Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) Family – Piperaceae or Pepper Family Table of Contents About Kava Kava is a widely cultivated member of the pepper family. Grown in tropical Polynesia and the Pacific Islands Kava is a very interesting plant. First, Kava kava is a sterile plant, depending entirely upon humans to for its ability to […]
An Herbal Interlude with Kava Kava (Piper methysticum) Read More »
Echinacea, in all it’s varieties, is one of the most used plants in my apothecary. I use the whole plant, flowers, leaves, root and all. E. angustifolia grows wild in the Black Hills of South Dakota where I took great joy in harvesting it every year. E. purpurea I grew in the garden. Who knows
An Herbal Interlude with Echinacea Read More »
Cleavers (Galium aparine) Botanical family – Rubiaceae or Bedstraw Family About Cleavers There are several species of Galium in the west. G. aparine, or Cleavers is probably the most common. Other varieties are loosely grouped together and referred to as Bedstraw. All have almost identical constituents and medicinal uses and so are used interchangeably. Common Names for Cleavers
An Herbal Interlude with Cleavers (Galium aparine) Read More »
Catnip – Nepeta cataria Family – Lamiaceae, the mint family Table of Contents Common Names Catnip is also commonly called Catmint, Catswort, Catnep, and Field Balm Catnip was one of the first plants I found when I first moved to South Dakota. I remember being so pleased. Living on the road for 15 or 20
An Herbal Interlude with Catnip Read More »
Dear Annie, I have shingles; it is painful. Is there anything that can help? OH, Dear Friend, I’m so sorry. Shingles can be very painful. The good news is that natural solutions are often very effective for relieving the pain and itching rash of shingles. Herbal solutions may also help resolve the virus a little
Natural Solutions for Shingles Read More »