Witch hazel is best known for its topical applications but it does also have some internal ones. When it’s consumed internally, witch hazel is usually made into a tea. Among the benefits to be gained from witch hazel tea are help with respiratory problems such as coughs, sore throats and even asthma. If you can’t […]
Sarsaparilla: A Rhizome From The Americas
The rhizome of the sarsaparilla plant is native to the Americas, including the West Indies. It belongs to the lily family. Sarsaparilla was not well known outside of the Americas until the 1400s. It was at this point in history that explorers took sarsaparilla root back to Europe from the New World and it became […]
Witch Hazel: A North American Inflammation-Fighter
Witch hazel is from North America. Specifically, it is native to the Midwest part of the North American continent as well as to Canada. Like many medicinal plants from this part of the world, witch hazel was first used by Native Americans. The Menominee, Osage and Iroquois tribes all made use of it and shared […]
St. John’s Wort: A Proven Herbal Antidepressant
St. John’s wort gets its name from the time of year that it gets its flowers, which is around St. John’s day (June 24). Hippocrates and Dioscorides wrote about the medicinal benefits of the herb, as did Pliny. While the Ancient Greeks and Romans saw St. John’s wort as a medicine, it was used for […]
Periwinkle: An Herbal Memory Enhancer
The name periwinkle mainly applies to a family of plants from Europe and the Middle East, but the name is also used for another genus Madagascar. The genus of the European periwinkle is Vinca; the genus of the Madagascar periwinkle is Catharanthus. The herbs share many of their medicinal properties. Both herbs belong to the […]
Roseroot: The Golden Root
Roseroot is widely known by its botanical name: Rhodiola rosacea. Its nickname is the golden root. It is a succulent that grows only in cold parts of Asia and Europe and has been classified as an adaptogen. The term adaptogen means that roseroot can help with how well your body reacts to stress, fatigue and […]
What’s A Good Aloe Vera Substitute?
Aloe vera is a succulent with an array of health benefits and that you can prepare in various ways; however, you won’t always have an easy time finding it. If your local grocery store doesn’t stock it, try one of the aloe vera substitutes below. Your best bet: Aloe ferox As you might have guessed […]
Goldenrod: The Top Wound Herb
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 herb for treating wounds, which is why it is sometimes called woundwort. Another name for […]
Tansy: A Bitter Mint Alternative
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 Benedictine monks in Switzerland also used it. The ailments treated with tansy include fevers, rheumatism […]
Cooking With Aloe Vera: The Dos And Don’ts
Aloe vera has been used for centuries both as a medicine and as a food. These days, it is associated with topical treatments for burns and other skin ailments but is gradually gaining recognition for its value as a nutritious food. It can be tricky to prepare, so follow the tips below to get the […]