Beyond mythology: wellness and health with Christmas plants.

Christmas is made of magic, rites, customs and perfumes. And here, between the Christmas tree, the snow and the cold weather there is no shortage of "Christmas plants" for use in home herbal medicine. It is very important to underline that some of them, as well as beautiful, are also toxic (among which is  the Christmas rose, the mistletoe that was used by our grandmothers as a decoction in cases of chilblains and skin cracked). I want to write about the choise of live christmas tree to decorate and admire in the living room only if you have the opportunity to take care of it not only in this period, but also in its suitable re-plant. If you live in the city and the metropolitan lifestyle does not allow it, choose a sustainable or recycled eco one, using it every year, so you will make a gift to the environment and not only to your bank account.

This is why I thought of anise, cinnamon and the butcher's broom.

Enjoy your reading and I await your comments! See you soon!

1. Anise: ouzo of the Greeks, pastis of the French and Pliny's liqueurs.

These aromatic seeds with a candied licorice taste (that in the botanical vocabulary would be fruits) have had an influence not only in the kitchen and in perfumery, but also in medicine. Let's start from Hippocrates who advised it for the mucus fluidification in the airways, Theophrastus in putting the oil near the bed as a harbinger of sweet dreams, the Roman naturalist Pliny and Chinese medicine against halitosis and digestive and then continue so up in our days.

 It finds safe use like

Bechic remedy, as a cough treatment, bronchitis and asthma this thanks to the presence of creosol and alpha pinene in its aromatic part, which help to thin the bronchial secretions and facilitate their expectoration.

Digestive remedy thanks to the presence of anethole

Female and male disorders because it contains dianethol and photoanetol similar to the female hormone (estrogen). In this case I would leave the choice to the herbalist or to the trusted phytotherapist, as there are no studies that affirm sufficient safety use in pragnancy (against nausea), breastfeeding (increased milk production or galactagogue) , infants (for the first colic). But it can be used safely in cases of irregular cycle and as a mild estrogen to relief menopausal disorders. Instead, for male ailments it helps to prevent as well as reinforce the cure of some forms of prostate cancer.

Some interesting possibilities would be in the treatment of hepatitis and cirrhosis.

Prepare the infusion by lightly squeezing 1 teaspoon of fruit for 1 cup of boiling water. It is left to infuse for 10-20 minutes and then filtered. The maximum dose is 3 cups per day.

2. Cinnamon: “an Asian trophy”.

Cinnamon, expite of pleasant flavore, is also one of the oldest remedies in the world. Modern science has confirmed its power.

In the prevention of infections, therefore, its presence in toothpastes and mouthwashes is not only aromatic but also anesthetic. It eliminates many moulds, bacteria, and this why a German study believes that toilet paper should be sprinkled with cinnamon powder to avoid candida and E. coli.

As a pain reliever. Here its use is very interesting as its powder must be sprinkled on small wounds, cuts or peelings, even in the kitchen, acting as an antiseptic as well as a pain releaf.

As a digestive.

Female ailments. Same tricks of anise. Here the ideas of modern herbalists contradict the historical evidence by attributing uterus sedative activities so no secure use in pregnancy.

There are some interesting possibilities according to some Japanese researchers in reducing blood pressure therefore, those who suffer or tend to have high blood pressure, the more and more consumption of its infusion would help rather than harm.

Prepare the infusion by slightly squeezing 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoons of fruit for a cup of boiling water. It is left to infuse for 10/20 minutes and then left to cool for the same time, filter and drink. The maximum dose is 3 cups per day.

3. Butcher's Broom: "Talisman that drives the evil away"

From the Middle Ages, Diosoride, Plirio, ancient Romans until today, this plant has met rites and uses in herbal medicine. Its name is due to its use as once the branches gathered in bundles they were used to clean the floor of the butchers. The herbal tea cut rhizome should be used

In urinary diseases, anti-nephretic, against kidney stones, this thanks to its draining properties;

As a vasoconstrictor, varicose veins, after phlebitis consequences, antihemorrhoidal and anti-edematous. Both in cosmetics (with topical application in the affected part) and in phytotherapy, thanks mainly to a phytocomplex composed of steroidal saponins (aglycones, ruscogenin, ruscin, neuroruscogenin), flavonoids (rutin, rutoside), calcium, potassium, tannins, polyphenols, phytosterols, essential oil, resin, glucosides (ruscosides), coumarins, sparteine, tyramine.

 This phytocomplex increases the resistance of the capillaries and normalizes their permeability, in this way there is a small leakage of liquid and consequently the reduction of bleeding.

In cases of venous insufficiency, it helps the return of blood from the periphery to the heart.

With the decoction, you can make compresses (cosmetic use) or you can drink it. For a more pronounced effect, it would be useful to use them in synergy so in and out.

It meets a very interesting use in the summer in the treatment of cellulite, lamps, sunburn but also in hair loss and as an aftershave.

The decoction is prepared like star anise and with the same doses. Here I remind you to use it also topical (cosmetic use).