Chinese Milk Vetch
One of the most important Chinese medicinal herbs, especially for its immune enhancing properties. It is also known as
astragalus and is a member of the pea family. Numerous scientific studies have confirmed the medicinal value of astragalus.
They have found that it deters the aging process and facilitates longevity. Astragalus delays the natural aging process of
diploid blastocyte, prolonging by one third the life span of the cells. Astragalus is available at Kalyx.com. Type in
Astragalus in the box below.
Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni
Here's an unusual herb, it's "Stevia" the Sweetener Herb. Stevia is a plant
that produces a variety of high-potency low-calorie sweeteners in its' leaf tissue. Stevia sweeteners are used in food
products in a number of countries including Japan, Brazil and China. Here in North America, the movement of society towards
more natural foods has created a great deal of public interest in stevia, but this herb has been banned in the U.S. in the past.
Some belive that the ban was due to the idea stevia might prove to be to much competition to the artificial sweetener industry. (?)
Stevia Rebaudiana Bertoni is a member of the compositae family and as such is related to sunflower, marigolds etc.
This plant is the only known species that has the ability to sweeten.
Stevia in its natural herb form is 10 to 15 times sweeter than granulated sugar. Here are some great benefits of
using Stevia,
It's diabetic safe
It's calorie free
It does not adversely affect blood sugar
It is non toxic
Inhibits the formation of cavities and plaque
It can be used in cooking
So if you can find some Stevia to grow it might well be a conversation piece when you take a leaf and offer a bite to a friend.
More Great Gardening Ideas.
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How to Make and Tune Wind Chimes
Make Perfectly Tuned Wind Chimes Every Time.
Wind chimes make a great complement to any garden setting.
With the easy to follow information in this book, you can create perfectly tuned chimes every time.
The easy to make jig revealed in this book, makes stringing the pipes together a breeze.
It only takes a few minutes for each set. Find out more visit website
How To Build Automatic Lawn Sprinkler Systems
Build An Automatic Lawn Sprinkler System Click Here!
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System in 6 Days or Less and Save 67% of the Cost!
Indoor Plants: How They Help Us At Home And Work
(NAPSI)-An idea that's being planted in more and more offices, senior centers and
homes is one that may surprise many people: namely, the benefits of indoor plants.
Simply put, being close to plants reduces stress.
Research has shown that heart rate,
blood pressure and skin conductivity all benefit from the presence of plants and
that people in planted offices recover from stress more quickly than those in
unplanted offices.
The effect is likely to be most significant in situations
where the tasks being performed are repetitive or not requiring high levels of
concentration.
Studies in the U.S. also show that by reducing stress and improving
attentiveness, plants can improve workplace productivity.
A number of studies
also show that plants can reduce the incidence of minor health complaints in the
working environment. For example, in one Norwegian study, after plants were installed
in the trial offices, staff complaints about:
• Fatigue were reduced
by 30 percent
• Headaches were reduced by 25 percent
• Dry throats
were reduced by 30 percent
• Coughing were reduced by 40 percent
• Skin irritation were reduced by 25 percent.
Plants are also believed to have such a dramatic effect because they both
improve indoor air quality and people's perception of the building.
Today, horticultural therapy blooms as a profession and a practice.
The American Horticultural Therapy Association reports that "horticultural
therapy is not only an emerging profession; it is a time-proven practice.
" Nurturing and caring for plants is a highly interactive and satisfying
experience for people of any age, particularly for seniors.
As a way of giving back to the senior community while shining a spotlight
on the healing benefits of taking care of plants, Initial Tropical Plants,
the largest provider of interior landscaping and design installation to businesses
in the nation, created the Grassroots Senior Healing program. The company
donates plants, containers and talented horticultural employees to volunteer
at low-income senior citizen centers and demonstrate the healing benefits of
tending to interior plants.
Interestingly, planted buildings also have less
airborne dust than unplanted ones. The effect is mainly due to increased
humidity and static electricity. That's because plants are slightly negatively
charged compared with their surroundings and so will attract positively
charged dust particles, reducing the number in the air and on surrounding surfaces.
To learn more about the benefits of indoor plants, visit www.initialplants.com.
Popularity of horticultural therapy is growing among seniors.
Aloe, native to Africa, is also known as "lily of the desert" It can aid in keeping the skin supple, and has been
used in the control of acne and eczema.
As a food supplement, aloe is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, as well as
kidney, liver and gall bladder functions.
increase mental awareness, settle the stomach and promote digestion.
It is used as a tea to calm hyperactive children, menstrual cramps, and asthma.
Chive leaves may be cut
off at earth level and used for seasoning foods.
Chives are also used in many sauces, salads and on cooked vegetables.
This safe and effective immune stimulant was
discovered and first used by the Native Americans
and is now a major medicinal plant used throughout Europe and the U.S.