How can it be Friday already! The week flew. I am doing some volunteer work, and time slips by so fast when I get into that.
My favorite southern tree broke into bloom this week, the lovely Mimosa. It seems to grow where there is water, so along river banks there are lots of them. The blooms are spiky and delicate and pink, so pretty.
I have been looking into a plant called Holy Basil lately. Its an ancient plant, considered to be an "escaped weed." Has been used as a medicine for many years. It is a Cox2 inhibitor which means it controls pain, and may be good for cataracs and for controlling blood sugar. Its also called Tulsi. Seems its considered an adaptogen, which means a substance that moves you toward better health. If you make tea by combining tulsi, hawthorn and arjuna, it improves your heart health. It eases pain because of the euginol it contains. It has also been used to help hay fever and allergies.
To make a tincture, put 1 heaping teaspoon of tulsi leaves, 1 heaping teaspoon of hibiscus flowers, 1 teaspoon of dried rose petals and a pinch of stevia in a teapot with 16 ounces of hot water, steep 15 minutes , strain into a cup and enjoy. In case I have neglected to say, any of these herbs you do not grow, can be purchased at Mountain Rose Herbs. It's a great company, and they have a very informative newsletter.
The other herb I am reading up on is Passion Flower. This plant is native to the Andes. It's usually a vine but can also grow as a bush. It's pollinated by bees and hummingbirds. Makes a lovely plant in your yard or garden. It has been studied as useful for epilepsy, hysteria, and insomnia. A cup of tea at bedtime will give you a good night's sleep. Wikopedia has pictures of the lovely flowers, mostly purple and white. If you are totally stressed out, try some of this tea to soothe your jangled nerves.
It's raining today, hurray, we needed it. And it's much cooler. I have one more idea to share, if you have scrapes or a bleeding cut, rub a banana peel on that, the peel is astringent and will help the healing process. Can't beat that for cheap and easy. Have a good week, stay well.
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