Living Touch

Latin Name: Herba Hedyotidis Diffusae
Properties: bitter, sweet, cold

Latin Name: Agkistrodon Seu Bungarus
Properties: sweet, salty, warm, toxic

Latin Name: Bulbus Lilii
Properties: sweet, slightly bitter, slightly cold

Latin Name: Semen Ginkgonis Bilobae
Properties: sweet, bitter, astringent, neutral, slightly toxic, highly toxic for children

Latin Name: Rhizoma Typhonii Gigantei
Properties: acrid, warm, toxic

Latin Name: Amomum Cardamomum
Properties: acrid, warm, aromic

Latin Name: Radix Stemonae
Properties: sweet, bitter, slightly warm

Latin Name: Semen Dolichoris Lablab
Properties: sweet, neutral

Latin Name: Fructus Akebiae Trifoliatae
Properties: slightly cold, bitter

Latin Name: Radix Morindae Officinalis
Properties: acrid, sweet, warm

Latin Name: Crotonis Fructus
Properties:
- seed: hot, acrid, toxic
- root and leaves: warm, acrid, toxic

Latin Name: Artemisiae Argyi Folium
Properties: bitter, acrid, warm

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.