Herb Conscious

Make your own medicine. ~ Herb Conscious

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The Effects Of Stress On The Body

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Naturopathy: A Couple of Facts http://t.co/5u6edn9cKK

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Yucca Root (Yucca filamentosa)

Yucca Root, a Native American remedy, treats inflammation, joint pain associated with osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Yucca is high in vitamins A, B, and C, and contains potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and copper which make it very soothing to the intestinal tract. The plant provides nutritional support to the structural system (bones, joints, muscles).The saponins in Yucca are a precursor of natural cortisone normally produced by the adrenal glands. Ths makes it a popular remedy for all kinds of inflammation, such as arthritis, rheumatism, bursitis, colitis, and other inflammatory conditions. Yucca is also used as a blood cleanser; today, often in the form of Yucca Root Tea.  

Many people drink Yucca Root tea to purify the blood and cleanse the colon.

Some people apply Yucca Root to their hair as a gentle shampoo. Native Americans used yucca as a soap as it had a lathering effect. Yucca Roots have been used by Native American tribes for years to prevent hair loss and dandruff while making hair shiny and beautiful

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Witch Hazel Leaf (Hamamelis virginiana)

Witch hazel leaf is useful for making teas to treat diarrhea in children. It contains tannins that slow the leakage of fluids into the lumen (central opening) of the intestine, but it does not contain the harsher elagitannins that are found in the bark.*

Witch hazel leaf is more appropriate than witch hazel bark when there is an allergic component to symptoms; witch hazel bark is more appropriate than witch hazel leaf when the problem is vascular weakness (for instance, hemorrhoids) without allergy.*

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Waltheria Americana (Uhaloa) Leaf and Buds

Waltheria Americana (Sleepy morning) is a tropical shrub; the whole plant (roots, leaves, buds and flowers) is often used against chronic asthma. This plant also has anti inflammatory and antifungal properties.*

Other uses include: cortex (root bark); chewed as a very effective natural medicine for sore throat. Internally for arthritis, neuralgia, common cold, cough, bronchial phlegm or mucous, diarrhea, eye baths, fatigue; used as a bitter tonic.*  

Possible Benefits:*

Waltheria is used in Brazil against bronchitis and for cleaning difficult healing wounds

Used in the Caribbean for bladder infections

One of the best plant medicines for sore throats

Used for bronchial or bacterial infections.

A decoction is used for washing badly healing wounds.

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Vitex Berries (Vitex agnus-castus)

Vitex Berries have been used for centuries to treat constipation, flatulence, hangovers, and to bring on menstruation and lactation.

Vitex agnus-castus (chaste tree berry) has been used for centuries in Europe for hormonal imbalances in women.   It has been used for centuries to increase fertility and improve menstrual cycles.

In modern herbal medicine, the herb is mainly used to treat breast swelling and breast pain caused by excessive secretion of the hormone prolactin during PMS or cyclic mastalgia. The herb can lengthen the proliferative (first) phase of the menstrual cycle, and also relieve water weight, headache, and fatigue.

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Ubhubhubhu ( Helinus Integrifolius )

Ubhubhubhu, Helinus integrifolius- Is a saponin (highly bioactive group of molecules) rich species which enables diviners to interpret dreams clearly.

Used for centuries by the shaman’s of Africa to produce clear visions, its called Ubhubhubhu in traditional medicine.

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Safflower ( Carthamus tinctorius )

Safflower has been used as a laxative and as a dietary supplement to modify lipid profiles and treat fevers. However, clinical trials are lacking.

Some clinical studies have shown that safflower oil supplementation may be helpful in patients with cystic fibrosis, Friedreich's ataxia, and neurotoxicity from lithium. However, more study is needed in these areas before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

In traditional Chinese medicine, safflower is used to invigorate the blood, dissipate stasis, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation), pain, and traumatic injuries. It is also used to "calm" a live fetus and abort a dead fetus, and is therefore used cautiously during pregnancy.

Scientific Name(s): Carthamus tinctorius L. Family: Asteraceae (daisies)

Common Name(s): Safflower , American saffron , zafran , bastard saffron , false saffron , dyer's saffron , Gami Honghwain.

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Ledum palustre (Marsh Tea, Wild Rosemary)

Ledum palustre has a history of therapeutic use at a major first-aid remedy for puncture wounds, anti-parasitic action as well as treating back problems, insect stings, joint, muscle, arthritic and nerve pain.* The Russian variety also has a history of ethnobotanical use by Siberian tribes.

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Red Clover Blossom (Trifolium pratense)

Named for the pinkish purple flower this plant produces, red clover has a long history of medicinal use. In China and Russia, red clover was used to treat respiratory infections and congestion. It has also been used to treat coughs, speed wound healing, and relieve water retention.

Today, red clover is being studied for its possible benefits to those suffering heart disease, diabetes, menopausal symptoms, and prostate enlargement.

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The Blue Lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) belongs to the Nymphaeaceae (Water-Lily) plant family. The flowers of the blue lily have been found to contain apor-phine, a substance that is closely related to the opiate apomorphine. The Blue Lotus has several common names including: Egyptian lotus, blue water lily, and sacred blue lily of the Nile. It should not be confused with the "blue lily" or Agapanthus africanus, a plant of an entirely different genus. Blue lilies were the most important cultivated "ritual" plants of ancient Egypt. Growing wild in the lowlands of the Nile they were esteemed for their beauty, symbolism and probably also for there inebriating effects to produce a shamanic ecstasy among the elite priesthood. It is believed the ancient Egyptians used Blue Lotus wine as a medicine and ritual herb.

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13 Amazing Benefits And Uses Of Senna Plant

If you are looking for an effective herbal remedy for cleansing your bowels or for that matter, relieving constipation, then senna is probably the answer to your prayers! Most have not heard of this herb while others often confuse it with henna. But this is a rare and useful herb which provides several benefits.

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Psyllium (Plantago psyllium)

Psyllium Seed can be used to treat chronic constipation; disorders in which easy bowel movements with a loose stool are desirable, e.g., in patients with anal fissures, hemorrhoids, following anal/rectal surgery; during pregnancy; as a secondary medication in the treatment of various kinds of diarrhea and in the treatment of irritable bowel.*

Psyllium seed is more useful than wheat bran for treating constipation caused by irritable bowel syndrome.*

They also help your digestive system by preventing disorders such as chronic constipation, diarrhea, or hemorrhoids.*

Drinking this tea will help reduce the bad LDL cholesterol levels in your blood, which helps you lose weight. This reduces the risks of having cardiovascular problems, for example heart diseases or strokes. It also lowers blood sugar levels and insulin levels, which helps you if you've got diabetes.*

Other health benefits include preventing colon cancer, as well treating urethritis, hypertension, high blood pressure, and minor infections (intestinal infections, or those of the urinary system).*

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Passiflora incarnata AKA Passion Flower

Passiflora incarnata is a beautifull Perrenial with sweet scented flowers. Passionflower has been used as a sedative to aid in the treatment of insomnia. In homeopathic medicine Passion Flower was used to treat epilepsy. Passionflower can be smoked or made as a tasty tea or strong decoction.

The European literature involving passionflower recommends it primarily for anti-anxiety treatment.

The medicinal properties of Passion Flowers have been known to Native Americans for centuries. The Cherokee used Passiflora incarnata in religious ceremonies. The dried herb has been valued as an antispasmodic, hypnotic, and sedative. The flowers are highly sought after and considered to be the most potent part of the plant. We are proud to offer the highest quality passion flower blooms and foliage at a reasonable price.

Possible Benefits:* Helps calm people down Can relieve headaches due to nervous tension Good for muscle spasms due to nerves

Also known as: Passiflora incarnata, Passiflora caerulea, Apricot Vine, Blue and Purple Passionflower, and Maypop.

Constituents Chrysin, harmane, harmaline.

Passion Flower Tea Recipe

Put 1 teaspoon in a cloth tea bag or tea baller and then add them to 8 ounces of recently-boiling water. Let steep for five minutes. Take this tea about an hour before going to bed to help with sleep and don't drink more than one cup per day.

Caution: Medicinal passionflower should not be ingested by pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding. Don’t take passionflower if you are taking medications. Avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while using passion flower.

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LOTUS VINE – Parrot’s Beak Leaf & Flower ( Pedicularis racemosa )

Parrot's Beak is a beautiful exoctic plant with tall spikes of exotic and elaborate yellow or cream flowers. The spikes resemble a Parrot's Beak -- and thus the name.

Possible Benefits:*

Helps one relax

Used for anxiety and emotional distress

May bring a peaceful and at ease feeling

May help with quitting smoking

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Papaya Leaf (Carica papaya)

The primary use of papaya leaf in herbal medicine today is as a vermifuge, that is, to remove intestinal worms. Papaya leaf has less of the protein-dissolving papain than the fruit, so it is less likely to "dissolve" the worms, but it contains tannins that the fruit does not. These tannins protect the intestine from reinfection by "tanning" proteins in the lining of the intestinal wall so that worms cannot attach themselves.

The leaf contains beta-carotene, calcium, carpaine, fats, flavonols, niacin, papain, tannins, and vitamin C (in higher concentration in the leaf than in the fruit). The leaf, unlike the fruit, is not a source of the protein-dissolving enzyme papain, but the latex (sap) in the leaf stem is. Papain remains in leaf preparations that have been dried over low heat, but it may be destroyed in products that are dried at high heat.

Typical Preparations Infusions or teas, taken in small doses.  

Physicians of nineteenth century America used papaya leaf to treat "fermentative indigestion," a condition of bloating, nausea, and flatulence frequently following excessive consumption of fermented foods.

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WIN! 1/4 Ounce Bag of FeverFew Herb (Hosted By Us)

FeverFew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Feverfew can help prevent migraine headaches, but the effects are usually not noticed for several weeks and vary among individual migraine sufferers. The herb is most likely to be helpful for migraine sufferers who also have allergies or asthma.The leaves and flowering heads are anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, aperient, bitter, carminative, emmenagogue, sedative, stimulant, stings, stomachic, vasodilator and vermifuge.  The plant is gathered as it comes into flower and can be dried for later use. Use with caution, the fresh leaves can cause dermatitis and mouth ulcers if consumed. A tea made from the whole plant is used in the treatment of arthritis, colds, fevers etc. It is said to be sedative and to regulate menses.