The Beneficial Botanicals Blog
JEWELWEED : THE VALUE OF YOUR JEWELS
Jewelweed is truly a gem of a weed! It is such a welcoming plant and one of the best topical herbals for poison ivy. Here you’ll find directions on how to make Jewelweed into an infused oil and salve.
CAN PLANTS REALLY SMELL US?
Plants don’t need noses to smell. The ability is in their genes. Researchers have discovered the first steps of how information from odor molecules changes gene expression in plants.
VALERIAN ~ THE SLEEP SECRET OF GREECE
Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is one of the delightful herbs you will find in Greece. Its sweetly scented pink or white flowers have wooed many for centuries. So why is this the sleep secret of Greece?
7 BOTANICALS FOR YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Mother Nature has provided many plants and fungi that we can use to assist with modulating the responses of the immune system. Plants have their own reasons for possessing these chemical compounds, used for their defense, but they can be our allies when we are in need.
WEIGHING THE BENEFITS OF TINCTURES VS. DRIED HERBS
Wondering what delivery method is the best? Here are 4 things to consider…bioavailability, capturing constituents, quantity, and shelf life.
DIY ELDERBERRY ELIXER GUMMY BEARS
These easy-to-make gummy bears will give you a shot of healthy goodness with the best Elderberry extract. It’s really the only reason you need to make them. But they are sweet Valentine’s Day gifts too!
CHOLESTEROL: THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE WINNING TRIFECTA
Good news! There are options for natural lovastatin.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE HERBAL MEDICINE?
This is a common question and one that really does have answers. Here we’ve also included additional notes about absorption, dose frequency and length of time.
WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ADAPTOGEN, TONIC, AND ALTERATIVE?
All three of these terms are used to describe the actions of an herbacious plant or other types of botanicals when used as a medicinal. But what do they really mean?
WHAT SHOULD I STOCK IN MY MEDICINE CABINET?
You might feel overwhelmed since there are so many plants that can be used for one ailment. Start by making a list of recurring needs and then review our recommendations. You might love some of the suggestions we have in this article for herbals to have on hand before you actually need them.
STREP, COLD, OR FLU?
Knowing which may save you a trip to urgent care. Here is a simple summary to help you know which is which.
A LIKEABLE LICHEN
Meet Usnea. She has a delicate name to match her appearance. This wispy little lichen doesn’t look like much but in the medical lab, has demonstrated its strength!
REUSING TINCTURE BOTTLES: STERILIZING VS. SANITIZING
Recycling is a fine way to deal with a number of used tincture bottles. Some of our customers would like to reuse them, or even re-sell them. So we set out to answer your questions about sterilizing vs. sanitizing bottles for reuse.
FULL-SPECTRUM VS STANDARDIZED
You will most likely find plenty of controversy over which is better: full-spectrum or standardized herbal extraction for alternative medicines. The real question could simply be, “Which is appropriate to achieve the efficacy of a specific plant product?”
Inflammation Pain: NSAIDs & Steroids vs. Plant-Based Medicine
The long term use of steroidal and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is still the mainstay of most classically taught clinicians, despite their commonly known side effects.