Herbal Remedies for Eight Common Ailments

We all experience minor (and not so minor) illnesses from time to time. Overuse of pharmaceuticals can cause toxins to build up in our bodies. Here are some herbs you can use instead. I'm sure you know that herbs are not a substitute for medical treatment. If your condition worsens, discontinue whatever self-help methods you are using and see a doctor.

Arthritis: Ginger (both fresh and dried) has been proven to relieve joint and back pain attributable to both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The shogoals and gingerols in the ginger rhizome are powerful anti-inflamatories. You can make a tea from slices of fresh ginger root or take capsules of the dried. There are several other ailments which respond well to treatment with ginger root. See my article "Ginger Root: a Very Effective Herbal Remedy for a Variety of Medical Conditions" for more information.

Menstrual Cramps: Yarrow contains a natural form of salicylic acid which is as strong against pain but gentler on the digestive tract. A tea made from the fresh leaves works best. Cramp bark, the harvested bark of one of the viburnum shrubs, works by relaxing the uterine muscles. This is sold in capsules. If you haven't used it before, try it before bedtime. It's very relaxing.

Cold & Flu: Lots of herbs will help with flu symptoms, but elderberry extract beats them all. There are several brands of this on the market. The only one I have any personal experience with is Nature's Way's Sambucol which is a clinically tested extract developed by a virologist. It's more expensive than any other cold medicine I've ever used, but I feel it's worth it. A natural anti-viral, it doesn't just suppress your symptoms but stimulates your immune system to fight the bug. Your symptoms subside as your immune system wins the battle. I find that taking elderberry syrup reduces my cold symptoms by about 50% and knocks a couple of days off the duration.