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Do Herbal Medicines Work?




Today, let’s talk about the use of herbs as medicine and if it’s worth adding some to your health regimen. First off, it is professionally accepted by physicians that plants and herbs can be quite powerful, and most prescription medications are derived from them. The healing validity of plants is not disputed.

However, like essential oils, some uses of plant medicines are spiritual. Tribal people believe that part of healing comes from the power of spirits. We do our best to keep well. When we are sick, we seek help from a physician, change unhealthy habits, and ask God for a speedy recovery. From this regard, I agree that healing is partially spiritual.

So, while we follow best practices, in the words of one such tribal herbalist, Emma Dupree (1897-1996) from Falkland, North Carolina, “It is God that does the healin’.”

The earliest discoveries of herbal medicine are from ancient Egypt and other parts of Africa. Medical Papyruses were discovered in Egypt dating back to 1600 BCE. This knowledge was shared between herbalists traveling the Nile River to Mesopotamia and built upon by other cultures. Herbalism in Western culture is heavily influenced by Native American and African American culture.

There are many different ways plants can be used as medicine, so which ones are of benefit would be personal to you. Planting and gardening season is right around the corner, so what better way to test herbal medicine than with your own garden!


Let’s review some popular, easy to grow plants and their medicinal uses:

1. Aloe vera is a succulent that has a gelly like liquid inside the leaves. It is easy to grow. The liquid has a cooling effect and can be applied directly to wounds on the skin. It is popular for healing burns and cuts. It can also be ingested and is used to aid digestion, constipation and the elimination of bad bacteria or parasites.

2. Sage is a plant that is part of the mint family. It is an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory. It is high in vitamin k. It has a piney flavor and it’s benefits can be acquired by using it as a seasoning. It tastes good on vegetables and poultry and is a common herb in our Thanksgiving stuffing.

3. Lavendar is a purple flowering plant that’s fragrance can be inhaled for a calming effect. Take advantage of the scent of the plant by placing clippings in a bath salt: using 1 cup epson salt, 1 cup sea salt, and 1 tablespoon baking soda. Or, make a room spray: with 2 cups water, 2 tablespoons alcohol and crushed lavendar placed in a spray bottle.

4. Dandelion gets a bad rap for being a weed, but it is an edible plant with nutrients. The leaves and stem can be cut up into a salad. Dandelion becomes bitter with age, so pick young plants .

5. Catnip If you’ve ever watched a cat after eating catnip, there’s no doubt that it has an effect! The best way for humans to enjoy catnip is in a tea. While you won’t be as excited about the catnip as your cat, you can enjoy it’s calming effect for putting you to sleep, and helping your digestion.

6. Cedar, Pine, and Evergreen are going to be put together since they all share a woodsy, earthy element that immediately makes us think of the scent and of winter. The scent of these earthy plants aren’t easily transformable, unless turned into an oil. So, you can grow them and enjoy their aroma year round, but not for medicinal use per se. I think enjoyment is a medicine, but since it can’t be quantified, it is a spiritual practical.

As with anything, there are always exceptions. Pine tea is used to boost immunity, and has become popular because it contains vitamin c, and is used to speed recovery from cold and flu.

Plant medicine is already widely used and accepted in prescription drugs. We can easily benefit in a holistic way by having a garden of our own herbs.

If you don’t have outdoor space, a grow light can be placed on a dresser or table to grow plants year round.

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