Page 101 - Guerin Media Ltd | Active Retirement Ireland Members Annual 2016
P. 101
NATURE’S KNOWLEDGE HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Nature’s Knowledge | Healing with Herbs
by Deirdre Daly
Herbal medicine is one of the most accessible ways we have of taking care of our own health. A
knowledge of herbs is of course essential but once we know what herbs to use and how to use them
we can alleviate and cure many of our own common ailments. The herbs we grow in our garden, the
weeds/herbs we find at the bottom of the garden in that untended patch, in the fields and along our
hedgerows can all be used to stave off that cold, alleviate arthritis and improve mood to mention but
a few of the common health problems we all face at some time or another.
Looking first to some popular kitchen herbs... medicine it is used to relieve water retention and
ROSEMARY bladder disorders.
Rosemary is a good example of how we can use the Some of the more fragrant herbs such as lavender and
herbs we grow for much more than the Sunday roast. rose can also be taken as tea infusions and will help to
This herb is great for peripheral circulation, low blood relax and raise the spirits!
pressure, memory and mood.
THYME Organic herbs are best and for optimal benefit need to be
Thyme is another popular kitchen herb with hidden picked on a dry and preferably sunny day before noon.
depths and is in fact an herbal antibiotic. It is a
wonderful herb for respiratory infections and is effective Herbal Helpers of the Wild
against laryngitis, tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also
helpful for reducing coughs and can be taken together Moving now to that untended wild patch at the end of
with sage for all types of coughs and colds. the garden, which provides a wonderful habitat for the
SAGE birds, bees and insects, we find our nettles, dandelion,
Soothing Sage is an important herb for laryngitis, chickweed and yellow dock, to name but a few. When
tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also a very effective foraging for herbs in the fields and hedgerows it is best
mouthwash/gargle and can be used this way in more to find unpolluted areas free from heavy car pollution
concentrated doses for all throat and mouth infections. and fertilisers. Never forage more than one third of
Sage can also be used for menopausal symptoms and the available plant to ensure propagation next season,
regular teas can alleviate hot flushes and sweating. This though many of the herbs discussed below are
herb is however contradicted for people who are thankfully tenacious and like the dandelion, nigh on
pregnant or breastfeeding as it is a uterine stimulant. indestructible.
PA R S L E Y
Parsley, which is a wonderful herb for salads and soups, CHICKWEED
can also be taken as a rich source of vitamin C. In herbal Chickweed, sometimes the bane of gardener’s lives as it
takes up residence near the vegetable patch, provides
www.activeirl.ie great relief from itching and can be used externally for
Active Retirement Ireland 101
Nature’s Knowledge | Healing with Herbs
by Deirdre Daly
Herbal medicine is one of the most accessible ways we have of taking care of our own health. A
knowledge of herbs is of course essential but once we know what herbs to use and how to use them
we can alleviate and cure many of our own common ailments. The herbs we grow in our garden, the
weeds/herbs we find at the bottom of the garden in that untended patch, in the fields and along our
hedgerows can all be used to stave off that cold, alleviate arthritis and improve mood to mention but
a few of the common health problems we all face at some time or another.
Looking first to some popular kitchen herbs... medicine it is used to relieve water retention and
ROSEMARY bladder disorders.
Rosemary is a good example of how we can use the Some of the more fragrant herbs such as lavender and
herbs we grow for much more than the Sunday roast. rose can also be taken as tea infusions and will help to
This herb is great for peripheral circulation, low blood relax and raise the spirits!
pressure, memory and mood.
THYME Organic herbs are best and for optimal benefit need to be
Thyme is another popular kitchen herb with hidden picked on a dry and preferably sunny day before noon.
depths and is in fact an herbal antibiotic. It is a
wonderful herb for respiratory infections and is effective Herbal Helpers of the Wild
against laryngitis, tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also
helpful for reducing coughs and can be taken together Moving now to that untended wild patch at the end of
with sage for all types of coughs and colds. the garden, which provides a wonderful habitat for the
SAGE birds, bees and insects, we find our nettles, dandelion,
Soothing Sage is an important herb for laryngitis, chickweed and yellow dock, to name but a few. When
tonsillitis and sore throats. It is also a very effective foraging for herbs in the fields and hedgerows it is best
mouthwash/gargle and can be used this way in more to find unpolluted areas free from heavy car pollution
concentrated doses for all throat and mouth infections. and fertilisers. Never forage more than one third of
Sage can also be used for menopausal symptoms and the available plant to ensure propagation next season,
regular teas can alleviate hot flushes and sweating. This though many of the herbs discussed below are
herb is however contradicted for people who are thankfully tenacious and like the dandelion, nigh on
pregnant or breastfeeding as it is a uterine stimulant. indestructible.
PA R S L E Y
Parsley, which is a wonderful herb for salads and soups, CHICKWEED
can also be taken as a rich source of vitamin C. In herbal Chickweed, sometimes the bane of gardener’s lives as it
takes up residence near the vegetable patch, provides
www.activeirl.ie great relief from itching and can be used externally for
Active Retirement Ireland 101
