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Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 12, 2009 8:21:08 GMT
I heard recently on the BBC 5live - tho' not on April 1st, I'm sure - that a leaf of lemon balm a day would help ward off/possibly improve memoryloss, serious memoryloss, as in early-onset dementia...
At the time, with the churlish advantage of youth, I thought "well, if you can remember to take a leaf a day, you don't need it then" - but can't now find any ref to it.
Did anyone else hear this, or is it a sign...
OM.
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Post by Amo on Apr 12, 2009 8:23:27 GMT
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Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 12, 2009 8:45:42 GMT
Thanks, Amo... there may be something in it, then - it's surprising, and rather pleasing, even to a robust like me how often a 'natural remedy' does subsequently get clinical support: I'm thinking of St Johns Wort and the depression link, and more recently lavender and sleeplesness.
OM.
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Post by Amo on Apr 12, 2009 9:52:45 GMT
I have a box with about 18 essential oils in that I always try to turn to before the medicine cabinet. Even if it's just lavender or grapefruit on a cotton wool ball on top of the radiator to lift the spirits, it's a nicer way of doing things.
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 12, 2009 10:03:48 GMT
I firmly believe that there is a cure for virtually everything in the plant world if we did but know it!
Lemon Balm is an antidepressant and is used for digestive problems. The essential oil is also used in creams and as an insect repellent. And just the scent of it is uplifting I think!
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Post by Dutchy on Apr 12, 2009 10:51:58 GMT
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00j4j41Try this for information. Your James Wong does a program on growing your own drugs and gives treatment recepies for all simple ailments.
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Post by Auricula on Apr 14, 2009 22:48:28 GMT
James Wongs programme was very interesting and I love the smell of lemon balm - just a whiff is uplifting I find  |
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Post by oldmoleskins on Apr 15, 2009 7:26:52 GMT
I s'pose the main problem I have with herbal remedies is their 'universal' nature... you no sooner learn that, say, dock leaves help relieve stinging nettle 'sting' than Holland and Barratt will try to convince you that a DL capsule a day will cure herpes and Wongy says gloop made from the stems soothes piles.
If only they were more targetted.
That said, I asked a retired doctor neighbour what he thought about the Lemon Balm thing and he pointed out that many prescription drugs are developed from plant-source traditional 'cures', and has offered me the loan of a herbalist book he has.
Perhaps we should have a Natural Remedy thread...
OM.
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Post by 4pygmies on Apr 15, 2009 7:55:44 GMT
Anyone making their own herbal remedies should be extremely careful please! Just because they are made from plants does NOT make them safe.....plants can be extremely potent and therefore should be used with caution! Also they can obviously interact with conventional medicines so that is another thing to consider. I don't wish to put anyone off but thorough research and testing on small areas of skin etc are only sensible. If in doubt ask a qualified herbalist or your own doctor. |
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Post by Amo on Apr 15, 2009 9:09:25 GMT
This is true 4P, but there are a lot of things, like the dock leaf for nettles (not piles!) than can help.
Where's April when you need her, she's up on her oils and stuff and that would relate to the garden.
And Jekka McVicar's complete book on herbs is a really good referance to growing and using too .
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Post by flowersfriend on Apr 28, 2009 19:15:58 GMT
Its really nice to think that the plants that grow in our gardens have such powers....  I think I am right in saying alot of our conventional medicines are developed from plant derivatives. I find though, modern day has sort of brain washed me, and made me nervous of trusting a leaf or a seed to cure an ache or pain. Its silly, really, cause we eat loads of fruit and veg out of the garden. So why does it feel different when I want something "to make me better" ? I need to think about this ,  |
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