This week, Claudio Cervantes, the General Director of Embellé in Mexico, will talk to us about the 15 best medicinal plants and how we can use them to improve our health.

The use of plant-based remedies dates back to prehistoric times and is one of the most widespread forms of medicine, present in virtually all known cultures.

The current pharmaceutical industry has relied on traditional knowledge for the development of drugs, and the scientific verification process of these traditions continues today, with new applications being constantly discovered. Many of the drugs used today, such as aspirin, synthetically replicate the active principles of traditional plant remedies known even since prehistoric times.

1. EUCALYPTUS- is used for therapeutic purposes. Both the decoction of the leaves and the essential oil are antipyretic and expel intestinal parasites. They are wound healers and help with skin diseases such as eczema.

2. BASIL- is effective against stomach pain, lack of appetite, and constipation.

3. WORMWOOD- has the ability to induce and regulate menstruation in cases of irregular periods.

4. MARJORAM- is very suitable for digestive system problems, opens the appetite, and is indicated against anorexia.

5. MINT- is for the digestive system and to relieve menstrual pain.

6. OREGANO- contributes to the proper functioning of the gallbladder and liver.

7. ROSEMARY- positively influences gastrointestinal disorders, kidney ailments, rheumatism, gout, nervous exhaustion and helps to strengthen convalescents.

8. SAGE- helps with proper digestion and, taken as an infusion, is a good means to combat excessive sweating, also used for mouth and throat rinses. It has sedative and disinfectant effects.

9. THYME- helps relieve gastric or intestinal disturbances and is part of many elixirs, juices, and drops against cough.

10. GARLIC- regulates glandular functions and normalizes the secretions of digestive fluids and metabolism in general.

11. TURNIP- is anti-catarrhal, anti-inflammatory. The broth of this tuber is drunk as a pectoral and soothing remedy against inflammatory diseases of the chest, cough, bronchitis, asthma, and urinary tract irritations.

12. ANISE- The seeds of anise have stomachic, stimulant, anti-inflammatory, and digestive properties, expelling gas from the stomach and intestines, and calming headaches. Anise oil is used to kill head lice in children.

13. CHICORY- Its leaves are eaten raw in salads, it is refreshing, digestive, appetizer, and tonic; purifies the blood and kidneys, and is very useful for people with a bilious temperament and hysterics.

14. SWISS CHARD- is diuretic and vulnerary. It purifies the blood and mineralizes our body. It is eaten cooked; it is refreshing and emollient (softens tumors and abscesses) and is very useful against diseases of the kidneys, bladder, and liver.

15. CANCHALAGUA- as a depurative, is useful against rheumatic conditions, liver, eczema, and skin diseases; it is appetite-stimulating, stomachic, kills worms, calms nerves and heart palpitations, combats inflammatory fevers, epilepsy, pleurisy, rheumatic conditions, and in the early stages of pneumonia.

Remember that before self-medicating and knowing what disease or ailment you have, it is always good to consult a doctor who is specialized and certified. Health is about seeing and feeling good.

See original article. Article courtesy of

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