Plantago, Che Qian Cao

  FUN FACTS  BN: (plantago asiatica) AKA 車前草 (Che Qian Cao), plantain, ripple grass, rib wort, rib grass. CONSTITUENTS   Aucubin (anti-microbial), allantoin (cellular growth and tissue regeneration), and mucilage (pain reliever). Plantain is an astringent.   High in calcium, vitamins A, C, and K. USES/BENEFITS  The young leaves can be eaten raw in a salad.  Older leaves, seed, and root can be washed…

Continue Reading

Echinacea, Zhi Zhui Ju

FUN FACTS Botanical name: Echinacea purpurea   AKA: 紫锥菊 (zǐ zhuī jú), 松果菊, 紫锥花, Cornflower,  Kansas Snakeroot, Purple Cornflower.   CONSTITUENTS USES/BENEFITS Boost immune function, relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and have hormonal, antiviral, and antioxidant effects. ¹  Treat urinary tract infections, vaginal yeast  infections, ear infections, athlete’s foot, sinusitis, and hay fever¹  Many people thinks that echinacea helps with the common cold,…

Continue Reading

Chrysanthemum, Ju Hua

FUN FACTS Botanical name: Chrysanthemum morifolium, AKA 菊花 (júhuā), mums, In Chinese art, four plants stood for the noble ones or the Four Gentlemen, and represents the four seasons.  They are chrysanthemum ( autumn), plum blossom (梅花 méihuā , winter), orchid (兰花 lánhuā, spring) and bamboo (竹 Zhú, summer).  Chrysanthemum is the official flower of Chicago, Illinois since 1966. CONSTITUENTS Volatile oils(borneol, bornyl acetate,…

Continue Reading