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An Interesting Herb Fact
Goldenseal -- A Traditional Native American Herb with Many Uses
Goldenseal, Latin name Hydrastis canadensis, is one of the most popular herbs used in herbal remedies today. Goldenseal has traditionally operated as a traditional healing herb of Native Americans but it has entered the European herbal cabinet with zeal. Traditionally, the Cherokee used goldenseal as an herbal treatment for indigestion, local inflammations, and to improve appetite. The Iroquois, meanwhile, used Goldenseal to treat heart problems, liver disorders, and whooping cough and to treat...
Fountain of Youth? Sage and Herbal Remedies
Sage has long been
highly regarded for its perceived ability to bestow longevity.
Traditionally, sage has been thought to have the ability to restore
failing memory to the elderly. As one of the most popular of the
memory-enhancing herbs, sage has long been traditionally planted at
gravesites. There are many different varieties of sage. The most
popular forms of sage include Green sage (Salvia officinalis), Greek
sage (Salvia fruticosa) and Purple sage (Salvia officinalis). Most
herbalists tend to prefer Purple sage, although a combination of Greek
and Green sage has also proven popular.
The root and leaves of the sage plant are most commonly harvested to
create herbal remedies. The leaves are known to be particularly healing
for mouth and throat conditions. The leaves of the sage plant are often
used to create gargles and mouthwashes. The leaves of the sage plant
are also known to be estrogenic and drying. This makes the sage leaves
particularly helpful for treating menopausal problems, as well as
during periods of weaning. Many herbalists use fresh sage leaves to
create a bitter digestive stimulant. The leaves of the sage plant are
traditionally harvested throughout the summer months.
The root of the sage plant is also widely used in a variety of herbal
remedies. In traditional Chinese medicine, the root is used to create a
number of tonics. One of the most popular Chinese tonics made from the
sage root is used for "moving blood" wherever there is stagnation. For
instance, these tonics are used in cases where menstrual pain and
certain types of heart conditions, such as angina pectoris, reveal
stagnation. The root of the sage plant is thought of as cooling and
sedative, the root (known as dan shen in Chinese medicine) is used to
reduce heat. It is also used to treat liver and heart problems.
The sage plant has several different applications. The sage plant is
often used in herbal remedies to treat scrapes, skin sores, and insect
bites. In France, sage is quite popular in a cream that treats a
variety of skin problems. The leaves of the sage plant can also be
easily used to create a healing gargle and mouthwash. A mouthwash can
be used to treat gum disease, mouth ulcers, sore throats, or
tonsillitis. However, make certain that the gargle or mouthwash is in a
weak infusion so that it will not aggravate any already-existing mouth
conditions. Sage can also be used in a hair rinse to treat dry hair, to
restore hair color to graying hair, and to treat the symptoms of
dandruff. Simply create an infusion of the sage leaves in water. To
create a healing infusion, use roughly 20 grams of leaves to cup water.
This tonic can also be used as a liver stimulant and to improve
digestive function. Other uses include as remedy for menopausal night
sweats and to reduce lactation during the weaning process. Sage is also
commonly used to create tinctures that can also help treat menopausal
problems. |
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