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Herbs

A lot of people take for granted these wayside leaves and grasses that are summed up as herbs. But what most people probably do not know is that herbs are the highest quality food known to man that contains vitamins, minerals and trace elements, all existing in natural balance and harmony. And this is precisely why our Creator put herbs in this the beautiful earth so that we can maintain and restore our health naturally.

An herb is any plant or plant part which is used for its scent, flavor, and therapeutic properties. And because herbs get to the cause of health problems directly, they are well known to be very effective, now, even herbal supplements are manufactures as a dietary supplement that contain herbs, either singly or in mixtures.

There are many herbs that have a long history of use. However, some herbs have caused health problems for users although this is a case to case basis. In general, there really are no bad side effects with using herbs though some people experience cleansing action on the body when first using it. These are manifested in episodes like nausea, diarrhea, aches, and etc. However, this detoxifying process is what helps bring the body into a state of health. Therefore, do not be afraid of herbs for they are food, not drugs and can be taken in large quantities with no harmful side effects at all. Chances are, mixing herbs even has less of a side effect than eating different foods together. And because they are food, you can also take herbs whenever you want, before meals so the liquid won't dilute their digestive juices or first thing in the morning and last thing at night, any way will do. However, the best way to take it is always with your meals.

A quick list of how herbs can help you in a particular part of your body is the following:

• Relaxation/Stress and Depression
  St. John's Wort
  Valerian
  Kava
• Skin Problems
  Bitter Orange
  Chamomile
  Aloe Vera
  St. John's Wort
• Liver
  Milk Thistle
• Memory/Aging
  Ginkgo Biloba
• Eyes
  Bilberry
• Headaches
  Feverfew
  Ginger
• Heart
  Hawthorn
  Garlic
  Gingko Biloba
• Immunity
  Ginseng
  Zinc
  Echinacea
  Garlic
• Stomach/Digestion
  Ginger
  Goldenseal
  Aloe Vera
  Bitter Orange
• Reproductive: Men
• Prostate and General Health
  Yohimbine
  Saw Palmetto
• Reproductive: Women
  Menstrual, Menopausal, and General Health
  Chamomile
  Ginger
  Black Cohosh
  Gingko Biloba
  Kava
• Other
  Cayenne
  Glucosamine
  Green Tea
  Stevia
  Vanadium
  Yerba Mate

There is also what we call the culinary herbs which are way different from spices because they are fresh or dried leaves while spices are seeds, roots, fruits, flowers, and bark. What’s more, Culinary herbs usually have a milder flavor while spices are stronger and more pungent. Some common spices are cinnamon sticks, aniseeds and ginger roots. However, culinary herbs have a tendency towards disease and insect problems so a good integrated pest management program (IPM) should be implemented when growing them. You must check the pesticide label to make sure that specific herbs are listed on. Also, there are a few, if any, fungicides that are registered for use on herbs. Some of the insecticides good for "herbs” are as follows:

• neems: Align, Azatin, Neemix- for caterpillars, some beetles, leafhoppers.
• soaps (M-Pede, etc.)-for aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied pests only.
• pyrethrins: Pyrenone (pyrethrins); Pyrellin (pyrethrins + rotenone)
• B.t.s (Javelin, DiPel, Agree, etc.)-for caterpillars only

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