Ashwagandha Tonic

July 15, 2021 by Jurgen

ashwagandha

Scientific Name/Common Name: Withania somnifera / Ashwagandha

Part used: Root

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

Overview: Ashwagandha, also known as Indian ginseng and winter cherry, has been used medicinally in India for thousands of years. The plant’s Latin name literally means, “sweat of a horse” due to the scent of the roots. In Ayurvedic medicine, its use extends back over 3000 years.

It was traditionally used as a tonic herb for promoting longevity and treating emaciation and for improving reproductive functions of both men and women. Ashwagandha is considered an adaptogen like ginseng, but is not stimulating. It actually has a mild sedative effect, as the somnifera part of its Latin name indicates.

Traditional Use/Benefits/Body Systems: Traditionally used for debility, nervous exhaustion, convalescence after illness, and as a general tonic; also used for reproductive health, as a nerve tonic to aid sleep, and for memory enhancement.

Insect repellent – Citronella

July 8, 2021 by Jurgen

insect_repellant

Citronella and Lemongrass

The essential oils of citronella and lemongrass are very useful insect repellents. They can be used safely in the home, especially in the kitchen, or outdoors in a confined area, tent etc.

citronella

Simply clean a spray bottle thoroughly, add 10-12 drops of lemongrass or/and citronella to a pint of water, shake well and you have an eco-friendly insect repellent which smells pleasantly of lemons. Or use the mixture in an oil burner to keep flies away.

Arnica Gel for Muscle Pain

June 19, 2021 by Jurgen

The healing properties of Arnica are widely known and it has been used since the 11th century. Arnica grows in the mountainous regions of central Europe, where shepherds reported that sheep and goats would eat Arnica after a fall.

Even the most severely injured animal would soon be back on their feet fully recovered. The shepherds themselves then tried Arnica and, finding it helped to speed recovery from injuries, spread the word of its success.

Generally the herb is now taken internally only as >a homoeopathic remedy, mainly after injury; mental and physical shock; after operations, visits to the dentist, childbirth, etc.; Arnica is best known as an effective treatment for sprains and bruises.

Arnica gel

Arnica gel can be used externally for aches and pains after physical pursuits such as cycling and gardening and for rheumatism and arthritis.

Arnica gel improves the local blood supply and accelerates healing. Arnica gel is made from freshly harvested, organically cultivated Arnica flower tincture.

Arnica’s herbal use as an anti-inflammatory was not widely known. Newest research is proving that Arnica is a very effective anti-inflammatory when applied topically. It helps with painful inflammatory conditions such as arthritis, rheumatism, stiff or sore joints, fibromalgia and RSI.

Research published in “Rheumatology International” demonstrates that Arnica gel is as effective as ibuprofen for topical treatment of osteoarthritis of the hand.