uilding up safe, side-effect Herbal Remedies as part of your home first-aid kit is both satisfying and a big step towards chemical free health.  Here’s some more top Herbal Health stimulators for your collection:

Garlic supports the heart and can also be taken as a supplement to prevent colds nad flu and treat digestive conditions.  An added benefit is that it affinity with circulatory system means it is great for lowering blood pressure. 

Hypericum is otherwise known as St John’s Wort.  Its perhaps best known for its ability to cure depression but the tincture cal also be used to treat minor cuts and puncture wounds as well as burns.  It is also excellent for relieving muscle and joint pain.

Lavender is a great de-stresser and is excellent for lifting headaches.  It’s particularly affective on bites and stings and in oil form can be used as a rub for sore, aching muscles.  Alternatively add a few drops to your bath and benefit also from it sleep enhancing qualities.

Tea tree oil aromatherapy oil is one of natures strongest antiseptics and be used on a wide range of ailments such as cuts, stings, burn, fungal infections and acne to name but a few.  For vaginal thrush drop a few drops of the oil onto a tampon.  Insert the tampon and leave for up to three hours.

Valerian is a natural sedative and will help to fall asleep naturally without side effects.

Willow bark can sooth arthritic pain, ease painful muscles and joints, sooth headaches and fever and is also useful for reducing hot flushes related to menopause.

Witch hazel is good to dab onto stings, rashes, swelling and eczema.

Here’s some top herbs that should be included in your herbal medicine cabinet:

Aloe Vera is excellent for soothing burns, treating cuts and scratches, bites and even smoothing unsightly stretch marks.  Either grow an aloe vera plant or find a good quality cream or gel.

Arnica is available in creams, salves, tincture and in homeopathic tablet form. It is the bump and bruise remedy although it is only to be used topically were the skin is unbroken.  If you train and are prone to muscle aches again arnica is good for accelerating the recovery period and homeopathic arnica is also used for shock and emotional trauma.

Calendula is also a great all rounder.  Use it on bites, nappy rash, athlete’s foot and minor skin problems. 

Chamomile is much more than a tea – although in tea form it can ease insomnia and settle stomachs.  Chamomile aromatherapy oil is good for nappy rash and the cream can be used for itchy rashes, bits and stings, eczema and to sooth nipples sore after breastfeeding.

Clove is a must have to treat toothache.  Use clove essential oil and dab on the affected area. 

Echinacea is the herbal immune booster and is great for preventing colds and flu as well as soothing coughs and fever.

Originally native to South Africa the red and green rooibos teas are not technically classified as tea.  It doesn’t come from the camellia senensis plant where black tea originates from but from the legume plant family.  This gives it an altered chemical make up to other teas.  Although commercially rooibos is classified as tea, the tea industry calls it a tisane as it does not originate from the common tea plant.

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Here are some tips to reducing hair loss using Aromatherapy Oils:

To encourage hair growth by activating the hair follicles try a blend of aromatherapy essential oils consisting of lavender and bay.  Add 3 drops of each essential oil into a base oil of sweet almond oil and then using your finger tips massage into the scalp and hairline.  Leave on for 30 minutes and the rinse out with tepid water. 

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Legend says that in the time when Gods walked the earth they survived on walnuts.  The name walnut came from the plant family name Juglans or Jupiter’s nut.  The walnut tree has been native to Europe since Roman times and was cultivated to harvest the nuts.  Today walnuts are renowned for being rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids.

Traditionally the green leaves of this tree were also well known for their healing qualities.  Rich in tannins the walnut leaf is capable of tightening and constricting tissues.  It was used to protect the skin due to its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to reduce itching.

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If you suffer from premenstrual tension you can experiences a variety of symptoms including cramping, bloating, headaches, mood swings and depression.  To help to combat this time in the month here are some ideas that may help you to ease the symptoms:

St John’s Wort and Kava Kava are excellent PMT busters.  They are thought to be most effective when taken consistently for two cycles and reduces pain, agitation and anxiety that is associated with premenstrual tension.

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When trying for a baby its important to make sure that you prepare your body for conception and the pregnancy period.  This doesn’t just apply to women.  A bad lifestyle including high alcohol consumption, smoking and poor diet can substantially affect the sperm quality and mobility of a man. 

Diet is a particularly important element of readying your body for conception.  Three months before you plan to try to conceive you should follow a vitamin and mineral rich diet and include essential fatty acids and folic acid sources.  There are many excellent pregnancy vitamin and mineral supplements that you can take to ensure your body is building the relevant nutrients required to conceive and then later develop a healthy baby.

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By adapting your daily routine and using some simple technique you can prevent or reduce the instances of neck pain. 

Firstly become aware of your posture.  Bad posture is a major cause of neck pain and by practicing a good posture you can minimize many back and neck issues.  Your head and balance are constantly balancing and adapting to gravity.  When poor posture throws the lower back forward, the upper back starts to curve backwards to compensate.  This position puts strain on the neck and back and gradually starts to cause pain and discomfort. 

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People experience headaches as discomfort or pain in the head.  Migraines on the other hand can be severe and debilitating.  Symptoms include sensory disturbance, weakness, vomiting, nausea and severe pain.  People often experience vomiting followed by severe pain.

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Before you reach for over-the-counter drug based remedies to tackle anxiety consider a herbal alternative.  The beauty of these herbal cures is that there are no side effects so common with drug based alternatives and no risk of becoming addicted.

Stress, anxiety and depression are common conditions in our hectic, busy society and more people are turning to Herbal Health strategies to cope with and minimize anxiety.  These remedies act on both the mind and body to relax and sooth. 

Kava kava is a natural sedative and has an affinity with the central nervous system.  Take kava kava powder mixed in a glass of water and drink.  Alternatively you can get the herb in tincture or capsule form.

Rhodiola encourages the production of serotonin and norepinephrine which are happy hormones that naturally lift your mood and reduce anxiety.  Taken regularly the herb acts to reduce mental fatigue and mood swings.  It is also great at enhancing your memory and concentration span. 

Lavender is the Queen of relaxation herbs.  It eases nervous tension, aids a sound a restful sleep and can lift depression and melancholia.  It is also good for releasing stress, easing headaches and lifting fatigue. 

Passion flower give immediate relief from stress and anxiety.  It has also been used to treat cases of hyperactivity, nervous tension and sleep issues as well as being used to treat Parkinson’s disease.

Belonging to the mint family Lemon Balm is a calming herb and combines well with lavender, chamomile and valerian to increase its sedative qualities. 

Siberian Ginseng stabilizes the neurotransmitters in the brain.  Stress then becomes easier to cope with and an added benefit of this herb is that it boosts your immune system.