Elderberry is native to North America, Europe and Asia. Some varieties are believed to have been around as far back as 12,000 BCE. Elderberry seeds were found in Swiss dwellings from 2000 BCE. Pliny the Elder mentioned elderberry’s health benefits …
Stevia and brown sugar are two sweetening options that are sometimes marketed as being healthier options than white sugar. Their ability to replace refined sugar does not make them interchangeable; these products have quite a few differences. Consider the stevia …
Spirulina is a type of algae that grows in freshwater. It is harvested from lakes, ponds and rivers. It is found mainly in Africa but also in Asia parts of Asia, Mexico and the US. Spirulina is called dihe in …
Goldenrod is a member of the Asteraceae family that grows in Europe, Asia as well as parts of Africa and North America (including Mexico). It is the state flower in several US states. Goldenrod has long been considered an excellent …
Tansy’s use was first recorded by the Greeks who used it mainly as a medicine and for preserving bodies before burial. The herb was still in use in the 8th century where it was planted in Charlemagne’s herb gardens, and …
Common rue (Ruta graveolens) comes from the Balkan Peninsula and North Africa but has been naturalized all over the world. The Rutaceae family to which common rue belongs also includes citrus trees. It was widely used in ancient times, but …
Paracress is not a relative of the real cresses despite its name; instead, it belongs to the Asteraceae family along with echinacea and dandelions. It has very different culinary qualities from watercress and its ilk. Unlike the pungency that cresses …
Frankincense consists of dried sap from trees belonging to the Boswellia genus. Most frankincense comes from Boswellia sacra trees, but several species provide different grades of the resin. The highest grades are Silver and Hojari. Producers harvest frankincense by cutting …