Dill

Dill originates from the southern and central parts of the Asian continent and is commonly known to be a very short-lived herb. It is the only specie of the genus Anethum. The maximum height of this herb can reach as high as 60 cm and it consists of slender stems and soft, delicate leaves that can extend to a maximum length of about 20 cm. The flowers of Dill vary from white to yellow and are about 2 to 9 cm in diameter. The seeds of these herbs can be of a maximum length of 5 mm with 1 mm of thickness.

The dill seeds are more extensively used as spices all over the world and the fresh leaves of the dill weed are used as herbs.

The Dill herb can be successfully cultivated in the periods of summers where the sunshine is at its highest levels. The soil requirement for the Dill herb is fairly rich and above all the drainage has to be rich enough. The seeds can be used for about 3 to a maximum of 10 years. The name of this herb as dill was kept due to its Anglo-Saxon meaning of the word 'dylle' which means to soothe, and this plant has the features of relieving gas.

The fresh leaves of the dill plants are dried so that they can be used as herbs. The leaves of the dill plants are known to be aromatic because of which they are used in the food flavorings and also in other soups and pickles. It is always recommended to use the products of this plant as fresh as possible because it tends to lose its flavor very rapidly. However if they are frozen and dried the flavor can still be maintained for over a year.

The seeds of the Dill plants are used very popularly as spices; its oils are also widely used extracted from the leaves stems and the seeds.

In the medicinal uses, the dill plant is effective in the cure of certain digestion problems.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the most commonly used trees which rises to a maximum height of about 15 meters and belongs the family of the Lauraceae origination from Sri Lanka and also the Indian Subcontinent, mostly from the southern part.

The secret behind the aromatic nature of the Cinnamon tree is its essential oil which makes up about 1% of is composition. There is a procedure to be followed for the preparation of the oil which is by pounding the bark and using it to the macerate in sea water, after that it is distilled over. The color of the oil is golden-yellow and it is characterized by a very hot aromatic taste.

The cinnamon oil can give pungent smell over the time if it reacts with oxygen and it then gets dark in coloration. Some of the chemical components of the Cinnamon oil are ethyl cinnamate, linalool and methyl chavicol etc

Apart from its uses as a spice, Cinnamon is largely used in the cure of common colds and problems related to the digestive system like the diarrhea. It is also now used extensively as a natural cure or toothaches and for the eradication of bad breath.

Dandelion

The Dandelion is known to be an attractive plant mostly because of its beautiful yellow flowers and they are originated mostly from the European and Asian parts of the world.In the parts where Dandelion is not native to, it can start becoming weedy like for examply in the northern areas. They belong to the Taraxacum specie which is involved in the asexual reproduction by means of the apomixes and also the seed production occurring mostly without pollination.

Dandelion has the tap root system and is the perennial herbaceous plants. They are more widely known as the weeds or the ruderals.

The Dandelion consists of leaves which can extend up to a maximum height of 5-25cm and are either simple and basal or lobed in structure. They can push down the vegetation surrounding them as the leaves grow outward gradually. This can cut off the sunlight and eventually kill the vegetation. There are many flowering stems which can be about 2 to 5 cm in diameter and consist solely of ray florets. Dandelions are also used as food plants by some of the insect larvae of the specie Lepidoptera. However mostly the dandelion is taken as an unwanted weed by the gardeners.

There are certain important uses of the Dandelion like it can be used as a good source of leaf vegetable and is also used for cooking purposes and are also eaten in the raw forms in salads. Even the young leaves and the unopened buds are used for including in the salads which have a slightly bitter taste. The salads made with the Dandelions also consist of the boiled eggs. The leaves are in fact a good source of nutrition being high in Vitamin A, C and minerals like iron and calcium, even more than spinach.

Medicinal Herbs

The history of the alternative medicine dates back long ago to the times when there had been the first man on earth. Because there was no such aid or understanding of the medicines and therapies, simple plant's leaves were involved in the healing procedures, and sometimes also involved the intake through the mouth.

This then gave rise to the use of medicinal herbs, which have been a part of our lives since thousands of years and are known to be effective for many diseases that have been healed over time with their use.

These medicinal herbs are used for various purposes related to the health and its maintenance. The immune system of the body is given a great boost with the use of certain medicinal herbs. Various types of body infections can be completely healed with the increase in the body's resistance to them after the use of the medicinal herbs. Even certain allergies are known to have been completely subsided with the involvement of the medicinal herbs. Overall these types of herbs are also known to give a great boost to the energy, and vitality of the body in totality.

For instance the most commonly used herb the Garlic is now, a major ingredient of almost every dish made today because of not only its taste but its role as a medicinal herb. Garlic can be used as an antibiotic, i-e it can work against the bacterial diseases in the human body. Latest research has also proved the treatment of the cardiovascular diseases through the use of garlic.

Echinacea is another medicinal herb which is coming in use for the medicinal purposes specially the purple coneflower specie of Echinacea. These herbs are known to have reduces the severity and also the duration of the common flu.

Medicinal herbs are now found in a great variety almost dealing with every medical related problem with the advancement in the research and their use.

Aloe Vera

One of the most commonly used and heard names of the herbs in today's times is in fact the Aloe Vera which is the specie of the Aloe which originates from the northern African regions.

The physical appearance of the Aloe Vera is just like any other common herb with a height of about 80-100 cm and the plant itself being stem less or consisting of a very short stem and characterized as succulent. The leaves of Aloe Vera are categorized as thick and fleshy, with a grayish tinge and serrated margins. The flowers if produced are pendulous and yellow in color of about 2-3 cm long.

The Aloe Vera can easily be cultivated in frosty climates and it requires basically a treat of well-drained soil with sandy characteristics with moderate amount of light. If kept in pots the proper drainage of the plants should be made sure of and during the winter season it is advisable to keep the pots in greenhouses or indoors. Aloe Vera is quite easily cultivated in the drier regions of the tropical and subtropical areas and is widely used for both ornamental and medicinal uses.

One of the chief uses of the Aloe Vera is as a food preservative. The latest studies and research have created a gel from the Aloe Vera herbs which keeps the food products fresh and prolongs its freshness to a much longer time period. This is not only efficient but also safer to be used in terms of being environmentally friendly also. It consists of certain antibiotic and antifungal feature which enables it to be used for this purpose.

Aloe Vera is also extensively used for the medicinal purposes, which is one of its main uses. The most important impact of this herb is indeed in healing of the skin diseases and inflammatory conditions. Beauty products such as the creams and shampoos have also been made with Aloe Vera.

The Aloe Vera herb is also widely used as a food, in the remote areas and villages as a traditional practice.

Herbal Remidies

Indian medical systems, among them the ancient science of Ayurveda, have always been aware of the medicinal value of plants. To cite but one example, for at least 2500 years before the West recognized the medicinal properties of the Rauwolfia serpentina (sarpagandha) root, used by folk healers to calm violently disturbed patients. In the 1940's Indian scientists isolated the active substances from rauwolfia and discovered its added benefit as a remedy for high blood pressure.

Folk healers are unlicensed but not necessarily untrained. Like physicians, they pursue their specialties, learning by observation and imitation. Often healing is considered a gift that runs in a family and is passed down from mother to daughter or from father to son. The ability to set bones, for example, is thought to be hereditary as is the power to stop bleeding. Charms are often recited by the healer and jealously guarded.

Herbal medicines were used with magical practices, sometimes alone. Many of the herbs used by the American Indians--such as datura, coca, cinchona, curare, cascara sagrada, and the like--are now used as drugs in modern scientific medicine. Herbal medicines are assuming greater importance in the primary health care of individuals and communities in many developing countries and there has been an increase in international trade in herbal medicines. However, in most countries the herbal medicines market is not adequately regulated, and the products are therefore unregistered and often not controlled by regulatory bodies.

Citrus Aurantium

Citrus Aurantium is a commonly used Chinese herb to improve stomach and gastrointestinal function. Recent research has shown that it may be as effective as ephedra in increasing thermogenesis in the body without the side effects that often result with the use of ephedra. Thermogenesis is the process through which the body converts stored fat into energy and body heat. Increasing the thermogenic process in the body may increase weight loss. Citrus aurantium, or Zhi Shi, contains a combination of adrenergic amines. These are synephrine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, octopamine, and tyramine. All of these substances have been shown to have powerful thermogenic properties. When this herb is used along with moderate exercise and a healthy diet , it may assist with weight loss.

Instead of just using dried, capsulated, herbal products, start including *whole* herbs in your life. Eat them everyday, as fresh as possible, (e.g. take walks, check out the vegetable stand, or tend a garden), everyday. Instead of taking a capsule, eat a handful of fresh parsley. Experiment with tasting each of your favorite culinary herbs made up as "diet" tea. Collect dandelion leaves, plantain, mints, lettuce, whatever, and whip it up in your blender as special diet "green drink." Almost no calories in most herbs. Eating and living with herbs can bring you a lifestyle which may be more conducive to weight loss.

Herbs can be used to assist in the weight loss process, while they may not be enough on their own, when used in combination with dietary changes and mild exercise can make most weight loss attempts very successful.