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An Interesting Herb Fact
Valerian Herb: Nature's Tranquilizer
The Valerian herb has rightly earned the reputation as nature's tranquilizer. Indeed, this popular herb is known to calm the nerves without any of the side effects that prescription drugs have to offer. The smell of Valerian is known to be strong, distinctive and unpleasant, but this seems a rather small price to pay for the effects of this popular herb. The herb was nicknamed phu by the Greek physician Galen, but its official scientific name is Valeriana officinalis. Valerian is one of the...
The Healing Scent of Jasmine: Herbal Remedies
Created from Jasmine
Jasmine has long been
loved for its wonderful scent. This climbing plant blooms with one of
the most aromatic flowers in the garden. The jasmine plant was first
introduced in Europe in the 16th century and it quickly gained immense
popularity because of its scent. French perfumers especially took an
interest this lovely climbing plant. However, the jasmine plant also
has healing properties. The scented oil that is extracted from the
plant has been used in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic for hundreds of
years. It is also used as a well-known cleansing remedy. In China,
Jasmine tea has been a long-standing healing favorite. The taste of the
jasmine plant is alternately described as astringent, pungent, bitter,
and slightly cooling. The jasmine plant contains alkaloids, including
linalool, as well as salicylic acid. The jasmine plant has many actions
attributed to it. Its flowers have been known as an aphrodisiac, an
astringent, a bitter but relaxing nervine, an analgesic, a sedative,
and a plant which helps encourage milk flow. The essential oil derived
from the jasmine plant is thought to operate as an antidepressant, an
antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac, a sedative, and a uterine
tonic.
There are two main components that are used from the jasmine plants:
its flowers, and its essential oil. The jasmine plant flowers have been
used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. In Ayurvedic
medicine, the jasmine flowers are known as jati, and it is regarded as
a sattvic tonic, which encourages the principles of light, harmony, and
increased perception, all principles that are associated with sattvic,
which is one of the three qualities of health in traditional Ayurvedic
medicine. The sattvic element of the jasmine flower is also thought to
emphasize the nature of love and compassion. The jasmine flowers are
also thought to work as a mild aphrodisiac for women. Jati is also used
in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to reduce fevers and to fortify the
immune system.
The flowers of the jasmine plant are also used to make an aromatic tea.
The Chinese have been using Arabian jasmine since at least AD 300 to
scent teas. The flowers of the Arabian jasmine plant are known in China
as mo li, and they are highly regarded in China as a scenting agent. In
traditional Chinese medicine and practice, the Arabian jasmine flowers
were placed alongside heat-dried green tea so that the green tea would
absorb the scent of the jasmine flowers. These days, commercial tea
makers simply mix the jasmine flower petals with the regular tea.
Jasmine tea infusions are recommended for treating infections, urinary
inflammation and fevers. The jasmine flowers can be combined nicely
with lemon balm or skullcap to create a calming, relaxing tea. A wash
made from infused jasmine tea flowers can also be used to bathe scrapes
and cuts. Jasmine flower compresses can also be made to treat heat
stroke, headaches, or anxiety. Massage oil can also be created by
diluting jasmine oil with almond oil an applying to the skin. |
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