Page 89 - Lost Book Remedies

The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies

Pain Reliever: Holy basil has pain relieving prop-
erties that work well for headaches and minor pains. It
helps relieve migraines, sinus headaches, and kidney
pain.
Anti-Depressant Effects: Holy basil has known
anti-depressant and anti-anxiety properties. It helps
users feel less anxious and more relaxed in social situ-
ations. Holy basil also relieves stress from physical,
mental, and emotional sources.
Eye Inflammations, Cataracts, Macular De-
generation, Glaucoma, Vision: Problems:
Taken internally and regularly as a tea or as a supple-
ment, holy basil helps prevent eye problems such as
cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, vision
problems, and ophthalmia. Boils, conjunctivitis, and holy. Basil will keep for several days in the refrigerator
other eye inflammations or infections are treated by or it can be dried for future use.
soaking holy basil in boiled water, then using the water Recipes. Holy Basil Tea: 2 to 3 teaspoons of
to wash the eye. Holy basil contains high amounts of dried holy basil leaves, 1 cup boiling water. Pour boil-
vitamins A and C, along with high antioxidant content ing water over dried holy basil leaves and allow the
and essential oils that are especially beneficial for the mixture to steep for five to six minutes. Strain and en-
eyes. joy.

Stomach and Digestive System: Holy basil is Warning: Holy basil is considered safe for eating
beneficial to the stomach and digestive system by nat- and medicinal uses. It should be avoided during preg-
urally decreasing stomach acid and increasing mucus nancy, when trying to become pregnant, or when
secretion. This naturally helps decrease number the ef- breast-feeding because the effects on the child are un-
fects of peptic ulcers. Eat the whole plant for relief from known.
peptic ulcers, diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting.
Holy basil can lower blood sugar levels and should be
Harvesting: Harvest holy basil from a source grown used with care when taking insulin or anti-diabetes
away from pollutants, pesticides, and herbicides. Look drugs. People with hypothyroidism should not use holy
for vibrant green leaves without any holes or dark basil. It may lower thyroxine levels and worsen the
spots. Harvest the young leaves and stems from the top condition. Holy basil can interfere with blood clotting.
of the plant or cut the stems at ground level. Fresh Stop using holy basil at least 2 weeks before a sched-
uled surgery.

Hops, Humulus lupulus are on separate plants. Male flowers grow in 3 to 5
inches (7.5 cm to 12.5 cm) panicles. The female flower
Wild hops belong to the Cannabaceae (Hemp) Family. (seed cone) resembles a small pine cone. Flowers are
Hops are native to Europe, western Asia, and North 1½ to 3 inches (3.75 to 7.5 cm) long with overlapping,
America. Hops are a bine plant (versus a vine). They yellowish-green bracts with a small fruit (achene) at
have a branching stem with stiff hairs that face down- the base. The flowers have a sweet smell.
ward and provide stability. These allow the plant to Edible Use: The female flowers (seed cones or stro-
climb. Hops grow from 15 to 25 feet (4.5 meters to 7.6 biles) are used for tea and for brewing beer. Young
meters) high. leaves and shoots are sometimes used cooked or eaten

Identification: Hops have green, opposite, lobed raw.
leaves. Leaves have 3 to 5 lobes with finely toothed Extracts ad oils from hops are used as a flavoring in
edges and pointed tips. Male and female hops flowers non-alcoholic beverages and sweets.

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