Nature provides many substances which people have found useful as remedies. Among these, you will find some with very interesting names. Here is a look at six natural remedies with peculiar names, how they got their names, and information on their various health benefits.
Seven Natural Remedies with Nifty Names
Holy basil is an herb long used in Eastern medicine. Its western name is derived from its esteemed position in Indian Hindu medicine. It is an adaptogen, meaning that it helps the body to adapt to regular stressors, and maintain bodily homeostasis and well-being. Holy basil has many healthful properties, which make it useful for helping the body recover from physical and mental stress due to prolonged physical exertion. It supports cellular and physiological adaptive functions, such that it could help with arthritis, anxiety, mild back pain, and other minor ailments. Holy basil is often found in complex supplements designed for stress and pain relief.
Royal jelly is a natural substance harvested from the queen cells of beehives. It contains various vitamins and minerals, and has been demonstrated to help those with diabetes by improving lipid profiles and glycemic status. It also has notable antibacterial properties, and antiviral properties which have been shown to be effective at inhibiting the growth of the herpes simplex virus. Other studies show royal jelly can help relieve the symptoms of menopause.
St. John’s Wort is an herb used in traditional European medicine, and it gets its name from Saint John the Baptist because it blooms in June near time of the feast of St. John. Supplementing with St. John’s Wort has a few different potential benefits. The most prominent use of St. John’s Wort is relieving depression. Some studies have shown that it can relieve mild-to-moderate depression as effectively as standard antidepressants do. It might also be useful for relieving menopausal symptoms, as well as anxiety related to somatic symptom disorder and OCD.
Witch hazel is a plant which is harvested and used as an astringent. This means that it is used to tighten the skin, which can remedy certain skin issues. The topical uses of witch hazel include relieving itching and irritation from hemorrhoids, reducing minor bleeding, and reducing general skin irritation. Witch hazel can be found in an astringent product combined with aloe vera. Witch hazel’s name comes from “wiche,” an old English word meaning “bendable,” in reference to the plant itself.
Stinging nettle is an herb which is taken in order to improve the prostate health of men. Stinging nettle has been scientifically shown to inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by inhibiting cellular pathways that result in prostate growth. Correspondingly, stinging nettle can inhibit the symptoms of BPH. The name of stinging nettle refers to the needle-like hairs on the stalks and leaves of the plant.
Passion flower is an herb which was so named in the 16th century by Christian missionaries after the passion of Jesus Christ. Evidence suggests that a passion flower supplement can be useful for reducing anxiety as well as relieving insomnia. These useful applications of passion flower are believed to come from its healthy effects on two neurotransmitters - GABA and dopamine. These could also help with stress and the symptoms of ADHD.
Natural herbal remedies provide unique benefits, and sometimes they also have conspicuous names as well. It’s recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking a supplement for the first time.