• Aloe Vera: Aloe Vera contains over 20 minerals, all of which are essential to the human body. The human body requires 22 amino acids for good health -- eight of which are called "essential" because the body cannot fabricate them. Aloe Vera contains all of these eight essential amino acids, and 11 of the 14 "secondary" amino acids. Aloe Vera has Vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, C and E. In India, Aloe vera is believed to help in sustaining youth, due to its positive effects on the skin. Hence it is called ghee kunvar or ghee kumaari.
• Krantz Aloe: In parts of Ecuador it is considered the first treatment of any type of scratch, bite, or burn, and is used in hospitals as a primary treatment for burns up to third degree. The sap of Krantz Aloe contains much higher concentrations of the primary compounds present in other Aloes. (...) Like the sap of all aloes, that of Krantz Aloe can be drunk as a liver and digestive tonic.
• English Ivy: This plant does a number of wonderful things for your air quality. English Ivy purifies benzene (found in plastics, dyes, pesticides, rubber, and more), formaldehyde (the stuff that’s in glue and cleaning products), and trichloroethylene (a compound in paint removers and carpet cleaners). The greenery also reduces the amount of carbon monoxide, so plant some English Ivy in your home and breathe easy.
• Snake Plant: The snake plant (aka mother-in-law’s tongue) is meant for low lit areas of the home. At night, the sharp-leaves absorb carbon dioxide, gets rid of formaldehyde and benzene, and releases oxygen into the air. Stick a pot of this plant in your bedroom for a healthy and fresh addition to the room.
• Cannabis: Cannabis was first used by ancient civilizations in spiritual and religious rituals and as a medicinal plant. The first cannabis plants are known to have come from Central Asia, particularly Mongolia and southern Siberia. Records from ancient civilizations show evidence of humans using cannabis in a number of ways including: Burning and inhaling the smoke, crushing and mixing it with other herbs to form poultices, salves, or ointments, cooking it and distilling it into tonics or beverages.
  • Let’s look at a timeline of the ancient past of cannabis wellness.Please note that the following practices from the past are not necessarily recommended today:
    • 1800 BCE Early documented uses of a plant thought to be cannabis was used for seizures and referenced in Sumerian and Akkadian tablets.
    • 1700 BCE The Ramesseum III Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text, described using hemp to treat a patient’s eyes.
    • 1550 BCE An ancient Egyptian medical document called the Papyrus Ebers mentioned the use of cannabis to reduce inflammation. The document additionally noted grinding cannabis in honey and using it to “cool the uterus and eliminate its heat. ”Egyptian women also used cannabis as a medication to “cure wrath and grief.”
    • 1213 BCE Egyptian pharaoh, Ramses the Great, is believed to have used cannabis. In the 1980s, scientists found traces of cannabis in his mummified remains.
    • 900 BCE Scythians, nomads of southern Siberia, used the smoke from burning hemp seeds for intoxication, according to Greek historian Herodotus.
    • 1000 BCE Ayurvedic and Arabic practices incorporated cannabis as an aphrodisiac and to treat pain. The traditional Indian drink bhang is a mix of cannabis paste (made from the whole cannabis plant) and milk, ghee, and spices.
    • 100 CE The Chinese medical text, the Shennong Bencaojing or Shennong’s Materia Medica Classic, mentioned the medicinal benefits of the flowers, seeds, and leaves of the cannabis plant.
    • 200 CE In China, Cannabis was used as an anesthetic during surgery. Surgeon Hua Tuo ground cannabis and combined it with wine for patients.
    • 800s The Al-Aqrabadhin Al-Saghir, the first Arabic list of medicines with their effects and uses, described a cannabis seed juice mixed with other herbs and taken intra-nasally to treat migraines, uterine pain, and prevent miscarriage.
    • 1600s Industrial hemp arrived in the American colonies and was grown at Jamestown in the early 1600s, alongside tobacco, to produce rope, paper, and textiles. In 1639, the Massachusetts court passed a law requiring every household to plant hemp seed. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson also grew hemp on their farms.
    • 1700s Irish doctor William O’Shaughnessy, wrote about the medical benefits of cannabis for rheumatism and nausea caused by cholera. American medical journals mentioned the use of hemp seeds and roots to treat health problems such as skin inflammation and incontinence.
    • 1800s Queen Victoria is said to have taken a monthly dose of cannabis prescribed by her physician to relieve menstrual cramps. In the United States, a medicinal syrup containing cannabis was used to provide relief from headaches, aid in better sleep, and stimulate appetite. Cannabis was also used during childbirth to start contractions and ease pain.
      • WHY CANNABIS WAS MADE ILLEGAL: With all of the evidence over centuries of cannabis being used medicinally, how did it become illegal? The answer to that is due, in part, to the concerted efforts of a few powerful men who influenced how the public perceived cannabis, planting the seeds of stigma and driven by racial bigotry, political power grabbing, and greed. It wasn’t until the early twentieth century that the view of cannabis shifted from versatile, natural medicine to dangerous drug. Change began to happen when Congress passed the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 leading to the formation of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The law mandated that product labels list any of ten ingredients that were considered “addictive” and/or “dangerous.” Cannabis was included on that list.

(Excerpted from the book, Cannabis and CBD for Health and Wellness by Aliza Sherman and Dr. Junella Chin).

• Mint: Mint relaxes the smooth muscles of the GI tract, so it’s long been used for digestive issues. When you have tummy trouble or feel nauseated, make a tea for sipping. Strip about a dozen leaves (peppermint and spearmint are especially good) and steep in one cup of boiling water until it takes on a yellowish hue.
• Chamomile: Roman chamomile is a low-growing perennial, whereas German chamomile is an annual that can become two feet tall. Both types are used interchangeably. When the flowers just begin to open, harvest them and spread out to dry. Then make a tea to aid sleep or indigestion: Chop the dried flowers, add about one tablespoon per cup of hot water, and steep five minutes. Or place the chopped flowers in a small muslin bag with a drawstring to make a tea bag. Bonus: Use this after it cools to soothe red, puffy eyes!
• Sage: Sage’s antimicrobial properties may relieve cold symptoms. Chop up about one teaspoon of the leaves and steep in a cup of boiling hot water for 10 minutes. Cool, and use as a gargle for sore throats.
• Thyme: Thyme’s antimicrobial activity may help relieve coughs and cold symptoms. Make a tea by pouring a cup of boiling water over a tablespoon of fresh leaves, and steep for 10 minutes. Drink several times a day.
• Lemon Balm: Lemon balm is a rockstar herb for taking the edge off of mild anxiety and depression. If you have mild situational anxiety or depression, lemon balm might be something worth exploring to see if it helps you weather the storm. Part of the reason why it works so well is that lemon balm is a mild sedative—it helps relax the nervous system. (...) Lemon balm is also a strong antiviral—in particular, it works well to help combat both shingles and herpes. Another awesome benefit of lemon balm? It’s a natural mosquito repellent. And since the leaves are bursting with essential oil, basically all you have to do is brush up against a plant to release a ton of mosquito-stopping scent into the air.
• Tumeric: Turmeric has been used as a medicinal herb for 4,000 years. It’s a tentpole of an Indian alternative medicine practice called Ayurveda. Originating in India, turmeric is believed to have anticancer properties and can prevent DNA mutations. As an anti-inflammatory, it can be taken as a supplement and it’s been used topically for people with arthritis who wish to relieve discomfort. It’s used worldwide as a cooking ingredient, which makes it a delicious, antioxidant-rich addition to many dishes. According to recent research, turmeric is also showing promise as a treatment for a variety of dermatologic diseases and joint arthritis.
  • Turmeric could be beneficial for:
    • pain caused by inflammatory diseases, like arthritis
    • preventing cancer
    • stopping DNA mutations
    • several skin diseases
  • Things to consider:
    • When used as a supplement, people tend to take too much, so it can be difficult to trust the dosage and quality. Safety increases when ingested as an herb in cooking or tea.
    • Long-term use can potentially cause stomach problems.
    • Turmeric has low bioavailability. Consuming with pepper can help your body absorb more of its benefits.