Raspberry

Botanical Name: Rubus Idaeus Long revered for is healing properties, raspberry leaf is an astringent, stimulant, and tonic. Seventeenth-century English herbalist Nicholas Culpepper recommended raspberry for a number of ailments, including “Fevers, ulcers, putrid sores of the mouth and private parts…spitting blood…plies….kidney stones…and heavy menstrual flow”. Natives of Turtle Island (America) used raspberry as a…

Herb Profile: Santolina

Botanical Name: Santolina Chamaecyparissus Once used to expel parasitic worms, this astringent herb is rarely prescribed for medicinal purposes in the West, but it is an antiseptic for bacterial and fungal skin infections. It can be rubbed into sore muscles as a liniment. Small quantities of this herb taken internally act as a digestive bitter…

Herb Profile: Angelica

Botanical Name: Angelica Archangelical For centuries, peasants gathered angelica because it was purported to ward off evil spirits. Early physicians prescribed angelica for a number or illnesses. Angelica syrup was taken as a digestive aid, and American Natives used angelica to treat lung congestion and tuberculosis. Today angelica is used, primarily, to treat digestive and…

Herbal Profile: Couch Grass, Herbal Medicine

Botanical Name: Elymus Repens and Agropyrum Repens Couch grass is a grass that is also known to be an invasive garden weed. The roots and leaves are often used for medicinal purposes. Couch grass roots have been ingested by mouth for constipation, cough, bladder swelling (inflammation), fever, high blood pressure, and/or kidney stones…it is also…

Herb Profile: Juniper

Botanical Name: Juniperus Communis The berries give gin its distinct flavor. American Natives used the leaves and berries externally to cure infections, relieve arthritis, and treat wounds. Adding a handful of crushed juniper leaves to a warm bath soothes aching muscles. A compress of juniper berries is sometimes recommended for gout, rheumatoid arthritis, and nerve,…

Herb Profile: Willow

Botanical Name: Salix SPP. Although their long billowing branches bring to mind “weeping”, willows were considered a symbol of joy by the ancient Egyptians, who prized the trees that grew along the banks of the Nile. And well they should have. This attractive shade tree is also a potent healer. The various species of willow…

Herbal Prep and Tea Making

We share a lot of Home remedies and natural herbal mixtures here, because we know that a part of self-care is using as many natural and holistic medications as possible… As budding herbalist, you may start to perspire at the thought of brewing up a batch of herbs. Maybe you’re conjuring up visions of Macbeth’s…

Herb Profile: Hops

Botanical Name: Humulus Lupulus Like the grape, Hops is a quick-growing and quick-spreading vine. Each year a stem grows from the root and begins to twine. After the third year, hops produces a papery, cone-like fruit called a strobile. Male and female flowers grow on separate plants and appear from middle to late summer. If…

Herb Profile: Evening Primrose

Botanical Name: Oenothera Biennis The boiled root of Evening Primrose, which tastes something like a sweet parsnip, may be pickled or tossed raw in salads. The plant once was grown in monasteries; more recently scientist have found that the seeds contain a rare substance called gamma-linoleic acid (better known as GLA), which may have value…

Herbal Profile: Alfalfa

Botanical Name: Medicago Sativa You have probably encountered Alfalfa as sprouts in the produce section of your grocery store, or on a sandwich, or at a salad bar, but did you know the entire plant is valuable? The sprouts are a tasty addition to many different dishes, and the leaves and tiny blossoms of this…

Pomegranates for Healthy Brains

According to the legend it was Aphrodite who planted the first pomegranate and this is why this plant is considered scared to the goddess. Always a symbol of abundance and fertility, today we know that pomegranate is also a precious source of health…thanks to its fruits. The fruits of pomegranate are in fact rich in…

National Strawberry Picking Day

#NationalStrawberryPickingDay

Blood Pressure and the Blue of the Blue Berry

Berries are a known source of antioxidants, vitamins and mineral salts that are beneficial for our health. Now we also know that these fruits, Blueberries in particular, protect the cardiovascular system (Journal of Gerontology Series A King’s College, London). In the most recent study, scientist gathered 40 healthy volunteers daily for approximately 30 days…the volunteers…