This edition of HH101 looks into the beneficial and medicinal properties of natural herbs
By Nakeasha Johnson
The World Health Organization put out a release yesterday warning the public that “without urgent action, the world is headed for a post-antibiotic era, in which common infections and minor injuries which have been treatable for decades can once again kill.” They also noted that “effective antibiotics have been one of the pillars allowing us to live longer, live healthier, and benefit from modern medicine. Unless we take significant actions to improve efforts to prevent infections and also change how we produce, prescribe and use antibiotics, the world will lose more and more of these global public health goods and the implications will be devastating.” Yes, you have read the above statements correctly! The WHO conducted research and released a report that noted the resistance to antibiotics and especially high resistance antibiotics is a cause for high concern.
I am not the person to tell you that you should never use conventional medicine. This is because everything has a time and a place. I will however say that utilizing alternative methods is not a horrible notion either. How many times have you heard of reported resistance to herbs? Don’t worry about it if you can’t think of a time because I can’t either. I wanted to give you some common antiviral and antibacterial herbs that you can regularly use.
Antibacterial Herbs:
1. Calendula
2. Cinnamon
3. Clove
4. Garlic
5. Echinacea
6. Marshmallow Root
7. Usnea
8. Yarrow
Antiviral Herbs:
1. Cranberry
2. Elderberry
3. Ginger
4. Lemon Balm
5. Licorice Root
6. Olive Leaf
7. Oregano
You can use these herbs in a tea by simply steeping the herbs in water for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can also make infusions with the herbs as well. Infusions utilize more herbs than tea does and are steeped for about an hour and stored in a tight jar. Many of these herbs also provide more than just antiviral or antibacterial benefits. They contain properties that have positive effects on other health issues. Herbs tackle health from a whole body perspective treating more than one issue simultaneously, whereas conventional medicine a good portion of the time simply treats one issue. So the next time that you are not feeling so well, try to utilize herbs first and see if you can get relief from the problem. Let me know how it goes for you. Tag me in the post on Twitter @NakeashaJ or Instagram @MelanatedBeauty and also utilize the hashtag #HealingHerbs.
-Nakeasha Johnson(@NakeashaJ)
