For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a variety of ways. These uses can be categorized into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we shall take a close look at each of these categories in order concentrating upon medical uses and essential oils.

Throughout history there have been numerous other uses of herbs which we will not be discussing here and these include them being used as cash, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to overpower disgusting smells. Herbs come from various parts of the planet and each culture commonly had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.

The Use of Herbs In Religion

Herbs are still used in a multitude of across the world.  A large number of Christians will remember myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a species of Basil, as it is cultivated by many and praised as a Goddess. In Wiccan religions herbs are used extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Using Herbs In Cooking

The leaves of different plants are used in cooking but there is a difference between leafy vegetables, such as lettuce, and a herb, such as parsley, in that the latter are used in very small amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

Herbs And Medicine

As well as being powerful in flavor herbs can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being researched.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the method known as distillation but some need a different process of extraction such as by using solvents or expression.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most folk know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a variety of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use roughly three drops in a bath when I suffer from aching limbs. When my legs are terribly painful I massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.

Herbs should be used with with safety in mind as some can be extremely destructive to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are about to have a child as something that is otherwise safe can be alarmingly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should not be used in its dilute form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage I strongly advise that you avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are one hundred percent certain they are safe.

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