Posts Tagged ‘digestion’
What Are Digestive Bitters?
Digestive bitters have traditional roots as medicinal remedies prepared from bitter plants. Typically used to treat digestive ailments like gas, bloating, and cramps, digestive bitters help promote general digestive health. In this post we will cover everything you need to know about the natural digestive aid known as bitters including:
Read MoreSpignel (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…
Read MoreChickpeas, a healthy nutrient bomb
The many health benefits of chickpeas should come as no surprise. For over 8,000 years chickpeas have appeared in cuisines spanning all cultures. As a food, chickpeas or chick peas (Cicer arietinum) are ancient, and they contain lots of proteins, minerals and trace elements. They are rich in B vitamins and fiber, making them a perfect choice…
Read MoreThe Gut Brain Connection
The deep connection between our brains and our guts reflects the concept of interconnectivity. We talk a lot about Hildegard of Bingen’s belief in the interconnectivity of all things in the cosmos. Her understanding of a micro and macro universe, both simultaneously existing within and around each of us. The concept of interconnectivity helps resolve our…
Read MoreHow to make Ginger Tea, but avoid these mistakes
When it comes to the question of how to make Ginger Tea, there are a handful of common mistakes that limit the efficacy of this age-old remedy. Few herbal remedies work as well as hot ginger tea for treating symptoms of the common cold. Here’s what to look for to get the very most out…
Read MoreVervain (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?…
Read MoreHealth 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…
Read MoreFood as Medicine: Heal with Food
The principal of food as the foundation of healing is not unique, and the idea of food as medicine is ancient. Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, said “let food be thy medicine, and medicine be they food.”
Read MoreHealthy Alternative to Coffee
If you’re contemplating a break from caffeine, for health reasons or for a cleanse, there is a healthy alternative to coffee, it is called spelt coffee.
Read MoreHildegard’s Hyssop Leaf
Hyssop leaf (Hyssopus officinalis) is a lovely, easy-to-grow member of the mint family native to southern Europe and Asia. Summer through fall, the plant blooms clusters of violet-blue flowers that adorn bunches of long stems covered in small green leaves. Blooms can also be pink or white. The hardy plant grows in bushes 12” to…
Read MoreBlack Radish- not only as a soup for Colds
The black radish is experiencing a comeback not just as a soup for Colds. Hildegard of Bingen wrote in Physica: “The radish is more warm than cold. After being excavated, it should be left under the ground in a humid place for two or three days, so that its green will be tempered, to which…
Read MoreIntestinal Health 101
It makes sense that so much of pre-modern medicine was centered on intestinal health and digestion. During Hildegard of Bingen’s time, the notion of humoral medicine prevailed. Hildegard believed imbalance among the four bodily fluids caused illness and disease. Conversely, she thought when the four humors are in balance, health is maintained. Intestinal health was Hildegard’s priority, and…
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