Healing Herbs

Linden tea benefits and the healing power of linden

The Linden tree (Tilia cordite Mill. and Tilia platyphyllos Scop.) represents love, harmony, vitality and security. Its heart-shaped leaves bring meaning to the symbolism.  In ancient Greece, the Linden tree was considered a symbol of healers. Today healers on the island of Crete, recognize linden blossoms and linden tea benefits among their oldest known remedies….

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hemp seeds benefits 1

Hemp (seeds), a Culinary and Medicinal Plant According to Hildegard

As the decriminalization of cannabis spreads throughout the United States, more sophisticated scientific resources reveal the many health benefits of hemp and hemp seeds.  A longstanding prohibition against industrial or medical use of cannabis contributes to an illusion that we’re just beginning to discover the healing properties of hemp.   In fact, Hildegard of Bingen…

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Meadowsweet Herb, A Natural Painkiller

The name, meadowsweet reflects the herb’s fragrance.  Unlike the offensive aromas of many healing herbs, this unique combination of honey, vanilla, and bitter almond smells appetizing. While, ancient Germanic tribes used the herb to help flavor their honey wine, today we know Meadowsweet offers much more as a medicinal plant.  Like so many of the…

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Willow Bark

Willow bark or Aspirin? – An herbal pain reliever

Willow bark serves as an herbal pain reliever, known and appreciated for thousands of years. Use of willow bark appears in traditional German medicine and naturopathy as a painkiller to address discomfort associated with rheumatism, knee and hip arthrosis, and back pain.  In addition, willow bark acts as a headache natural remedy and moderates the…

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Health Benefits of Gentian Roots

Gentian Root Health Benefits and Uses

Gentian root, is considered the king of the bitter herbs with many health benefits. In tests, it was found that the bitter taste from Gentian can still be perceived even when diluted down to 1 part in 12,000 The yellow gentian root used for medicinal purposes. The gentian flower grows to a height of up…

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Horehound

What is Horehound?

The common Horehound plant, also known as white Horehound, houndsbane, or eye of the star, derives from the mint family, formally known Lamiaceae.  While horehound has a somewhat savory, and noticeably bitter flavor, it remains a close relative of another Hildegard medicine favorite, peppermint.  The horehound plant originally hails from the Mediterranean, but naturalized long…

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Spignel Meum Athamanticum plant

Spignel (Meum athamanticum), a Forgotten Medicinal Plant

Spignel is an old medicinal plant largely forgotten today. There hardly exists any clear reference to spignal in most herbal books of this century. Despite scant recognition today, the history of spignel root includes active appreciation by ancient physicians.  Records of meum athamanticum include recommendations for treating urinary disorders, stomach complaints, joint complaints, and mild…

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marigold calendula flower uses

Marigold (Calendula) flower uses, a proven medicinal plant

Any medieval garden would have been incomplete without the marigold (Calendula) flower. Similarly, traditional farmers recognized the benefits of having these bright, orange-yellow flowers present in a garden. Like a loyal friend, the marigold flower (Calendula officinalis) grow in an uncomplicated manner, promoting the health of their surroundings. The Calendula flower normally bloom from June until…

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vervain health benefits

Vervain (Verbena): a forgotten medicinal herb 

Vervain has a long history as a medicinal herb across many different cultures. We will explore the healing powers of vervain, the many ways you can use vervain as a healing plant, and how to make vervain tea. Read on to learn how this lovely flowering medicinal herb improves health. What is Vervain or Verbena?…

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Cubeb Berries Health Benefits

Cubeb Pepper, a medicinal plant used for thousands of years

Pepper is a familiar herb to most people.  After all, most of us use this spice daily in the kitchen.  However, a variety of pepper, cubeb pepper (Piper cubeba) remains largely unknown in the US and western Europe.  Black pepper appears much more commonly in our diet. Arab doctors first recognized the healing effects of…

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benefits peppermint

Health Benefits of Peppermint

Peppermint (mentha piperita) is a hybrid of watermint (mentha hirsute) and spearmint (mentha spicata). All three plants are native to Europe and the Middle East. They are, however, widely cultivated throughout the world. They are all part of the mint (lamicaceae) family of plants. The mint family includes numerous flowering varieties that have a long…

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health benefits of licorice root

Health Benefits of Licorice Root

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza Glabra) is a perennial legume herb native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. You are probably familiar with the flavor of licorice – or liquorice. But what you might not know is that the health benefits of licorice root go back thousands of years. Modern licorice got its name from the Greek…

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