Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Healing with Balm
Contemporary herbalists tout balm’s traditional uses: It’s still used to induce sweat and menstruation and is recommended to treat headache, flatulence, hypertension, stress, bronchitis, indigestion, asthma, and infant colic. Modern science has not supported all of balm’s traditional uses-it has abandoned the 19th century notion that balm is a stimulant. and Culpeper was off base by saying it “opens obstructions of the brain.” But studies show this herb may have even greater healing potential.
Wound Treatment - Score one for Dioscorides. Balm contains chemicals (polyphenols) that may help fight several infection-causing bacteria, among them Streptococci and mycobacteria. Balm also contains eugenol, an anesthetic that may help relieve wound pain.
Herpes and Other Viral Infections - Balm helps fight mumps, herpes, and other viruses. American pharmaceutical companies have ignored balm’s possible antiviral action, but Europeans have not In Germany, where herbal medicine is more mainstream than it is in the United States, balm extract is an active ingredient in Lornaherpan Creme, an ointment used to treat cold sores and genital herpes Unfortunately, this product is not available in the United States.
A Natural Tranquilizer - Researchers have discovered that balm oil-the source of the plant’s pleasant fragrance-may have tranquilizing properties, supporting the herb’s traditiona 1 use as a relaxant. In Germany, balm is widely used as a tranquilizer and sedative.
Digestive Ald - German researchers have discovered that baim relaxes the smooth muscle tissue of the digestive tract, thus supporting its age-old use as a digestive aid.
Women’s Health - Herbs that relax the digestive tract may also calm another smooth muscle, the uterus. This potential effect could help support balm’s traditional use in treating menstrual cramps. However, balm has also been historically recommended as a uterine stimulant to promote menstruation. No contemporary research clarifies this confusing situation For this reason, pregnant women should not use it. Other women might try it to begin menstruation.