Category Archives: Ancient Herbs
Gotu Kola, For Longevity and Mental Clarity
Gotu Kola is a low-growing vine-like plant native to India, Sri Lanka, Japan, and parts of Northern Australia. This nondescript little plant grows lovely and tasty leaves that are a favorite food of the elephant and, more recently, us humans. In fact, some people believe that is was from watching elephants, notoriously long-lived [...]
The Amazing Healing Powers of Black Cumin
The majority of the English-speaking world is missing out on this powerful medicine! Black cumin, from the plant Nigella sativa, is just starting to make the rounds in the Western world, but this potent healer has been well-known and respected as an all-around remedy in African and Islamic countries for millenia. Nigella sativa is [...]
Cassumunar Ginger: Ancient Thai Healing Herb
Normally when someone says ginger, I think about that chewy candy I can’t get enough of or my favorite way to spice up a stir-fry. But recently, I’ve learned about unique Thai massage therapy techniques that use ginger, specifically cassumunar ginger, to relieve deep-seated muscle [...]
Juniper Oil: Nature’s Summer Hemline Helper
As the heat rises on these warm August days, so too do our hemlines. It’s only natural that instead of rushing headlong into the perpetual freon-enriched white-noise hum of air conditioning, we adapt by digging those Daisy Dukes out of the bottom drawer and – gulp – getting outside. The only problem is [...]
Calendula: A Natural Summer Skin Soother
For many of us, another season of summer fun and sun can be pretty hard on the skin: heat rash, bug bites, sunburns, and various scrapes and bruises. One trip to the drug store promises relief in 1000+ varieties of creams and ointments with an ingredient list so long and complex a pocket dictionary [...]
Achiote: Ancient Aztec Antioxidant
The mysterious red seed in the spiny, hedgehog-looking pod certainly seems strange looking and maybe even downright dangerous, but it’s actually quite a traditional part of both Mexican cuisine and Caribbean folklore and herbal medicine. Achiote, otherwise known by its Aztec name of achiotl, comes from the Annatto tree (Bixa orellana), and is known [...]
Ho Shou Wu: Should You? Ancient Herb for Longevity and Hair Restoration
Have you ever heard of ho shou wu? I first looked up this fascinating herb after a friend recommended it as a way to combat against stress-related hair loss. Turns out that this herb has quite a history. Ho shou wu, known in binomial nomenclature as Polygonum multiflorum, is also referred to as [...]
Reclassifying the Dandelion: From Weed to Powerful Healer
Dandelion is one of those plants we tend to think of as a weed. It pops up everywhere, and early; it continues to grow wild unless we pluck it out; and it self-sows at the drop of a hat, so if you have one dandelion, chances are you’ll soon have about eight hundred to [...]
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