Top African herbal remediesAfrican herbs - Use & cautionsSpecific African herbal remedies for various conditions & for good health follow & cautions regarding African home remedies.
Many African herbal remedies are commercially available. Go to a reputable, established store that specializes in supplements & speak to a knowledgeable rep about desired herbs.
If you have markets available to you that sell African herbs, great! However, note that you will need to trust the staff at the store to provide sound guidance as to the use of their herbs. You will also have to trust that the products are what they say they are & possess benefits they are supposed to possess.
The situation is similar to the uninitiated going to Chinese markets to inquire into natural Chinese remedies. Best African herbs
Kola nut is one of the products from African herbal medicine that has been discovered in the West. It helps alleviate headaches. Kola nut is also a stimulant similar to caffeine.
Grains of Paradise is a good natural herbal remedy as it is an effective digestive aid, combats nausea, releases water & freshens breath. It is also a delicious spice used in a variety of beverages & dishes.
Pellitory is a versatile root useful for headache, sciatica, epilepsy, digestive problems, toothache, cough & cold.
Senna is an African herb used as a laxative. It contains anthraquinones which gives the plant its strongly laxative effect. Make a tea or take supplements as directed for its healing benefits.
Aloe vera is one of the African herbal remedies that has the well deserved reputation as a “wonder plant.” The African species of aloe may have some different properties, benefits & side effects than the aloe known to the west.
Generally, the clear gel that comes from the center of the leaf quickens the healing process. The juice that comes from the base of the leaf produces a laxative effect.
Devil's claw is a well known African herb in the West. Devil’s claw works against pain, inflammation & arthritis. Myrrh is a good natural herbal remedy for inflammation & sore throats. Visnaga (Khella) is ancient herb in African herbal medicine. It is thought to relieve symptoms of kidney stones. Another use of visagna is found in the fruit, which has been used to clean the teeth. Coffee may be good for headache relief though some drinkers report too much coffee drinking can bring on headaches. In a pinch a couple of cups of coffee consumed quickly can alleviate an asthma attack.
Coffee can also play a role in weight loss & exercise performance. If you drink a small amount of coffee before a workout, with no sweetener added, your body releases fat into the bloodstream.
That fat is then used to fuel your workout causing you to burn fat, conserve carbs, endure longer. Obviously coffee is best know for its stimulant effects & though many people over-do it, coffee can still play a healthful role, if occasional role in our demanding lives.
Buchu is a low growing shrub with healthful antibacterial properties. The valuable oil is contained in the leaves. Buchu is indicated for urinary tract & prostate problems. Europeans use it for gout.
Calumba is used as a remedy for the many stomach disorders. It aids digestion & improves appetite.
Rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) is one of the African herbal remedies that has made quite a splash with Westerners. It contains numerous healthy ingredients such as antioxidants & minerals which increase longevity. Its also great for stomach disorders & nausea.
Rooibos also improves skin, making it smoother & younger looking. Finally, rooibos calms jittery nerves. It is usually served up as a tea or added to soups, sauces, marinades & cakes.
Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) perhaps more than any other African herb has burst onto the Western scene because it helps suppress appetite making it perfect for dieters & binge eaters. Hoodia is a cactus like succulent plant from the Kalahari desert. It has been used by the San Bushmen to stave off hunger during long hunting trips.
You should not take Hoodia without consulting your doctor if you suffer from diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, blood clotting disorders or eating disorders.
You can buy commercial Hoodia. Simply follow manufacturer’s directions.
Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a natural herbal remedy that has also grown in popularity outside of Africa. It is used as a mood enhancer. Some refer to Kanna as "nature's prozac." Cautions regarding African herbal remediesConsumers are warned not to purchase or use certain African herbal remedies which may contain toxic herbal ingredients that could cause life threatening conditions.
Two products on the market are especially suspect, 'M2' and 'Energy 2000'. They may contain the harmful Strophanthus sarmentosus or Aristolochia species.
Aristolochia has been banned in unlicensed herbal remedies in the Britain since 2001. The plant can cause kidney failure and cancer.
Strophanthus has a powerful action on the heart and could result in serious heart problems including abnormal heart rate and heart failure.
The M2 herbal capsules are promoted to fight general infection, stomach disorders, fever, coughs and internal problems. Energy 2000 capsules are described as a sex restorative and for the treatment of piles and stress.
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