Jiaogulan, a five-leaf, climbing vine of the cucumber/gourd family, is indigenous to China and other Asian nations, and literally means “twisting blue plant.”  Common names include five-leaf ginseng, poor man’s ginseng, miracle grass, fairy herb, sweet tea vine, gospel herb, and southern ginseng.  While the fruit is inedible, the herb is sold as a tea, powder, or […]

Thyme, a member of the mint family, has over 400 sub-species, and has been used medicinallyfor thousands of years. For example, Ancient Egyptians used the herb for embalmment, whilethe Greeks used it predominantly as incense. Recent studies of the herb over the past several decades have demonstrated its wide range ofuses—which are quite impressive. One […]

Desert Broom Though considered a weed, desert broom (baccharis sarothroides), or Cascol caaco, was often used as a tonic by the Seri people; an indigenous group in the Mexican state of Sonora.  Seeping the twigs of the plant could produce a rich tea, and was routinely administered to treat colds and sinus headaches.  For general soreness and achy ailments, the […]