For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a variety of ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive categories; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we will discuss each of these categories in order concentrating upon the medicinal uses and essential oils.

Throughout history there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be discussing here and these include them being used as money, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to overpower disgusting smells. Herbs come from many parts of the globe and each culture usually had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.

Herbs And Religion

Herbs are still used in various religions across the planet.  A great many Christians will recall myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be extremely familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is grown by many and praised as a Goddess. In Pagan and Wiccan faiths herbs are used extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Herbs In Cooking

The leaves of different plants are used in the kitchen however there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, and a herb, such as sage, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

The Medical Uses of Herbs

As well as being powerful in flavor herbs can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being researched by scientists.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the concentrate extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the process called distillation but some need a different method of extraction such as expression or solvent extraction.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use approximately three drops in a bath when I suffer from achy legs. When my legs are extremely painful I gently massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.

Herbs should be handled with great care as some can be extremely harmful to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are planning on having a baby as something that seems safe could be terribly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should never be used in its raw form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage you should avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are one hundred percent certain they are safe.

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