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Growing Lavender and Setting Down Roots

Harry Anderson wrote this article about me in September. He’s a friend, so we had a nice relaxing time talking on afternoon on the farm. That was the upside of this. The downside is that I probably talked too much about my life and he put all that into this article. In spite of my own worries about being too exposed, he’s a consummate professional and did a great job.

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Move On Over Kitty – Catnip is for Humans Too!

by Georgie Smith

Our Catnip guardian and quality control supervisor

Ever wondered why cats love catnip so much, but humans don’t?

Well, turns out humans do have a lot of ‘non-cat’ uses for catnip, we just don’t know about them! Or perhaps, the problem has been, cats keep stealing the catnip before we ever get a chance to try it out for ourselves?

Whatever the reason, recent studies and anecdotal evidence have generated new interest in catnip, aka ‘Nepeta cataria,’ for human (not cat!) use. Assuming you can get it away from your kitty, of course. 

All About Catnip

Early stage of catnip

Like lavender, lemon balm, salvia, basil and most of our favorite aromatic and essential-oil producing herbs, catnip is a member of the mint or “Lamiaceae” family of plants. Which means it is a highly aromatic plant that produces lots of organic compounds with various effects and uses. 

In the case of catnip, it’s most predominant, naturally-occurring chemical is ‘nepetalactone,’ a terpene with compounds very similar to the same ones found in valerian. A plant well-known for being a mild central nervous system sedative. 

Terpenes, if you haven’t heard of them, are an organic hydrocarbon, famous for creating the ‘aroma’ in plants. Recent science and heightened interest in using plants for human health, has uncovered many beneficial uses for terpenes. Mints, lavender, herbs, citrus, pine trees and, perhaps the most famous ‘terpene-producing’ plant of all, cannabis, are all-chock full of various naturally produced, and human-health-supporting, terpenes. 

In the case of catnip, ‘nepetalactone’ is well-known for having a noticeable effect on cats. And anecdotally and historically known to help humans with anxiety, insomnia, migraines and many other uses – including flatulence!

Catnip through History, what Came First the ‘Cat’ or the ‘Nip’

If you’ve ever watched your cat roll around, high as a kite, in a bag of freshly-opened catnip, there is no wonder how the plant received its name.  

The plant itself is native to Europe and Asia and is said to have been named after the ancient Etruscan city of “Neptic.” The plant was quite popular as an herbal remedy in ancient and medieval times, used for many skin ailments. While its main claim to fame has been as a relaxation aid, it was said that catnip roots, when chewed, ‘can make a person fierce and quarrelsome.’

Catnip was also used in cooking. It was brought to America in the 1800s from plant cuttings settlers brought with them. Native Americans also began incorporating catnip into their foods and medicinal therapies after being introduced to the plant by early settlers.

Catnip seeds are small and shiny

Catnip Today – A Natural Insect Repellent?

One of the more interesting discoveries with catnip is that is a powerful natural repellent of insects. Though actually, this was anecdotally known about catnip for years (including a supposed ability to rebel rodents as well!). 

In 2009 however, DuPont took it to the next level, licensing a new, human-safe insect repellent derived from catnip. The “Refined Oil of Nepeta cataria” was, at the time, the first new insect repellent biopesticide to be registered with the EPA in eight years. It is purported to work like DEET, without the harmful and common skin reactions.

But…Can Catnip Get You High?

While historically – and more recently – there have been incidents and anecdotes of humans smoking ‘catnip’ to ‘get high,’ most evidence suggests that while catnip trips out our furry feline companions, it doesn’t have that much juice when it comes to an ‘intoxicating’ element on humans. 

Catnip, or more accurately nepetalactone, acts as a natural mimic to a pheromone that cats adore. Or at least, most of them. Interestingly enough, only about 70 percent of cats have the ‘catnip gene’ and so 30 percent don’t react to catnip and scientists aren’t sure why. Humans however don’t react to the same pheromones as cats. Hence, while you might catch your kitty rolling around in that bag of catnip, probably you won’t find your spouse doing the same thing! 

Anecdotally, smoking catnip is purported to ‘relax’ humans, again acting as a natural sedative and anti-anxiety relief. 

Catnip Tea For the Win

The most common and well-received use for catnip for humans these days is in tea form. Many tea and herbal companies sell teas either with catnip mixed in, or straight as is. 

CatNap Tea
Our Catnip tea blend

It is also quite easy to make yourself, simply using fresh or dried catnip leaves and steeping in hot water. Of course, make sure to buy fresh – or recently dried, locally and naturally grown catnip (if you don’t grow it yourself!) to avoid any harmful chemicals in your tea. And to make sure the leaves, which do lose their potency fairly rapidly, are as safe and effective as possible.

And while science and the medical establishment has yet to positively confirm these uses, catnip tea is purported to be helpful as a:

  • stress reliever
  • menstrual aid 
  • relieving flu and cold symptoms
  • decongestant
  • digestive aid
  • treating diarrhea

Is Catnip Safe for Humans? 

While catnip is generally considered safe for humans when used in moderation, caution is always advised when using a natural remedy. 

In particular, catnip is considered ‘possibly unsafe’ for children and is ‘likely unsafe’ for pregnant or nursing women. It can cause headaches, vomiting and a feeling of being ill when over-dosed or some people may just have a stronger reaction to it than others. 

Always use common sense and do your research before using any natural remedy! 

Freshly harvested catnip on our farm

For more information on the fascinating history and uses for catnip, check out these resources:

https://www.leafly.com/news/science-tech/does-catnip-get-cats-high

https://www.healthline.com/health/catnip-tea#uses

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-831-CATNIP.aspx?activeIngredientId=831&activeIngredientName=CATNIP

https://news.rutgers.edu/research-news/super-catnip-repels-mosquitos-and-drives-cats-wild/20150920#.XXlV1C3Mw_V

https://www.thoughtco.com/nepetalactone-chemistry-of-catnip-608397

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1480656/pdf/canvetj00079-0049.pdf

https://www.sweetsmokeherbs.com/t-art_can_you_smoke_catnip.aspx

http://catniptoy.co.uk/the-history-of-catnip/

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/weird-mechanism-behind-catnip-compounds-biosynthesis-uncovered/3009879.article

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Lavender Essential Oil vs Lavender Hydrosol

by Georgie Smith and Sarah Richards

Our own Beth tells about hydrosol

What is Lavender Hydrosol?

How is it different than Lavender Essential Oil? A lot of lavender fans ask us, so what IS the difference between lavender oil and lavender hydrosol? 

There’s a big hint right in their names. Hydro… Oil… Can you guess? 

That’s right — water versus oil is main difference between lavender oil and lavender hydrosol. The first being ‘oil soluble’ and the second being ‘water soluble.’

Water is such an important part of hydrosols (which can be made from almost all distilled oil products) that a historic name for them is “flower water” or “floral water.”  

Although, ‘floral waters’ is also a name used interchangeably for less rigorous production methods of a water-based aromatic. Simply soaking blossoms in water can create a lightly aromatic ‘water.’ Versus hydrosols, which are made via a steam distillation process. 

Making Lavender Hydrosol

In the modern-day aromatherapy movement, hydrosols were a typically discarded by-product in the distilling process in favor of the more potent essential oil. For every few ounces of concentrated, pure essential oil created in distillation, there are also several large jugs worth of ‘essential water.’ 

That all changed, however, as aromatherapists and professionals began to understand the benefits offered by hydrosols themselves, particularly lavender hydrosol.

The process of steam distillation uses steam and heat to release lavender’s ‘essential’ components. 

Watch the distillate come out of the still.

The process starts with the flowers, leaves and stem of lavender placed into a distillery chamber. Hot steam is put through the plant material and causes the plant to degrade and open up. The water molecules in steam pick up the plant’s constituents, forming a hot distillate that rises to the top of the still as steam. That condenses into liquid and runs into a separator.

Then, the layer of essential oil is skimmed off the top and preserved. What is left is the lavender hydrosol.

Lavender Hydrosol has Different Components than Lavender Essential Oil

Though they are made from the same process, hydrosols and essential oils also are comprised of different components. 

Hydrosols contain constituents from the plant that dissolve in water. Essential oils are the constituents that dissolve in oil. 

Hydrosol, which contains many of the herbaceous elements of the origin plant that essential oils do not, often are considered to have a ‘greener’ aroma than essential oil. 

Lavender essential oil tends to have a sweeter aroma than the hydrosol from the same plant which some find more refreshing.

Why Use Lavender Hydrosol versus Lavender Essential Oil

Less concentrated is a not necessarily a bad thing. 

After all the power of essential oils IS that they are so powerful (for instance, they are solvents which means they can dissolve oil-based paints)! 

Hydrosols, and in particular lavender hydrosols, work in many (but not all) applications that essential oil does. They just do it in smaller, safer doses. 

Because hydrosols are water soluble, they dissolve easily in water-based applications – like baths. Versus essential oils, which will float on top of water, not dissolve. In addition, therapists often will recommend applications of essential oils be applied (sparingly) into a ‘carrier oil’ first to dilute the effects. 

Putting lavender hydrosol in spray bottles is a great way to use it.

Hydrosols, on the other hand, are a simpler, and safer way to venture into using aromatherapy and often recommended as the ‘first choice’ when experimenting with the effects of essential oils. This makes them safer for home and non-professional use and even aromatherapy professionals will often choose hydrosols as the first method in their treatments. 

Lavender hydrosol can also be a way to get that “lavender” effect at a greatly reduced price as compared to the essential oil. Hydrosol is diluted by nature, and no need to further water down or mix with other agents. 

Ways to Use Lavender Hydrosol

Minor Wound or Abrasion Care

While western medicine hasn’t taken hydrosols very seriously they are reported to have positive impacts on small wounds. Europeans traditionally keep a small bottle of lavender essential oil in their kitchens. Lavender hydrosol can be effective for rinsing, cleaning and promoting healing of skin abrasions and cuts. 

Skin Itchiness from Sun or Wind Burns, or Eczema, Dryness and Aging

A refreshing tonic that soothes skin itchiness.  Also works for diaper rash!

Skin Toner 

Many people use lavender and other hydrosols to create a refreshing skin toner that is rejuvenating and rehydrating. Or add it to your homemade skin care creams for added benefits. 

Baths and Showers 

Lavender hydrosol can be added to bathwater (like lavender essential oil), with many of the same effects, providing a relaxing floral experience. Or use as a body spritz in the shower!

For General Household Cleaning including Windows

A mild disinfectant, lavender hydrosol is great for all hard surfaces. It is also non-streaking and does a terrific job cleaning windows, glass and computer and TV screens. Some drivers put it in their car’s window washing reservoir so every time they squirt their windshields they get a whiff of lavender and clean glass.

For Washing Fruit and Vegetables

Lavender hydrosol is a perfectly safe product to use on fresh fruit and vegetables. 

Keeping Insects at bay

Lavender hydrosol is well-known for discouraging common insects include flies, fruit flies, spiders and ants in common areas like counters, sinks and garbage cans. 

Plant Spray 

Use lavender hydrosol on both indoor and outdoor plants to discourage aphids and mealy bugs in particular.

But our favorite thing about using lavender hydrosol – it smells GREAT. (Obvious we know, but so true!). 

Hydrosol 32 oz.

Check out Lavender Wind Farm’s selection of Lavender hydrosol products HERE.  

P.S. We will soon have catnip and rosemary hydrosols available, so keep checking, sign up for our emails, or like our facebook page.

Learn more

Want to make your own hydrosols? Ann Harman’s book (Harvest to Hydrosol) is the best, but it’s hard to find as of this writing. Here is a podcast with Anne.

More info on Using Hydrosols at AromaWeb.

For aromatherapy resources the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy is a good place to start.

If you want to further your education in a formal setting, Bastyr University in Seattle, WA has an Herbal Sciences program

A great resource for information on herbs in general is The American Botanical Council

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Film Student at the Farm

The tragic fires in eastern Washington right now have had an unexpected result for me at the farm. There is a film camp that normally takes place in Twisp each year called Wild Mind Film Camp. The dates for the camp this year are July 16-27. However, they had to evacuate due to the fire in the Methow Valley, and luckily they found accommodations on Whidbey Island. 

Monday I was distilling at the farm and a woman introduces herself as Lulu Gargiulo, a film student, and tells the story of the camp’s relocating. Then she asks if she can film the farm and interview me. Ok, I’m a bit of a ham, so it was easy to say: “Sure!” Turns out this “student” is a film making professional and has done lots of projects from commercials to features. Lulu and Gear in PatioWhat she hasn’t done is direct films, because she has mostly been behind the camera as director of photography and camera operator. Just to add drama to the context of her request of me I want to remind you that we are getting ready for our annual festival and at the same time we are having the biggest harvest we have ever had. Everyone on the staff is working incredibly hard and for longer than normal hours. But, I am a fool for fun projects, and Lulu’s film camp sounded fun.


The next day she comes to the Coupeville shop and prepares to interview me on camera. A fellow student serves as her assistant and they stage the patio, set up their equipment and invite me in. She started asking me questions, and they were good ones. They made me think. They asked me to reflect on the farm, my trajectory as a lavender farmer, my part in the community, and some rather deep thoughts about lavender, farming lavender, and what it all means. 

Lulu in Kitchen with CookieIt was a blast! I’d include the video, but she is off in the editing barn, on Whidbey Island, trying to put bits and pieces together to make it into a cohesive whole. It is, after all, a student project, even if that student is a gifted professional so she needs to burn the midnight oil to complete the work. I sure hope I get to see it when it’s done. Meanwhile, we are working on getting her addicted to our lemon lavender shortbread.

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Doing things Backwards

LWback

Backwards Day is on January 31. Time to celebrate the potential in doing things in reverse (with lavender, of course).

When I was in Aix-en-Provence studying during my junior year in college I took many classes in French history,language, art history, and more. I wanted to be out roaming the streets and countryside (back then lavender wasn’t a twinkle in my eye). I was focused on finding young people to go with me to “Les Boites” and dance all night. Also, all those Patisseries were calling my name. So, as you can imagine, the lectures in the classes would seem rather dull. Being a good art student, though, I came up with a great solution. I’d practice being like Leonardo da Vinci and write in mirror writing. I took many notes in that way which ended up costing me. Studying, using those notes, was challenging and my grades suffered a bit.

Why would you want to do anything backwards like do mirror writing? Someone was wondering what purpose Leonardo da Vinci had in doing his mirror writing. He thinks it might be for the very process of forcing himself to slow down. In addition to slowing down, it gives those of us with over-active minds something to do while we are supposed to be listening to someone talking.

Then, almost as if it was a family tradition, my son adopted a part of mirror writing in the logo of his work. It is particularly cool if you knew that he is a physicist and was working in theoretical particle physics where they analyze the results of atoms speeding through a huge ring and crashing into each other. That would tend to send some of them backwards.

But, all those esoteric backwards events miss the basic need every kid has in doing things the wrong way around. And that is:

Eating Dessert FIRST!!

Lavender foods are some of the best way to do that. We have lavender chocolates, lavender cookies, lavender candied pecans, lavender jams… the list goes on and on. We also have lavender baking extract and culinary lavender so you can create your own dessert first goodies. Click here for a great recipe of Lavender Brownies so you can get started celebrating doing things backwards with lavender.

Finally, a quote from my favorite Art History teacher when she was taking us around to amazing cathedrals and other places in France.

EMichaud

 

 

 

by Sarah Richards

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Dragon Appreciation Day

Lavender DragonJanuary 16.

When you think of a dragon, what comes to your mind? A fire-breathing flying amphibian-like creature? Something that inspires fear? Or do you think of wisdom, benevolence and a gentle nature? In our western culture, it would surprise me if you think of a dragon as other than scary. 

Dragons have wings which allow them to fly above the worldly drama, or to get places quickly. In flight, they are able to see the big picture. In other aspects they are able to see into the future, to see things that are coming when we are blinded by fears, lack of vision, or anger. In the Orient, dragons are seen as benevolent.

Dragon Flies
Dragon Flies

In most western cultures, the dragon is seen as a larger-than-life foe, and that foe is primarily fear. The hero of a mythic story is the slayer of the foe, of the frightening creature that inspires quaking fear. In spite of that, in some stories & traditions, dragons can be symbols of wisdom and possess great magical powers. In many stories they are the jealous guardians of treasure.

I have been thinking about times when I breathe fire, when I belch out painful flames within the context of creating something new. In so many images, dragons are fire-breathing, terrifying creatures. Aren’t we all when we breathe the fire of anger? That expression of fury is terrifying, and yet, at times, it can be transformative. Anger can show us a number of things if we are ready to listen. It can show us what is treading on our turf (or invading our boundaries). It can show us areas in which we might be defensive when we need either to strengthen our fortress or stop the automatic lowering of heavy gates and instead allow the entry of something new, an antidote to the old wounds. Often, anger comes out as a habitual reaction or an expression of frustration and we might breathe fire at our loved ones. That fierce breath tends to burn relationships into little black crisps. If we try we have options when the dragon inside rises. We can calm the fire by learning how to calm ourselves, how to bring peace to our minds and spirits.

Dragon Soaps
Dragon Soaps at Lavender Wind

The best way is to train your mind by meditating, or finding ways to adopt alternative reactions. This can represent years and even decades of hard work. Meanwhile, on your journey to peace, having lovely scents around you can help. Lavender is known to have relaxing, calming properties. Remember your affection for lavender next time you need to respond with calmness in the face of a dragon.

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Lavender Bubbles on January 8

Happy National Bubble Bath Day
Happy National Bubble Bath Day

What goes better with lavender on a cold wintry day? Bathing! And while you are considering bathing, think about Bubble Baths. What better way to unwind and relax than by putting your phone on mute, lighting a candle, playing your favorite relaxing music, getting a great book (or not), dimming the lights, filling the tub with warm water and Lavender Bubble Bath, and putting the world on hold as you settle into your private luxurious world.

Relax with Bubble Bath Music
Relax with Bubble Bath Music

January 8th is National Bubble Bath Day. Never mind that there is no official declaration, just be satisfied that hundreds of people think it’s a great idea to celebrate January 8th by taking a Bubble Bath. People have been enjoying warm baths for thousands of years. In Ancient Rome, bathing at a public facility was part of the daily routine for most citizens. Up until the mid 20th century, the average American bathed once a week for personal hygiene. The truly decadent people bathed in milk. These days, a shower is usually how we get clean. So, it’s important to remember that having a good soak in a bubble bath can help open up your pores, cleanse your skin, and relax your muscles. Be sure to leave your troubles and worries at the threshold of the bathroom, so they don’t annoy you while you are soaking.

We have Lavender Bubble Bath or you can use our Lavender Essential Oil to scent the bubble bath you already have. While you are soaking in luxurious bubbles, let your mind wander through all the ways you can relax into being the real, unique, and wonderful self that you are.

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Lavender helps with Stress, Fatigue, and Post-Party Effects

new-years-eve-free-clip-art

Did you know?

Lavender helps with Stress, Fatigue, and Post-Party Effects.
by Sarah Richards

Well, nothing cures a hangover, but…. we are discovering that lavender helps hangovers and other stress – just like old wives tales have told us for centuries.

Stress Word

Stress: you know it when you feel it, or do you? Sometimes, what we think are normal conditions might be stress.

Are you:

  • Having trouble remembering?
  • Finding your concentration isn’t working?
  • Making some bad decisions?
  • Hearing your own self talk putting you down all the time?
  • Worrying too much?
  • Snapping at people around you?
  • Having trouble sitting still?
  • Feeling overwhelmed?
  • Feeling like you’re alone, no one around to be with you and help you out?
  • Procrastinating or neglecting responsibilities?

And then your body might be talking to you by sending you aches and pains, digestion changes, nausea, dizziness, chest pain, rapid heartbeat. Lost that loving feeling, getting colds a lot, eating too much or too little? Got these messages?

Now, back to the hangover bit, are you using alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to relax?

These are likely to overwhelm you. In addition, sleep troubles are often a symptom or a cause of anxiety and stress. Getting enough sleep is a key to well being. Studies have shown that lavender helps with getting to sleep and improving the quality of sleep, which goes a long way toward helping people overcome the stress of anxiety. (1)

Eye Soothers, lie back, cover your eyes, press on the acupuncture point for relaxation.

Folklore has named lavender for stress relief and relaxing for centuries. Now, scientific studies are starting to describe how that might be true. They are testing using lavender flowers in infusions, lavender essential oil in aromatherapy, and even taking lavender essential oil internally (supervised by a physician). (1)

Anecdotally, we see the relaxation response everyday when people walk in the door of our shop. They take a deep breath in and say “Ahhhhhh” and then they breathe out exclaiming how much they love that smell.

You might think that studies on adults show that lavender works because the subjects had heard about it, or someone has instructed them in the relaxing aspects of lavender. But, babies don’t read and they don’t get instructions like adults. There was a study in which babies cried less and spent more time in deep sleep after a bath scented with lavender oil. (3)

Even horses respond to lavender. One study found that the horse’s heart rate went down considerably when exposed to a stress after a treatment of humid air and lavender oil. (2)  So, my friends, those of you who have horses and have learned to trust your noble steeds, maybe you could listen to them while they tell you a little about lavender’s usefulness for stress relief.

For those who like to measure stress hormones, levels of cortisol went down with lavender use in rats. (4)

Basket of Folgate
Bunches of lavender by a sunlit field.

These are just a few of the situations and studies that are showing that lavender can be useful to you when your world feels out of control. In this season of parties, it’s reassuring to note that a lavender compress can help with that nasty morning-after headache. If the lavender doesn’t do the trick here are some more tips on what to do for your hangover.

References

  1. Lavender Oil for Anxiety and Depression; Review of the literature on the safety and efficacy of lavender, 2/7/2012, by Jeremy Appleton, ND. http://www.naturalmedicinejournal.com/article_content.asp?article=289
  2. Effect of Lavender Aromatherapy on Acute-Stressed Horses, Clarence E. Ferguson, Harry F. Kleinman, Justin Browning, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science – January 2013 (Vol. 33, Issue 1, Pages 67-69, DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2012.04.014) Found in: Horsetalk.co.nz on Jun 03, 2013 in Training & Husbandry. http://horsetalk.co.nz/2013/06/03/lavender-aroma-calms-horses-research/#axzz2oe8Z8biH
  3. Early Hum Dev. 2008 Jun;84(6):399-401. Epub 2007 Nov 28, Lavender bath oil reduces stress and crying and enhances sleep in very young infants. Field T, Field T, Cullen C, Largie S, Diego M, Schanberg S, Kuhn C. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18053656
  4. Psychiatry Res. 2007 Feb 28;150(1):89-96. Epub 2007 Feb 7. Smelling lavender and rosemary increases free radical scavenging activity and decreases cortisol level in saliva. by Atsumi T, Tonosaki K. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17291597
  5. 5 Tips to Soothe Holiday Hangovers, By Dr. Maoshing Ni, Dec 06, 2013 http://health.yahoo.net/experts/drmao/5-tips-soothe-holiday-hangovers

 

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Dessert May be the Best Medicine

The Holiday Season should be a time of celebration, but for many of us it can also be a time when our love/hate relationship with all those delicious Christmas deserts we’ve been enjoying can turn us into grinches. Here’s some good news about common holiday spices that should put you back in a festive mood.

CinnamonCinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia and C. zeylanicum) may be one of the oldest recorded spices, with documented use going back to ancient Egypt and China. There was even a time when counties were invaded to gain control of the world’s cinnamon supply. It’s used to increase circulation and perspiration, and to lower fevers, as well as to treat diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, flatulence and colic. It’s also antibacterial, antifungal, anti-spasmodic and astringent. The pure essential oil should be used with caution, however, because, unlike lavender essential oil, it can irritate tissues. There’s even some contemporary evidence that small amounts of ground cinnamon taken daily (a gram or less) may lower both blood glucose and triglyceride levels.

Don’t think all cinnamon is alike. C. camphora should never be confused with culinary cinnamon. It’s a source of camphor, that strong-smelling ingredient in many liniments and decongestant inhalants. Camphor is highly poisonous in large quantities — even via absorption through the skin!
ClovesCloves (Syzygium aromaticum) are the dried flower buds of a tropical Old World evergreen tree. Believe it or not, those rock hard and highly aromatic nubbins start out as delicate, pink blooms. Eugenol, the main ingredient in clove essential oil, is antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal, as well as anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and astringent. It can be used in a mouth wash for mouth infections or bad breath, or dilute it in a carrier oil before rubbing it on sore gums, abbesses, insect bites, and infections. Clove tea treats gastroenteritis and, if strong enough, kills parasites.

Nutmeg and mace both come from Myristica fragrans. Nutmeg is the seed, while mace is the red appendage that wraps around the seed’s shell. Their essential oils have similar properties to those of cloves and cinnamon.

Nutmeg_Zanz41Nutmeg and mace were once considered tonics, but are now seldom used in Western Herbalism, despite being very potent and still prescribed in Chinese and Ayurvedic Medicine. There are recorded cases of people getting high on nutmeg, even overdosing. It’s estimated that anything over five grams will cause headaches, confusion and drowsiness, and lead to hallucinations. Nutmeg might also potentiate, or increase, the effects of MOAI (monoamine oxidase inhibitors) as well as St. John’s Wort.

AllspiceAllspice (Pimenta dioica) got its name from a seventeenth century botanist who thought it tasted like a combination of nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon. Unlike the Old World spices above, it’s native to South America. Because it also contains some eugenol, it has similar medicinal properties as cloves. Allspice is also very high in beneficial antioxidants.

So, let go of the guilt and pile on the whipped cream!

By Toni Grove 2012