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An Interesting Herb Fact
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...
Using Skullcap to Treat Nervous Disorders
Skullcap is relatively
new to the repertoire of European herbs, although it was used in the
Americas by native peoples for some time. For instance, it is said that
Native Americans used Virginian skullcap to treat rabies and some women
used it to help promote menstruation. Skullcap is characterized by
flowers that grow only on one side of the plant, and by small
dish-shaped seedpods. These days, skullcap is mostly used to treat a
variety of nervous disorders. The American skullcap is S. lateriflora.
In Chinese medicine, the related plant is S. baicalensis, or better
known by its Chinese medicine name, huang qin.
The taste of skullcap has alternately been described as dry, cold and
bitter. Many of the parts of the skullcap plant are used for herbal
remedies. The aerial parts are used to create many herbal remedies. The
aerial parts of the skullcap plant are well known for its calming
properties. The aerial parts of the skullcap plant are used to treat
many different kinds of nervous conditions. Herbalists believe that the
aerial parts of the skullcap plant contain properties that also have a
tonic effect on the central nervous system. Thus it is believed that
herbal remedies derived from the skullcap plant are ideal to treat
patients who are suffering from nervous exhaustion. Skullcap has also
been prepared for treating other common conditions. Some traditional
herbalists use skullcap to prepare herbal remedies that treat
premenstrual tension. Skullcap has also been used in remedies to treat
the symptoms of epilepsy.
In Chinese herbal medicine, the root of the skullcap plant is used to
produce certain herbal remedies. In China, skullcap is known as huang
qin. Traditional Chinese herbalists use skullcap to clear heat from the
respiratory and digestive systems. In China, huang qin is also thought
to help ease the symptoms of insomnia. In China, the skullcap plant is
thought to contain melatonin, so this may explain why the plant has
been shown to be effective in easing the symptoms of insomnia. In
Korea, the skullcap plant is also used widely in herbal remedies. Some
Korean research on the skullcap plant has revealed new dimensions to
this old herbal favorite. For example, recent Korean research has
demonstrated that the herb can help combat the development of gum
disease and tooth decay. Some new lines of natural toothpastes have
added the skullcap plant to its ingredients list.
There are many different ways to prepare the skullcap plant into
several herbal remedies. One of the most common ways to take the
skullcap plant is in a hot tea. To infuse the skullcap plant, use only
fresh aerial parts and place in hot water to create a hot tea. To treat
the symptoms of insomnia, it is recommended that skullcap be combined
with wild lettuce or passionflower. A special tincture can be created
from skullcap. Use fresh herb whenever possible. Combine five ml of
skullcap with 10 drops of lemon balm as a tincture to treat the
symptoms of stress or depression. |
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