Month: June 2009

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Herbs & Plants

Columbine(Aquilegia canadensis)

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Close-up of flowers
Image via Wikipedia

 

Botanical Name:Aquilegia canadensis
Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Aquilegia
Species: A. canadensis
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ranunculales
Common Name: Canadian or Canada columbine, Eastern red columbine, Wild columbine
Habitat: Rocky woods.  Avaible  from Ontario as far south as Georga.

Description:
Plant Type: This is a herbaceous plant, it is a perennial which can reach 90cm in height (35inches).
Leaves: The leaves are alternate. . Each leaf is deeply lobed or divided.
Flowers: The flowers have 5 Regular Parts and are up to 5cm long (2 inches) and are up to 5cm wide (2 inches). They are red, orange and yellow. Blooms first appear in mid spring and continue into early summer. The flower hangs and the lower part is yellowish. The shape of the flower is very distinct.
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Grows easily in full sun to part shade. Tolerates a wide range of soils except heavy, poorly drained ones. Will grow in rocky, dry soil in shaded areas and on slopes.

Keep soils uniformly moist after bloom to prevent the foliage from dying back. If foliage deteriorates, cut plants to the ground. Fresh new foliage will emerge and look good all season.

Collect dried seed pods and sow them where you want more plants or simply let the plants self-sow.
Cultivation: The plant is easily propagated from seed and blooms the second year. It is relatively long lived in the garden. It grows well in shade, and in sun with proper moisture. The plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. The cultivar ‘Little Lanterns’ is half the height of the species.

Historical Lore: Young Native American men mixed the seeds with their smoking tobacco to give it a more pleasant aroma and this may have been considered a love charm. It was considered to possess a persuasive power and was so used in council meetings.

Constituents:The root contains aquilegunine, berberine, magnoflorine and other alkaloids.

Medical Properities: —As stated before the medical properties of the plant have never been investigated. They are no doubt analogous to the Aquilegia vulgaris of Europe, which has been used in cutaneous diseases and in jaundice. It is said to be a “diuretic, emmenagogue sudorific, antiscorbutic and aperitive. The seeds are acrid and are taken in vinous infusions for jaundice.”

Medical Uses: Preparations of this plant are used as an astringent, analgesic, and a diuretic. American Indians used crushed seeds to relieve headaches.

The root tea or chewed root and sometimes the leaves, has been used as a diuretic and to treat diarrhea and other stomach troubles.

Warning: The plant could be toxic if taken in large amounts especially to children.(as Aquilegia canadensis contains a cyanogenic glycoside, which releases poisonous hydrogen cyanide when the plant is damaged.)

Similar Species: European Columbine (A. vulgaris) which has shorter spurs on the flowers which may be blue, violet, white or pink has become naturalized in some areas.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.


Resources:
http://2bnthewild.com/plants/H19.htm
http://www.piam.com/mms_garden/plants.html
http://www.abnativeplants.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=plants.plantDetail&plant_id=83
http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/dmna/aquilegia.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquilegia_canadensis

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Healthy Tips News on Health & Science

Wine, Veg & Meat: Key to Long Life

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Want to know the perfect recipe for a long and healthy life? Drinking a goblet of red wine as well as eating adequate fruit, vegetablesand a small portion of red meat  everyday all add up to it, says a new study.
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Previous research has found that sticking to the diet can protect the brain against developing Alzheimer’s and other memory problems, cut the chances of developing heart disease and even reduce the risk of being diagnosed with cancer.

The latest study, which followed 23,000 people, found that those who adhered most closely to a typical Mediterranean diet were 14 per cent more likely to still be alive at tView Posthe end of eight years, ‘The Daily Telegraph‘ reported.

“The analysis suggests that the dominant components of the Mediterranean diet are moderate consumption of alcohol, mostly in the form of wine during meals, low consumption of meat and meat products, and high consumption of vegetables, fruits and nuts, olive oil and legume,” said lead researcher Dimitrios Trichopoulos of Harvard School of Public Health.

Drinking wine had the most benefit on life span the findings suggest, followed by reducing meat consumption and then eating high numbers of fruit, vegetables and nuts.

Source: The Times Of India

 
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Featured

Eat Curry With Turmeric to Fight Dementia

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This Potent Spice Taken as Little as Once a Week Can Fight Dementia

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New research shows that eating curry once or twice a week could help prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The key reason is curcumin, a component of the spice turmeric.

Curcumin prevents the spread of amyloid protein plaques, which are thought to cause dementia. Amyloid plaques, along with tangles of nerve fibers, contribute to the degradation of the wiring in brain cells.

There is evidence that people who eat a curry meal two or three times a week have a lower risk of dementia. Researchers are currently testing the impact of higher doses, such as the equivalent of going on a curry spree for a week, to see if they can maximize the effect.

You may click to see:->Turmeric May Work for Alzheimer’s

Resources:
BBC News June 3, 2009
Royal College of Psychiatrists’ Annual Meeting, Liverpool, UK, June 2-5, 2009

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News on Health & Science

Clean Living ‘Slows Cell Ageing’

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Taking more exercise and eating the right foods may help increase levels of an enzyme vital for guarding against age-related cell damage, work suggests.
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Among 24 men asked to adopt healthy lifestyle changes for a US study in The Lancet Oncology, levels of telomerase increased by 29% on average.

Telomerase repairs and lengthens telomeres, which cap and protect the ends of chromosomes housing DNA.

As people age, telomeres shorten and cells become more susceptible to dying.

It is the damage and death of cells that causes ageing and disease in people.

Several factors such as smoking, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are associated with shorter-than-average telomeres.

Professor Dean Ornish, from the Preventive Medicine Research Institute in California, and his team wanted to find out if improvements in diet and lifestyle might have the opposite effect.

They asked 30 men, all with low-risk prostate cancers, to take part in a three-month trial of comprehensive lifestyle changes.

These consisted of a diet high in fruit and vegetables, supplements of vitamins and fish oils, an exercise regimen and classes in stress management, relaxation techniques and breathing exercises.

Telomerase activity was measured at the beginning of the trial and again at the end.

Among the 24 men who had sufficient data for analysis, blood levels of telomerase increased by 29% on average.

Increases in telomerase activity were linked with decreases in “bad” LDL cholesterol and decreases in one measure of stress – intrusive thoughts.

The researchers say it is too early to tell if the boost in telomerase levels will translate to a change in telomere length.

But there is evidence to suggest that telomere shortness and low telomerase activity might be important risk factors for cancer and cardiovascular disease.

“This might be a powerful motivator for many people to beneficially change their diet and lifestyle,” they told The Lancet Oncology.

Professor Tim Spector, from King’s College London, who has been researching ageing and telomeres, said: “This work builds on what we already know.

“Lifestyle can affect your telomeres. It would be interesting to find out whether it is diet, stress or both that is important.”

“This might be a powerful motivator for many people to beneficially change their diet and lifestyle ”

The study authors

Source: BBC NEWS:15th. Sept. ’08

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Herbs & Plants

Anthemis Nobilis (Roman Chamomile)

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Botanical Name:Anthemis nobilis
Family: Asteraceae
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asterales
Tribe: Anthemideae
Genus: Anthemis
Species: A. nobilis
Common Names: Roman Camomile, Chamomile, garden camomile, ground apple, low chamomile, English chamomile,  whig plant,true chamomile,sweet chamomile

Habitat:Europe, North America, and Argentina.

Description:It is a low perennial plant found in dry fields and around gardens and cultivated grounds. It has daisy-like white flowers.The stem is procumbent, the leaves alternate, bipinnate, finely dissected, and downy to glabrous. The solitary, terminal flowerheads, rising 8 to twelve inches above the ground, consist of prominent yellow disk flowers and silver-white ray flowers. The flowering time is June and July, and its fragrance is sweet, crisp, fruity and herbaceous.
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Roman Chamomile resembles German Chamomile. Both Chamomiles are members of the same family. They have pale green feathery leaves and have flowers that resemble daisies with an apple-like fragrance.

The word chamomile comes from Greek  (chamaim?lon), “earth-apple”, from (chamai), “on the ground” + (m?lon), “apple”, so called because of the applelike scent of the plant. (Note: The “ch-” spelling is used especially in science and pharmacology.)

History
-Has been used for over 2000 years in Europe and the Mediterranean
-Mainly in Europe it was used for medicinal purposes, skin care and teas
-Ancient Egyptians is was a sacred flower and was offered to the sun god Ra
-It is on of the nine sacred herbs of the Saxons called ‘maythen’
-It was used to improve air quality and reduce insect population in homes and walkways in the Middle Ages

Culture
The Chamomile is mentioned in Shakespeare’s Henry IV, part 1 ‘The Camomile; The more it is trodden on, the faster it grows’.

Mary Wesley’s novel The Camomile Lawn was also televised in Great Britain in the 1990s.

Key Qualities: restorative, calming, sedative, relaxing, soothing, warming, balancing, comforting, mild, slightly soporific or hypnotic in large doses

Therapeutic Actions: analgesic, anodyne, antibacterial, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antineuralgic, antiphlogistic, antipruritic, antipyretic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, cholagogue, digestant, diuretic, emmenagogue, febrifuge, hepatic, ophthalmic, sedative, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, vermifuge, vulnerary


Medicinal Uses:
-Skin Care: abscesses, acne, allergies, boils, burns, cuts, chilblains, cold sores, dermatitis, earache, eczema, dandruff, hair care, herpes, inflammation, infection, insect bites, psoriasis, rashes, sensitive skin, sores, stings, teething pain, toothache, wounds
-Circulation, Muscles and Joints: arthritis, capillaries (broken), inflamed joint, muscular pain, neuralgia, rheumatism, sprains, strains
-Digestive System: dyspepsia, colic, colitis, cramps (stomach), flatulence, gastritis, indigestion, peptic ulcers, nausea
-Eyes: conjunctivitis
-Genito-urinary System: amenorhea, candida, cystitis, dysmenorrhea, menopausal problems, menorrhagia, PMS
-Immune System: fever, strengthens the Immune system
-Nervous System: anger, anxiety, depression, headache, insomnia, irritability, nervous tension, neuralgia, migraine, stress-related complaints
-Respiratory: allergies, asthma, bronchitis, cough

It is used for the relief of gastric distress. Peter Rabbit’s mother treated Peter with chamomile tea to alleviate the distress that followed the overindulgence of eating too much in Mr. McGregor’s vegetable garden.

Recommended Daily Dosage
-Three times a day
-3-5 drops externally
-Teething: apply the oil diluted in a small amount of vegetable oil directly to gums using a sterile cotton swab
-Conjunctivitis: add 1drop in ½ cup warm water, apply to eye with a sterile cotton ball. Be sure to use a sterile cotton ball for each eye

Blends
All recipes are mixed with 25 ml oil
-Nervousness: 7 drops chamomile, 3 drops lavender, 3 drops rose
-Sore Muscles: 5 drops chamomile, 4 drops lavender, 3 drops marjoram
-Stomach Soother: 7 drops chamomile, 4 drops ginger, 2 drops cardamon
-Reproductive System: 5 drops chamomile, 4 drops rose, 2 drops geranium

Safety Data
-Nonirritant
-Can cause dermatitis in some people
-Avoid during first trimester of pregnancy
-If client is allergic to Ragweed or other members of the Asteraceae family take extra care

Blends well with the following oils: Benzoin, bergamot, cedarwood, citrus oils, clary sage, frankincense, geranium, jasmine, lavender, marjoram, neroli , patchouli, rose, ylang ylang

Other Uses:
Chamomile is used cosmetically, primarily to make a rinse for blonde hair, and is popular in aromatherapy, whose practitioners believe it to be a calming agent to end stress and aid in sleep.

Folklore
Use of Chamomile dates back as far as ancient Egypt where it was dedicated to their gods.[citation needed] Folk remedies using the plant include treatments for dropsy and jaundice. it was also believed to revive any wilting plant placed near it. The flowers were also used as a dye to lighten hair.

Disclaimer:The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaemelum_nobile
http://www.piam.com/mms_garden/plants.html
http://ezinearticles.com/?Roman-Chamomile—Anthemis-Nobilis&id=2134974

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