Here’s how it works: Essential oils are extracted from plants and are high in concentration. These oils are able to change your mood depending on their scent. For example, lemon can be energizing while peppermint can cure nausea. Once the aromas are breathed in, the olfactory system is affected, which in turn affects the nervous system. From skincare and cosmetic uses to antiseptic cures, aromatherapy essential oils can work wonders.

The most popular aromatherapy scents include marjoram, patchouli, cedarwood, peppermint and chamomile. Marjoram is best used to fight off fatigue. Marjoram as well as patchouli are both effective at warding off depression and easing the symptoms of this ailment. Cedarwood massage oil or lotion that contains cedarwood can be applied directly to the body in order to soothe sensitive skin. Chamomile is known to greatly improve a person’s mood. Peppermint is excellent to sniff before a long car ride or a work meeting. The scent of peppermint is highly refreshing and will help you to stay alert. Jasmine increases libido, which makes it a perfect option for couples of all ages. Sandalwood can be used as an anti-inflammatory when applied directly to the skin.

Stress can contribute to a variety of health issues, such as insomnia and the resulting problems. Aromatherapy candles, body lotions and essential oils that smell like citrus, lavender or eucalyptus are effective at lowering a person’s stress level. Other stress-relieving scents include bergamot and rose. If you tend to feel stressed throughout the day, keep these scents on hand.

Everyone gets the common cold, but some people (like me) can’t or don’t want to take OTC cold medicines. For those people, herbs are an appealing alternative. A lot of cold symptoms can be treated just as well with herbs as they can with traditional cold medicine.

Herbs can be used to help you sleep better, breathe easier and just feel better in general. Unlike traditional cold medicine, herbs can treat your cold without putting potentially harmful chemicals in your body. The cold medicines you find at the pharmacy sometimes interfere with the process of your body healing from the cold germs or they cause side effects that are unpleasant, and in some cases, worse than the cold symptoms you had in the first place.

Two herbs that have been proven to help are garlic and Echinacea. I have a friend who has been using Echinacea for at least seven years. She says that since she started taking it, she’s never had a cold that went past the first cold symptoms; usually a scratchy throat and fatigue.

Another friend suggested I use goldenseal, Echinacea, ginseng and yellow dock root, which can all be found in capsule form. She takes three capsules three times every day for 10 days, and that seems to help ward off the cold. She’s an accountant and absolutely can’t let a cold bring her down during tax season (which is right now), so I do trust her advice. My only hesitation is that it ends up being a lot of pills – but, it’s only 10 days, right?

You’ll usually find the roots, bark and leaves of the black walnut plant in extract form in the health food stores.

The shells and leaves of black walnuts are healthy because they contain large amounts of vitamins B-1, B-2, B-6 and C, as well as beta-carotene. Black walnuts are also an effective way to treat minor skin conditions because they contain juglone, tannins and quinone, which are all found in the shell of the walnut. The nuts’ leaves are also believed to be able to heal minor skin conditions such as psoriasis, blisters, eczema, minor skin ulcers and fungal infections such as jock itch and athlete’s foot.

Intestinal parasites and worms are often treated with black walnuts. While there is no standard dosage, studies have determined it is generally safe for people to use. The extract of the black walnut can also act as a laxative, albeit a mild one – so proceed with caution. I didn’t have any trouble while taking it, but I’d advise starting with a very small dose and working your way up.

Black walnut extract, if applied to the skin, sometimes causes skin irritation, rashes and swelling in certain people, although this does not happen often. Pregnant women and women who are nursing are urged to avoid using herbal products made with black walnut. And, of course, if you have any concerns or if you’re taking any medications (prescription or over-the-counter), you should talk to your doctor or holistic healthcare specialist before adding any herbs to your daily regimen.

In herbal medicine, goldenseal is often recommended to prevent and cure infections of the inside and outside of the body. For years, I have been taking goldenseal and echinacea daily during the cold and flu season. I have found that it strengthens my immune system so that I very seldom get sick. On those few times that I do get sick, I find that a little goldenseal helps reduce the time I spend coughing and sneezing: it helps me recover more quickly. My brother recently started out in a teaching career, and (on my recommendation) has started taking goldenseal with his afternoon tea every day to ward off the germs that the little ones bring to his classroom.

Commonly called goldenseal, Hydrastis Canadensis is of the Ranunculaceae (or buttercup family) and has many more healing properties than just warding off the occasional cold.

Facts and Benefits

The roots and stems of the goldenseal plant have phytochemicals that have been shown in studies to protect against disease. This yellow-rooted plant is innate to North America and was used by Native Americans to treat a broad range of illnesses and to make yellow dye to paint their faces. To this day, goldenseal is still used as an herbal medicine to treat many symptoms from heath disorders, including allergies, conjunctivitis, eczema and other rashes, ringworm, earaches, digestion problems, sore throats, and it’s even thought to prevent ulcers and disinfect small skin wounds. Goldenseal also works to naturally lower blood pressure, and it can relieve stress and anxiety because it acts as a mild sedative.

Goldenseal is a Natural Antibiotic

The medicinal roots of the goldenseal plant contain a natural antibiotic that is used to treat common symptoms of colds and flus, such as chills, fever, inflammation of the ears and throat, body aches and sinus congestion. It really does boost the immune system to help the body defend itself from being attacked by germs that can cause infections. Without a doubt, I know from firsthand experience that goldenseal helps to prevent and relieve cold and flu symptoms.

As with any herbal supplement, you should talk to your doctor or a qualified herbalist before adding goldenseal to your daily regimen – especially if you’re taking any medication (OTC or prescribed).

Siberian ginseng has been traditionally used to increase energy, vitality and endurance. This plant is also known to help prevent and reduce the length of the flu and the common cold.

Siberian ginseng supplements are generally made from the root of the shrub. The root contains a concentrated mixture of eleutherosides, which are believed to offer many health benefits. You can find Siberian ginseng supplements in the form of liquid extracts, powders, capsules, tablets, solid extracts and teas.

When you’re shopping for any herbal product, it’s really important to find a reputable manufacturer. Otherwise, there’s no telling what you’re getting. Although the benefits may be just what you are looking for, you should know the side effects before you start taking Siberian ginseng.

Siberian ginseng is generally considered safe when used as directed. However, those who suffer from sleep apnea, narcolepsy, mental illness, heart disease, high blood pressure and those with autoimmune diseases should not take this herb. Women should consult with their doctor before taking Siberian ginseng as it is believed to function similar to estrogen. You wouldn’t want to throw your hormones off balance, but there may be times (menopause) where Siberian ginseng is helpful.

Contact your doctor if you have any concerns about the safety of this or any other herbal product. If you are taking any medications, whether they are prescribed or over the counter, talk to your doctor or a qualified herbalist about any potential contradictions. Some medications may be dangerous when combined with Siberian ginseng.

Quite a few studies have been done on the cancer-fighting properties of this herb. It is considered among the most medicinal herbs, but it still can be purchased over-the-counter at most health food stores. It is believed to be a remarkable immune-enhancing agent that helps your body naturally boost its immune system to fight any kind of infection.

One study done in 2003 showed that andrographis can actually inhibit cancer cell growth, but that’s not the only study that confirms this herb’s cancer-fighting activity. Another 2006 study showed that adropgraphis can also induce cancer cell death. One more study done on 20 stage IV cancer patients showed that the quality of life along with natural killer cell activity improved when patients were given 500 milligrams of andrographis twice daily along with whey, vitamin C, beta glucan and a multi vitamin.

These are just examples of how powerful this herb can be, and what sort of impact it can have on your immune system. You don’t have to have cancer to benefit from the anti-inflammatory immune boosting power of andrographis. However, there is one thing you should know: the taste of andrographis extract is extremely bitter. It’s almost unbearable.

As with any other herbal remedy, you should talk to your doctor or herbalist about potential side effects or contradictions with any other medications before you decide to take andrographis extract. You may think things are cut and dry, but they often aren’t. Even if you have a career in the medical field (e.g., medical assistant or x-ray technician), you should still talk to a professional about adding any powerful healing herbs to your daily regimen.

In Chinese medicine, licorice is used to reduce inflammation, soothe coughs, control blood sugar and balance hormones. It is believed to act as an antiviral agent and is often used to treat the flu, herpes and hepatitis. Licorice is also used to treat ulcers. Unlike most ulcer medications, licorice does not reduce the amount of stomach acids, but it does strengthen the mucosal layer that protects your stomach from being damaged by these acids.

Aside from all of its potential healing, licorice actually tastes pretty darn good. I sometimes ad a few drops of licorice extract to an herbal tea. It imparts a sweetness to the tea, so I don’t even have to use a sweetener. Licorice contains a component called glycyrrhizin, which is 30 to 60 times sweeter than sugar. It also acts as an anti-inflammatory component. It is believed to increase the length of time that cortisol circulates through the body, which decreases overall inflammation. In contrast to most anti-inflammatory drugs, licorice does not suppress the immune system. If this all sounds too good to be true, please read on. There are some potential side effects to consuming licorice extract, and there are also certain groups of people who should avoid it altogether.

Just like synthetic cortisone replacements, licorice can cause weight gain, fluid retention and high blood pressure. You should always consult a doctor or naturopath before taking any herbal remedy, but in this case, it’s especially important if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart disease. In these cases, the licorice may cause your blood pressure to rise to a dangerous level.

This combination is not only used by traditional herbalists, but it has also been tested by many scientists. Research shows that gingko biloba improves your ability to concentrate, while ginseng actually enhances your memory. Since both functions are closely related to intelligence and mental acuity, this powerful combination is taken by those in the know who want to get more out of their brain power, seem more intelligent and enhance their memory.

In previous posts, I’ve talked about ginseng and gingko biloba. They each have their own benefits when taken apart from each other, but research shows that the combination actually can enhance each of those individual benefits, so you’ll get more out of your gingko biloba by taking it along with ginseng and vice versa.

Many researchers are excited about the prospect of this combination being used to treat neurological disorders, such as Alzheimer’s disease (gingko biloba is already used in some countries against this disease). Research has shown that extracts of these herbs work best when taken over a long period of time, but recent studies indicate that some effects can be seen after just one dose. Participants in one study performed better on tests after just one single dose of the ginseng/gingko combination. The best results were seen when the volunteers took a combination of 60 percent ginseng and 40 percent gingko, indicating that this combination may actually improve the person’s available mental energy.

Researchers are quick to warn that ginseng and gingko have not yet been shown to halt the progression of Alzheimer’s or dementia in clinical trials, but more research should be done in this area. I don’t suffer from either disease (as of yet), but I could certainly use a boost in memory and mental focus. Whether you’re a world renowned scholar or a tattoo artist, I’m sure you can appreciate the benefits of a little mental boost.

Although the plant’s root is mostly used in Ayurvedic medicine, many use the outer leaves of the flower to make a cold-fighting tea. One great thing about hibiscus is that it’s readily available. Depending on where you live, you might even have a plant growing in your own garden. If that’s the case, you’ll need ¼ cup of fresh hibiscus leaves (outer portion only) to make a cup of tea. Just place them in your cup and pour in boiling water. Let it sit for five minutes, and then drink.

If you don’t live in an area where you can grow your own hibiscus, you can easily buy some dried leaves for your tea. You might find dried hibiscus in the bulk section of your local health food store. Otherwise, you can buy it online. Since the dried version is condensed, you’ll only need 2 teaspoons of hibiscus leaves to make one cup of tea. Aside from that, it’s made the same way as with fresh leaves.

You can easily sweeten your hibiscus tea without affecting the cold-fighting properties. Just add honey or another sweetener. You can also add lemon for more of a fresh tasting flavor.

I first learned about the benefits of hibiscus tea when I was taking a few nutritional courses at Ashworth University. Ever since, I make it a point to have this tea whenever I’m feeling under the weather. It doesn’t work every single time, but usually I end up feeling better in a day or two. I like to make mine with honey and a squeeze of orange juice straight from the fruit.

Experts recommend that you avoid all herbal remedies, if you have a medical condition or if you’re pregnant or nursing. For the best effects, reserve this tea for whenever you feel a cold coming on. Then, you can drink it once or twice daily for 10 days. Of course, as with any herbal remedy, if you experience any type of negative reaction, discontinue use immediately.