More About American Ginseng

Latin Name: Panax quinquefolium (Araliaceae [ginseng] family)

Ginseng is a low-growing perennial plant with a large fleshy root and a one to two foot high stem. The leaves are divided into three to seven sharp-toothed, lance-shaped leaflets. The scented yellow-green flowers grow in June and July. The fruits, which follow the blossoms, are two-seeded red berries. American ginseng is found from Maine to Georgia and from Oklahoma to Minnesota. Unfortunately, it is now an endangered species in much of this area. Asians highly value the ginseng grown in Wisconsin.

The root, coarsely chopped, is the part used in herbal medicine. A good quality root has first a sweet and then bitter flavor as it is chewed. For most applications, wild-crafted American ginseng is more efficient than field-grown ginseng.

American ginseng is a 'cooler' alternative to Chinese ginseng (aka Korean or red ginseng) for persons who have high blood pressure or for treatment during summer months. It is used primarily for increased mental efficiency, stamina and energy. Ginseng contains components called ginsenosides that stimulate the immune system and fight fatigue and stress. They do this by supporting the adrenal glands and the use of oxygen by exercising muscles.

American ginseng promotes appetite and is helpful for rheumatism, headaches, colds, coughs, bronchitis, constipation, lung problems, cystitis and symptoms of menopause. Native Americans use a tea made from the herb to treat nausea and vomiting. It has also been used as an ingredient in 'love potions.'

Benefits of American ginseng for specific health conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, infertility, diminished sex drive and stress.

All forms of this herb should be avoided if your stomach does not produce enough acid to properly digest food. It should also be avoided by women in the first week of starting a new brand of oral contraceptive. Some people experience insomnia, especially if they also consume foods or beverages containing caffeine. Long term use in an amount over 15 grams per day, which exceeds the normal recommended daily dose, results in a syndrome called ginseng abuse syndrome. American ginseng can be safely taken in the amount of 1 to 2 grams per day in capsule or tablet form or 3 to 5 milliliters of tincture three times per day. Always consult a medical professional before starting any herbal treatment as you may be taking a medication that will interact with ginseng. Be safe, not sorry.

Source: Prescription for Herbal Healing, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

Ginseng Among The Native Americans

The plant now known as Korean or red ginseng was the most popular herb in China for thousands of years. By the beginning of the sixteenth century, supplies of wild ginseng were growing scarce, so the Chinese were forced to look for other sources. Amazingly, an almost identical plant grew in North America, and Native Americans had also put it to the same medicinal uses.

In 1709, Petrus Jartoux, a Jesuit missionary to China, received four pieces of American ginseng after accompanying a mapping expedition. He found himself so reinvigorated by the herb after his exhausting journey that he published his observations in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Father Jartoux noted that he thought the plant could be found in the cold, damp forests of French Canada, similar to the areas of China where it grew wild. Another Jesuit missionary working among the Mohawk tribe in Quebec, Pere Lafitau, read Father Jartoux's account in 1714. Lafitau promptly located the same plant, called gar-ent-oguen, or "man plant," by the Iroquois.

This plant turned out to have the same medicinal qualities as Chinese ginseng. Not only did the Iroquois use the same plant, they used it for the same purposes as the Chinese. By 1748, the Jesuits were selling tons of American ginseng in China for the then-unimaginable price of five dollars a pound.

Ginseng was used throughout North America. The Cherokee of North Carolina called ginseng the "plant of life" and used the root for cramps, dysmenorrhea, and symptoms that we would now identify as premenstrual syndrome. The Potawatomi used ginseng to mask the unpleasant tastes of other medicines. The Alabamans took ginseng for stomach pains and nausea, and used it to pack wounds to stop bleeding. The Creeks used ginseng for bronchial disease, cough, croup, and fever. The Menominee used ginseng as the Chinese did, to stimulate mental capacity and as a general tonic.

One of the most unusual uses of ginseng came from the Pawnee, who combined ginseng with two other herbs into a love potion. Possession of this medicine supposedly served to attract all personas to the holder, regardless of animosities. If the hair of the desired woman was added to the mixture, she was said to be incapable of resisting!

Source: Prescription for Herbal Healing, by Phyllis A. Balch, CNC

5 Tips To Help With Home Recycling

We can all do our bit for the environment, help to reduce landfill site waste, and help others by recycling many of the items in our home not just rubbish but all sorts of items. And once you get the hang of recycling you will find that it is an easy, effective, and useful way to do your bit for the environment.

1. Learn more about what can be recycled. Many people just think about things like cans or bottles when they think about recycling, but you can actually recycle pretty much anything. This includes textiles, rubber, building materials, carton and cardboard, and more. Before you automatically throw something into the garbage think carefully about whether you could actually recycle the item in some way.

2. Familiarize yourself with the recycling bins in the area. There are different recycle bins for different things, such as some for bottles and cans, some for textiles, etc.

3. Go to www.Freecycle.org to find a local recycling group. It's free and fun too! You'll meet new people and find new homes for some of your recyclables! It's easy to do! Just post to your local group what you have to offer - it could be a broken chair, old tv, out of season clothing, car parts or old pots and pans, etc. - you will get a response if someone is interested. Only one catch, you MUST be willing to give it away for free - selling is against the rules!

4. Save on fuel and emissions. Wherever possible, if you have to drive to take your recycled waste to a public recycle bin area try and drop your recycling while on your way somewhere rather than making a special trip. This will save any additional pollution from driving and will save you gas. Better still, if the recycling area is not far then take a walk up there!

5. Encourage kids to recycle by giving them all the monetary proceeds from recycling. Some cities pay individuals money per bag of recyclable material. Your children may get on board with the idea of recycling faster if they foresee cash in their immediate future. Give each child in the family a recycling assignment such as aluminum cans, glass, plastic bottles or newspapers.

Tips for Relieving Tension Headaches Naturally

According to the National Institutes of Health, tension headaches characterized by pain or discomfort in the head, scalp, or neck, usually associated with muscle tightness in these areas are one of the most common forms of headache. Symptoms include dull pressure in the head which is worse in the scalp, temples or back of the neck and is not one-sided. Tension headaches often feel like a tight band or vise on the head and are often triggered by stress, fatigue, noise or glare. About 45million Americans suffer from tension headaches.

"Tension headaches are often caused by structural imbalances", says Link Larson, DC, associate professor at Northwestern Health Sciences University in Bloomington, Minn. "Muscles in the scalp, neck and shoulders get tight and that sends signals to our brain telling us to stop what we are doing."

To ease tension headache pain, Dr. Larson, in collaboration with Mark McKenzie, LAc, MaOM, dean of Northwestern's Minnesota College of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Dale Healey, DC, dean of Northwestern's School of Massage Therapy, offers these tips:

Use self-massage to ease muscle tension. Using your fingertips, gently massage the area around your temples, forehead and ears. Press your thumbs lightly into the area at the base of your skull;

Apply an ice pack to the back of your skull and a hot pad to your shoulders. The ice pack will reduce pain while the hot pad will reduce muscle tension;

Use acupressure by pressing your thumb into the fleshy part of your hand between your thumb and your forefinger. Hold the pressure for 20 seconds. Repeat five times as needed;

Take 40-80 milligrams of white willow bark or one or two capsules of valerian. White willow bark has a pain-reducing effect and valerian is a natural muscle relaxant;

Make a compress of warm water and five drops of essential oils. Lavender or peppermint work well to reduce tension. Place the compress across your forehead or the back of your neck;

Use meditation to relax and focus; and

Consider seeking treatment from a doctor of chiropractic, a licensed acupuncturist, or a licensed massage therapist. "Chiropractic treatments have historically been beneficial in relieving tension headaches", says Dr. Larson.

He adds that while there are many ways to alleviate tension headache pain at home, people suffering from severe or chronic headaches should see a health care provider.


Source: Natural News Service, Northwestern Health Sciences University, January 2006

Rosemary - Rosmarinus officinalis

Rosemary is a very fragrant perennial evergreen shrub that has needle-like leaves. It is easily shaped and is often used as hedges, or pruned into decorative animal shapes for ornamental gardening. During the holidays you can find table top trees decorated that are actually the Rosemary plant.

This shrub is a must for any garden, not just herb gardens. It is said that Rosemary is a companion plant for other herb and vegetable plants. It is also one of the most widely used culinary herbs, with healing properties that are just as vast and widely used throughout the world.

This pungent plant is a member of the Mint family. It has the same kind of uplifting qualities found in Peppermint and in aromatherapy they are often used as a substitute for one another.

Most of Rosemary's current uses have been handed down from ancient times and include drinking Rosemary tea to treat indigestion, gas, bloating and other digestive and stomach ailments. It also helps depression, headaches and cold and flu symptoms, especially affecting the upper respiratory system. Drink to relieve bronchitis, asthma and whooping cough as well.

A Rosemary bath helps overworked muscles and muscle spasms, arthritic joints rheumatism, sciatica and neuralgia. The camphor in Rosemary is what helps poor circulation and its antibacterial action helps heal wounds. It is especially beneficial to inhale the bath vapors when sick. Rosemary blends well with many other herbs to make it easy to prepare a healing bath that is perfect for you no matter what your needs may be.

Rosemary essential oil is easy to use and a little goes a long way. Add to a diffuser when studying to help memory retention, mental fatigue, and treating nervous exhaustion. Add to your shampoo to stimulate the scalp and help prevent premature baldness. Sinusitis sufferers can benefit from inhaling directly from the bottle. It helps soothe the nose membranes while clearing the sinus passages.

Rosemary has high concentrations of antioxidants and substantial amounts of minerals including calcium, magnesium, potassium and more. Considering all the healing benefits of this culinary herb, one should use it all the time and with every member of the family.

Blends well with: Basil, Cedarwood, Citronella, Frankincense, Lavender, Peppermint, Pine, Sage, Sweet Orange and Thyme.

Pure Essential Oil Usage:

Inhalation - For stimulating the mind, fighting fatigue and aiding memory retention. Also good for sinus passages.

Skin & Hair Care - Improves dull skin. For acne, dermatitis, eczema, insect repellent, lice, scabies, and varicose veins. Stimulates the scalp, promotes hair growth, use for dandruff, seborrhea and alopecia areata.

Tea - For headaches, depression, nervous diseases, colds and colic. It has also been used for asthma and other lung and throat conditions.

Bath - Soothe muscle and joint pain. Heal skin wounds and infections.

Massage - Increases blood circulation to applied area. Soothes sore muscles, eases heart palpitations.


Source: It's My Nature, Susan Stewart

Ease Stress With Aromatherapy Massage

Stress is the response that your body has to all the demands made upon it daily. Everyone has felt the effects of a stressful day in the muscles of the neck or back. Whether you have sore or tense muscles, tension headaches or anxiety, getting a massage can really help relieve all that stress.

Research shows that massage is effective care for a broad range of ailments, injuries and conditions, particularly for stress. Studies have shown that massage can help people who suffer with low-back pain, helps breast cancer survivors cope emotionally and physically and eases pain after bypass surgery. It can also help relieve symptoms associated with depression, insomnia, sinusitis and carpal tunnel syndrome.

Aromatherapy massage is a gentle massage using essential oils that are softening, healing, nourishing and rejuvenating to the skin. The general benefits of massage combined with the healing benefits of certain essential oils is very dynamic.

Because essential oils are absorbed through the skin and into the bloodstream, they affect the nervous system, as well as all other systems of the body. Here are some of the benefits that can be obtained massaging with essential oils:

* Improves circulation and lymphatic drainage, and helps to eliminate toxins from the body.

* Stimulates the immune system and strengthens resistance to disease.

* Aids digestion, eases constipation and relieves abdominal spasm.

* Lowers blood pressure and reduces stress levels; can be helpful with insomnia.

* Eases muscular aches and pains and promotes muscle relaxation.

* Releases endorphins, the brain's natural opiates, which encourages a feeling of well being and confidence.

If receiving a massage isn't possible, self massage can provide many benefits. It can be performed in the bath, car, bed, sitting at a desk, etc. The easiest areas to work are the neck, shoulders, arms, hands and feet.

Below are a few precautions regarding massage:

* Do not have a massage immediately after a meal or if you are feeling unwell or drained of energy.

* Massage should not be done over any areas of skin infection, rashes, cuts, sores, burns or varicose veins.


Source: Susan Stewart, It's My Nature, Copyright 2005. Susan Stewart is co-founder and partner of It's My Nature, a home based Aromatherapy business in Florence, Oregon. Providing dried herbs, essential oils and many unique products. Catering to the beginner with small sizes, recipes and an informative monthly newsletter. See It's My Nature's large, informative website at http://itsmynature.net or a catalog is available by calling 1-888-445-5051.