Genesis School of Natural Health

Herbalism

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Poison Ivy (Toxicodendron radicans)

They’re here! Poison ivy that is, and her two toxic siblings poison oak and poison sumac. The bane of summer enjoyment for gardeners, landscapers, campers, hikers, and lovers of all things outdoors. Each year, 50 million Americans endure the ramifications of a toxic encounter with poison ivy and her two pernicious allies. However, it was …

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HERBS TO LIVE BY… Oatstraw & Milky Oats

COMMON NAME: Oatstraw; Milky Oats, Oats Flowering Tops; Oats LATIN NAME: Avena sativa FAMILY: Poaceae PLANT PART USED: Stems (Oatstraw) & Premature Seeds (Milky Oats) ENERGETICS: Neutral to cooling, moistening TASTE: Sweet PRIMARY ACTIONS: Antidepressant, Antioxidant, Anti-inflammatory (topically as colloidal oatmeal), Anti-insomnia, Antispasmodic, Anxiolytic, Cardiotonic, Capillary-Strengthening, Diuretic, Galactagogue, Hypolipidemic, Nervine Tonic, Nutritive, Vasodilator, Vulnerary (Demulcent …

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HERBS TO LIVE BY… Rhodiola

COMMON NAME: Golden Root, Roseroot, Arctic RoseLATIN NAME: Rhodiola roseaPLANT PART USED: Roots/RhizomesENERGETICS: Cool, Dry, AromaticTASTE: Sweet, Slightly Bitter, Spicy PRIMARY ACTIONS: Adaptogenic, astringent, antioxidant, cardioprotective, immuno-stimulant, neuro-stimulant, tonic ABOUT: R. rosea is primarily found at higher elevations in the cold mountains and sea cliff rocks of Scandinavia, Tibet, Siberia, China, Himalayas, and North America. …

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HERBS TO LIVE BY… Mullein

COMMON NAME: Mullein, Great Mullein, Common Mullein, Aaron’s RodLATIN NAME: Verbascum thapsusPLANT PARTS USED: Flower, Leaf & Root ENERGETICS:Leaf – Slightly moistening, coolingFlower – Moistening, coolingRoot – Warming, drying TASTE: Leaf – Sweet & Bitter PRIMARY ACTIONS:Leaf – Anticatarrhal, Expectorant, lymphagogue, mild spasmolytic, mucilage, vulneraryFlowers – Demulcent, sedative (mild), anodyneRoot – Urinary tract/bladder tonic, Musculoskeletal …

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HERBS TO LIVE BY… Marshmallow

COMMON NAME: Marshmallow; Althea LATIN NAME: Althaea officinalis PLANT PART USED: Root & Leaf ENERGETICS: Moistening & Cooling TASTE: Sweet & a bit Salty PRIMARY ACTIONS: Anti-putrefacient, Demulcent, Emollient, Vulnerary SECONDARY ACTIONS: Diuretic ABOUT: Marshmallow is an often-underestimated herb that is very gentle and soothing for internal or external use. Its anti-inflammatory benefits are well-known …

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