Florida Medicare Plan Outline

Medicare offers 4 primary ideas. Component The, Component W, Component D, as well as Component D. Every various strategy acts another objective inside your florida medicare protection.

Medicare offers 4 primary components:

 Part The addresses a healthcare facility as well as medical service

 Part W addresses the actual physicians as well as healthcare providers

 Part D addresses the actual Medicare Benefit Ideas

 Component D addresses the actual Doctor prescribed Medication Ideas

Component The -- The initial Medicare Strategy:

Medicare Component The addresses in-patient medical center providers. Consists of semi-private space, meals, common medical, medicines in your inpatient therapy, along with other healthcare providers as well as materials.

A person usually don't pay the month-to-month high quality with regard to Component The Medicare protection within Sarasota should you or even your partner compensated Medicare income taxes whilst used. Additional protection consists of:

House Wellness Providers: limited to clinically required experienced medical treatment, physical rehabilitation, speech-language-pathology, or perhaps a ongoing requirement for work treatment. You have to get a physician purchase with regard to treatment from the Florida medicare licensed house wellness company. Includes healthcare sociable providers, healthcare gear as well as materials with regard to use at home.

Hospital Treatment: For those who have the fatal sickness. Medicare offers protection to decrease your pain as well as healthcare providers. Respite treatment is actually deliver to as much as Five days any time you obtain respite treatment.

Medicare Component W

Anyone, that goes by the actual qualifications recommendations with regard to Medicare Component The, can also be entitled to Medicare Component W. This particular protection underneath the Medicare plan is perfect for physician providers, hospital therapy, in addition to a few healthcare providers which aren't incorporated below Component The.

Medicare Component W will pay 80% on most physician's providers, hospital therapy, and sturdy healthcare gear (for example air or even electric wheelchairs). This consists of providers or even materials that are necessary to identify or even look after your own medical problem.

Component D -- Medicare Benefit Ideas:

Should you sign up for the Florida medicare Benefit Strategy, the master plan should supply all your Component The (Medical center Insurance coverage) as well as Component W (Health care insurance) advantages, such as crisis as well as immediate treatment.

The advantages of the Medicare Benefit Strategy:

 Low payments

 Some ideas provide extra advantages for example dental care as well as eyesight

 Only 1 healthcare query must be clarified: Have you got kidney illness?

Component D -- Doctor prescribed Medication Ideas:

The Doctor prescribed Medication Plan's an insurance plan from a personal organization to assist include the price with regard to each brand-name as well as universal prescription medications that are not included in Component The or even Component W.

The advantages of the Florida medicare Doctor prescribed Medication Strategy:

 Low up front costs

 Choose any kind of physician or even medical center which allows Medicare

 Protection through unpredicted doctor prescribed medication expenses later on

Is Vitamin D overdose a Risk?

The actual calcidiol serum degree can be used with regard to vitamin d overdose analysis. According to scientific studies, the actual calcidiol amounts are usually between Thirty-two in order to 70ng/mL within wholesome people. The actual bioactive vitamin d endocrine serum amounts stay regular within cases of overdose. Nevertheless, numerous healthcare technology scientists tend to be from the viewpoint these amounts tend to be excessively limited as well as out-of-date.

Based on a few research, scientific study has recommended which Ten,Thousand IU associated with vitamin d is totally regular. Only when particular degree of serum is actually breached because of extreme consumption associated with vitamin d dietary supplements, just it may cause vitamin d overdose. As we take a look at a few of the historic instances previously, we will have that many from the vitamin d overdose instances occured because of commercial as well as production mishaps.

People with lower levels associated with vitamin d need vitamin d dietary supplements to enhance supplement amounts. Consumption associated with vitamin d dietary supplements are usually secure, however extra consumption may cause particular health issues.

Overdose associated with Vitamin d is actually Uncommon

The majority of the meals that people consider every single day doesn't have sufficient vitamin d in order to trigger a good overdose. Additionally, it doesn’t issue in case your consumption associated with vitamin d raises, the body may cope-up by using it as well as keep extra quantity of vitamin d later. This keeps the total amount in between phosphorous as well as calcium supplement with regard to correct stability from the entire body. It's also essential for the actual calcification procedure. It may also help to maintain the best power of bone fragments as well as bloodstream calcium supplement. When there is vitamin d insufficiency in your body it may present severe issues such as impacting one's teeth as well as results in dental care caries improvement. Vitamin d strategy to individuals with reduced bloodstream calcium supplement degree is performed below rigid guidance associated with doctors, therefore the possibility of overdose is actually uncommon.

Can you really Possess Overdose associated with Vitamin d?

There's a common query elevated through numerous that is “Is this feasible to possess vitamin d overdose?” The reply is indeed but it's an uncommon trend. A lot of us think that you will find higher the possiblility to possess vitamin d poisoning but it's an uncommon situation. The majority of us are worried regarding extra consumption associated with vitamin d, nevertheless poisoning through selenium is much more typical when compared with the vitamin d overdose. Overdose associated with selenium may take devote character but it's not really a organic trend that may happen through consumption associated with vitamin d overflowing meals or even sunshine.

Individuals who consumption an excessive amount of dietary supplements may be easily overdosed along with vitamin d. Supplement overdose can also be feasible in the event that youngsters are put through greater dosages associated with vitamin d unintentionally through their own mother and father or even in the event that wrong doses tend to be used through parent individuals. Grown ups taking a lot more than Ten,Thousand IU lengthy length the ones involved with commercial mishaps also provide higher likelihood of obtaining overdosed. However you need to bear in mind these tend to be uncommon instances.

Bearable Restrict

Numerous government departments possess set top of the restrict with regard to vitamin d consumption plus they refer to it as because secure restrict. This particular bearable degree is placed in order to Two thousand User interface daily. Nevertheless, this particular degree is fantastic for every day vitamin d consumption but it's nowhere fast close to higher dosage amounts of vitamin d in order to trigger overdose. In a variety of research individuals have used vitamin d associated with Ten,Thousand in order to Forty,Thousand User interface per day, however they show absolutely no negative effects. Nevertheless, scientists think that overdose are only able to happen when the individual has lots of calcium supplement together with this kind of higher dosage.

A typical Misunderstanding

It's a typical error for many people to think which getting vitamin d excessively will make you get into the depressive disorders, however these tend to be uncommon unwanted effects and may end up being resolved effortlessly. Therefore, we are able to observe that overdose associated with vitamin d is really a uncommon trend also it can simply be decided when there is existence associated with higher amounts of bloodstream calcium supplement.

It is possible to Risk through Sunshine?

It's nevertheless, not likely with an overdose through sunshine. Even when all of us remain for too much time below sunshine, we are able to possess close to Twenty,Thousand User interface associated with supplement however your body is developed in a way that it'll turn off instantly and can just take the total amount needed. Therefore, it's nearly uncommon to possess higher overdose associated with vitamin d as well as as we come with an overdose there's almost no effect from it upon the body. Therefore, you are able to relax a bit regarding overdose through vitamin d.

How Vitamin D3 Works With Your Body

Whilst Vitamin d will work for your wellbeing, not many individuals are conscious of it's 2 variations as well as their own impact on your body.

Both types tend to be D2 as well as D3, which just vitamin d3 is actually created with the organic functionality associated with sunshine about the pores and skin. Vegetation as well as fungus however create Supplement D2. You'll find supplement D2 additionally within whole milk, cereal products as well as fruit juices prepared by using it. Both types are generally referred to as ergocalciferol (supplement D2) as well as cholecalciferol (vitamin d3).

Do you know the variations in between Supplement D2 as well as D3?

The largest distinction between both types of Vitamin d may be the method it's created. Vegetation create the actual D2 type whilst D3 is really a consequence associated with functionality associated with uv W sun rays through sunshine infiltrating the actual body’s surface area. It may be located on the pores and skin or even surface area associated with creatures and it is generally based in the made of woll associated with lambs.

Of these two types, D3 is recognized as good for your body since it regulates the amount of calcium supplement as well as phosphorous within the bloodstream, that is essential with regard to bone fragments improvement as well as development. It may be kept in your body cells till it's needed. D2 however isn't an all natural type within the body because vegetation along with other invertebrates synthesize this. It's not as quickly soaked up through the receptors in your body and for that reason doesn't have exactly the same impact because D3. Each variations from the supplement can be found because dietary supplements within tablet or even fluid type. D3 has got the lengthier shelf-life of these two. Since the dietary supplements are manufactured from pet resources, numerous non-meat eaters don't use all of them as well as go for supplement D2 dietary supplements rather.

The actual Perform associated with Vitamin d3

Even though it is actually categorized like a supplement, Vitamin d3 is really a endocrine. Whenever sunshine drops about the body’s surface area -- your skin within our situation -- this synthesizes to create vitamin d3, that is distributed within the bloodstream to aid in the actual assimilation associated with calcium supplement as well as phosphorous that's obtained through broken down meals resources. The actual calcium supplement can be used with regard to creating as well as conditioning tooth as well as bone fragments bulk. Additionally, calcium supplement also offers a job to experience within the manufacture of the body's hormones in your body through sending neural urges towards the mind. Nearly 99% of the Vitamin d provide can be used with regard to controlling the calcium supplement in your body; the rest of the component is required with regard to conditioning the actual defense mechanisms and looking after muscle mass power.

Advantages of Vitamin d3

Whilst extra Vitamin d3 could be saved aside within the body fat tissue with regard to long term make use of, lack of Vitamin d in your body might have negative effects about the wellness of the person.

Consuming the correct amount associated with Vitamin d might have several advantages on our bodies. It's accountable for conditioning tooth as well as bone fragments, enhancing bone strength and density as well as helps prevent deterioration from the muscle tissue since it encourages assimilation associated with calcium supplement within the bloodstream. Seniors with plenty of levels of Vitamin d3 tend to be much less vulnerable to conditions for example joint disease, brittle bones as well as osteomalacia. In youngsters as well as babies, it can benefit within bone fragments development and growth and stop illnesses for example Rickets.

Vitamin d3 additionally cuts down on the danger associated with certain kinds of most cancers in males and ladies for example flat most cancers, cancer of the breast as well as intestinal tract most cancers. It may lessen the dangers related to particular being pregnant associated bacterial infections such as bacterial vaginosis infection which presents the risk associated with early work as well as fetal dying. This helps prevent or even enhances additional problems for example diabetic issues as well as ms. Additionally, it may reduce the chance of cardiovascular disease, blood pressure level as well as levels of cholesterol. This provides a increase towards the body’s defense mechanisms and may assist in preventing flu as well as periodic allergic reactions.

Because of the part which Vitamin d performs within impacting on producing the body's hormones in your body, additionally, it may enhance particular skin disorders for example skin psoriasis as well as vitiligo, apart from managing emotions. Within nations that have reduced sunshine problems throughout a couple of months of the season, your body is not able to obtain it's sufficient reveal associated with Vitamin d via organic functionality. During this time period, Vitamin d3 dietary supplements might help within lowering the the signs of depressive disorders as well as periodic efficient condition.

Therefore keep in mind, with regard to wholesome tooth as well as bone fragments, in addition to a healthy body, you need the best dosage associated with Vitamin d3. The very best vitamin d resources tend to be sunshine, meals, as well as dietary supplements. You'll need sunlight since the UVB sun rays can't permeate cup. The actual even further away you're in the equator, the actual lengthier you have to be in the sun's rays to create the correct quantity associated with Vitamin d. More dark pores and skin takes a longer time associated with publicity when compared with lighter in weight pores and skin. Sun screens may also restrict the quantity of UVB sun rays which are soaked up through the pores and skin.

In the News: Bilberry for Healthy Eyes

If you have a family history of vision problems or just want to maintain good eyesight as you age, there could be an herbal aid to go along with your routine of regular visits to the eye doctor. A recent study found that a combination of bilberry extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) and Pycnogenol® (French maritime pine bark extract) helped improved blood flow to the eye and reduced intraocular pressure associated with disorders such as glaucoma.

The study was conducted at Italy’s University of Chieti-Pescara in San Valentino, Italy. Approximately 80 subjects in their late 40s, all void of prior vision problems, completed the clinical trial. Participants took the supplement Mirtogenol®, 80 mg of bilberry extract and 40 mg of Pycnogel, in varied combination with latanoprost, a topical eye medication used to reduce eye pressure. Intraocular pressure and retinal blood flow were measured periodically throughout the 24-week trial. Researchers concluded that Mirtogenol® lowers intraocular pressure in those with previously elevated pressure. They also found that it could be helpful in reducing the risk of glaucoma because it prevents an increase in ocular hypertension.

Fresh bilberries hold a striking resemblance to the more common blueberry .
Photo by Robban Andersson/Courtesy Flickr
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Bilberry aids in this process by modifying the capillaries in the ciliary body, which releases fluid within the eye. Bilberry has long been thought to be beneficial for eye health, with World War II British Royal Air Force pilots eating bilberry jam to sharpen their vision for night missions. However, a recent study disproved a link between bilberry and improved night vision.

Bilberry extract is taken from dried, ripe bilberry fruit and leaves and is used by herbalists to treat a variety of other health conditions as well. Bilberry plants contain tannins, which are most commonly used to treat diarrhea, and can reduce inflammation due to mouth and throat irritation. Flavonoids in bilberry leaf have been studied to improve circulation, which leads it to be used to treat conditions like diabetes and varicose veins as well.

Always consult your physician before starting any new health supplements to avoid possible medication interactions. 

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From Our Bookshelf: The Botany of Cannabis

by Lyle E. Craker, Ph.D., and Zoë Gardner

Excerpted from The Pot Book: A Complete Guide to Cannabis , edited by Julie Holland, M.D., with permissission from Inner Traditions Bear & Company (c) 2010. The following excerpt can be found on Pages 35 to 43. 

In many locations, the plant genus Cannabis has become synonymous with the recreational drug marijuana. While Cannabis plants are grown and used for food, fiber, fuel, medicine, and shelter (Brown 1998a, Guy 2004) in different areas of the world, primary cultivation, especially in the United States, is for the psychoactive chemical constituents known as cannabinoids. These cannabinoids have been demonstrated to be effective in the treatment of an assortment of human disease conditions (Russo 2004), but they have also been deemed addictive and dangerous substances with no therapeutic value (NIDA 2007). Thus, species of Cannabis are considered to be both a botanical blessing and a scourge to society.

As a plant with a long history of cultivation and use (Russo 2004; Schultes 1970; Wills 1998), Cannabis has been dispersed from origins in Central Asia, the northwest Himalayas, and, quite possibly, China (Nelson 1996; Schultes 1970) to a number of habitats throughout the tropical and temperate regions of the world (Russo 2004; Wills 1998) by populations enthralled by the intoxicating resin and the functional applications of the fibers and the extractable oil from the fruit (achenes, commonly known as seeds) (Clarke 1993; Schultes 1970). This dichotomy of uses for Cannabis as a medicinal and recreational drug and as a fiber and oil source has continuously stimulated public and scientific interest and curiosity in the value of the plant, leading to earlier reviews on the botany and other aspects of the plant (Brown 1998b; Boyce 1912; Clarke 1993; Guy 2004; Joyce and Curry 1970; Walton 1938). Cannabis is a member of the Cannabaceae family along with the genus Humulus (hops) and the genus Celtis (hack-berry and sugarberry).

Cannabis ilustration courtesy Wikimedia Commons .  

Nomenclature 

Complete taxonomic classification within the genus Cannabis remains under considerable dispute. Some authorities (Small and Cronquist 1976; Quimby 1974) claim that all Cannabis plants grown for fiber or resin or other purposes belong to the species C. sativa, with subspecies, such as C. sativa subspecies indica, to differentiate among types. Other authorities (Schultes and Hofmann 1991) insist that morphological differentiation (narrower leaflets, thinner cortex, and more branches) and lack of cannabinoids within plants of European origin, as compared with plants in India, indicate two species, C. sativa (historically identified as the source of hemp fibers) and C. indica (historically identified as the source of canabinoid-containing resin). Additional species have been distinguished: C. ruderalis (wild/naturalized accessions) and C. chinensis (currently thought to be a subset of C. indica) have been proposed due to differentiation in phenotypic traits of the plants (Schultes and Hofmann 1991). A recent investigation on allozyme (an enzyme that differs by one amino acid from other forms of the same enzyme) variation within 157 populations of Cannabis (Hillig 2005) strongly suggests that the genus Cannabis consists of only two species, C. sativa and C. indica.

The relationships within Cannabis species and the production of fiber and cannabinoids, however, are not completely understood, making abso-lute assignment of C. sativa as the source of fiber and C. indica as the source of the resin unwarranted until more complete chemotaxonomic data is available. The movement and selection of plants by growers and others has certainly led to a number of environmental and cultivated vari-ants of Cannabis, as the plants became adapted to growth in various loca-tions and growers chose and seeded plants (accessions) with desirable characteristics. Strains of Cannabis approved for industrial hemp production in Europe and elsewhere have been selected to produce only minute amounts of psychoactive constituents, while strains of Cannabis used for medicinal and recreational use have been selected for production of can-nabinoids (Small and Marcus 2002). A study of ninety-seven Cannabis accessions (de Meijer et al. 2003) indicated that plants produced for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) demonstrated a continuous variation in content of these constituents among the acces-sions with no phenotypic characteristic (physical appearance) that could accurately separate those with high THC from those with low THC con-tent. All species of Cannabis can seemingly be bred to produce fiber or cannabinoids.

Botanical History 

Historically, botanical interest in Cannabis undoubtedly began as the plant became recognized as a source of food, fiber, and medicine. Archaeological evidence indicates use of the plant in China as a fiber some twelve thou-sand years ago (Nelson 1996; Schultes 1970). Early use as medicine is documented by inclusion of the plant in the first known Chinese materia medica (treatise on medical remedies), Pen Ts’ao (accredited to Emperor Shen Nung, 2737 and 2697 BCE), in which people were advised to cultivate the female plant for its greater medicinal properties (Schultes 1970). As the plant moved from country to country in trade, first to Asian counties such as India, Korea, and Japan, cultivation was initiated by farmers as demand for the product increased. Over subsequent years, several rituals were developed for cultivation of the plant, most likely to ensure the growth of the female plant to be used for the resin produced.

After contact with the Indian subcontinent by the Indo-Europeans, cultivation of Cannabis was spread throughout the Middle East and Europe for both fiber and resin. Cannabis was a fiber crop in America in prehistoric times (Schultes 1970), and the plant was prevalent in America before the arrival of European explorers. Early cultivators of Cannabis, including George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, provided extended notes on planting, harvesting, and expected yields, indicating a familiarity with the botany of the plant (Nelson 1996). After America outlawed the cultivation and use of marijuana, it became “hidden” among other crops, forested areas, and enclosed structures to prevent discovery. Yet, despite the efforts at restriction on the growth of Cannabis by local, state, and fed-eral governments, American growers are estimated to have produced 22.3 million pounds of marijuana with a value of $35.8 billion in 2006 (Gett-man 2006).

Growing in the wild, Cannabis plants usually have limited growth, generate small seeds, and produce small amounts of oil, fiber, or resin, as com-pared with cultivated species, due to lack of soil nutrients. To maximize development and productivity, the Cannabis plant, which is known as a “heavy feeder,” needs lots of mineral nutrients, levels that can be supplied under cultivated conditions. Other environmental variables, such as tem-perature, light, water availability, and plant spacing, also affect the growth and development of the Cannabis plant, causing variations in plant appearance and productivity

(Bósca and Karus 1998; Clarke 1993; Potter 2004). To maximize quality production for use of the plant for medicinal purposes and to ensure quality and “hidden” production of the plant for recreational use, Cannabis is often produced hydroponically in a greenhouse or enclosed room where the environmental conditions can be controlled (Clarke 1993; Potter 2004). Of the current Cannabis crop grown in America, 17 percent is thought to be cultivated inside buildings under controlled conditions (Gettman 2006). To meet the need for specialized equipment for controlled growth, various equipment suppliers offer hydroponic equipment and instructions designed to produce vigorously growing plants.

Morphology 

Cannabis is a rapidly growing dioecious (male and female reproductive organs on different plants), wind pollinated, annual herb that in some plant selections can reach heights of twenty feet (six meters) (figures 4.1 and 4.2). Seeds, which readily germinate within a week, develop two seed leaves (cotyledons) that are approximately one-half inch (1.7 cm) long, slightly unequal in size, and broader at the tip than the base (Clarke 1993; Stearn 1970). The first true leaves, which form as a pair on opposite sides of the stem at right angles to and approximately an inch above the cotyle-dons, consist of two narrow, serrated leaflets (blades) two to four inches (5 to 10 cm) long connected to the plant stalk by a distinct petiole (Clarke 1993). The next pair of leaves, formed at right angles to the first pair, can be unifoliate (one leaflet per leaf) or palmate (multiple leaflets arising at a single point on the end of the petiole). The number of leaflets per leaf generally increases as new leaves form on the stem until a maxi-mum of ten or eleven leaflets per leaf is reached.

The stem, which is sometimes hollow, is angular and pubescent (cov-ered in small hair-like structures) (Stearn 1970). If the plant has adequate growing space, the axillary buds (growing points located where the leaf joins the stem) will form branches. If vegetative growth conditions are fa-vorable, the stem will increase in height by two inches per day when ex-posed to the long daylight periods of summer. While some selections of Cannabis are day-neutral (flower under any day length), most are classified as short-day plants (they need a long dark period, usually fourteen hours or more) and shift from vegetative to generative (reproductive) growth upon exposure to short daylight periods. With the change to reproductive growth, the leaf pairs change from leaves opposite each other on the stem to an alternate, spiral arrangement (a single leaf on one side of the stem and the next leaf higher on the stem is not directly above the lower leaf) (Potter 2004).

During vegetative growth, male and female plants of Cannabis cannot be distinguished from each other with any certainty, although the female plant tends to be more stocky and flower later than the male plant (Raman 1998). As the plants enter the reproductive phase, however, the density of leaves on the upper part of the plants begins to differ, with the male plant having fewer leaves than the female plant. The male plant forms flowers in long, loose clusters (six to twelve inches long) from buds within claw-shaped bracts on branches at the top of the plant, while the female plant forms flow-ers in tight, crowded clusters from buds within tubular-shaped bracts. In male flowers, the bracts are formed from five relatively short pubescent se-pals (small leaflike structures), a half-inch long or less, that are a yellowish, greenish, or whitish in color (Clarke 1993). The female flowers are borne in pairs, and each individual flower is enclosed in green colored bracts (calyx formed by sepals).
The upper leaves, unfertilized flower heads, and flower bracts of the female plant are the primary source of cannabinoids in Cannabis (Russo 2004). The cannabinoids are enclosed in tiny (just visible to the eye) glan-dular trichomes (globe-shaped structures, supported on short stalks) found on bracts and floral leaves and unstalked, glandular trichomes (peltate trichomes) found on vegetative leaves and pistillate (flower) bracts (Hammond and Mahlberg 1977; Raman 1998; Starks 1990) and produce the sticky resin containing cannabinoids and terpenes.

Maximum cannabinoid-producing trichomes occur on the flowering part of the Cannabis plant during the late flowering period. The flowering head and other vegetative tissues (lower leaves and stems) of the plant can also develop three other types of trichomes (unicellular curved, squat uni-cellular, and bulbous) that do not produce cannabinoids. The number of resin-producing trichomes is higher in female plants than on male plants, especially on the bracts.

Applications 

Pollination occurs when pollen grains move from the male to the female flower by floating in the wind or by the purposeful transfer of pollen to cre-ate specific crosses (mating the same or two different strains to develop de-sirable features) (Green 2005). Following fertilization (the fusion of the male and female gametophytes, sperm and egg, respectively), the female flower develops seeds (achenes) over fourteen to thirty-five days. The male plant usually dies after shedding pollen, but the female plant, fertilized or unfertilized, continues to mature for another two to five months. Monoecious plants (having both male and female flowers on the same plant) occasionally occur, but this is not a normal occurrence except in specially selected varieties.

In new plantings from seed, an essentially equal number of male and female plants can be expected, although extreme stress, such as that pro-duced by nutrient excesses or deficiencies, temperature extremes, altered light cycles, or mutilation may increase the number of female plants in the population (Clarke 1993). Cannabis plants can also be grown from vegetative cuttings (asexual reproduction, also known as cloning, in which a small part of a plant is used to develop a complete plant) (Clarke 1993; Potter 2004). The use of vegetative cuttings is used to preserve unique characteristics, as the new plant will have the same genotype (genetic composition) and thus the potential for the same phenotypic char-acteristics as the plant it was taken from, though a different environment may change the plant appearance and chemistry. Offspring of sexually propagated plants (those grown from seed) will have genotypes different from the parent plants, as inheritable characteristics (genes) that deter-mine the plant phenotype come from both the male and the female plant. Planned plant crosses (mating of male and female plants by trans-fer of pollen from a specific male to a specific female) are used to develop new varieties.

Cannabis plants used for fiber production are strains that produce only very small quantities of cannabinoids (Rannali 1999; Schultes 1970). To produce the best fibers, these plants are best grown in cold or temperate regions and harvested in the juvenile (vegetative) stage of growth. As the plant ages, the bast fibers (fibers that run the length of the stem, produced in the inner bark) undergo lignification (a hardening that makes the fibers brittle) (Potter 2004). Monoecious plants are preferred for fiber produc-tion because the plants all mature at the same time, enabling mechanical harvest. Seeds to be used as a fixed (fatty) oil source (nonnarcotic), food, or propagation material are harvested only after the seeds have matured. Many seeds usually fall to the ground before harvest, as the achenes held in the flower pods are loose, and the pods have a tendency to dehisce (discharge seeds) upon ripening.

Cannabis plants grown for medicinal or recreational products are har-vested for the resin produced by the leaves and bracts of the flowering tops (Nelson 1999). To maximize the number of glands and resin production, male plants are frequently removed from the production location to pre-vent flowers on the female plants from producing seeds. The lack of seed formation induces the female plants to produce more flowers, leading to increased resin production, frequently with higher cannabinoid content than resin from plants with seeds (ElSohly et al. 1984). The plant material used for recreational purposes produced from nonseed flowering tops of female plants is known as sinsemilla and is valued for high THC content, enhanced appearance, and a more intense aroma, as compared with other similar products obtained from plants allowed to form seeds (Hanrahan 2001; Rosenthal 1984). Dried, crushed flowers and small upper leaves used as the recreational drug are commonly known as marijuana, while the resin collected by brushing the glandular trichomes from the plant tissues and used as a recreational drug is commonly known as hashish.

Conclusion 

As plants closely associated with humans for several thousand years, Cannabis species have undergone morphological and chemical changes through plant selection and breeding to adapt the botany of the plant to meet the needs of the populace. The closeness and overlapping of traits among the species has made differentiation difficult and created confusion among taxonomists (Schultes 1970; Schultes and Hofmann 1991). Differ-ences among Cannabis types suggest that some were selected and improved to produce fibers, while other types were selected and improved for pro-duction of cannabinoids. Such selection of desirable types continues and has led to plants that can grow in different environments and produce more resin or fiber than wild types of Cannabis (de Meijer, van der Kamp, and van Eeuwijk 1992, 1993; Hillig 2005; Russo 2004; Schultes 1970).

Considerable efforts in breeding and selection have produced Cannabis varieties and cultivars that are uniquely suited for production of medicinal or psychoactive compounds, fibers, and fixed oils. Examination of medicinal applications of Cannabis has been renewed in the past twenty years, with botanical selections now being made to meet that need (Guy 2004). Having been in close association with humans for thousands of years, the Cannabis plant continues to be botanically adaptable to meet the requirements of the societies in which the plant is grown.

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Vitamin D Side Effects: Risk and Treatment

The Side Effects of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a natural occurring substance. The best source for this is the sun. However, it is also added in some foods and there are supplements for it as well. There have been some cases of vitamin D side effects, but these are rare. With the right kind of precaution and physician consultations before taking them, these vitamin D side effects can be avoided. Ideally, one should always read all the information beforehand before taking any new medication or supplements. A little bit of research is

vitamin d

A Fall Favorite: The Health Benefits of Pumpkin Seeds

One in 2.36 Halloween-celebrating adults planned to carve a pumpkin in 2009, according to the National Retail Federation. With all that carving, you’re bound to be left with a surplus of pumpkin seeds. While many people simply scoop out and discard the seeds as they prepare to carve their jack-o-lanterns, pumpkin seeds, also known as pepitas, offer many health benefits.

Pumpkin seeds were first used by Native American tribes, who found the seeds to be useful in eliminating intestinal parasites. The tribes also used pumpkin seeds to treat kidney problems. The seeds are still used to prevent kidney stones, but it is not known how this works.

A 2005 study in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition found that 68 percent of Americans have a magnesium deficiency. A magnesium deficiency can eventually lead to serious conditions like heart disease, hypertension and diabetes if left untreated. One way to make sure you don’t fall into this category is to regularly incorporate pumpkin seeds into your diet. Pumpkin seeds are so high in magnesium that just one quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains approximately 87 percent of the recommended daily value of magnesium for an adult.

Pumpkin seeds can prevent and fight kidney stones,
osteoporosis and prostate cancer.
Photo by Food Thinkers/Courtesy Flickr
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A great source of phosphorus and manganese, pumpkin seeds also contain protein, iron, calcium, zinc and a variety of vitamins including B, K and A. According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the zinc in these seeds has proven to help prevent osteoporosis in both men and women. Omega-3 fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds create a natural anti-inflammatory effect so arthritis-sufferers can find relief without the negative side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like acetaminophen or ibuprofen. Phytosterols, a naturally occurring compound found in pumpkin seeds, have been found to be helpful for lowering LDL cholesterol.

Pumpkin seed oil helps keep testosterone from inflicting damage on the male prostate cells and therefore helps reduce prostate cancer development. Pumpkin seeds help ease difficult urination by inhibiting enzymes associated with prostate enlargement. Pumpkin seed extract can also help those with incontinence issues by increasing testosterone levels and strengthening the pelvic muscles.

Though it is best to eat pumpkin seeds raw to preserve the nutritional elements, there are many other delicious ways to enjoy them.

• Add pumpkin seeds to soups or salads for a nutty flavor.
• Mix pumpkin seeds in with sautéed vegetables.
• Combine pumpkin seed oil with honey and olive oil for a healthy salad dressing.
• Roast pumpkin seeds with an endless combination of spices.

Try this easy recipe for Spiced Pumpkin Seeds!

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Beauty Ingredient: Benefits of Sage

Dawn is the owner of Seattle Hill Soap Company and formulates natural and safe soaps and skin care items that are enhanced by herbs, botanicals, or clays. You can find Seattle Hill Soap Company at www.seattlehillsoaps.com. 

A few weeks ago I read a great article in The Herb Companion about sage and it got me to thinking about the essential oil. Although sage (Salvia officinalis), also referred to as Dalmatian sage, is a delicious edible herb, it is also a powerful essential oil and much caution is needed when working with it. Salvia officinalis has very high thujone content and is toxic to the central nervous system which has the potential to cause epileptic seizures and in high doses, paralysis. It is an oral toxin and should be avoided during pregnancy and by persons suffering from epilepsy or high blood pressure. Although it has beneficial uses, it is highly recommended that this oil be avoided for aromatherapy, skincare and internal uses except by skilled practitioners.

 
Photo by camera bag/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/a-evans/ 

Where skin applications are concerned, there is the friendly clary sage (Salvia sclarea), which has a much lower thujone content and can be safely used in skincare and aromatherapy applications without toxic effects. Women who are pregnant should not use this oil as it is considered an emmenagogue, meaning that it stimulates blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.   

Clary sage has a lovely earthy, somewhat nutty, and herbaceous fragrance. It is known to promote the regeneration of skin cells, which helps keep the skin looking healthier and more youthful. It assists oily or dry skin by helping to regulate sebum production, which makes it effective in treating conditions such as, seborrhea, dandruff or acne. Used as a scalp massage, it seems to encourage hair growth and minimizes hair loss.

The emotional effects of Clary sage are valued. It is known to restore emotional equilibrium and alleviates melancholy, as well as, calms nervousness and anxiety. It can increase concentration, memory and mental focus. Because clary sage is emotionally restorative, it is an ideal essential oil in times of extreme stress and life changes.

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Florida Medicare Plans

Medicare has four main parts:

• Part A covers the hospital and nursing facility
• Part B covers the doctors and medical services
• Part C covers the Medicare Advantage Plans
• Part D covers the Prescription Drug Plans

Part A - The Original Medicare Plan:

Medicare Part A covers in-patient hospital services. Includes semi-private room, food, general nursing, medications as part of your inpatient treatment, as well as other medical services and supplies.

You generally do not pay a monthly premium for Part A Medicare coverage in Florida if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while employed. Other coverage includes:

Home Health Services: restricted to medically necessary skilled nursing care, physical therapy, speech-language-pathology, or a continuing need for occupational therapy. You must receive a doctor order for care from a Florida medicare certified home health agency. Also includes medical social services, medical equipment and supplies for home use.

Hospice Care: For people with a terminal illness. Medicare provides coverage for pain relief and medical services. Respite care is provided for up to 5 days each time you get respite care.

Medicare Part B

Any individual, who passes the eligibility guidelines for Medicare Part A, is also eligible for Medicare Part B. This coverage under the Medicare program is made for health practitioner services, outpatient treatment, as well as some medical services which are not included under Part A.

Medicare Part B pays 80% of most doctor's services, outpatient treatment, and durable medical equipment (such as oxygen or wheelchairs). This also includes services or supplies which are required to diagnose or take care of your medical condition.

Part C - Medicare Advantage Plans:

If you join a Florida Medicare Advantage Plan, the plan must provide all of your Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) benefits, including emergency and urgent care.

The benefits of a Medicare Advantage Plan:

• Low monthly premiums
• Some plans offer additional benefits such as dental and vision
• Only one medical question needs to be answered: Do you have renal disease?

Part D - Prescription Drug Plans:

A Prescription Drug Plan is an insurance policy issued by a private company to help cover the expenses for both brand-name and generic prescription drugs that aren't covered by Part A or Part B.

The benefits of a Florida Medicare Prescription Drug Plan:

• Low out of pocket expenses
• Choose any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare
• Protection from unexpected prescription drug bills in the future

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Naturopathic Health: Ocimum Sanctum for Stress Relief

Dr. Jaclyn Chasse, N.D. is a licensed naturopathic doctor and the Medical Educator for Emerson Ecologics, a distributor of dietary supplements to medical professionals. Dr. Chasse’s clinical practice, Northeast Center for Holistic Medicine ( www.northeast-holistic.com), focuses on women’s health, pediatrics and infertility, with an emphasis on botanical medicine. Dr. Chasse is also a master gardener and spends her free time cooking, playing in the woods with her family and taming her small yard into an urban permaculture oasis. 

I love practicing as a naturopathic doctor. I knew this before I even saw my first patient, but every day since has reinforced that for me. I have always been a nature-lover and a scientist, and the use of herbs as medicine allows me to take those two loves and apply them to help others. It is incredibly fulfilling. But even more than that, I am consistently surprised, taught and humbled by the plants that I use in practice. Like trusted friends, their potent actions exceed what I could expect of them. They go above and beyond to heal in ways that I would not have expected.

One example of this was with a patient who came in to see me for fertility. No clear medical cause for the couple’s difficulty conceiving could be found, but in speaking with them it was very clear that at least part of the problem was the incredible stress the couple was under. On top of the stressors of trying to start a family, they each had stressful jobs along with typical financial and relationship stressors. For the husband, the stress seemed to roll off his back, but the woman was clearly overwhelmed. She complained of anxiety and trouble sleeping, and felt like she was less effective at work and at home than she used to be. 

I ordered the testing that I typically run on couples who come in for fertility and started them on a basic multivitamin and fish oil. I also started the woman on holy basil (one of my favorite plants). Ocimum sanctum, also known as sacred basil, is a well known adaptogen that comes from the Ayurvedic tradition. It has been reported to support almost every system of the body including the cardiovascular system, the digestive tract and the endocrine systems. It is most famous for its effects on the hormones that manage stress—cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine.

Holy basil is a versatile herb used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic healing.
Photo by Jaclyn Chasse 

At their follow up visit a few weeks later, we met to discuss their laboratory test results. When I saw the couple again, there was a visible change in the woman. She reported feeling more grounded. Her anxiety had subsided and she was sleeping again. She noticed that whenever she forgot her holy basil, her feeling of being overwhelmed would creep back.

This plant has had a profound effect on her hormonal system, and I’m happy to report that the couple now has a 1.5 year old daughter. But the holy basil that the woman started on that first visit is what allowed her to heal and to be able to be more present in her own life. Pretty amazing for a little plant!

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Many (Many) Uses for Beeswax

I’ve recently gotten very attached to honey as my sweetener of choice, especially for tea, hot breakfast cereal and homemade bread. But today I want to share some information about another precious honey bee product: beeswax.

Bees use their wax to build honeycomb cells for the raising of young and storing of honey and pollen. For humans, beeswax has had many versatile uses throughout history. The ancient Egyptians used it to seal everything from boats to perfumes to sarcophagi. The ancient Greeks sculpted with it and the Romans used wooden tablets covered with beeswax for easy message writing and erasing. More recently, you consume beeswax every time you indulge in a handful of Jelly Bellies or Haribo Gummy Bears.

 
The Ancient Greeks used beeswax to make statues.
Photo by Shovelling Son/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shovellingson/3419609842/ 

Through the ages beeswax has come to be used for a variety of other purposes in both professional and domestic domains. Perhaps the most pervasive and recognizable presence in our lives is in beeswax candles, whether you’re more familiar with the dipped and herb-infused aromatherapy pillars, tiny tea lights or the often uneven hand-rolled sort you can make with a simple craft kit. Beeswax candles are often preferred for their pure light and scents without smoke. Due to the high price, however, many candles are made of a combination of beeswax and other candle waxes such as tallow.

The popularity of beeswax candles aside, this wax can be used in a number of home projects and crafts.

Herbal uses for beeswax include both cosmetic and medicinal applications. In cosmetics, beeswax is used to make lip balms such as this peppermint orange recipe and stains like this beet root coloring. Medicinal salves (try this one with skin-healing calendula), ointments and plasters also use beeswax to give the product texture, form and easy application as well as to moisturize and condition your skin. 

In the garden, beeswax can be used to make pest deterrents such as this deer-repelling tonic “stick,” and can also act as a polishing finish for granite, wood and wrought iron either outside or in your home. Beeswax combined with oil-eating microbes can help clean up oil spills. 

Do you have heavy clothes or shoes that need to be repaired? Thread coated with beeswax is sturdy and waterproof. Old furniture joints and hinges getting unwieldy? Oiling them with beeswax can provide smooth, quiet motion. Beeswax-based saddle soap can condition and seal leather, and beeswax alone will keep your copper and bronze from oxidizing.

If you’re artistically inclined you might want to try my personal favorites for the use of beeswax in art: batik and Ukranian pysanky, a detailed egg-decoration technique. It takes some special tools and dyes, but it’s a style of art that’s always appealed to me. Besides, the finished eggs would make beautiful gifts.

The art of Ukranian pysanky uses beeswax to create intricately colored designs.
Photo by Kateryna Naumova/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kateryna_naumova/4545877068/  

I’m sure there are more uses for this versatile wax out there. What have you used it for or seen it in? What use is your favorite? 

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Rosmarinus Officinalis: Growing Rosemary for Food and Health

Heidi Cardenas is a freelance writer and gardener in Lake County, Illinois, with a background in human resources. She has written about gardening for various online venues and enjoys The Herb Companion’s valuable resources. 

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) is an herbaceous perennial plant related to mint. It is used for culinary, medicinal and personal care products. It has straight, pointed green leaves that grow on long branches. The plant’s leaves are very aromatic, releasing a strong pine scent when touched, cut or crushed. Depending on the variety, rosemary grows anywhere from 3 feet to 8 feet high with upright branches that grow from a central base and produce tiny blue, pink or white flowers. Usually grown as a potted herb, rosemary will grow as large as your pot allows.

 
Potted rosemary will grow as large as you allow it; 
it is kept small and bushy by clipping the tips.
Photo by Heidi Cardenas 

Rosemary needs well-drained soil to grow well. Sand and finely crushed gravel should be added to the garden soil where rosemary is planted. In areas where the soil freezes in winter, rosemary will not survive and should be either dug up and brought indoors or transplanted to a winter shelter, such as a cold frame or a greenhouse.
Rosemary has been used since ancient times to season foods, to make personal hygiene products, in religious traditions and for protection from evil. Sprigs of dried rosemary were burned to clear spaces of negativity, evil spirits and illness. Fresh rosemary sprigs were placed in pillows to encourage good dreams and ward off nightmares. Rosemary crowns were worn in the spring and fall during festivities. It was used as a strewing herb to repel fleas, lice and other vermin in homes. Today, chopped fresh or dried rosemary is sprinkled or rubbed on meats, added to stews and soups and used to flavor herb breads. Dried rosemary sprigs are attractive additions to dried flower arrangements and herbal wreaths and braids. Rosemary is used in many herbal preparations such as salves, creams and rinses. One simple preparation that I particularly like is rosemary water hair rinse.

 
Rosemary steeped in filtered or distilled water, or boiled in water,
is a pleasant hair rinse to use after shampooing.
Photo by Heidi Cardenas 

Steep a couple of sprigs of freshly cut rosemary in filtered or distilled water for a couple of days, or boil them in water, add an equal amount of clear water and use it to rinse your hair after shampooing for a fresh, clean, natural shine. Boiled dried rosemary can substitute to make this hair rinse. A stronger preparation from fresh rosemary sprigs makes a good disinfectant.

 
Rosemary has long, pointy leaves that grow from its branches.
Photo by Heidi Cardenas 

To make a natural, pine-scented disinfectant spray chop up fresh rosemary, add it to boiling water for about 3 minutes, strain, and put into a spray bottle. Use it in your kitchen and bathroom.

Rosemary is a sturdy, fragrant herb to grow in the garden or indoors for many uses, including culinary, hygiene, cleaning and even topiary. It’s readily available at garden centers, nurseries and grocery stores; it's an easy herb to grow and use year round indoors and out. 

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Turmeric: Health Benefits with a Kick

As the weather turns cooler I dream of foods that are piping hot inside and out: warm and spicy, spreading comforting heat from my zombie-blue fingertips (my hands get cold as soon as the temperature threatens to drop below 60 degrees) to my numb toes. My favorite is curry, be it Indian, Thai or Japanese, and it was while I was investigating new recipes to try that I stumbled across turmeric (Curcuma longa). Distracted from my desire for mouthwatering spice blends, I decided to investigate.

Turmeric powder is one of the primary ingredients in curry powder.
Photo by Carlos Lorenzo/ Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/carlos_lorenzo/  

Curcuma longa is one of the primary ingredients in standard curry powders and the source of its bright yellow coloring. Native to South Asia, this herb’s introduction to the West came primarily through dyes and occasionally food as a cheaper substitute for saffron in medieval Europe. It is the yellow that tints many prepared mustard condiments, butters, cheeses, yogurts, pickles and fruit drinks today, and it is still used in dyeing saris in India and Pakistan.

Turmeric has long been used as a fabric and food dye.
Photo by PrincessFroglips/ Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/janed42/  

In addition to its yummy hot-pepper flavor, this member of the ginger family has recently been noticed by Western scientists for the curcumin it contains—a compound that has been shown to suppress tumors, boost the cognitive strength of people struggling with Alzheimer’s and kill cancer cells. Asian medicinal practices, such as the Indian Ayurvedic tradition, have long recognized turmeric as a useful healing herb, but the benefits were largely ignored by Western culture until well into the 20th century. Unlike ginger, it’s only recently that turmeric has joined the ranks of our Western spice racks and acknowledged health-boosting herbs.

As a healing agent, turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antifungal properties. It boosts the immune system and is rich in antioxidants that aid in the body’s fight against cancer, heart failure, cataracts, dementia and ulcers. Recent studies show it to be effective in reducing arthritis pain and lowering cholesterol levels.

According to Ayurvedic practice, turmeric is a whole-body-cleanser, and an infusion of turmeric and hot milk is a common home remedy for colds and coughs. (Recommended Dose: 1 teaspoon turmeric per cup of milk.) This herb has long been used in India to prevent food poisoning and other digestive disorders, and it is traditionally considered to keep disease away from the body.

At a traditional Bengali wedding, turmeric paste is applied to the face of both the bride and groom.
Photo by Rajiv Ashrafi/ Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdgamer/  

Chinese medicine historically used turmeric to treat wounds, primary syphilis, menstrual disorders and digestive worm poison. Today, Chinese scientists consider turmeric to aid the flow of qi (a body’s natural energy) and blood; they use it (in conjunction with other herbs) to treat both viral hepatitis and pain of the chest and abdomen.

If you would like to use turmeric as a health measure, try the infusion mention above (up to three cups a day), or consider a capsule supplement (400mg 3 times per day). Of course, my favorite way to reap the benefits of this rhizome is through the spicy goodness of a bowl of curry. But be cautious, as turmeric can upset the stomach if consumed in large amounts and may interfere with prescription and over-the-counter drugs. If you have any concerns, speak with a health care professional.

Resources: The Healing Power of Chinese Herbs and Medicinal Recipes by Jouseph P. Hou, PhD and Youyu Jin, PhD.
Ayurvedic Herbs: A Clinical Guide to the Healing Plants of Indian Medicineby M.S. Premila, PhD
The New Healing Herbsby Michael Castleman

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In the News: Dallas Woman Promotes Herb Benefits Through the Years

What do you think you’ll be doing when you’re 92 years old? Seventy years from now I’d like to picture myself happily retired and relaxing on a warm beach somewhere without a care in the world. The last thing I imagine I’d be doing is maintaining a thriving community garden filled with more than two dozen herbs. But this is just how Lane Furneaux spends her days at North Dallas’ Edgemere retirement community. I was inspired when I read Betsy Friauf’s article At 92, Dallas woman is the Johnny Appleseed of herbs in The Dallas Morning News. Furneaux has spent the last 30 years working to make Dallas a world class herb education center and she isn’t looking to give up anytime soon.   

Furneaux first started actively pursuing this goal in 1980 when she convinced the Preston Royal Shopping Center to hold Dallas’s first ever week-long fresh herb celebration. The first 500 copies of her 1989 book Heavenly Herbs: Enjoy Them!quickly sold out and copies have now been sold in every state and continent in the world. When Furneaux’s husband Bill passed away eight years ago, she recruited a longtime friend to help convert a landscaped area of the Edgemere grounds into her own special gardening space.

 
Photo by John 'K'/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkay/ 

Furneaux has not let age slow her down, despite a myriad of health issues including macular degeneration and sciatica, she continues to spend hours each day in Edgemere’s herb garden and is committed to educating as many people as she can on the culinary and health benefits of fresh herbs.

According to Friauf, John Falldine, Edgemere's managing director, plans to start expanding the community's garden plot soon.

Click here to read the original article At 92, Dallas woman is the Johnny Appleseed of herbs.

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Studies Find Increasing Health Benefits From Vitamin D

The US Institute of Medicine is involved in a study that will likely result in an increase in the recommended daily intake of vitamin D. VOAs Carol Pearson reports that research shows vitamin D affects nearly every area of the body and low levels of vitamin D can have serious

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Vitamin D from UV Exposure Can Decrease Cancer By 80% - ABC NEWS

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Beauty Ingredient: The Benefits of Patchouli

Dawn is the owner of Seattle Hill Soap Company and formulates natural and safe soaps and skin care items that are enhanced by herbs, botanicals, or clays. You can find Seattle Hill Soap Company at www.seattlehillsoaps.com. 

Patchouli is a bushy plant with large, soft and furry leaves. It’s native to Malaysia but is now cultivated in a number of southeastern Asian countries. Its essential oil can range from light golden-brown to dark amber-brown, depending on the type of metal used in the distillation. Like wine, patchouli gets better with age. Some suppliers will hold back their premium lots, age it just like a wine, then sell it as premium oil. The fragrance, although difficult to describe, is earthy, musty, pungent and very strong. Patchouli’s fragrance can be very off-putting to some, but it is very alluring to others. My personal experience is that people either love it or hate it. I have many customers that buy my patchouli soap simply because they love its fragrance and for no other reason. Although it is known to be an aphrodisiac, I’m sure its effectiveness would be suspect if one thought it stank. 

( Relax with a patchouli-infused foot soak. ) 

Photo by Sam Ley/Courtesy Flickr
http://www.flickr.com/photos/phidauex/3682831457/ 

The skin benefits of patchouli oil are plentiful. It regenerates skin cells, which makes it useful for hastening the healing of wounds and to fade scars. It tightens and tones sagging skin. Because of patchouli’s anti-inflammatory properties, it can calm skin problems such as sunburn, acne, eczema and other forms of dermatitis. It regulates sebum production and helps treat acne and dandruff. The fungicidal properties make it appropriate for combating athlete’s foot, jock itch and fungal problems of the skin such as Candida. It soothes and smoothes cracked skin and is said to be beneficial for helping brittle and weak nails. Patchouli is also known to be an antidepressant and helps treat anxiety, nervous disorders and other stress-related conditions. 

Never use patchouli essential oil neat (without diluting.) There are many applications in which you can use patchouli oil: skin balms, skin oils (macadamia and emu are a couple of my favorites), soaps, lotions and bath salts are a few. My best advice is that you use patchouli sparingly. It is quite strong and a little goes a very long way. 

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Every Herb Has a Story: Fenugreek Uses

Randy Buresh (Registered Nurse and Herbalist), is the co-owner and founder of Oregon’s Wild Harvest. Oregon’s Wild Harvest grows, harvests and produces their own medicinal herbal products, many of which use the herbs grown on their certified Biodynamic® and Organic farm in Sandy, Oregon. www.oregonswildharvest.com 

Open a bottle of fresh fenugreek and the smell is distinctive: maple abounds! Fenugreek is among the best-selling herbs in the United States, and it has been for many years.  Commonly used by nursing mothers, fenugreek is widely known for its lactation support—its ability to increase milk flow.

Fenugreek originates from India and northern Africa, and has a long history of medicinal and culinary use. Medicinal applications of fenugreek were documented in ancient Egypt, where it was used for embalming mummies.

Fenugreek has historically been valued across many cultures and eras.  

As an aid to increasing milk flow, fenugreek has been historically valued across many cultures and eras, from the relatively recent use by wet nurses in the southern United States to other cultures such as Sudan, Egypt, Iraq and Argentina. In India, once a child has been born, women are encouraged to eat fenugreek seeds as a supplement to encourage the healthy flow of milk.

The benefits of fenugreek in breastfeeding likely stem from the diosgenin in its seeds, a compound similar to estrogen. As such, it increases milk production and stimulates breast tissue.

Fenugreek also contains a gumming substance called mucilage. When mixed with water mucilage expands and becomes gelatinous, and effectively soothes irritated tissues, making fenugreek an effective aid for digestion.

It’s an herb with a story—and many helpful uses. That's why fenugreek is Oregon Wild Harvests' herb of the month.

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Weekend Getaway: Traditions in Western Herbalism Conference

Erin is the Communications Manager at Mountain Rose Herbs and an apprenticing herbalist at the Columbines School of Botanical Studies, where she botanizes and wildcrafts medicinal plants in the magnificent Oregon Cascades. www.mountainroseherbs.com 

Henry wore a straw hat and a friendly smile. Holding a sign that read Traditions in Western Herbalism, his eyes scanned the Albuquerque airport for arriving passengers. One by one, the five of us gathered with bags in arms as we exchanged hugs and greetings. Sparkling with excitement, our small group of herbal adventurers climbed into Henry’s truck and followed the Rio Grande three hours north through rural desert towns and stunning landscapes to the Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú, where the herbalist's revival would soon transpire. 

 
Beautiful striped mesa on the horizon.
Photo by Erin McIntosh 

Fragrant sagebrush and junipers ornamented the majestic red and orange painted mesas that welcomed us on Friday morning. We settled into our adobe dwellings, which softened harmoniously
against the exquisite ochre terrain, and prepared for the weekend’s promise. An extraordinary medley of teachers, including Rosemary Gladstar, Paul Bergner, Matthew Wood, Phyllis Light and many others, had traveled from all corners of the country to share their wisdom with eager attendees. The days would surely be steeped in diverse tradition, innovation and revelry. 

Oregon herbalist Howie Brounstein’s hilarious skullcap lecture.
Photo by Erin McIntosh 

Classes gathered under towering cottonwoods and beautiful wooden pavilions. Around the ceremonial fire pit, Kiva Rose and Jim McDonald led a fascinating discussion of plant energetics and intuitive herbalism through the exploration of aromatics, flavor and form. Howie Brounstein’s lecture on the benefits of skullcap, a nutritive and calming herb, had an unexpected effect on the crowd, instigating thunderous spells of uproarious laughter that could be heard echoing well down the trail! Through powerful anecdotes and cautious guidance, Charles Garcia taught techniques for safely distributing basic herbal formulas like teas, salves and medicinal syrups to help nourish and heal the homeless in our neighborhoods. All the sessions were thought-provoking and deeply stirring.

Discovering the high desert flora during 7Song’s plant walk.
Photos by Erin McIntosh 

Touring the high desert flora during 7Song’s sunny plant walk was another highlight. Punctuated by lovely botanical language and cleverly crafted mnemonic jokes, 7Song helped us identify the fruiting cholla cacti, vibrant orange globe mallows, tumbleweeds and flame colored Castillejas. Mimi Hernandez’s class on Appalachia’s wild mountain roots boasted a mesmerizing assortment of freshly harvested specimens. During her talk, we examined mammoth poke roots, knobby black cohosh, spindly blue cohosh and fleshy bloodroot that oozed gorgeously when snapped open. We were also treated to sassafras, yellowroot, stoneroot and a trove of wild-crafted tinctures for sampling.

Studying freshly harvested bloodroot.
Photo by Erin McIntosh 

After spending the hot southwestern days immersed in plant talk, a brilliant waxing moon lured us to the awaiting nighttime festivities. Rosemary Gladstar blessed the gathering with an impassioned call to steward our wild medicinal plants by spreading their seeds in our gardens. Her extraordinary work with the United Plant Savers was met with immense gratitude from all in attendance. Soon, storytelling by a spirited Jesse Wolf Hardin was in full swing as Rising Appalachia strummed their twinkling banjos and flamenco dancers swirled with grace around the stage. The colorful congregation of plant teachers, performers and attendees bounced and swayed as the poetry and rhythms inspired buoyancy.

Rising Appalachia singing a Bulgarian lullaby.
Photo by Erin McIntosh 

Sunday afternoon of the conference was anchored by an impressive panel of speakers who possess over 200 years of combined experience in herbal studies. The honored teachers shared their unique voices to weave a collective image of what they envision grassroots herbalism will become. At the heart of their dream was hope that humanity will allow the plants around us to be our teachers and that we will fearlessly use the knowledge we gain to enrich and empower our communities. I cannot imagine a more proper finale to this potent, surprising and beautiful weekend amongst herb loving friends in the New Mexican wilds.

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