Tuesday, June 25, 2019

Passion Flower


Just the word passion flower conjures up desire and good feelings and yet this herb is one of the best herbs for boosting our happy hormones. 
We could all benefit with a great dose of passion. 

You can buy passionflower here https://driedherbsonline.com/product/passion-flower-passiflora-incarnata/, give a small bag a go. 
Read more about Passion Flower below

PASSION FLOWER – Passiflora incarnata

Family - Passifloraceae


Other Names: Passion Vine, Maypops, Granadilla

History
The Passion flowers are so named because they resemble the fine cut corona in the centre of the blossoms of the Crown of Thorns.
Native Americans used the fruit pulp to treat swelling and sore eyes and the root they used as a general tonic.

Parts Used
The dried herb is collected after some of the berries have matured.

Cultivation
There are 500 species of passion flower known to man and the medicinal properties can be suggested for many of the species.
A perennial root native to US, Central and South America produces herbaceous shoots with three lobed, finely serrated leaves and flesh coloured or yellowish sweet smelling flowers, tinged with purple. It produces a small many seeded berry the size of a small apple.
The leaves are collected after flowering and dried in the shade.
It is propagated from seed and likes plenty of sun.

Constituents
Alkaloids harmine (indole alkaloid), Harman, harmol and  passiflorine. Passiflorine has similar properties to morphine.
Flavone glycosides (apigenin) and sterols. Maltol, cyanogenic glycosides


Actions
  • Sedative
  • Hypnotic
  • Anti-spasmodic
  • Anodyne
  • Relaxant
  • Hypotensive
  • Tranqulizing

Indications:
Passiflora is great for sleepless nights, anxiety and insomnia. It is for this reason that it is commonly used.  It aids the transition into sleep.
How it does this is by increasing the GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) in your brain which then lessens brain activity and helps us to relax. A study showed those who drank it daily for 7 days noticed an improvement in their sleep.
It can be used for any condition where there is cramping and spasms, being effective in cases such as asthma. Epilepsy and irritable bowel conditions will benefit from passion flower.
Occasionally it has been prescribed for convulsions, as well as other issues such as boils, wounds, earaches and liver problems.
It is indicated for nervous conditions and for where there are viral infections of the nerves such as in shingles.
The leaves are non-addictive, non-depressant, sedative especially in cases of anxiety.
It has valuable painkilling properties and can be used for headaches, period pain and toothaches.
Passion Flower will prevent tachycardia and help to reduce high blood pressure.
It is indicated for diarrhoea, dysentery, neuralgia, sleeplessness and dysmenorrhoea.
A compress will help to soothe burns and skin irritations.

Dosage:
0 to 20 minims of fluid extract
Tincture 1 to 4 ml three times a day. Larger doses can be taken in the evening to help sleeping.
1 teaspoon in an infusion can also be drunk at night to help sleep.

Thursday, June 6, 2019

Maca, Rooibos and Nettle Recipes


Want to find ways to use herbs that are out of the box?
Try these 3 herb recipes



Maca Choc Balls
            280g cake crumbs (about 3 cups)
            3 tbsp apricot jam
            3 dtsp maca
            1 tsp Cocoa
            1 tbsp rum
            2 tbsp water
            Extra jam and chocolate sprinkles
Mix together the cake crumbs, maca powder, cocoa, warmed jam and rum until a stiff paste is formed. If extra water is needed to make a paste then add just enough to make a thick paste. Roll the paste in round balls, this mixture will yield about 24 balls. Warm an extra 2 tbsp of sieved jam with water and dip the rolled balls into the mixture and then coat with chocolate sprinkles. Place balls in paper party cases and leave to firm. 


Nettle Soup
I love this soup, it is one of the best soups I have ever eaten, a great Scottish recipe.
  • Wild nettles tops (about half a carrier bag full)
  • 1 onion
  • 1 litre of vegetable stock
  • ½ litre of boiling water
  • 100g long grain rice
  • Salt
  • Black pepper
  • A little olive oil
  • Sour cream (optional)

Method
Put a saucepan on a low heat, and add a dash of olive oil. Finely chop the onions and add to the pan, and cook until soft. Pour in the rice and vegetable stock and bring to a simmer. Cook until the rice is tender.
Add the nettles. You don’t want to add them too soon, otherwise some of the nutrients will be lost in the cooking process. At this point you might have trouble getting the lid back on your saucepan, but the nettle leaves soon wilt down. When they are more manageable, stir them through the rice. Add the other half litre of boiling water and simmer for another minute or so.
Remove from the heat and blend, either using a hand blender or a food processor, until you get a smooth consistency. Taste your soup and add salt and pepper. Blend again to mix it in. Keep tasting and blending until you have the seasoning just right for your palate.
This nettle soup can be enjoyed with a swirl of sour cream and chopped chives, or a drizzle of good olive oil on top.

Rooibos Popsicle

Place rooibos tea in a pot and add boiling water, allow to steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Add 1 pinch of stevia or 10 to 20 drops of stevia liquid. 
Freeze the teas in popsicle mould or ice cube tray and add to drinks.