Moonrise Herbs Blog — #herbalwisdomwednesday

Common Name: Ginger Latin Name: Zingiber officinale  Family: Zingiberaceae  The Blurb: Ginger root is a great herb to keep on hand for its warming qualities and digestive properties. Ginger root is great at reliving nausea, bloat and gas. Peel and chop up a ginger root then simmering on low on the stove with water is an easy and tasty way to soothe your stomach after a large meal or your stomach is generally feeling unsettled. You can even add honey to sweeten it up and make it easy to drink if you aren't a huge fan of ginger! It has also been...

Common Name: California Poppy   Latin Name: Eschscholzia californica    Family Name: Papaveraceae   The Blurb: This herb and flower is one of my favorite plants of all time! It is our state flower, and I always love seeing the bright pop of color these flowers have on grassy hillsides. California poppy is an amazing sedating nervine and shows great benefit for those who suffer from insomnia or acute/intense anxiety. It’s relaxing for the body and mind. The leaf is typically used for medicinal purposes, and is usually taken in tincture (my favorite way to take it) or teas and sometimes in...

  Common Name: Peppermint   Latin Name: Mentha piperita    Family Name: Lamiaceae    Constituents: menthol, menthone, menthyl acetate, 1,8- cineol, limonene, beta-pinene and beta-caryophyllene    Characteristics: Peppermint has distinct bright and deep greens leaves that smell spicy and cool. The leaves are smooth with soft serrated edges that follow the edge of the leaf. The stems are square and usually a brownish purplish color. The smell of peppermint is sharp especially when compared to other mints.    The Blurb: Peppermint is another herb you may have in your garden or in tea bags in your pantry. Peppermint is the most common...

Common Name: Astragalus  Latin Name: Astragalus membranaceus  Family Name: Fabaceae  Characteristics: Astragalus likes to grow in sunny, grassy areas and grow between 16 to 36 inches; the flowers are light yellow in color. The root is used medicinally, harvested in spring and fall. Traditionally the root was cut up and dried in the sun.  Constituents: Polysaccharides, Flavonoids and Saponins  The Blurb: Astragalus is an amazing immune booster. Usually found dried in slices, cut and sifted or powdered, it is gentle enough to be taken over a long period of time and a good anti viral. It is also an herb that helps with...

Adaptogenic Nervous System Support: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root is an Ayurvedic herb that is traditionally used similarly to ginseng. Also called Indian Ginseng and Winter Cherry, it is a nervous system restorative and has adaptogenic properties which increase one’s vitality and physical endurance. Dr. Vasant Lad sees it as "the best rejuvenative herb, particularly for the muscles, marrow and semen" hence it's long usage as a sexual tonic.  However, it has benefits for everyone from children to the elderly in cases of weakness and tissue deficiency, debilitation by chronic disease, overwork, lack of sleep or nervous exhaustion and much more. Ashwagandha...