Elettaria cardamomum - also known as Cardamom, is a member of the Zingiberaceae, or Ginger, family. With a savory, slightly sweet, spicy taste, this herb has benefits for many of our body systems. No wonder it's the third most expensive spice in the world! Let's look at some of Cardamom's therapeutic properties.
Cardamom is best known for balancing the digestive system. It can help reduce indigestion, gas, cramping, bloating, colic, urinary incontinence, kidney stones, nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhea. It can also protect against H. pylori and UTIs, and even help treat UTIs. Lesser known benefits of Cardamom include improving circulation, balancing blood sugar, reducing blood pressure and cholesterol, protecting the heart and kidneys, supporting the immune system, freshening the breath, and lifting the spirits. It can also stimulate the metabolism and increase the production of glutathione and other cancer-preventing enzymatic processes in the body. This herb/spice is versatile in both its therapeutic properties and in its culinary uses. It adds a great flavor to meat and fish dishes, vegetables, several beverages, and even to desserts. I sometimes spice up my morning coffee with Cardamom. To get more in-depth information on Cardamom, check out my Herbal Datasheet section.
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Hops are perhaps best known as a major ingredient in beer, but they have a lot to more to offer in other ways as well. Let's look at a few of the ways hops can be of benefit in our daily lives.
Hops are bitter and pungent, cooling and astringent. In Western Herbalism, they're considered antibacterial, sedative, relaxant, and a digestive aid. Pungent herbs tend to be warming and drying as well as stimulating and dispersing while bitter herbs are cooling and drying and may aid digestion. Hops are cooling and drying. The organs that benefit from hops include the stomach, intestines, heart, lungs, and the central nervous system. Hops are sedative and relaxant -- they may help you relax and feel drowsy. They are also analgesic and anti-inflammatory which may help reduce pain. Have you ever felt sleepy, more relaxed, and in less pain after drinking beer? The hops in the beer are probably responsible. Hops are also phytoestrogenic and may help calm hot flashes in menopause. Beer is not the only way to get your hops. You can make an infusion (tea), a poultice or fomentation, a tincture, or an herb pillow. Hops are considered safe, but do have contraindications for those taking pentobarbital and those who have depression. You can check out the Hops Datasheet for more in-depth information. Elecampane (Inula helenium) is a member of the Aster plant family. Energetically, it's a warming and drying herb that combines bitter, pungent, and sweet tastes.
If I had to use only one word to describe this herb, it would be 'loosening' or 'decongesting' -- it will get stuck, congested systems/fluids moving. Let's look at what this means. If you have a condition like bronchitis, you have a lot of mucus clogging your lungs. If your body is fighting off some kind of invader (aka pathogen), the dead cells from the fight (both pathogen and immune cells) get processed through the lymph nodes. If those nodes get clogged up, your lymph glands get swollen and painful. If your gut biome is unbalanced, your intestines may get clogged up (constipation). All of these are examples of body systems/fluids being stuck. Now, let's make an analogy. Think about a time when perhaps the drain to your kitchen sink got clogged up. At first, you might have noticed the water was draining slower than usual, and eventually, it stopped draining altogether. When that happened, you were left with a sink full of dirty water. Clogged lungs or lymph nodes or intestines are like the stopped up sink. Too much 'debris' has accumulated in the 'pipes' of your body. To unclog your sink, you might try pouring a liquid into the water to dissolve the blockage. If that doesn't work, you might call a plumber who will clear it. Once clear, the water flows easily through the drain. Similarly, to unclog your lungs or lymph or intestines, you might try drinking more water (or other liquids), you might try taking OTC medicines or go to the doctor for prescription medications. When you clear the 'debris', the affected body system starts to 'flow' normally again -- it reaches a point of balance or homeostasis. Elecampane is an herb that can help clear the 'clogged drains' in your body, then help encourage the flow of healthy fluids like mucus. (Yes, we do need mucus, but it needs to be a healthy consistency and quantity.) Elecampane is especially good at helping to clear congestion in the respiratory system (especially lungs) with its antimicrobial properties. It's effect on the lymph system is not quite as strong, but it can still help to stimulate lymphatic circulation. In the digestive system, Elecampane acts as a prebiotic and can help improve digestion and absorption of nutrients as well as reducing gas and supporting healthy elimination. Elecampane is considered to be a very safe herb. As with any herb, if you are pregnant, check with your doctor before using it. If you are allergic to plants in the Aster family, it would be best to test a small amount on the inside of your wrist or elbow before using this herb. Astragalus is a sweet-tasting root from the Fabaceae or Pea Family. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it's considered a Spleen Qi and a Lung Qi, which means it can help improve appetite and digestion as well as boost the immune system to help strengthen those who are prone to colds and flu.
Energetically, it's moist and warming, but may be a little drying. This herb has cautions for those taking immunosuppressive or blood pressure medications, or Lithium or Cyclophosphamide. Can a weed really taste good, and be good for the body? In a word, yes. Burdock (Arctium lappa) is one of those weeds. Let's take a look at this nutritious weed.
Burdock has been used for thousands of years in skin care and to support various systems in the body. Considered an alterative herb ((makes changes in the body to positively affect health), Burdock supports the liver and lymph system, helps balance the oils in the skin, reduces fluid retention, and acts as a pre-biotic. It's full of nutrients and vitamins. It also has anti-inflammatory properties, is a decongestant, and expectorant. Infused into a carrier oil, it may help with strengthening and thickening hair. This herb is sweet with a hint of bitterness, and makes a great addition to tea. You'll find it in old-fashioned Root Beer recipes. It can also be cooked in stew and taken as a tincture. Resources: 1. HerbMentor.com; "Burdock Monograph"; https://herbmentor.learningherbs.com/herb/burdock/ Accessed February 28, 2019 2. NaturalHerbsGuide; "Burdock Root"; http://www.naturalherbsguide.com/burdock.html Accessed February 28, 2019 3. Staughton, John; "Burdock Root Tea - Benefits, How to Make, & Side Effects"; Organic Facts; Last updated August 29, 2018; https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/burdock-root-tea.html Accessed February 28, 2019 |
DisclaimerThe information contained in this blog is for educational purposes only and has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Archives
March 2021
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