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Many of the herbs on the Herbs A to Z (G - H) page are a must for those interested in natural healing and herbal teas. Often hibiscus flowers are used as hibiscus tea and are blended with other herbal teas. The hibiscus flower is thought to have antifungal properties and is rich in vitamin C. This flower makes beautifully colored and tasty hibiscus tea. Mix your own blend of hibiscus tea with other herbs and flowers and use in decorative, fragrant potpourri. Use hyssop medicinally as an anti-inflammatory agent. Shave grass is known as horsetail, horsetail grass, and horsetail plant. It has been used to improve memory and help mend broken bones due to its high silica content and ability to help form collagen. Sometimes goldenseal root is used as a gargle for canker sores. Also goldenseal has been used topically for its antimicrobial properties. Internally, it has been used for digestion and as an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory agent. The leaves of gotu kola have been used for culinary use with rice, curry, and vegetable dishes. It has slight antibacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory stimulant properties. It has been used to fight aging, high blood pressure, cellulite, and improve memory. Naturally caffeine-free gotu kola is commonly used for varicose veins treatment as well.
Often used as an emulsifier in foods, guar gum forms a gel. The fiber in guar gum makes it ideal for colon health. Learn to use this emulsifying agent in baked goods, salad dressings and sauces by using only a small amount. It has 8 times the thickening power of cornstarch. The herb horehound is used in throat lozenges and cough syrups. American ginseng is often taken for flu and its aphrodisiac effects. Korean ginseng is also known as Asian Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Panax ginseng root, and Red Ginseng. The main benefit of Korean ginseng is in treating sexual function and to increase energy, but it is also used topically to help stimulate collagen production to help with fine lines and wrinkles as well as to reduce stress, improve vitality, and boost immunity. Natural henna hair dye has other applications as well. Henna can be used to dye skin, finger and toe nails, leather, silk, and wool. The main benefit of hawthorn berries and hawthorn leaf is for heart health. Cosmetics often contain hydrangea root. The ginkgo tree (ginkgo biloba) produces ginkgo leaf; benefits of ginkgo biloba include its use for memory and concentration. There are ginkgo biloba side effects which increases the risk of bleeding. Digestion problems are sometimes treated with gentian root. The natural gum, gum arabic from the gum arabic tree is used as an emulsifier to stabilize foods. Most people buy hops to induce relaxation or sleep.
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