Rosehip or Rosa Rubiginosa, Sweet Briar and other names it is known by, is one of a few healing remedies available for the fight against wrinkles, skin problems, the common cold or even gastric tummies.

The herbal plant is a good looking shrub with pink flowers that are appealing to the eye. The fruit part is used the most for treating a person as an essential oil and is slightly astringent.

It is useful to remember when using the essential oils to take care as they are a powerful liquid which must not be used undiluted as they are volatile and can cause some irritation of the skin. However the rosehip can be used directly on the skin and has very good result in healing effects.

Uses of the Rosehip Aromatherapy oil internally are:

•    Colds and Flu
•    Scurvy and Kidney infections
•    Diarrhoea and Infertility

External Uses of Rosehip:

•    Skin irritation
•    Surgical trauma that cause scars
•    Fine laughter lines (wrinkles)
•    Heals wounds
•    Suntans that are causing ageing of the skin.

Rosehip the herbal remedy is high on GLA and contains polyunsaturated fatty acids which convert once in the skin to prostaglandins which helps the skin tissue to regenerate.

Agrimonia Eupatoria grows wild in the fields of Europe and was named after the Greek word ‘agremone’ which means the plant that heals the diseases of the eye.

Eupatoria is a Latin name that refers to king Mithridates VI Eucapator, who was well known for his knowledge of herbal plants and their remedies.

Herbalists in the past have recommended this herbal plant as a treatment for liver complaints, wounds that are sore and coughs. The leaves and the flowers of this plant are used as part of mouth gargles, tonics and dressings.

The digestive system can benefit from this herb and can be made in to a tea to purify the blood.

Herbal Tea Method

•    One teaspoon of agrimony leaves ( or flowers)
•    One cup of hot boiling water
•    Honey and liquorice root

Boil the water, add the ingredients and sip a cup daily to purify the blood

If you have bowel problems see a doctor and do not use the herb with out permission.

If you decide to grow this herbal plant it is a hardy perennial that grows up to three feet with soft downy leaves. It bears long but small yellow flowers and needs well drained soil in a sunny area of a garden.

Aromatherapy Oils in a room can help a baby over the tender age of three months.

Once a child is over the age of three months then choose your Aromatherapy oil carefully and discuss with a nurse or doctor at a local surgery. Be careful of the amount of essential oil and use the best available.

Different methods for baby

Sleep time: If you decide that you want calmness in the room where the baby sleeps then decide if chamomile, lavender or geranium is the essential oil that you feel will be a pleasant scent in the room.  To add scent to a room use a spray bottle of distilled water and add a few drops of the aromatherapy oil of your choice and lightly spray (not too much).

If a permanent aroma is required then leave a diffuser with the essential oil placed in a safe area.

Bath time: Using carrier oil such as almond or olive oil, mix with a couple of the drops of essential oil, add a small amount to the bathwater to help the baby to relax ready for bed. If you add undiluted oils to a bathwater you run the risk of a baby having an allergic reaction as the skin of a baby is super sensitive.

Learning time: To help the baby learn quicker there are aromatherapy oils that you can use as Home Remedies whilst playing with baby such as peppermint, Vanilla and Orange.

Essential oils used as a medicine : one of the main ingredients to treat colic is by using a carrier oil such as almond as previously mention and add a couple of drops of chamomile, keeping the room warm but no too hot.

Contra indications:
•    Baby sneezing, crying excessively
•    Irritation of the skin
•    If your baby starts sneezing, tearing, or fretting, stop using the oil immediately.

Do not use undiluted aromatherapy oils at any time and inform the doctor of the Herbal Remedies that you are using.

It is sometimes referred to as a purple cone flower and it is native to the North America where it grows wild in woodlands. There are a number of different species and the root of the herbal plant in particular was used to treat different snake bites or open wounds that refused to heal.

This herbal plant is considered to be anti-biotic and has been used to treat other ailments including measles, mumps, sore throats, colds and even hay fever. Research on the plant has shown the properties of the plant as an essential oil is numerous and contains immune-stimulating which increase certain cells that are a natural killer against foreign organisms.

Research as shown that Echinacea as part of a persons stock of Herbal Remedies is valuable in the effective fight of conditions listed below.

•    Respiratory ailments
•    Influenza and Ulcers
•    Sore throats and Eczema
•    Lymphatic glands and Arthritis

Echinacea has been associated mostly with the building up the body’s immune system and can be taken with the vitamins Goldenseal and Vitamin C.

It looks great in a garden with purple flowers and is a hardy perennial. If you are thinking of planting the herb for use in Home Remedies it can grow up to a height five feet and planted in full sun or light shade.
There are no side effects however it is advisable if you are taking a prescribed medication to inform your doctor that you are using Echinacea as an herbal remedy.

It is easy to read all about the popular Home Remedies that come in the form of herbal plants to heal the mind and body but the question is how we choose the correct herbal plant and how it will be able to help a person’s ailment.  For example:

•    Peppermint is for digestive problems or vomiting and can take as a tea supplement or in tablet form.
•    Chamomile is another herbal plant that can be taken as a tea for upset stomachs
•     Liquorice Root can eliminate toxins from the body and is more effective if used with Milk Thistle.
•    Ginseng can be used to raise energy levels and helps brainpower. Note there are different types of Ginseng to choose from.

The most popular herbal remedy is Echinacea and originates from North America and it comes from the Greek word ‘echinos’ which means hedgehog and was used to treat snake bites and wounds that became infected.

Echinacea is now used in many countries as a deterrent of colds and flu. It is available in tablet form or tincture.

It is advisable to keep a doctor informed of the Herbal Remedies being used, especially if a doctor has prescribed medication.

TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine is healing from a qualified practitioner, whose knowledge has been passed down in generation of families and he or she has to use his full knowledge of the herbs that are suited to each client and their personal ailment.

Basic Principles of TCM run according to the five seasons in a year. The summer months are considered as the months that are high in energy levels and energy levels are lower towards the end of the year. Each season’s unique energy can be related to certain parts of the physical body.

Food in itself can be recognised as Herbal Remedies in themselves and a person will recognise if the energy level is high or low. The top of a plant can raise a person’s energy and the root would lower the energy and this can be used depending on the result required.

Many herbs and foods that are steeped and then boiled to a pulp have no vitamins or minerals left in the pan; however, the liquid that is left behind for the patient sip twice a day will provide all the nutrients that is required to help the energy that is required.

Prevention is better than cure and that is why the Chinese drink their special tea to keep the body balanced and in harmony.

The wild carrot (Carotos) is where this essential oil is distilled from and it is from this plant that the normal household carrot as we know emerged.

White flowers with purple centres are all around the stalk of the plant, the whole plant is used to reap the essential aromatherapy oil.

In the past, the plant was used for its hepatic properties and gained a reputation in the relief of skin diseases.

Today carrot seed is sometimes used on cancer patients especially if they are suffering in the stomach and throat area. Skin cancer is another area it may be of help as it contains carotene (converts to vitamin a) which is good for the skin.  It is rumoured the humble carrot of today is good for the eyesight and the carrot seed is the herbal plant that was used in to treat eye problems years ago.

Herbal Remedies are used to heal the mind and body and this herbal plant helps to clear the mind and purify the body due to the detoxifying effect on the liver. It is also used to expel kidney stones and can ease hepatitis.

Other areas that can benefit are:

•    Coughs
•    Chilblains
•    Cystitis
•    Fluid retention

If you have been experiencing symptoms such as swelling or unpleasant odours or pain in the vagina area then there are some Herbal Remedies that you can use to help with the bad bacteria that is the cause of some of these problems.

Medical researchers have stated that the vagina has its own ecosystem that good and bad bacteria can be found. If you have good bacteria it will help to fight off the bad organisms and the herbal remedies support that by helping the balance to relief any soreness or pain.

Candida Albicans is the main fungal yeast problem that women suffer from, that invade a woman’s physical body due to over consumption of products such as sugar, alcohol and wine.

Herbalist practitioners can help a person to choose one of many herbal remedies that are available all the year round.

•    Garlic is antifungal and has anti-bacterial properties (one or two a day)
•    Goldenseal is good for the bodies immune system (one or two a day)
•    Tracheal can be used as a tea which will help the bodily fluids to return to normal or you can buy it in tablet form.

If the problem continues it is advisable to consult a doctor.

In recent times aromatherapists have started using the essential oil Eucalyptus as a treatment.

Due to the popularity of the essential oils it is important to recognise that they are a holistic treatment and can be of help to the mind and body to cope with the fast evolving world that we live in today.

Methods

•    Massage
•    Inhalation
•    Steam baths

The Eucalyptus essential oil when used as a massage treatment helps the physical ailments of the body such as joint and muscular pains, poor circulation and sinus problems. It can be inhaled to clear breathing and head problems or if a person has a cold.

Method

Take a large bowl of hot water and add two or three drops of the essential oil, place a large clean towel over the head area and lower your head gently, keeping your eyes shut over the bowl to inhale the steam in through the nasal area. If you are unfortunate enough to splash your eyes rinse well with cold water as it will irritate them.

Eucalyptus when used as a medicine or as a healing massage can help as part of the growing Home Remedies that more and more people are looking to take care of their health naturally.

The herb plant Cumin can be found in Egypt, Mediterranean and parts of Asia and is used as an herb in cooking or as a fruit.

The Egyptians in biblical times used this herb to relieve headaches along with Frankincense and Juniper. It was seen as a symbol of fidelity by the Hindus and valued as one of their Herbal Remedies to prevent jaundice or piles.

The herb has antiseptic properties and is an aphrodisiac, tonic and a stimulant. It is good for the digestive system and acts as a tonic for the nervous system. If you are feeling tired and lethargic, this is the herb that will help although it can cause sensitivity in the skin and is not to be used if you are pregnant.

If used in a healing massage, the essential oil is warming to the body and can relieve any congestion in the body.  It is found to be helpful in muscular pains and osteoarthritis.

The aroma of this herb can be quite pungent and spicy, making it popular in Asian cooking. In the culinary field, it is an essential ingredient in Indian curries and as a flavour in the national dishes of Mexico.