Encyclopedia of Vedic Astrology: Remedies: Notable Herbs in Human Welfare, Chapter XV, Part – 1

Dr. Shanker Adawal

Notable Herbs in Human Welfare

Many herbs can be grown easily. City dwellers can raise them in pots lined up along the ledges of their windows. Country dwellers, of course, can use their gardens. The leaves and seeds of the plants may be harvested for cooking or medicinal purposes.

Do not try the leaves in direct sunlight. Place flowers or small amounts of leaves between two screens for drying.

Gather seeds while the dew is still on the plants: the seeds stick to the seed pods better when they are wet. After harvesting put the entire seed pods into a pillow case, gently rub or shake the pillow case, with the process of winnowing, then clean the seeds for drying.

The best containers for storing herbs are tinted glass jars, although you may also use regular glass jars or even plastic containers. Then place the herbs in d dark, cool place.

Another way to store herbs is through freezing. Simply wrap them in freezer wrap after drying and place in the freezer. This method assure flavourful herbs that will keep for a very long time.

Following are the properties and uses of herbs that can usually be easily grown at home.

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)

The plant is two feel tall, is sown annually during the spring season under ¼ inch soil. The rows should be 12 inches apart. The germination period is seven to fourteen day. Seeds will be ready to harvest in 75 days. Anise should not be transplant.

Anise being an antispasmodic, aromatic, carminative, digestive, expectorant, stimulant, stomachic and tonic is used for gastric problems, improves appetite and to promote digestion, It also helps in alleviating nausea and cramps and gives relief from flatulence and colic.

Anise is a nice liquorice flavouring agent and used to flavor other medicinal teas or pastry and bread. It seeds or the leaves ca be used. The leaves are used in salads and Seeds are invariably used for culinary purposes and also used in brandy and cordials, soups and candy.

It has upto three and a half per cent of the volatile oil known as anethol and a fixed oil, mucilage, sugar and cholin. It is helpful in increasing milk production in nursing mothers. Anies is good for colds and flu.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

The plant is up to two feet tall, planted annually. It may planted it near tomatoes and asparagus not rue and it does well donors also. The germination period is nearly ten days. The seed are ready in approximately 85 days.

Sweet basil leaves is used in salads, gravies and tomato dishes. It is also good in pork, mutton and veal dishes. The seeds exhibit an antibacterial property. It has an aromatic, volatile and camphoraceous oil, used to treat headaches and as a mild sedative.

Sweet basil is used to treat digestive problems, works as a mild laxative being an aromatic, appetizer, antispasmodic, carminative, stomachic and galactagogue. It is helpful for stomach cramps, gastric catarrh, vomiting, intestinal catarrh, constipation and enteritis.

There are many different verities of basil and it is good for culinary purposes.

It helps to polarize and balance sexuality and spirituality too.

Borage (Borago offinalis)

The plant is two to three feet tall, sown annually from seed in June month, it may be planted near tomatoes and strawberries. The germination period is seven to fourteen day.

Its leaves and flowers are used. The leaves are used to make a tea for treating depression and for cabbage dishes, spiced punch and ragout. It has a cucumber taste and makes a cooling effect helps to build self-confidence. The flower is candied for confection and used to prepare a decoction to relive fever as it promotes sweating and to treat cool & bronchitis.

Borage has medicinal uses since it contains potassium and calcium combined with mineral acids. The fresh juice affords 30 per cent of these nutrients, whereas the dried leaves have only 3 per cent. Its properties are diaphoretic, aperients, febrifuge, pectoral, tonic and galactagogue.

When skin is sensitive, a borage poultice may cause dermatitis. Prolonged use is not advisable.

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Dr. Shanker Adawal

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