Category Archives: Herb Profile

Vetiver: Travel, Magical Indian Grass and Supporting Research

vetiver

When I first smelled vetiver, it blew me away. There was something so specific  about it… so, familiar. My co-worker was putting some on one morning (we are yoga teachers and work in inner-city public schools, so it was no surprise that she was loading herself up with protective essential oils to face the potential brutality of the day).

She asked if I wanted to armor up, and I immediately fell in LOVE with this smell, I couldn’t stop sniffing my sleeve where it’s magical droplets had found themselves. It permeated my skin, my car, and right when my mom hugged me several hours later, it was the first thing she noticed and mentioned.

Different countries have plants native to them. They may have a plant so ingrained in their culture it is like apples and bananas to us. Some magical and mysterious herbs and spices and scents that we had no idea existed, exist. Vetiver, I have come to find, is one of them. How fun would it be to travel and explore the smells of different lands…

Vetiver is native to India, but has exploded all over Asia and Africa. In Sri Lanka it is known as the “oil of tranquility”, because it is known for it’s COOLING properties; thus, tropical places use it to cool down in hot summer months. It is built into thatch walls to freshen up a room.

Positive Health Wellness dives into the value of travel for health, check out this great article:

8 Reasons Why Traveling Is Good for Your Health

Surprisingly, there has been quite a bit of research done on the effects of Vetiver:

-Skin problems (Biological activity of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides) essential oil in human dermal fibroblasts)

-Soothe feelings of anxiety and nervousness (Anxiety-like behaviour and c-fos expression in rats that inhaled vetiver essential oil)

-Treat symptoms of ADHD and ADD (ADHD Research by Dr. Terry Friedmann )

-Antioxidant Properties (Evaluation of antioxidant activity of vetiver (Vetiveria zizanioides L.) oil and identification of its antioxidant constituents) (Vetiver oil (Java) attenuates cisplatin-induced oxidative stress, nephrotoxicity and myelosuppression in Swiss albino mice.)

-Improve Sleep (Modification of sleep-waking and electroencephalogram induced by vetiver essential oil inhalation.) ; (Odors enhance slow-wave activity in non-rapid eye movement sleep.)

vetiver

Aromatherapy: In Hospitals, and Suggested Uses.

“Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take for yourself spices, stacte and onycha and galbanum, spices with pure frankincense; there shall be an equal part of each. “With it you shall make incense, a perfume, the work of a perfumer, salted, pure, and holy. “You shall beat some of it very fine, and put part of it before the testimony in the tent of meeting where I will meet with you; it shall be most holy to you” [Exodus 30:34-38]

IMG_6047
“Aromatherapy uses plant materials and aromatic plant oils, including essential oils, and other aroma compounds for improving psychological or physical well-being. [Wikipedia]

It is even making it’s way into hospitals… 

aromatherapy 1

“Studies already have found that inhaled Mentha piperita reduces the need for Zofran in chemo-induced nausea, she said. Also, the M technique, with or without essential oils such as frankincense or lavender, can be effective in reducing terminal agitation at the end of life, Buckle says.”

Fort Worth Hospital Incorporates Aromatherapy, 2008

The following mentioned study had statistically significant results, and evidenced the use of lavender oil to improve the quality of sleep of patients.

Effect of aromatherapy on the quality of sleep in ischemic heart disease patients hospitalized in intensive care units of heart hospitals of the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 2010

Now, this use of aromatherapy is called “complementary medicine”: “Complementary medicine (CM) or integrative medicine (IM) is when alternative medicine is used together with functional medical treatment, in a belief that it improves the effect of treatments.” [Wikipedia]

aromatherapy 3

If done mindfully, and safely, we can experiment with aromatherapy at home. Explored in a controlled and conscious way we can do self-study on its effects. Here are some common ailments, and the suggested essential oils said to provide relief:

Agitation: Chamomile, Lavendar, Mandarin, Sandalwood

Anxiety/ Fear: Bergamot, Chamomile, Cedarwood, Frankincense, Jasmine, Lavendar, Neroli, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood

Aphrodisiac: Clary Sage, Jasmine, Patchouli, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang

Fatigue: Basil, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Ginger, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lemon, Patchouli, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sandalwood

Isolation: Chamomile, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Rose

Memory Boosters: Basil, Cypress, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary

Sadness/Grief: Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Rose, Sandalwood, Ylang Ylang

Self Esteem: Bergamot, Cypress, Grapefruit, Jasmine, Orange, Rosemary

Stress Relief: Bergamot, Chamomile, Lavender, Lemon, Orange, Patchouli, Vanilla, Ylang Ylang

aromatherapy 4

 

Copaiba

One of my new favorite things.

“Considered to be one of the most anti-inflammatory substances on earth”

So Young Living is a brand that carries very high-grade essential oil. I have been enjoying using some of their essential oils to flavor my water. I recently learned about Copaiba, and it’s taste is unparalleled.

copaiba

It is said to:

  • reduce pain
  • eliminate inflammation
  • protect against infection (Disinfectant)
  • heal the skin (astringent) (add a few drops to a cotton ball or add to moisturizer)
  • prevent fungal growth
  • boost respiratory health
  • improve health of skin and hair
  • improve bladder control
  •  speed healing (Cicatrizant)
  • tighten skin (Astringent)
  • lower blood pressure
  • treat varicose veins
  • moisturizer (Emollient)
  • aids in expelling phlegm (Expectorant)

Wikipedia

 

Peppermint Oil

peppermint oil benefit

(Source: https://draxe.com/peppermint-oil-uses-benefits/)

I like Young Living Essential Oils, they are therapeutic-grade so you can DRINK THEM. 🙂

Peppermint, Mentha piperita, Mentha x piperita is believed to be a hybrid between spearmint Mentha spicata and water mint Mentha aquatica. Commercial cultivation of peppermint began in England about 1750. English production peaked by 1850, after which American producers began to provide competition. The first peppermint commercial production in the United States was in the 1790s in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. Peppermint is now produced commercially, mostly for essential oil production in Indiana, Wisconsin, Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. Today, peppermint oil is valued as much for its therapeutic potential as it is as a flavoring ingredient.

In addition, Positive Health Wellness explores the positive impact that Peppermint Oil also has when treating migraines.

They suggest creating an “Almond Oil and Peppermint Oil” blend to create a topical massage oil to help treat the pain associated with migraines.

“The peppermint oil is part decongestant and part relaxation. It works similarly to eucalyptus oil by reducing inflammation to get rid of a buildup of pressure or a blockage. This will help to get rid of the reason for your nerve pain. At the same time, the oil will help to calm your nerves and get rid of tension.”

 

What are some ways you use Peppermint oil?

 

Red Raspberry Leaf [Rubus idaeus]

Red-Raspberry-Leaf-Tea-Photos

Red Raspberry Leaf is, that’s right, you guessed it… The leaf of a red raspberry! This powerful deciduous plant is packed with nutrients that have medicinal properties.

Though there are many benefits to utilizing the potent power of red raspberry leaf, here are the three it’s most known for:

ONE. A woman tonic, assisting women, and pregnant women (in second or third trimester). Aiding the female reproductive system. RRL eases symptoms of PMS. Strengthening the Uterus and Pelvic Floor Muscles, and helps with labor and healthy births.  It helps to prevent hemorrhaging. It can also help to tone the bladder from frequent urination.

Some research shows:

“the raspberry leaf herb can be consumed by women during their pregnancy for the purpose for which it is taken, that is, to shorten labour with no identified side effects for the women or their babies. The findings also suggest ingestion of the drug might decrease the likelihood of pre and post-term gestation. An unexpected finding in this study seems to indicate that women who ingest raspberry leaf might be less likely to receive an artificial rupture of their membranes, or require a caesarean section, forceps or vacuum birth than the women in the control group.”

[1]

However, a similar study by some of the same researchers in 2001, found no statistical evidence of Red Raspberry Leafs’ benefit on shortening the first stage of labor. They found a slight shortening of labor time of the second stage, and a smaller percentage of the Red Raspberry Drinkers had to  have forcep-assisted birth but nothing statistically significant was found.

[2]

TWO. Sleep Assistance. Soothes internally and externally with a high nutrient content: Magnesium, Potassium, Iron, and B-Vitamins,

THREE. Calms an upset stomach, eases nausea & diarrhea.

Red Raspberry Leaf contains tannins.

tan·nin
ˈtanən/
noun
plural noun: tannins
  1. a yellowish or brownish bitter-tasting organic substance present in some galls, barks, and other plant tissues, consisting of derivatives of gallic acid, used in leather production and ink manufacture.
    [3]

Tannins are found in many common foods such as wine, chocolate, and blackberries.

Raspberry leaf has tannins that slow the flow of liquid in to the intestines, which allows the body to form a solid stool.

Tannins have also been reported to exert other physiological effects, such as to accelerate blood clotting, reduce blood pressure, decrease the serum lipid level, produce liver necrosis, and modulate immunoresponses.

Science aside, Red Raspberry Leaf has a long history of treating illnesses. 

Marisa Corless from Herbal Legacy explains how raspberry was “used interchangeably with blackberry by the Greeks, Chinese, Ayurvedics, and American Indians to heal complaints such as diarrhea, dysentery, and the healing of wounds.” She goes on to say that Red Raspberry leaf has helped midwives prevent miscarriage and facilitate birth,and that Native Americans and people of the “Old World” used it to prevent hemorrhaging.

[4]

For more information on RRL  and its’ history, go here.

like mama always said.

Do with this information what you will.

Some of my tea blends, Is Be Wonders, Tea

[1] Parsons M1, Simpson M, Ponton T. Raspberry leaf and its effect on labour: safety and efficacy [abstract]. In: Aust Coll Midwives Inc J. 1999

[2] Simpson M1, Parsons M, Greenwood J, Wade K. Raspberry leaf in pregnancy: its safety and efficacy in labor. In: J Midwifery Womens Health. 2001

[3]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tannin

[4]

[4]Chung KT1, Wong TY, Wei CI, Huang YW, Lin Y. Tannins and human health: a review. In: Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 1998