Category: Traditional Medicine

What Medieval Monastery Gardens Reveal About Today’s Superfoods

06/10/202505/27/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Centuries ago, spiritual communities cultivated spaces that blended nourishment with meaning. These walled green areas—often designed around sacred architecture—served as early laboratories for understanding plants. Today, their legacy lives on in our pursuit of nutrient-packed superfoods. Historical records like the St. Gall plan show these spaces weren’t just for growing vegetables. They featured symbolic layouts…

Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Traditional Medicinal Plants Used by Tujia People in Guizhou

06/08/202506/08/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Ancestral Wisdom and Healing: The Tujia People’s Use of Traditional Medicinal Plants The Tujia people, an ethnic minority mainly residing in the northeastern region of Guizhou, China, have preserved a wealth of traditional botanical knowledge passed down through generations. A recent ethnobotanical study documented their use of various medicinal plants, revealing a cultural heritage that…

Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Viking Medicine Cabinet: Norse Herbs That Conquered Continents

06/02/202505/26/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Imagine a time when warriors relied on nature’s bounty to survive brutal battles and harsh winters. The Viking medicine cabinet wasn’t just a collection of plants—it was a lifeline. Rooted in mythology and practicality, these ancient remedies shaped a culture that thrived on exploration and resilience. During the Viking age, healing practices blended science and…

Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Medicinal Herbs Shaped African American Culture and Herbal Traditions

05/31/202505/30/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

The Legacy of Medicinal Herbs in African American Culture For generations, medicinal herbs have played a central role in the lives of African Americans, serving as both a healing tool and a pathway to cultural preservation and identity. Rooted deeply in African traditions that traveled across the Atlantic during the transatlantic slave trade, herbal medicine…

In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Jointed Flatsedge, Plant From the Amazon, Shows Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

05/25/202505/25/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Unlocking the Healing Power of Cyperus Articulatus: A Potent Anti-Inflammatory from the Amazon Native to the lush regions of the Amazon rainforest, Cyperus articulatus—also known as Piri-Piri or Jointed Flatsedge—has long held a place in traditional medicine. Now, a recent study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology showcases its remarkable modern therapeutic potential. This powerful…

In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Echinacea Benefits and Uses for Natural Immune Support

05/19/202505/18/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

What is Echinacea? Echinacea, commonly known as coneflower, is a group of flowering plants native to North America and widely recognized for their stunning purple petals and prickly centers. But beyond its ornamental appeal, Echinacea has long held a special place in traditional herbal medicine—especially for its ability to support the immune system. In fact,…

In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Traditional Medicinal Plants of Southern Fars Province in Iran

05/15/202506/09/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Unlocking the Healing Power of Traditional Medicinal Plants in Southern Fars, Iran Southern Fars Province in Iran is a region rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage. For centuries, the communities residing here have relied on medicinal plants as a primary source of healthcare. A recent study published in Scientific Reports reveals a detailed inventory of…

Ayurveda, In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

Mugwort Benefits and Side Effects for Wellness and Health

04/24/202505/14/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Introduction to Mugwort Mugwort, scientifically known as Artemisia vulgaris, is an herb steeped in centuries of traditional use across cultures and continents. From ancient Chinese medicine to medieval European practices, mugwort has been valued for its wide-ranging health benefits. In recent years, this wild-growing plant has gained popularity in the wellness community thanks to its…

Chinese Medicine, In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine

A Traditional Native American Beverage With Many Health Benefits

04/16/202505/14/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

I found this very informative video about a Native American beverage made of hickory nuts. There’s very detailed information about the types to harvest and use and the types that are better left alone. I have never tried hickory milk, but may experiment with it this fall. Check this video out for the process and…

Natural Health, Traditional Medicine

Gullah Geechee Herbal Medicine Traditions Preserved by Modern Teachers

04/11/202505/14/2025 Lynn DeVries No Comments

Preserving a Legacy of Healing The Gullah Geechee people—descendants of West and Central Africans who were enslaved on the coastal plantations of the American South—have long been stewards of a rich cultural heritage, one that includes their distinctive language, culinary traditions, spiritual practices, and ancestral healing methods. Among the most enduring and deeply rooted practices…

In the News, Medicinal Herbs, Traditional Medicine