Bloodroot

Sanguinaria canadensis

Bloodroot Herb Use and Medicinal Properties

Bloodroot is used in herbal medicine in very small doses, mainly for bronchial problems and severe throat infections. The root is used in many pharmaceuticals, mixed with other compounds to treat heart problems, dental applications (to inhibit plaque), and to treat migraines. Bloodroot paste is used externally for skin diseases, warts, and tumors. For ringworm apply the fluid extract. Bloodroot is said to repel insects. The root is used in as an anesthetic, cathartic, emetic, emmenagogue, expectorant, diuretic, febrifuge, sedative, stimulant and tonic.

Research is very promising for Bloodroot constituents. One is sanguinarine; it is showing results as an anesthetic, antibacterial, anti-cholinesterase, anti-edemic, anti-gingivitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-neoplastic, antioxidant, anti-periodontic, anti-plaque, antiseptic, diuretic, emetic, expectorant, fungicide, gastrocontractant, hypertensive, pesticide, respiratory stimulant and more. Another important constituent is Berberine (also found in Goldenseal, Oregon Grape and Honeysuckle) which is showing promise in fighting brain tumors and many other cancers.

Bloodroot Habitat and Description

Bloodroot is a North American native perennial herb found growing in shaded, moist, rich woodlands from Quebec south to Florida and west to Kansas. Bloodroot grows to about 6 to 7 inches tall. The pale green, palmate, lobed, basal leaf is wrapped around the flower as it emerges and opens as the flowers blooms. The stem of Bloodroot is round, often orange or red when mature, it is topped by a single white flower with 8 to 12 petals and bright yellow center. The root is a thick, tender, tuber which contains a red juice that stains the skin readily. Gather root when flowers are in bloom. Dry the roots for later use or tincture fresh

Japanese Honeysuckle
Lonicera japonica

Chin Yin Hua, Chin Yin T'Eng, Honeysuckle, Japanese Honeysuckle, Jen Tung, Jen Tung Chiu, Jen Tung Kao, Sui-Kazura, Yin Hua, Hall's Honeysuckle, White honeysuckle, Chinese honeysuckle, Halliana

Habitat
Perennial herb Native to E. Asia - China, Japan, Korea, now naturalized in Britain and the US from southern New York and New Jersey south to southern Florida and west to southwestern Texas. Inland it is distributed from Pennsylvania and West Virginia west to Missouri, Kansas, and Oklahoma. Widespread in the eastern and southern United States. Japanese honeysuckle is an important white-tailed deer food and is often invasive. Cultivation: prefers partial shade to full sun and moist soil. Prune back hard in winter to prevent the build-up of woody growth, provide a trellis. Climbing Vine, Shrub, it has a dense root system that may extend laterally for a distance of 7 to 10 feet, and attain depths of 3 to 4 feet. The simple, opposite, pinnate leaves are oval to oblong in shape and are semi-evergreen and may persist on vines year-round, up to 3 inches in length. The extremely fragrant, two-lipped flowers are borne in pairs in the axils of young branches and are produced throughout the summer. Flowers range from 1 to 2 inches in length and are white with a slight purple or pink tinge when young, changing to white or yellow with age, they are edible. The fruit is a black, berrylike drupe with three to five one-seeded stones.

Properties
Japanese honeysuckle is edible and medicinal. High in Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium, the leaves can be parboiled and eaten as a vegetable. The edible buds and flowers, made into a syrup or puddings. The entire plant has been used as an alternative medicine for thousands of years in Asia. The active constituents include calcium, elaidic-acid, hcn, inositol, linoleic-acid, lonicerin, luteolin, magnesium, myristic-acid, potassium, tannin, and zink. It is alterative, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antispasmodic, depurative, diuretic, febrifuge, and is also used to reduce blood pressure. The stems are used internally in the treatment of acute rheumatoid arthritis, mumps and hepatitis. The stems are harvested in the autumn and winter, and are dried for later herb use. The stems and flowers are used together a medicinal infusion in the treatment of upper respiratory tract infections (including pneumonia) and dysentery. An infusion of the flower buds is used in the treatment of a wide range of ailments including syphillitic skin diseases and tumors, bacterial dysentery, colds, and enteritis. Experimentally, the flower extracts have been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels and are antibacterial, antiviral and tuberculostatic. Externally, the flowers are applied as a medicinal wash to skin inflammations, infectious rashes and sores. The flowers are harvested in early morning before they open and are dried for later herb use. This plant has become a serious weed in many areas of N. America, it might have the potential to be utilized for proven medicinal purposes. Other uses include; Ground cover, Insecticide, Basketry, vines used to make baskets. The white-flowers of cultivar 'Halliana' has a pronounced lemon-like perfume.

Folklore

Saponins in Japanese honeysuckle are much more toxic to some creatures, such as fish, and hunting tribes have traditionally put large quantities of them in streams, lakes etc. in order to stupefy or kill the fish.

Black Walnut

Juglans Nigra

Parts Used – Bark, Leaves,

Fruit Hulls ( Green), Nut (Edible)

The graceful Black Walnut is a common tall hardwood tree in the Eastern United States. Self seeds easily. It is said that Black Walnut trees exude a chemical that prevents some types of other plants from growing around it. The wood is used for fine furniture. In herbal medicine, the leaves have been used to make a soothing skin and eye wash, powder from green hulls is anti-parasitic, the bark is astringent and was chewed for toothaches. Use poultice of green hulls for ringworm. Inner bark used as a laxative. Do not use internally during pregnancy.

Black Walnuts are hard to crack, but the nut is extremely tasty and some companies buy them in large quantities. If this plant is common in your area, you may see newspaper ads offer to buy them in the fall. The market for Black Walnuts exceeds a million dollars a year.

Butterfly Weed

Butterfly Milkweed, Chiggerflower, Milkweed, Pleurisy Root, Tuberous Swallowwort, Orange Swallow-wort, Yanagi-Towata

Habitat
(Asclepias tuberosa) Perennial herb native to N. America from S. Ontario and New York to Minnesota, south to Florida and Colorado. Found growing in dry open fields, along roadsides and grassy places. Cultivation: Butterfly Weed is easy, can be transplanted in fall or grown from seed, prefers a well-drained light, sandy, humus rich, or peaty soil in a sunny position. The root is spindle-shaped, large, branching, white, and fleshy with a knotted crown, it sends up several erect, stout, round and hairy stems, growing from 1 to 3 feet high. Stems are branched near the top and have corymbs or umbels of many deep yellow to dark orange, or almost red, flowers. The leaves grow closely all the way up the stem and are hairy, unserrated, lance shaped, alternate, sessile and dark green on top, lighter beneath.

Flowers bloom usually from June to September, followed in the fall by seed pods from 4 to 5 inches long containing the seeds with their long silky hairs or floss. This plant, unlike the other milkweeds, contains little or no milky juice. The seed pods are edible, cooked when young, harvest them before the seed floss forms. Harvest flowers in bloom, also edible cooked, said to taste like sweet peas. Leaves and new buds are edible cooked like spinach. Harvest root in fall and dry for later herb use.

Properties
Butterfly Weed is edible and medicinal. Asclepias tuberosa has a long history of use as a valuable alternative medicine and is one of the most important of the indigenous American species. The plant (above ground) is used mainly for food and clothing. The root is medicinal, it is antispasmodic, carminative, mildly cathartic, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, tonic and vasodilator.

Butterfly Weed is used internally in the treatment of diarrhea, dysentery, chronic rheumatism, and as an expectorant. It has a specific action on the lungs, making it a valuable medicinal herb in all chest complaints and in the treatment of many lung diseases.

A warm infusion of the root exerts a mild tonic effect on the system. Caution is advised, as large doses of Butterfly Weed are emetic and purgative. A medicinal poultice of the roots is used in the treatment of swellings, bruises, wounds, and skin ulcers. The bark is used to make a quality fiber and woven into twine or cloth. The seed floss is used for stuffing in pillows and life jackets, candle wicks, and fibers to make cloth. Research indicates the floss is effective at cleaning up oil spills at sea.

Trout Lily
Erythronium americanum

Other Names: Adder's tongue, American trout-lily, Dog's tooth violet, Serpent's Tongue, Yellow Adder's-tongue, Yellow fawn-lily, Yellow Snowdrop

Habitat
A North American native perennial found growing in damp, open woodlands from New Brunswick to Florida and west to Ontario and Arkansas. Cultivation: a member of the Lily family Trout Lily is cultivated by seed or transplanting of the bulb or corm in fall. Prefers slightly acid well-drained soil, plenty of humus and requires semi-shade. The root is a deeply buried, bulb-like corm, light brown, about 1 inch long, and solid with white starchy flesh. Two or three leaf blades grow from the base and are about 3 inches tall, oblong, smooth, dark green, with purplish mottling, and about 1 inch wide. The slender stem is 3 to 4 inches long and leafless. The flowers of Trout Lily can be bright white or creamy colored to bright yellow it is about 3 inches across, lily-like and drupes with the six petals folded upwards. It blooms in April and May. Gather edible fresh leaves, bulbs and flowers in spring and root in summer to fall. Dry root for later medicinal herb use.

Properties Edible and medicinal, the whole Trout Lily plant is used as fresh salad additives, flowers are tasty, or cooked as a pot herb. Trout Lily is used in alternative medicine as contraceptive, diuretic, emetic, emollient, febrifuge, stimulant. Plant constituents include alph-methylene-butyrolactone which has antimutagenic activity. This chemical prevents cell mutation and may prove to be a valuable weapon in fighting all cancers. The leaves and bulb are crushed and used to dress wounds and reduce swellings, for scrofula and other skin problems. A medicinal tea made from the root and leaf is said to reduce fever and fainting, tea also taken for ulcers, tumors and swollen glands.

Trilliums, Birthroot, Beth Root

Prairie Trillium (Trillium recurvatum) White Trillium (Trillium Grandiflorum) Toad Shade (Sessile Trillium)

Many types of Trilliums appear throughout our area in early spring. The flower symbolizes the early arrival of robins- ‘wake-robin' is a common name. Perennial native to Eastern N. America and Canada, Maine to Ontario, south to Georgia and Arkansas. Found growing in rich woods and thickets. Cultivation: Trillium is fairly easy to grow, it prefers a deep well-drained woodland or humus-rich soil in a shady position that remains moist in the summer. Transplants from the wild are best, but can be propagated by seed though it may take 2 years to germinate and another two years to bloom. Trillium is a very ornamental and long-lived plant. It is said to be a polymorphic species and is very subject to mutation. Trillium grows from a short thick root or rhizome. The long stem is tinged with red, round and smooth, unbranched, growing up to 2 feet high. Atop the stem there is a whorl of 3 broadly ovate, short petiole, wavy-edged and dark green (sometimes mottled) leaves. This whorl of leaves can reach as much as 10 to 12 inches in diameter . The flower perches above the leaves on a 2 to 3 inch petiole or small stem, or is sometimes sessile (having no stem) as with the Toad shade Trillium or the Prairie Trillium, and may be dark red to pink or white or even both, but always with 3 petals and 3 green sepals, forming a star shape. According to ginsengers, this group of flowers, as well as Jack in the Pulpit; are good indicators of soil favorable for growing wild ginseng. Dry root for later herb use.

Properties: Trillium is edible and medicinal, it has a long history of use by Native Americans. The young edible unfolding leaves are an excellent addition to salad tasting somewhat like sunflower seeds. The leaves can also be cooked as a pot herb. The root is used as an alternative medicine and is antiseptic, antispasmodic, diuretic, emmenagogue (to promote menstruation), and ophthalmic. The roots, fresh or dry, may be boiled in milk and used for diarrhea and dysentery. The raw root is grated and applied as a poultice to the eye in order to reduce swelling, or on aching rheumatic joints. The leaves were boiled in lard and applied to ulcers as a poultice, and to prevent gangrene. An infusion of the root is used in the treatment of cramps and a common name for the plant, ‘birthroot', originated from its use to promote menstruation. A decoction of the root bark can be used as drops in treating earache. Constituents found in the volatile and fixed oils are, tannic acid, saponin, a glucoside resembling convallamarin, sulphuric acid and potassium dichromate, gum, resin, and starch.

Folklore: Used to facilitate childbirth, and to treat other female problems by the women of many Native American tribes. Trillium root was considered to be a sacred female herb and they only spoke of it to their medicine women.

Blackberry

Rubus allegheniensis

Other Names Allegheny Blackberry, American Blackberry, Bly, Bramble, Bramble-Kite, Brambleberry, Brameberry, Brummel

Blackberry Herbal Use and Medicinal Properties

Blackberry is edible and medicinal. Used extensively by the Native American tribes, it had many other surprising uses. The leaf is more commonly used as a medicinal herb, but the root also has medicinal value. Young edible shoots are harvested in the spring, peeled and used in salads. Delicious Blackberries are edible raw or made into jelly or jam. The root-bark and the leaves are astringent, depurative, diuretic, tonic and vulnerary. They make an excellent alternative medicine for dysentery, diarrhea, hemorrhoids, and cystitis.

The most astringent part is the root. Orally, they are used to treat sore throats, mouth ulcers and gum inflammations. A decoction of the leaves is useful as a gargle in treating thrush and also makes a good general mouthwash. The presence of large amounts of tannins that give blackberry roots and leaves an astringent effect useful for treating diarrhea are also helpful for soothing sore throats. A medicinal syrup is also made from Blackberry, using the fruit and root bark in honey for a cough remedy.

Blackberry Habitat and Description

Blackberry is a thorny shrub or vine, perennial, native to Eastern N. America from Nova Scotia to Ontario, New York, Virginia and North Carolina south. It is found in dry thickets, clearings and woodland margins, fence rows, open meadows, roadsides in and waste places.

When the Blackberry flowers bloom in the wild it is a beautiful sight; hillsides and fields are covered with white flowers. The flowers are white, with five petals, and bloom in April and May. Blackberry plants have biennial stems; they produce a number of new stems from the perennial rootstock each year, these stems fruit in their second year and then die. The vines are long and very thorny, growing in groups or thickets. Blackberry vines branch and can grow up to 15 feet or more in length, and thickets can extend to hundreds of square acres in an area. They die off after 2 to 3 years but are usually retained in the thickets making them largely impenetrable. Blackberry Leaves are light green, serrate and palmate with 3 to five leaflets or fingers, the main vein on the back of each leaflet has thorns.

How to Grow Blackberries

Blackberry is easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade.

Plants - Simmons Plant Farm - All kinds of Berries

Blackberries were in olden days supposed to give protection against all 'evil runes,' if gathered at the right time of the moon. Since ancient Greek physicians prescribed the herb for gout, the leaves, roots, and even berries have been employed as a medicinal herb. The most common uses were for treating diarrhea, sore throats, and wounds. Native Americans made fiber, obtained from the stem, it was used to make a strong twine. Another use was as a huge barricade around the village made of piles of the thorny canes, for protection from 4 and 2 legged predators. A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit.

Blackberry Recipe Ideas

Medicinal herb tea: To 1 ounce of the dried leaves and root bark, add 1 pint of boiling water, and steep 10 min., drink a tea cup at a time. Use to make jellies, jams, cobblers, and in any recipe where you would use raspberries.

lobelia herbal use

Blue Lobelia

Lobelia inflata

Other Names: Blue Cardinal Flower, Blue Lobelia, Great Blue Lobelia, Great Lobelia, High-lobelia, Indian Tobacco, Lobelia

Habitat
Perennial herb native to Eastern N. America from Maine to S. Dakota, south to Texas and Missouri. Found growing in moist woods, stream and pond banks, and marshes. A beautiful garden border plant, cultivation is fairly easy, Lobelia prefers light to medium moist, well drained soils and partial shade. The stems are erect, sometimes branching, flower stalks. Growing to 3 feet high they are covered with light blue or purpleish two lipped flowers, the lower lip is divided into three pointed lobes and the upper lip into two. The lower leaves are large, ovate, alternate, hairy, and petioled (having a leaf stalk) while the upper leaves, growing on the stalk are smaller and sessile (having no leaf stalk). Flowers bloom from July to November. Seed capsules are formed after flowers fade and are two celled, containing many tiny brown seeds. Gather the plant tops after some of the seed capsules have formed, dry for later use.

Properties
Lobelia siphilitica and Lobelia inflata have basically the same uses. Lobelia was a highly prized medicinal plant and used extensively by Native Americans. It was considered a panacea, being used for just about everything that ailed them. Once it was discovered by Europeans and taken back to England they also used it for many illnesses. Lobelia is still used today as an alternative medicine in many parts of the world. Medical research has found the plants constituents to be Piperidine alkaloids including Lobeline, and other carboxylic acids as well as isolobelanine, gum, resin, chlorophyl, fixed oil, lignin, salts of lime and potassium, with ferric oxide. Lobeline stimulates the respiratory center of the brain, producing stronger and deeper breathing, making it very useful in treating many respiratory complaints, such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, whooping cough, spasmodic croup, and pneumonia. While at the same time isolobelanine, relaxes the respiratory and neuro-muscular system and acts as a nervine and antispasmodic. It is a most useful systemic relaxant and a holistic combination of stimulation and relaxation. The seeds contain a much higher percentage of lobeline than the rest of the plant. The whole plant is used as an analgesic, cathartic, emetic, expectorant, diaphoretic, anti-asthmatic, stimulant, antispasmodic, narcotic, and sedative. Used to treat convulsive and inflammatory disorders such as epilepsy, hysterical convulsions, traumatic injuries, tetanus, sores and abscesses, colds and fevers, diphtheria and tonsilitis. When chewed it tastes similar to tobacco and produces effects like those of nicotine. It is used in some antismoking products. Also used for scorpion and snake bites and to induce nausea and vomiting. A poultice of the root has been applied in treating pleurisy, rheumatism, tennis elbow, whiplash injuries, boils, ulcers and hard to heal sores.

Folklore
Used as a Ceremonial (Emetic) in religious ceremonies by some native American tribes. An infusion of plant was taken to vomit and cure tobacco or whiskey habit or as a love or anti-love medicine. A decoction of the plant was taken to counteract sickness produced by witchcraft. It was believed by some native North American Indian tribes that if the finely ground roots were secretly added to the food of an arguing couple they would love each other again.

Recipe
Infusion: Pour 1 cup of boiling water into l/4 to l/2 teaspoonful of the dried herb and let steep for l0 to l5 min. Drink three times a day. Tincture: take l/2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

pea function

Pea

Pea is an unusual combination of nutrients. Because of the mixture of vitamins B1, B2, B6 and C as well as the iron content, pea is a medicine against fatigue, anemia, problems with learning, poor function of the immune system of the body.

Pea is rich in fibers, vitamin A, B3, B6, C, K, folate, iron, zinc, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, potassium, protein.

Its fiber content makes it useful in cleaning the intestines. Contains beta-carotene and lutein, beneficial for eye health.

Pea is effective in treating anemia due to its iron content.

Pea combats fatigue, helps strengthen the immune system.

The beans from peas are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, particularly nitrogenous substances. Dry peas have more nutritive substances than the fresh ones.

For cooking, dry peas must be kept several hours in cold water, then boiled in water at slow fire and add the salt in the end.

Properties of pea

- Energetic
- Digestible
- Enables the intestinal transit

Indications - internal use:

- Growth
- Constipation
- Slow digestion
- Breakdown
- not recommended to enteric

Usage - internal use:

- fresh: constipation
- dry: consumed in moderation (contains concentrated elements)
- Soups, dishes

Cherries

Cherry has a powerful detoxifying and depurative action which recommends it in rheumatism, persons suffering from gout or constipation, those with renal and biliary lithiasis.

Cherries are over 70 percent made from water - just like us! The remaining 30 percent is full in B complex vitamins (B1, B2, B6) - very necessary for supplying the body with energy; also it contains magnesium - whose absence makes us feel tired and depressed. The high water content of cherries allows us to eat as many as we like, without fattening us! On the other hand, if we want to keep a diet with these fruits, it is required a large amount to obtain visible results. For example, consuming at least half - to one kilogram of cherries for a day or two a week we force to remove toxins from the body. This will make us feel more rested during the day, and our skin will become smoother and softer. A cure of cherries has remarkable results.

Cherries mini diet:

In the morning, on an empty stomach, start with a minimum dose of 100 g. The dose is increased gradually to reach the end of the third week to 500 g. From the 300 g dose, the amount is divided into three parts until noon, and no longer will be consumed any other food. During the cures it's recommended to avoid animal fat, refined sugar or alcohol.

The exclusive diet

For three or four days eat only cherries. This diet can be resumed every month. Between one and another dose is recommended to drink mineral water. The amount of cherries is between two and three kilograms a day. Some authors recommend up to five kilograms of cherries a day. But the absorption capacity is variable from one person to another. The quantity of fruit is consumed in several doses during the day. Whatever the fruit you choose, an exclusive diet should be started with a certain caution and progressively increase the amount, don't risk digestive disorders. The reason is easy to see: a body used to an unbalanced diet may react violently to a new way of eating.

Cherry diet is also recommend to people suffering from hepatic diseases, as it regulates the liver function, for those with low mineral content, those with biliary diseases, those with advanced state of fatigue, anemic people, children with growth deficiencies, those with nervous diseases as modern medicine recognizes the sedative effect of this remarkable fruit.

Cherri stimulate the body and have a favorable action on the natural immunity and also have a function of regulating the digestive system, especially intestinal fermentation. Very high in potassium, this fruit is an excellent diuretic. Cherries are rich in provitamin A, which increases visual acuity and maintain tissues healthy (skin, mucous, epithelium). From the age of 40, some individuals may suffer from acidosis and alkalosis, responsible for an early aging; in its action of rebalancing the pH of the blood, the cherry diminishes these disorders. The main sugar is laevulose, perfectly assimilated by diabetics. Cherry juice cause the elimination of food debris and toxins from the body. People suffering from rheumatism, those suffering from gout and arthritis should drink it. Cherry juice cleans the urinary tract and intestines.

Cherry tails have medicinal properties recommended in urinary tract diseases. Besides their anti-inflammatory qualities, they are famous for their diuretic action.

Diuretic and anti-inflammatory tea: boil 30 g of cherry tails for ten minutes in a liter of water. Strain. Drink three cups a day.

Flu: macerate 50 g of cherry tails in a liter of water for 12 hours. Then boil them for ten minutes and leave to infuse another ten minutes. Strain. Drink the preparation in four rounds per day.

Cherry is a good friend of the dried and tired skin: a handful of cherries without the pits are put in the mixer and the obtained paste is applied on the face. Relax for about 20 minutes. Rinse with mineral water (or water without limestone ).

benefit of tomato

Benefits of tomato

Tomato, Solanum lycopersicum L, Solanacea family, originally from South America, is one of the most important plants in human alimentation, which can be consumed fresh or as an ingredient in various dishes and is considered the most consumed vegetable after the potato . Tasty and almost indispensable in the kitchen, the tomato has many beneficial health characteristics.

The tomato is considered the "queen" of garden crops, both for its beneficial effects on health, and for its color, improving all the gastronomy. Although we can eat tomatoes all year round because of the greenhouse crops, their nutritional value is much higher and has a more intense flavor when grown in gardens, in the sun, from June to September.

Chemical composition of tomatoes

There are known different varieties of tomato, round, oval, "cherry", but all have the same nutritional characteristics, being an important source of:

- potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, so necessary to the normal activity of nerves and muscles;
- vitamins as A, B and C - tomatoes is the third source of vitamin C in our diet and the fourth for vitamin A, through its content in beta-carotene or pro vitamin A;
- phytosterols, compounds that help to keep cholesterol under control;
- folic acid, which helps eliminate homocysteine, an amino acid whose metabolism is dependent on the metabolism of vitamins from B complex, especially that of folic acid.

Lycopene, a compound with exceptional properties

The tomato is a food very rich in lycopene, a vegetal pigment from carotenoid family, a compound discovered in 1873, which gives color to the vegetable, but also has exceptional properties as lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Numerous studies have shown that by regular consumption of tomatoes, the resistance to cancer of the prostate, lung, digestive, but also heart disease is increased. Also, tomatoes help to fight against atherosclerosis syndrome and muscle degeneration, the main causes of discomfort in people over 65 years.

Studies on the health beneficial effects of tomatoes and their derivatives have focused mainly on lycopene, however, the administration only of lycopene for 12 weeks had no effect on the damaged DNA in human lymphocytes. These observations show that is more efficient the combination of:

- carotenoids (a class of natural liposoluble pigments found especially in plants, interfering in the photosynthesis);
- tocopherol (vitamin E, soluble);
- phenolic acid and flavonoids (natural compounds found in plants).

This combination of different carotenoids or the association of carotenoids with tocopherol (vitamin E) or phenolic acid has simultaneous effects on blocking the pathological reactions, which generates free radicals, able to affect the DNA. It was also found that the supplementation of a diet containing a small quantity of carotenoids with tomato juice can increase cellular immunity, involved in reducing the risk of cancer

Lycopene, a compound with exceptional properties

The tomato is a food very rich in lycopene, a vegetal pigment from carotenoid family, a compound discovered in 1873, which gives color to the vegetable, but also has exceptional properties as lycopene is a powerful antioxidant. Numerous studies have shown that by regular consumption of tomatoes, the resistance to cancer of the prostate, lung, digestive, but also heart disease is increased. Also, tomatoes help to fight against atherosclerosis syndrome and muscle degeneration, the main causes of discomfort in people over 65 years.

Studies on the health beneficial effects of tomatoes and their derivatives have focused mainly on lycopene, however, the administration only of lycopene for 12 weeks had no effect on the damaged DNA in human lymphocytes. These observations show that is more efficient the combination of:

- carotenoids (a class of natural liposoluble pigments found especially in plants, interfering in the photosynthesis);
- tocopherol (vitamin E, soluble);
- phenolic acid and flavonoids (natural compounds found in plants).

This combination of different carotenoids or the association of carotenoids with tocopherol (vitamin E) or phenolic acid has simultaneous effects on blocking the pathological reactions, which generates free radicals, able to affect the DNA. It was also found that the supplementation of a diet containing a small quantity of carotenoids with tomato juice can increase cellular immunity, involved in reducing the risk of cancer.

Thermally treated tomatoes are more efficient

Unlike fruits and vegetables which reduce their nutritional content when are thermally treated, such as vitamin C, thermally treated tomatoes increase the concentration of lycopene and the antioxidant properties are not lost. Moreover, studies have confirmed that the body absorbs better the lycopene from tomatoes when they are thermally treated.

Fresh tomato provides 4 times less the amount of bioavailable lycopene to the while the juice or sauce of a tomato is a source of lycopene easier to use. Besides tomatoes, there are other red fruits and vegetables rich in lycopene, such as watermelon, but the content is lower Over 80 percent of the lycopene in our diet comes from tomatoes and tomato-derived products, and combination with olive oil increases its absorption.

Antioxidants

Antioxidants are substances (vitamins, minerals, natural coloring) that protect body cells from the harmful effects of free radicals, molecules that form in the body through contact with oxygen. Free radicals are partly responsible for the processes of aging, cardiovascular diseases and cancer and act by attacking the cell membranes and the cellular DNA.

Cellular oxidation is a normal process that affects all tissues, is inevitable, but some factors such as environmental contamination, smoking, diets high in saturated fats, excessive sun exposure and excess physical activity contribute to increased production of free radicals . Most antioxidants are found in plants, which is why it is so necessary to eat more fruits and vegetables as they protect us from free radicals naturally.

The three main representatives of antioxidants are vitamins C, E and pro vitamin A. Citrus, nuts, peanuts, almonds, spinach, onion, especially the red one, berries, cabbage, carrots , grapes, pumpkins, melon, kiwi and of course, tomatoes have the highest antioxidant power. It is recommended a weekly consumption of 7 servings of tomato derivatives, (one serving = one glass of tomato juice of 250 ml or 125 ml of tomato sauce for other dishes). Tomatoes are mostly used in the Mediterranean diet, and in Spanish cuisine is the main component of a typical preparation called gazpacho.

Contraindications for tomatoes

It should also be remembered the moderately content in oxalic acid of tomatoes (5.3 mg / 100 g), substances which form insoluble calcium salts (calcium oxalate) which can precipitate in the form of kidney stones. Also, due to its acidity, a moderate consumption is encourage and in the case of gastro duodenal diseases, the consumption should be stopped.

When buying tomatoes, you have to choose the freshest ones, with smooth, soft skin, of medium consistency (neither too strong nor too soft) or too green, but not too mature. Tomatoes can be stored for longer periods in their natural state by placing them on their tail or the green area corresponding to the tail and separated between them. The fridge can maintain them in good condition between 6 to 8 days, if kept whole and no more than 2 days if they are preserved in the form of fresh juice..

aloe vera used for

Aloe Vera health benefits

Also called "the elixir of youth" by the Russians, "the herb of immortality" by the old Egyptians or the "harmonious remedy" by the Chinese, Aloe vera is without a doubt the medicinal herb most widely known for its noticeable impacts on health and at the same time the ingredient most widely used in the cosmetic industry. so far was fully able to explain the wonders which lie within this herb and how its compounds work together in a miraculous way to bring about the treatment or the alleviation of some of the most serious illnesses like cancer or AIDS.
Aloe vera or "Aloe Barbadensis" is a plant which originated in North Africa and spread to the fertile lands with mild climate. Its physical aspect is similar to that of the cactus; the thick rind hides a succulent core formed mostly of water.

The aforementioned herb gained worldwide recognition and has been intensively used from the oldest of times due to its extraordinary features. A clear proof of this fact is a clay plank found in the antic city of Nippur, Babilon (the Irak from today) dating from year 2200 b.c. From Greek physicians like Celsius and Dioscorides to Romanians (Pylni the Great) and Arabs (Al-Kindi) to C.E. Collins, the one who published the first modern medical thesis in United States (1934), "aloe vera" has always been an issue with a long history behind it. Just about every important civilization used it for its benefical effects over health and beauty. Egyptians would mix aloe with other herbs while preparing remedies for internal and external anomalies. After the Second World War, aloe vera was introduced in treating the victims of the catastrophies from.Nagasaki and Hiroshima because of its ability of mitigating the pain of the patients and renewing skin tissues.

Proprieties of aloe vera

The most oftenly used substance from this herb is the aloe gel, a thick viscid liquid found in the interior of the leaves. The leaves are used in the treatment of burns and the aloine - a bitter milky yellowish liquid is used as a laxative. The herb contains: 20 minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Chromium , Selenium), 12 vitamins (A, B, C, E, folic acid), 20 aminoacids from the 22 which are necessary to the human body, over 200 active components including enzymes and polysaccharides. All the active substances enumerated before contribute to the therapeutical value of the herb. We shall move on to presenting the main effects that the herb has over the human body: it toughens up the immune system owing to the 23 peptides contained by the aloe vera, it accelerates and regulates the methabolism, purifies the human body from toxins, bringing about a feeling of calm. Moreover, aloe vera has an antiseptic effect (by distroying the bacterias, viruses and fungi), disinfectant capabilities and can also stimulate the cell-renewing process. Aloe vera nourishes and supports the digesting of aliments. Cutting across the human organism, aloe vera manages to bring the human body to a general balanced state

lavender as herbs plants

Benefits of Lavender plant

Lavender is a herbaceous plant from the labial family and Mediterranean by origin, lavender is used in medicine, in the perfume industry and in the alimentary industry.

Description of Lavender plant

Lavender is a small shrub, a perennial herb, with lignified roots, and ramified stems, 30-70 cm tall. It is easy to be recognized because of its small, mauve flowers and because of the silver puff which the leaves appear to be covered with. The plant can easily adapt itself to droughty conditions or to wet climates. If the plant is kept indoors, it is advised for it to be put in a brightly lit place, as sun light helps increase growth percentages of ethereal oil in the herb. Lavender is harvested at the time when half of the flowers are open. It is best that this procedure be carried out on summer mornings, the period in which lavender flowers contain an optimum amount of active substances.

Properties and benefits of Lavender

Dried lavender flowers are used to prepare a series of natural remedies with cicatrizant, antiseptic, calming and relaxing effects. By containing tannin, a bitter substance, mineral substances, essential oils, lavender flowers have an antiseptic, calming and carminative activity, and nerve stimulating effects. They are used in cases of digestive disorder, in cephalalgia as a flavouring and corrective agent, in hypertension, cardiac affections, headaches, insomnia, melancholia, dizziness or bronchial asthma.

Treatments

v- In cases of headaches, anxiety states, rheumatism or distension, the consumption of lavender flower tea or infusion of lavender flowers is recommended.

- For cases of insomnia it is best to add a few drops of lavender oil on the pillow. This is also useful for relieving stress, clearing nostrils - a case in which 5 drops of oil are added into a vessel filled with hot water and inhalations are taken. The plant's oil is a good disinfectant of wounds and burns. In case of solar burns a few drops of lavender oil are added into mineral water, which is then used to moisten the affected area. Having antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, lavender oil can be used for treating headaches through massaging the temples with a few drops of it.

- For treating colds, influenza or fever, lavender vinegar is a very handy remedy. The vinegar is also recommended for rheumatism massages.

- The plant is also used in the cosmetic industry, in treatments against couperose and acne and in looking after fat complexion. Lavender flowers are used to produce perfumes. Through regular massages, lavender oil strengthens hair roots.

Mixtures

Lavender tea

Lavender tea is prepared with two teaspoons of flowers to a cup of boiled water. It is to be drunk hot and sweetened with honey. It is good against stress and headaches. Concentrated tea, obtained from 5-6 spoonfuls of herb macerated in a cup of boiling water, is used for treating superficial burns or light wounds.

Lavender infusion

Lavender infusion is prepared with 5 teaspoons of dried flowers put in a cup of boiling water. This is used externally for washing and disinfecting wounds and ulcerations. In case of complexions with visible, small, red blood vessels, hot lavender infusion compresses are applied on the affected areas. The infusion obtained from 40g of flowers for one liter of boiling water is used for the rinsing of the hair. The mixture of infusion, oil and tincture, obtained from the concentrated infusion of lavender flowers, a few drops of lavender oil and a few drops of lavender water, is used for massages, thus bringing about a state of comfort.

Macerated lavender

Macerated lavender is acquired from 40g of dried flowers per 1 liter of alcohol. The mixture is left at room temperature for 2 weeks, occasionally stirring the bottle. The resulting alcohol can be used in small amounts for wounds. The macerate in oil, formed from 25g of flowers, is left in the sun for a few days along with one liter of olive oil, and it is used for anointing acne and ulcerations of the skin.

Lavender tincture

Lavender tincture is prepared out of 200g of dried lavender flowers for one liter of alimentary alcohol and half a liter of distilled water. It is left to macerate for 4 days with occasional stirrings. The mixture is then filtered and it is used in various throat affections or as mouthwash.

Lavender oil

Lavender oil is obtained from 20g of dried lavender flowers mixed with 20ml of alcohol. The mixture is put into a small jar, then 200ml of olive oil is added after which it is stirred well. It is boiled in a steam bath for two hours while being stirred from time to time. After the vessel is taken out of the steam bath, it is left covered for 2 days and then filtered through a gauze. It is then left in a cool place, in the dark. Oils are applied once a week, in the evening, after cleaning the complexion, before going to sleep, being left like that for 20 minutes after which it is washed away with warm water.

Lavender vinegar

Lavender vinegar, with insecticide, anti-calcareous effects, used for rheumatism or colds, is prepared with a few lavender flowers, mint and sage leaves, rose, savory and juniper petals and is macerated for a period of 7 days in one liter of wine vinegar. The plants are then filtered and it is complemented with vinegar until the one liter mark is reached.

Lavender water

Lavender water is used for refreshing and tonifying the skin and is prepared from 50ml of alcohol of a 60-70 degree concentration which is left to macerate along with 200g of lavender flowers. The composition is kept in a cool place for 30-40 days after which it is filtered.

Lavender bath water

Lavender bath water is prepared like this: dried flowers are tied into small bags of linen. These are filtered in hot water in a bathtub, the water thus becoming more tonifying and refreshing because of the essential oils, which are being disengaged.

The tonic lotion is realized from one spoonful of lavender flowers covered with 50ml of white alcohol. The mixture is left to macerate for 10 days at room temperature, it is filtered through linen and then the quantity of boiling and cold water is doubled. The lotion is used in the evening (after cleaning up any make-up) and in the morning.

Cosmetic masks are prepared from a spoonful of wheat bran rubbed in with a few drops of olive oil, a teaspoon of polyfloral honey and a few drops of lavender lotion. The mask is applied once a week in the evening after removing make-up and it is kept on for 20 minutes after which it is washed away with warm water. For cupreous complexions, the bran is replaced by starch.

foeniculum vugare l.function as medicine

Foeniculum vulgare L.

Umbelliferae

Uses: We like to saute stalks. Bronze fennel is beautiful in the garden and comes up every year. It gives and gives, a must have

Medicine: Leaves and seed relax parasympathetic nervous system of gut.

Mildly bacteriacidal (anti-microbial). Mild estrogenic effect. Oil used as fungicide to protect foods. Seeds have been decocted (simmered) in water as a lactagogue. Tincture of the seed used for diarrhea control and cramps. Diuretic leaves and seed, root. Roots purgative (cathartic).

-Thins and expels disease laden mucus.

-Synergistic with other herbs.

Chemistry: Seed: 60%+- petroselenic acid, tocopherols (high in gamma-tocotrienol), anethole, anisic acid, limonene, trigonelline, camphene, fenchone....(6)

Wildlife/Veterinarian: Fennel seeds may be hazardous as food for birds.

WARNING: Do not use fennel oil as it is too strong and may respiratory distress and seizures.

GRAS: Edible leaves and seeds.