Chinese Herbs : Damiana
Damiana (Turnera diffusa or Turnera aphrodisiaca) is a woody plant with several stems that grows in hot and humid parts of Mexico, Central and South America. It can also be found under such names as “herba de la pastora,” “Mexican damiana,” and “old woman’s broom”.
The plant has approximately 1-2 m in height. Its leaves are 10-25 cm long and they are toothed on the edge. The upper side of the leaves is smooth and pale green, while the lower one is hairy on the ribs. The leaves have a pleasant scent of chamomile. Damiana blooms during the whole summer with yellow flowers that rise from the leaves’ axils. The plant has small fruits that resemble a capsule divided into three parts. They are sweet and smell like fig.
Ancient people thought that Damiana was effective in calming nerves and relieving depression and anxiety. They smoked plant’s leaves to relax. Smoking Damiana is practiced even nowadays. Some researchers say that the effect from smoking the herb’s leaves on human brains is similar to the influence of cannabis.
It is interesting to note that boosting sexual desire is not the only property of Damiana. Native tribes also use it to treat constipation and digestive problems, as well as gastric ulcers, menstrual irregularities, and bed-wetting.
Chemical structure of Damiana is rather complicated. The herb is rich in many active components that account for its main medicinal uses and applications. One of the main constituents is volatile oil that is found in the leaves of Damiana. This oil consists of at least 20 elements, including 1.8-cineole, p-cymene, alpha- and beta-pinene, thymol, alpha-copaene, and calamene. The leaves are also a source of flavonoids, tannins, damianin, beta-sitosterol, arbutin.
People learned to process Damiana long time ago and now the herb is available in various forms: capsules, tablets, tea blends, tinctures, and extracts. It is often combined with other herbs to achieve higher efficiency. Undoubtedly, Damiana is a precious medicinal plant, but we need more research to study and verify all the herb’s actions.
Chinese Herbs : Cordyceps
Chinese Herbs : Cordyceps
Information about Cordyceps is very controversial for the time being: this mushroom is believed to be one of the most potent and health improving herbs in the world; on the other hand, modern science has very little knowledge about it, the majority of facts and results being taken from the studies done by the Chinese scientists.
Cordyceps belongs to the family of numerous mushrooms, which are, actually, parasitic organisms, growing wildly on the caterpillars in the high plateaus of China, Nepal, and Tibet. The fruiting body of Cordyceps looks like grass. That is why it is called Winter Worm - Summer Grass besides Deer Fungus, Caterpillar Fungus, and Aweto.
Among the numerous species Cordyceps sinensis is the most famous due to its curing properties. The Chinese discovered its power many centuries ago, having noticed that sheep, grazed on Cordyceps, were stronger and healthier. Traditional herbalists began using the fungus for curing many diseases in humans. Cordyceps was believed to be a cure-all herb, able to fortify all the body systems, providing anti-aging, immune boosting, and strength increasing effects. This mushroom was especially popular for its ability to improve male sexual function, working as an aphrodisiac. Its influence on the human organism was often compared to that of ginseng.
The Western world got acquainted with Cordyceps not so long time ago, mainly due to the works and research of Dr. Georges Halpern, a physician and professor emeritus with the University of Hong Kong, and the author of several books about this fungus. He and other scientists and herbalists confirm that the mushroom can:
- stimulate the immune system;
- cure sexual dysfunction in men;
- maximize body oxygen uptake;
- build muscles;
- improve kidney, liver, and lung functioning;
- provide anti-aging effect...
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Astragalus and Astragalus Root
Astragalus and Astragalus Root
One of the most precious herbs, discovered, studied, and used by herbalists of China, is Astragalus. It belongs to the Fabaceae family (it is a bean family), a genus of multiple species, some of which are poisonous (the cases of poisoning pigs with some members of this family are known). However, Astragalus membranaceus is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and has proved its positive influence on human health. It is also known as Milk vetch, Huang qi, Milk vetch root, Goat’s horn, Green dragon, Yellow emperor, etc.
Astragalus membranaceus is a sprawling perennial legume, about 16 inches high. It has a hairy stem, leaves made up of 12-18 leaflets, and aromatic flowers, which are produced in late May or June. In late June beaked legumes (“pea pods”), covered with small hairs, are formed. The seeds are said to be viable for six years and they tend to geminate better if lightly scratched (scarified) with fine sandpaper. However, it is a root that is used in medicine. For this purpose it is usually harvested on the fourth year of the life of a plant.
Astragalus is indigenous to the northern and eastern parts of China and some areas of Mongolia. It prefers sunny places and sandy, well-drained soils. Although regular garden soil will also suit, in that case a good drainage is needed to prevent the crown rot.
The Chinese use the dried sliced or powdered root of the plant to boost the immune system, to increase the body resistance to the infections, to heal the allergies, and to raise and renew the vitality. Usually, teas and tinctures are made combining Astragalus with Echinacea, Ginseng, and Codonopsis. The preparations are believed to work best for preventing the diseases, not for curing them.
One of the most precious herbs, discovered, studied, and used by herbalists of China, is Astragalus. It belongs to the Fabaceae family (it is a bean family), a genus of multiple species, some of which are poisonous (the cases of poisoning pigs with some members of this family are known). However, Astragalus membranaceus is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and has proved its positive influence on human health. It is also known as Milk vetch, Huang qi, Milk vetch root, Goat’s horn, Green dragon, Yellow emperor, etc.
Astragalus membranaceus is a sprawling perennial legume, about 16 inches high. It has a hairy stem, leaves made up of 12-18 leaflets, and aromatic flowers, which are produced in late May or June. In late June beaked legumes (“pea pods”), covered with small hairs, are formed. The seeds are said to be viable for six years and they tend to geminate better if lightly scratched (scarified) with fine sandpaper. However, it is a root that is used in medicine. For this purpose it is usually harvested on the fourth year of the life of a plant.
Astragalus is indigenous to the northern and eastern parts of China and some areas of Mongolia. It prefers sunny places and sandy, well-drained soils. Although regular garden soil will also suit, in that case a good drainage is needed to prevent the crown rot.
The Chinese use the dried sliced or powdered root of the plant to boost the immune system, to increase the body resistance to the infections, to heal the allergies, and to raise and renew the vitality. Usually, teas and tinctures are made combining Astragalus with Echinacea, Ginseng, and Codonopsis. The preparations are believed to work best for preventing the diseases, not for curing them.
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