Category: Herbs & Plants

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Bois de Rose (Aniba rosaeodora )

[amazon_link asins=’B00CIJBRH6,B00LT6O07S,B00F9EVWDG,B06XGSBVCY,B006BDAGDQ,B00TGV5UB8,B005GPHTQ2,B006NQV1JY,B00ZAJL7LC’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’bd269990-3f01-11e7-ad47-15be45eaafa7′]

[amazon_link asins=’B0073XV1YQ,B00VX89LBC,B00CIJBRH6,B01M18MSJJ,B000MGOYZE,0124166415,B000Y2SXUS,B018835HXK,B00WMZD6N4′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’b0524f9d-1d9b-11e7-b2a1-c1a1b5889bdd’]

Botanicakl Name :Aniba rosaeodora
Family: Lauraceae
Genus: Aniba
Common Names :Bois de Rose , Rosewood
Common Names in Dutch: Echt Rozenhout
Common Names in English & French:: Car-Cara
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Laurales
Species: A. rosaeodora


Habitat :It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Traditions: Central and South America


Description:
Shrubs to tall trees , evergreen or rarely deciduous ( Cassytha a parasitic vine with leaves reduced to scales ), usually aromatic . Leaves alternate, rarely whorled or opposite, simple , without stipules, petiolate . Leaf blade : unlobed (unlobed or lobed in Sassafras ), margins entire, occasionally with domatia (crevices or hollows serving as lodging for mites ) in axils of main lateral veins (in Cinnamomum ) . Inflorescences in axils of leaves or deciduous bracts, panicles (rarely heads ), racemes , compound cymes, or pseudoumbels (spikes in Cassytha ), sometimes enclosed by decussate bracts. Flowers bisexual or unisexual , bisexual only, or staminate and pistillate on different plants , or staminate and bisexual on some plants, pistillate and bisexual on others; flowers usually yellow to greenish or white, rrely reddish; hypanthium well developed, resembling calyx tube , tepals and stamens perigynous; tepls 6(-9), in 2(-3) whorls of 3, sepaloid , equal or rarely unequal, if unequal then usually outer 3 smaller than inner 3 (occasionally absent in Litsea ) ; stamens (3-) 9(-12), in whorls of 3, but 1 or more whorls frequently staminodial or absent; stamens of 3d whorl with 2 glands near base ; anthers 2- or 4-locular, locules opening by valves ; pistil 1, 1-carpellate; ovary 1-locular; placentation basal; ovule 1; stigma subsessile , discoid or capitate. Fruits drupes, drupe borne on pedicel with or without persistent tepals at base, or seated in ± deeply cup-shaped receptacle (cupule), or enclosed in accrescent floral tube . Seed 1; endosperm absent.

 

click to see the pictures........(01)….


Common Uses: Deodorants/Perfumes * Facial and Skin care *
Properties:  Analgesic* Skin tonic* Aromatic*

Personal Experience, Research, Possible Actions:
Rosewood has a similar nature to Ho Wood and is considered both emotionally uplifting and calming to the mind. Due to its high % of linalol this oil is thought to be deeply nourishing and supportive to the immune system. We use this oil for healing from an infection, cold or flu, as well as for assisting in sleep. Rosewood is a deep sedative.

Rosewood offers the immune system a boost. I use it as a regular part of my preventative health care and feel blessed to have this oil in my life. My favorites uses for Rosewood are in a bath, cream, massage oil, and in shampoo. When I am traveling I will put a few drops on a cotton ball, put it in a plastic bag, and open it up every few hours to smell its woodsy, lightly floral aroma.

Rosewood can be blended with Lavender to relieve a headache. Put both oils into a carrier oil (St. John’s Wort is my favorite for a headache) and rub on the back of your neck and on your throat as soon as the headache begins.

It is also known for its skin-healing ability (antibacterial and anti fungal). I like to steam my face with a drop of Rosewood in a bowl of hot water. Use the same technique for a sinus steam and let your skin soak up the Rosewood.

It has a wonderful anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antispasmodic action and is used for colds and flu, especially when there is muscle pain accompanied with a heavy cough.

Great for insomnia!

Traditional Knowledge:-

*Antidepressant/uplifting
*Analgesic

*Anti-inflammatory – reduce inflammation

*Antiseptic – assists in fighting germs/infections
*Anti fungal – inhibits growth of fungus (Candida, athlete\’s foot)
*Antispasmodic
*Bactericidal – destructive to bacteria
*Cephalic – remedy for the head (in this case, clears the head)
*Immune support – stimulates functioning of immune system
*Sedative

*Tonic – strengthens and restores vitality
*Nourishing for the skin

Emotional and Energetic Qualities:-
*Assists meditation
*Helps prepare for any spiritual healing
*Calms to the nerves
*Acts as an antidepressant

Rosewood essential oil (Aniba rosaeodora):
A sweet, woody, fruity scented oil which is soothing, relaxing, calming and has a tonic effect. Rosewood essential oil is a good general balancer for the emotions, thus it can have good effects when used as an anti-depressant or when used during periods of stress.Rosewood is said to stimulate new cell growth, regenerate tissues and help minimize lines and wrinkles. It can also help with dry and oily skin, acne and scars. Rosewood essential oil can also be a good oil for helping to clear headaches.


Recipe:
Immune Support
10 drops Rosewood
2 drops Lavender
2 drops Ravintsara
5 drops Sandalwood

Blend these oils without any carrier, making a “stock bottle”.  Add drops to a cream, oil, bath or candle diffuser. Put a drop in your shampoo or add to an unscented liquid soap.

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.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail8.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aniba_rosaeodora
http://zipcodezoo.com/Plants/A/Aniba_rosaeodora/#top
http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/33958/0
http://www.aromaticsinternational.com/aromatherapy-essential-oil/rosewood
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=1&eotf=1&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.golkom.ru%2Fbook%2F2_27.html&sl=auto&tl=en
http://www.biopirateria.gob.pe/recurso18.htm
http://www.bio.uu.nl/~herba/Guyana/VTGG/Lauraceae/Aniba/slides/Aniba%20rosaeodora%201.html

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Bai Bei Feng (Buddleja asiatica )

[amazon_link asins=’B00JZAZBNW,B0010WEXOQ,7506287331,B002L25F0A,B0734Z2282,B01MRWXXF3,B01J4MLP4E,B00DTNF8Z2,B000RGFZ4S’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’151486af-6c8b-11e7-bac6-831d4c50387c’]

[amazon_link asins=’B00BFE4JH0,B01NBX4NTY,B0082A3H6E’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’e53d0f7b-6c8a-11e7-8030-676d87d8388e’]

Botanical Name : Buddleja asiatica
Family : Buddleiaceae
Genus : Buddleia

Local names: Alatin (Bag.); amuging (Ig.); anaiop (If.); doknaw (Ting.); dumdumaui (If.); du?galau (Ibn.); lagien-ti-subisub (Ilk.); lagundisalasa (Bis.); malasambung (Tag.); maligus (Bon.); salibug (Tagb.); sambong-gala (Tag.); talikamo (Tag.); tugnang (Ilk.).

Habitat: E. Asia – India to the Philippines. Second growth forest, sandy river banks, grass, savannah, landslips and deserted village sites.Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade.(Malasambung is chiefly found in thickets, in recently cleared places, etc., at medium altitudes, sometimes at sea level and sometimes up to 2,000 meters, from northern Luzon to Palawan and Mindanao. It also occurs in India to China and Malaya.)

Description:
This is an erect,evergreen branched shrub 1 to 2 meters in height. The branches and lower surfaces of the leaves are densely hairy, being soft and smooth to the touch on account of numerous, small, grayish or brownish hairs. The leaves are lanceolate, 5 to 15 centimeters long, pointed at the base, tapering to a sharp, pointed tip, and toothed at the margins. The flowers are white, 3.5 to 4 millimeters long, hairy, and borne in large numbers on ample panicles, which grow up to 15 centimeters in length. The fruit is reflexed capsule, oblong, and about as along as the flower.

 

click to see……(1)..….…(2).……..(3).…….(4).…...(5).…...(6)….
It is hardy to zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from January to April. The flowers are dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required) and are pollinated by Bees, Lepidoptera (Moths & Butterflies). The plant is not self-fertile.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Cultivation.
Requires a sunny position, succeeding in most reasonably good soils so long as they are well-drained. Prefers a rich loamy soil. Plants are very tolerant of alkaline soils[200]. Of doubtful hardiness in most of Britain, it is likely to be damaged or killed by temperatures lower than 0°c. However, one report says that it succeeds outdoors in southern Cornwall whilst other reports say that it might be hardy on a south or south-west facing wall in the mildest areas of this country[11, 166, 182, 188]. So long as the plant is well mulched it resprouts freely from the base if cut back by severe weather. A very ornamental plant[1], the cut flowers last well in water. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Any pruning is best done after flowering. An excellent plant for bees and butterflies. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

Propagation
Seed – cold stratify for 4 weeks at 4°c and surface sow the seed in February/March in a greenhouse (the pre-chilling might not be required for this species). Germination usually takes place within 3 – 4 weeks at 21°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Seedlings are inclined to damp off and so should be watered with care and kept well-ventilated. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Use short side-shoots. Very high percentage. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season’s growth, 15 – 20cm long, October/November in a frame.

Edible Uses
Edible Uses: Drink.

The dried and powdered root is used in the preparation of a fermented liquor.

Medicinal Uses
Abortifacient; Skin.
The plant has been used as an abortifacient and also in the treatment of skin complaints. The juice of the plant is applied as a wash to treat skin diseases.Guerrero states that in Philippines this plant is used locally for abortion. Also it is used in skin diseases and as a cure for loss of weight.

Other Uses

Wood.

Wood – tough, moderately hard. It could be used for making walking sticks.

Scented Plants
Flowers: Fresh
The flowers, which are produced in the winter, have a wonderful strong aroma rather like freesias.

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.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Buddleia+asiatica
http://www.bpi.da.gov.ph/Publications/mp/html/m/malasambung.htm

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Spergularia rubra

[amazon_link asins=’B072MS17QL’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=”]

Botanical Name : Spergularia rubra
Family : Caryophyllaceae
Genus : Spergularia
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Caryophyllales
Species: S. rubra

Synonyms : Arenaria campestris – Auct., Arenaria rubra – L.,Buda rubra – (L.)Dum.

Common names: Purple Sand Spurry, Ruby Sandspurry, Sand Spurry, red sandspurry

Habitat : Spergularia rubra  is native to Europe, including Britain, south and east from Norway to N. Africa and Asia. N. America. It grows on open gravelly or sandy habitats. Sand dunes, heaths and coastal cliffs.

Description:
Spergularia rubra, a dicot, is an annual or perennial herb growing to 0.25m.
It is hardy to zone 0. It is in flower from May to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Flies. The plant is self-fertile.

cliuck to see the pictures….>…...(01)..…..(1).…….(2)…..…(3)....
The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Cultivation:
This plant is often found growing in paving crevices and other impoverished niches in the garden. It is a calcifuge plant, requiring neutral to acid soils.

Propagation:
Seed – sow spring or autumn in situ. Some seed germinates in the autumn in the wild while some germinates in the spring.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Seed.

Seed – cooked. Dried and ground into a meal then used with flour for making bread etc. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails.

Medicinal Uses
Lithontripic.
The leaves are diuretic and lithontripic. The plant contains a resinous aromatic substance that is probably the active principle. An infusion is thought to relax the muscle walls of the urinary tubules and so it is used in the treatment of kidney stones, acute and chronic cystitis and catarrh of the bladder.

It has long been used as a popular remedy in diseases of the bladder. It was shown by F. Vigier (J. P. C., 1879, ii, p. 371) to contain a resinous aromatic substance which is probably its active principle. It is strongly recommended by Bertherand in calculous diseases and acute and chronic cystitis.

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.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Spergularia+rubra
http://www.calflora.org/cgi-bin/species_query.cgi?where-calrecnum=7716
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spergularia_rubra
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/cgi-bin/img_query?rel-taxon=contains&where-taxon=Spergularia+rubra

Related articles
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Sthal-Padma (Land-Lotus )

[amazon_link asins=’B0109PRGRK,B017B04K0M,B00U77VBEU,B00LAFZGQC,B01GIKLQYO,B01H6ESTLY’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’9a1f9a8b-f132-11e6-a616-27e90e3f4bc5′]

Botanical Name :Hibiscus mutabilis
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Malvales
Species: H. mutabilis
Common Name::  Sthal-Padma (Land-Lotus ),Cotton Rose, Dixie rosemallow
Other Names :Confederate rose or the cotton rosemallow

Habitat :Hibiscus mutabilis is native to E. Asia – China, Japan. It grows in the thickets in S. Japan .Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade.  It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Description:
Hibiscus mutabilis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft).   It behaves more like a perennial further north  and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.

CLICK TO SEE THE PICTURES..>.....(01)...(1)…………..(2)...……..
Flowers can be double or single and are 4 to 6 inches in diameter; they open white or pink, and change to deep red by evening. The ‘Rubra’ variety has red flowers. Single blooming flowers are generally cup-shaped. Bloom season usually lasts from summer through fall. Propagation by cuttings root easiest in early spring, but cuttings can be taken at almost any time. When it does not freeze, the Confederate rose can reach heights of 15 to 18 feet with a woody trunk; however, a much bushier, 5 or 6 feet plant is more typical and provides more flowering. These plants have a very fast growth rate. The Confederate rose was at one time very common in the area of the Confederate States of America, which is how its common name was derived. It grows well in full sun or partial shade, and prefers rich, well-drained soil.

Floral colour change
Flowers are white in the morning, turning pink during noon and red in the evening of the same day. Under laboratory conditions, colour change of petals was slower than that of flowers under outdoor conditions (Wong et al., 2009). Temperature may be an important factor affecting the rate of colour change as white flowers kept in the refrigerator remain white until they are taken out to warm, whereupon they slowly turn pink (Ng, 2006).

The red flowers remain on plants for several days before they abort (Wong et al., 2009). Weight of a single detached flower was 15.6 g when white, 12.7 g when pink and 11.0 g when red. Anthocyanin content of red flowers was 3 times that of pink flowers and 8 times that of white flowers. There was a significant increase in phenolic content with colour change. Overall ranking of AOP of H. mutabilis flowers was red > pink > white.

Subramanian and Nair (1970) postulated that anthocyanins in pink and red flowers of H. mutabilis are synthesized independently since there is no reduction in phenolic content. However, Lowry (1976) suggested that anthocyanins are formed through direct conversion from flavonols as they have structural similarities.

Cultivation
Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun. Prefers a warm but wet winter. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is frost-tender and top growth will be killed by even a slight frost. However, the roots are somewhat hardier and the plant can resprout from the base after a few degrees of frost. The plant can probably be grown outdoors in the mildest areas of the country especially if given a good mulch in the winter. It is widely cultivated in tropical and occasionally in temperate areas as an ornamental plant, there are many named varieties.

Propagation
Seed – sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing them as annuals, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well. If hoping to grow them as perennials, then it is better to grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year and to plant them out in early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves; Root.

Edible Uses: Rutin.

Leaves. The leaves contain rutin, but the report does not say what quantity. Root – it is edible but very fibrousy. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour.

Medicinal Uses:
Antiphlogistic; Demulcent; Depurative; Expectorant; Febrifuge.

The leaves are anodyne, antidotal, demulcent, expectorant and refrigerant. With the flowers, they are applied to burns, swellings and other skin problems. The flowers are antiphlogistic, depurative, febrifuge, pulmonary and stimulant. A decoction is used in the treatment of lung ailments.

Leaves and flowers of H. mutabilis are emollient and cooling, and are used to treat swellings and skin infections (Dasuki, 2001). Mucilage from flowers and leaves is used by midwives to facilitate delivery during labour.

Other Uses
Fibre.
A fibre from the bark is used for making cords and rope.

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/Hibiscus_mutabilis
Sthal-Padma (Land-Lotus ) - Hibiscus mutabilis

http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Hibiscus+mutabilis

Related articles
Enhanced by Zemanta
Categories
Herbs & Plants

Kozo(Broussonetia kazinoki)

[amazon_link asins=’0877733988,0939616106,0425149870,0688029175,1585092193,0760707715,0936185929,1439218366,0882681338′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’235a21f1-19af-11e7-9123-d35fdbdb2fa2′]

Botanical Name : Broussonetia kazinoki
Family : Moraceae
Genus  : Broussonetia
Synonyms :       Broussonetia kaempferi – non Siebold.&Zucc.,Broussonetia monoica – Hance.,Broussonetia sieboldii – Blume.

Common names:
•chu   (Source: F ChinaEng ) – Transcribed Chinese
•kozo   (Source: F JapanOhwi ) – Japanese R?maji

.
Habitat: E. Asia – C. and S. Japan, Korea.  Forest margins, low mountains and near houses.
Woodland Garden; Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade

Description:
A decidious Tree growing to 4.5m.
It is hardy to zone 7 and is frost tender. It is in flower in August, and the seeds ripen in September. The flowers are monoecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but both sexes can be found on the same plant)The plant is not self-fertile.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil. It can tolerate atmospheric pollution.

Cultivation
Easily cultivated in a warm sunny position in any soil of reasonable quality, thriving on poor sandy or gravelly soils. Tolerates atmospheric pollution. The young growth in spring, even on mature plants, is frost-tender and so it is best to grow the plants in a position sheltered from the early morning sun. Often cultivated in Japan for the fibre in its bark, the tree is coppiced annually for this purpose. Some plants are monoecious whilst others are dioecious. Male and female plants must usually be grown if seed is required.

Propagation
Seed – no pre-treatment is required. Sown in the autumn or spring in a greenhouse, germination usually takes place within 1 – 3 months at 15°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 8 – 12cm long with a heel, July/August in a frame. High percentage. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season’s growth, November in a frame. Root cuttings in winter. Layering in spring

Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers; Fruit; Leaves.

Fruit – raw. A sweet taste. The fruit comprises a ball about 1cm in diameter with small edible fruits protruding – there is not much edible flesh but it has a lovely flavour. Prolonged ingestion of the fruit is said to weaken the bones. Leaves – cooked and used as a vegetable. Flowers. No more details.

Medicinal Uses
Tonic.
The fruit is used as a tonic to increase vision and sexual potency.

Other Uses
Fibre.

A fibre from the bark is used in making paper, cloth, rope etc. It is inferior to B. papyrifera.

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.pfaf.org/database/plants.php?Broussonetia+kazinoki
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Broussonetia_kazinoki_x_Broussonetia_papyrifera
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Broussonetia_kazinoki
http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxon.pl?312597

Related articles
css.php