Your Common Garden Herbs Are Not Just For Added Flavor!

There are many medicinal properties of the herbs growing in our back yard. The following garden herbs can be added to food or used therapeutically as herbal infusions for a short period of time, not exceeding one to three weeks. Four of the five herbs, with cayenne pepper as the exception, are not recommended during pregnancy as they have emmenagogue properties (will bring on menstruation) and may cause miscarriage.

Sweet Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

-Emmenagogue     -Digestive Aid -Increase concentration -Nerve tonic

-Relieve menopausal symptoms -Colds/flu -Relieve migraine headaches

-Sinusitis -Relieve menstrual cramps -Externally for muscle aches and pain

Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum anum)

CAUTION: Long term use may cause kidney damage and gastroenteritis. Avoid use if you have IBS, ulcers, bowel disease, any excess stomach acid condition or acid reflux. Large doses may cause vomiting, stomach pain and intoxication. Best used uncooked (non-irritating). 

-Carminative (relieve gas) -Antispasmodic -Stimulant    -Astringent

-Digestive tonic -Heart and Circulatory tonic    -Relieve toothaches -Reduce inflammation    -Aid metabolism -Increase gastric acid production -Increase vitality (especially in elderly)

-May reduce gastric mucosal damage when taken 30 minutes before taking aspirin

–Sore throat gargle -Joint and muscle pain (externally)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

CAUTION: Do not use with epilepsy, high blood pressure in large doses.

-Headaches -Astringent -Antispasmodic (for asthma) -Expectorant (for lungs)   

-Diaphoretic -Relieve colic/nausea  -Increase circulation   -Relieve painful periods

-Relieve dandruff and hair loss       -Stimulant -Carminative (relieve gas)     

-Cholagogue (stimulate bile flow)     -Reduce fevers -Digestive aid      

-Reduce varicose veins (externally -Raises blood pressure

Garden Sage (Salvia officinalis)

CAUTION: Extended use or high doses may cause convulsions. Do not use for more than one week at a time.     

-Stops breast milk production   -Reduces night sweats    -Nervous conditions  

-Reduces vaginal discharge     -Reduce diarrhea    -Reduce sinus congestion   

-Bladder infection -Anti-inflammatory   -Antispasmodic   -Astringent

Garden Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

CAUTION: May over stimulate the thyroid gland.  

-Antiseptic    –Parasiticide (destroy intestinal worms)    -Antispasmodic   -Expectorant 

-Anti-fungal   -Carminative   -Sedative   - Reduce menstrual cramps –Headaches   -Cold/flu

-Respiratory congestion  -Digestive aid

Ask Dr. Maria Papasodaro, your Naturopathic Doctor how to begin your journey to wellness!