Month: January 2012

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Herbs & Plants

Orthilia secunda

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Botanical Name : Orthilia secunda
Family: Ericaceae
Tribe: Pyroleae
Genus: Orthilia
Species: O. secunda
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Ericales

Synonym(s): Pyrola secunda

Common Names : Sidebells wintergreen,One-sided Wintergreen, Sidebells, Nodding Wintergreen

Habitat : Orthilia Secunda is native for Siberia.The plant has a circumboreal distribution, growing throughout much of the northern Northern Hemisphere. It grows in damp coniferous woods and on damp rock ledges.

Description:
Orthilia secunda is an evergreen Perennial flowering  plant growing to 0.1 m (0ft 4in) by 0.3 m (1ft). .Stems are 5-20cm tall with 2-5 bracts (leaflets). from slender creeping rhizomes (underground stems) and the leaves are scatered on lower half of stem.

Leaves  are Short petioled (stalked), 1-2cm.and  the leaf -lade is 1.5-4cm long by 1-3 cm wide, oblong ovate in shpape, with an acute (pointed) tip. the margins crenulate to serrate.

It is in leaf 12-Jan It is in flower from Jul to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects, self.The plant is self-fertile.

click & see the pictures
You may click to see various pictures of Orthilia secunda

Reproductive Parts:
•Infloresence (flower cluster) one-sided. Made of a 2-9 flowered raceme (flowering stalk).
•Flowers small whitish green.
•Sepals 0.6-1mm long, broadly triangular, with fine teeth.
•Petals 4-6mm long edges with tiny teeth, greenish white.
•Anthers (male parts), stalkless pores at tip.
•Styles (female parts), staight, 5-7mm long, protruding from the flower, lacking a ring below the stigma (tip).
Seed:
•Furit is a dry capsule

Constituents:Orthilia secunda consists of tannins, flavonoids, gums, bitters, lemon and tartaric acids, arbutin and saponin

Medicinal Uses:
Orthilia Secunda is recommended by herbalists as an herb for gynecological disorders and inflammations. Orthilia Secunda preparations are used for sterility, bleedings, infantilism, cervical erosion, for menstrual cycle derangements, toxicosis. In some countries Orthilia Secunda is used as diuretics and antiseptics for kidney and urinary bladder inflammations. More than that, the decoction of Orthilia Secunda is used as an eye wash.

It is also used for women’s problems such as: uterus fibromyoma, myoma, barrenness and is a good anti-inflammatory agent.

•Leaves were also chewed to relieve tooth aches.
•Leaves were mixed with lard to make a salve that was applied to cuts for 3 days to stop bleeding and promote healing. (Chipewyan)
•Roots were used as a strong decoction for an eye wash (Southern Carrier)

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/Orthilia
http://skazkarussianfood.com/catalog/root/herbs/1271_orthilia_secunda.html
http://www.flora.dempstercountry.org/0.Site.Folder/Species.Program/Species2.php?species_id=Orthi.secu
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Orthilia_secunda

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Barbarea vulgaris

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Botanical Name : Barbarea vulgaris
Family: Brassicaceae
Genus: Barbarea
Species: B. vulgaris
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Brassicales

Common Names:Wintercress, Bittercress, Herb Barbara, Rocketcress, Yellow Rocketcress, Winter Rocket, and Wound Rocket

Habitat :Barbarea vulgaris is Native to Europe it is naturalised in many parts of North America as a weed.The plant prefers fresh or moist places, on roadsides, along rivers, or on the slopes and in ditches, at an altitude of 0–1,600 metres (0–5,200 ft) above sea level.

Description:
This plant grows to about 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) of height, with a maximum of 1 metre (3 ft 3 in). The stem is ribbed and hairless, branched at the base. It has a basal rosettes of shiny, dark green leaves. The basal leaves are stalked and lyre-pinnatifid, that is with a large terminal lobe and smaller lower lobes. The cauline leaves are smaller, ovate, toothed or lobed. The flowers are borne in spring in dense terminal clusters above the foliage. They are 7–9 millimetres (0.28–0.35 in) long, with four bright yellow petals.The flowering period extends from about April through July. The fruit is a pod of about 15–30 millimetres (0.59–1.2 in).

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
…….…
Medicinal Uses:
The leaves are vulnerary and have been used as a poultice for treating wounds.  A tea made from the leaves is appetizer, antiscorbutic and diuretic.

Other Uses:
Most Barbarea vulgaris genotypes are naturally resistant to some insect species that are otherwise specialized on the crucifer family. In the case of diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) and the flea beetle Phyllotreta nemorum, the resistance is caused by saponins. Glucosinolates such as glucobarbarin and glucobrassicin are used as a cue for egg-laying by female cabbage white butterflies such as Pieris rapae. Indeed, the larvae of this butterfly thrive well on this plant. Diamond back moth females are also stimulated by these chemicals, but the larvae die due to the content of saponins which are apparently not sensed by the moths. This phenomenon has been tested for biological insect control: B. vulgaris plants are placed in a field and attract much of the diamondback moth egg load. As the larvae die shortly after hatching, this kind of insect control has been named “dead-end trap cropping“.

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://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbarea_vulgaris

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Cordyceps sinensis

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Botanical Name : Cordyceps sinensis
Family: Clavicipitaceae
Genus: Cordyceps
Kingdom: Fungi
Subkingdom: Dikarya
Phylum: Ascomycota
Subphylum: Pezizomycotina
Class: Sordariomycetes
Subclass: Hypocreomycetidae
Order: Hypocreales

Common Names: Winter Worm-Summer Grass,caterpillar fungus (English), dong zhong chang cao, dongchongxiacao,  semitake (Japan), zhongcao,  and chongcao (China).The fungus is known in Tibetan as yartsa gunbu or yatsa gunbu.

Habitat : Cordyceps sinensis grows wild at altitudes above 3000 meters in the mountainous regions of China. Cordyceps sinensis, first recorded as yartsa gunbu in Tibet in the 15th Century.

Edible Uses:
Cordyceps sinensis is a parasitic fungus often mistakenly referred to as a mushroom. Though in the western world cordyceps is most often taken in the form of an extract, it’s use as a food source in China dates back many millenia. It was cooked into soups, with poultry, and with meat, and was only consumed by the wealthy and among members of the Chinese Imperial Palace.

Description :
Caterpillar fungi are the result of a parasitic relationship between the fungus and the larva of the ghost moth genus Thitarodes, several species of which live on the Tibetan Plateau (Tibet, Qinghai, West-Sichuan, SW-Gansu & NW Yunnan, all in China, and the Himalayas India, Nepal, Bhutan). The fungus germinates in living organisms (in some cases the larvae), kills and mummifies the insect, and then the fungus grows from the body of the insect.
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
One of the unique qualities of this parasitic fungus is it’s host organism. Most fungus and mushrooms grow out of decomposing plant matter. But cordyceps sinensis is parasitic to the larvae of moths, especially bat moths.

Once the insect has been colonized, it’s insides are filled with mycelium and the fruiting body (stroma) grows out, usually through the head of the host organism. Throughout this process, the outward form of the caterpillar is retained.

It is known as yarsha gumba in Nepal. The Latin etymology describes cord as club, ceps as head, and sinensis as Chinese. Cordyceps sinensis, known in English commonly as caterpillar fungus, is considered a medicinal mushroom in oriental medicines, such as Traditional Chinese medicines and Traditional Tibetan medicine.

Medicinal Uses:
Cordyceps has been used for about 2000 years in the Far East.  It was virtually unknown to the Western part of the world until the Chinese women’s track team broke records in 1993 and was found to be part of their dietary supplements.  It is prized as a male sexual elixir and often appears in tonic formulas, particularly herbal liquors.  It is comparable in cost to good ginseng, and like many tonic herbs, it can be cooked and consumed together with tonic foods.  Traditional sources suggest stewing a male duck with this herb stuffed into its cavities.

Some of the specific actions are: It is very effective in tonifying arrhythmia with an efficacy up to 94%. When the product was applied to 200 different ailments, no toxic side effect was detected;   It helps strengthen the immune system of tumor patients who have received radiotherapy, chemotherapy or an operation. It is remarkable for stabilizing the hemogram, increasing the blood cells and protein for producing blood plasma, and for eliminating the ill effects after various therapies. Furthermore, the product is a synergist for reinforcing the efficacy of radiotherapy.  It provides remarkable benefits for various Climatic Age Illness, Impotence, Emission, Neurasthenia, Rheumatoid arthritis, Cirrhosis, flabby waist and knee.  It is also effective in lowering the lipoproteinemia level, and in preventing Arterio-Sclerosis, Coronary heart disease as well as certain other diseases related to blood vessels of the brain.  It helps stimulate the immune system of the elderly and strengthen their resistance to illness. Frequent dosage can prevent senile disorders.  One of the reasons for aging is due to the insufficient secretion of sexual hormones. Cordyceps sinensis is, in this regard, a hormone stimulator. Morever, the aging effect is to a large extent attributed to the rise of active monoamine oxidize enzyme inside the body and Cordyceps Sinensis can effectively inhibit the rising of such enzyme. Thus, it is an anti-aging medicine which helps regenerate the organic functioning of humans.  After a three-week dose, patients with the aforesaid symptoms would feel promising improvement. In general, this product is a tonic good for bodily nourishment and for stimulating brain activity.  Long-term administration can reinforce the body against foreign attacks, improve the organic functioning, strengthen the immune system and in turn help bring longevity.

Improved insulin sensitivity due to cordyceps has been demonstrated in both normal rats and humans. These effects are presumably mediated by the polysaccharide fraction of cordyceps, and multiple polysaccharides from cordyceps which reduce blood sugar in diabetic mice have been identified. It should be noted that cordyceps should be used with caution by those with low blood sugar.

You may click to learn more about Cordyceps sinensis….(1)…..     (2)……..(3)…

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/Cordyceps
http://cordyceps-sinensis.org/
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00eBNEcqZWMoVM/Cordyceps-Sinensis-Extract.jpg
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://img.tootoo.com/mytootoo/upload/26/268381/product/268381_5672087b5fa1a314dea41c74c864315e.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.tootoo.com/buy-cordyceps_sinensis/&h=368&w=400&sz=47&tbnid=W7YCTkV9OdYkUM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=98&zoom=1&docid=BV0Il1lxUj0HhM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=D9MST8KeDqeYiQLtk-GoDQ&ved=0CHQQ9QEwCA&dur=3285

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Epilobium hirsutum

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Botanical Name:Epilobium hirsutum
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Epilobium
Species: E. hirsutum
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Myrtales

Common Names: Great willowherb, Great hairy willowherb or hairy willowherb. Local names include Codlins-and-cream, Apple-pie and Cherry-pie.

Habitat : Epilobium hirsutum is native to Eurasia, where it is found in moist waste ground of the Mediterranean region, Europe, Asia, and Africa.It is absent from much of Scandinavia and north-west Scotland. It has been introduced to North America and Australia.  Common habitats include marshland, ditches and the banks of rivers and streams. It is widespread, often forming large, long-lived colonies in England, Wales, and Ireland. In Scotland it is confined to the east coast. Intolerant of shade, hairy willow-herb is found in damp and waste places to elevations of 2500 meters (8100 feet).It grows on the stream banks, marshes, drier parts of fens etc, to 360 metres.

Description:
It is a tall, perennial plant, reaching up to 2 metres in height. The robust stems are branched and have numerous hairs. The hairy leaves are 2-12 cm long and 0.5-3.5 cm wide. They are long and thin and are widest below the middle. They have sharply-toothed edges and no stalk. The large flowers have four notched petals. These are purple-pink and are usually 10-16 mm long. The stigma is white and has four lobes. The sepals are green.

click to see the pictures…>…...(01)........(1).……(2)..…..(3).….…(4)....(5)..

It flowers from June to September, with a peak in July and August. The flowers are normally pollinated by bees and hoverflies. A number of insects feed on the leaves including the elephant hawkmoth, Deilephila elpenor.

Edible Uses: Tea..…..The leaves are used to make a tea. This is often drunk in Russia, where it is called ‘kaporie tea’. The leaves are also sometimes sucked for their salty taste. Edible leaves. No more details are given in the report but caution is advised, see the notes below on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses:
The leaves of Epilobium hirsutum have been used as astringents, but there are some reports of violent poisoning with epileptic-like convulsions as a result of its use. This remedy has been discarded by professional herbalists as the use of the leaves has been associated with poisonings and convulsions.

Known Hazards : One report says that the plant might be poisonous. Another says that it causes epileptiform convulsions

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/Epilobium_hirsutum
http://www.kingcounty.gov/environment/animalsAndPlants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification/hairy-willowherb.aspx
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Epilobium+hirsutum

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Epilobium parviflorum

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Botanical Name:Epilobium parviflorum
Family: Onagraceae
Genus: Epilobium
Species: E. parviflorumi
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Order: Myrtales

Common Names :Smallflower Hairy Willowherb or Willowherb

Habitat :Epilobium parviflorum grows  in most of Europe, including Britain, from Sweden to Northern Africa and Western Asia up to India, in USA and Canada.

Description:
Epilobium parviflorum  is a herbaceous perennial plant.

The biological form of the plant  is hemicryptophyte scapose, as its overwintering buds are situated just below the soil surface and the floral axis is more or less erect with a few leaves….

Click to see the pictures..>…..(01)..….(1)…...(2).…...(3)
Epilobium parviflorum reaches on average 30–80 centimetres (12–31 in) in height. The stem is erect and densely covered with hairs, especially in the lower part. The leaves are opposite, unstalked but not amplexicaul, lanceolate and toothed, rounded at the base, 4–10 centimetres (1.6–3.9 in) long. The tiny flowers are pale pink or pale purple, 6–7 millimetres (0.24–0.28 in) in diameter, with four petals, eight stamens and a 4-lobed stigma. Flowering occurs from June to August.  The hermaphroditic flowers are either self-fertilized (autogamy) or pollinated by insects (entomogamy). Fruit is a three-to seven-centimeter long capsule containing very small black seeeds (about 1 mm long), with white fibres that allow the dispersal by wind. This species is quite similar to Epilobium hirsutum, but the flowers are very smaller

Medicinal Uses:
Extracts of this plant have been used by traditional medicine in disorders of the prostate gland, bladder and kidney, having an antioxidant and antiinflammatory effect . Extracts of Epilobium have been shown to inhibit proliferation of human prostate cells in-vitro by affecting progression of the cell cycle.

Small-flowered willow herb has been used as remedies in folk medicine, particularly in Central Europe, for the treatment of prostate disorders and abnormal growths. This pleasant herb and flower tea was highly recommended by Austrian herbalist, Maria Treben, for ailing men with prostate abnormalities.  Enlarged prostate, prostatitis, kidney or bladder disorders, gastro-intestinal disorders, mouth mucus membrane lesions, rectal bleeding, menstrual disorders, cystitis, Preliminary (in vitro) studies at the Prostate Center of Vancouver found that very low concentrations of an extract from small-flowered willow herb tea, in the micrograms per ml level, was among the most active ever seen against abnormal cells and growths of the prostate. Several extracts from Epilobium parviflorum, were evaluated in biochemical assays with 5-alpha-reductase and aromatase, two enzymes involved in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Aqueous extracts displayed inhibition of these enzymes and the active compounds identified were macrocyclic ellagitannins, oenothein A1, B1 and B2, which can make up to 14% of crude plant extracts. Out of a total of 92 plant phenolic extracts tested, small-flowered willow herb was also found to have high antioxidant activity.  Small-flowered willow herb tea is also recommended for treating urinary tract infections in women. Take as a tea for oral, vaginal, and intestinal candidias.  An ingredient of Swedish bitters.

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/Epilobium_parviflorum
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_UZ.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Epilobium_parviflorum_0.7_R.jpg

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