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…
We’re all familiar with pain. It hurts! Pain is a nervous system response that occurs when the body is harmed. From a stubbed toe to a sunburn, pain tells us how to protect our body and when something is wrong. For your body’s emergency response – pain is the call and inflammation is the answer.
Castor Oil has a long history of use around the world! Sourced from the seeds of the plant Ricinus communis- which consist of 40-60% oil – documentation of Castor Oil use reaches back many centuries in Egypt, the Mediterranean, Eastern Africa and India. In ancient Rome, the oil was known as Palma Christi (“hand of…
Saw Palmetto (Serenoa repens) is a small fan palm tree that is the most common type of palm in the United States. It is named for the fine, sharp teeth or spines along each frond’s petiole (where the leaf joins the stem) that can easily break the skin. Native to: Southeastern United States and Mexico …
Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a deciduous member of the mint family and can grow up to 16 feet tall or be maintained as a shrub. It bears spikes of lavender coloured flowers that attract pollinators. While the fruit it bears are referred to as “berries”, they are drupes—bearing a single seed. Native to the Mediterranean…
Welcome to St. Francis Herb Farm! Plant medicines have been used for thousands of years across the world to treat common ailments, health issues, and specific conditions! Long before pharmaceutical products – there were herbs! Today, herbal medicine is the culmination of long-established global healing systems, traditional knowledge and the wisdom from many generations of…
Nettle (Urtica dioica) is named from the Latin word “uro” meaning “to burn”. Named such for the stinging effect the plant can have on those who handle them. Nettles have tiny, hollow hairlike spikes called trichomes that contain chemicals on their leaves and stem that can cause redness, swelling, and/or itching upon contact. Native to: Europe, northern…
Zingiber officinale. A flowering plant that is a member of the Zingiberaceae family, along with galangal and turmeric. It is said that the name ginger traces back to Sanskrit words for “horn” and “body” in reference to the shape of the root. Native to: Ginger is thought to have originated in tropical rainforests of Maritime…
In herbal medicine, there are terms that describe herbs’ specific effects or actions on the body. Often, these terms aren’t immediately recognizable – one of them being “expectorant”. An expectorant is an agent that promotes the discharge or expulsion of mucus from the lungs and respiratory tract. The term come from the Latin word for…
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