Category: Herbal

Herbs Posted on

Antidiabetic Potential of Nettles and Walnut Leaves

According to a recent study from Iran, stinging nettle leaves (Urtica dioica) and walnut leaves (Juglans regia) may have potential in antidiabetic therapy. Diabetes affects over 100 million people worldwide. This disease condition causes blood glucose (sugar) levels to rise, because people with diabetes either do not make enough insulin or are unable to use insulin properly. Normally, Insulin helps glucose from blood enter muscle, brain and liver cells where it is used to generate energy. When glucose levels build up in blood, these cells become starved for energy. Over time, high blood glucose levels also damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves and heart. Carbohydrates are a major component of our daily diet. They are broken down in the gut into simple compounds called monosaccharides by […] Read More

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Nettle: An Incredibly Versatile Herb

If you are looking to stock your herbal medicine cabinet, nettle leaf is a staple for this purpose. The herb is considered a “spring tonic,” since that is when it is traditionally harvested and it has so many medicinal uses. It is inexpensive to buy dried nettle, but it can be harvested yourself, if you’d like (just make sure to wear gloves). If you can’t find anywhere to harvest nettle, you can plant it at home in a pot. It can be invasive when planted directly in the ground, though, and the last thing you want is a yard full of a plant that hurts when you touch it. Topical Uses for Nettle Hair – Stinging nettle is regularly incorporated into shampoos and hair rinses, as it reduces oil and dandruff, adds shine, and […] Read More

Herbal Posted on

The Egyptians Had Their Own Version Of Ayahuasca They Called “The Tree Of Life”

The civilization of Egypt as we know spans back thousands of years to the days when the last great glaciers in the world were melting (10,000 BC). This information, as many of you may know, has been systematically removed and ignored from nearly every history book written in modern times. The Egyptians were an incredibly aware and spiritual society, which had deeply entrenched beliefs about reality as we perceive it as well as the realities that most of us are not aware of. Spirituality played a huge role in the lives of Egyptians, and this is depicted in the hieroglyphs that they have left behind on the walls of their tombs or in the fragments of papyrus that are unearthed. Uncovered in this forgotten language […] Read More

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Herbalism and YOU

The terminology and dogma of herbalism are ever-changing.  I know I’ve mentioned this before, but when we started out several decades ago, there were relatively few people who were referred to as herbalists.  Everyone else considered themselves to be enthusiasts or as just being “into” herbs.  Now it has changed, and that’s okay.  You’re an herbalist, you’re an herbalist, everybody’s an herbalist!  In some dictionaries, the term is defined as one who studies herbs – so it’s all good, and since there is really no legal definition in the US, it doesn’t make a lick of difference. Then there are the (apparent) rules.  There are many new ones, many of which are driven by the vastness of the internet and the many, many voices.  Some […] Read More

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Herb Pastes – beyond delicious

When you think of pesto, it is usually the flavor that comes to mind.  Maybe after that, you think about how easy it is to whip up a last minute meal without heating up the kitchen in the summer.  We mostly think about Basil, but many other herbs can be used.  Rarely do most of us think about the immense health benefits derived from these herb pastes, but we really should.  It can go on pasta, you can slather it on a sandwich, add a dollop to soups, or use it as dip.  Pesto is an easy food to eat in a lot of different ways. Earlier this year, I was trying to think of pleasant ways to eat more raw garlic during cold and […] Read More

Herbal Posted on

6 Herbs To Help Boost Your Brain Power

By Christina Sarich Natural Society If you want to join the ranks of the smartest people alive today, you might be able to get a little edge from taking some natural brain power-boosting herbs. Only .05% of people have recorded IQs of over 140. If you want to have the brilliance of Stephen Hawking or the intellectual gusto of Kim Ung-Yong who was auditing college courses at the ripe old age of 4, you can try these 6 plants to get those brain cells charged up and ready to fire: 1. & 2. Periwinkle & Ginseng Both of these herbs improve cognitive function. They have both been studied by researchers at the University of Northumbria in Tyne, England, and can be used together to boost cognitive abilities. Ginseng is great as an alternative to […] Read More

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Methods of Preparing Herbal Remedies

In traditional herbal medicine systems, herbal remedies are prepared in several rather standardized ways which usually vary based upon the plant utilized, and sometimes, what condition is being treated. Some of these methods include: infusions (hot teas), decoctions (boiled teas), tinctures (alcohol and water extracts), and macerations (cold-soaking) which are detailed more fully herein. In indigenous Indian medicine systems, medicine men or shamans generally use these same methods in addition to others. Others include preparing plants in hot baths (in which the patient is soaked in it or bathed with it), inhalation of powdered plants (like snuff), steam inhalation of various aromatic plants boiled in hot water, and even aromatherapy. The well-trained herbalist will always throughly review the time-honored method in which a plant has […] Read More

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Herbs & Cancer

There are probably more varieties of cytotoxic herbs than thare are chemotherapeutic drugs. Research has already been accomplished spanning 5,000 years and 2,500,000 (2.5 million) herbs. Of all these, at least 3,000 possess some type of anti-cancer properties. The U.S. Dept. of Agriculture uses this same figure. The way each herb interacts with Arthitis, Cancer, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Heart Disease, or any other conditin is different with each plant. Also it is very important that the condition of the individuals body be analyzed as this may have some impact on the dosage recommended. Finding the particular combinatin that works best for a particular person is NOT really a matter of trial and error. For example: 1 teaspoon of EZ-AK tea may be sufficient for one person […] Read More

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Alfalfa "King" of Herbs

Alfalfa, also known as “king of the herbs,” was one of the first herbs known to man. It is native to Asia and was brought to North America around 1850. Today this plant is common all over the United States and Canada. The ancient Arabs called alfalfa the “father of all foods,” and it continues to function as an important food today. The ancient Chinese decided that what was good food for the cattle must be good for the people too. Soon traditional Chinese physicians were using this herb to stimulate the appetite and to treat digestive problems, especially ulcers. Alfalfa CDC (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Traditionally, alfalfa was used in India to soothe arthritis pain and to prevent fluid retention. The pioneers also used this […] Read More

Flower Essences Posted on

Yarrow

Latin Name: Achillea millefolium Common Method of Extraction: Steam Distilled Color: Dark Blue Consistency: Medium Perfumery Note: Middle Strength of Initial Aroma: Medium – Strong Aromatic Description: Sharp, woody, herbaceous. Purpose: Yarrow flower essence strengthens the auric field and serves as an energy shield by absorbing negative energies and transforming them into positive energies. Purifies environmental toxins. Yarrow is the perfect remedy for anyone who is experiencing exhaustion or has leaks in their human energy field. Positive Qualities: purifier energy shield balancer Yarrow is not one of the original Bach Flower Remedies Possible Uses: Fever, hair care, hemorrhoids, hypertension, indigestion, insomnia, migraine, scars, stretch marks, varicose veins, wounds. [Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 56-67.] Constituents: Tri Cyclen, […] Read More