In Health Matters, Take Five! (Five Important Herbs)

Five Important, and Fairly Accessible Herbs, in America

Plasma (called "rasa" in Sanskrit) is affected by all that goes into our digestive system, "foods" that include water. The plasma is also the basic bodily fluid, and sustains most of the damage during a fever. In alternative medicine, the basic concepts of HEAT and COLD in various parts of the body, mind and organs explain why one loses balance and equilibrium, the foundation of health. Depending upon one's specific imbalance, certian herbs are called upon to restore balalnce.We might add parenthetically that anger, conflict (even massage) and fierce debates aggravate existing areas of heat in mind and body, while any calming, peaceful activities (including frogiveness, meditation, compassion) help soothe the whole of one's constitution.

Would you be surprised that a herb called Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) helps people remain joyful and happy? A tea of lemon balm relaxes and allows for optimal assimilation of nutrients by the body.

Nettles (Urtica dioca) are easy to grow, and many prisoners in many situations recounted making soups of nettles that may have been the most abudant foliage around. The root of nettles are good for men's health, specifically relating to prostate health. Nettles help decrease residual urine. People usually have enough faith in nettles to make a drink of the herb and consume a gallon of the fresh concoction.

If one feels lethargy or slowness, or if one is described as wanting some "fire" in body and spirit, pepperment (Mentha pepperita) may be your Super-Herb to the rescue. While avoiding extremes in any situation, one may use fresh peppermint in generous amounts to make a tea that will stimulate stomach and small intestine. The bonus is that associated conditions like ulcers and flatulence will be moderated. This herb is great for controlling motion sickness and nausea (during pregnancy).