Herbs
Cinnamomum cassia is an evergreen tree whose bark is used primarily as cinnamon in North America in stick form or ground as a powder. Cassia cinnamon is somewhat bitter, spicy, and has a rougher texture than its more expensive cousin, Ceylon cinnamon. The delicate and sweet Ceylon variety is used more commonly in Asia and [...]
Angelica is a genus of about 60 species of tall biennial and perennial herbs in the family Apiaceae, native to temperate and subarctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere, reaching as far North as Iceland and Pacific Ocean coast of Russia. They grow to 1-3 m tall, with large bipinnate leaves and large compound umbels of [...]
Safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.) is a highly branched, herbaceous, thistle-like annual, usually with many long sharp spines on the leaves. Plants are 30 to 150 cm tall with globular flower heads (capitula) and commonly, brilliant yellow, orange or red flowers. Each branch will usually have from one to five flower heads containing 15 to 20 [...]
What is lotus leaf? What is it used for? Lotus node comes from the lotus, a perennial aquatic plant related to the water lily. It grows throughout the tropical regions of Asia and the Middle East, with light green leaves and vibrant white flowers. The leaves can grow extremely large at times, reaching more than [...]
Essential oil of myrtle is obtained by steam distillation from the leaves of myrtle, which is a large shrub or low tree. Myrtle is mentioned in the Bible and in legends of the Mediterranean and it receives substantial attention in a variety of herbal-healing sources. The ancient Egyptians crushed the leaves and added them to [...]
Syringa (Lilac) is a genus of about 20–25 species of flowering woody plants in the olive family (Oleaceae), native to woodland and scrub from southeastern Europe to eastern Asia. They are deciduous shrubs or small trees, ranging in size from 2–10 m tall, with stems up to 20–30 cm diameter. The leaves are opposite (occasionally [...]
Liquorice or licorice is the root of Glycyrrhiza glabra from which a sweet flavour can be extracted. The liquorice plant is a legume (related to beans and peas) that is native to southern Europe and parts of Asia. It is not related to Anise, Star Anise, or Fennel, which are the sources of similar flavouring [...]
D-glucose or dextrose or grape sugar is the dextro-isomer of glucose (C6H12O6). The molecule is the mirror-image of L-glucose. D-glucose is a simple sugar (monosaccharide) and an important carbohydrate in biology. Cells use it as a source of energy and a metabolic intermediate. Glucose is one of the main products of photosynthesis and starts cellular [...]
Astragalus contains the main active substances triterpene (saponins) and flavonoid glycosides. In particular, in the grass Astragalus is found glycyrrhizin, flavonoids kvertitsina, kaempferol and their glycosides. Astragalus is a source of multiple macro-and micronutrients. Astragalas contains up to 1.5% of selenium – one of the most important trace elements, providing antioxidant protection of each cell [...]
Calamus (Calamus draco) The wood extract from calamus (Calamus draco) is widely used to prevent the appearance of tumors and for promoting good health in the United States, Peru, Brazil and Ecuador. Calamus (Calamus draco) is obtained from the bark and resin. In the Brazilian traditional medicine, "Blood of the Dragon" is used for [...]
This herb is the seed of Coix Lacryma – jobi (family Cramineae) produced mainly in Fujian, Hebei and Liaoning provinces. Whole plant is har-vested in autumn when fruit is ripe. The fruit is picked,husked and dried insunlight. It is usedunprepared or stir-baked until slightlyyellow. Property: Sweet and bland in flavour, cool in pro-perty, acting on [...]
Boswellia sacra (frankincense source), especially when mixed with myrtle oil has the property of deep penetration into the body and a strong cleansing effect. It has been used to heal hard-to-heal wounds, reduces cough, and when in combination with rose oil is used to treat headaches, ear diseases, and to dissolve tumors. Essential oil of [...]