Franck's Apothecary & Bodywork

Ginger - Zingiber officinale

2011-01-12T09:54:00.000-08:00

Ginger is one of the oldest oriental spices known in the West used as a medicinal and culinary spice. It is easy to grow in a pot and makes a beautiful houseplant.

Known mainly as a digestive aid and treatment for nausea, Ginger also increases circulation, is great for colds and flu as the herb promotes sweating and eliminates waste. Many other benefits of ginger include relief of pain of arthritis, rheumatism, mucous congestion, increasing warmth, decreases inflammation and is helpful with painful periods and regulating menstruation. In some countries, the herb is used for contraception and caution should be used with pregnancy. The lowering of blood pressure and cholesterol is another great benefit of incorporating ginger into your diet or as a supplement as it will help inhibit clotting and thins the blood.

In Ayurveda, Ginger is a warming herb falling into the element of metal relating to autumn, grief, the color white and the lungs, large intestine, skin and nose. In Chinese folklore, the herb was used to protect a new baby and placed in the entry of the home. It was believed the ginger will absorb harmful character traits of visitors to the house. In Medieval times Ginger was used to strengthen the heart, as an aphrodisiac and at a pioneering school in Italy was promoted as a prescription for a happy life in later years.

As with most herbs there are a variety of ways to incorporate ginger into your life on a regular basis including tincture, dried root or powder, essential oil, and fresh root. For more information on ginger and other herbs go to www.herbsandessentialoils.net or contact susan@herbsandessentialoils.net.

~ Susan Franck
Franck's Apothecary & Bodywork

Fennel

2010-07-29T19:32:00.000-07:00

Fennel – Foeniculum Vulgare

Fennel is a hardy perennial herb with yellow flowers and leaves like feathers. Common fennel is often found growing wild near the water in dry soil. Sweet fennel needs rich soil and a lot of water. The plants roots leaves and stems can be eaten but the seeds are the most concentrated. The seeds can be used whole, ground or distilled for oil. In ancient Greece and Rome fennel was believed to give one strength, courage and long life.

Fennel has culinary uses and is also used as an herbal medicine. Fennel is a uterine stimulant used to treat menstral disorders but should not be used during pregnancy. The herb helps with weight loss deadening hunger, gastrointestinal upsets, flatulence, coughs and increases milk production in nursing mothers. The herb has anti-inflammatory properties and breaks up chest congestion to help breathing. Fennel tea can be gargled as a breath freshner, for sore throats and infected bums.

When using the essential oil from the distilled seeds, always use diluted and externally. People with diabetes should use in moderation due to a high sugar content and fennel should be avoided with liver problems.

Susan Franck, Registered Aromatherapist, Herbalist, Holistic Health Practitioner

Website: http://www.herbsandessentialoils.net/ Email: susan@herbsandessentialoils.net

Evening Primrose

2010-05-20T13:18:00.000-07:00

Evening Primrose – Oenothera biennis

Evening primrose, also known as night willow herb and king’s cure-all, is a wild edible plant whose flowers open at night and each flower lasts for one night. Nicholas Culpeper said of the primrose family “as fine a salve to heal wounds as any that I know”. The plant was used as food by the Europeans and Native Americans ate the plant and made poultices with the leaves to treat bruises, wounds, tumors and haemorrhoids. Every part of the Evening Primrose plant can be used. The leaves can be steamed, the roots boiled, the flowers sprinkled on salads and the seeds roasted.

The plant is native to North America and was carried to Europe on ships. During the 17th century the herb was called the king’s cure-all due to the wide variety of ailments the plant was used to treat. Evening primrose grows best in poor, sandy or dry soil that will produce plants with higher GLA (gammalinolenic acid) content than plants grown in rich soil. Oil is extracted from ripe seeds and to take internally and the fresh plant may be used in herbal remedies.

Evening Primrose oil is an essential fatty acid that plays a vital role in health. GLA in Evening Primrose oil is a nutrient required for prostaglandins, cell membranes and brain development. The herb is used for eczema, rheumatoid arthritis, fatigue, nerve degeneration, autoimmune disorders, inflammation, asthma, respiratory infections , migraines and stimulating the liver, spleen and digestive systems. Evening primrose can also be used in treating conditions of deficiencies or imbalances of essential fatty acids for hormone production and regulation making the oil helpful for the treatment of PMS.

The multitude of uses for the plant and oil derived from the seeds makes Evening Primrose an important part of the herbal medicine cabinet and herb garden.

Susan Franck, Registered Aromatherapist, Herbalist, Holistic Health Practitioner

Website: http://www.herbsandessentialoils.net/ Email: susan@herbsandessentialoils.net