Genesis 1:29
Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.
Humans have been using herbs for medicine for over 60,000 years. I find herbal medicine absolutely fascinating and never get tired of learning new things when it comes to holistic medicine. The Lord has supplied us with everything we need in order to thrive and take care of our bodies. Did you know that there are 75-100 medicinal herbs listed in the National Library of Medicinal Herbs and there are over 20,000 edible plants, most of which contain important vitamins and benefits to our bodies.
Unfortunately, over the years the practice of using herbs for medicine has been slowly replaced by modern medicine and thus, forgotten by most. It is one of my biggest passions in life, to share my knowledge about herbalism and holistic medicine so that this practice does not become lost. Today I will be talking about the following herbs mentioned in the scripture.
- Saffron
- Calamus
- Cinnamon
- Myrrh
- Hyssop
Saffron
Saffron is best known for its ability to reduce depression and improve mood. However, research shows that it may also help with memory, inflammation, and even have some anti-cancer properties.
Saffron is one of the most expensive herbs in the world but can typically be found at most health food and specialty grocery stores. If you live near a TJ Maxx or Ross, I have found it in their gourmet food section at a cheaper price than most other stores. It can be purchased in a powdered or “thread” form and can be purchased as a supplement. I personally recommend, purchasing in threads as you know exactly what you are getting, and it can be used in many ways in this form. From adding it to various cooked dishes to making tea, saffron goes a very long way with its strong flavor and high potency.
Calamus
I would like to start off by saying that Calamus has been banned for medicinal use in many countries including the United States as it is believed to have Carcinogenic effects. Despite this belief, it can still be safely used in small doses as practiced in Chinese and Indian traditional medicine.
The health benefits most commonly associated with Calamus is its ability to treat some psychological disorders, relieve inflammation, aid in circulation, and decrease headaches. Beyond this, it can also be used to treat a sore throat, congestion and cold, asthma, erectile dysfunction, and painful/ heavy menstrual cycles. Calamus is most commonly taken as a mild brewed tea when used to treat psychological disorders and circulatory problems. When used for treating inflammation and pain, it is best used in the form of an essential oil applied directly to the area of pain.
As always, with any herbal treatment, please do your own research and speak to your healthcare provider before starting any new regimens. I cannot stress this enough, especially with this particular herb as there are some potential side effects when used in large quantities.
Cinnamon
Alright, so let’s talk about cinnamon. Cinnamon actually comes from the inner bark of trees belonging to the Cinnamomum family. Strong spices and herbs such as cinnamon and ginger are powerful antioxidants. Unfortunately, for most American’s, these spices and herbs are not a part of our diet. Therefore, often times, we do not get these benefits without supplementation.
Individuals suffering from diabetes who take insulin regularly have shown significant improvement in their glucose levels when taking cinnamon regularly. In addition to lowering glucose levels, it may also help reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and due to its prebiotic properties – aid in digestion and gut health.
There are two different types of Cinnamon, Ceylon and Cassia. Cinnamon contains coumarin which if consumed in large quantities can harm the liver. With this being said, if you plan to add cinnamon to your daily diet it is best to purchase Ceylon Cinnamon as the levels of coumarin in Ceylon are much lower than in Cassia.
Cinnamon is quite affordable and can easily be purchased at most grocery stores in a ground form or supplement. It is a delicious addition to baked goods, sweet potatoes, smoothies, tea, and many other dishes. You can also purchase cinnamon in a food grade essential oil form and use the oil for flavoring in your dishes instead of ground cinnamon from the grocery store. Young Living has a line of food grade essential oils, including cinnamon which you can check out HERE.
Myrrh
Myrrh has some amazing benefits. To start, Myrrh is an anti-bacterial which helps with oral health, skin health, and even pain. You can purchase mouthwash containing myrrh or simply add a few drops of the essential oil to your usual mouthwash. When used as a mouthwash, it can heal mouth sores up to 60% faster and can be used to treat gingivitis. Never swallow Myrrh oil as it can be toxic and do not use following any dental procedures in which you have been given stitches as it has been known to break down sutures.
If using for skin health, the essential oil can be added to a carrier oil and applied directly to the problem area. It does wonders for conditions such as ringworm and athlete’s foot. It can also be added to a warm bath to aid in healing postpartum. Any time you are adding essential oils to a bath, make sure you add a splash of milk to the bath as well. This prevents the oil from separating from the water which can irritate the skin.
Another great way to use Myrrh is to dilute with a carrier oil and apply to areas in which you are experiencing pain. Whether it be general aches and pains, or even headache. You can also purchase a Myrrh supplement that can be taken as needed for headaches and pain similarly to how you would take Tylenol.
If you would like to purchase Myrrh oil, I recommend Young Living which you can check out HERE.
Psalms 51:7
“Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.”
Hyssop
As with most herbs and supplements, little research has been done on them. Therefore, deeming them unapproved by the FDA. In 2014, a study was done where the oils and extracts of Hyssop on cancer cells was tested. The study proved that Hyssop has the potential to destroy cancer cells. Unfortunately, this has not been approved by the FDA as a cancer treatment as it has not been tested on humans.
Again, a study was done which revealed Hyssop may be effective in treating stomach ulcers, but this has also not been approved by the FDA, as of yet. With its powerful anti-viral properties, it may also kill enzymes from viruses such as Herpes and HIV.