AUGUST 10, 2020 NEPENTHES OR PITCHER PLANTS

Nepenthes or pitcher plants have fascinated me since I was a child. The These are carnivorous plants. It was the actual Venus fly trap that help my fascination of a summer day in Woolworth’s at the Cross County Shopping Center in Yonkers New York. I found intriguing that a plant would eat an animal and has specialized ways to devour such insects

Tropical Pitcher Plants (Nepenthes) are primarily native to Southeast Asia.  There are roughly 180 species, with many recently discovered in the 20th century. These fascinating carnivorous plants have evolved a way to lure, capture and digest prey. They grow anywhere from hot, sticky jungles to cool montane forests high above the clouds. Though Nepenthes are thought to be difficult to grow, this is far from the truth. Most plants adapt to cultivation quite well and the hobby is growing quickly. I found this out through years of reading. Nepenthes are carnivorous plants that are mainly native to the Malay Archipelago. The genus compromises over 170 species, with many discoveries made in the 20th century. They also go by the name monkey cups, hanging pitcher plants, and tropical pitcher plants.

About three years I found a man who was growing and selling Pitcher Plants from his Greenhouse. My curiosity lead me to his greenhouse in Brooklyn New York. Yes of all places, Brooklyn New York . Unfortunately the owner moved to Morrison TN.

You can visit him there or place your order on line. I would look at his website www.redleafexotics.com or even email him at info@redleafexotics.com I promise you will be captivated and maybe buy a plant.

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 7-9, 2020 RAINFOREST HERBS

The rainforests of the world contain an abundance of plant life. Ferns, lichens, mosses, orchids, and bromeliads are all epiphytes. The tropical rainforest is also home to nepenthes or pitcher plants. These are plants that grow in the soil. It also contains many botanicals that have been used then and now by tribal shamans for a varietyof health conditions.

Why save the rainforests? As these rainforest start to die due to our owns means of rebuilding in the 21st century—so do these miraculous plants. Dt Leslie Taylor provided us with a great text- The Healing Properties of Rainforest Herbs. Although this text was published 15 years ago — it is my bible for always reading on these herbs. I love this book. She described the medicinal properties of over 70 herbs in the rainforest, as well as dosages and scientific support. For example read about Mikania which is the largest tropical genus of vines. It has over 300 species . If you ever get bite by a poisonous snake in the Rainforest the leaves can be crushed and applied topically. It is commonly called Guaco and has many uses as billing of bacteria and yeast and even protozoans

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 5, 2020 SALVIA OFFICINALIS

Salvia officinalis is Common Sage or Garden Sage. We all have heard of sage. Any botanical name that contains the word officinalis means it can be used as medicine. In Latin Salvia means Saviour. It has been touted over centuries to strengthen the mind and promote the growth of wisdom. Although it might be considered to promote the growth of wisdom— wisdom comes from making mistake as all mistakes are learning experiences for growth of an individual .

The uses of sage are various. It has been used to dry up mother’s milk, slow the excretion of fluids, reduce excessive perspiration, reduce hot flashes, and as a natural deodorant. It reduces perspiration due to its content of tannins and volatile oils. The oils have antiseptic, astrigent and irritant properties.

I do not think I use enough Sage with my patients. One of the best uses I read about is to color silver hair and as a rinse use to return hair to its original color

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 4, 2020 RED RASPBERRY

This is one herb that is beneficial for pregnant mothers and even for children. Pregnant women have taken it to prevent tearing of the uterius during birth. It does contain lots of iron which is good for the expecting mom. It can enrich the colostrum found in mother’s milk. It has been shown to prepare the breast for breast milk for the newborn

Historically it has been used an an astrigent. It was applied to sore eyes. I find this odd. The fresh fruit has been used for tartar on the teeth. Sometimes a pregnant women have morning sickness. Many herbalists suggest ginger which is very effective There are a handful of women who cannot tolerate ginger. I turn to red raspberry tea to aid in morning sickness.

I find Red Raspberry as good digestive aid I use it with Slippery Elm, Marshmallow and Meadowsweet. I use it in Botanical Bounty’s GUTSY tea

It ahs been written for its used for a preventative for hemorrhaging during labor and after. I have not used for this as I not delivering any babies

Until tomorrow

AUGUST 3, 2020 MULBERRIES

Since now residing in Connecticut with some land I have deciding to grow some fruit. I have planted 2 different elderberry bushes, 1 mulberry tree, a strawberry patch, 2 different blueberry bushes, a gooseberry bush, 1 Turkey Fig tree and one cherry tree. This year I will have the opportunity to taste my gooseberries, mulberries, strawberries and figs. I bought most of the bushes from Shrub Bucket or Tree Center.

Mulberry ( Morus spp) were once widespread throughout North Africa, the Middle East, southern Europe and the Mediterranean. In the mid seventh century they were introduced to Britain and the American Colonies. Historically these mulberry bushes were to feed silk moths, but the silk business did not prosper.

There are many health benefits to eating mulberries.

These are:

• Digestive health. ...

• Improves blood circulation. ...

• Boosts your immune system. ...

• Improves you vision. ...

• Treats dry and sensitive skin. ...

• Good for your hair. ...

• Anti-ageing properties. ...

• Maintains heart health.

In my opinion there is NO reason not to eat mulberries. I have tried a variety of different berries in the past 2 years.

Until tomorrow

JULY 30, 2020 PINE

I love the fresh smell of pine. It is a common aroma used in soaps and bath products. I have even seen it added to natural cleaning products. The oil is distilled from the resin and needles of pine trees.

Essential oils can be used internally and externally. Pine oil is a powerful antiseptic especially of the respiratory tract. It has been used since Ancient Times . It does have a stimulating effect on circulation and great for sore muscles.

I find it very effective as an aromatherapy oil for the lungs.

Until tomorrow…

JULY 29, 2020 HIBISCUS

Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. The genus is quite large, comprising several hundred species that are native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. In my gardens I have a Rose of Sharon, a common hibiscus in bloom. I am awaiting for two hibiscus plants to bloom near my pond. When I think of hibiscus I think of Grenada. I have been using Jamaican hibiscus as a natural way to lower blood pressure. It is very effective. I combine hibiscus , motherwort , horse chestnut and more in a tea called Lovely ( available exclusively at Botanical Bounty )

More recently hibiscus extracts contain several compounds that have been evaluated for their anti-obesity properties. The major compounds include organic acids (hydroxycitric, hibiscus, and dimethyl hibiscus acids), anthocyanins (hibiscin, gossypicyanin, cyanidin-3,5-diglucoside, and delphinidin), other flavonoids (hibiscitrin, gossypitrin, quercetin, and luteolin), and phenolic acids (chlorogenic, ellagic, p-coumaric, ferulic, protocatechuic, and caffeic acids)

Plants that contain flavonoids have remarkable therapeutic benefits in many disease states. Hibiscus demonstrates anti-obesity effects in in vitro, animal, and human testing. Anti-obesity effects include loss of body weight, inhibition of fat accumulation, improvement in blood lipid profiles, and suppression of adipogenesis. Hibiscus contains many bioactive compounds. Most of the studies reviewed suggest that polyphenols, particularly flavonoids, are responsible for the anti-obesity effects of hibiscus

A recent review was published last year in the Herbal Clip of the American Botanical Council

Ojulari OV, Lee SG, Nam JO. Beneficial effects of natural bioactive compounds from Hibiscus sabdariffa L. on obesity. Molecules. January 2019;24(1):210. doi: 10.3390/molecules24010210

Until tomorrow

JULY 28, 2020 MARITIME PINE BARK

Maritime pine trees grow in countries on the Mediterranean Sea. The bark is used to make medicine. Maritime pine trees that grown in an area in southwest France are used to make Pycnogenol, the US registered trademark name for a commercially available maritime pine bark extract

Early research suggests that taking a standardized extract of maritime pine bark by mouth three times daily for 6 months lowers triglycerides, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure, and increases high-density lipoprotein ("good" or HDL) cholesterol in people with metabolic syndrome.

A more recent study was done with French Maritime Pine Bark for bone loss Osteopenia is characterized by low bone mineral density (BMD). It is an indicator and precursor for osteoporosis. Osteoporosis affects 200 million women worldwide; more prominently in older women. Some reports show three out of five postmenopausal women have osteopenia

The study was published in the Herbal Clips of the American Botanical Council. Supplementation of 250 mg/day of FMPBE may prevent bone loss and improve bone formation. This may be due to the inhibition of the bone remodeling rate. A possible mechanism may be through decreased oxidative stress and inflammation.

Please join the American Botanical Council

Until tomorrow…