Medicinal Herbs

[johnincrete]

I know nothing about medicinal herbs but after bowel surgery, I want to know about their medicinal value.

Can anyone recommend a good book?

Being the opposite of green fingered, I don't want to know how to grow them

[KateD]

Maybe need to see a lady called Ildiko who lives in Armenoi. I have her details if you are interested?

[filippos]

Maybe need to see a lady called Ildiko who lives in Armenoi. I have her details if you are interested?

Whose views are bound to be completely unbiased about their efficacy or am I just an old cynic?

[KateD]

Definitely Fillipos. Plant based drugs worked for years before the big pharmaceutical companies decided to manufacture chemical versions of them and charge mega bucks!

[hairybloke]

The Maravel Herb Garden in Spili is worth a trip. Very knowledgeable about the large variety of plants they grow.

[scooby]

I used to use medicinal herbs but that was back in the heady days of the 70's

[kvsteele]

I have just bought a book via Amazon called "Plants of Crete" by Antonis Alibertis.......best book of wild plants on Crete. Only problem is that you have to go and collect the plants in the wild. The whole book is about the healing properties of each plant and where they can be found...Maybe this will help. Best wishes Vivien.

[SatCure]

There are several web sites with information. Simply search for "Cretan herbs" and you'll find them. Here's one:
https://creti.co/blog/10-cretan-herbs/

Also...

The oil of the "hashish" plant is widely reported as being effective against cancer and other ailments.
Medical marijuana program 'could save US taxpayer $1bn' – study
https://www.rt.com/usa/385891-medical-m ... taxpayers/
http://right.is/cancer-remedies/2017/04 ... cer-7.html

Note: it's technically illegal here so it's difficult to find unless you know whom to ask.

Also curcumin (turmeric) which is absorbed better if you add a little black pepper.

For breakfast I eat sliced banana on local sheep's milk yoghurt, drizzled with a little honey and sprinkled with turmeric, cinnamon and black pepper. (I'm 66 and don't take any pharmaceutical drugs.)

Gut Health - a TED talk that was almost banned - read the reviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLjgBLwH3Wc

Cinnamon Benefits
http://www.offthegridnews.com/alternati ... d-even-us/

5 Reasons Why Olives Are Healthy For You
http://www.naturalblaze.com/2017/05/oli ... efits.html

Honey
http://right.is/alternative-health/2017 ... ns-58.html

Herb - Comfrey
http://right.is/conservative-opinion/20 ... -7089.html

Herb - Lemon Balm
http://www.naturalblaze.com/2017/03/ben ... -balm.html

Flaxseed
http://right.is/alternative-health/2017 ... od-54.html

Coconut Oil
https://brightside.me/inspiration-tips- ... re-274110/

Vitamin D pills
http://www.bbc.com/news/health-38988982

[Kilkis]

An alternative view on coconut oil.

Warwick

[Eleni13]

Be aware that natural medicines are sometimes harmful, especially if combined with prescribed drugs. Turmeric is especially contraindicated if you are taking a blood thinning medication such as rivaroxaban or similar. Unfortunately, declining a blood thinner increases the chance of stroke and thrombosis. Cross your fingers that you won't depend on modern drugs, Martin.

[johnincrete]

Thank you everyone for your replies. I can see that I have much studying to do.
I shall certainly visit the Spilli herb garden.

As I cannot yet drink coffee I am trying supermarket herbal tea and have been greatly disappointed.







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[Kilkis]

If you ask any Cretan they will tell you that Dictamus (Dittany) will cure any ailment known to man. Drink black, either with a slice of lemon or with honey if you like your drinks sweet. Available all over Crete. There are also blends of Dictamus, Fiskouni (Pennyroyal) and Marjoram, a relative of Oregano. As a complete coffee addict I can't say it did anything for me.

Warwick

[TweetTweet]

As I cannot yet drink coffee I am trying supermarket herbal tea and have been greatly disappointed.

I don't know why you can't drink coffee but if it's because you have recently had an anaesthetic it would make sense. If that is the case then to let the liver recover from processing the anaesthetic is a good rule of thumb. Bitter herbs are the best for cleaning tasks, cammomile is considered a bitter herb too. The loose cammomile infused for some minutes is a wonderful drink (ready made tea bags bear little resemblance).

Unless contra-indicated (e.g. a need to keep potassium low) fresh lemon zest tea is delicious - I like it with a good sponful of honey. And then there is fresh mint tea, fresh sage tea (pregnant women and some people with some conditions should avoid it).

One of two major plusses in relation to the consequences of the crooked bankers et al is that the out of control building has stopped, the other is that many many young (40'ish) people have and are renovating small gardens in neglected villages...they want the very best nutrition for their growing families and understand about the importance to not use pesticides. I've just recalled the third major plus i.e. a huge drop in the amount of planet killing chemicals being used.

[TweetTweet]

An alternative view on coconut oil.

Warwick

Coconut oil is as unhealthy as beef dripping and butter, say US heart experts.

Utter baloney. The 40 year old demonization of saturated fats has no doubt contributed to early demise and general impaired health of many people. The original study was funded by the sugar industry.

We all need some good quality LDL – it is the building block for steroid hormones. It is “particle” size that is important – VLDL (very low density lipo protein) is considered bad because it helps cholesterol build up on the walls of arteries. It is the high triglyceride content in VLDL that causes damage.

Cutting out sugar, fructose and pro-inflammatory omega 6 rich rubbish vegetables oils can have dramatic impact in helping conversion of VLDL to LDL.

Without a good amount of cholesterol we can’t convert sunlight to the vital pro-hormone called vitamin D3. Of course by virtue of slathering bodies with chemical sun block, many people don’t even get off the starting block in that respect. The “Sun” is bad for you is more health damaging baloney.

As with everything, the “quality” of what we knowingly ingest is important. I would only use organic cold pressed coconut oil, organic butter and other dairy products.

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) – also known as the fat that makes you lose fat.

Sugar and all fake sugars (aspartame, Splenda et al) are one huge driving force in making the inhabitants of the so-called developed world obese, sick and stupid.

[Kilkis]

I only said it was AN alternative view not necessarily MY alternative view, TweetTweet. For every view on the pros and cons of any type of food there is an alternative. You choose the ones you wish to believe and I choose the ones I wish to believe. Whichever view we choose we can always find evidence that that view is absolutely correct and all other views are wrong.

...Cutting out sugar, fructose and ...

I do agree about fructose though. I make sure I always consume fruit with some of the Carbon Dioxide removed, using a completely natural, organic enzyme process, and sometimes in concentrated form. I tend to have the same view about cereals but I do consume some unprocessed.

Warwick