Benefits of Nettle plant

In historical terms, it seems that nettle (Urtica Dioica) has been used since prehistoric times. In Denmark, a tissue of this plant was found in a tomb dating from the Bronze Age. There is evidence that in the Neolithic era, the nettle's stem has been used to make strings. It is also a known fact that Caesar's Roman troops brought nettle from England. Because of the uncommon properties of nettle fibers, it has also been used in the textile industry; for example the uniforms of the German army during the First World War were made out of nettle

Nettle tea

Nettle tea it cures diseases and inflammations of the urinary system, and also urinary retentions. It has a slightly laxative effect, being recommended in depurative remedies. For hepatic, biliary diseases as well as for conditions of the spleen, the treatment with nettle tea will last for a number of weeks. Nettle tea can also be of great help to those who suffer from diabetes, because it leads to the decrease of blood sugar and implicitly, of the glycemic level. It is useful in eliminating viruses, and bacterial infections. Preparation: the tea can be prepared through soaking the fresh or dried leaves in boiled water.

Nettle infusion

Washing the scalp with nettle (leaves or roots) infusion helps regenerate, grow and thicken the hair. Preparation: to prepare the infusion, mix 60g of finely crushed nettles with two and a half cups of water. The mixture is boiled, and then covered for 10 minutes. It can be consumed either hot or cold.

Nettle tincture

It eliminates dandruff and leaves the hair silky. Moreover, this strengthens and revitalizes the hair. Preparation: leave six-seven fresh leaves or two spoons of the dried plant to macerate in half a liter of alcohol for ten days. The mixture is then used to rub the hair root.

Nettle juice

For hypertension drink half a glass right before the most important meals. It has the effect of regulating arterial pressure and straightening blood vessels. In case of renal insufficiency, one glass of nettle juice per day should be consumed in the morning after waking up. The diet lasts for 20-30 days. In case of anemia and demineralization - consume one-two glasses of nettle juice for two weeks. Preparation: gather the nettle leaves and stem and put them into the fruit juicer. The paste is then filtered and the resulting juice is kept cold in the refrigerator in dark colored bottles.

Root powder

Follow a 60 day treatment against frail, dry hair, during which half a teaspoon of root powder is administered three times a day on an empty stomach. Preparation: the dried nettle roots are finely crushed using an electric coffee grinder. Nettle helps strengthen the immune system, annihilating the predisposition towards colds. Anemia, fatigue, exhaustion and other effects of stress can be fought if we add nettle, rich in iron and mineral, to our daily nutrition or to the periodic remedies we undergo.

Ginseng plant

Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) - native of Eastern Asia, Siberia and North America is a perennial species known and appreciated for its pharmaceutical properties for almost 5000 years. The Korean and Chinese ginseng is a tonic for the whole body. It was very precious in ancient times and its price was the same with the price of gold. Beginning with the 9th century, the herb was introduced in Europe by an Arab physician and after nine centuries it became one of the most popular natural remedies. It was used initially for its tonic effect over the immune system and for its power to heal virosis and fever states, but its area of use increased gradually and in our days it is used to treat fatigue, afflictions of the nervous system and lack of concentration. Protected by law, ginseng is intensively cultivated in China, Japan, Korea and Russia. Etymologically, its name comes from the word "gin" that means "human" and the word "seng" that means "the essence".

Properties and benefits of Ginseng

Ginseng contains 12 types of bio-active chemical substances also known as ginsenoids. It also contains panaxan (Panax Ginseng), which diminishes the level of glicemia and increases the effect of insulin. Ginseng has tonic (especially over the nervous system), anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-depressive, hypotensive, hypoglycemic, hypocholesterolemic and aphrodisiac effects. It increases the concentration and aids memory processes. It has a positive effect over blood circulation and it improves the function of lungs. Even more, it can revitalize weak bodies; reduce fatigue, and increase work and effort capacity as well as stimulating the secretion of adrenalin. Due to these properties, the consumption of ginseng is recommended to those who sustain serious physical efforts.

It is important to be aware that owing to its nutritive qualities, ginseng can be used by all people, irrespective of age. Because it stimulates the endocrine glands, ginseng increases mineral and vitamin absorption. Because it is an adaptogen herb it contributes to the capacity of the body to adapt itself to the natural negative environment states such as cold, stress and malnutrition.

The quantity of active compounds is significantly larger if the root of the herb is older. The general belief is that the herb reaches its maturity after 6 years of life.

Treatments

According to Chinese tradition, ginseng treats hypertension as well as hypotension, anemia, asthenia, arthritis, digestive disorders, insomnia, and fatigue and increases body resistance during stress periods. The general belief is that ginseng prevents the ageing of tissues and treats impotence. Ginseng is included in the treatment of depressive and debilitative states, memory disorders and diabetes.

Because it is also a stimulant for the immune system, this herb is recommended in the treatment of low resistance to periods of cold. It is efficient in treating physical and intellectual fatigue that is generated by stress. It helps older and younger people as well.

It is recommended in the treatment of seasickness, airsickness and senility.

Mixtures

Used as capsules, powder, tea or nutritive supplements, ginseng can be easily found in any drug-store. The pharmaceutical products must be administrated by heeding the doctor's recommendations. It is important to know that the most efficient mixtures are obtained from the 5 year old herb roots. The soluble tablets are more efficient that the alcoholic extracts. The normal dose for an adult is about 0.03 oz and for a child the dose diminishes to half.

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.