I put a dent in the work in the greenhouse yesterday.  It's still extremely slippery in there but there are some areas that are safe and I have plants in those areas now. Still a lot of work to do but I'm happy with what I got done.  Love and Light!

As you can see from the image above, I got the dirt I need to work into the clay in my greenhouse.  This means the days just got busy for me so I will be working on the next herb, skullcap, as I'm able to.  It's still flooded in the greenhouse but the amount of water in there is perfect for getting it soft enough to work the dirt in. 

I got a bag of manure so I can start my own compost pile so I can eventually rehabilitate the soil without having to spend so much money.  New experiences all around but I'm looking forward to this adventure!  Love and Light!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

I finally got the herbarium posted a few minutes ago.  Most people have oats in their homes.  A nice boost to the immune system sounds good right about now.

New herb tomorrow if I can get it researched in time.  I still need to go out and check to see how my avocado tree did in the greenhouse over night.  They don't like it cold and it was chilly last night! Love and Light!

On to the constituents of oats.  The ones I was able to find in the text are:

Oligosaccharide (Carbohydrate) is water-soluble, especially hot water. Molecularly, these are bonds of 10 or less monosaccharides.  Hoffman talk about how these are often prebiotics.  While these are not bioavailable to our bodies, they feed the microflora in the human gut which helps keep our system healthy.  These prebiotics can be anticarcinogenic, antimicrobial, hypolipidemic, and glucose-modulating (Hoffman, 2003, p. 41, 43; Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 63, 73, 77). (Oats)

Silicon: Hoffman questions the medicinal value of silicon as he was unable to find any studies discussing it as of the time he wrote this book.  He was unable to trace bioavailability (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14). (Oats)

Have a Great Day!

On to the constituents of oats.

Alkaloids are defined by Hoffman as "organic compounds with at least one nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring". This is the ONLY thing they all have in common. They are not usually soluble in water, nor are their salts. Most are also alkaline (Hoffman, 2003, p. 120-133, 152).

Alpha-tocotrienols:

Avenacosides:

Avenins (Prolamines, Proteins):

Aventic Acid A:

Aventic Acid B:

Beta-Glucan: a soluble polysaccharide, increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption
C-glycosyl Flavones:

Fat:

Fixed Oils are soluble in dietary oils and slightly soluble in ethanol.  Examples are omega-3s, EFAs, PUFAs, DHA, and EPA which can be found in olive oil, palm, oil, hempseed oil, walnut oil, avocado oil, flax oil, almond oil and coconut oil (Ganora, 2009, p. 44, 45, 46, 47, 64, 85).

Flavonoids: All polyphenolic plant pigments of a specific structure. There are over 4,000 of them. These are broken down into categories: Catechins, dihydrochalones, chalones, flavanones (dihydroflavones), flavones, isoflavones, anthocyanides, aurones, flavanols, and flavonols. This general property is immunomodulatory due to antioxidant/free-radical scavenging ability (Hoffman, 2006, p. 100-102, 152, 167, 170, 174).

Galactoarabinoxylans:

Gluten (Protein):

Kestose (Polysaccharide):

Minerals: This just means the plant/herb is a good source of at least one mineral.

Neokestone (Polysaccharide):

Oat gum (soluble polysaccharide) increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption.

Oligposaccharide:

Polysaccharides (Mucilage) activate the macrophages which initiates the body’s defenses against pathogens and cancer cells (Hoffman, 2003, p. 544).

Prolamines (Proteins):
 
Proteins are building blocks of the body. Proteins are listed on many pages and have many functions in the body.  These can be water-soluble but it depends on pH. They do break down over time in alcohol (Ganora, 2009, p. 11, 22, 24, 45, 65, 77, 92, 101).  Instead, I'm using my anatomy book. Proteins are the basic building blocks of the body and do so many things for us.  Really, just listing "protein" isn't very helpful. Though, i felt the need to list this because there are many break-downs of types of proteins, such as amino acids. (Marieb and Hoehn, 2019, p. 48) The difference in the 2 sources, the first is in how the plant uses it, the second is how the human body uses it. Sometimes they differ.  In this instance, they do not but the human body one was easier understood for those who don't have Ganora's book in front of them.

Saccharose (Polysaccharide):

Saponin can be antifertility, antihepatoxic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, capillary strengthening, cytotoxic, antitumor, insecticidal, antifeedant, molluscicidal, piscicidal, and plant growth inhibitors. These are listed under the heading "General Properties of Steroidal Saponins" (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).

Silic Acid:

Silica:

Silicic Acid:

Silicon:

Spirostanol Glycosides (Avenacosides):

Steroidal saponins: are structured like triterpenoids but with 4 rings.  These are used as detergents and re in fire extinguishers and fish poisons but are safe for human consumption. They share many of the properties of the higher level, saponins (Hoffman, 2003, p. 81).

Sterols (Aglycone Glycosides) are often used to imply phytosterols in these books. They need to be careful, though because sterols are found in animals while the same molecule can be called a phytosterol because it is found in a plant. calling it a sterol when it's in a plant can cause confusion (Ganora, 2009, p. 92, 93).

Have a Great Day

The image above is from the class I attended.

There are no new actions in this listing so I will go straight to constituents with the next post. Love and Light!

On to oats.

Constituents: Petersen (2018) says protein, fat, fiber – most water-soluble fiber of all grains; beta-glucans lower cholesterol. She explains in depth how this works. Alpha-tocotrienols which inhibit hepatic hydroxymethylgluaryl coemzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase which also helps cholesterol. The above ground parts contain soluble oligosaccharides and polysaccharides (saccharose, kestose, neokestose, beta-glucans, galatoarabinoxylans, silic acid, steroid saponins, aventic acid A and B and flavonoids.  Bran: oat gum/beta-glucan, a soluble polysaccharide, increases viscosity of food in the intestine which reduces glucose by delaying absorption. Hoffman (2003) says proteins (prolamines known as avenins), c-glycosyl flavones, avenacosides (spirostanol glycosides), fixed oil, vitamin E, and starch (p. 532). Gladstar (2012) says silicon, sterols, flavonoids, starch, protein, calcium, silica, and B vitamins (p. 182). Chevallier (2016) says saponins, alkaloids, sterols, flavonoids, silicic acid, starch, proteins (gluten), vitamins (B), and minerals (calcium) (p. 175).

Therapeutic Actions: anti-inflammatory. Hoffman (2003) says nervine tonic, antidepressant, nutritive, demulcent, and vulnerary (p. 532). Gladstar (2012) says anti-inflammatory (p. 181).

Indications: Petersen (2018) breaks it down this way: Oat: acute/chronic anxiety, excitation, stress, neurasthenia syndrome, pseudoneurasthenia syndrome, weak bladder, connective tissue disorders, gout, kidney ailments, old age syndromes, opium withdrawal, nicotine withdrawal, rheumatism, skin diseases, tonic, and when used with other herbs, cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, metabolic disease, diseases/discomforts of old age, anemia, hypothyroidism, neuralgia, neuritis, hematoma, pulled muscles, sexual disorders, tobacco abuse, spasms, increasing milk production, increasing performance.  Topically, dry/itchy skin, weeping eczema, contact dermatitis, chickenpox, skin hydration. Also eaten as a cereal or a grain.  Oat bran: heart disease, diet of low-saturated fat/cholesterol, lower cholesterol, reducing postprandial blood glucose, blocks fat absorption, prevents gallstones, reduces colon cancer risk, treats irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulosis, inflammatory bowel disease. Oat fruit: hypercholesterolemia, gastrointestinal tract disorders, gallbladder disorders, kidney disorders, cardiovascular disorders, constipation, diarrhea, rheumatism, throat/chest complaints, physical fatigue, diabetes, neurasthenia, neurasthenia syndrome, prevent colon cancer, nicotine withdrawal, reduce uric acid levels, tonics, sedative, diuretic, opium withdrawal. Oat straw: topically for skin inflammation, irritation, injury, pruritus, seborrhea, warts, arthritis, paralysis, liver disorders. Folk medicine says tea for flu and cough, abdominal fatigue, bladder disorders, rheumatic disorders, eye ailments, frostbite, gout, impetigo, metabolic disorders, and a foot bath for chronically cold/tired feet (p. 140-1). Hoffman (2003) says oats “feed” the nervous system, especially stress, nervous disability, exhaustion with depression, relaxant/stimulant when used with other herbs, strengthens nervous system, and general debility (p. 532). Clark (2011) says beneficial to the nervous system, calms/relaxes the body, Topically, its used for skin irritation, chicken pox, eczema, hives, measles, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, shingles, and sprains/muscle aches (p. 46, 94). Gladstar (2012) says the green milky tops are great for the nervous system because of the nutrients they provide, relaxing stress, exhaustion, irritation, anxiety, multiple sclerosis (nerve endings which help fatigue, muscles, and nerve function), and hyperactivity. Oats combined with oatstraw strengthen bones and provide calcium. Oatmeal helps when ill and sooth skin – itchy, sunburn, facials (p. 181-2). Chevallier (2016) says rheumatism, itchy skin, leprosy, nutrition, muscle function, stamina, cholesterol, tonic, general debility, nervous conditions, antidepressant, increase energy levels, stressed nervous system, depression, nervous debility, insomnia due to nerves, and convalescence. Externally, cleansing and emollient, itchiness, and eczema (p. 175)

Safety: Avoid medicinal doses while pregnant (dietary amount is safe). Bran may interact with glucose tests. Bran can cause intestinal blockages in people who don’t chew well. It contains gluten so if you have this allergy, avoid consuming it. The fruit can cause increased defecations, irritation, and gas. If this happens, reduce daily intake until there are no symptoms and slowly increase. Oat flour has caused contact dermatitis is some. May decrease absorption of medications.  Take them 1 hour before consumption. Has Generally Regarded as Safe status (Petersen, 2018, p. 146-7).  Hoffman (2003) says there are no side effects (p. 532).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from normanallan.com.

None of the unresearched items are in my books so I'm adding those to my list to research studies and will clarify those when I can. 

The next herb will be oats.  Love and Light!

On to the constituents of motherwort.

Alkaloids are defined by Hoffman as "organic compounds with at least one nitrogen atom in the heterocyclic ring". This is the ONLY thing they all have in common. They are not usually soluble in water, nor are their salts. Most are also alkaline (Hoffman, 2003, p. 120-133, 152).

Apigenin (Flavonoid), occasionally on leaves and in ferns, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, diuretic, and hypotensive properties (Hoffman, 2003, p. 106).

Caffeic Acid (Phenolic Acids, Polyphenolic Acid): it has antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, and cardioprotective properties (Ganora, 2009, p. 108). It adds synergy for antimicrobial, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects in herbs such as echinacea.

Diterpenes: Hoffman describes a specific diterpene so I'll just talk about Ganora. She says there are several categories and what they do depends on that category. Diterpenes, structurally, have 20 carbons. She says these are relatively stabile because of their size but a rare few may be volatile. They are usually constituents of oleoresins or resins. This means they are either water soluble or high-percentage alcohol soluble. it appears there are too many to specify any activity they may possess. She does say there are about 2,500 of them (Hoffman, 2003, p. 174; Ganora, 2003, p. 46, 68, 134, 139, 140).

Glycosides (Bitter, Flavonoids): are compounds that contain a sugar unit attached to a non-carbohydrate molecule (aglycone). The sugar makes them easier to absorb, making to aglycone more bioavailable than others. They are categorized by the sugar, aglycone, or the link between the 2. (Hoffman, 2003, p. 41, 48, 199).

Iridoids are monoterpenoid lactones that are often the basis for the bitter principle as they are the bitterest compounds meaning they stimulate the digestive system. Ganora calls these modified monoterpenoids (Hoffman, 2003, p. 66, 67; Ganora, 2009, p. 68, 134, 136).

Kaempferol (3,5,7,4-tetrahydroxyflavone) (Flavonoids): responsible for eliminating free radicals in plants caused by UV radiation of the sun.

L-Stachydrine (Alkaloid):

Labdane Diterpenes:

Leocardin (Labdane Diterpene):

Leonruin (Glycosides):

Leonuride (Iridoid):

Leonuinine (Alkaloid):

Leonuridine (Glycoside):

Leonurine (Iridoid):

Quercetin (Flavonoid) reduces allergy-induced inflammation, inhibits the growth of head and neck cancers, inhibits reverse transcriptase. Fallon says this has anti-thyroid properties. Cohen says it prevents gout. Pierre says it fights cancer and prevents heart disease.  Also, process cherries, such as those in a can, have twice as much as fresh cherries (Hoffman, 2003, p. 14; Fallon, 2001, p. 502; Cohen, 2007, p. 262; Pierre, 2005, p. 8-9).

Stachydrene (Alkaloid):

Tannins (Polyphenolic Acid) can damper some of the harsher effects of some constituents but excessive use of them can cause certain cancers. In lab studies, they can inhibit fungi, yeast, bacteria and viruses. They do inhibit some other cancers and are antioxidants. There are different kinds of tannins so the risks vary. They are present in plants to protect them in various ways, depending on location (Hoffman, 2003, p. 114-117, 201).

Volatile oil: Volatile just means they evaporate more quickly than other substances. If it says "volatile", you want to use the plant as fresh as possible and try not to warm it up in any way (Ganora, 2009, p. 52, 57, 61, 134, 139). Chevallier (2016) says volatile oils are what is extracted from the plant to make essential oils and are made of a lot of compounds, sometimes as much as 100 (p. 14).

Have a Great Day!

I have the constituents done for motherwort (which will be the last post for that herb) but I wanted to share this as I know people are out there using herbs and may find this information useful.

This video is step by step instructions on how to make a tincture. I used ginger as an example but the process is the same regardless. The only thing that will change is the recipe. What I forgot to mention in the video is further information on apple cider vinegar versus alcohol. If you use ACV, it's safer for children to use. However, if you use alcohol and want to give it to kids, you have to heat it enough to cook off the remnants of the alcohol. If you want to see more, please comment below.

Tomorrow I will resume with motherwort.

The image above is from anniesremedy.com

On to motherwort.

Constituents: Kidd (2000) (cat vet) says bitter glycosides (leonruin, leonuridine), alkaloids (leonuinine, stachydrene), volatile oil, and tannins (p. 170). Chevallier (2016) says alkaloids (L-stachydrine), an iridoid (leonurine), diterpenes, flavonoids, caffeic acid, and tannins (p. 227). Hoffman (2003) says iridoids (leonuride), labdane diterpenes (leocardin), flavonoids (apigenin, kaempferol, quercitin glycosides), caffeic acid, alkaloids, and volatile oil (p. 562).

Therapeutic Actions: Kidd (2000) (cat vet) says cardiac tonic, promotes menstruation, sedative, hypotensive (like valerian), uterine stimulant, diuretic, and antispasmodic (p. 170). Chevallier (2106) says anti-spasmodic and sedative (p. 227). Hoffman (2003) says nervine, emmenagogue, antispasmodic, hepatic, cardiotonic, and hypotensive (p. 562).

Indications: Clark (2011) says anxiety, fear, worry, heart tonic, irregular heart beat, palpitations, rapid heart beat, tachycardia, all heart conditions associated with anxiety and tension, a tincture for acute menstrual cramps (p. 44, 100). Kidd (2000) (cat vet) says female reproductive system, strengthen the heart, inhibits platelet formation (blood clotting), rapid heart, anxiety, tension, first and third trimester of pregnancy (to prepare for birth), and menopausal changes (p. 170). Chevallier (2016) says heart tonic, palpitations, pounding heart, spasms, paralysis, stimulates uterine and menstrual bleeding, nerve tonic, palpitations, stimulates uterine muscles, delayed periods, and PMS (p. 227). Heinerman (1996) says menopause, PMS, hot flashes, mood swings, heart problems, and blood clots (p. 339). Hoffman (2003) says menstrual and uterine conditions, cardiovascular and circulatory systems, delayed periods (anxiety or tension related), false labor pains, menopause, heart tonic, tachycardia (palpitations), tension/anxiety-related heart problems, anemic nervousness, insomnia, palpitations, cardiac weakness, neurosis, hyperthyroid cardiac reactions, PMS, congestive amenorrhea, and dysmenorrhea (p. 562).

Safety: Kidd (2000) says contact dermatitis is a potential when touching fresh leaves for those sensitive; use caution with beta-blockers (p. 170, 143). Chevallier (2016) says to avoid if pregnant or having a heavy menstrual cycle (p. 227). Hoffman (2003) says excessive use may interfere with other cardiac treatments (p. 562).

Have a Great Day!

The image above is from the class lesson I attended.

This is the last day for lemon balm.  I am going to try to get the greenhouse up and seeds sown over the next few days so motherwort may get put on hold while I work on that.  Thanks for your patience as Spring starts and we work on healthy food choices!  Love and Light!

On to the constituents of lemon balm.

Citronellal (Volatile Oil): is antiseptic and a sedative and is used in soap, perfumes, and insect repellant (Hoffman, 2003, p. 65).

Geraniol (Volatile Oil, also spelled geranial): can cause skin color to change (Hoffman, 2003, p. 210, 640).

Polyphenolic Acids: The majority are water-soluble. This class is often used for urinary tracts and anti-inflammatory action.  Phenols are ALL anti-microbial and were used as antiseptic in surgery. (Hoffman, 2003, p.90-119,167).

Have a Great Day!