KARLA JACKSONKAPLAN UNIVERSITY

 

HW499-01- BACHELOR’S CAPSTONE IN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

ROBYN HOBANMARCH 27 , 2012

The Medicinal Properties of Herbs

Herbs: A Biblical Genesis

Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields

fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth; and it was so.

 And the earth brought forth grass, the herb that yields

seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind.

And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:11, 12, NKJV 

Introduction

Herbs add flavor, aroma, Value to savory pot and to health, This presentation on the medicinal properties of

aloe vera, garlic, ginger, and, oregano, To secure herbal knowledge in you, equipping

and empowering you to make educated decisions when it comes to incorporating herbs into your current diet and lifestyle,

I will answer questions at the end of this presentation,

Thank you for attending! Herbs Can Heal!

Healing

Herbs

Aloe vera,

Garlic,

Ginger,

Oregano

Aloe Vera

The Healing Properties of

Aloe Vera

“Simple Wivey” “Barbados aloe” “Elephant’s Gall” “Bitter aloe” “Cape aloe” Aloe africana; “Curacao aloe” “Medicine plant,” “First-aid Plant,”

Aloe Vera Facts

Member of the Lily family,indigenous to warm regions worldwide, such as East and South Africa, some Mediterranean countries, the tropics, and southern parts of the United States,

sturdy, green, thick, leathery, multi-“leafed,” construction, so to speak, protects the clear, thick, bitter, “flesh”

Aloe Vera Uses

Easily grown and maintained for convenience and herbal medicinal purposes,

a topical antiseptic and skin softener,

a systemic cleanser when taken orally.

Aloe Vera with Caution

Orally ingested aloe vera juice, caps, and other forms may have particular side effects, including the following:

- Abdominal cramping- Blood electrolyte imbalances- Colorectal cancer- Decreased potassium blood levels- Diarrhea (due to laxative effect)- Lowered absorption of a variety of medications- Lowered blood glucose levels (blood sugar)- Muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms (from

lowered levels of potassium)- Rash, such as or similar to hives and eczema-Worse constipation or dependency after use for 7+ days as a

laxative (Authors of Aloe Vera Gel.org, 2012)

Garlic

The Healing Properties of

Garlic, Allium

sativum

“Garlic has gained credibility and popularity by researchers “as an agent that promotes immune-system support and fights viruses.” (Navarra, 2007, p. 8)

Garlic, Allium sativum, Facts

Pungent in flavor and scent, impacting every meal,“a natural antibiotic for colds, sore throat, phlegm in

the respiratory tract, asthma, bronchitis, abscesses and tuberculosis. Garlic is known to reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol.” (Navarra, 2007, p. 8)

Origins in Europe as far as 2600 B.C. , garlic continues to be used to flavor pots and treat many ailments.

Garlic has gained credibility and popularity by researchers “as an agent that promotes immune-system support and fights viruses.” (Ibid, p. 8). .

Garlic Strength

Reasons for garlic effectiveness as medicinal power and “health promoter,” lie in what it contains:

o organosulfur compounds (75 total, with allicin the most active),

o saponins (phytonutrients), o polyphenols (flavonoids, antioxidants, i.e., rids

free-radicals), o selenium (an essential mineral), o vitamin C (antioxidant), o potassium (cell metabolism). (Pratt S. , 2009, p.

220)

Garlic Good as:

an antibiotic (prevents the growth of and/or destroys microorganisms that can lead to infections (Straub, 2011)

an antihistamine (allergy treatment) an anticoagulant (blood thinner) an expectorant (loosens phlegm) an antibacterial (prevents bacterial growth) an antiparasitic (prevents the growth of parasites) an alterative (behaves as an agent to change bodily functions) a diaphoretic (causes perspiration) a diuretic (increases output of urine) an expectorant (induces cough to produce phlegm) a stimulant (immune system activator) an antiviral (prevents the growth of viruses) an antispasmodic (in lungs, prevents alveoli quivers, which are contributors

to asthmatic symptoms). (Authors of Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide, 2006; Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus, 2003).

GINGER

The Healing Properties of

Ginger

Ginger is an ugly root, scented beautifully on the inside ; derived from vegetables in the form of tree bark, seed, or fruit, (Pratt S. G., 2006, p. 279), ginger is also herbal medicine, functioning as a detoxifier, known to prevent and relieve .

OREGANO

The Healing Properties of

Oregano Origanum

vulgare

The “bushy perennial herb, Origanum vulgare, of the Labiatae family, oregano is a pungent spice and an herbal stimulant, [having] carminative [relieves flatulence] and diaphoretic [causes perspiration]” (Navarra, 2007, pp. 141-142) properties

A Word on Evidence-Based Research

“Since herbal medicines function pharmacologically in the body, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), … recognized the importance of performing careful research studies on…” (Straub, 2011) herbal products people rely on for healing.

The medicinal properties of herbs benefit consumers, but should be used responsibly and based on evidence-based research, not excluding time-tested, hand-me-down experience.

Be smart: do research, use wisdom

Conclusion

Herbs have biblical beginnings; herbs heal! Herbs are credited with sustain good health in

billions of people through the ages, Herbs have been people-tested and scientifically

researched, adding to the confidence consumers Inform your physician of all herbal supplements

you are using., Herbs behave pharmacologically, they act like

medicines, Herbs heal!

References

Agin, B. a. (2009). Superfoods for Dummies. Indianapolis, IN: Wiley Publishing, Inc.Authors of Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide. (2006). Ginger. Retrieved from A Vitamins and Health

Supplements Guide Web site: http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/herbal-supplements/ginger.phpAuthors of Aloe Vera Gel.org. (2012). Aloe Vera - Other Names. Retrieved from An aloeveragel.org Web site:

http://www.aloeveragel.org/other-names.phpAuthors of Vitamins and Health Supplement Guide. (2006). Aloe Vera. Retrieved from A Vitamins and Health

Supplement Guide: http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/herbal-supplements/aloe-vera.phpAuthors of Vitamins and Health Supplements Guide. (2006). Garlic. Retrieved from Vitamins and Health

Supplements Guide: http://www.vitamins-supplements.org/herbal-supplements/garlic.phpDavidson, J. R. (2000). Herbs for the Mind. New York, N.Y.: The Guilford Press.Kurt49. (2011, January 8). Inflammation and the Disease It Causes. Retrieved from A Bukisa.com Web site:

http://www.bukisa.com/articles/432766_inflammation-and-the-diseases-it-causesNavarra, T. (2007). The A to Z of Vitamins, Minerals, and Supplements. New York, N.Y.: Checkmark Books.Oxford American Dictionary and Thesaurus. (2003). New York: Oxford University Press.Pratt, S. (2009). Super Health. New York, N.Y.: Dutton of Penguin Group.Pratt, S. G. (2006). Super Foods Health Style: Proven Strategies for Lifelong Health. New, York, N.Y.: Harper

Collins Publishers.Sahelian, R. (N.D.). Cytokines and inflammation and how they influence depression and various medical

diseases . Retrieved from Cytokines and inflammation and how they influence depression and various medical diseases : http://www.raysahelian.com/cytokines.html

Straub, J. A. (2011). Herbal Alternative Medicine: The Benefits of Being Informed. Retrieved from A Kaplan University Online Web site: http://www.healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Herbal%20Alternative%20Medicine.html

Thomas Nelson, Inc. (1982). The Open Study Bible: The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc.