5 Reasons Red Clover is the Herb for You!

5 Reasons Red Clover

Common herbs like Red Clover are often overlooked as useless and pesky weeds. How many times have you weeded this pretty little plant from your garden spaces?

In organic agriculture and permaculture, Red Clover is now being viewed as an excellent cover crop to add minerals and nitrogen to the soil. However, in herbal circles, Red Clover has been praised for centuries as a highly medicinal and vital plant, especially for women and children.

 

Children’s Skin and Respiratory Issues

Long used throughout history for skin and respiratory conditions, Red Clover is a safe and effective option for relieving childhood eczema and whooping cough. A bevy of other conditions, such as colds, coughs, congestion, and bronchitis, as well as psoriasis, and dermatitis can be addressed with the proper use of Red Clover also. Taken as a tea, Red Clover can be a parent’s most useful go-to herb.

Fertility

Red Clover is well known for it’s fertility enhancing abilities. Herbalist Susan Weed explains that “It is especially helpful if there is scaring of the fallopian tubes, irregular menses, abnormal cells in the reproductive tract, or “unexplained” infertility….The high vitamin content of red clover blossoms, combined with the folic acid in the leaves is especially helpful to sperm and egg production and helps prevent birth defects….Red clover’s high mineral and trace mineral content helps restore and maintain good production of hormones. Its profuse and exceedingly absorbable calcium and magnesium help rejuvenate and repair the delicate tissues of reproduction….And red clover’s well-known ability to alkalinize the body may alter the vaginal pH, making it more receptive to sperm, and may create an environment more friendly to sperm throughout the woman’s reproductive area, thus increasing the chances of conception. Consistent use softens scar tissue in the fallopian tubes.”

Menopause

The Iroquois, and other traditional societies, used Red Clover infusions for ‘the change of life’. Now, we know why it works. Red Clover is rich in isoflavones, which are natural estrogens, similar to human female hormones. “Phytoestrogens perform functions in the body similar to those of natural and synthetic estrogens, relieving menopause- and menstruation-related problems and perhaps protecting against osteoporosis and cancer of the breast, colon, and prostate”, says James Duke. Scientific studies have born out the ability of Red Clover to significantly reduce hot flashes, as well as other menopausal symptoms.

Cancer

Many cultures world-wide have traditionally used Red Clover for healing and preventing a variety of cancers. New research has validated these benefits, especially in the case of breast cancer, prostate cancer and brain cancer.

Nourishing and Detoxifying

One of the reasons Red Clover is able to exert such a positive influence on such a variety of health conditions is its nutrient content. It is literally a powerhouse of nutrition. Red Clover contains a multitude of vitamins, including beta carotene, vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, B12, as well as minerals, such as, magnesium, manganese, zinc, copper, calcium, nitrogen, iron and selenium. Additionally it is a good source of plant protein. Likely due to its rich nutrient content, Red Clover is also a powerfully detoxifying plant. According to Herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, it is “one of the best detoxification herbs”.

 

Pleasant and mild-tasting, Red Clover can be combined with Spearmint, Peppermint, Lemon Balm or other herbs to create a delightful daily tea that will keep you and your children in good health!

 

Do you drink Red Clover tea? Do you have a favorite herb to combine it with?

 

 

5 Reasons Evening Primrose is the Herb for You!

5-reasonsMany of you may be familiar with the benefits of Evening Primrose Oil. For many years now, the seed oil of the Evening Primrose plant has been researched, studied and touted for it’s GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) content, which is a precursor of EFA’s (essential fatty acids). Most of the findings of the more than 100 studies published so far show positive results for a broad range of actions from arthritis, skin issues, and premenstrual syndrome, to a variety of inflammatory problems, cardiovascular disease, and immuno-depression.

However, what you may not know about Evening Primrose, is that the entire plant, not just the oil, is used medicinally. Native to North America, this plant has many traditional uses that go far beyond the seed oil.

 

Respiratory Issues

According to Kiva Rose, a Southwest Herbalist, Evening Primrose has been historically used in bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, whooping cough and similar lung ailments. It is an expectorant and very soothing to the lungs and respiratory system.

 

Skin Conditions

Used by traditional peoples extensively for a variety of issues from snakebite, spider bites and insect bites, to swelling, bruising and other itchy skin disorders, Evening Primrose is an excellent vulnerary. The leaves used as a poultice have even been used successfully for burns and eczema.

 

Women’s Herb

Studies have confirmed the abilities of the Oil of Evening Primrose to reduce hot flash frequency, severity and duration in menopausal women. However, in addition to that, the Evening Primrose plant also excels in the ability to soothe uterine and ovarian cramping. Herbalist, Kiva Rose, notes, “It is wonderful for chronic reproductive inflammation and pelvic congestion, especially when used long term.” According to Herbalpedia, A 1981 clinical study at the St. Thomas Hospital in London gave evening primrose oil to 65 women with premenstrual syndrome and 61% of the participants found their symptoms completely disappeared and another 23% felt partial relief.

 

Digestive Aid

Many Herbalists use Evening Primrose for digestive complaints, especially when there is an anxiety or depression related component. Herbalist, David Winston says, “This is one of the best herbs for GI-related depression.” Similarly, Herbalist, Matthew Wood, notes, “Evening Primrose vitalizes the stomach, stimulates the digestion and strengthens the nerve reflexes pertaining to the liver and spleen.”? In addition, Kiva Rose suggests that Evening Primrose is great for food based anxiety in those recovering from eating disorders.

 

Anti-inflammatory Action

Various studies have proven the value of Evening Primrose in benefiting inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and joint disorders. Furthermore, in 1987, the Glasgow Royal Infirmary of Scotland saw improvement in 60% of its rheumatoid arthritis patients who took a combination of evening primrose and fish oil instead of their regular drugs.

As you can see, while the oil of Evening Primrose has a multitude of medicinal uses, the herb itself is an amazingly useful and beneficial remedy in its own right.

5 Reasons Rose is the Herb for You!

5 Reasons(2)

Do you have roses in your yard? Do you enjoy their aromatic beauty? Did you know that not only is the rose beautiful, but it is also a potent medicinal plant?

For centuries, the rose has been thought of as an ornamental plant, prized for its scent and delicate beauty. A gift of roses has long symbolized love, femininity and romance.

However, the delicate nature of the soft, aromatic rose petal is balanced by the intense, protective thorns that line the stems and guard the exquisite blossoms from harm. This gives us some insight to the nature and strength of it’s medicinal qualities.

 

Astringent and Anti-inflammatory

Scientific studies have now born out what herbalists have known all along – Rose is an excellent anti-inflammatory remedy. Because of this action, it is soothing to sore throats, acne and rosacea, as well as burns and swelling. It’s astringent and anti-bacterial nature makes it a very effective remedy for just about any type of wound, along with GI tract infections.

 

Women’s Issues

Traditionally, the rose is known as a woman’s herb. It has the ability to balance the hormones, strengthen the uterus and act as an aphrodisiac. It can be used very effectively to ease menstrual cramps internally and externally.  Its benefits to the skin are multi-faceted. It can not only balance the skin, but moisturize and rejuvenate it as well. It has been used effectively in anti-aging skin products for centuries.

 

Depression and Grief

Rose has the ability to open the heart and bring comfort and calming to those in need. It is incredibly uplifting and can be used to ease both depression and anxiety. It can be useful in any sort of emotional trauma, fear or stress.

 

Nutrient Rich

Containing a wide range of antioxidants, rose petals and hips are a rich source of nutrition. Rose hips not only contain so much vitamin C that in WWII they were used as a substitute to deliver Vitamin C syrup to troops in Britain, but they, along with other parts of the plant, also contain large amounts of Vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, Niacin, Bioflavanoids, K, and E as well as polyphenols, pectin and bioflavanoids.

 

Heart Remedy

Rose is not only good for the emotional heart, but the physical heart as well. It is especially indicated in high blood pressure and/or poor circulation, and in those who experience heart palpitations and hot flashes. It also contains heart healthy pectin.

 

rosehips

I enjoy making a variety of different medicinal remedies from the rose plant. Here is my favorite.

What’s yours?

 

 


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