52 The Complete Home Guide to Herbs, Natural Healing, and Nutrition
lems should eat only small amounts of it.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is astringent, bitter, highly stimulating,
and yet calming, which makes it useful for indigestion, colic, nausea, gas,
nervousness, and fever. It is also high in calcium and is a natural antiseptic.
Sage (Salvia officinalis) is an antispasmodic, antiseptic, and astringent, and is
helpful for slowing fluid secretions. Consequently, it is helpful in cases of
excessive perspiration, night sweats, milk flow, and vaginal discharge. It has
a slightly bitter taste, so limit its usage and certainly never consider it alone
as a herbal tea. It requires careful dosage, but is invaluable if used correctly.
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is useful in cases of lack of appetite, chronic gastri-
tis, and diarrhea. It is highly antiseptic and can activate and strengthen the
immune system, and it warms and tones as it works. (However, excessive
amounts can cause depression if drunk daily in teas.)
Turmeric (Curcuma domestica) is one of the most useful and versatile spices.
Not only is it an excellent cleanser of the liver thanks to its bitterness, but it
is also highly antiseptic and, as a blood purifier, is useful for eczema, pimples,
and a variety of other skin complaints. It is helpful for all circulatory prob-
lems and for maintaining menstrual regularity; it also keeps all kinds of un-
desirable bacteria and infection at bay, including in the gut, where it is also
soothing and anti-inflammatory. It is an antioxidant, but perhaps most use-
ful of all, it is strongly antiviral.
Note: As you have probably realized, foods and spices in their different
states — fresh, whole, and powdered — all have different flavors. Whole, un-
processed spices last the longest. If you are buying powdered ones, buy only
small quantities at a time; alternatively, buy whole ones and grind your own
in a coffee grinder. Perhaps the main quality of most culinary herbs and
spices is that their essential oils all help with digestion, relaxing stomach
muscles, speeding digestion, and killing off unwanted amounts of fungi,
bacteria, and even parasites in some cases. They are generally tonic, feeding,
and health-giving. Don’t forget others not listed here, such as bay leaf, basil,
and chives.
Digestion
This is the most important subject of this chapter and perhaps of the
book, for without proper digestion, much ill health and many diseases can
be created. The digestive system comprises the mouth, spleen, pancreas,
stomach, liver, gallbladder, intestines, and colon. There is much work to
be done by each of these; for instance, the mouth secretes digestive
enzymes, and the entire digestive tract is populated by symbiotic bacteria
whose job it is to break down the partially processed food and assist its
decomposition by fermentation.
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