For thousands of years the human race has used herbs in a great many ways. These uses can be placed into three distinctive groups; religious, culinary and medicinal. In the following article we shall take a close look at each of these categories in order focusing upon medical uses and essential oils.
Through the ions o time there have been numerous other uses of herbs which we will not be looking at here and these include them being used instead of cash, as a disinfectant and as a perfume or powerful smell to smother bad smells. Herbs come from various parts of the globe and each culture usually had unusual uses for them. It is interesting to note that the Ancient Egyptians, Ancient Greek and Sumerians, the Romans all wrote about them in detail and other writings exist from Ancient India and China. We shall be concentrating on modern uses.
Religious Uses Of Herbs
Herbs are still used in a multitude of across the world. Most Christians will recall myrrh from the Nativity (myrrh is the dried sap of Commiphora myrrha). Hindus will be very familiar with the Tulsi plant, which is a type of Basil, as it is cultivated by many and praised as a Goddess. In Pagan faiths herbs are utilized extensively in spells, rituals as well as for healing.
Herbs In The Kitchen
The leaves of various plants are used in cooking but there is a distinction between leafy vegetables, such as spinach, and a herb, such as oregano, in that the latter are used in minute amounts due to their distinctive, and powerful flavor. Virtually every person in the world has benefited from the these amazing plants which are capable of lifting the blandest meal into the realms of a culinary masterpiece.
The Medicinal Uses of Herbs
As well as being powerful in flavor a herb can also have a profound effect upon the human body. Some types are used as recreational drugs, such as cannabis, which can cause legal problems as they can also have useful medical properties which are still being studied by scientists.
Essential Oils
An essential oil is the oil extracted from a variety of plants. Essential oils are invariably created by the method called distillation but some require a different process of extraction such as by using solvents or expression.
Essential oils have a number of uses, such as perfumes, bath oils, flavorings, burning (for scent) and in cleaning products. However the majority of people know of their use in medicine and especially in aromatherapy and other forms of alternative medicine. I use lavender oil in a number of ways, I add it to my mixture for my oil burner to make the room smell nice but I also use about three drops in a bath when I suffer from achy legs. When my legs are very painful I massage it into the muscles but only when it is mixed with a carrier oil. As well as helping to relax the muscles it also helps me sleep more soundly.
Herbs should be used with great care as some can be extremely poisonous to the human body (in large quantities). Special care should be taken if you are planning on having a baby as something that is otherwise safe can be alarmingly problematic, such as peppermint oil which should never be used in its dilute form. However spearmint and a few other mild oils can be used however to avoid any of miscarriage I would avoid all herbs and essential oils unless you are 100% certain they are safe.
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Filed under Health by on Jan 7th, 2009. 4 Comments. 
Although we all want to prevent acne breakouts on our faces, sometimes we have to address the blemishes we already have. It is good practice to put time and effort into keeping a clear complexion, but it’s also good practice to look in the mirror and face the pimples. They are there and they will not simply vanish. Or will they?
Here is where acne makeup comes into play. You did everything you were supposed to do to keep your skin clear. You cleansed, exfoliated and used a good toner. You lightly moisturized without over-saturating your skin. Your pores should be clear and your skin should be glowing. Well, it’s glowing all right, glowing red with acne. Do not despair. Acne makeup can conceal those marks in no time at all.
Applying foundation can be tricky and it becomes even more perplexed when dealing with blemishes. Sometimes using too much acne makeup can make you look worse than you did when your face was bare. We have all seen the pitiful souls who try too hard to cover unsightly pimples. The foundation cakes and dries into a tell-tale clump of acne makeup that sticks out worse than the acne itself.
My mother always said that women should apply foundation sparingly and this general rule is good practice all the way around. This general rule applies to acne makeup as well. Putting more and more product over the problem will inevitably emphasise the initial problem. This turns a little pimple trouble into a major all around face disaster. Keep it clean and you will be amazed at how far a little acne makeup really goes.
Using less foundation will save you money in the long run as well and this is good news. There is more good news for acne makeup enthusiasts. There are beauty products available specifically for women who have blemishes that actually help to clear your complexion. This outstanding acne makeup is a dream-come-true for many of us. It treats the acne as it covers the blemishes. You not only have the benefit of hiding pimples, you also have the benefit of preventing future breakouts.
When it comes to applying foundation, remember that less is best. This includes acne makeup that promises to clear your complexion as it covers. Using less will make your skin look radiant and natural and using the right acne makeup will eventually make your skin naturally radiant.