Happy Valentine's Day

                                                                 

                                                     
                                         

 Parsley Petroselinum crispum

Common Names

Parsley

Botanical Name

Petroselinum crispum

Family

APIACEAE or UMBELLIFERAE Carrot Family

• Medicinal Uses & Health Benefits

  Parsley is so familiar we often pass it over for more exotic plant remedies, yet this attractive staple of the herb garden is a versatile medicinal food and an absolutely must have in any well stocked kitchen. Parsley leaves and root are high in iron content and rich in vitamins A, B, C and trace minerals. Parsley adds color and aids digestionof the foods we eat and acts to prevent gas and bloating.

  Both parsley leaf and root can be used in teas as a diuretic to rid the body of excess water. This may explain its folklore reputation for helping gout and rheumatism.Parsley does inhibit the histamines that trigger allergies so may help treat sinus infection and congestion. ⁵¹ Parsley is also an emmenagogue, meaning it can help to bring on delayed menses, so don't use it in concentrated doses while pregnant. ^{Hoffman 571}
  
  
  Parsley Side Effects: The whole herb used in food rarely causes any problems. Concentrated extracts should be avoided by those with kidney inflammation Don't use parsley in medicinal doses if you are pregnant, it can stimulate the uterus.
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  How to Use: Parsley

  Herbal Remedies using : Parsley Preparation Methods & Dosage :Tea, tincture, fresh or dried herb. One of the best ways to get the medicinal "good" out of parsley is to juice the fresh leaves, but this takes a whole lot of parsley to get just a small amount of intensely, green, herbaceous liquid. Throw some bunches of parsley in when you juice carrots and apples instead of trying to juice it alone. Tea made from fresh parsley is another good way to use the whole herb. If you would like sweet breath after dinner, simply chew a fresh sprig of parsley, often handily served as a plate garnish in restaurants. Basil, dill and cilantro also contain chlorophyll, which acts as a breath freshener. Parsley leaves can be crushed and applied repeatedly to a bruise. This remedy may help speed the disappearance of black-and-blue marks.

                                              ROSEMARY  /ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS/     

                                                                                       

Common Names

Rosemary

Botanical Name

Rosmarinus officinalis

Family

LAMIACEAE or LABIATAE Mint Family

• Parts Used: Leaves, stems and flowers
• Constituents: essential oil (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool); flavonoids, rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids; diterpenes, triterpenes

Medicinal Uses & Health Benefits

Rosemary is such an extremely useful herb, with so many culinary, medicinal and aromatherapy attributes that it is hard to qualify which ones are the most important. Rosemary stimulates the central nervous system and circulation making it beneficial for low blood pressure and sluggishness. Rosemary oil and rosemary essential oil are used to alleviate the pain of sprains, arthritis, sciatica and neuralgia. Rosemary extract (rosmarinic acid) is a natural way to stabilize and extend the shelf life of hand made cosmetics, creams, lotions, and other herbal compounds. Use rosemary in skin care to tone and soften skin.

Rosemary for memory, concentration and focus.Rosemary has a long herbal tradition as a herb that improves concentration and memory, Greek students would braid Rosemary into their hair to help them with their exams. Modern science attributes much of rosemary's action on the central nervous system to it's potent antioxidant, rosmarinic acid. However,you don't have to take their word for it, the uplifting aroma of a fresh sprig of rosemary in the summer will go far to convince you.

Rosemary for Hair Care. Rosemary is one of best hair tonics available, whether you are worried about hair loss, or just want healthy, happy hair, rosemary extracts used in shampoos and herbal hair rinses will work wonders. A few drops of the essential oil can be applied directly to the scalp or hairbrush to restore dry, flyaway hair and make it shine. Rosemary essential oil stimulates hair follicles and circulation in the scalp, which may help prevent premature baldness. Use rosemary on a continuing basis for a healthy scalp that encourages healthy hair growth and slows hair loss. ^{Hoffman 177}

Rosemary for pain relief and circulation. Rosemary infused oil and rosemary essential oil are both used inmassage oil formulations to relieve the pain of arthritisand of sore aching muscles. Rosemary used as a massage oil also helps to tone the circulatory system. Antioxidant compounds in rosemary prevent uterine spasms andmenstrual cramps. Rosemary essential oil helps alleviate water retention and increases circulation when used in massage blends.

Culinary Uses of rosemary. Unlike milder herbs, rosemary can withstand longer cooking times, and lends itself well to roasted meats, chicken and hearty stews. A few teaspoons of chopped rosemary lends a tangy taste to biscuits as well. Rosemary vinegars are an excellent and healthy way to dress cold vegetables and salads. Even the twigs, stripped of their leaves find use as kindling, and as a aromatic addition to barbeque fires.

Calming Teas

• history

Calming herbs and relaxing teas take the edge off stress and offer you a bit of herbal anxiety relief. They help you face situations that cause you to feel anxious or stressed with a bit more ease. They help calm you when you are already feeling nervous or upset, especially when used along with stress reduction techniques.

Ginger

Ginger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. It lends its name to its genus and family. Other notable members of this plant family are turmeric, cardamom, and galangal. Wikipedia