Amal Al-Sibai Saudi Gazette Our state of health is reflected by the harmony of our bodies with our external environment, experiences, social relationships, spirituality and food. True health encompasses more than the physical; it includes the health of the body, mind and soul. When illness befalls, it should inspire deep thought, meditation, an opportunity for learning and personal growt, and a change of lifestyle habits for the better. In many cases, when the illness is not life-threatening, immediately resorting to medications to suppress the symptoms may not be the best option for optimal health. Natural herbs can relieve your health complaints but are slower, gentler and in the process give your body far more benefits than merely quieting the uncomfortable symptoms. All healing comes from within and the body heals itself; that is the foundation that herbal remedies revolve around. Not all conditions can be treated with herbs but you can boost your health by relying on natural herbs for some of the minor ailments that we all suffer from, rather than take over-the-counter pills every time you sneeze or have a headache. The active ingredient in synthetic drugs comes from natural plants. The difference between the drug and the herb is that in the drug, the active ingredient is isolated and concentrated whereas in the natural herb it contains many other naturally occurring substances that balance and buffer each other and act synergistically together to produce effective yet gentler results. In the drug, the concentration of medicinal chemicals is different from the concentrations found in nature. That is why side effects are more likely to occur from drugs. Herbs are considered safer, with far less side effects and risks of toxicity than synthetic drugs. Herbs also provide vitamins and minerals that support the body during illness. The Middle Eastern pantry often contains a treasure of natural herbs that can be used as remedies for a number of health problems. Chamomile One of the most versatile and safest herbs, chamomile has been used for centuries to treat a variety of different ailments. An excellent herb for digestive problems and stomach ache, it almost instantly soothes stomach pain and spasms. Taken at night, chamomile can help you relax, dispes anxiety and induce sleep; a better substitute to sleeping pills that are habit forming and may have negative side-effects. Chamomile is a good remedy for colds, sore throat, and mild coughs, especially for children. To make healing chamomile tea, boil two cups of water, add 2 tablespoons of the dried chamomile flowers and remove from the heat. Let it stand, covered, for about 10 minutes, sweeten with a bit of honey and enjoy. Ginger Ginger root is known to stimulate circulation and digestion; it aids the digestion of foods and prevents flatulence. It is an effective treatment for nausea associated with motion sickness and morning sickness. Some studies found that ginger contains compounds with anti-inflammatory properties that help alleviate rheumatoid arthritis pain. An infusion of ginger root with cinnamon helps relieve menstrual cramps and symptoms of the cold and flu, which is a much healthier alternative to pain relievers and anti-histamines commonly used to treat colds and flu. A piece of fresh ginger root simmered in milk and sweetened with honey is effective at treating respiratory infections, coughs and bronchitis. Cumin seeds An excellent therapy for gas and abdominal pain is a tea of boiled water steeped over one teaspoon of crushed cumin seeds. Anise seeds Anise tea is made by adding a cup of boiled water to three teaspoons of crushed anise seeds and leaving for twenty minutes. Sipping anise tea is good for breaking up mucus in a hard, dry cough when expectoration is difficult. It is very comforting for children who have a cough which often worsens at night. Anise tea is also given to women after childbirth because it stimulates the production of breast milk. Ginseng The king of all tonics, ginseng from the Far East, is a stimulant of the central nervous system and is an overall pick-me-up. It helps restore energy at times when fatigue and lethargy are weighing you down. A study at Uppsala University in Sweden revealed that ginseng helps sharpen the memory and aids in learning. Participants who used supplemental ginseng worked faster, achieved better results and coped with stress better than participants who were given a placebo. Ginseng is beneficial for the heart and circulation and has been used to normalize blood pressure and reduce blood cholesterol. It is very nourishing for the blood and treats anemia. The Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and most people in the Far East have been using it for centuries and they consider it a medicinal panacea. Since it is a stimulant, it should be used in moderation and should not be used by women who are experiencing excessive menstrual discharge. “When I am in particular stress, I take pills of ginseng for three to four weeks. Then I stop. I take it at intervals whenever I feel the need,” said Prof. Finn Sandberg, Faculty of Pharmacy and Faculty of Medicine at Uppsala University. Ginseng is available as a dried root, tincture, powder, tablet, and capsule. Lemons The juice of fresh lemons has a number of health benefits. Drinking about three tablespoons of fresh lemon juice diluted in a cup of water first thing in the morning will strengthen the digestive system, tone and cleanse the liver and treat constipation. Lemon juice is a blood purifier and drinking it can help clear up skin problems. Lemons are rich in vitamin C and other substances with anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, so are helpful in treating the common cold and flu and in reducing fevers. For immediate cold, flu and fever relief, mix a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water and sip slowly. So when life gives you lemons, make lemonade, but avoid adding too much sugar!
