Garlic, a member of the family that includes onions, leeks and shallots, is native to Europe and Central Asia. Garlic, also known as Stinking Rose, Rashona, Poor Man's Teacle, Da Suan and Russian Penicillin, has long been used by many cultures to support a variety of health conditions. The name Garlic is derived from an Anglo-Saxon words, leac, meaning "pot herb" and gar, meaning "lance shape," after the shape of the leaf.
The slaves who built the Pyramid of Cheops were fed rations of Garlic to give them strength, and Olympic athletes in ancient Greece chewed a clove of Garlic at the start of a competition, believing it increased their stamina. It was once used to help protect one from the Bubonic Plague and to ward off evil. For thousands of years, Garlic has been one of the most popular medicinal herbs, in spite of the legendary myth that Garlic will ward off vampires. Garlic is considered to be Nature's very own antibiotic. Unlike most antibiotics, Garlic will not deplete the body of good flora, and is considered to be the cure-all herb because of its effectiveness on the entire body. Popularly used as a digestive aid, Garlic increases bile production while enhancing digestion and reducing stomach gases. Garlic's strong odor is due mostly to a sulfide called allicin. Garlic is a source of selenium, which must be present in the body for proper immune response, and which also acts as an antioxidant in combination with vitamin E. Rich in potassium, zinc, selenium and vitamins A and C, Garlic is commonly used to fight infection, increase circulation and help prevent cardiovascular disease. Garlic has been known to detoxify the body by cleansing the kidneys and increasing urine flow. Furthermore, Garlic's healing properties make it an ideal agent for fighting colds and flu, bacteria and fungi. Garlic has also been used for lowering cholesterol, reducing high blood pressure and for treating respiratory problems such as bronchitis and asthma. |
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Parsley is no longer a garnish that sits on your plate - it contains vital nutrients and vitamins that support the body. Parsley is a rich source of calcium, iron, riboflavin, potassium, thiamine, vitamin A, vitamin C and trace amounts of niacin. The parts of the plant used medicinally are the whole plant and the seeds, and there are three main areas of usage. Firstly, it is an effective diuretic, helping the body expel excess water. The second area of use is as an emmenagogue - stimulating the menstrual process. And thirdly, this plant is used as a carminative, easing flatulence and the colic pains that may accompany it. Historically, the Greeks held Parsley in high esteem, crowning victors with chaplets of Parsley at the Isthmian games and making it into wreaths for adorning the tombs of their dead. The herb was never brought to table of old, being held sacred to the dead. It was reputed to have sprung from the blood of a Greek hero, Archemorus, the harbinger of death, and Homer relates that chariot horses were fed with the leaves by warriors. Parsley was also associated with Persephone, the Queen of the Underworld. During the Middle Ages it was used as a poison antidote. The high chlorophyll content facilitates utilization of oxygen, and its volatile oil increases circulation to the digestive tract. In Russia, a preparation containing mostly Parsley juice is given during labor to stimulate uterine contractions. The primary chemical constituents of Parsley Seed include essential oils, coumarins, glycoside, flavonoids, chlorophyll, protein, beta carotene, vitamins C and K, iron, magnesium, histadine and calcium. Traditional topical uses of this herb have included its use as a poultice for bruises, sprains and insect bites, and as an ointment rubbed on the body to repel mosquitoes. The juice has been used to treat toothache and as a hair rinse or as a facial steam for dry skin. Other uses for Parsley have been to tone the urinary tract, reducing the possibility of infections, alleviating painful menstruation, lowering blood pressure and improving asthma, allergies and bronchitis by drying excessive mucus.
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