| For millennia herbs have been used by many | | | | medicinal herb. I have studied and used it for |
| civilizations as the gold standard for healing. In the | | | | years and the more I do the more amazed I am |
| Americas, aside from the native citizens and a | | | | at its healing properties. Let me give you a quick |
| few others, herbs have not yet been widely | | | | starter--which falls a bit beyond the scope of this |
| accepted. Once considered by many as just part | | | | article: |
| of native folklore this perception, however, is | | | | - It has a powerful anti-bacterial and |
| rapidly changing. For instance, take Germany and | | | | anti-inflammatory effect |
| their Commission E report. A number of years | | | | - Lowers high blood pressure |
| ago this first rate nation's government, recognizing | | | | - Kills cold and flu germs |
| the medicinal and healing potential some herbs | | | | - Helps prevent heart attacks |
| could offer, set up Commission E, as it is | | | | - Fights: anemia, diabetes, hypoglycemia, acne, |
| commonly known, to study herbs in that context. | | | | constipation, cancer |
| This study group used the "scientific approach" in | | | | - Gives strong support to the immune system |
| discharging its responsibilities. Several years later | | | | - It's nature's "antibiotic" of sorts It is the last two |
| The Commission E Monographs came into being, | | | | properties of garlic that would be of interest to |
| but of course, they were in German. Not long | | | | you--baring, of course, that you may have other |
| afterward, however, they were translated into | | | | ailments that may be included in the above list, in |
| English and I had the opportunity and joy of | | | | which case the lowly and pungent bulb could even |
| acquiring a copy shortly thereafter. The entity | | | | be of more interest to you. Whether you have a |
| behind this English version is the American | | | | tendency to sinusitis, or sinus pressure, |
| Botanical Council, of Austin, Texas. | | | | congestion, drainage, sinus headaches, sinus |
| I am going to be dealing in this article with just | | | | infection, especially the latter, it can help you |
| one herb which I have used for a number of | | | | prevent a serious infection or stop one that has |
| years to treat some of my own sinus problems, | | | | just started. Garlic, to be effective as a sinus |
| and still do so today at the first sign that one of | | | | infection fighter or preventer, must be used at |
| them would like to show again its ugly face. First | | | | the very outset of the suspected infection. If one |
| a caveat: Please, remember this when using herbs: | | | | waits to see what is going to happen before using |
| - Herbs lose their medicinal effect in about 2 | | | | it, then it could be too late. Since there are no |
| weeks after you begin to use them. Stop for a | | | | side effects involved--save the peculiar odor--it's |
| couple of weeks and then you can restart | | | | best to go for it since the cost, etc., more than |
| - Do not buy herbs with a dated shelf life expiring | | | | outweighs the potential benefits. By the way, the |
| in less than a year | | | | odor factor can be neutralized by chewing and |
| - Buy "standardized" herbs, whenever possible. | | | | eating some parsley sprigs. |
| The label should say so The one herb that | | | | The active ingredient in garlic is allicin. It is not |
| perhaps is one of the most significant is going to, | | | | produced unless the cloves are crushed or minced. |
| very likely,surprise you. This is what my regular | | | | Now a days it is possible to buy allicin by itself |
| doctor, an MD, told me once: "It is the most | | | | from almost any purveyor of herbs or at a health |
| important of all herbs." And with this short | | | | foods store. I buy mine through the internet, it's |
| preface, please, allow me to introduce you to: | | | | substantially cheaper that way. |
| Garlic. That's right. I didn't make a mistake. It's | | | | Do your own research about this lowly, but |
| garlic, but not presented to you as a savory, | | | | powerful healing bulb and you, too, may become |
| very pungent, tongue biting cooking herb, but as a | | | | amazed and a regular user. |