The 20 best healing herbs (health effects and benefits).

Different types of plants used as natural remedies to improve health.

Nowadays and thanks to the advances of science, medicine is able to cure a great variety of diseases. But before medicine developed to an acceptable level, the different peoples of the world used the knowledge that tradition and observation of the effects of various products present in nature in order to try to alleviate ailments.

One of the main elements used are the so-called curative or medicinal herbs, which have properties that can help to alleviate ailments.which have properties that can help alleviate discomfort and various minor alterations. However, it must be taken into account that they provide symptom relief and help to improve wound healing, but they cannot replace conventional medical treatments or make serious diseases disappear.

There is a great variety and diversity of these plants, given the diversity of species described by botany. Below we will see a selection of the best healing herbs.

What is called a healing herb?

Before commenting on some of the most relevant healing herbs, it is worth defining what a healing or medicinal herb is, which is often identified as a medicinal plant. Although it is generally used as a synonym for the latter concept (including, for example, trees), technically when we speak of healing herbs we are referring to any type of plant with a stem made up of soft green tissue (never woody). with a stem made up of soft green tissue (never woody) and which die once they have produced offspring. and that die once they have produced offspring, usually at the end of the season, which have medicinal properties beneficial to human health.

In spite of this, should never be used as a substitute for medical treatment.In case of taking them, the possible interactions with drugs and other interventions with which they could have dangerous interferences should be consulted. In addition, it should be taken into account that some of the properties attributed to many of these herbs have not been scientifically proven, and in other cases their beneficial effects have been shown to be less efficient than expected.

A selection of the best healing herbs

This is a list with about twenty of the best healing herbs, most of them widely known and even in many cases widely used by a large part of the population. It should be noted that although they have positive effects on health, most of them have some contraindications, most of them have some contraindication or it is not recommended in specific situations, and some of them even have abortive properties.

1. Chamomile

The queen of infusions, chamomile or camomile is one of the best known and most used healing herbs when trying to treat and reduce the pain and discomfort of the gastrointestinal tract. It also has a relaxing and anti-inflammatory effect, something that makes it useful for treating muscle aches or headaches. It also has Antibacterial properties that make it also used to clean wounds or as a rinse.

2. Rosemary

Common seasoning in our kitchens, rosemary is another herb that has relevant medicinal properties. Rich in antioxidants and with a large amount of essential components for health, this plant helps to slow down the aging process.This plant contributes to delay aging and cell death caused by free radicals, as well as helping to improve concentration and performance and to alleviate and enhance recovery from respiratory or digestive problems (including facilitating the expulsion of gases), facilitating menstruation and increasing energy levels.

It also has, among others, antibacterial, liver-protective, healing, expectorant and analgesic properties. However, like most of the other ingredients on this list, in excess it can be toxic.

3. Sage

Another well-known medicinal herb is sage, which despite having abortifacient properties and being contraindicated in people with kidney problems or in nursing mothers, and being toxic in high quantities, it has antibiotic and antiseptic propertiesIt reduces diarrhea and glycemia, activates the appetite and increases energy and helps to reduce inflammation and intestinal pain. It is also relaxing at muscular level and seems to facilitate stimulation and cognitive activity.

4. Peppermint

Probably a product that we have all used in cooking, mint is an herbaceous plant that is often used in medicinal products. In addition to having diuretic propertiesIt has been observed that it facilitates the functioning of the digestive system and liver, in addition to being anti-inflammatory and having expectorant and antitussive properties, contributing to the synthesis of sweat, having analgesic capacity and being stimulating and activating.

5. Valerian

An herb especially known for its calming and relaxing properties, similar to lime blossom. It helps to facilitate sleep and is especially used by people with insomnia. It also relaxes and calms anguish, sadness or anxiety while reducing disorders such as headaches, muscle pain, arrhythmias or tachycardia. Also, it is anti-inflammatory.

6. St. John's wort

St. John's wort or hypericum is an interesting medicinal herb that is especially known for the fact that it has properties that help to combat serious psychological problems such as depression, having an antidepressant effect. In addition, it also helps to alleviate anxiety problems, pain and insomnia, and is useful in helping with various health problems related to the menstrual cycle, stomach problems and even problems related to insulin.

However, it is important to note that it can interact negatively with drugs, especially antidepressants.especially with antidepressants.

7. Filipendula ulmaria

Also called meadowsweet, meadowsweet is one of the healing or medicinal herbs from which a component of great importance in medicine has been extracted, specifically from its flowers (although it is also present in other plants): salicin.

Perhaps this name does not ring a bell, but if we add that acetylsalicylic acid comes out of it, we will quickly see that it is the main active ingredient of aspirin. This component therefore has an analgesic effect. In addition, it also seems to have antibacterial properties, as well as anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory.

8. Fennel

This plant, widely used in cooking, also has interesting medicinal properties. First of all, it has been observed that it helps to treat digestive problems, such as heaviness or constipation. It also has antispasmodic activity at the visceral level, in addition to being diuretic and and allows the reduction of fluid retention.. Although they are not the only ones, other relevant properties are to contribute to the reduction of the arterial tension or to serve as support in the regulation of the menstrual cycle or at the time of diminishing discomfort both of this one and of the climacteric period.

9. Licorice

Also called orozuz, this herbaceous plant, which is widely known in the production of the sweet of the same name, has also been attributed medicinal properties. Specifically, has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, as well as reducing acidity.. It also helps reduce body temperature and has an anesthetic effect.

10. Greater plantain

This plant, despite not being among the best known, has interesting properties that are useful. Among them we can mention the fact that it helps in the treatment of kidney and bladder problems, intestinal problems such as diarrhea (it is astringent), has antihemorrhagic and antiseptic properties, is anti-inflammatory and satiating and contributes as an expectorant to the recovery of respiratory problems. It is also rich in antioxidants and apparently helps to lower blood pressure and glycemia.

11. Mallow

Mallow is another herbaceous plant with healing or medicinal properties, in this case also being anti-inflammatory, antitussive and expectorant, diuretic, antiseptic (useful in wounds) and with a very slight hypoglycemic action. Also facilitates intestinal transit, being laxative.. Useful in inflammations, arthritis, dental pain, gastroenteritis or constipation, among others.

12. Calendula

This herb has powerful anti-inflammatory, healing and antiseptic properties, being very useful for use on skin wounds. It promotes the proper functioning of the menstrual cycle and has soothing effects and helps in the treatment of dental problems and digestive tract, among others.

13. Marjoram

Another of the herbs considered curative or medicinal is marjoram, which is sometimes used in cooking but also has antibacterial, antifungal, antiseptic, expectorant, antispasmodic, sedative and appetite-generating properties. Useful for respiratory and digestive problemsIt is useful for respiratory and digestive problems, also reducing the absorption of carbohydrates.

14. Verbena

Verbena is an herbaceous plant of which some of its variants have interesting medicinal properties. One of them, known as St. Elizabeth's wort, is characterized by its calming and relaxing effects.It is useful to reduce nervousness. It is useful to reduce nervousness, insomnia or headaches. It has also been observed that it is an excellent diuretic, as well as an astringent that hinders diarrhea and favors the retraction of tissues. It is also an antioxidant.

15. Oats

When we think of oats, we probably imagine their culinary use in the form of flakes. But in addition to this, this herbaceous plant has very important medicinal properties. First of all, it should be noted that this plant has the ability to strengthen our immune system and increase energy levels. strengthen our immune system and increase energy levels, among other things due to its high numberamong other things for its high number of vitamins. It also contributes to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol, in addition to having a laxative effect.

16. Cilantro

Commonly used as a condiment, coriander also has medicinal properties. Among them is the fact that it contributes to reduce the levels of cholesterol and reduces blood glucose levelsIt is also diuretic and favors the elimination of toxins (especially heavy metals), has an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and even antispasmodic effect. It also promotes appetite, facilitates the expulsion of gases and can serve as an expectorant.

17. Dandelion

Widely valued for its beauty at an aesthetic level and sometimes also consumed at a culinary level, dandelion is also one of the healing or medicinal herbs. Specifically, it has been found to be diuretic and stimulant, as well as beneficial for kidneys and liver (helping blood filtration and prevention of hemorrhages). It stimulates appetite and is anti-inflammatory and healing.. However, it can be harmful for pregnant women or people with bipolar disorder.

18. Basil

Again known mainly for its use as a condiment, this herbaceous plant also has medicinal properties. Among them stands out the fact that it stimulates appetite, makes vomiting difficult and has antitussive, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties, among others.. It is also rich in antioxidants, diuretic, slightly anticoagulant and improves our immune system.

19. St. Robert's wort

Another exponent of healing or medicinal herbs is Geranium robertianum or St. Robert's wort. This plant is often used for the purpose of helping to stop hemorrhages.. It is also astringent, both in terms of blood and intestinal level (being useful in diarrhea) and is useful as a diuretic. Curiously and although its flavor is good, unlike most of the other exponents of the list, St. Robert's wort generates an aversive odor when squeezed.

20. Oregano

We finish the list with an herb widely known and loved in our kitchens: oregano. This plant is known to have a protective effect on the liver, have an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory effect, contribute to the expulsion of gases, strengthen bones and skin, reduce pain, reduce blood glucose in diabetics, have an expectorant effect, be rich in antioxidants and even prevent cancers such as breast cancer.