Video:What Is a Medicinal Herb?

Transcript:What Is a Medicinal Herb?

Hi, I'm Nadia Chapman for About.com, and I'm here today to talk about medicinal herbs.

What Are Medicinal Herbs?

Medicinal herbs are herbs that are used for medicinal purposes. They have been used to help digestion, as antiseptics, stimulants and much more for thousand of years. They are popular in herbal teas, oils, syrups, and capsules. Sometimes it's the leaves that are being used, sometimes it's the flowers, the roots or seeds. There are thousands of medicinal herbs out there, and they should be used safely, so make sure to make your research before using them. Here are few examples.

Peppermint Is a Medicinal Herb

Peppermint is a popular medicinal herb with many benefits such as being a mild stimulant so it can wake you up, and also relieving upset stomachs and helping your digestion. When in a gel, peppermint is a cooling and soothing sensation on irritated skin. It will also help you feel less congested if you have a cold. Peppermint can eliminate nausea and prevent gas and bloating after eating.

Echinacea Is a Medicinal Herb

Echinacea is a beautiful Native North American plant well known to prevent colds by boosting the immune system. It works best when taken as soon as you start feeling the first shivers at the beginning of a cold. If you have a runny nose and are already coughing, it might be too late. It's a good idea to use it when people around you have colds, or when it's the beginning of cold season, that is when it will be the most effective. Dry echinacea is less effective, so try using a liquid form to obtain better results.

Garlic Is a Medicinal Herb

Don't underestimate the power of garlic! It is an important medicinal herb that is safe to use and easy to find. Eating raw garlic is the most powerful way to intake the herb. Garlic is well know to fight infections, gets rid of worms, reduces blood pressure, boots the immune system, and fights cholesterol, fungus and colds. Its oil is famous to relieve ear infections. You can also make garlic tea to soothe a sore throat.

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