February 12, 2013
Ginger is such a staple at my house, especially in the colder months because of its warming capabilities. I cook with it, make tea, use the tincture and essential oil. Ginger essential oil is the best anti-nausea remedy for travel sickness and upset stomach. I always travel with ginger essential oil especially if I’m travelling by boat. I mix it with peppermint essential oil to balance the heat with the cooling of the peppermint which is a great anti-nausea in its own right. It is my favourite combination for travel.
Ginger is very popular in many culinary arts and is also used medicinally as a warming stimulant to treat all kinds of digestive and respiratory complaints. It treats colds, digestive upset, soothes the stomach and is especially good for cold conditions like chills, colds, flu, and poor circulation.
| Common Name
|
Ginger rhizome |
| Latin Name
|
Zingiber officinale |
| Family |
Zingiberaceae |
| Parts Used |
Perennial – rhizome |
| Target Organs |
circulatory, cardiovascular, digestion, liver, stomach, spleen, pancreas, reproductive |
| Common Uses |
Digestion: stimulates appetite, relieves cramps, indigestion, ulcers, constipation/diarrhoea, liver congestion, motion/travel sickness, nausea, heartburn, gas
Circulation: warming, stimulating,
Cardiovascular: regulates blood pressure,
Respiratory Immune: fever, flu, colds,
arthritis, fatigue
|
| Properties |
Antiemetic, anticonvulsant, antifungal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory(local, systemic) antioxidant, antirheumatic, antispasmodic(digestive) antithrombotic, antiulcerogenic, aperient, appetite stimulant, blood pressure normaliser, cardiac, warming carminative, cholagogue, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, stimulating expectorant, febrifuge, hypocholesterolemic, hypolipidemic, immune stimulant, nervine, pancreatic, rubefacient, stomachic, neural peripheral vasodilator, hot stimulant, |
| Constituents |
Sesquiterpene: camphene -50% bisabolene,
Monoterpenes: zingiberene 20-30% pinene, limonene, phellandrene,
Monoterpene alcohols: >.5% gingerol, gingerone, zingebernol,
Sesquiterpene alcohols: |
| Cautions |
mild remedy: Hot stimulant |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 5-10% in formulations
Tea: 2 tsp. Grated fresh steep 10 min
Essential Oil |
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January 23, 2013
The aborigines in Australia used the crushed ‘Tea Tree’ leaves as a tea infusion to treat coughs and colds, and externally to poultice wounds. The aroma is strong, medicinal and powerful.
Apply Tea tree ‘neat,’ which means put it directly on to the skin without diluting it, which makes it ideal to treat wounds and cuts with its astringent and antimicrobial properties. Mix 50/50 with Lavender essential oil for burns and wounds and it is mild enough to use with children.
| COMMON NAME |
TEA-TREE aka Ti-tree |
| Latin Name |
Melaleuca alternifolia |
| Family |
Myrtaceae |
| Country of Origin |
Australia |
| Volatility |
Top note |
| Extraction |
steam distilled from the tree leaves |
| Colour |
pale yellow to colourless |
| Aroma |
strong, pungent, camphor, medicinal |
| Caution Contraindications |
Do not use during pregnancy and on babies under three. May cause skin irritations, always patch test first. |
| Primary Uses |
Powerful disinfectant.It can be applied ‘neat’ (undiluted)
Skin: mouth rinse for gum and canker sores, thrush, cold sores, foot fungus, oily skin, acne, dandruff, athlete’s foot, lice, wounds, infections, warts
Respiratory: bronchitis, coughs, sinusitis, ear, nose, throat infections, colds, flu, strep throat, cold sores
Stimulates circulation and lymphatic system
Insect repellent |
| Properties |
Antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, powerful antiseptic, antifungal, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-depressant, antiparasitic, astringent, circulatory stimulant, lymphatic, stimulating expectorant, stimulant, immune tonic, insecticide, vulnerary |
| Constituents |
Monoterpenes: Terpinenes,a + y-terpinene,
terpinen-4-ol(most antimicrobial activity), a- terpinolene, a-pinene, p-cymene
Monoterpene alcohol:
a-terpinol;
Oxides: 1, 8 cineole,
aka Eucalyptol |
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January 7, 2013
Basil is an annual herb that likes full sun. It is best known for being used in Italian cooking and making pesto
Basil is easy to grow in the summertime either from seed or seedlings. Do not store basil in the fridge it does not like the cold and will turn an off colour. Trim the stalks and store in a pint glass with water on the counter which makes it easier to use in cuisine.
| Common Name |
Basil herb |
| Latin Name |
Ocimum basilicum |
| Family |
Lamiaceae (Mint) |
| Parts Used |
annual herb picked all through summer |
| Target Organs |
digestion, nerves, respiratory, urinary, reproductive system |
| Common Uses |
Digestive conditions: digestive upset, gas, bloating, inflammation, liver congestioninfections, digestive, IBS, mucus colitis, nausea, pain,
Nervous system: tension, stress, nervousness, fever, headache, exhaustion, depression, fatigue(mental, physical)
Respiratory: flu, congestion, coughs, colds, sinusitis, asthma
Reproductive system: infertility, Nutritive
Head: headaches, earache (external use only with essential oil), migraines
Used as insect repellent and for treating insect stings and bites. |
| Properties |
Anti-inflammatory, anticatarrhal, antispasmodic, antiseptic, anti-depressant, antimicrobial, antibacterial, astringent, emmenagogue, expectorant, digestive, relaxant, nervine, nutritive, hepatic, carminative, stimulant, warming, tonic, |
| Constituents |
Phenylpropanoids: eugenol, trans methyl isoeugenol,Monoterpene alcohols: linalool, geraniol,
Oxide: cineole
Phenol: methyl chavicol-40-50% Methyl ester: methyl cinnamate,
Monoterpenes: pinene, camphor, ocimene, mycrene, terpinolene,
Sesquiterpenes: caryophyllene, terpinolene;
Tannins 5%, saponins, flavones, ursolic acid |
| Cautions |
Mild remedy. Do not use during pregnancy |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 2-4ml Tea: 2 tsp steep 10 min
|
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January 7, 2013
There are many flavours of basil and it comes in purple or green varieties. There are many chemotypes of basil, depending on where it is grown, the chemical constituents are different, but they are all used the same way. In India it is called Holy basil.
Basil is a nerve tonic relieving mental fatigue while sharpening the senses, it gives the mind clarity and focus for concentration. The clarifying effects are like rosemary, and it is good to use with rosemary for headaches along with lavender and peppermint. The antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory properties of basil treat digestive and respiratory conditions.
| COMMON NAME |
BASIL |
| Latin Name |
Ocimum basilicum |
| Family |
Lamiaceae |
| Country of Origin |
Europe, Asia, Middle East, North America |
| Volatility |
Top note |
| Extraction |
Steam distilled from leaves |
| Colour |
colourless, pale amber |
| Aroma |
liquorice, sweet, |
| Caution Contraindications |
Do not use during pregnancy. May cause skin irritation. |
| Primary Uses |
Digestion: digestive upset, gas, bloating, inflammation, liver congestionRespiratory: sinus, flu, congestion, coughs, colds,Nervous: Stress, fatigue, mental, physical.Head: headaches, earache(external use only), migraines
Used as insect repellent and for treating insect stings and bites.
|
| Properties |
Anti-inflammatory, antidepressant, anticatarrhal, antiseptic, antispasmodic, carminative, cephalic, digestive, expectorant, emmenagogue, relaxant, stimulating/relaxing nervine, hepatic, stimulant, warming, tonic |
| Constituents |
Methyl ester: methyl cinnamate,Monoterpene alcohols: linalool, geraniol, Oxide: cineoleSesquiterpenes: caryophyllene, terpinolene,Phenol: methyl chavicol-40-50%
Phenylpropanoids: eugenol, trans methyl isoeugenol,
Monoterpenes: pinene, camphor, ocimene, mycrene, terpinolene,
|
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June 4, 2012
The Rose, considered Queen of flowers is a symbol of love and rules the heart. This thorny plant with exotic, hypnotic flowers has a long history of medicinal, cosmetic, and culinary use.
Rose that bloomed today
The hydrosol, also called rosewater is the water-soluble part separated from the essential oil part.
The essential oil is also called Attar of roses. The steam distilled extraction is my choice.
The concrete absolute extractions are solvent extractions of petals and should only be used externally. Rose essential oil is widely used in the perfume industry and it is the most expensive essential oil to buy, but it is worth it.
First Rose to bloom this year
| COMMON NAME |
ROSE |
| Latin Name |
Rosa centifolia, damascena spp. |
| Family |
Rosaceae(Rose family) |
| Country of Origin |
France, Turkey, Morocco, Bulgaria |
| Volatility |
Base note |
| Extraction |
steam distilled from flowers, referred to as otto, attar of roses. Concrete absolute extractions are the solvent extractions of petals |
| Colour |
Otto: greenishAbsolute: orange to red brown |
| Aroma |
exotic, sweet, flowery |
| Caution Contraindications |
Do not use during pregnancy. Do not take absolute or concrete oils internally. |
| Primary Uses |
Digestion: tonicReproductive: impotence, frigidity, PMS, balances female reproductive
Skin: mature, dry sensitive, wrinkles, eczema, allergies
Circulation: heart and circulatory tonic, varicose and thread veins |
| Properties |
antidepressant, antiseptic, euphoric, antispasmodic, aphrodisiac, antibacterial, cholagogue, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, hepatic, laxative, splenetic, stomachic, sedative, tonic, |
| Constituents |
Esters: geranyl acetate, citronellyl acetate, neryl acetate,
Sesquiterpene alcohol: farnesol,
Aldehydes: benzaldehyde
Monoterpene alcohols: Citronellol 15-20%, geraniol 10%, linalool, nerol 15%, cedrol, linlool
Monoterpenes: a+b pinene, limonene, camphene, b-caryophyllene, citronellal, p-cymene
Damask rose: a-damascenone, B-damascenone, B-damscone, B-ionone, rose oxide
|
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June 1, 2012
Oregano is a perennial herb but in colder climates it may become an annual, but it might come back every year. Oregano is native to the Mediterranean region and warm temperate western and south-western Eurasia parts so it likes it hot and sunny.
Oregano grows from 20–80 cm tall, with opposite leaves 1–4 cm long. The tiny purple or white flowers 3–4 mm long grow in erect spikes and in clusters around the stem.
- Oregano about to flower surrounded by Viola flowers
Fresh or dried Oregano is used in Italian cooking and it is stronger than Marjoram.
Consider Marjoram Origanum majorana Oregano’s sister.
| Common Name |
Oregano herb |
| Latin Name |
Origanum vulgare |
| Family |
Lamiaceae (Mint Family) |
| Parts Used |
Perennial- herb picked in spring/summer growing season |
| Target Organs |
Digestion, stomach, respiratory, nervous system, musculo-skeletal, female reproductive |
| Common Uses |
Digestion:digestive stomach upset, gas, bloating, indigestion, inflammation, liver congestion, infections
Respiratory:sinus congestion, infections, coughs, colds, flu, sore throat, bronchitis
Nervous system: Stress, fatigue, mental, physical
Musculo-skeletal: Arthritis, aches, stiffness, pain,
Female Reproductive: balancing, spasms
Culinary medicinal |
| Properties |
Antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (general, local) antioxidant, antiprotozoal, antirheumatic, antispasmodic(digestive, respiratory, uterine) antiviral, anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, astringent, warming carminative, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, diaphoretic, stimulating emmenagogue, expectorant, nervine, rubefacient, stomachic, uterine relaxing/stimulating, vasodilator, |
| Constituents |
Essential Oil Yield: .2% Esters: linalyl/geranyl acetatePhenols:63% carvacrol, thymol,Monterpene alcohols:50% borneol
Monoterpenes:10-40%, paracymene, terpinenes, cymene, caryophyllene, pinene,
Oxides: 1, 8 cineole,
Other: coffeic/ursolic/rosmarinic acids, gum, tannins, bitter, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron |
| Cautions |
Mild remedy in tincture form |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 1-4ml Tea: 1-2 tsp essential oil always dilute |
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June 1, 2012
There are many varieties, species, and chemotypes of thyme which all vary in chemical composition.
CT is short for Chemotypes which are plants that share the same Latin name but have different constituents and chemical make-up due to various factors such as where it is grown, soil, altitude and nutrients.
Thyme has a long history of use being one of the most powerful natural antiseptics known mainly due to the phenol action of thymol. Just like oregano it is powerful antibiotic, having similar phenol constituents, and is a pulmonary and digestive disinfectant.
Thyme stimulates production of white corpuscles which helps fight off potentially harmful microbes and strengthens the immune system.
Thyme
| COMMON NAME |
THYME |
| Latin Name |
Thymus spp. vulgaris, sateriodes CT geraniol, linalool, paracymene, thujanol, thymol |
| Family |
Lamiaceae |
| Country of Origin |
France, Europe, Spain, Israel, North America |
| Volatility |
Top/middle note |
| Extraction |
steam distilled from leaves and flowering tops |
| Colour |
pale yellow |
| Aroma |
strong herb, |
| Caution Contraindications |
Do not use during pregnancy, or with high blood pressure. Very HOT and may irritate skin. |
| Primary Uses |
Digestion: gastritis, colitis, infections Respiratory: bronchitis, pleurisy, TB, whooping spasmodic cough
Immune: stimulant, colds, flu, strep, staph, tonsillitis, infections, fever
Skin: warts, lice, scalp infections;
Muscular: analgesic pain relief, arthritis, sprains, strains |
| Properties |
antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory antimicrobial, antispasmodic (general, digestive, respiratory), anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, astringent, warming carminative, cholagogue, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing secretolytic expectorant, febrifuge, stimulating nervine relaxant, stomachic, vasodilator, vulnerary |
| Constituents |
Monoterpene: p-cyamene aka paracymene;
Phenol: Thymol 45% Thujanol
Monoterpene alcohol: Geraniol, linalool |
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May 29, 2012
Time for Thyme herb!
There are many varieties of thyme and they are all hardy and easy to grow. Thyme is grown in pots year round for culinary, medicinal or ornamental purposes or grown directly in the ground, where it comes back bigger and better every year. There are creeping varieties that grow close to the ground or hanging varieties that hang over and trail down the sides of pots. Thyme is a sturdy sub-shrub and the creeping varieties are a great alternative to lawn grass or to put under other bigger shrubs. Put thyme around walkways or in cracks to keep other weeds out.
| Common Name |
Thyme herb |
| Latin Name |
Thymus vulgaris spp. |
| Family |
Lamiaceae (Mint Family) |
| Parts Used |
Perennial- herb picked in spring and summer growing season |
| Target Organs |
Digestion, Respiratory, Immune, Central Nervous System, Skin, Muscular |
| Common Uses |
Digestion: infections, gastritis, colitis, parasites, diarrhoea, worms,Respiratory: bronchitis, pleurisy, TB, whooping cough infections, cough, bronchitis, colds, flu, gargle sore throats, Immune: stimulant, colds, flu, strep, staph, tonsillitis, infections, fever,
Nervous system: stimulating, depression
Skin: warts, lice, scalp infections;
Muscular: analgesic pain relief, arthritis, sprains, strains
External: wounds, astringent stops bleeding
Culinary fresh or dried
Essential oil use diluted-very hot |
| Properties |
Anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (local, systemic) antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic (general, digestive, respiratory), anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, astringent, warming carminative, cholagogue, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing secretolytic expectorant, febrifuge, stimulating nervine relaxant, stomachic, vasodilator, vulnerary |
| Constituents |
Essential Oil: 1% Monoterpene: p-cyamene aka paracymene; Phenol: Thymol 45% thujanol, carvacrol,Monoterpene alcohol: Geraniol, linalool
borneol;
Other: bitter, tannin, flavonoids, triterpenoids |
| Cautions |
Essential oil use diluted very hot and stimulating. May irritate sensitive skin. |
| Dosage |
Tincture: 1-4ml |
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