February 01, 2023
Latin Name: Rosmarinus officinalis
Part Used: Leaves
History & Cultural Significance:
Rosemary is native to the dry, rocky areas of the Mediterranean, especially along the coast. The genus name Rosmarinus derives from the Latin words ros and marinus which together translate to “dew of the sea.” Rosemary has been used since the time of the early Greeks and Romans. Greek scholars often wore a garland of the herb on their heads to help their memory during examinations. In the ninth century, Charlemagne insisted that the herb be grown in his royal gardens. The Eau de Cologne that Napoleon Bonaparte used was made with rosemary. The herb was also the subject of many poems and was mentioned in five of Shakespeare’s plays.
A sprig of rosemary was often placed in the hands of the deceased at a funeral because it is a symbol of remembrance. Brides often wore rosemary at their weddings because it was also a symbol of happiness, loyalty and love. Legend has it that rosemary originally had white flowers which were changed to blue ones when the virgin Mary placed her cloak upon it while resting during her flight to Egypt.
Use: Rosmarinus officinalis has a myriad of uses for the cook, crafter and landscaper. This strongly flavored herb should be used sparingly for cooking. Poultry, fish, lamb and beef are all enhanced by its pungent flavor. In addition, try it with tomatoes, cheese, eggs, potatoes, squash, soups and salad dressings. Well-developed woody stems can be used as skewers for shish kebobs. In the landscape, rosemary is often used to make to make topiaries and hedges. The herb can be planted along stone walls or pathways and it grows well in containers. Crafters use rosemary to make wreaths, garland, and bath products. The plant also produces a yellow-green colored dye and is used in aromatherapy.
Actions: Carminative, antispasmodic, antidepressant, rubefacient, antimicrobial, emmenagogue, antioxidant.
Constituents: Volatile oil (borneol, camphene, camphor, cineole, limonene, linalool); flavonoids (apigenin, diosmetin, diosmin, luteolin and derivatives); rosmarinic acid and other phenolic acids, diterpenes (carnosol, carnosolic acid, and rosmariquinone); rosmaricine, triterpenes (unsolicited acid, oleanolic acid).
Safety Considerations: No side effects or drug interactions have been reported.
Formulator's Notes: I often use Rosemary CO2 extract as an antioxidant to prevent oxidation and rancidity in formulations containing oil and/or butters.
Sources:
Author Unknown. 2009. Rosemary Quick Facts. The Herb Society of America. https://www.herbsociety.org/file_download/inline/824d2982-0b7c-40d9-b3d9-9e5d823d295c
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
February 01, 2023
Latin Name: Arnica montana
Part Used: Flower head
Plant Description: Perennial with yellow, daisy-like flowers that appear in July-August, growing to 1-2 feet tall. Endemic to Europe, where it grows wild from Norway to the Balkans and from Spain to Ukraine. Found in moist, grassy meadows in the hills and mountains of northern and central Europe and Siberia, and sparsely in the Northwestern United States.
History & Cultural Significance: St. Hildegard of Bingen (1078-1179), a German nun known for her keen observation of nature and physiology, wrote about the healing properties of the Arnica montana plant in the 12th century. Since at least the 16thcentury, mountain people in that area have used it to relieve muscle aches and bruises.
Use: Applied topically to the skin as a cream, ointment, liniment, salve, or tincture, Arnica is used to soothe sore muscles, reduce inflammation and heal wounds and is often used for injuries such as sprains and bruises.
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, vulnerary
Constituents: Sesquiterpene lactones (arnifolin, arnicolides, helenalin); flavonoids (eupafolin, patuletin, spinacetin); volatile oil (containing thymol and various ethers of thymol); miscellaneous (phenolic acids, coumarins, resins, bitters (arnicin), tannins, carotenes.
Safety Considerations: This herb should not be taken internally as it is potentially toxic due to the toxicity of the sesquiterpene lactones it contains. However, homeopathic preparations are safe to be taken internally when used according to homeopathic directions. Topical applications of arnica may cause an allergy in the form of painful, itchy, inflammatory changes to the skin in some people.
Formulator's Notes: While sourcing this herb, I noted that the Mexican Arnica (Heterotheca inuloides) is widely available commercially, while Arnica montana is less available with a significantly higher price point. Curious as to why, I did a little poking around and learned that although the anti-inflammatory properties have been recognized in both species, Arnica montana has stronger active ingredients than its Mexican counterpart, hence its higher commercial value. For this reason, I have chosen to only work with Arnica montana and source it from trusted suppliers. Arnica montana is infused in high oleic sunflower oil at a ratio of 1:5.
You can find Arnica montana in our Arnica Ointment, Muscle and Joint Rescue Balm, and Eye of the Tiger Massage Oil.
Sources: Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
February 01, 2023
Latin name: Symphytum officinale
Part Used: Leaves, roots
Use: The impressive wound-healing properties of comfrey are due at least in part to the presence of allantoin. This chemical stimulates cell proliferation and thus supports wound healing. Used externally, comfrey leaf speeds wound healing and fosters proper scar formation. Care should be taken with very deep wounds, however, as external application of comfrey can cause tissue to form over the wound before it is healed deeper down, which can lead to abscess. Used as a compress or poultice, the herb may be used to treat external ulcers including chronic varicose ulcers, wounds and fractures. It has a reputed anticancer action in European folk herbalism.
Actions: Vulnerary, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, astringent, expectorant.
Constituents: Allantoin; pyrrolizidine alkaloids, including echimidine, symphytine, lycopsamine, symlandine (found in fresh young leaves and in the root but not in the dried herb); phenolic acids (rosmarinic, chlorogenic, caffeic and lithospermic); mucilage (about 29%), composed of a polysaccharide containing glucose and fructose; miscellaneous: choline, asparagine, volatile oil, tannins, steroidal spanning, triterpenes.
Safety Considerations: Long-term studies with rats have demonstrated the the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) in comfrey are hepatotoxic, carcinogenic, and mutagenic. This herb must therefore be recognized as a potentially genotoxic carcinogen with a low risk of genetic damage from PAs. An average cup of fresh comfrey leaf tea may contain up to 8.3 mg alkaloid. To minimize potential risk, lengthy internal use is discouraged. Applied externally, comfrey poses no risk of toxicity.
You can find comfrey in Forage & Soothe's Comfrey Ointment.
Sources:
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
February 01, 2023
Latin name: Thuja officinalis
Part Used: Leaves
History & Cultural Significance: Cedar is a well-known symbol of the Northwest Coast. For thousands of years, coastal First Nations in British Columbia have the versatile wood in many aspects of their lives. Not only is cedar a key natural resource in the production of material goods, the tree also plays an integral role in the spiritual beliefs and ceremonial life of coastal First Nations.
Coast Salish peoples have a creation story that explains the origins of Cedar. According to the story, there once lived a good man who always gave away his belongings and food to others. The Creator recognized the man’s kindness, and declared that once the man dies, a Red Cedar tree will grow where he is buried, and the tree will continue to help the people. The Nuu-chah-nulth of Vancouver Island have a similar origin story for Yellow Cedar. According to their stories, Yellow Cedar trees were transformed from three young women running up a mountain. Therefore, Yellow Cedar trees are found on the slopes of subalpine mountains, and contain soft inner bark, like that of woman’s hair.
Both types of cedar are harvested by coastal First Nations to create a variety of implements for daily use and ceremonial purposes. Almost every part of a cedar tree can be used, including the roots, the bark, the wood, and the withes (the smaller, more pliable sub-branches of a tree).
Given the importance of cedar in everyday life, it is clear that cedar also plays an integral role in the spiritual beliefs of coastal First Nations. These beliefs recognize that the cedar tree has its own life and spirit. Coast Salish and Tlingit shamans often had cedar “spirit assistants” or “guard figures” to protect them.
Cedar was also widely valued for its healing abilities. Yellow Cedar bark, which has anti-inflammatory properties, was frequently applied as a dressing for wounds, as a tourniquet, or to ward off evil. Cedar is offered to the sacred fire during sweat lodge ceremonies, burned during prayers and, when boiled, can purify indoor air and be used for cedar baths. As a tea, it can help to reduce fevers, rheumatic symptoms and relieve symptoms of chest colds and the flu.
Use: Thuja's main action is related to its content of stimulating and alternative volatile oil. In bronchial catarrh, thuja promotes expectoration and provides systemic stimulation that is especially beneficial when heart weakness is also part of the picture. However, thuja should be avoided in cases in which cough is due to overstimulation (for example, dry irritable coughs).
Thuja has a specific reflex action on the uterus and may help with delayed menstruation. Because of this property, however, the herb is best avoided during pregnancy. Thuja may also be used for ordinary incontinence due to loss of muscle tone. It has a role to play in the treatment of psoriasis and rheumatism when used internally. Externally, it may be effective against warts, and demonstrates marked antifungal activity against ringworm and thrush.
Actions: Expectorant, antimicrobial, diuretic, astringent, alterative.
Constituents: Volatile oil (1%), including thujone, flavonoid glycosides, mucilage; tannins.
Safety Considerations: Avoid during pregnancy.
Thuja extract is used in Forage & Soothe's Foot Rescue Botanical Salve.
Sources:
Huang Alice. 2009. Cedar. Indigenous Foundations.arts.ubc.ca. https://indigenousfoundations.arts.ubc.ca/cedar/
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
February 01, 2023
Latin Name: Populous balsamifera
Part Used: Unopened buds
Plant Description: Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) is the northernmost American hardwood. It grows transcontinentally on upland and flood plain sites but attains the best development on flood plains. It is a hardy, fast-growing tree which is generally short lived, with some trees reaching 200 years. The buds exude resin, which is flammable, so the twigs are useful for starting camp fires. Beaver also use the twigs for building their lodges.
History & Cultural Significance:
The Bible records that in ancient times there came from Gilead, beyond the Jordan, a substance used to heal and soothe. It came, perhaps, from a tree or shrub, and was a major commodity of trade in the ancient world. It was known as the Balm of Gilead. That name became symbolic for the power to soothe and heal. The Balm of Gilead is interpreted as a spiritual medicine that is able to heal Israel (and sinners in general).
Use: Balm of Gilead is used to soothe, disinfect and astringent mucous membranes and can be used as a remedy for sore throats, coughs and laryngitis. It is considered specific for laryngitis accompanied by loss of voice, and may also be used to treat chronic bronchitis. Applied topically, it helps ease the inflammation of rheumatism or arthritis, and may also benefit dry and scaly skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema.
Actions: Stimulating expectorant, antimicrobial, vulnerary
Constituents: Phenolic glycosides (salicin, populin, chrysin); volatile oil (alpha-carophyllene, cineole, arcucumene, bisabolene, farnesene, and others); alkanes; resins; phenolic acids; tannins.
Safety Considerations: No side effects or drug interactions have been reported.
Formulator's Notes: It is such a joy to be living in an area where I can forage for poplar buds. Harvesting is a slow task, as buds can be as small as 1 cm, and its sticky resin makes handling a bit challenging. Once harvested, the buds are processed immediately by slow infusion in a carrier oil. This is a delicate art, as maceration or disruption to the buds can cause the moisture trapped tightly in the bud to leach out into the oil, spoiling the batch. The infusion is ready when the oil is a dark, almost blood red. The scent of poplar buds fills my home and each time I work with the infusion, it reminds me of spring. I take care to harvest less than 25% of the buds in any given area, and for this reason, use of the infusion is currently limited to Balm of Gilead.
Sources:
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
February 01, 2023
Latin Name:
German Chamomile: Matricaria chamomilla or Matricaria recutita
Roman Chamomile: Anthemis nobilis
Part Used: Flower head
History & Cultural Significance:
Though the chamomile, the more it is trodden on, the faster it grows, so youth, the more it is wasted, the sooner it wears.
William Shakespeare, Henry IV.
Accounts of chamomile’s “heal all”herbal properties are found in ancient cultures all throughout both types of chamomile’s native ranges. Chamomile was listed as one of the nine sacred herbs of the Lacnunga, an ancient Anglo-Saxon herb guide. Ancient Greek physicians, like Dioscorides, made frequent mention of prescribing the herb chamomile for a variety of ailments. Medieval herbalists bred double-flowering varieties of chamomile to increase the plant’s healing parts, as it is the plant’s flowers that are used for herbal remedies. Chamomile plants were used as low-growing lawn plants throughout Europe and in parts of North America, long before the traditional turf lawn became popular.
Chamomile plants are still widely cultivated for herbal use, though fresh chamomile from the garden is far more potent than the dried herb you can purchase as tea. Roman and German chamomile are used for their natural sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-allergen, antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. They are used to treat digestive problems, ulcers, menstrual troubles, allergies, asthma, arthritis, colic, headaches, insect bites, eczema, wounds, burns, eye inflammation, cold sores and most commonly anxiety. Most people are familiar with the calming, soothing effect of a cup of chamomile tea, and it is listed as one of the safest herbs to administer to young children. Chamomiles are also used in beauty products because they naturally soften and lighten skin and hair, and also treat acne and other skin problems.
The plants that we generally hear referred to as the herb chamomile are actually two separate plants. Roman or English chamomile is of the genus and species Chamaemelum nobile. This is considered the true chamomile. It is a perennial that is native to Western Europe and North Africa. German chamomile, or Matricaria recutita, is an annual native to Europe and Asia. It is considered to be the false chamomile.
Because of their similar herbal qualities, both plants have been widely cultivated and used interchangeably. Both plants have also been associated with deities of the sun in many ancient religions. In ancient Egypt, chamomile was sacred to the sun god Ra and was highly revered over all other herbs. Chamomile flowers are found depicted in many ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics dating back to over 2,000 years. Chamomile was valued not only as an herb that could heal any ailments, but Egyptian nobility also used it in their beauty regiments.
Use: Chamomile has many uses including insomnia, anxiety, menopausal depression, dyspepsia, gastric ulcers, diarrhea, colic, aches and pains of flu, migraine, neuralgia, teething, vertigo, motion sickness, conjunctivitis, inflamed skin, urticaria, and many others. It is probably the most widely used relaxing nerving herb in the Western world, is safe for use in all types of anxiety and stress-related disorders and is especially valuable when anxiety and tension produce digestive symptoms such as gas, colic and even ulcers. Chamomile makes a wonderful late-night tea to ensure restful sleep.
Actions: Nervine, antispasmodic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, bitter, vulnerary.
Constituents: Sesquiterpenes (chamazulene, alpha-bisabolol, bisabolol oxide); sesquiterpene lactones (matricin, matricarin); flavonoid glycosides (6% to 8%): apigenin, luteolin, quercetin, isorhamnetin.
Safety Considerations: Chamomile may cause allergic reactions for people sensitive to plants in the Asteraceae family.
Formulator's Notes: Chamomile has several varieties growing throughout the world but the two most sought-after varieties are the German (Matricaria chamomilla) and Roman (Anthemis nobilis). Locally, we have a false chamomile (Matricaria perforata) and pineapple weed (Maticaria discoidal) the latter of which is a common edible plant with many of the same benefits as its German and Roman counterparts. I've considered foraging for pineapple weed and using it in my products but decided against it because it is often found in driveways and waste areas and could be contaminated with exhaust from vehicles or other unwanted chemicals. While sourcing chamomile for maceration, I learned that German chamomile, which is scented like sweet straw is primarily harvested for the flowerhead, while Roman chamomile is harvested for processing into essential oil which smells like fresh apples (it's very delightful!). For this reason, I use German chamomile for infusion and the essential oil of Roman chamomile for aromatherapy and its scent.
You can find both German and Roman chamomile in our Chamomile Ointment and the essential oil of Roman Chamomile in our Amethyst Dreams Massage Oil.
Sources:
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.
Larum, Darcy. September 20, 2018. All About Chamomile Plant History. Gardening Know How Blog. https://blog.gardeningknowhow.com/tbt/chamomile-plant-history/
February 01, 2023
Latin name: Calendula officinalis
Part Used: Petals, flower head
History & Cultural Significance: Historically, calendula was known as “poor man's saffron” as it was used to color and flavor foods, specifically butter, cheese, custard, bread, cookies, soups, and rice dishes. Calendula petals are also added to salads and used as a dye for fabric and hair.
Use: Calendula can be safely used on the skin and may be applied when there is inflammation on the skin, external bleeding or wounds, bruising or strains. Calendula can also benefit slow-healing wounds like skin ulcers and can also be used as a first-aid treatment for burns and scalds. Taken internally, calendula has anti-inflammatory actions in the digestive system and thus can be used to treat gastric and duodenal ulcers. As a cholagogue, it relieves gallbladder problems and general indigestion.
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, lymphatic, astringent, vulnerary, emmenagogue, cholagogue, anti-fungal.
Constituents: Triterpenes (calendulosides A-D); flavonoids (including narcissin, rutin); volatile oil; chlorogenic acid.
Safety Considerations: Calendula is a possible allergen for those with known sensitivity to members of the Asteraceae family but is otherwise nontoxic.
Formulator's Notes: In early spring, I found some Calendula seeds at my local grocery store and tossed them into a garden bed. Low and behold, beautiful, bright orange flowers popped up and bloomed right through the Fall until the frost hit! I'm in love with these flowers as they were such a joy to grow and process. I harvested flowers every few days from about July to September and lay them out on my deck to air dry. I've noticed that macerations from flowers that I purchased didn't have the same bright orange colour as those made from the Calendula I grew. I also happen to be in love with the bright orange berries of Sea Buckthorn, which I also grow, so I just had to make them into a combination salve. Both of these herbs are so bright and cheery so rightfully, the combination salve is scented with Bergamot.
You can find Calendula in Forage & Soothe's Calendula Ointment and Sea Buckthorn & Calendula Botanical Salve.
Sources:
Engels, Gayle. 2008. Calendula. Herbalgram 26(1-2). American Botanical Council.
Hoffman, D. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, Vermont, Healing Arts Press, 2003.