In Health Matters, Take Five! (Five Important Herbs)

Plasma (called "rasa" in Sanskrit) is affected by all that goes into our digestive system, "foods" that include water. The plasma is also the basic bodily fluid, and sustains most of the damage during a fever. In alternative medicine, the basic concepts of HEAT and COLD in various parts of the body, mind and organs explain why one loses balance and equilibrium, the foundation of health. Depending upon one's specific imbalance, certian herbs are called upon to restore balalnce.We might add parenthetically that anger, conflict (even massage) and fierce debates aggravate existing areas of heat in mind and body, while any calming, peaceful activities (including frogiveness, meditation, compassion) help soothe the whole of one's constitution.

Would you be surprised that a herb called Lemon Balm (Melissa Officinalis) helps people remain joyful and happy? A tea of lemon balm relaxes and allows for optimal assimilation of nutrients by the body.

Nettles (Urtica dioca) are easy to grow, and many prisoners in many situations recounted making soups of nettles that may have been the most abudant foliage around. The root of nettles are good for men's health, specifically relating to prostate health. Nettles help decrease residual urine. People usually have enough faith in nettles to make a drink of the herb and consume a gallon of the fresh concoction.

If one feels lethargy or slowness, or if one is described as wanting some "fire" in body and spirit, pepperment (Mentha pepperita) may be your Super-Herb to the rescue. While avoiding extremes in any situation, one may use fresh peppermint in generous amounts to make a tea that will stimulate stomach and small intestine. The bonus is that associated conditions like ulcers and flatulence will be moderated. This herb is great for controlling motion sickness and nausea (during pregnancy).

Herb Number Four is Valerian. The root is what we need. Caveat Emptor: the smell of the roots is not pleasant. Some have compared the smell of Valeriana officinalis to that of strong-smelling cabbages or dirty socks! However, bodily and mental conditions of stress, tension and stiffness will benefit from a tonic made with valerian. It helps to lower muscle tension, nervousness and anxiety.

The fifth herb, Yarrow (Achillea Millifolium) may help control bleeding, severe coughs, and generally aids in improving respiration. Good respiration helps with digestive processes and also calmness of mind. If there is too much heat in the body (heat or fire is called "pitta" in Sanskrit) yarrow may be what is needed for achieving equilibrium in the body and mind. Overall, a soothing herb, it governs the quality of "Air and breath" in the human body. Yarrow belongs to a group of herbs with similar properties, such as burdock, elder flowers, horsetail, mint and yellow dock. Like its Latinate name suggests, Achilles, the Greek hero, is said to have taken yarrow into the battlefield, and "soldiers" or "soldierswort" are some of its common names. Again, depending on one's specific needs or ailments, yarrow may stop bleeding or stimulate it. Like Herb Number Four, yarrow may be a great herb for menstruating women, if taken in moderation and with expert advice for your condition.

As the food and nutrition experts used to remind us, "EAT FIVE" for fresh fruits and veggies, we may just as easily suggest, when it comes to healing and regenerative herbs, "DRINK FIVE" or "TAKE MY HIGH FIVE!"