Category: Herb
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Celery: A Surprising Medicinal Herb
Crunchy, delicately salty by nature, and packed with hydration, celery stalks (Apium graveolens) are a great snack to pair with your favorite summer dip. Did you know that celery is also a potent botanical medicine recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties? It works in the body to reduce inflammation and increase circulation through the kidneys. Preliminary research also…
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Minimize Outdoor Allergy Symptoms with Stinging Nettle
If you love to be outdoors, but are irritated by seasonal pollen, consider the herb Stinging Nettle to help reduce the sneezing and itching symptoms of hay fever. A well-established remedy in Western botanical medicine, Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaves are recognized for their anti-inflammatory properties and other actions that support the immune system’s response to allergens.…
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Coriander or Cilantro?
Cilantro and coriander come from the same plant species Coriandrum sativum. In different parts of the world, the very same plant-with its many health benefits-is referred to differently. For Americans, cilantro refers to the leaves and the stalks, both of which are edible. The dried seeds of the same plant are called coriander. For Europeans, coriander…
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Chlorophyll Supports the Body’s Detox Pathways
The wonderful deep green hues of plants and vegetables comes from a pigment known as chlorophyll. Plants use chlorophyll along with sunlight to obtain nutrients. In many cultures, chlorophyll has been used as a supplement for healthy aging, acne treatment, wound healing, and supporting detoxification. In holistic medicine, chlorophyll is recognized for its many protective…
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Holy Basil (Ocimum Sanctum): Herbal Remedy for Stress
Holy basil, with its astringent taste and powerful aroma, is very different from the types of culinary basil used in Italian or Thai cuisine. Also known as Tulsi, and a native plant of the Southeast Asian tropics, holy basil is used in Ayurvedic medical therapies to treat a range of ailments including respiratory conditions, inflammation,…
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Marvelously Minty, Spearmint has Many Health Benefits
Ah, the refreshing, lively scent of spearmint – it’s good for mind and body. Whether you steep it for tea, add it to a salad or a stir-fry entrée, or diffuse it in a relaxing essential oil blend, spearmint (Mentha spicata) has some surprising health benefits. It has been used to alleviate symptoms of nausea, indigestion, headache,…
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California Poppy Eases Nervous Tension
The beautiful golden-orange state flower of California has several uses for troubling times. California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) has been used in the management of insomnia, mood disturbance, fatigue, and nervous tension. It may also reduce aches and pains associated with over-exertion and stress. California poppy contains biologically active chemicals recognized for causing sleepiness and relaxation. Some of…
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The Calming Power of Passionflower
For centuries, the unusual looking violet and white passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) has been used as a calming botanical treatment. Its use dates back to the Aztecs in Central America who used parts of the vine to treat insomnia. Native Americans used it to soothe inflammation in wounds. Spanish conquistadors brought passionflower to Europe and from there it…
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Milk Thistle
For over 2,000 years, Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive, liver, kidney, and gallbladder conditions. The active ingredient in milk thistle is silymarin, which can be extracted from the seeds of the plant. Research has shown milk thistle has a protective effect on the liver and similar findings have been…
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Truly Wild Blueberries Offer Superior Health Benefits
There are blueberries that you buy at the market or grow in your yard and then there are wild blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium). Truly wild blueberries are grown in glacial soil in northern New England and along the Atlantic Coast of Canada. Also known as “lowbush blueberries,” these berries are distinct from cultivated blueberries (aka highbush)…