If you’re ready to try a few herbs out to see how they work for you, we recommend starting with these.
Of course, a doctor’s care is always essential to make sure you’re making the right decisions for your body and household, so consider that before using anything recommended here. Also, herbs can be quite potent (sometimes even more potent than a prescription alternative!) so make sure you consult the current research and packaging instructions (if you purchased a pre-packaged herb) before you take anything. It is possible to take too much of a good thing, so always keep that in mind too! Like with many things in life, a little goes a long way with most herbs. If you’re unfamiliar with essential oils, please consult the packaging on those as well, since most are best used after dilution.
Whenever you’re ready, grab some of these for starters:
Peppermint
Whether you need some itchy eye relief, want to soothe sore muscles, or need to clear the spiders out of your home, peppermint is versatile and simple to use!
For a warm eye compress, grab a couple of peppermint tea bags and follow Dr. Oz’s instructions here.
For sore muscles, clearing the sinuses, alleviating joint aches, calming hyperactivity, or assisting with numerous other ailments, get some peppermint essential oil and check out Dr. Axe’s suggestions here.
Tired of spiders popping up around the house? Here’s a recipe for a minty spider repelling spray that should do the trick! (Note: This may bring the spiders out from their hiding spaces before it begins to repel them entirely from the premises.)
Oregano
It’s not just a tasty spaghetti sauce seasoning anymore! Oil of oregano, known as a natural antibiotic (as well as anti-microbial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and antibacterial) to many, this wildly beneficial substance can be used both internally and externally.
Since it strengthens the immune system as well as alleviating respiratory issues, aiding proper digestion, and easing the treatment of wounds, oil of oregano is currently being analyzed by scientists as to its official study-proven benefits. It has even been used by companies including Perdue (in addition to rosemary and thyme) to lessen their dependence on prescription antiobiotics in their fowl.
Wellness Mama keeps some of the oregano essential oil on hand at all times (used after diluting with coconut oil) for such ailments as ringworm, athlete’s foot, sore muscles, and treating warts.
Rosemary
Rosemary is immensely beneficial, containing minerals like iron, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin A, and vitamin C, while also being a natural anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiseptic and anti-allergic herb.
The fresh herb infused in oil has been proven effective for treating eczema, dandruff, rubbed into the belly or abdomen for PMS symptoms or indigestion (do not use if pregnant please), and an effective pest repellent.
Side note: We used a couple of sprigs of fresh rosemary in our Christmas potpourri last winter, and I can tell you from experience that it smells DIVINE (and a lot like pine) when simmered beside a little candied ginger, cinnamon, cloves and orange peels…for best results, just try this simmering potpourri recipe from Half-Baked Harvest — we used the rosemary instead of a pine branch snipping in ours.)
Ginger
Get some of this fresh root into your kitchen STAT! Aside from its better known anti-nausea and digestion-stimulating effects, ginger is also anti-parasitic, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, pain-relieving, and anti-inflammatory. It’s been said to be effective in treating diabetes, asthma, infections of various types and alleviating motion sickness, as well as a tough cancer-fighter.
Don’t be afraid to use fresh ginger in place of ground in your favorite recipes (you’ll likely need to use less of the fresh than the ground to do the trick with most recipes. We love to peel a tiny pinch of it, crush it up, and add it to our fruit smoothies for a little kick – it’s delicious and smells heavenly!) and be sure to choose the right root — consult this guide for best results.
And finally, if you’ve got a hankering for a hot autumn beverage and a you have enough of the fresh root on hand, give this super easy 3-Ingredient Ginger Tea Latte recipe from Minimalist Baker a try — it will not disappoint!
Garlic
An ancient remedy for countless ailments, garlic is a must-have-at-all-times for every kitchen. Aside from its usefulness as a delicious additive to many types of cuisine worldwide, garlic is also known for boosting the immunity, improving cardiovascular health and circulation, reducing inflammation, and fighting several types of cancer.
Try to use freshly crushed cloves of organic garlic in as many of your recipes as possible, or if you need an idea, here’s one for Wellness Mama’s garlic soup.
Mountain Rose Herbs touts this miraculous substance as, “Garlic has been used medicinally, and as a culinary ingredient, for over 5000 years. World folklore is littered with references to its ability to protect us…The Greeks used it extensively…The first medical textbook known to have discussed the use of garlic in medicine was the Collection of Commentaries on the Classic of the Materia Medica (Ben Cao Zhing Zhi Ju), written over 1,500 years ago.”
