Herbs

Horsetail

Botanical name:
Equisetum arvense
Description:
A ferny little perennial with a rhizome that resembles a string of beads. It appears in two stages: a fertile first stage, and a sterile second stage. The first stage flowers spike atop stalk, with sharp-toothed, ringed leaf sheathes. Leaves occur at one inch intervals along length of yellowish, bamboo-like stalk that easily snap apart at the [...]

Herb of the Month: Astragalus

Botanical name: Astragalus membranaceus
Description: A bushy perennial legume usually about 16 – 36 inches tall with hairy stems and six to eight inch long fern-like fronds of leaves. It has an eight inch long, flat yellow-colored root, and seed pods like one inch miniature soy beans.
Properties: Adaptogen, alterative, antibacterial, anti-hydrotic, anti- inflammatory, antiviral, aphrodisiac, cardio [...]

Herb of the Month Chickweed

Botanical name Stellaria media
Description A star-shaped, perennial creeping wild plant. Primarily a weed that forms dense mats of green vegetation. Its leaves are arranged oppositely and are elliptic in outline. Stems often root at the nodes and have hairs that occur in vertical rows. Small white flowers occur at the end of stems alone or [...]

Bee Pollen

Bee Pollen consumption dates back many centuries. Spartan Warriors were said to live on Bee Pollen during battles. Athletes in all of Ancient Greece used to rely on Bee Pollen to increase strength and endurance. In Chinese medicine it is considered a reliable source of energy and nutrition. Egyptian records dating back thousands of years show its potential in healing. Bee Pollen is a common prescription in Europe for prostrate problems such as prostatitis.

Lobelia The Great!

Some herbalists believe Lobelia is the most important herb ever known. This is because it is a very powerful relaxant. Relaxation is essential to the healing process of many ailments and diseases, and Lobelia is the strongest relaxant of all herbs. It has the ability to relax the nervous system and respiratory system.

Ginseng

Ginseng is one of the top three most beneficial herbs known to man. No single source of documentation could provide information on the herb in entirety. It remains the main subject of many legends and folklores as well as interesting affirmations that earn it a high degree of venerability. The botanical name, Panax is a derivative of the Greek word “panacea” meaning “all healing”. The name was taken from two Greek words: “Pan”, meaning power, and “akos” meaning ills. Combined, they translate loosely as a plant that cure all ills. The non-botanical name, “ginseng” is Chinese, meaning “man plant”. This name is an attribute to the shape of its roots bearing striking resemblance to a man. Chinese legend say a superior root resembles a man walking in an estimable gait.

Ginger

With Asian origins, ginger is very present in about every cuisine around the world. “Studies show that African and Indian grown are more potent than the common Jamaican kind.” says Stephen Fulder, Ph.D, a private research consultant and author of “The Ginger Book”. How can you tell the difference? You can’t! Ask your grocer which variety they carry. The key ingredient carrying ginger’s therapeutic properties is gingerol contained in its resin. This essential oil (gingerol) is responsible for ginger’s hot and spicy qualities and stimulating effects.