Sea buckthorn is rich in nutrients and antioxidants that support heart health, treat diabetes, and help improve skin conditions. As it becomes better known in the West, it is becoming recognized as a superfood. It contains 190 bioactive constituents. It has 10X the...

Marshmallow is an African plant that is abundant in tropical regions and is now grown in most European countries, from Denmark southward and around the world.  It likes salt marshes, damp meadows, or tidal rivers. Here are Four Fun Facts About Marshmallow you may not...

The Daisy is native to Europe and Asia and has since been introduced to North America, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. An edible flower, they have been used for centuries in both the East and the West to heal a variety of life-threatening conditions, unpleasant...

Did you know that honeysuckle is an excellent cure for asthma? Honeysuckle can also be used to ease upset stomachs and headaches. It is also a symbol of fidelity and love. Here are three important facts to know about honeysuckle Honeysuckle has proven antibacterial...

Ledebouriella is famous in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) for treating External Wind Invasion. External Wind ailments are generally recognized for their windy behavior! These will be symptoms that move upwards or move around, in general - first it hurts here, then...

March is a classic time of year to do a detoxing cleanse if you have not already done one in this new year. Winter is starting to fade into the distance, and energetically, it is a good time to clean up in preparation for spring. Milk Thistle is one of the world’s...

There are over 450 species of Oregon grape. Mahonia aquifolium is the most commonly used, though you will also see referenced Berberis (or Mahonia) nervosa, M. repens, and M. fremontii. These Western varieties of Oregon grape (AKA mountain grape) are native to the...

A culinary and medicinal herb, mustard is used in many ways in both the West and the East. Here are a few examples: In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), mustard is well known for Moving Qi, Moistening the Lungs, Expelling Cold, and Reducing Inflammation.  In the...

Nettle has an ancient history. It is native to Africa and West Asia. It is magical, edible, and medicinal, with a long history of treating allergies, especially hay fever, boosting the immune system, and supporting metabolic functions. Here are Three Facts About...

There are over 600 species of oak trees. Here we include the two most commonly referenced varieties: Quercus alba (white oak) and Q. rubra (red oak). Both have similar properties. They can grow for many hundreds of years. Oak bark, oak galls (made from wasps laying...

Passion flower, native to the southeastern U.S. and Central and South America, has long been used by Indigenous populations and cultures for treating a wide variety of ailments, including heart problems, wound healing, and as a blood tonic. It is famous for helping to...

In China, pinellia is commonly called “Green Dragons” due to the color and shape of the inflorescence, which possesses a green, hooded spathe from which extends a long, tongue-like extension of the spadix, giving the plant a dragon-like appearance. Unprocessed, raw...

Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary is also sometimes called dew of the sea because early morning coastal dew often forms upon the plant's tiny leaves, making the leaves a virtual net for catching the sea’s moisture. A popular culinary addition, rosemary is...

While there are wide varieties of sage, in the West, we are generally referring to Salvia officinalis or S. lavandulaefolia (A.K.A. Common Sage/Shenreg), while in the East, in TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), we are referring to Salvia miltiorrhizae (A.K.A. Chinese...

The holiday season often conjures images of mistletoe. Ancient traditions suggest that the mistletoe should be kissed when touched or stepped under. As the plant’s white berries are available in December, it naturally became identified with many of the holiday events...

Pine is famous for its lovely, fresh-smelling scent. It has long been used in many cultures as a symbol of rejuvenation and revered as a symbol of a pioneering spirit, strength, and adaptability, for they can survive the winter snows and summer droughts in windy,...