Plant Archives: Food

Subject: Tragacanth Scientific Name: Astragalus Gummifer

Astragalus gummifer can be found growing throughout the Holy Land region, in dry mountainous locations. Medicinally it was used to treat sore mouth and throats.

Subject: Tumeric Scientific Name: Curcuma Longa

Tumeric is a ginger relative, and, the source of yellow in all curries. Its is considered a a digestive stimulant, which is why its put in all curries, but, its capacity to stimulate the body to heal itself is what makes this a really interesting herbal medicine. Applied to wounds or taken internally, it rouses the body to heightened healing. See this one as a healing stimulator.

Subject: Vanilla Scientific Name: Vanilla Planifolia

Vanilla is native to Mexico and Central America. Natives used this substance for medicine, magic, and food. Today its just a food flavoring but in days gone by, it was much, much more.

Subject: Walnut Scientific Name: Juglans Regia

Eating seeds is a good idea. They contain life and, when you eat life, it makes your body stronger. It makes sense if you think about it. And, walnuts are one seed that has been used since the beginning of time to make the body stronger and healthier. (unless you are allergic in which case they kill you!)

Subject: Watermelon Scientific Name: Citrullus Vulgaris

Watermelon is always served when its hot, because thats when it ripens. Historically, it was used to bring down body temperature when a person was hot from working in the fields, or when suffering from a malaria or infection related fever. Contemporary science reveals watermelon contains chemicals that do in indeed bring down body temperature. Once again, an ancient use of a plant has been validated. And, what a tasty way to cool down!

Subject: Wheat Scientific Name: Triticum Vulgare

Wheat is mostly seen as a source of flour for bread, but, you might be surprised to find that it also factored into medicine. The seed was ground and used as a wound healing agent and, today, the green shoots are juiced for a vitality blasting, albeit nasty, health beverage.

Subject: White Mulberry Scientific Name: Morus Alba

Mullberries are a wonderful fruit and one that the tree produces easily and in great numbers. In the old world, these fruits are cooked down into a health building molasses. Mullberry molasses can be used in place of sugar, and, comes packing health benefits sugar cannot claim!