Weeds & Seeds Swap

Herbs and Christmas come together when I think about the gifts the wise men brought to Jesus according to the biblical accounts of Christ’s birth.  Two were herbal, and one isn’t an herb, but does have medicinal properties.

Frankincense is a resin that is very aromatic, taken from a tree with the botanical name Boswellia carterii. Frankincense has been used since ancient times and is associated with spiritual things and meditation, which may be why the wise men thought it an appropriate gift to give to Jesus and his family. I have Frankincense essential oil on hand.

Myrrh, and is a medicinal herb we have discussed already on this blog, you can find a link to the post in the listing to the upper right of this blog, I list all single herbs alphabetically as they are posted so that they are easy for you to find.

Gold, the final precious gift of the wise men, also has medicinal properties. Here is an article I just found on Gold provided by The Whole Food Farmacy, a wonderful source of medicinal grade Gold in their “Joule” and “Heart of Gold”:

The earliest records of the use of gold for medicinal and healing purposes come from Alexandria, Egypt. Over 5,000 years ago, the Egyptians ingested gold for mental, bodily and spiritual purification. The ancients believed that gold in the body worked by stimulating the life force and raising the level of vibration on all levels.

The Alchemists of Alexandria developed an “elixir” made of liquid gold. They believed that gold was a mystical metal that represented the perfection of matter, and that its presence in the body would enliven, rejuvenate, and cure a multitude of diseases as well as restore youth and perfect health.

As many as 4,500 years ago, the Egyptians used gold in dentistry. Remarkable examples of its early use have been found by modern archaeologists. Still in favor today as an ideal material for dental work, approximately 13 tons of gold are used each year for crowns, bridges, inlays and dentures. Gold is ideal for these purposes because it is non-toxic, can be shaped easily, and never wears, corrodes or tarnishes.

Historically, medicinal gold has had a reputation as a “nervine,” a therapy for nervous disorders. A review of the historical literature shows gold in use during the 19^th century for conditions including depression, epilepsy, migraine, and glandular problems including amenorrhea and impotence.

The most notable use of gold was in a treatment for alcoholism developed by Leslie E. Keeley, M.D. Gold has been used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases for more than 75 years, but until now, the way that gold worked has remained a mystery.

Harvard Medical researchers report in the February 27^th, 2006 issue of Nature Chemical Biology that gold, platinum, and other classes of medicinal metals work by stripping bacteria and virus particles from the grasp of a key immune system protein. “We were searching for a new drug to treat autoimmune diseases,” says Brian DeDecker, PhD, “but instead we discovered a biochemical mechanism that may help explain how an old drug works.”

Once again, modern science has confirmed what the ancients seem to have known all along – that gold is indeed a very precious metal. At The Wholefood Farmacy, we are proud to offer two exclusive products which offer an easy and delicious way to bring this ancient wisdom into your life today, “Joule” & “Heart of Gold”.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas and offer my best wishes for the coming New Year.

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

I remember being so excited when we were on a trip to Hawaii when we came upon a Noni tree with fruit in the wild. Thinking back, I don’t know if my actions were legal, but I picked one of the fruits, with the intention of taking it home and showing it to friends who were drinking Noni juice.

The day came to go home, and when we got to the airport, and went through customs, I was asked if I had any plants or animals, so I showed them the Noni fruit, only to find that I could not take it home with me. How disappointing. So this picture is the next best thing to being able to show you my noni fruit.

If you know much about supplement companies at all, you will know that there is one that is completely devoted to one type of Noni. I am not involved with that company, but do have available to me, and to my clients, Noni, or Morinda citrifolia fruit juice.

The medicinal properties in the juice made from the fruit are said to benefit the Immune, Structural, Nervous, Digestive, Intestinal, and Respiratory system…wow, that is a lot! It contains many phytonutrients which nourish the cells, organs and tissues, and antioxidants that battle against free-radical damage. This is beneficial to the skin and joints, and to the body as a whole.

This source of Noni Juice is sold as two 32 oz. bottles and lasts a long time, as you don’t consume a lot each day.

This herb is found in the tropical rain forests of South America. If you look at the picture to the right, you’ll see where “Una de Gato” gets its common name, “Cat’s Claw”.

The variety of Una de Gato we are looking at is Uncaria tomentosa, it’s medicinal properties more focused on stimulating the immune system. There is another variety that goes by the scientific name Uncaria guianensis, which studies seem to indicate benefits those who suffer from conditions such as arthritis.

The parts most often used are the inner bark and roots. The may be sold in capsule, extract or tea form depending upon your shopping source.

Here are a few products that may interest you which contain Una de Gato:

Una de Gato (Cat’s Claw) (Blend, Encapsulated)
Glucosamine
Everybody’s Fiber

I have enjoyed this pretty plant in my garden, as well as come across it in the wild during “herb walks”. It is not hard to grow, and spreads if it is happy in it’s location. Though native of the Western United States, it can generally be found throughout the country.

There is a legend that states that yarrow’s virtues were discovered by the hero of Greek mythology, Achilles, from which the genus name Achillea, is derived.

The medicinal variety of Yarrow goes by the botanical name  Achillea millefolium and contains an alkaloid called achillein, as well as flavonoids, volitile oils, potassium, calcium salts and tannin. It has an astringent affect, making it helpful in tightening the tissues.

Yarrow provides nutritional support to the mucous membranes, and is soothing to the digestive system, so used alone, it is said to benefit the respiratory and digestive systems. It is a close relative to chamomile in it’s botanical and chemical makeup.

Here are a few Herbal Remedies that contain Yarrow:

• Yarrow
• Bone/Skin Poultice
• Lymph Gland Cleanser
• Joint Support

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

Need references for any of these claims? Please email me and ask!

This is a plant that we saw growing in the wild and in gardens over a year ago when we took a driving trip out west to my husband’s family in Colorado.

The plants are abundant in the west and southwestern US and in Mexico. This particular variety of yucca is Yucca baccata, or “Banana Yucca” for the shape of the fruits on the plant. There several varieties of Yucca, and several uses.

Native Americans have used the leaves in weaving, or the frayed ends of leaves as paint brushes. The roots & leaves of some varieties of yucca plants provides a soapy substance used as a foaming cleanser, so it is often called “soap plant”…the roots must be pounded to bring out the foamy substance. You can also find this soapy substance in the leaves…rub shredded leaves between your hands with water. The lathering ability comes from large amounts of the steroid, saponin. It is this same property that helps support the structural system by providing anti-inflammatory properties. Many use it to ease joint pain, and reduce arthritic inflammation.

Some eat the root by cubing, boiling until soft, mashing and eating with butter, salt and pepper…and fruits of some varieties of yucca can be eaten, but make VERY sure you know your plants well before ever trying to eat any herb.

You can click to view “Joint Support” and just plain Yucca, two things that I have used.

If you would like a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me an email. Thanks!

Need references for any of these claims? Please email me and ask!

Isn’t this a beautiful picture of an Amish farmer turning the soil in his Alfalfa field? Alfalfa is food for both animal and man. Alfalfa hay is used to feed horses and farm animals, we even used it to feed our our little pet guinea pigs.

But Alfalfa is wonderful for people, too. Like Aloe Vera discussed in an earlier post, it is an herb that many know about. It is able to draw nutrients from deep within fertile soil because of its deep root system. For hundreds of years the herb has been used in folk medicine for inflammation, arthritis, and rheumatism. Because the nutrient content is good for many things in the body, it is considered a body tonic herb.

Among the nutrients pulled up into the leaves from the soil, and taken in from the sun, are:

• Protein
• Fat
• Beta carotene
• Vitamins E, B1, B2, C, D and K
• Isoflavonoid phytoalexins
• Isoflavone phytoestrogens
• Alkaloids asperagine and trigonelline
• RICH source of Chlorophyll

There are studies that show that the herb reduces cholesterol absorption and the formation of plaque in arteries. The herb is said to have blood purifying properties, aids in some reduction of cholesterol level, and relaxes smooth muscles. It can help reduce blood sugar levels and help balance the good bacteria in the digestive system. (Contact me if you would like study sources.)

Alfalfa is the source of chlorophyll in something I like to add to my drinking water called “Liquid Chlorophyll“. 

Alfalfa is available on every herbal supplement shelf.

If you are interested in receiving a fact sheet about any of the items marked in red, please send me a request by email. Thank you!