When it comes to herbs, sometimes 1+1 is greater than two. In the science of herbal formulations, synergistic combinations of herbs are discovered in which the herbs enhance each other’s activity to achieve a specific medicinal purpose. In these formulas, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts. Lemon Balm and St. John’s…
There’s nothing quite like coming upon medicinal herbs “in the wild”. It’s an exciting reminder that medicine grows wherever it can, and once you know an herb, finding it is like meeting an old friend. I recently took a walk around a lake in a residential area north of College Park, and was rather stunned…
St. John’s Wort, Hypericum perforatum You’ve probably heard of this herb as a treatment for depression. And it’s true, St. John’s Wort extract can be helpful for mild or temporary depressions, particularly Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is not as useful for more serious depression, or other mood disorders, and can mix badly with prescription anti-depressants.…
St. John’s Wort has been recognized for its beneficial properties for centuries, dating back long before medieval times. It is a plant steeped in legend. Nevertheless, St. John’s Wort has treated the ailments of many grateful people over time, and has been studied a great deal in modern times. St. John’s Wort gets its name…
These “common” herbs have successfully made their way into mainstream culture and endeared themselves to scientists and clinicians alike. This is great news, but it sometimes results in a loss of complexity for the herbs in question. Today we’ll flesh out a few these household names and discuss some of their lesser-known uses. Lemon BalmMelissa…
Here in the Mid-Atlantic, it’s been raining for weeks. With so little sun, many of us are starting to feel a little blue. Fortunately, there is a wonderful plant called St. John’s Wort that’s like sunshine in a cup! St. John’s Wort herb, so named because it usually flowers around St. John’s Day in June,…