Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), we know it for its beautiful scent and volatile oils. It is one of our basic gentle sedative plants, as it nourishes and sustains the nervous system. Yet there is so much more to Lemon Balm than calming and fragrant tea. In this monograph, explore the herb for its other properties, such as its antiviral actions, its helpful actions in autonomic disorders, neuralgic pains, and its more modern uses as an essential oil and hydrosol.

Enjoy!
​~Your friends at HWB

While many people on the east coast of North America are still digging out of the snow, in other parts we are starting to experience spring! There are few early spring herbs as well known as common Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale). Dandelion has a long history in herbal medicine, with written documentation in early medical texts dating back to the 10th and 11th century. The beautiful thing about Dandelion is that all parts of the plant can be used! The flower is an antioxidant, the leaf is a potassium rich diuretic, and the root has been used in cancer studies concerning the liver, and has been used as a bitter tonic to assist with liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic health.

In this downloadable monograph, learn all about Dandelion, its various parts and uses, and some of the clinical and pharmacological research that has been conducted.

~Your friends at HWB!

The monograph of the week this week is Hibiscus, also known as Roselle, Jamaica, Wanjo, Omutete, Zobo, Bissap, Ketmie Rose, Rosella, Serreni, Rosellahanf, Carcade, and many others. Click the button below to download this monograph in PDF form. 

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica) is a brain boosting, thought clearing, anti-inflammatory adaptogen! A traditional Ayurvedic herb which is now used in mainstream western herbalism, it is considered to be a brain tonic which assists with memory, concentration, and clarity. Some of its lesser known uses is as a restorative for soft tissue healing and skin conditions as it has been shown in clinical trials to inhibit certain inflammatory enzymes, making it helpful in injuries such as burns of all types and potentially post surgical healing when used topically.

Whatever you use it for, this herbal ally has a long standing tradition of use in various types of herbal medicine.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

Feverfew is a tremendously helpful herbal ally with a long history in country and folk medicine.
Most commonly in modern herbal medicine it is considered to be an HEENT herb (Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat), with its most notable modern day use as a pain and frequency reducer in migraine headaches. However, due to its bitter properties, it was previously considered a popular herb to be used in issues with digestion, sluggish liver, and constipation. Whether you use it for its modern descriptions, or its traditional applications, this herb has proven to be tried and true over time.

Petra is a faculty member at the Institute of Holistic Nutrition Nutrition, a new member on the HWB Board of Directors,  and has been a member of HWB since 2014. She currently runs the HWB Mahonia Chapter for the greater Vancouver BC area and coordinates the community free clinic. She is also the owner of Healing House Natural Wellness Centre, a multi-modality center located in BC Canada. For more info please visit the site, or follow her on Instagram @healinghouseherbal ​

Not just a breakfast cereal! Oats and humans have a long partnership spanning thousands of years. Traditionally, it is the immature seed that is used by herbalists. This immature seed is referred to as "milky", the stalk, and plant as a whole is also used. Medicinally, oats are excellent for the nervous system, and are a soothing demulcent to the gastrointestinal tract.
In cardiovascular health, the regular use of oats in nutrition can help to lower harmful (LDL) cholesterol levels, and pairing it with flax can give you the 1! 2! punch that is sometimes needed. Oats are gluten free (unless processed with wheat), so they can offer a soothing boost to individuals who may have a gluten allergy or sensitivity.

Want to know more? Follow the link to explore this brief and informative monograph!

A big thank you to Janelle Farkas of HWB NEPA for the monograph, and Petra Sovcov of HWB Vancouver, for the introduction!

VISIT THE CHAPTERS:
HWB NEPA: https://www.facebook.com/HWB.NEPA
HWB Vancouver: ​https://www.facebook.com/HWBVancouver/