you, or to book an appointment with local Medical Herbalist, Harry Boys MNIMH, call 01323 734664.