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Jasmine has long been loved for its wonderful scent. This climbing plant blooms with one of the most aromatic flowers in the garden.

The jasmine plant was first introduced in Europe in the 16th century where it quickly gained immense popularity because of its scent. French perfumers especially took an interest this lovely climbing plant.

In addition to its scent, the jasmine plant also has healing properties. It is also used as a well-known cleansing remedy. In China, Jasmine tea has been a long-standing healing favorite. The taste of the jasmine plant is alternately described as astringent, pungent, bitter, and slightly cooling.

The jasmine plant contains alkaloids, including linalool. Jasmine also contains salicylic acid, which is the active component of aspirin.

The jasmine plant has many actions attributed to it. Its flowers have been known as an aphrodisiac, an astringent, a bitter but relaxing nervine, an analgesic, a sedative, and a plant which helps encourage milk flow. The essential oil derived from the jasmine plant is thought to operate as an antidepressant, an antiseptic, an antispasmodic, an aphrodisiac, a sedative, and a uterine tonic.

There are two main components that are used from the jasmine plants: its flowers, and its essential oil. The jasmine plant flowers have been used in Ayurvedic medicine for hundreds of years. In Ayurvedic medicine, the jasmine flowers are known as jati, and it is regarded as a sattvic tonic, which encourages the principles of light, harmony, and increased perception, all principles that are associated with sattvic, which is one of the three qualities of health in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. The sattvic element of the jasmine flower is also thought to emphasize the nature of love and compassion. The jasmine flowers are also thought to work as a mild aphrodisiac for women. Jati is also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine to reduce fevers and to fortify the immune system.

The flowers of the jasmine plant are also used to make an aromatic tea. The Chinese have been using Arabian jasmine since at least AD 300 to scent teas. The flowers of the Arabian jasmine plant are known in China as mo li, and they are highly regarded in China as a scenting agent. In traditional Chinese medicine and practice, the Arabian jasmine flowers were placed alongside heat-dried green tea so that the green tea would absorb the scent of the jasmine flowers. These days, commercial tea makers simply mix the jasmine flower petals with the regular tea.

Jasmine tea infusions are recommended for treating infections, urinary inflammation and fevers, much as aspirin is used to reduce pain and fevers. The jasmine flowers can be combined nicely with lemon balm or skullcap to create a calming, relaxing tea. A wash made from infused jasmine tea flowers can also be used to bathe scrapes and cuts. Jasmine flower compresses can also be made to treat heat stroke, headaches, or anxiety. Massage oil can also be created by diluting jasmine oil with almond oil an applying to the skin.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: fever, headache, Herbal Remedies, immune system, jasmine, lemon balm, skullcap, Traditional Chinese Medicine

There is no cure for the cold or flu; there are, however, various herbal remedies that can help to alleviate the symptoms so you feel better faster. It can be difficult to tell the difference between the cold and the flu. Some herbal remedies are good for either the cold or the flu symptoms.

There are many remedies for the flu using herbs. These herbs help to relax muscles, calm nerves, and expedite the healing process by helping the immune system to function more effectively.

The Psyllium - Boneset Flu Remedy is not only very good for relieving the symptoms of the flu; it can be used to bring relief to those who suffer from backaches and headaches as well.

The remedy includes 1 tablespoon each of boneset, skullcap and white yarrow and 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed. You will also need honey or corn syrup and distilled water. Put the boneset, skullcap and white yarrow into a pint of water. Simmer for 30 minutes and then strain. Add 1 tablespoon of this liquid to 1 teaspoon of psyllium seed added to one cup of boiling water. You can sweeten with corn syrup. This drink should be consumed within 30 minutes of making it.

Echinacea is a Chinese traditional remedy for both cold and flu. Echinacea stimulates the immune system. It is recommended by herbalist to take 3 - 5 ml of tincture or if using root powder, take 300 mg 3 times each day.

Elderberry can also benefit those suffering from flu. This herb helps to keep the virus that causes flu from spreading to the respiratory tract. If allowed to spread to the respiratory tract, this is when patients become more severely ill. You can make a tea from the herb by steeping 3 to 5 g of dried flowers in one cup of boiling water (10 to 15 minutes). Drink one cup of elderberry-flower tea 3 times each day until the symptoms of flu are gone.

Elderberry flower is safe to take and side effects are very rare. It safety to use in children, pregnant or nursing women and those who suffer from severe liver or kidney disease has not yet been determined.

Astragalus root has been used in China for thousands of years to help stimulate the immune system against the flu and other viruses. It is recommended to take 500 milligrams of astragalus 4 times a day until the symptoms are gone. Then take one capsule two times a day for another week to prevent the symptoms from returning.

Garlic is especially helpful when fighting those illness that make you wonder if what you have is a cold or a flu. Garlic stimulates the immune system to fight off the symptoms of any virus and is known to be a broad-spectrum antibiotic. It can be effective against any cold virus and scientists have seen it fight off flu virus in test tubes. Practitioners recommend that a person take several cloves of raw garlic each day that you have the infection and products that contain garlic are also good such as hot garlic bread or garlic toast.

It is always important to consult with an herbalist or Chinese medicine practitioner when taking herbal remedies to be sure of dosage and to prevent the occurrence of side effects from other medications you may be taking.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more information on Traditional Chinese Medicine.

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Tags: flower tea, flu remedy, garlic, Herbal Remedies, honey, immune system, psyllium, psyllium seed, skullcap, Traditional Chinese Medicine

Skullcap is a member of the mint family and is characterized by flowers that grow only on one side of the plant, and by small dish-shaped seedpods. It was used in the Americas by native peoples for some time to treat rabies and promote menstruation. These days, skullcap is mostly used to treat a variety of nervous disorders. The American skullcap is S. lateriflora. In Chinese medicine, the related plant is S. baicalensis, or better known by its Chinese medicine name, huang qin.

The taste of skullcap has alternately been described as dry, cold and bitter. Many of the parts of the skullcap plant are used for herbal remedies. The aerial parts are used to create many herbal remedies to treat nervous conditions, premenstrual tension and symptoms of epilepsy. The aerial parts of the skullcap plant are also well known for its calming properties.

In Chinese herbal medicine, the root of the skullcap plant is used to produce certain herbal remedies. In China, skullcap is known as huang qin. Traditional Chinese herbalists use skullcap to clear heat from the respiratory and digestive systems. In China, huang qin is also thought to help ease the symptoms of insomnia. In China, the skullcap plant is thought to contain melatonin, so this may explain why the plant has been shown to be effective in easing the symptoms of insomnia.

In Korea, the skullcap plant is also used widely in herbal remedies. Some Korean research on the skullcap plant has revealed new dimensions to this old herbal favorite. For example, recent Korean research has demonstrated that the herb can help combat the development of gum disease and tooth decay. Some new lines of natural toothpastes have added the skullcap plant to its ingredients list.

There are many different ways to prepare the skullcap plant into several herbal remedies. One of the most common ways to take the skullcap plant is in a hot tea. To infuse the skullcap plant, use only fresh aerial parts and place in hot water to create a hot tea. To treat the symptoms of insomnia, it is recommended that skullcap be combined with wild lettuce or passionflower. A special tincture can be created from skullcap. Use fresh herb whenever possible. Combine five ml of skullcap with 10 drops of lemon balm as a tincture to treat the symptoms of stress or depression.

Skullcap is available in teas, capsules, and tablets.

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Scott Meyers is a staff writer for It’s Entirely Natural, a resource for helping you achieve a naturally healthy body, mind, and spirit. You may contact our writers through the web site. Follow this link for more informaton on Herbal Remedies.

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Tags: chinese herbal medicine, epilepsy, Herbal Remedies, nervous disaorders, skullcap