Jade Forest® Tea & Herbal Encyclopaedia
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Dandelion
'More than a weed'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
​If the dandelion didn't crop up in our lawns, we would call it a wildflower. If it did better in our vegetable gardens, we'd call it a salad green. If it was better known, we'd call it a herb. Dandelion is a flower with yellow flowers that is common across the continents. It is particularly known for its white fluffy seeds that are carried away by the wind.
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Traditionally, dandelion root, flower and leaves were used. Native Americans used dandelion for healthy skin. In Traditional Chinese Medicine and European herbal Medicine dandelion is used for urinary tract, liver and detoxification. In TCM it is considered 'cold' and thus used for heat conditions such as inflammation as well as for expelling water- to increase expulsion by urine or lactation.
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Dandelion are a rich source of beta-carotene and polyphenolic compounds, a strong antioxidant. Research indicates that dandelion may increase contractions and movement of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract, acting as a treatment for constipation and indigestion, most likely due to the prebiotic fiber inulin.
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Datura
'Angel's trumpet'
Datura, also known as devil's trumpet, moonflower, jimsonweed, devil's weed, hell's bells, thorn-apple, and many others, is a poisonous plant from the nightshade family with large, bell-like flowers native to subtropical regions of the Americas.
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In Ancient India, it was just as commonly used in the treatment of fevers, inflammations, and mental disorders. Datura also played an important role in Buddhist and Hindu esotericism as a crucial ingredient for black magic rituals. In medieval Europe, Datura was firmly associated with witchcraft and was used to make “flying ointment” for transporting witches to their midnight sabbats. In traditional Chinese medicine it is used as an anaesthetic.
Datura's hallucinogenic properties are due to alkaloids, like scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine.
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Dendrobium Nobile
'the first of nine “celestial herbs"'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Dendrobium nobile, are among the most popular and the easiest orchids to grow. It has become a popular cultivated decorative house plant, because it produces colourful blooms in winter and spring, at a time when little else is in flower. Furthermore, they are also used used for the medicinal purposes in China for at least 2,000 years.
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he Chinese believe that the Dendrobium plant is ‘yin’ in nature and can be used to replenish fluids. It is commonly used as an Yin tonic to moisten the stomach, lungs and to replace kidney yin. It is very effective for treating conditions such as dry mouth ( for example Sjögren's syndrome patients and thereby promoted secretion of saliva to improve dry mouth symptoms), stomach pain, mouth sores, sunstroke, and other conditions caused by dry weather, pollution or smoke or to aid lactation.
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Dendrobium nobile alkaloids (DNLA), the active ingredients of a traditional Chinese medicine Dendrobium, have been shown to have anti-oxidative effects, anti-inflammatory action, and protective effect on neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation.
Ephedra
'Warm/Acrid herb that releases the Exterior'
​Ephedra sinica, also called ma huang, is an evergreen shrub native to central Asia, though it also grows in other areas around the world. A wild variety in the U.S. Southwest was used medicinally by early settlers. It’s been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It is primarily used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever, but also prescribed for to increase energy with symptoms of cold and flu, including nasal congestion, cough, fever, and chills.
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While the plant contains multiple chemical compounds, the major effects of ephedra are likely caused by the molecule ephedrine, or ephedrine alkaloids. A series of scientific studies found significant results on weight-loss improving several metabolic parameter when taking low potency ephedra and caffeine mixture.
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Eucommia
'The most important herbal Yang tonic'
Eucommia is a genus of small trees now native to China, with a fossil record that shows a much wider distribution. It is widely cultivated in China for its bark, and is highly valued in herbology such as traditional Chinese medicine. It is the most important herbal tonic to tonify Yang, to prevent osteoporosis, aging related diseases, and enhance heart health.
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About 112 compounds have been isolated which include lignans, iridoids, phenolics, steroids, and other compounds.
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Echinacea
'Native Americans' widows' comb'
Echinacea, a purple flower from the daisy family, originating from North America. It is a very popular herb that people commonly take it to help combat flu and colds. Similar to dandelion, its entirety is used; root, leaveas and flowers. Echinacea was used in traditional herbal remedies by the Great Plains Indian tribes.
Echinacea contains alkylamides or alkamides that seem to activate chemicals in the body that decrease inflammation, which might reduce cold and flu symptoms. It also contains polysaccharides, glycoproteins, and caffeic acid derivatives. Scientific research is unfortunately not unified.
Elderflower
'The Elder Mother'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Elderflower comes from the potentially toxic Elder plant. Both the flowers and berries can be used when properly prepared, but all leaves, sticks, and roots should be avoided, because they contain cyanide-inducing glycosides which can cause a toxic buildup of cyanide in the body.
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It is often overlooked for its medicinal benefits and is most frequently used for its flavouring properties and in making various foods and beverages. Elderflower has been used in traditional medicine all over the world in many different cultures due to its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. The most common uses are for colds and flu, sinus infections, and other respiratory disturbances. As a supplement, elderflower also has diuretic and laxative properties and is helpful in relieving occasional constipation.
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Evening primrose
'King's cure-all'
Evening primrose is a biennials yellow flowering wildflower native to North America. They give off a lovely perfume than intensifies as it gets later in the day.
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Native Americans used the whole plant for bruises and its roots for hemorrhoids. The leaves were traditionally used for minor wounds, gastrointestinal complaints, and sore throats. Nowadays, evening primrose is taken for skin disorders such as eczema, post-menstrual syndrome (PMS) or to ease symptoms of menopause.
Evening primrose oil contains linoleic acid (LA) and the fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. They are omega-6 essential fatty acids that the body can’t produce by itself and obtains from plant sources or it can be found in trace amounts in breast milk.
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Fennel
'one of four medieval warming seeds'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
​Native to the Mediterranean region, it now grows abundantly in many regions of the world. It is a hardy plant species in the carrot family with strong aniseed and liquorice-like flavour. All parts of the fennel plant—bulb, stalk, and the feathery fronds—are edible with historical references dating at least 2000 years ago.
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Besides being an aromatic culinary herb, fennel is used for its medicinal qualities. It is most commonly used as a digestive aid, it is particularly helpful for treating flatulence, bloating, and indigestion. Anglo-Saxons used a poultice of powdered fennel seed for snakebites while in Traditional Chinese medicine it is used to expel cold and relieve pain, regulates Qi of the Stomach.
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Fennel is also reported to exhibit a positive effect upon lactation, improving the volume of milk produced and its fat content in goats and mice. It is in antioxidants like chlorogenic acid, limonene, and quercetin. A study confirmed its benefits in reducing post-menopause symptoms.
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Figs
'fruit of the gods'
Figs are an Asian species of flowering plant in the mulberry family with fresh green or deep purple skin and vibrant deep pink flesh. Despite popular belief, the fig is not a fruit but a flower grown inwards. It has been sought out and cultivated since ancient times. It is commonly dried as it does not keep well once picked. There are Asian varieties of the tree, Buddha achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree, a large and old sacred fig tree.
Less known is its use as medicine. The fruit and leaves are used to make medicine. Fig fruit is used as a laxative to relieve constipation, while its leaf is used for diabetes, high cholesterol, and skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Mediterranean folk practices, the milky sap of the fig plant was used to soften calluses, remove warts, and deter parasites.
Figs are often recommended to nourish and tone the intestines and act as a natural laxative because of their high fibre content and pre-biotics. Figs contain substances including ficine (enzymes), mucilage, various sugars and fruit acids.
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An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Fleeceflower root
'Mr. He's Black Hair'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Fleeceflower root, also known as Heshouwu, Fallopia multiflora, Chinese cornbind, Flowery knotweed or Chishouwu, is a widely distributed a perennial twining vine plant. This tuber is a strong climber with red-brown stems, light green leaves and clusters of small, pink-tinted flowers and its large roots can weigh up to 2.7kg.
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Fleeceflower root is one of the most popular Chinese herbal medicines, common as a tonic herb for Blood Deficiency, to treat dizziness, chronic diarrhea, lumber and knee, to ease symptoms of premature aging, such as blurred vision, hair greying and sore lower back.
It is rich in trace elements like manganese, anthraquinone compounds, gallic acid, catechin, epicatechin, and β-sitosterol and stilbenes such as resveratrol.
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Forsythia
'Golden Bell'
Forsythia is a genus of flowering plants in the olive family with spectacular yellow flowers in early spring. It is mostly native to eastern Asia and southeastern Europe. According to tradition, forsythia means anticipation and this bush goes beyond decoration,
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Its bright red fruit is used for medicine. Forsythia is used for swelling of small air passages in the lung (bronchiolitis), tonsillitis, sore throat, fever, vomiting, heart disease, gonorrhea, pain and swelling (inflammation), and a severe skin rash with fever and vomiting caused by a bacterium (erysipelas). In Chinese medicine its dried fruits are used to clear heat and toxicity from the body.
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Foxglove
'Fairy cup or witches' glove'
An essential Chinese root herb used in teas and soup to restore the Qi.
Tall and stately foxglove plants, well known and easily recognisable, this wildflower with large trumpet like purple blossoms is pretty but poisonous to small animals and even humans. Foxglove contains naturally-occurring poisons that affect the heart, specifically cardenolides or bufadienolides. These poisons are called cardiac glycoside toxins, and they interfere directly with electrolyte balance within the heart muscle. Even though not suitable for self-medication, this plant is used in medicine.
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Chinese foxglove root is said to enhance the herb's properties as a blood tonic. Chemicals taken from foxglove are used to make a prescription drug called digoxin, a medication used to treat various heart conditions.
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