Shilajit – Destroyer of Weakness

June 7, 2025 by Jurgen

Shilajit is a thick, sticky, tar like substance that is found in high mountain ranges such as the Himalayas, the Altai Mountains of central and eastern Asia, the Ural Mountains of Russia and the Hindukush in Afghanistan. Shilajit can also be found in Nepal, Pakistan, Mongolia, Bhutan, Saudi Arabia, Australia as well as North and South America.

In its natural state it is found as an exudate from rocks high in the mountains. Because it appears to flow from the rocks the ancients often referred to it as the “sweat of the mountains” or “the tears of the rocks”. The Ayurvedic physicians of India prized it highly as medicine and called it by the Sanskrit name of “Shilajit”, meaning “Conqueror of Mountains”.

How shilajit forms is not known, but it is thought to be the product of the centuries long decay and amalgamation of plants, herbs and minerals found at high altitude in the mountains. Analysis shows that Shilajit is full of many interesting compounds, primarily humic and fulvic acids that are themselves made up of a rich blend of organic molecules.

shilajit

There are over 80 minerals in shilajit including iron, zinc, copper, silver, chromium, selenium, gold and magnesium. There are amino acids such as glycine, lysine, tyrosine and glutamic acid, fatty acids such as oleic acid and linoleic acid, triterpenes, sterols and polyphenols, to name a few!

Shilajit has been used for thousands of years in Ayurvedic medicine and other related systems of medicine such as the Tibetan system. In Ayurveda it is classified as a “Rasayana” substance. This means it is a rejuvenator, renewing the body, preventing ailments and enhancing the quality of life. Restoring strength, energy and endurance.

Rasayana therapy and Rasayana medicines would be given to the elderly or those who had been chronically ill for long periods to restore and rejuvenate; a kind of super tonic. Some of the most well known doctors and physicans in history such as Avicenna, have used shilajit and its use has spread practically world-wide.

If we look for research on shilajit and what ailments it could be used to treat we find an interesting list; heart disease, mental and neurological decline, high cholesterol and blood lipids, chronic pain, high blood sugar, inflammation and allergy and hormonal decline in men and women. Looking at this list we can see that they are all problems that can affect an aging, run down or chronically ill person.

Shilajit therefore may indeed be the Ayurvedic secret to maintaining a healthy body and fighting age related physical and mental decline.

#shilajit #tearsofrocks #sweatofmountains #conquererofmountains #destroyerofweakness

Arnica – Sprains and bruises

April 21, 2025 by Jurgen

The healing properties of Arnica are widely known and it has been used since the 11th century. Arnica Montana 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 Montana and, finding it helped to speed recovery from injuries they spread the word of its success, which has been confirmed by scientific research.

Arnica improves the local blood supply and accelerates healing ❤️‍🩹 taken internally or used topically.

Arnica is taken internally only as a homeopathic remedy, mainly after injury; sprains; bruising; after operations; visits to the dentist; childbirth.

Arnica cream or gel is best known as an effective treatment for sprains and bruises; aches and pains after physical pursuits such as cycling and gardening and for rheumatism and arthritis.

Arnica montana

Passiflora – Anxiety and stress

April 9, 2025 by Jurgen

Stress is an increasingly common factor in modern day lives and impacts both physically and mentally causing sleeping and nerve problems, anxiety and irritability.

The need in these situations is for a mild but effective sedative that will not cause drowsiness or addiction even if taken long term. A number of herbs work effectively on the central nervous system but some like opium are not suitable for long-term use.

Passiflora has traditionally been used as sedative and to help with mild depression. Beauty is, it has no side effects or contra-indications and can safely be taken long-term alongside medication.

Passiflora Incarnata – Passion Flower

History

The passion flower is well known to the natives of South American as a herbal remedy. The plant was also often used in Brazilian medicinal folklore. The passion flower was mentioned by a Spanish doctor, Monardes in Peru in 1569.

The passion flower began to be used as a herbal remedy in the second half of the last century. It is well known as a sedative.

The remedy’s cardio-tonic properties were recognised in France and in Switzerland. During the First World War passiflora was used as a nerve sedative to treat shell-shock.

Forty years later it was introduced to Europe as an ornamental plant, long before the passion flower was included in Europe’s treasury of medicinal plants. Botanists were fascinated by this climber’s inflorescence.

In his book De florum cultura, published in 1633! the Jesuit Ferrari saw in the various parts of the flower all of the instruments of the Passion of Christ:-

The three-lobed leaves represent the spear, the tendrils the scourge, the three styles the nails of the cross, the stigma represent the sponge steeped in vinegar, the corona at the centre of the blossoms resemble the Crown of Thorns, the ovaries on a stalk represent the chalice, the five stamens the five wounds and the stemmed androgynophore is the cup or according to other interpretations the post to which Christ was bound during the flagellation.

The Jesuits also gave the passion flower its Latin name passiflora incarnata, which is made up of the words passio or ‘suffering’ + flos + the ‘flower’ + incarnata which means ‘to make flesh’ re-incarnation respectively.

Habitat and Cultivation

Over 400 species of the Passiflora family are to be found in primarily tropical habitat. The plant can sometimes be found growing wild. The main areas of cultivation are in India, Florida, Italy and Spain.

Botanists and plant lovers were responsible for the worldwide dissemination of the plant, so today species of the plant can be found in all tropical and subtropical parts of the world. Some species are less sensitive to cold weather and can survive European winters provided it is growing in a frost-free area.

Organic Passiflora incarnata is available at Remedies in-store in different applications, tincture drops, tablets, homeopathic pillules and oral sprays to relax.