Tag: herb
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Boswellia For Inflammation

Boswellia (Boswellia serrata), often known as frankincense, is native to India, Northern Africa, and the Middle East. This tree creates a gummy oleo-resin harvested by peeling strips of bark away. In addition to supporting health, boswellia was traditionally used to improve emotional well-being. Burning the incense is said to enhance mental perception and consciousness. Boswellic acid…
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Yarrow – Jack of all Herbs

If you put a group of herbalists on an island and told them they could only have one herb, yarrow would likely be the popular choice. For thousands of years, yarrow (Achillea millefolium) has been used by cultures worldwide for numerous health concerns. Yarrow is named for the hero Achilles from Greek mythology. It was…
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Aromatic Patchouli

Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin) is a plant native to Asia. Mainly used for its essential oil, dried, young leaves are steam distilled to create this rich oil. Patchouli has a sweet musky yet earthy aroma that improves with age. During Victorian times, well-to-do-ladies were passionate about cashmere shawls from India. The scent of patchouli permeated the…
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Elevate Your Skin with Aloe Vera

Aloe vera grows in hot, dry climates around the world. With its thick, succulent leaves, this herb has been used for centuries by ancient cultures. Historically, aloe has been used for constipation, colic, skin diseases, worm infestation, type 2 diabetes, and infections. Aloe vera’s ability to soothe and heal skin is widely known. When used for burns,…
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Panax Ginseng for Lung Health

Panax ginseng, also known as Asian ginseng, has been well-known for thousands of years for its medicinal properties. It’s primarily an adaptogen and restorative tonic used today in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Western herbal formulas. This herb should not be confused with other ginsengs like Panax quinquefolius or Siberian ginseng (not a true ginseng). Roots from…
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Palm for Prostate Health

Native to central Florida, saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a shrubby palm tree that grows in large thickets or colonies. Practically all saw palmetto is still grown in the United States. Making this plant readily available, it is also highly cost-effective for the average consumer. Saw palmetto can modulate inflammation, reduce spasms, and inhibit testosterone.…
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Comfrey to Dull the Ache

Symphytum officinale, commonly known as comfrey, is yet another great herb with hundreds of years of history. Native to Europe and parts of Asia, comfrey also grows well in North America. Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) recommended using this herb to “consolidate and knit together…” broken or damaged tissues in the body. This includes wounds, bruises, inflammation,…
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Rosemary – Dew of the Sea

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an aromatic evergreen shrub that is native to the Mediterranean region. It tolerates mildly cold climates but doesn’t do well in regions that get colder than twenty degrees Fahrenheit. The name comes from Latin ros maris meaning ‘dew of the sea’. It was later called rosemary in honor of the Virgin Mary. Rosemary…
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The Five Flavors of Schisandra

Schisandra chinensis is native to China, used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). The Chinese common name for Schisandra is wu wei zi, referring to the five flavors of the fruits. There are two main types of Schisandra which are both used interchangeably in TCM. Schisandra is also considered a warming herb. It has been used for respiratory failure, fatigue and weakness,…

