‘Tis the season to indulge in delicious food and drink alike! We took some classic festive favourites and gave them an herbal twist that add both flavour and health benefits. Peppermint Hot Chocolate A family favorite with a fresh kick! Serves 2 Whisk milk, cocoa and maple together over low heat in a saucepan until…
Gentian (Gentiana lutea) is a perennial plant that can grow one to two meters tall with trumpet-shaped blossoms ranging in colours that include yellow, mauve and white, and vibrant blue. The genus of gentian is named for the Illyrian King Gentius, who was said to have discovered the therapeutic tonic properties of the plant. Common names: Great yellow gentian, bitter root, bitterwort, gall weed. Distribution: Gentian is native to the Himalayan Mountain regions and the Alps. Today, it grows in grassy alpine regions throughout Europe, China and parts of North America. Therapeutic Compounds Gentian root has a characteristic bitter taste…
Adrenal fatigue, or “burnout”, has been a hot topic over the last few years – and no wonder! Modern life and its many demands often bring an abundance of stress with effects that can impact day-to-day health. The adrenal glands are triangular endocrine glands that sit on the top of each kidney. Their role is…
Echinacea is a genus of herbaceous flowering plants in the daisy family that thrive in wet to dry prairies and wooded areas. The name “Echinacea” comes from the Greek word ἐχῖνος (ekhinos), meaning “hedgehog,” due to their spiny central disks. Native to: Northeastern China, Japan, and Korea Modern distribution: Echinacea is a popular garden flower,…
Every herb possesses its own unique signature therapeutic effect – and in some cases, there is a significant advantage to working with strength in numbers! The award-winning Deep Immune® formula is certainly a sum of its parts. Adaptogenic plant medicines from across the globe and herbal healing traditions have been expertly blended for a spectrum…
1. What are adaptogens? Adaptogens are plants and mushrooms that exert distinct effects on the mind and body, helping them be resilient to environmental, physical, mental and emotional stressors! Some adaptogens do this by interacting with the HPA axis (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis), that controls the interaction and balance of hormones — including cortisol, a primary “stress…
Pollinators! These amazing creatures move from plant to plant helping to transport and exchange genetic information to aid in reproduction of seeds and fruits. Pollinators are crucial for both biodiversity and healthy food webs! Fact: A major threat to pollinators is pesticide use. In targeting crop-damaging pests, valuable pollinators are killed as well. Pollinators are present in…
Codonopsis’ (Codonopsis pilosula) name is derived from the Greek words “Kodon” (meaning bell) and “Opsis” (meaning likeness), reflecting its bell-shaped green flowers with purple veins. There are over 40 species of the Campanulaceae family, and 21 are used therapeutically. Native to: Northeastern China, Japan, and Korea Common Names: dang shen, bonnet bellflower, and poor man’s ginseng –…
Schisandra (Schisandra chinensis) is a deciduous, woody climbing vine that grow along mid-level and tall canopy trees. Schisandra is unique, in that the berries possess five distinct flavor properties: bitter, sweet, sour, salty and hot. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is said that this complex flavour pertains to the five elements, meaning it has effects…
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a flowering perennial plant that belongs to the Zingiberaceae family, along with ginger. The use of turmeric dates back over 4000 years where it was used by Vedic culture in India as a culinary spice and has been referenced in Ayurvedic texts for its medicinal purposes. The name Turmeric comes from the…
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