Holly plant

What is a Holly plant?

Holly is native to the Western and Southern parts of Europe, West Asia, and North Africa. They grow best in calcareous soils in moist and shady areas. It is an evergreen tree or shrub belonging to the family Aquifoliaceae and from the female flower, a red firm fruit with 4-5 hard seeds is formed. 

What are the health benefits of the Holly plant?

The drupe, the berry, has a bitter taste and is very poisonous, therefore the only part of the plant used for medicinal purposes is the leaves. Holly leaves have been used for coughs, digestive disorders, water retention, and jaundice. The plant contains triterpenes (alpha and beta-amyrin, and ursolic acid), flavonoids, nitrile glycosides, phytosterols, caffeic acid, a bitter alkaloid called ilicin, chlorogenic acid, and traces of theobromine. 

Leaves: It is believed that the leaves have diuretic, laxative, and sudorific (sweat inducing) properties. The herb can be used in a hot tea to reduce a fever, treat bronchitis, the common cold, water retention, and even certain digestive conditions. Its extract can also be used to treat jaundice. 

Ilex opaca (a species of holly) leaves: Used primarily to cleanse the bowels, stimulate the heart, and increase urine flow. Historically, it was used in a fruit tea to be a heart stimulant by American Indians. 

Ilex aquifolium leaves: Used for treating fevers, joint pain (rheumatism), swelling, water retention, and chest congestion.

Other holly species: Used to treat heart disease, dizziness, and high blood pressure. 

Are there any side effects or things to look out for?

Being that Holly is rarely ever used in today’s herbal medicine, there is not enough information available when it comes to its proper dosage. Based on the traditional use, 2-3 teaspoons of dried leaves and a cup of hot water are used for the herbal tea. The leaves can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach and intestinal problems. The spines on the leaf can tear or puncture the inside of the mouth and along the digestive tract during consumption. DO NOT EAT THE BERRIES!

What is the Holly plants relationship with Christmas?

It is believed that the crown of thorns on the head of Jesus before crucifixion was made from holly twigs (Ilex aquifolium) and the red berries symbolized his blood. Another legend believes that the holly plant first emerged from the footsteps of Jesus Christ, and the thorns and red fruits symbolized his sufferings. Individuals use holly for wreaths and place them above entrances to bring happiness and goodwill to those entering. 

Sources:

https://www.herbal-supplement-resource.com/holly-herb-benefits.html

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-511/holly

Picture sources:

https://www.pexels.com/photo/bushing-christmas-decoration-christmas-holly-european-holly-161409/

https://www.bhg.com/christmas/wreaths/

http://thefullbouquetblog.com/2011/04/21/crown-of-thorns/

https://plantaddicts.com/berry-heavy-winterberry-holly

Aloe Vera

  

What is Aloe vera?

Aloe vera is a thick, short-stemmed plant. Each of its leaves is filled with a slimy “gel-like” tissue that stores water. It grows in hot, dry climates, and in the U.S. it grows in Florida, Texas, and Arizona. Aloe vera is used in cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

First recorded use?

Aloe vera’s earliest record of human use was in the Ebers Papyrus (an Egyptian medical record) from the 16^thcentury BC. In Egypt, Aloe vera was known as “that plant of immortality.” The plant had been used therapeutically for centuries in China, Japan, India, Greece, Egypt, and Mexico. 

What are the health benefits?

The gel: Contains most of the bioactive compounds in the plant, which are vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants.

Bacterial growth: Aloe vera contains powerful antioxidants, which is a substance in the family of polyphenols, and antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bad bacteria within the body.

Heals burns: The solid gel substance in the leaves can be directly rubbed on a site with a first and/or second-degree burn. In 1959 the FDA approved an over-the-counter Aloe vera ointment for skin burns. Studies have shown that Aloe vera reduces the amount of healing time of a burn. 

Reduces plaque: A study of 300 people found that using pure Aloe vera juice for 4 days showed that the rinse was as effective as using chlorhexidine in reducing the amount of plaque on an individual’s teeth. Aloe vera does this by directly killing the plaque-producing bacterium in the mouth. 

The latex: Underneath the skin of the leaf, one can find the sticky yellow residue which is known as the latex of the Aloe vera plant. The latex portion of the plant can help treat constipation. The compound responsible for this is aloin, or barbaloin, and the established laxative effects. Aloe latex has not been an over-the-counter medication since 2002 in the U.S. because it does not seem to help against other digestive disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. Discuss with your physician if taking Aloe latex is for you, and if so, what dosage you should be given to prevent any further digestive problems. 

Improve aging skin: In a study of 30 women, the Aloe vera gel application showed an increase in the amount of collagen produced providing the skin with more elasticity. It can also reduce erythema (skin redness) while dehydrating the skin. 

Sources:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/318591.php

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265800.php

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-607/aloe

Picture sources:

https://www.gomeranoticias.com/2016/02/24/la-camara-reclama-el-respaldo-del-gobierno-autonomico-a-la-produccion-de-aloe-vera-en-canarias/

https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/aloe-vera-leaf-16786244433.html

https://www.naturalhealers.com/holistic-health/aloe-vera-ultimate-guide/

https://aaptiv.com/magazine/aloe-vera-juice-benefits

Eucalyptus

What is a eucalyptus plant?

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing evergreen tree native to Australia but now grows in other places as well, which includes some of the tallest flowering plants on the Earth. It can be purchased at a floral shop or in the floral section of a grocery store.

Information about eucalyptus:

There are over 400 different species of eucalyptus. The Chinese, Indian Ayurvedic, Greek, and other European styles of medicine have used eucalyptus for thousands of years. In order to get the strong, sweet, and woody scent from the eucalyptus, one must distill the leaves to extract the oil which is a colorless liquid. 

What are the health benefits?

Antimicrobial properties:

In England, eucalyptus oil has been used to clean urinary catheters and now research is being conducted to determine new strategies on how E. camaldulensis essential oil (a type of Eucalyptus) and existing antibiotics could interact together to treat infections. Researchers have found that essential oils from eucalyptus leaves are effective against strains of bacteria, such as E. coli and Staph infections.  

Respiratory problems: 

It can help relieve cold-like symptoms and when fresh leaves are used, one can gargle to relieve a sore throat, sinusitis, and bronchitis. Eucalyptus oils have been used in many cough medications, such as Vicks VapoRub. 

Oral care:

Research has shown that individuals who chew gum with eucalyptus extract had a lower amount of plaque build-up and healthier gums while improving bad breath and gingivitis in other people. 

Pain relief:

Research has shown that eucalyptus oil may have analgesic properties that help with pain relief. Eucalyptamint has been used to treat muscle and joint pain that is linked to sprains, arthritis, bruising, and backache. Studies have shown that when the eucalyptus ointment was put on the participants, they had temporary pain relief which is useful for athletes after a game and before a warmup since the ointment raises muscle temperature. Eucalyptus also has anti-inflammatory properties that could help people with arthritis. 

What are the best ways to use eucalyptus to receive these health benefits?

Put it on your shower head! It is not a very new thing to do, but people have been putting a eucalyptus plant in their shower to help with a stuffy nose and relieve stress from a long day. 

Use the leaves as a diluted essential oil. This can simply be placed on the inflamed region of skin or on the chest to relieve congestion but keep it away from the eyes as it may cause irritation. 

Help improve soil condition from the wood of a eucalyptus plant. The wood can also help control the growth of weeds and be used as an insecticide. To use the wood, treat it as mulch and chop the wood into little pieces and the oils in the mulch will do the rest!

Watch out for:

When purchasing eucalyptus oils make sure the oil is diluted before applying it directly to the skin. Also, do not consume eucalyptus oil if it has NOT been diluted because ~3.5mL can be fatal. Also, eucalyptus leaves have been known to help lower blood sugar levels in those with diabetes but if eucalyptus leaves are consumed while taking diabetic medications, the blood level could lower too much, so consult with a physician beforehand. 

This is a rainbow eucalyptus:

It actually looks like this and it is native to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines!

Sources: 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/266580.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus

https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-700/eucalyptus

https://www.prevention.com/life/a24744726/hanging-eucalyptus-plant-in-the-shower/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eucalyptus_deglupta

Picture sources:

https://www.amazon.com/Eucalyptamint-Arthritis-Relief-Formula-Boxes/dp/B002OHE5VW

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-5755377/The-simple-shower-decorating-trick-help-sleep-better.html

https://www.thegrowers-exchange.com/Eucalyptus_Silver_Drop_p/her-euc01.htm

Apples

"An apple a day keeps the Doctor away"

Where did the saying “an apple day keeps the doctor away” come from? 

The phrase was first used in the 1860s from an old saying in Pembrokeshire in Wales. The original phrase was, “eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” Over the years, it had been changed and shortened to accommodate modern language and the most common version used today was first used in 1922. Due to the phrase, there has been research conducted to see if eating an apple each day can actually reduce the number of visits to the doctor’s office. In 2011, a Dutch study found that eating apples and pears can help reduce the chances of having a stroke. In 2012, Ohio State University found that eating an apple a day helped lower the level of bad cholesterol in middle-aged adults. Overall, the saying, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” seems to be pretty accurate!

What are the health benefits of apples?

They are really nutritious:

A medium sized apple is equivalent to eating 1.5 cups of fruit. They are a good source of fiber, vitamin C, and polyphenols. Polyphenols can help increase an individual’s energy level, improve digestion, block histamine which causes allergic reactions (like itching and inflammation), decreases organ fat and manage fat cells, increase muscle strength, lower cholesterol, etc. If apples aren’t your thing, but you still want the health benefits of an apple’s polyphenol, there is a 100% pure apple polyphenol extract (ROS) that is a good substitution for apples that doctors recommend!

Weight loss:

Apples can be very filling since they are high in fiber and water. Studies have shown that eating an apple, as opposed to applesauce, juice, or non-apple products can make an individual more full while taking in 200 fewer calories than those who don’t eat the fruit. Since an individual will feel fuller, they won’t have the drive to keep eating, therefore it will help them lose the weight. 

Promote a healthy gut:

The pectin in apples is a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic, meaning it feeds the good bacteria in the gut. Research has shown that pectin might be the reason for an apples ability to prevent obesity, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease in an individual. 

Good for bone health:

Eating apples are also linked to a higher bone density, meaning better bone health, because of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that it contains. A study had shown that those who ate fresh apples, lost less calcium than the other groups. 

Good for an aging brain:

An animal study showed that drinking apple juice reduced the harmful reactive oxygen species in brain tissue and minimized mental decline. The juice can preserve acetylcholine which declines as we get older. Research has shown that low levels of acetylcholine are linked to Alzheimer’s disease.  

Do all apples have the same health benefits?

All apples are good for you, but studies have shown that eating Granny Smith apples promote the growth of friendly bacteria in the colon. Additionally, Red Delicious, Northern Spy, and Ida Red have the highest amount of antioxidants and polyphenols. 

Is there anything to watch out for when eating apples?

Apples are acidic, and the juice can damage tooth enamel. I grew up thinking that the core of an apple is extremely toxic and shouldn’t eat it, while in reality, you actually can. If you chew or swallow a few apple seeds, it might produce a small amount of hydrogen cyanide (which is toxic), but the amount is so small that the body can just flush it out during digestion. I personally will not try this at home, but people have eaten the seeds and lived to tell the tale. Basically, eating an apple a day is okay!

Eating a whole apple with the skin on will provide you with the most health benefits!

Sources:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/wellness/history-behind-an-apple-a-day/2013/09/24/aac3e79c-1f0e-11e3-94a2-6c66b668ea55_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.259177b5c904

http://apple-polyphenols.com

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-health-benefits-of-apples#section5

https://www.drweil.com/diet-nutrition/nutrition/what-is-the-healthiest-apple/

https://www.livescience.com/44686-apple-nutrition-facts.html

https://www.wired.com/2016/09/heres-many-apple-cores-take-poison/

Picture sources:

https://www.rd.com/food/fun/supermarket-apples-10-months-old/

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/12/131217210549.htm

https://www.top10homeremedies.com/pets/10-toxic-foods-not-give-to-dog.html