HERBS: In general use, herbs are plants with savory or aromatic properties that are used for flavoring and garnishing food, for medicinal purposes, or for fragrances.
16-20% of the world production of herbs belongs to Poland, of which about 80% are herbs from cultivation (about 60 species) and 20% from natural sites.
Herbs were used in prehistoric medicine. As far back as 5000 BCE. Some plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. There may be some effects when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary “spicing”, and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. For instance, some can be used for medical purposes to relieve depression and stress. However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to toxic overload that may involve complications, some of a serious nature, and should be used with caution.
Nowadays, herbs are becoming more and more popular because even a small amount can have a positive effect on us.
Herbs at home:
Popular methods of bringing herbs home usually require a lot of time and energy:
You can start your own cultivation, but this is probably the most absorbing method, requiring a daily commitment of time and energy.
Herbal infusions are a good method, but they require finding a moment during the day to skillfully prepare the infusion. Herbal infusions, however, are a good solution because dried herbal infusions can be stored even for a longer time without losing their healing properties.
Dietary supplements, i.e. herbs in tablets – the choice here is very large. However, despite the assurances of the manufacturers of these preparations, it is always necessary to consult a doctor first.
Herbal essences or herbal air fresheners are probably the most dynamically developing method of delivering herbs. Therefore, I will pay a little more attention to them.
When buying essential oils or herbal air fresheners, pay special attention to the manufacturer and descriptions. According to REACH regulations in the European Union such oils or air fresheners are classified as chemical mixtures. In itself, such designation does not define their natural or artificial origin, because according to this classification ethanol mixed with water (C2H5OH + H2O) is also a chemical mixture, and we used to think that it is ordinary vodka.
It is important to avoid mixtures without description or with a very short description containing only the name of the herbs. Herbs are natural stores of various chemicals that have a positive effect on people if used in the right concentration. Like all natural substances, they can cause allergic reactions. From my experience I know that all preparations that do not have a description of allergens or chemical composition (although this composition looks “chemical”) have something to hide. Of course, homemade herbal extracts will not have descriptions, but then we know who prepared them and we trust such a person.
Beware of preparations without any description of allergens, how to proceed in case of getting into your eyes and without chemical composition. This may mean that the producer himself does not know what he is producing or, what is worse, tries to hide something from us.
Always ask for an MSDS card – this is a standard document where you will find a full description of the product and the allergens listed. YES – herbs as a natural product can cause an allergic reaction.
And now, perhaps the most important thing – only synthetic replacements of herbs do not cause an allergic reaction!
I will say it again – only synthetic equivalents of herbs do not cause an allergic reaction and can be sold without this information on the label!
Be sure to ask your dealer for an MSDS card, you don’t need to know or read this – just see the dealer’s reaction. If it is a natural product, made according to the European Union regulations, such a seller will give you the MSDS card immediately. On the other hand, if you hear that the product is natural because it is so written on it that natural products do not require an MSDS card or other stories prepared to calm you down – think about what the seller is hiding from you!
Herbal essences and natural herbal air fresheners are chemical mixtures (because this is how EU regulations define it) and according to these regulations they must have an MSDS card.
Natural essences and air fresheners are available on the market and do not have to be significantly more expensive than synthetic ones.
The use of natural air fresheners is simple and does not require special treatments. We can find a number of variants here. From the simplest, where they simply have to be sprayed in the room through to reed diffusor solutions, where the aroma is released from various types of rattan sticks, natural flowers (sola flower) or other such elements.
I encourage the use of this type of natural solutions because of their relatively low price and ease of application.
