Arnica, Calendula and Bellis are three botanical genera belonging to the Asteraceae (or Compositae, old name) family. Asteraceae is one of the two largest genera in Spermatophytae (plants that reproduces through seed), together with Orchidaceae, because these two genera contain the greatest number of species. Due to the large number of species, the whole family has been subdivided into 13 …
Categoria: Herbs
The forgotten healer: teasel
In the past, teasel (Dipsacus fullonum L.) was a greatly esteemed plant, while nowadays it is quite completely forgotten. Since the Ancient Egyptians times, its infructescences were used in wool carding. Unlike plastic and steel tools, the teasel allows a “finer” processing of the wool and prevents its fibers being broken. Human selection over the centuries, aimed at obtaining more …
Wild carrot: the flower of “clear vision”
Wild carrot (Daucus carota L.) is native to temperate climate zones of Europe and South-West Asia, but now present also in North America and Australia. Its flower can be seen almost everywhere during the summer (it’s in flower from April to October), especially in the meadows, along the roadsides, in the uncultivated fields and more generally in arid environments, from …
Vervain: a plant for the Spirit Warriors
The Spirit Warriors are fiery men and women that fought a thousand battles and were wounded a thousand times. Even though they operate on the plane of the physycal reality, their hearts and minds dwell in the Light, and from the Light they draw their Force and their Vision. Sometimes, the connection with the Light becomes faint, and then the …
Persian Silktree
The Persian silk tree or Silktree (Albizia julibrissin Durazz.), mostly used as an ornamental tree for its elegant and beautiful flowers, is also used as a medicinal plant both in Traditional Chinese medicine and in western herbalism for its healing properties. It calms the spirit, uplifts the mood, and treats depression and grief (for eample, due to the loss of …
Prickly lettuce
Prickly lettuce (Lactuca serriola L. or Lactuca sativa L. subsp. serriola (L.) Galasso, Banfi, Bartolucci & Ardenghi) is edible in small quantities: few leaves (when young) are usually mixed with other wild or cultivated leaves, making a tasteful and mellow salad. The slightly bitter taste is quite pleasant. When the stalks and leaves are cut, the plants secretes a white …
Red Beetroot
Red beetroot is an extremely interesting vegetable, since, besides being tasteful, has several important effects on our body. Simply eating it, we increase the in vivo nitric oxide (NO) availability and this has emerged as a potential strategy to prevent and manage pathologies associated with diminished NO bioavailability, notably hypertension and reduced endothelial function. Beetroot is also being considered as …
Nettle seeds
Stinging Nettle’s has a remarkable ability to rebuild and restore. Dried immature seed, when taken (chewed well, or ground) orally, promotes a sense of clarity, wellness, heightened energy levels, reduced stress and seemingly increased lung capacity. They are especially effective for those suffering from severe burnout, resulting in profound fatigue, brain fog, chronic pain and alternating feelings of depression and …