“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” Psalm 51:7 ESV
When I was about 7 years old, a classmate came over to play. She had numerous patches of dry flaky skin on her legs and arms, and was constantly scratching them. My grandmother noticed this and went outside to her garden, plucked a thick green leaf from a plant and proceeded to rub this onto my classmate’s itchy skin-patches. Each time my grandmother placed pressure on the leaf, a clear gel-like substance emerged from it and this was what she was rubbing onto the irritated areas. “It’s so nice & cool”, my classmate kept saying. As I continue to explore ways to use food as medicine in my personal life, I recently learnt that the plant my grandmother used was aloe. And, because of it's soothing properties, it’s often used to treat certain abrasions, burns and skin irritations, among other ailments. Herbs were widely used in the biblical era, for physical healing, purification, spiritual cleansing and in cosmetics. Examples, to mention but a few, included: hyssop for ceremonial cleansing and purification; frankincense as an ingredient in incense and as an astringent; myrrh was used as perfume or as a salve in the purification of the dead and garlic was used to kill parasites, keep the body warm and increase virility. One of my favorite herbs to keep on hand is mint. I add a few leaves to a cup of boiled water and drink it as a tea. It’s really a delight when I have indigestion, stomach cramps or excessive flatulence. A friend of mine uses tea tree oil, diluted in water to fight off mildew in her home. Faith Step: Which herbs do you keep in your home and, other than to flavor foods, what else are you using them for? Do you perhaps have a natural home remedy that has been used or passed down in your family? If not, try a new natural remedy and share your experience. I’d love to hear your story.
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