Pot Marigold aka calendula

Medical Qualities of Pot Marigold (calendula)

What? Calendula officinalis

Where? Originally from the Mediterranean and the middle east

Working? Pot Marigold contains a lot of flavenoid (antioxidants) alcohols (disinfective) and Saponins (blood filters)

How? Used in creams or ointment this combination delivers anti inflammatory and skin repairing effects.

Caution! The pot marigold contains a pyrethrum (natural insecticide) as well . If you put a marigold in your garden ants won’t bother you anymore. The marigold contains orange/yellow dye used as food additive it gives cheese and butter a brighter color.

Rooibos a herb with medicinal quality

Medicinal herbs Rooibos

What? Aspalathus linearis

Where? In South Africa close to Ceder Mountain only there rooibos is grown and exported.

Working? It contains vitamin C, flavanoids , iron, fluoride, calcium, copper, potassium and zinc these items help the immune system bones and skin.

How? Tea can be made from rooibos. But now a days rooibos is used in skin products as well.

Caution! Rooibos does not contain caffeine and is there for an ideal alternative for normal tea. Rooibos helps against stomach cramps especially for babies you can mix the tea with the milk

Drying Herbs

The advantage of drying herbs is that dried herbs are stronger than the fresh ones. Herbs that are fresh still contain all the water in them. The herbs that are dried have more concentrated essential oil. You will find you do not need to use as much of the dried herbs to get the same flavors.

There is a myth that herbs can be oven dried or heated to force dry them. This is not the proper way to dry herbs. The heat can actually release the essential oils which give the herbs their wonderful aroma and flavor. The dehydrator is a different story, used by people that only eat raw, the dehydrator dries your herbs as natural as possible.

The important thing to remember is to make sure the herbs are kept in a warm, dry, and ventilated area for the herbs to dry which is exactly what a dehydrator does for you.

Hemp and the medicinal uses of herbs

Hemp one of the medieval medicinal herbs

What? Cannabis sativa

Where? Originally from the tropics but know you can grow it anywhere with artificial light.

Working? Hemp contains a lot of Linoleic acid which has a lot of unsaturated fats and this is why it has a good effect on hart and artery diseases. Furthermore hemp oil is easily absorbed by the skin so it prevents a dry skin. But the most remarkable is that the flower of hemp contains a lot of THC. This substance influences directly our brain THC is pain killing and soothing there for cannabis is, in some countries , available as a prescribed drug for pain complaints or sleeping disorders.

How? The most popular hemp product are the drugs hash (hashish) and marihuana mixed with cigarette tabacco they make up the world famous joint. But hemp is also used for creams against extreme dry skin.

Caution! Nauseas from a joint? Take vitamin C and sugar that might give some relieve. Cannabis is not live threatening but can be harmful. For first time users and a overdoses it can cause panic attacks or extreme lethargy. And addicted cannabis smokers seem to be more sensitive to psychoses according recent research.

The Olive Tree and its medicinal quality

Medicinal Quality of the Olive tree

What? Olea Europaea

Where? Mediterranean

Working? Since the early days olives are used to make oil, creams, shampoos etc.. The fruits of the olive tree (olives) contain anti antioxidants and many unsaturated fats. There for olives prevent hart and arteries diseases. Olives also lubricate our intestines and help the constipation.

How? Internal or external use olive oil is good for you. Olive oil should be part of your regular kitchen ingredients. Another benefit is that olive oil makes your hair and skin look healthy. Creams and shampoos with olive oil prevent dryness and aging.

Caution! In the 70th and 80th many northern people had diarrhea during their visit to the Mediterranean. The sewer and or the tap water were often blamed. But it was just that the people were not used to the lubricating olive oil they were used to butter.

Medicinal Quality of the Tea Tree

Tea Tree has medicinal quality

What? Melaleuca alternifolia

Where? Originally from Australia but now a days also found in Zimbabwe India and Indonesia.

Working? The oil of the tea tree is very good fighting bacteria and fungi because the tea tree contains of a lot of tanning.

How? From the needles of the tea tree oil is taken away with a steam distiller. The oil is processed in many skin products. Now a days tea tree is especially processed in acne products. The oil is only to be used externally and is not allowed to be swallowed. So be careful if you have tooth paste with tea tree oil.

Caution! The name does say tea tree but it shouldn’t be used for making tea. Tea comes form a bush not a tree.

How to get dried medicinal herbs a video on drying herbs

Embedded Video on how to dry fresh herbs and medicinal herbs