Categories
Herbs & Plants

Clary sage

[amazon_link asins=’B00QMVK4MK,B005V4ZLNG,B0014UCJPE,B01767OTVK,B002RXG7F0,B00F4L68C4,B0045L7FQ2,B007GNIWK4,B004O25QYA’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’a9bb6159-6dbf-11e7-a7be-e71594ed0645′]

Botanical Name :Salvia sclarea
Family: Lamiaceae
Genus: Salvia
Species: S. sclarea
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Lamiales

Common Name : Clary sage

Habitat :Clary sage  is native to the northern Mediterranean, along with some areas in north Africa and Central Asia.

Description:
clary sage  is a biennial or short-lived herbaceous perennial herb. It grows to a height of  1 to 1.3 ft (0.30 to 0.40 m) , with square stems that are covered in hairs. The leaves are approximately 1 ft (0.30 m) long at the base, .5 ft (0.15 m) long higher on the plant. The upper leaf surface is rugose, and covered with glandular hairs. The flowers are in verticils, with 2-6 flowers in each verticil, and are held in large colorful bracts that range in color from pale mauve to lilac or white to pink with a pink mark on the edge. The lilac or pale blue corolla is approximately 1 in (2.5 cm), with the lips held wide open. The cultivar S. sclarea ‘Turkestanica’ bears pink stems, petiolate leaves, and white, pink-flecked blossoms on spikes to 30 inches tall (75 cm).
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Medicinal Uses:
The plant has a lengthy history as a medicinal herb, and is currently grown for its essential oil.
Like its relative sage, clary tea, the leaf juice in ale or beer, was recommended for many types of women’s problems, including delayed or painful menstruation.  It was once used to stop night sweating in tuberculosis patients.  An astringent is gargled, douched and poured over skin wounds.  It is combined with other herbs for kidney problems.  The clary seeds form a thick mucilage when soaked for a few minutes and placed in the eye, helps to removed, small irritating particles.  A tea of the leaves is also used as an eyewash.  Clary is also used to reduce muscle spasms.

It is used today mainly to treat digestive problems such as gas and indigestion.  It is also regarded as a tonic, calming herb that helps relieve premenstrual problems.  Because of its estrogen-stimulating action, clary sage is most effective when levels of this hormone are low.  The plant can therefore be a valuable remedy for complaints associated with menopause, particularly hot flashes.

It is also used in aromatherapy for relieving anxiety and fear, menstrual-related problems such as PMS and cramping, and helping with insomnia

Other Uses:
The distilled essential oil is used widely in perfumes and as a muscatel flavoring for vermouths, wines, and liqueurs.

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/Salvia_sclarea
http://www.herbnet.com/Herb%20Uses_C.htm
http://www.gapphotos.com/imagedetails.asp?imageno=222286

Categories
Herbs & Plants

Allium Aflatunense

[amazon_link asins=’B000QKXQUK,B06X9475XP’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’05da556d-0f7e-11e7-92b0-bb0002eadf8f’]

[amazon_link asins=’B06XD72LMM,B01LYH32EC’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’ddb7102d-0f7d-11e7-a06e-73d6824bacbc’]

Botanical Name: Allium aflatunense
Family   : Alliaceae
Genus  : Allium
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Species: A. aflatunense
Common Name :Flowering onion, Persian Onion, Ornamental Onion

Habitat :  Allium aflatunense  id native to W. Asia – Soviet mid Asia., it is commonly grown as a garden plant. Cultivated Beds;

Description:-
Allium aflatunense is a 36″ tall bulbous perennial plant with basal, straplike leaves, and hollow, slightly ribbed scapes (flower stems). The flower heads are dense, globular umbels, about 4″ across, made up of numerous star-shaped purplish pink flowers. It flowers in May and June, with seeds ripening in August. It is commonly sold as a bulb.  It is often confused with A. hollandicum.
CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

It is in flower from May to July. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees, insects.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Cultivation:
Prefers a sunny position in a light well-drained soil. The bulbs should be planted fairly deeply. Most members of this genus are intolerant of competition from other growing plants. This species does not have the characteristic garlic smell of most members of the genus. Grows well with most plants, especially roses, carrots, beet and chamomile, but it inhibits the growth of legumes. This plant is a bad companion for alfalfa, each species negatively affecting the other. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer.

Propagation:-
Seed – sow spring in a cold frame. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle – if you want to produce clumps more quickly then put three plants in each pot. Grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter and plant them out into their permanent positions in spring once they are growing vigorously and are large enough. Division in spring. The plants divide successfully at any time in the growing season, pot up the divisions in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are growing well and then plant them out into their permanent positions.

Edible Uses:-.
Edible Parts: Flowers; Leaves; Root.
Bulb – raw or cooked. The bulb varies greatly in size, from 2 – 6cm. Leaves – raw or cooked. Flowers – raw. Used as a garnish on salads.

Medicinal Actions & Uses:-
Antibiotic.
The plant possesses outstanding germicidal properties, all cultures being destroyed under its influence. Although no other specific mention has been seen for this species, members of this genus are in general very healthy additions to the diet. They contain sulphur compounds (which give them their onion flavour) and when added to the diet on a regular basis they help reduce blood cholesterol levels, act as a tonic to the digestive system and also tonify the circulatory system.

Other Uses:-
Repellent.

The growing plant is said to repel insects and moles.

Known Hazards :   Although no individual reports regarding this species have been seen, there have been cases of poisoning caused by the consumption, in large quantities and by some mammals, of certain members of this genus. Dogs seem to be particularly susceptible.

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?Allium+aflatunense
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allium_aflatunense
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/65494/

Reblog this post [with Zemanta]
Categories
Fruits & Vegetables Herbs & Plants

Physalis alkekengi (Chinese Lantern)

Botanical Name: Physalis alkekengi
Family: Solanaceae

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Solanales
Genus: Physalis
Species: Physalis alkekengi
Common Name:  Chinese Lantern,
Other Common Names: Alkekengi, Alkekenje, Cape Gooseberry, Chinese Lantern Plant, Chinese Lanterns, Chinese-lantern-plant, Coqueret, Echte Lampionplant, Guveyfeneri, Strawberry Ground-cherry, Strawberry Groundcherry, Strawberry Tomato, Suan Chiang, Teng Leng Ts’Ao, Winter Cherry.  Bengali Name: Tapari

Habitat: Central Asia through China. Has naturalized in some parts of the United States and many other countries.

Description:
Plant Type: Perennial
Where To Plant: Full Sun to Partly Shady
Soil Types: Average
Germination: Easy
Number of Seeds Per Pack: 50
Physalis alkekengi, grows to two feet tall and bears small, white flowers followed by large, balloon-like husks. Inside each 2-inch long husk is a small edible scarlet fruit. The Chinese lantern plant is valued for its inflated orange-red seed coverings which resemble miniature Chinese lanterns.
click & see the pictures
Largely grown for its vividly colored, orange-red, lantern-shaped fruits which cut and dried are widely used for dried bouquets. Spreads rampantly.

Cultivation:
Plants often self-sow in the garden. Set Chinese lantern plants from 2 to 3 feet apart as they tend to spread rapidly. They are a very strong perennial, hardy from zone 3-9. They prefer a sunny location with well-drained soil.
Propagation: By seed.
Growing Environment: Can be successfully grown in full sun or part shade. Generally likes moist soil so watering is neccessary in drier climates.

Largely grown for its vividly colored, orange-red, lantern-shaped fruits.

Uses: Berries are eaten raw, or in preserves and pies. Recommended for fevers and gout.  Almost always grown as an ornamental for its brightly colored, orange husks (lanterns) which cover the fruit. The lanterns are sometimes used in floral decorations, usually with leaves removed. The fruits are edible and suprisingly, are higher in vitamin C than lemons. Care should be taken though, as all other parts of the plant are poisonous.
For winter bouquets, cut the stems in fall just as the lanterns turn color, remove the leaves and hang them, right side up, to dry in a shady, airy place.
Medicinal Uses:
The plant  has a long history of medicinal uses.

Berries eaten raw or in preserves and pies. Good for fevers and gout.
Physalis is the Greek word for bladder. It provides the plant its botanical name because the pod resembles a bladder; and because of the pod’s appearance, preparations from the red berry in the pod were used in the past as a diuretic and for the treatment of kidney and bladder stones. These medicinal properties have not been scientifically confirmed. It has not been prescribed since the end of the seventeenth centu.

Known Hazards: All parts of the plant, except the ripe fruit, are poisonous.
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.tradewindsfruit.com/chinese_lantern.htm
http://www.piam.com/mms_garden/plants.html
http://www.burpee.com/product/code/46490A.do
http://www.sandmountainherbs.com/lantern_chinese.html
http://www.about-garden.com/a/en/1706-physalis-alkekengi-chinese-lantern-plant-strawberry-ground-cherry/

Categories
Ayurvedic Biotherapy Suppliments our body needs

Shilajit

[amazon_link asins=’B0098TN3NA,B017RM3W44,B01KFVZ5I0,B00MHAVDVQ,B01M0LFFR3,B003NZUYPU,B007LEO626,B005WX1M4S,B01KMXR8ZO’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’finmeacur-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’7637388b-4049-11e7-99fd-cfc1450c8bc4′]

Latin Name:Asphaltum

English Name:Mineral Pitch and Shilajit
Sanskrit/Indian Name:Shilajit

The name
Shilajit is a Sanskrit word meaning “conqueror of mountains and destroyer of weakness.” It is also spelt as Shilajeet, and is known by various other names like Shilajita Mumiyo; Mineral pitch, Mineral wax or Ozokerite in English; Black Asphaltum; and Asphaltum punjabianum in Latin.

Description:
Shilajit is used in the Ayurveda, the traditional Indian system of medicine. Shilajit is a rasayana herb and is an adaptogen. Shilajit contains at least 85 minerals in Ionic form as well as humic acid and fulvic acid. Clinical researches have been in progress and the ancient claims of the drug’s several properties, including anti-aging properties.A similar exudate from the Caucasus Mountains is called Mumiyo but is not considered as strong as the Himalayan Shilajit.

CLICK & SEE THE PICTURES

Origin
Ancient Indian yogis, and practitioners of Aurvedic medicine, on understanding several potent qualities of Shilajit, had attributed divine powers to Shilajit. In essence Shilajit is a natural concentrate of plants of the regions of the Himalayas, and is found in the Himalayan ranges in India, Nepal, Pakistan, China, Tibet, and part of Central Asia and Scandinavia. The flora of the Himalayas is rich and varied, and for thousand of years the plants have come to life, absorbed nutrients from the soil, and then died out. This is a process which has been repeated again and again countless times, and continued for millennia. It is believed that Shilajit found in the Himalayas are the fossilized form of those plants, and the particular biosphere of the Himalayas created them and bestowed medicinal qualities to them. Shilajit, found in the higher altitudes of the Himalayas, are collected during summer months when the ice melts, and Shilajeet lumps are sometimes spotted and collected from the crannies of rocks, and similar places. Shilajit so collected are processed by several drug manufactures and presented in capsule form for human consumption.

Puri (2006) in his book has devoted one chapter to Shilajit. He has given in detail about the study of Shilajit in the last two centuries and the various speculated sources of Shilajit. The Indian workers considered dendroid Euphorbia” as the source but in Ladakh faeces of mountain mouse were considered the source. In Russian literature, it is said to have formed by compaction of Junipers. Scientific studies reveal that it is a humus like compound. Dr Peter Zahler (1998 and 2002) has commented on the relationship of the occurrence of salajit and the Woolly Flying Squirrel and Dr Carman (unpublished) has reported his observations of mammal pellets (Woolly Flying Squirrel and Afghani Pika) in association with salajit deposits in northern Pakistan. These pellets are the so called “pallets’ in photomicrographs described by Faruqi (1997).

Modern discovery:Winston, David & Maimes, Steven. “Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief,” Healing Arts Press, 2007. Contains a monograph on shilajit and health benefits.

Over sixty years of clinical research have shown that shilajit has positive effects on humans. It increases longevity, improves memory and cognitive ability, reduces allergies and respiratory problems, reduces stress, and relieves digestive troubles. It is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and eliminates free radicals. The research proves that shilajit increases immunity, strength, and endurance, and lives up to its ancient reputation as the “destroyer of weakness.”

Technically, shilajit is an exudate that is pressed out from layers of rock in the most sacred and highest mountains in Nepal and other areas. It is composed of humus and organic plant material that has been compressed by layers of rock. Humus is formed when soil microorganisms decompose animal and plant material into elements usable by plants. Plants are the source of all our food and humus is the source of plant food. Unlike other soil humus, shilajit humus consists of 60-80% organic mass.

Click to see:->Shilajit-The True Story of An Ayurvedic Formula

Shilajit is truly an amazing medicine.

Shilajit: Antiaging and Aphrodisiac herb

SHILAJIT -FULVIC ACID Rejuvenation elixir.

Sacred Soma of the Alchemists

The most powerful anti-aging substance and Rejuvenator even known to mankind.Feel the power of growing young.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shilajit
http://www.ayurvediccure.com/shilajit.htm

css.php