Featured Herb: Lemongrass
Lemon grass is one of my favourite healing herbs. It is an amazing super-herb that has been used for hundreds of years for both culinary and medicinal purposes.
Lemongrass is a green and white, grass-like plant with razor-like blades and it is grown across the planet in warm tropical climates.
It imparts a distinct lemon flavor when cut or crushed due to a release of an essential oil called citral. The dried herb also releases this same flavor when steeped as a tea.
Lemon grass tea is an excellent detoxifying agent. It has the ability to cleanse out the toxins found inside the body particularly the digestive and cardiovascular system. It eliminates the harmful elements in the body such as uric acids, contaminants and bad cholesterol. It also improves the blood circulation as well as the digestive system.
Lemongrass is a green and white, grass-like plant with razor-like blades and it is grown across the planet in warm tropical climates.
It imparts a distinct lemon flavor when cut or crushed due to a release of an essential oil called citral. The dried herb also releases this same flavor when steeped as a tea.
Lemon grass tea is an excellent detoxifying agent. It has the ability to cleanse out the toxins found inside the body particularly the digestive and cardiovascular system. It eliminates the harmful elements in the body such as uric acids, contaminants and bad cholesterol. It also improves the blood circulation as well as the digestive system.
More Healing Herbs
Did you know?
- Dandelion is widely used as an herbal diuretic.
- Both the leaves AND the root can be used for healing.
- Jamaican Dandelion is not the herb usually referred to in western herbal systems. It's scientific name is: Cassia occidentalis.
- Dandelion is a natural source of minerals such as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc and iron.
- Roasted dandelion root tea is an excellent coffee substitute
- Dandelion likes the ladies! It nourishes the breasts, ovaries and uterus.
Dandelion Leaf
A natural diuretic, Dandelion Leaf is commonly used to help remove excess water and toxins from the body. Dandelion Leaf helps promote bile excretion from the liver so the body can more efficiently process foods and liquids while also purging harmful toxins. In addition, improved bile flow makes it possible for the body to better metabolize fat, which helps optimize the body’s cholesterol levels. Dandelion leaves are used predominantly in treatments for liver and digestive disorders and fluid retention (oedema) since they encourage the flow of bile and digestive enzymes, and stimulate fluid loss through the kidneys. The dandelion root is a much stronger liver herb.
Dandelion Root
Dandelion root improves your digestive system by stimulating your appetite, and promotes digestion and gastrointestinal health. It is filled with essential vitamins and minerals for your body. It provides Vitamin A, Vitamin B complex, Vitamin C, and Vitamin D. Dandelion root also contains zinc, iron and potassium. Vitamins A, B complex and C are important for good heart health.
Dandelion root also is an antiviral agent. The root of the dandelion can help with different ailments, such as cancer, heart and lung problems, digestive problems and painful joints. The root of dandelion tones the organs of your body. Dandelion root can also help with liver detoxification.
The root is actually one of the most detoxifying herbs. It works principally on the liver but it also works on the gallbladder to promote removal of waste products. It encourages steady elimination of toxins due to infection or pollution. It is also used by herbalists to prevent gall stones.
Dandelion root also is an antiviral agent. The root of the dandelion can help with different ailments, such as cancer, heart and lung problems, digestive problems and painful joints. The root of dandelion tones the organs of your body. Dandelion root can also help with liver detoxification.
The root is actually one of the most detoxifying herbs. It works principally on the liver but it also works on the gallbladder to promote removal of waste products. It encourages steady elimination of toxins due to infection or pollution. It is also used by herbalists to prevent gall stones.
Featured Herbal Photo
by Sabriya Simon
Cardamom
Elletaria cardamomum from the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family hails from India, and is mentioned in Vedic texts and in Ayurvedic medicine. Ancient Greek, Roman, Egyptian and Arab cultures were equally fond of the spice, which was considered to have aphrodisiac qualities and was used in love potions; the Arabian Nights makes frequent reference to it. ♥
Health Benefits:
- Detoxifies the body of caffeine
- Cleanses kidneys and bladder
- Stimulates digestive system and reduces gas
- Expectorant action
- Improves circulation to the lungs and thus considered good for asthma and bronchitis
- Antispasmodic
- Can counteract excess acidity in the stomach
- Stimulates appetite
- Remedy for tendency to infection
- Cures halitosis (bad breath)
Health Benefits:
- Detoxifies the body of caffeine
- Cleanses kidneys and bladder
- Stimulates digestive system and reduces gas
- Expectorant action
- Improves circulation to the lungs and thus considered good for asthma and bronchitis
- Antispasmodic
- Can counteract excess acidity in the stomach
- Stimulates appetite
- Remedy for tendency to infection
- Cures halitosis (bad breath)
More herbs!
Juniper Berry
I was drawn to this herb because of it's ability to ease the effects of PMS. However, it has been sitting in my herb box for the past 6 months so I decided today to add it to my "morning" tea.
Juniper Berry is actually not even a berry but the juniper plant’s seed cone. It is considered to be a herb with the most powerful effects on kidneys. It is also used to treat various urinary tract infections and it can remove uric acid from the body. Juniper makes the kidneys work faster and the body produces more urine, making it an excellent diuretic as well. As I previously mentioned Menstrual cramps can also be reduced significantly with the help of the juniper berry.
It is also known for it's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties as well as helping with digestive problem including the suppression of appetite.
Cool right? Try some today!
Juniper Berry is actually not even a berry but the juniper plant’s seed cone. It is considered to be a herb with the most powerful effects on kidneys. It is also used to treat various urinary tract infections and it can remove uric acid from the body. Juniper makes the kidneys work faster and the body produces more urine, making it an excellent diuretic as well. As I previously mentioned Menstrual cramps can also be reduced significantly with the help of the juniper berry.
It is also known for it's anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties as well as helping with digestive problem including the suppression of appetite.
Cool right? Try some today!
Red Raspberry Leaf
Red raspberry leaves have been used for many years dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans. Some of the illness they used red raspberry leaves to treat included the flu, gum disease, rubella, upset stomach, hangovers, diarrhea, fevers, vomiting, menstrual problems, and inflammation. Red raspberry leaves have also been used for a mouth rinse to treat sore throats and irritations of the mouth.
The most popular use of red raspberry leaves would be for pregnancy. It has been known to help with nausea associated with pregnancy and to ease the pains of delivery. For women that are not pregnant and have menstrual issues, red raspberry leaves are known to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve the symptoms of PMS.
The most popular use of red raspberry leaves would be for pregnancy. It has been known to help with nausea associated with pregnancy and to ease the pains of delivery. For women that are not pregnant and have menstrual issues, red raspberry leaves are known to regulate the menstrual cycle and relieve the symptoms of PMS.
St. John's Wort
Studies suggest that St. John's Wort has significant amounts of hyperforin and hypericin which may raise the release of neurotransmitters (dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin) that modulate brain signals between cells and play an important role in the optimal functionality of our nervous system. Hypericin in St. John's Wort may also be capable of inhibiting a bodily chemical, monoamine oxidase, which is associated with anxiety and depression. As a result, this herb may induce the sense of well being which can help with mild to moderate depression, mood swings, wintertime blues, low energy levels, and chronic fatigue.