HORSEWEED OR FLEAWORT - NORTH AMERICAN HERB: HISTORY, USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF HORSEWEED

FLEAWORT, HORSEWEED, CONYZA CANADENSIS 

Horseweed is the modern name for this plant which was called fleawort by Nicholas Culpeper, the 17^th century English herbalist. As it had only been introduced into England in around 1640 he can be forgiven for his rather fanciful rationale for its name. The truth is that, like fleabane, it repels insects when burned. It is native to North America, although it has naturalized in Britain now and in most of the rest of Europe. This is what Culpeper has to say of this plant.

“Government and virtues. The herb is cold, and dry, and saturnine. I suppose it obtained the name of Flea-wort, because the seeds are so like Fleas. The seeds fried, and taken, stays the flux or lask of the belly, and the corrosions that come by reason of hot choleric, or sharp and malignant humours, or by too much purging of any violent medicine, as Scammony, or the like. The mucilage of the seed made with Rose-water, and a little sugar-candy put thereto, is very good in all hot agues and burning fevers, and other inflammations, to cool the thirst, and lenify the dryness and roughness of the tongue and throat. It helps also hoarseness of the voice, and diseases of the breast and lungs, caused by heat, or sharp salt humours, and the pleurisy also. The mucilage of the seed made with Plantain water, whereunto the yoke of an egg or two, and a little Populeon are put, is a most safe and sure remedy to ease the sharpness, pricking, and pains of the hæmorrhoids or piles, if it be laid on cloth, and bound thereto. It helps all inflammations in any part of the body, and the pains that come thereby, as the headache and megrims, and all hot imposthumes, swellings, or breaking out of the skin, as blains, wheals, pushes, purples, and the like, as also the joints of those that are out of joint, the pains of the gout and sciatica, the burstings of young children, and the swellings of the navel, applied with oil of roses and vinegar. It is also good to heal the nipples and sore breasts of women, being often applied there-unto. The juice of the herb with a little honey put into the ears helps the running of them, and the worms breeding in them. The same also mixed with hog's grease, and applied to corrupt and filthy ulcers, cleanses them and heals them.”

  It was boiled and used in sweat lodges by the Native Americans, and a decoction of the plant was traditionally used against cancer. The Native Americans also used the powdered herb as snuff to clear the head when they had colds. In Chinese medicine it has been used for wounds, swellings and the pain caused by arthritis. In Europe it has mainly been used for its astringent properties and so used to treat diarrhoea and dysentery as well as being used as a diuretic. Now it is also used for bleeding piles, externally.

  The whole herb can be used and should be gathered and dried for later use. It was formerly called Erigeron canadensis with erigeron describing it appearance of being past its prime as soon as it flowers (eri being Greek for early and geros or geron meaning old man). It contains a volatile oil which is used for flavouring soft drinks, sweets and in perfumery.

  Horseweed is a member of the Asteraceae or Compositae family, which makes it a relative of such plants as fleabane, pellitory or Roman chamomile, marigolds, purple goat’s beard (salsify), yellow goat’s beard, elecampane, the ox-eye daisy, holy thistles, costmary, tansy, feverfew, groundsel and yarrow, among others. Its leaves are edible and can be eaten in salads or cooked as a vegetable like spinach. They contain the minerals calcium, phosphorous, and potassium in fairly high proportions.

  It has been the subject of several clinical studies which have found it to have antifungal and antimicrobial activities. A methanolic extract of the plant has “exhibited important antibacterial activity” and “good antioxidant activity” while the “ethyl acetate and petroleum ether extracts demonstrated effective cytotoxic activity against Hep-2 cells.” (Medical Chemistry Research Vol.18 (6) 2009, pp 447-458 “Antibacterial, antioxidant and cytotoxic activities of extracts of Conyza canadensis (L) Cronquist growing in Tunisia” Edzir Hayat et al.)

  Another study by Beata Olas et al. (2006) “Antioxidant and antiaggregating effects of an extract from Conyza canadensis on blood platelets in vitro” also found that  “the natural polysaccharide extract from Conyza canadensis has antiaggregatory and antioxidative activities and therefore may be beneficial in the prevention of peroxynitrite-related diseases, such as cardio-vascular and inflammatory diseases.”

  Yet another study conducted in Hungary by Boglárka Csupor-Lôffler et al.  “Antiproliferative Constituents of the Roots of Conyza canadensis” (2011) found the extracts to have “considerable cell-growth inhibitory activity against human cervix adenocarcinoma (HeLa), skin carcinoma (A431) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells.”

  Clearly this plant has a lot of potential benefits for us and research is continuing into its properties.

   

FRENCH PSYLLIUM, HISTORY AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF FRENCH PSYLLIUM

FRENCH PSYLLIUM, PLANTAGO ARENARIA 

French Psyllium is one of the plantains (Plantago ovata being another) which are native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean area as well as South West Asia. They are mainly used for their seeds which and husks which have a mucilaginous coating. This is used as a thickening agent, in ice creams and so on, as well as for their laxative qualities. They soothe the bowel and ease the passage of excrement, and remove toxins from the bowel and so the body. The plantains have been used in western herbal medicine for thousands of years.

  The plant can grow to heights of around a foot and flowers during July and August. Its leaves are edible and may be eaten either raw in salads or cooked like spinach. It is a member of the Plantaginaceae family and as such is related to brahmi or water hyssop, the foxglove, speedwell, brooklime, great mullein and toadflax to name just a few of its relations.

  Nicholas Culpeper the 17^th century English herbalist had many uses for plantains and this is what he had to say about them.

“Government and virtues. It is true, Misaldus and others, yea, almost all astrology-physicians, hold this to be an herb of Mars, because it cures the diseases of the head and privities, which are under the houses of Mars, Aries, and Scorpio. The truth is, it is under the command of Venus, and cures the head by antipathy to Mars, and the privities by sympathy to Venus; neither is there hardly a martial disease but it cures.

The juice of Plantain clarified and drank for divers days together, either of itself, or in other drink, prevails wonderfully against all torments or excoriations in the intestines or bowels, helps the distillations of rheum from the head, and stays all manner of fluxes, even women's courses, when they flow too abundantly. It is good to stay spitting of blood and other bleedings at the mouth, or the making of foul and bloody water, by reason of any ulcers in the reins or bladder, and also stays the too free bleeding of wounds. It is held an especial remedy for those that are troubled with the phthisic, or consumption of the lungs, or ulcers of the lungs, or coughs that come of heat. The decoction or powder of the roots or seeds, is much more binding for all the purposes aforesaid than the leaves. Dioscorides saith, that three roots boiled in wine and taken, helps the tertian agues, and for the quartan agues, (but letting the number pass as fabulous) I conceive the decoction of divers roots may be effectual. The herb (but especially the seed) is held to be profitable against the dropsy, the falling-sickness, the yellow jaundice, and stoppings of the liver and reins. The roots of Plantain, and Pellitory of Spain, beaten into powder, and put into the hollow teeth, takes away the pains of them. The clarified juice, or distilled water, dropped into the eyes, cools the inflammations in them, and takes away the pain and web; and dropped into the ears, eases the pains in them, and heals and removes the heat. The same also with the juice of Houseleek is profitable against any inflammations and breakings out of the skin, and against burnings and scaldings by fire and water. The juice or decoction made either of itself, or other things of the like nature, is of much use and good effect for old and hollow ulcers that are hard to be cured, and for cankers and sores in the mouth or privy parts of man or woman; and helps also the pains of the piles in the fundament. The juice mixed with oil of roses, and the temples and forehead anointed therewith, eases the pains of the head proceeding from heat, and helps lunatic and frantic persons very much; as also the biting of serpents, or a mad dog. The same also is profitably applied to all hot gouts in the feet or hands, especially in the beginning. It is also good to be applied where any bone is out of joint, to hinder inflammations, swellings, and pains that presently rise thereupon. The powder of the dried leaves taken in drink, kills worms of the belly; and boiled in wine, kills worms that breed in old and foul ulcers. One part of Plantain water, and two parts of the brine of powdered beef, boiled together and clarified, is a most sure remedy to heal all spreading scabs or itch in the head and body, all manner of tetters, ring-worms, the shingles, and all other running and fretting sores. Briefly, the Plantains are singularly good wound herbs, to heal fresh or old wounds or sores, either inward or outward. “                                           

  French psyllium has a number of botanical synonyms including Plantago psyllium, and Plantago indica,  both of these refer to this plant.

SMALL-FLOWERED CHASTE TREE: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF VITEX PARVIFOLIA

SMALL-FLOWERED CHASTE TREE, MOLAVE, VITEX PARVIFOLIA

The chaste tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is native to the Mediterranean region, while this is its close tropical relative. It is called Molave in the Philippines where it is a native. Native trees are also found in parts of Indonesia, but in other parts of the world it is believed to have been introduced. However it was listed in the IUCN Red list as Vulnerable in its native habitats in 1998 as it has been felled for its highly prized timber although there have been moves to replant trees which had been indiscriminately felled. The timber is prized in the tropics as it is termite and fungus resistant, making it valuable in the tropics.

  The tree is a medium height one which grows to between 30 and 38 metres high. It has smaller blue-lilac flowers than it Mediterranean relative, but is very attractive when in bloom and later the fruit appears, which is blue-black, and contains between one and four seeds.

  As a member of the Lamiaceae or Verbenaceae family it is also related to sage, lemon verbena, Prunella vulgaris (self-heal), Jupiter’s sage, horehound, Cretan dittany, Bugle, Peppermint, ground ivy, Scarlet Bee Balm, motherwort, wall or common germander, Fragrant Premna, the teak tree, marsh woundwort, white, purple and yellow dead nettles, Lantana camara or yellow sage and vervain, to name but a few of its relatives.

  The timber is used for a multitude of purposes including construction, houses, ship building, railway sleepers, and carving. The wood exudes a yellow resin-type substance when treated with lime and when the wood shavings are soaked in water a yellow weak dye is produced.

  The bark and wood are used in traditional systems of medicine in the Philippines and Indonesia, and in some parts of India where it is mixed with the bark of Terminalia cattapa or the Indian almond tree and used in baths for women who have just delivered a baby.

  It is used as a styptic, to heal damaged tissue in the form of a paste, and is mainly used as an emetic, to produce vomiting in cases of poisoning. For this purpose a decoction is made from the wood and the bark of the tree. The bark is also used in a decoction or infusion for diarrhoea, and in South East Asia it is used for stomach problems, anorexia, blindness, leprosy, intestinal worms and rheumatic swellings.

  The tree has now been planted in South America and other parts of the tropics in attempts to save it from extinction. The leaves are used as fodder and the timber for firewood. Hopefully this beautiful tree will be saved from the threat of extinction.

FLEABANE, LITTLE-USED PLANT TODAY: HISTORY OF USES OF FLEABANE

FLEABANE, PULICARIA DYSENTERICA  

This common fleabane is native to Europe and western Asia. It is a member of the daisy family or Asteraceae or Compositae family of plants, so if you are allergic to these, keep away from fleabane. As a member of this family it is related to pellitory or Roman chamomile, marigolds, purple goat’s beard (salsify), yellow goat’s beard, elecampane, the ox-eye daisy, holy thistles, costmary, tansy, feverfew, groundsel and yarrow, to name but a few of its relatives.

  A botanical synonym for it is Inula dysenterica Linn., while it is also known in English as fleabane mullet. It can grow to heights of around two feet and it looks like a golden daisy. Pulix, the root of the name of the genus, is Latin for flea.

  The leaves and roots of fleabane were used for dysentery, as the Latin name suggests as they have astringent properties. A paste made from the leaves has also been used for wounds and cuts, applied externally to heal them. The bruised leaves have a slightly soapy smell, and they were used in mediaeval times to repel fleas and other insects. The leaves were burned to rid a house of pests, hence the common name fleabane.

This is what the English herbalist Nicholas Culpeper, writing in the 17^th century has to say about it:-

“Names: It is called also in English, mullet and in Latin conyza.

 Government and virtues. It is hot and dry in the third degree. The herb being spread under foot and smoked in any place, will drive away venomous creatures- and will kill and destroy fleas and gnats. An ointment of the roots and leaves is used with success for the itch.”

  He does not mention its use in dysentery as this was a continental remedy and the plant was not much used for medicine in Britain. There were other plants that were deemed efficacious for this.

  Modern clinical trials have shown that extracts of the plant have antimicrobial and antibacterial properties against some bacteria. It is thought that the insect repelling properties of the plant are due to its thymol content, as this has proved to have the ability to kill houseflies. Interestingly it has also been discovered that plants from different countries have different bioflavonoids in them, some have kaempferol while others contain more quercetin and so on.

  There is another plant which Culpeper calls flea-wort which was used in medicine in Britain, but this is not that plant, and they have different characteristics.

EUROPEAN LABURNUM: PRETTY BUT POISONOUS: HISTORY OS USES OF LABURNUM

LABURNUM, LABURNUM ANAGYROIDES

The laburnum tree is cultivated widely in Europe, particularly in Britain, because of its yellow flowers which hang in clusters but which later give way to poisonous seeds. I once lived close to one of these trees and can say that nothing could grow under it. It is a member of the Leguminoseae or Fabaceae family and so is related to the Indian laburnum or amaltas, carob, peas, beans such as the green bean, borlotti bean, soya beans, chickpeas and choliya, the tree from which we get gum Tragacanth, the butterfly pea, the trees, dhak, jhand, the Indian coral tree, the Borneo or Pacific teak, the Lead tree (Ipil –Ipil), the pongam tree, the monkey pod tree, ashoka, indigo, lentils, alfalfa, field restharrow and a whole host of other plants.

  A botanical synonym is Cytisus laburnum, so it is a close relative of broom, Cytisus scoparius.

  It looks very pretty, but it is poisonous and should be treated with care. It is indigenous to the mountainous regions of France, Germany and Switzerland, but can now be seen virtually all over Europe. Unfortunately the seeds can kill animals, and people. They contain the poisonous alkaloid, cystine, which may be a perfect insecticide, but cannot be used, for example to kill head lice in children (as can Stavesacre or Lousewort) because it may be absorbed through the skin. The poisoning can be fatal from ingestion of this plant, although there are some reports that this can be remedied by administering a violent emetic and then dosing yourself with whiskey or poisoned before having one!)

  It has been suggested that the seeds could be used for whooping cough and asthma, but again this has not been used because of the possibility of death occurring from the dosage which was meant to cure. (This is another plant, like aconite, either Monkshood or wolfsbane, which is best avoided.)

We know that this tree was introduced into England some time before 1597 as John Gerard, the 16^th century apothecary and herbalist, wrote of having one in his garden. He called it Bean trefoil or Anagyris. The laburnum tree is called Faux ébénier in French - False ebony as its wood is used instead of ebony. It is hard and durable but coarse-grained and need to be highly polished. However it is used by turners and may be used for furniture or decorative items.

  This tree may be attractive when it is in flower, but if you have one near you – take care!

STAVESACRE - INSECTICIDE, BUT POISONOUS: HISTORY, USES AND HEALTH BENEFITS OF STAVESACRE

STAVESACRE, LOUSEWORT, DELPHINIUM STAPHISAGRIA 

Stavesacre is a really pretty tall flowering plant which is highly toxic. It contains diterpene alkaloids which can prove fatal. The symptoms begin with euphoria, followed by depression and extreme sensitivity of the nerves, then paralysis, the slowing of the pulse and respiration until finally it causes death by asphyxiation. It acts in much the same way as Monkshood or aconite (also blue-flowered).

  Stavesacre is clearly a corruption of its Latin name, staphisagria (say it and you’ll see how!) It was given the name lousewort, because its main use was to kill parasites, especially head lice in children. It was much used in the Middle Ages, when there were hygiene issues!

  Stavesacre is a member of the buttercup family, or Ranunculaceae, making it a relative of Lesser Celandine, marsh marigolds, black cohosh, wood anemones, goldenseal and wolfsbane (another aconite). It is a native of the Mediterranean region and southern Europe, and can grow to around four feet high, so is quite conspicuous.

  The seeds are the main parts used, and these are collected and dried for later use, although given the toxicity of this plant is best left alone. It was known to Dioscorides and Pliny who both mention its use as a purgative and for killing parasites and insects externally. It has been used for skin problems and was thought to be an effective wart remover.

  Nicholas Culpeper, the 17^th century English herbalist had this to say about it: -

“Government and virtues. It is seldom given inwardly, being of a hot burning taste, though Sylvius de la Boe commends it from gr. xii. to a scruple in a dose, which purges upwards and downwards, causing a great flux of spittle; and is serviceable against the lues neverea. It is sometimes used in masticatories and gargarisms for the toothach. The vulgar use the powder of it to kill lice. The seeds are kept by the druggists, and they have been given in small doses against rheumatic and venereal disorders; they vomit and purge, and that in so rough a manner, that it is better to omit their internal use entirely. Chewed in the mouth, they excite a very large discharge of watery humours from adjacent parts, and frequently prove serviceable in disorders of the head; but they are chiefly used to destroy lice in children's heads, for this purpose the seeds coarsely powdered are to be strewed among the hair, and it never fails of destroying them.”

BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY- PRIZED FOR ITS WOOD: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY

BIG-LEAF MAHOGANY, SWIETENIA MACROPHYLLA

Mahogany has been valued for its high-quality durable timber since the 16^th century. This tree, the big-leaf mahogany is native to Central and South America. In these countries there is a ban on its timber as it is now on the CITES list and the mahogany that is sold now comes from plantations in the Asia-Pacific region, from Fiji, India, Sri Lanka and other countries. It has been on the IUCN red List since 2003 in its natural range.

  Mahogany wood has a rich, red-brown colour and has been used to make musical instruments, for timber in the construction industry, boat-building and high-quality furniture. However the tree also has medicinal properties.

  In Bolivia the Mesetemo Indians use a decoction of the crushed seeds to bring about an abortion, and use the crushed seeds with the oil from Attalea phalerata for skin problems and children’s skin allergies. They make use of the bark to make dye. In Malaysia the seeds are chewed, or swallowed in powder form to treat high blood pressure, while in India the seeds are also used to treat this as well as diabetes. In India the seeds are also used for diarrhoea. In Indonesia a decoction of the seeds is given against malaria.

  In clinical trials the leaves have been found to have anti-diabetic properties, and to have anti-inflammatory properties as well as perhaps having the potential to help against hepatitis C. Traditional uses have also been upheld for the treatment of diarrhoea and malaria. The leaves have also been found to have some anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties.

  In some countries a decoction or infusion is made with the crushed seeds for all of the above diseases with honey added to sweeten the concoction. It is said to increase the male libido and so has a reputation as an aphrodisiac, touted in supplements for erectile dysfunctions. However there is no scientific evidence for these claims.

  The tree grows to great heights of 50 metres and can live for 350 years plus. It has white flowers which fall to form the fruit which is very unusual as it is gravity defying – it points upwards, and so is called the sky fruit. This contains a winged seed, which falls quite near the parent tree because of its weight, meaning that mahogany trees tend to form natural stands. The tree sheds its leaves in summer and is a member of the Meliaceae family of plants, so is related to the neem tree, Azadirachta indica, and to the Chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach. The other trees which produce mahogany are Swietenia humilis and Swietenia mahagoni. This one is also known as the bastard mahogany, as opposed to Swietenia mahagoni.

   Deforestation has led to the endangerment of this tree in South America, along with unsustainable logging for its timber. There has been a ban on felling it in Costa Rica since 1997. When the trees are felled this leads to soil degradation and erosion as the roots go deep into the ground and stabilize the soil.

MASTERWORT, ONCE BELIEVED TO HAVE POWERFUL HEALING PROPERTIES: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF MASTERWORT

MASTERWORT, MEISTERWURZ, PEUCEDANUM OSTRUTHIUM 

Masterwort was called “the divine remedy” in the Middle Ages, and believed to be a wonder herb, capable of curing most ailments. Its leaves were used to flavour soups and its root is still used to make Meisterwurzbrand, a liqueur, in the Tyrol region of the Alps.

   It is a member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae family of plants, and as such is related to the carrot, celeriac, lovage, opoponax, Alexanders (black lovage), thapsia, cow parsley, sweet Cicely, hemlock, pignuts, lesser and greater burnet saxifrage, ground elder, rock samphire, fennel, sea holly and sanicle, to name just a few of its relatives. It is a close relative of angelica, for which it is sometimes mistaken as it smells very similar. Unfortunately masterwort has a sap in its aerial parts which can cause dermatitis on contact with the skin. It was much used at one time and being a native of Southern Europe, was cultivated in monastery gardens in Britain and Ireland. It is now naturalized in these countries. Its botanical synonym is Imperatoria ostruthium, and another English name for it is Hog’s fennel.

  Hildegard von Bingen mentions it in glowing terms in her “Physica” written between 1150 and 1160, as Astrenica and it was also previously known as Magistranta. All its names reflect the way herbalists thought of it – a powerful remedy.

  It is said to contain myristicin which is supposed to be a psychotropic, found in nutmeg, and responsible for euphoria. The root has been chewed to relieve toothache, and in the USA was once used to calm hysteria and delirium tremens. This is interesting as the root of masterwort was thought to impart strength and courage to its bearer, as well as protection, which was a good thing, as it was believed that if the root were scattered around, any lurking evil spirits would manifest themselves.

  The root is the main part used in medicine, and this is said to be best gathered in spring or autumn and dried for later use.

  Nicholas Culpeper, the English herbalist, writing in the 17^th century had this to say about it:-

“Government and virtues. It is an herb of Mars. The root of Masterwort is hotter than pepper, and very available in cold griefs and diseases both of the stomach and body, dissolving very powerfully upwards and downwards. It is also used in a decoction with wine against all cold rheums, distillations upon the lungs, or shortness of breath, to be taken morning and evening. It also provokes urine, and helps to break the stone, and expel the gravel from the kidneys; provokes women's courses, and expels the dead birth. It is singularly good for strangling of the mother, and other such like feminine diseases. It is effectual also against the dropsy, cramps, and falling sickness; for the decoction in wine being gargled in the mouth, draws down much water and phlegm, from the brain, purging and easing it of what oppresses it. It is of a rare quality against all sorts of cold poison, to be taken as there is cause; it provokes sweat. But lest the taste hereof, or of the seed (which works to the like effect, though not so powerfully) should be too offensive, the best way is to take the water distilled both from the herb and root. The juice hereof dropped, or tents dipped therein, and applied either to green wounds or filthy rotten ulcers, and those that come by envenomed weapons, doth soon cleanse and heal them. The same is also very good to help the gout coming of a cold causey.”

   The infusion or tisane of the chopped root is said to be good for migraines, and it has also been used for asthma. There has not been much research into this plant except by manufacturers of cosmetics who seem to think along with the ancient Romans that it can keep the skin youthful. They were so enamoured of masterwort that some say they were responsible for introducing it to the rest of Europe. 

BAMBOO-NOT JUST FOR PANDAS AND BALE MONKEYS: HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF BAMBOO: RECIPE STIR-FRIED BAMBOO SHOOTS

BAMBOO, BAMBUSA VULGARIS 

There are many different species of bamboo, all members of the grass or Poaceae family so it is related to rice, black rice, Kans grass, maize, sorghum, millet, rye, barley, oats and wheat just to name a few of its relatives. Bamboo is a favourite food of the Giant panda and the Bale monkey (which was only discovered by Westerners in 1902), which lives in Ethiopia and is dependent on bamboo for its survival. The Asian elephant likes them too, but is not as picky an eater as the Giant Panda or the Bale monkey.

  There is a traditional belief that a bamboo grove was a favourite dwelling place of Buddha and it is said that in such a grove you find tranquility and it also stimulates creativity.

  Some bamboo is used for timber and is a hard one when treated, preferable to hard or soft wood which takes years to grow. Bamboo could be the timber of the century as it can grow to its peak in 5 years and can be harvested after one, so is a sustainable crop. It can also absorb more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere than an equivalent stand of trees, so if more were planted, it could help with the world’s pollution problem.

  In ancient China, bamboo was a writing material which faded into obscurity when paper was manufactured in the 4^th century AD or thereabouts. Now it has numerous uses- 1,500 is a figure that has been mentioned. It is useful as fibre as it absorbs sweat and has antibacterial and anti-odour properties. You can now get socks made from bamboo fibre, for example. It has been used to make bicycle frames, for construction (whole houses have been made from it which are earthquake resistant), bridges (there’s one suspension bridge in Sichuan province China, which is at least a thousand years old), fly fishing rods, and many more uses.

  Thomas Edison used bamboo for a filament in his light bulb which is still working in the Smithsonian museum and he used it as needles for his phonographs too. In Japan and other Asian countries, tattoo needles are made from bamboo. In 2005 Asus made a laptop case with it, so you can see that it is very versatile.

  The name “bamboo” is onomatopoeic, as it is said that this is the noise it makes when it is laid in a fire to scare away wild animals. Marco Polo, the Italian adventurer reported this in 1270.

  The material made from bamboo is UV resistant and so can block those harmful rays, and it is also hypoallergenic and heat regulating.

  Bamboo is the fastest growing known plant and this has led to its use as a torture plant. It can grow inside the body for 2 to 4 days if conditions are right, and the poor person subjected to this form of torture would have an excruciating death.

  This grass can also be made into biomass and charcoal. A power station in the Philippines runs on bamboo chips. Clearly it has potential as a fuel as it also makes good charcoal which is a deodorizer.

  The joints or culms of bamboo exude a sap which is rich in silica and this supports many of the body’s functions. It should be no surprise to learn that bamboo has been used in traditional medicine systems in Asia for thousands of years. In Ayurvedic medicine practised in the Asian subcontinent the sap is known as tabasher and is used in Tibet with other ingredients for lung diseases. This substance contains more silica than is found in horsetail and it is the richest source of organic silica known. It is believed that silica can help protect against Alzheimer’s disease, cardio-vascular disease, can help delay the aging process of the skin as it provides a boost to the collagen and elasticin which maintain the skin’s flexibility and elasticity so preventing wrinkles forming. It also assists in healing bones which have been fractured, and in promoting healthy hair, nails, lessening bone mass loss, helping joints retain their flexibility and easing joint pains.

  Bamboo vinegar is a by-product of the charcoal-making process and this has anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties, and is added to bath water, used for eczema and other skin problems.

 The leaves of bamboo contain flavonoids which have antioxidant properties. It is thought that these flavonoids may promote blood circulation, reduce inflammation and inhibit allergic reactions. The leaves are used in traditional medicine for their cooling, astringent properties, for fevers, wound healing, for eye problems and to regulate a woman’s menstrual flow. Juice from the leaves is also used to make bamboo-flavoured beer.

  Bamboo is used to stop vomiting, and mainly for coughs, bronchitis and other respiratory complaints. In some countries it is also thought to be an aphrodisiac and is also used to remedy STDs.

  Bamboos shoots, the tender young ones are edible and used extensively in South-East Asian cuisine. They taste sweet and are ubiquitous in stir-fries in the UK. These are rich in minerals and a useful source of the B-complex vitamins.

  There is no doubt that the bamboo has a lot to offer us and there are several research studies being carried out in institutes and universities around the world to discover just how useful it could be in the future.

STIR-FRIED CHICKEN AND BAMBOO SHOOTS

Ingredients

½ chicken breast, boned and thinly sliced

bamboos shoots, sliced

baby corn

sliced green beans

sliced water chestnuts

1 inch root ginger peeled and finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 tbsp peanut oil

1 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp soy sauce

½ handful fresh chives, chopped

1 red or green chilli finely chopped

white wine (optional for thinning sauce)

Method

Heat the oils together in a frying pan or wok and when hot add chicken. Fry for 2 minutes then add the vegetables, chilli, garlic and ginger. Fry for another 2 mins and add the soy sauce and chives.

Heat through and serve on a bed of rice.

This has Taste and is a Treat.

Note: Add as many vegetables as you require.

CALAMINT -"LET NO WOMAN BE TOO BUSY WITH IT": HISTORY, HEALTH BENEFITS AND USES OF CALAMINT

CALAMINT, CALAMINTHA OFFICINALIS

Calamint gets its name from the Greek kala or kalos meaning good; it is a ‘good’ mint because it was thought to have the power to drive away venomous beasts and especially the king of the serpents, the dreaded basilisk. (Remember Harry Potter?) It is a member of the mint or Labiateae or Lamiaceae family of plants and is closely related to both catnip and ground ivy and with horsemint, peppermint, purple, yellow and white dead nettles, marsh woundwort, the teak tree, marjoram, basil, Holy basil, oregano, savory, thyme, lavender, lemon balm, Scarlet bee balm as well as bugle, motherwort, self-heal, the chaste tree, Jupiter’s sage, wall germander, Fragrant premna and hyssop to name just some of its relatives.

  It is also known as Mill Mountain, Mountain Balm or Mountain Mint and Basil Thyme, and can be used fresh or dried- leaves and flowering tops in a calming tisane. It can grow to around a foot high and can be found on mountains, in hedgerows – virtually anywhere, although its light purple flowers are insignificant. These bloom around July and August and the leaves and are best collected at the end of July or just before, when they are at their peak. This tisane will help relieve flatulence and stomach problems. A conserve of the flowering tops was made and given for hysterical conditions.

  Nicholas Culpeper writing his herbal in the 17^th century had this to say of calamint: -

“Government and virtues. It is an herb of Mercury, and a strong one too, therefore excellent good in all afflictions of the brain; the decoction of the herb, being drunk, bringeth down women's courses, and provoketh urine; it is profitable for those that are bursten, or troubled with convulsions or cramps, with shortness of breath, or choleric torments or pains in the belly or stomach; it also helpeth the yellow jaundice, and being taken in wine stayeth vomiting; taken with salt and honey, it killeth all manner of worms in the body, it helpeth such as have the leprosy, either taken inwardly drinking whey after it, or the green herb outwardly applied; it hindereth conception in women, being either burned or strewed in the chamber; it driveth away venomous serpents. It takes away black and blue marks in the face, and maketh black scars become well-coloured, if the green herb be boiled in wine, and laid to the place, or the place washed therewith: being applied to the huckle-bone, by continuance of time it spendeth the humours which cause the pains of the sciatica; the juice, dropped into the ears, killeth worms in them; the leaves, boiled in wine, and drunk, provoke sweat, and open obstructions of the liver and spleen. It helpeth them that have a tertian ague, the body being first purged, by taking away the cold fits; the decoction thereof, with some sugar put thereto, is very profitable for those that are troubled with the overflowing of the gall, and also for those that have an old cough, and that are scarce able to breathe by shortness of their wind; that have any cold distemper in their bowels, and are troubled with the hardness of the spleen; for all which purposes both the powder called diacaluminthes, and the compound syrup of calamint, (which are to be had at the apothecaries,) are most effectual.”

Culpeper ends his description of its virtues with this warning: “Let no woman be too busy with it, for it works very violent upon the feminine subject”!!

  It was clearly used for a number of ailments, although the idea of using it as a contraceptive by “being either burned or strewed in the chamber” shows just how little the people of the 17^th century understood about such  practices. The “huckle-bone” is the hip bone.

  There have been numerous studies on the properties of calamint, and it should be pointed out that its volatile oil, found in the leaves can be used in cookery. Like peppermint it is also used to flavour some pharmaceutical products. The oil has been found to have “non-selective central nervous system-depressant “properties as far as rats are concerned that is. (Journal of Medicinal Food Vol.14 (3) pp292-300, “Chemical composition and biological activities of Calamintha officinalis Moench essential oil” Monforte M.T. et al. 2011.)

  Another study has shown that “Probably the gastroprotective effect depends on a synergistic action of all the compounds occurring in C. officinalis leaves, even if the antioxidant potential of the leaves plays an important role by removing damaging agents from the gastric mucous.” “Protective Effect of Calamintha officinalis Moench Leaves against Alcohol-induced Gastric Mucosa injury in Rats” Monforte M. T. et al. Journal of Phytotherapy Research 2010.

  Calamint also shows possibilities for diabetes sufferers, and probably more evidence to support the traditional use of calamint will be found in the future.