Today’s blog is on helpful herbs that
start with the letter P. These are for educational purposes only. The
information is not intended to treat or diagnosis anything. Please check with
your physician before taking any herbs or herbal formulas and use extreme
caution if you are pregnant, nursing, or have any serious health conditions. In the last blog
we talked a little bit about the energy of an herb-whether it was a warming or
cooling herb. Another factor to consider in choosing an herb goes back to
taste. If the herb is sour or pungent it can be astringent in nature. An
astringent is something that contracts and dries tissues. This is great if you
have a need for that in things like running noses or open wounds. If you are
already experiencing tissues that are dry and in need of moisture this will
only aggravate the problem. You could add a moisturizing herb (usually these
are warm and sweet in nature) to the first herb, because you want the other
properties that first herb has to offer minus the astringent nature. Or you
could choose another herb all together that helped addressed the issue and
wasn’t astringent. This is why a one size fits all approach to herbalism isn’t
recommended. There are many beneficial herbs in the world and they can help to
aid in your overall health and wellness when all factors are considered. Hope
this helps explain a little more about the wonderful world of herbs. Now on to
some herbs that begin with the letter P. Western Herb  Prickly Ash (
Zanthoxylum Americanum)Parts Used: Bark and berries Energy and Taste: Spicy, warm and diffusing Constituents: Alkaloids,
fagarine, coumarins, resin, tannins, volatile oils Internal Uses: Sluggish
circulation, arthritis and rheumatic conditions, stimulates blood and lymphatic
circulation so good for skin issues as well. Can create a sense of heat in the
stomach due to its warming nature. Take ½ oz. of powder in pills or tea 3 x a
day. Topical Uses: Helps
to heal wounds and relieve toothaches when applied topically. Can apply as a
poultice or powder.  Chinese HerbPeony(Shao Yao) Paeonia Lactiflora Parts Used: Root Energy and Taste: Slightly
cold, bitter and acrid Constituents: Astragalin,
benzoic acid, calcium, copper, galic acid, glucose, linoleic acid, magnesium,
poeoniflorin, paeonol, potassium, tannins, zinc. Internal Uses: Fevers,
colds, nervous disorders, blood purifier, good for skin issues, menstrual
syndromes. Take 5-10 grams as a tea or capsule.  Ayurveda HerbPoppy (Papaver somniferum) Ayurveda Name: Ahiphena Parts Used: Seeds Energy and Taste: Pungent,
astringent, sweet and heating Constituents: Oleic and linoleic acids, thiamin, pantothenic
acid, pyridoxine, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid, iron, copper, calcium,
potassium, manganese, zinc, magnesium, opium alkaloids, papaverine. Internal Uses:
Poppy seed is a warming sleep aid taken a half hour before bed as a tea (4 TBS
of seeds brewed) Can also be helpful for diarrhea, nerve pain, and coughs. 250
mg to 1 gram daily as powder or in food. Hope any of this information was helpful. Check back for the
next blog on helpful herbs that begin with the letter R. Resources The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: A Contemporary Introduction and
Useful Manual for the World's Oldest Healing System, Karta Purkh Singh Khalsa
and Michael Tierra The Way of Chinese Herbs, Michael Tierra The Way of Herbs: Fully Updated with the Latest Developments
in Herbal Science, Michael Tierra |
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CategoriesGreat ExpectationsHealth and Wellness Healthy Eating Reiki Sensitive Skin Skin Health-inside and out |
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