Ashwagandha Tonic

March 19, 2023 by Jurgen

ashwagandha

Common Name – Ashwagandha
Scientific Name – Withania somnifera
Part used – Root

Constituents and Active Ingredients: Steroidal compounds like withaferin A, sitoindosides and alkaloids like tropane types and isopelletierine, anaferine.

Overview: Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, has been used medicinally in India as an Ayurvedic medicine for over 3000 years.

The plant’s Latin name literally means, “sweat of a horse” due to the scent of the roots.

It was generally used as a tonic herb for promoting longevity, treating emaciation and for improving reproductive functions of both men and women.

Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen like ginseng, but is not stimulating. Adaptogens help to adapt to stressful situations.

It has a mild sedative effect, as the ‘somni’ part of its Latin name indicates. somniferous | tending to induce sleep;

Traditional use: Traditionally used for debility, nervous exhaustion, convalescence, and as a general tonic; and for memory enhancement.

Thyme – Cough Buster

February 2, 2023 by Jurgen

Are you suffering from a persistent cough? One that’s hard to shift?

Nature’s answer is Thyme, which is well known for its culinary use. The common thyme originates from the Mediterranean and is the most commonly used medicinal variety. Thymes are relatives of the oregano genus origanum.

Thyme – Thymus vulgaris

USES Chest conditions, coughs, and bronchitis.

HOW IT WORKS The primary active components of thyme are the volatile oils, especially thymol. These act locally on the lungs as they are eliminated from the body through the respiratory tract, disinfecting the airways, relaxing bronchial spasm and reducing the viscosity of mucus.

These actions help the lungs expel mucus, benefiting bronchitis and chesty catarrhal conditions.

Thyme is most effectively taken as a fresh herbal tincture, but it also can give relief as a herbal tea or infusion.

Or take a spoonful of raw thyme honey … to sooth that irritating sensation.

Spring Cleaning with Cleavers

January 16, 2023 by Jurgen

St. Brigid day, the 1st February originally a pagan festival called Imbolc is traditionally the beginning of spring in Ireland. In 2023 it’s a brand new bank holiday observed on February, Mon 6th. We now have gender equality with St. Patrick.

Cleavers

Cleavers otherwise known as ‘goose grass’ has been used for centuries as a spring time cleansing and detox agent. Cleavers is very high in a group of compounds called coumarins, which are the compounds that fill the air with with distinctive fragrance when a lawn is being mown.

Coumarins have a wonderful effect upon the lymphatic system. They cause a natural contraction of the lymphatic vessel walls, enhancing lymphatic return. This speeds up the rate at which waste products within the lymphatic system vessels are removed via the kidneys.