Living Touch

Rhodiola Rosea, also known as „golden root“ or „roseroot“ belongs to the family Crassulacea. It grows in dry sandy grounds in the mountainous regions of Asia and Europe. The Greek physicain Dioscorides first mentioned medicinal applications of the plant in 77 C.E.. For centuries, Rhodiola Rosea has been used in the traditional medicine of Russia and the Scandinavian countries for stimulating the nervous system, decreasing depression, enhancing work performance, eliminating fatigue, and preventing high altitude sickness. Most of the research on this herbal supplement has been done in Russia and Scandinavia, and it is only recently that the West has become aware of the astonishing properties of Rhodiola Rosea.

Ginseng comes from the botanical Araliaceae family which include Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), Panax being the Greek word for „heal-all“. In China, the use of ginseng can be traced back to around 100 AD, but it was not until the 18th century that it came to North America. The part of the plant that is used for medicinal and culinary purposes is the root. While ginseng is not exactly a „heal-all“, there is evidence that it can stimulate both physical and mental activity and strengthen and protect the human organism.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo Biloba), also known as Maidenhair tree, Fossil tree, Japanese silver apricot, or in Chinese, Yinxing, is one of the oldest types of tree in the world. Geological records show that this plant has been growing on earth for 150-200 million years. Chinese monks are said to have kept the tree in existence as a sacred herb. It was first brought to Europe in the 1700s and it is one of the most well-researched herbs in the world. Ginkgo has been used in Traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat a number of diseases, such as asthma, bronchitis, fatigue, and tinnitus. Today, it is most commonly known for its benefits to the brain, to prevent or treat Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia, and to improve memory.

Flax, also known as linseed, is grown both for seed to produce oil, and for fiber out of which linen is woven. The flax plant is an ancient crop that was treasured for its healing properties throughout the Roman empire. The oil has many industrial uses, for example, as an ingredient in paints, varnishes, and linoleum, however, there is also an edible form. Like most other plant oils, flaxseed oil is rich in omega-3 essential fatty acids, and it also contains lignans which have been of special interest to scientists as they may have anti-cancer properties.

There are nine species of Echinacea, all belonging to the botanical family Asteraceae, and all native to the United States and South Canada. The name stems from the Greek word echino which means spiny because of the plant’s spiny central disk. And because of its purple flowers, Echinacea is also known as purple coneflower. Native Americans used it as a herbal remedy more than any other plant. It is the best known herb as well as one of the most researched ones for stimulating the immune system. Today, millions of Americans and Europeans take Echinacea against colds, flu, and other infectious diseases.

Dong Quai - angelica root, also known as angelica sinensis, female ginseng, archangel root, wild celery, and dang gui (tang kwei), is a member of the celery family and is native to China, Korea, and Japan. For medicinal purposes its root is used. In Traditional Chinese Medicine it is known to treat gynecological problems, fatigue, anemia, and high blood pressure. It is the only non-animal source of Vitamin B12, has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antispasmodic, and sedative properties, and is also used as an aphrodisiac.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) is a perennial herb which is thought to be native to Europe and Asia, but has now spread to many other places. Considered by many to be a weed and therefore a nuisance, Dandelion is cultivated as an edible salad crop and as a medicinal herb. The leaves are high in vitamin A and C and contain more iron and calcium than spinach. As a medical remedy, Dandelion has been used for more than 2000 years both internally and externally. Its juice has diuretic and laxative properties and was used to treat rheumatism, gout, hemorrhoids, diabetes, eczema and other skin conditions and to prevent scurvy.

Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, Boswellin and Salai guggal is a moderate to large branching tree which grows in the hilly areas of India and which is known for its fragrant resin. The frankincense mentioned in the Bible is thought to have been an extract from the resin of the tree Boswellia sacra. When the tree trunk is tapped, a gummy oleoresin exudes of which a purified extract is used for herbal preparations. The boswellic acids, a component of the resin, are known to have anti-inflammatory properties and to be effective in treating bursitis, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Bee pollen is plant pollens that have been collected by worker bees combined with plant nectar and bee saliva. Bee pollen is gathered from pollen laden bees by a special device which is placed at the entrance of the hive and which is made to brush the pollen from the bee’s hind legs. As bee pollen is rich in vitamins, enzymes, amino acids, trace elements, and minerals, it has become a popular nutritional supplement.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), also known as Winter cherry and Indian ginseng, is a plant which has been used medicinally since ancient times. It belongs to the nightshade family and grows mainly in India and Africa. Ashwagandha is Sanskrit and means „horse’s smell“. The name refers to the odor of its root that smells a bit like a sweaty horse. In Ayurvedic Medicine it is used for a wide number of conditions, similar to how Ginseng is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, in fact, some of its constituents resemble the active constituents in Ginseng, both in their action and appearance, which is why Ashwagandha is also referred to as „Indian ginseng“.

The Pomegranate (Punica granatum) is a fruit-bearing shrub or small tree which grows 5-8 meters tall. . It is believed to be native to Persia, but the fruit is now grown everywhere in the world. The apple-size fruit contains a sack of edible seeds and a juicy pulp. Traditionally, the fruit has been used as a medicine in the Middle East, Iran, and India to cure a variety of diseases. For instance, an infusion of the rinds was used for a sore throat, a paste made out of the leaves was believed to treat baldness when massaged into the scalp, and pomegranate juice was used to cure anything from stomach problems to cuts and bruises.

Noni is a small shrub native to Southeast Asia which has been spread by man throughout India and into the Pacific islands as far as the Polynesian Islands. In Asia, Noni has traditionally been used for a great number of health conditions. In the present time, Noni products are being heavily promoted, although there is no scientific evidence of their beneficial effect on health.

Bilberry is a perennial, ornamental shrub of the genus Vaccinium that is commonly found in various climates in damp woodlands and moorlands. It has oval, pointed leaves, and small pink-white flowers that bloom from April through June, and dark purple berries that are ripe to pick in the late summer. There are over 100 species with similar names and fruit throughout Asia, North America, and Europe. Bilberry has been used as a medicinal herb for hundreds of years.

Bach flower remedies were developed by Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936), a British physician who believed that illness results out of disharmony between body and mind. Bach flower remedies are dilutions of flower essences, usually offered as alcohol-based preparations. They are used to treat mental symptoms which are believed to be the root cause of most diseases. Bach remedies are all derived from non-toxic plants, with the idea that positive energy can neutralize negative energy.

Astragalus, also known as milk-vetch, locoweed, or huangqi, is a plant that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for many thousand years. It is one of the most frequently prescribed remedies in China. Astragalus is a so-called adaptogen, a nontoxic natural substance that has a balancing effect on bodily functions. It is used to strengthen or tone the body’s overall vitality, to improve digestion, and to support the spleen. It has been shown useful in spleen deficiency problems, such as poor appetite, diarrhea, and fatigue, but also for prolapse syndromes and uterine bleeding. As a herbal remedy, the roots, leaves, and flowers are being used.

The Açai palm is native to tropical Central and South America. The fruit is a small black-purple drupe which looks similar to a grape but has a smaller amount of pulp and a single large seed which is about 7-10 mm in diameter. It grows in clusters or panicles of about 800 berries. For centuries, the people of the Amazon region have harvested this berry and pulped it to make wine and used it as medicine for numerous ailments. It is considered to be one of the most nutritious fruits of the Amazon region.

Salt is essential for us as it helps to balance the highly complex water and salt metabolism within our body. Over the last few years, publications on so called „Himalayan Salt“ emerged, rapidly spreading across the Western world. Himalayan salt was claimed to come from the high mountain regions of the Himalayas and was said to contain „84 elements essential to human health“, that it had „marvelous healing energies“ and was „untouched by human contamination“.

Cannabis has been used as a medicine worldwide for thousands of years. Ancient texts from China, Persia, and Greece show that its psychoactive properties were known and that it was used for a variety of illnesses such as gastrointestinal disorders, headaches, insomnia, and as a pain reliever used in childbirth. In the 1800s cannabis was common throughout most of the world. It was used as a pain reliever, as a sleeping aid, as an analgesic and anticonvulsant, and to treat depression and migraines.

Hemp is cannabis grown for industrial use and should not be confused with marijuana. Hemp has been cultivated for thousands of years. With its short growth cycle of about 120 days, hemp is an efficient and economical crop for farmers to grow. As it can be grown with little or no chemical fertilizers, herbicides, or pesticides, it is also eco-friendly. Hemp is a great resource. It can be made into clothing, be used in housing construction, be taken as a highly nutritional food, or be made into paint, varnishes, lubricants, and also into salves and cosmetics.

Aloe vera is a succulent plant of the lily family that has a long history of cultivation for herbal medicine but also as an ornamental plant as it is very decorative. It works in many ways and is used to relieve various skin conditions such as burns, cuts, frostbites, minor wounds, or eczema, as well as for dry skin. Besides, it has also been proved to be very helpful in dentistry.

In English, goji is known as wolfberry, Chinese boxthorn, or matrimony vine; its latin name is lycium barbarum, and pharmacologically it is known as Lycii Fructus (lycium fruit). As in Chinese it is called gouqi or gouqizi, the name goji is probably a westernized version of this.

In Asia green tea has been enjoyed and drunk for its health benefits for centuries. Now, with the progress of science, the western medical community is beginning to see why.

Green tea is rich in catechin polyphenols, especially the antioxidant EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate). EGCG has been found to prevent the growth of cancer cells, lower LDL cholesterol levels, lower high blood pressure, prevent blood from clotting, and improve cardiovascular health.

There is some confusing information regarding possible side effects of green tea.

For many people brewing is half of the enjoyment of green tea and while there are many different ways of brewing it, the method slightly differs from brewing black tea.