Do you know your medicinal herbs? See if you can name these 10 herbal remedies. (And don’t peek at the answers at the bottom until you’re done!)
1. This remedy is used as a liver or kidney tonic, as a diuretic, and for minor digestive problems. Its leaves can be eaten raw. It can be made into wine.
2. This herb has been used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, menopausal discomforts and PMS. It’s also been used during pregnancy to shorten labor.
3. This is used to prevent dental plaque and to treat urinary tract infections.
4. This remedy is used primarily as a laxative, and is thought to potentially ease menopausal hot flashes, and may even benefit people with heart
disease. (Hint: It can also be eaten in salads.)
5. Used as a spice, this remedy treats heartburn, stomach ulcers and gallstones. It can also be made into a paste and applied directly on the skin to treat eczema.
6. Belonging to the legume family, this remedy has historically been used for respiratory problems. It is used to ease menopausal symptoms, to treat high cholesterol, osteoporosis and symptoms of prostate enlargement.
7. Used in cooking, this remedy eases motion sickness and nausea caused by chemotherapy. It is also used to treat joint and muscle pain.
8. Another well-known cooking herb, the plant that this remedy comes from is in the lily family. It’s used to treat high cholesterol, heart disease, high blood pressure, and also to prevent stomach and colon cancers.
9. Also known as “goat weed,” this herbal remedy is used to treat depression, sleep disorders and nerve pain.
10. Utilized in China for more than 400 years, this remedy may fight inflammation, suppress the immune system and have anti-cancer effects.
ANSWERS: 1. Dandelion. 2. Evening Primrose Oil. 3. Cranberry. 4. Flaxseed. 5. Turmeric. 6. Red Clover. 7. Ginger. 8. Garlic. 9. St. John’s Wort. 10. Thunder God Vine.
