The Daily Collegian

Issue date: 2/26/07 Section: Arts & Living

Media Credit: Burpee.com

Media Credit: inspiritcommon.com

Germs seem to be growing on every surface imaginable. Health Services can be rather inconvenient and the antibiotics prescribed may work, but they can cost big bucks and have side effects. Prescription medicines aren't the only option for the typical illness.

Herbs, spices and plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before modern medicine came around. Many ways exist to extract the different properties in these plants to create a specific mixture that will assist in treating an ailment. There are tinctures, elixirs and essential oils that can be incredibly effective in healing a variety of illnesses that college students experience.

Essential oils can be very helpful, but must never be ingested unless recommended by a physician. Recently, they have become popular and more accessible. The most effective ways to use these oils are by inhaling the aroma directly from the bottle, or applying the oil to the skin via cotton ball, massage, amulet or mister. If you have high blood pressure, epilepsy or sensitive skin these oils aren't recommended for use.

There are over 400 different essential oils available in the market. For those who have weak immune systems, the essential oil of Echinacea is suggested. It can also be used in other forms. This herb is thought to stimulate the body's defense against disease without toxicity. It is used as an antibiotic, antiseptic and can be used to treat fevers, infections and even reduce allergies. If you frequently experience high fevers, the essential oils of peppermint and rosewood are also ideal.

During the winter, many people experience seasonal depression. The essential oil of orange or rose petal elixir works wonders as a mood enhancer. Rose petal elixir can be ingested while the essential oil should be inhaled.

Stress is also a problem most college students face during the long months spent at school. Lavender is the best herb to calm the nerves and relax the muscles. As a tea lavender also treats anxiety, nausea, flatulence and headaches. The essential oil is an antiseptic, a mild sedative and has pain killing properties. This oil can also treat insomnia and high blood pressure. The essential oil of cedarwood is also useful to prevent stress and anger.

Insomnia is another problem that many experience. Along with lavender, chamomile is very helpful for those restless minds and can be consumed as a tea or used as an essential oil.

The essential oil of vervain is also a common remedy for insomnia and menstrual cramps. There are other essential oils that can be used to suppress menstrual cramps besides vervain. Ylang-ylang is another plant that not only assists in reducing cramps, but can also be used to treat impotence.

Many are experiencing the cold and flu wave that sweeps campus every year. Ginger can be used in several different ways, but the most efficient way of taking it is drinking it as a tea. The steam from the tea treats colds, lung infections, indigestion, flatulence and also reduces fevers. A single drop of the essential oil can also be used during a massage to help ease muscle pain and fatigue.

Patchouli has been well known and popularized by its ability to hide the distinctive smell of marijuana. The essential oil of patchouli, however, has the ability to curb your appetite. It also assists in clearing up acne, eczema, dysentery and reducing fevers.

Essential oils can also treat a very common ailment that no one likes to talk about - warts. There are many medicines and painful procedures out there that assist in their removal, but there is also a natural solution. Calendula is a very powerful healer. It is an antiseptic and antifungal with high amounts of vitamin A and can treat multiple types of skin problems. If you are experiencing warts, an application of this oil along with the frequent ingestion of milk thistle elixir will help solve the problem. Milk thistle, when ingested, does wonders for the liver which rids the body of toxins. If you are experiencing genital warts, it is suggested you converse with a well-informed herbalist, or your physician, before applying calendula.

Well-informed herbalists can be found locally. There is a natural healing store in Hadley that supplies every essential oil and elixir mentioned. Inspirit Common is located on Route 9 towards Northampton and the owners can answer any questions and always have recommendations. Inspirit Common can also be found online at www.inspiritcommon.com

In addition, they have a surplus of healing stones that release energy which are said to communicate with the body, assisting in the healing process. Don't be shy because they are very nice and understanding. Sometimes modern medicine can seem like an endless pit of appointments, prescriptions, and disappointment. It might be worth giving natural medicine a try.

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