Named after the stinging hairs that cover the stem and underside of the leaves, this herb is known for having a myriad of uses. A favorite of western herbalists, particularly those from the Wise Woman Tradition, nettles are highly nutrient rich, particularly in Calcium, Magnesium, and Potassium. They are quite tasty when cooked or made into a […]
USED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS AS AN INCENSE IN SACRED CEREMONIES, THIS AMAZING PLANT’S RESIN CAN BE USED FOR MANY DIFFERENT MEDICINAL PURPOSES AS WELL; FROM SKIN HEALING AND WRINKLE PREVENTION, TO INFLAMMATION AND TISSUE REPAIR, THIS MAY BE WHY IT WAS CONSIDERED SACRED. Frankincense, along with gold and myrrh, is one of the gifts […]
Unlike the large red or white Poppy, California poppies are the smaller golden poppies commonly grown as ornamental plants. They too have some of the same effects as their stronger cousins, but because they do not contain any opiates, they are considered to be the safer and less-controversial of the two plants to use. These poppies […]
POPPY VS. CALIFORNIA POPPY The poppy that most people think of are the large red poppies made iconic by the film The Wizard of Oz; it’s Latin name somnifera comes from the Latin somnus, “sleep”, and ferre, “bring” in reference to the plants ability to bring sleep. These are also the poppies that we get seeds from for bagels, hamentaschen, as well […]
MAGNESIUM: THE MIND MINERAL By James Greenblatt, M.D. and Kelly Heim, Ph.D. Magnesium is required for more than 300 biochemical reactions in the body. It ranks fourth as the most abundant mineral in the body, and second to potassium, is the most prevalent intracellular mineral. Its roles in brain function are diverse—it is essential for […]
ROSEMARY HAS LONG BEEN CONSIDERED A SYMBOL OF FRIENDSHIP, LOYALTY, AND REMEMBRANCE. Ancient Greek scholars would wear laurels of rosemary on their heads to help them stay sharp and to keep their memories clear when taking exams. Rosemary was also burned in study rooms to help purify the air and keep the senses sharp. Rosemary stimulates […]
GOLDENSEAL IS WELL KNOWN FOR IT’S ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND IMMUNE BOOSTING PROPERTIES; HOWEVER, IT’S ON THE ENDANGERED PLANT LIST AND IT’S TIME WE STARTED USING ALTERNATIVES, LIKE THIS AMAZING PLANT. Oregon grape is an evergreen herb native to western North America, from British Columbia to northern California. It is a low growing shrub with yellow flowers, purple […]
A Vine for Rest, Reverie, and Nervous System Resilience In the winding tendrils of the Passionflower vine, nature has etched a remedy for restlessness, a balm for the weary soul, and a gentle invitation to surrender. Despite its name, Passionflower’s legacy is not rooted in romance, but rather in spiritual reverence. Its name refers to […]
THIS TASTY ROOT HAS LONG BEEN USED BY ITS TRADITIONAL PEOPLE’S AS A SUPERFOOD, AND ITS POPULARITY IS GAINING IN THE US. Maca is a vegetable that has been cultivated as a root crop for at least 2,000 years, originally by the Inca. Incan warriors supposedly consumed maca before battle as a strengthening tonic. Maca […]
Astragalus is one of the most treasured herbs in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), revered not for targeting any single illness, but for the way it nourishes, balances, and strengthens the whole of the body. Known as Huang Qi (“Yellow Leader”), astragalus has long been seen as a leader among tonic herbs, a plant ally that […]