For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a variety of ways. These uses can be categorized into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the article below we shall discuss each of these categories in order focusing upon the medicinal uses and essential oils.

Throughout history there have been many other uses of herbs which we will not be discussing here and these include them being used instead of money, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to mask sickening odors. Herbs come from many parts of the world and each culture often had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.

Religious Uses Of Herbs

Herbs are still used in a multitude of around the world.  A great many Christians will remember myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be extremely familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is grown by many and revered as a Goddess. In Wiccan and Pagan beliefs herbs are used widely in spells, rituals as well as for healing.

Herbs In Cooking

The leaves of different plants are used in cooking however there is a difference between leafy vegetables, such as cabbage, and a herb, such as basil, in that the latter are used in very small amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the plainest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.

Herbs And Medicine

As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being studied by academics.

Essential Oils

An essential oil is the substance extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are usually produced by the process known as distillation but some need a different process of extraction such as by using solvents or expression.

Essential oils have a variety of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However most people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a number of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use roughly three drops in a bath when I suffer from achy legs. When my legs are terribly painful I massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep better.

Herbs should be used with immense care and attention as some can be extremely poisonous to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are planning on having a baby as something that you may consider safe can be terribly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should be totally avoided in its dilute state. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid the risk of miscarriage I strongly advise that you avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are 100% certain they are safe.

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