Bearberry

Common noun : Bearberry, wildcranberry, mealberry, hog cranberry, red bearberry
Scientific noun : Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Sprengel - Arbutus uva-ursi L.
Family. Heather family - Ericáceas
Habitat: In sparse woods and mountain heaths.


Characteristics: Perennial bush of the heather family - Ericaceae - , till 2m long. Woody, brownish stems, creeping with many sprouts prolonging along the ground; younger ones erect. Ovate leaves, till 2 cm long, bright green above, darker below, coriaceous, wider at the apex. Flowers till 6 mm, in hanging racemes at the end of short red stalks; white rosy. The fruit is a drupe, red in maturity, about 8 mm wide.

Components:

Glycosides : arbutin, metilarbutin, ericolin, ericinol

Flavonoids

Acids: malic, gallic , ursolic

Quercitina

Tanins

Internal use

Urinary tract : The bearberry constitutes one of the most used remedies to treat the ailments of the urinary tract . It is used fundamentally in cases of infections taken place by bacteria. However, to carry out this function , it is necessary that our urine should not be acid , so most of the treatments carried out by means of this plant usually combine it with the bicarbonate ingestion that neutralizes the acidity of the urine, making it alkaline. Therefore it is appropriate for the treatment of illnesses like inflammations of the urethra (urethritis), of the urinary bladder (cystitis), irritation of the urinary tracts and it acts about the imperious necessity of urinating that these urinary affections generate. These effects are attributed to the arbutin that becomes hydroquinone when it enters in contact with the intestinal flora. Another important factor is its high content in tannins ( 15 to 20%) that act on the purulent secretions that these illnesses generate .

-Take one of the following preparations: (Maceration in cold water of four spoonfuls of dry leaves by liter of water during 4 hours . Drink 3 glasses a day. - Avoid to macerate the leaves in hot water , not to liberate too many tannins. ) (20 drops of fluid extract, twice a day) (Powder several leaves and take 2 tea spoonfuls a day. It can be mixed with honey to make it more pleasant)

Kidney stones: It is quite effective in the treatment of the gallstones, not for its power to dissolve the calculus ( Lithiasis ) , what it doesn't really do, but in its germicide value that impede the infections that many times are associated with this type of ailments. (Take anyone of the preparations previously seen)

Female genital apparatus: Because of its astringent and germicide properties it is used for the treatment of the genital illnesses in those cases when secretion with pus is delivered, such as in blennorrhagia or leucorrhea. (Take anyone of the preparations previously seen )

On the other hand it constitutes one of the best diuretics when it is necessary to increase the production of the urine. (Infusion of four spoonfuls of dry leaves in a liter of water. Take 3 glasses a day). it seems that flavonoides grant it this property.

Digestive tract : Being very rich in tannins, it has been used to combat the diarrhea, since these components bestow it astringent properties. However it is necessary to be very cautious in the administration of this drug for the toxicity that flavonoids present when the authorized limits are exceeded.

External use

Skin: Used externally, we can take advantage of its germicide and astringent properties to cure the wounds, to improve the scars and to impede them to be infected. (Decoction of a handful of dry leaves in a liter of water during 10 minutes. Apply the resulting liquid with a gauze on the affected area)

Another uses:

• The leaves of this plant, for its high content in tannins, have been used to tan skins.

• The pharmaceutical industry extracts components to whiten human skins, avoiding a too dark coloring, or to remove stains of the skin, mainly in people subjected to a too prolonged solar exposure, in grown-ups as a result of a biological process, in people that are subjected to certain medications, or during the pregnancy. These medications are applied in form of gels or creams and they contain the extract of the bearberry or vegetable oils, as that of almond. What this plant does is to intervene in the melanogenesis process or formation of the melanin or dark pigment which gives the dark color of the skin. The action is carried out by a component called hydroquinone, which neutralizes the enzyme tyrosinase, a catalyser which is necessary for the formation of the melanine from the oxidation of tyrosine.
  

Toxicity

Because of the tannins , when the allowed doses are exceeded or when we prolong its use too much , the plant becomes toxic, irritating the digestive tract , which produces adverse stomach reactions as vomits, gastritis, uneasiness in the sphincters, etc. In the same way, if this component is incorrectly used, it can produce damages in the liver. Hydroquinone is also poisonous with overdosage , which can be deathly.

This plant should not be used during the pregnancy, being able to produce deformity in the fetus or induce to a premature childbirth. It should also be avoided in the event liver illness. Neither it should be used with children.

It is not advised to eat foods that acidify the urine while taking this plant. Among them they would mention the citric fruits, (oranges, grapefruits or lemons) strawberries or raspberries.

The external use is sometimes responsible for irritations in the skin

Curiosities: The scientific name uva-ursi ( Grape of the bears) is due to the liking that these plantigrades have for the fruit of this plant. For the humans, although it is eatable, it has a rough and not very pleasant taste , although it is good when it is prepared in marmalades.

Basil

Common noun : Basil, sweet basil.
Scientific noun: Ocimum basilicum L
Family:.Pea family - Leguminosae
Habitat: Garden plant, native from India.

Characteristics : Annual herb up to 1 m. Erect stems, round below, squared above . Ovate or lanceolate leaves, opposite till 5 cm long, long petiolated, darker above, very odorous Flowers grouped in spikes, loose verticils with 6 flowers each. Calyx with 6 lobes, edge-ciliated. White or pink corolla, stamens white. Upper lip with 4 lobes, lower one undivided.

Active components:: Essence with linanol, estragole and eugenol.

Medicinal Properties:

Internal Use

Digestive: It eases digestion and avoids gastric spasms (Infusion of a handful of dry leaves - about 15 gr. - per litre of water. Drink 3 cups a day after meals)

Digestive and lactic stimulant:The essence of the plant whets one's appetite ( 2 or 3 drops a day melt in sugar) Stimulates the production of milk in nursing ( Decoction of 30 gr. of dry leaves per litre of water. Drink 2 cups a day)

Anti-vomitive : When feeling the need of vomiting or in cases of intestine unrest ( 15 gr. of dry leaves per litre of water)

Buccal:When aches or pains appear in the mouth, such as inflammations, blisters or bad breath (Gargles with de decoction of 100 gr. of dry leaves per litre of water)

Cysts in the ovary :Make an abdominal massage with the essential oil.

Other uses

Repellent for mosquitos:It has been used to repel mosquitos. They seem not to stand the strong odour coming from the estragol and eugenol the plant contains in its leaves. The extended custom of using the plant indoors in the native country where it comes from - India- appears to be the explanation of not having many of these insects in their homes, although they really use this plant because it is considered to be a sacred one.

Seasoning : It can be used to spice meals by mixing its dry ground leaves with other herbs, although it can be eaten fresh in salads.

Hair tonic: To reinforce the hair, preventing it from falling ( Rub the hair with the liquid resulting from the infusion of dry leaves )

Picking-up and storing: Leaves and floral summits should be collected in summer. They must be dried in the shade and be kept in a crystal container very well closed.

Artichoke

Common Noun: Artichoke
Scientific noun: Cynara scolymus L.
Family:. Daisy family - compositae-
Habitat: Plant cultivated in many places around the world and very common in the Mediterranean climate, seldom naturalized.

Characteristics :Perennial plant of the Daisy family - compositae - up to 2 m. Pinnate-lobulate leaves, till more than 60 cm long.. with lobes without prickles and tomentose below. Noticeable head flowers, very big, till 15 cm, purple with ovate bracts. Edible floral receptacle. Plant cultivated in many places around the world and very common in the Mediterranean climate, seldom naturalized.

Components:

* Acids: Caffeoylquinic and dicaffeoylquinic, caffeic, linoleic, oleic, panthotenic...(Flower) ferulic (plant.)
* Vitamins: B (Niacin, Riboflavin,Thiamin, B6)
* Pigments : Flavonoids.
* Mucilage
* Inuline
* Minerals: iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium

Medicinal properties:

Internal use

Liver and bile : It protects the liver and it is and aid to its recovery in case of hepatic disease. It favors the biliary function . - The acids caffeic, linoleic and oleic take part in their power hepato-protector and the cafeolquinic acid is the one that contributes to its coleretic value, it is to say of stimulation of bilis.(Infusion of two spoonfuls of dry leaves by liter of water. Take three times a day before the meals.) (A preparation of juice of the mixed green leaves with wine can be used for the same purpose)

Cholesterol, hypertension, arteriosclerosis : Its main virtue is in the capacity that their acids provide to reduce the cholesterol level in blood, to diminish the pressure artery , and also to prevent the a arteriosclerosis , with which it prevents the risk of vascular disease or aids to the recovery after some accident of this type, like infarction , angina pectoris ... etc. (Anyone of the previous preparations can serve to obtain these effects)

Diabetes: It reduces the level of sugar in the blood and prevents or aids to fight diabetes (Juice of the leaves mixed with wine) (Decoction of leaves until reducing the liquid to half. Take a glass every day)

Diuretic: It favors the elimination of liquid in the body, reason why it is interesting not only in case of obesity , also in that assembly of ailments that improve with the water elimination and the consequent toxin elimination and specially the uric acid : circulatory, hepatic diseases, drop , arthritis , etc. (Decoction of 60 gr. of dry roots by liter of water, until reducing the liquid to half. Drink 2 glasses a day)

Anti-cancerigenic: Recent studies have demonstrated the influence that have acids caffeic , panthoteic flavonoids have in the prevention or improvement of the cancerous processes.

Other uses

Edible:

* Artichokes are a very advisable food by all the properties previously mentioned . They should be eaten crude, in salad t take take advantage of all their properties. If they are boiled, it is interesting to drink the resulting broth to profit all their values. The artichokes either in the oven or in the live coal in olive oil, are highly delicious and medicinal by the high content that oil and artichokes have in oleic acid.

Toxicity: Although in no case it is toxic, it is not advised its use in the suckling mothers, because its use entails the diminution of the production of milk.

Picking -up and storing: The artichokes must be harvested r in spring, when they are tender. The leaves can be collected during all their production. They will have to be dried and to keep in fabric bags in a fresh and protected place from the dust

Apple Tree

Common noun: Apple tree
Scientific noun: Malus domestica Borkh.
Family: Rose family - Rosaceae
Habitat: Native from Middle East, formed by hybridization of wild species. It can be found in many places of the world and sometimes naturalized.


Characteristics : Perennial tree of the Rose family - rosaceae - up to 15 m. Greyish trunk and pubescent young branches. Leaves ovate - elliptic, dentate, white velvety below till 15 cm long. White or pink flowers till 5 cm. The fruit ( apple ) is a pome , more than 5 cm wide, very variable in colour according to the varieties.

Active components:



The main components are:

Pectine: It operates like a soluble fiber, aiding in the dissolution of the cholesterol and being a good weapon against the diabetes.

Amino-acids: Cysteine ( Component of body tissues. It eliminates toxins of the liver); glycine ( natural antiacid and responsible for the immune system) arginine ( Very necessary for the muscular growth and tissue repairing; responsible, together with the glycine of the immune system), histidine (vasodilator and stimulator of the gastric juice. It fights the anemia, arthritis and is very useful for the ulcers), Isoleucine (Necessary for a suitable growth and the balance of nitrogen), Lysine ( It takes part in the production of antibodies, the construction of weaves and the absorption of
calcium ), Serine (it aids to fortify the immune system) Valine ( It favours the infantile growth and it takes part in the balance of nitrogen ), methionine ( necessary for the production of the cysteine, it aids to fight the cholesterol )

Acids: ; glutaminic (antiulcerous, tonic , it increases the mental capacity) linoleic ( Vitamin F) malic , oleic, palmitic and caffeic

- Sugars: fructose , glucose and sucrose.

- Sorbitol: A good aid in the internal problems

- Fibers

- Calcium, iron, magnesium, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium...

Medicinal properties:

Internal use

Anti-inflammatory of the digestive tract: In case of inflammation of stomach , intestines or of the urinary canals . (Decoctión of pieces of apple during 15 minutes in a liter of water. Take three glasses every day)

Antacid: Its content in pectins, as well as the influence of the glycine, that is a natural antiacid makes it very suitable to stop stomach acidity . It is enough to eat some apple pieces and we will immediately notice a great lightening, thus a continuous ingestion becomes a good substitute of other chemical products .)

antidiarrheal and soft laxative:: Although it seems contradictory its high content in pectins turn it into a good regulator of the intestinal tract , so a soft laxative in cases of constipation, specially when we eat it early in the morning.. At the same time the absorbent value of the pectins makes ideal in cases of colitis, diarrhoea, gastroenteritis and in all those cases in that a too abundant and soft defecación is produced .

Diuretic and depurative:It favors the elimination of corporal liquids, being very suitable in case of obesity and rheumatic diseases . By its content in cysteine and arginine, as well as the malic acid, it is very appropriate to eliminate the toxins that are stored in the body and that, besides fighting or preventing the diseases previously mentioned, should be recommended in affections like uric acid, gout , etc.

Anticatarrh: In case of bronchitis or cough , as well as loaded chest , the plant contains expectorant values ( Infusion of 15gr.of dry flowers by liter of water. Take three glasses a day)

Anticholesterol: Methionine and a high content in phosphorus is fundamental to keep cholesterol under control.

Hipotensive: The vasodilatador value of the histidine makes it a good ally to reduce blood pressure in case of hypertension. ( Infusion of a teaspoon of dry flowers and leaves . Let it rest 10 minutes and drink two glasses a day)

Sedative : Because of its phosphorus content, it is a food with sedative values, very adapted to take it before going to sleep, which aids to sleep better.

Febrifuge: In order to reduce fever (Decoction of 60 gr. by liter of water during 15 minutes. Strain and take 2 glasses a day)

Other uses

Food: It is an excellent fruit that, due to its basic character, we can believe it to be the only one that can be eaten with any type of food and at any hour of the day, without producing nourishing incompatibilities . Apart from eating it crude, cooked ( single or combined with other foods) , some other well-known products are produced from it such as:

* Cider : Liquid with a slightly alcoholic content ( 8 º as maximum) which is obtained from the fermentation of the squashed apple pulp into a wooden container during 7 or 8 days . the resulting liquid must be introduced in another container during a pair of moths, and finally stored in glass bottles that must be stored in a cold and obscure place. It is a good remedy against the thirst and conserves most of the properties of the apple, although, because of its alcohol content, one should drink it with care.
* Apple syrup: A type of jam becoming from boiling during a couple of hours the apple juice till it acquires the consistency of honey . Then it must be sterilized, using the technique of bain-marie, resulting a very nutritious " marmalade " with the presence of so many sugars, mainly fructose.
* Apple jelly :: It is done by a similar process, but in this case the whole peeled apple must be boiled, instead of the juice.

The main nutritional values of apple for 100 gr. are the following.
Water 84 g.
Calories 59 kcal.
Carbohydrates 15 g.
Proteins 0.19 g.
Fibers 2.7 g.
Lipids 0,4 g.
Potassium 115 mg.
Calcium 7 mg.
Phosphorous 7 mg.
Magnesium 5 mg.
Sulphur 5 mg.
Iron 0,18 mg.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 0, 17 mg.
Vitamin A 53 U.I.
Vitamin E 0,4 mg.



Cosmetics: Because of its astringent properties , apple has been used from ancient times to produce face masks, with the purpose of eliminating impurities and reaffirming the skin



Toxicity: Apple lacks toxicity, with the exception of the ingestion of its seeds that, as it happens in all the rose family members contain acids that, combined with the gastric juice,produce cyanide. However the ingestion of these would have to be very great and voluntary to produce a fatal result, as it seems to have happened with a man in U.S.A

Picking- up and storing: Flowers should be harvested when they begin to bloom and mature. They should be dried in the shade and kept in a well- closed container. apples should be stored in a dry and shady place.

ALOE

Common noun: Aloe
Scientific noun: Aloe vera ( L.) Burm
Family. Liliáceas
Habitat: Native form India, it can be found naturalised in the north of Africa and more rarely in the south of Europe.

Characteristics : Perennial plant of the Lily family - Liliaceae - up to 60 cm. . Succulent leaves in basal rosette , lanceolate, with the margin covered with thorns, glaucous and with reddish tones. Yellow, bell- shaped , hanging flowers, till 2,5 cm in terminal spikes on woody cylindrical stems, without leaves. Fruit in capsule.



Active components:

* Acids: glutaminic, aspartic, aloetic, formic, palmitic and estearic. (Plant) ascorbic ( Leaves)
* Essential oils: Cineole, cariofilene, pinene,
* Minerals: calcium, magnesium, potassium, zinc, phosphor, manganese, aluminium, (Leaves)
* Amino acids : Aloin, aloesin, arginine, barbaloin, glycine, glutamine, histidine,
serine ( Plant)
* Thiamin


Medicinal properties:

Aloes: Aloes is extracted form de genera Aloe for the elaboration of medicinal products. Aloes is obtained from the sap of the leaves. The extraction is very old and it goes back to the time of the Arab Empire. It is carried out by doing incisions on the leaves and picking up the liquid that oozes from them . This condenses by means of heat and, once solidified, it is good to carry out preparations that are presented fundamentally in form of extracts, dry powder, tincture , capsules or tablets. In the same way it enters in the composition of many cosmetic products. The juice is not usually taken in directly from the plant, since by internal use, when doses are not respected, i can be mortal and, in pure external use, it can damage the skin.

Internal use

Digestive and cholagogue: In cases of inflammation of the stomach, gastritis and gastric ulcers the acíbar has a gastric potent value to recover the gastric mucous , as well as cholagogue - drainage of the bile. (Tablets or drops, distributed along the day, without surpassing the dose of 0.5 gr. per day)

Laxative and purgative : By increasing the previous doses in each one of the takings - One should remember that the daily total intake should not surpass the 0,5 gr. day -the aloe is laxative and in superior doses purgative. This property is due to the influence of the aloine that increases the peristaltic movements of the intestine. (As laxative take 0,03 gr. of dry extract and wait the reaction that takes place after 6 at 8 hours. To obtain a purgative effect the dose should be of 0,1 gr.)

External use

Vulnerary : Aloes possesses antiseptic properties, germicide, antiinflammatory, moisturising and regenerative . Applied on the skin, it turns out to be one of the best remedies against the cure of the wounds, ulcers, burns, stings of insects etc. so, it enters in the composition of many creams for the care of the skin, having being demonstrated its curative power in psoriasis and juvenile acne. In the same way the power of aloe juice has been demonstrated in the cure of the burns caused by radiations .It is also used as solar protector to regenerate the burns because of undue exposure to sunlight. (You can use directly on the skin, once removed the epidermis, in form of plasters. The possibility also exists of mashing it, transforming it into paste, once the fibber removed) ( Other possibility consists on using the gelatine which is obtained by cutting a leaf with a sharpened knife and by pressing the surface of the leaf with the blunt edge. The resulting liquid can be applied on the skin)

Tooth paste : The juice of the plant possesses a tonic and astringent value, being very useful in cases of gingivitis, aphta or other affections of the mouth (Rinsing with the juice of the plant diluted to 50% in water)

Sore throat,tonsillitis: Equally we can carry out gargles with the previous preparation to combat the anginas.

Picking up and storing : The leaves can be picked up every 6 months. Only 2 or 3 leaves should be taken from the same plant.

ALMOND TREE

Common noun:: Almond tree.
Scientific noun:Prunus amygdalus L. with two varieties ( Prunus amygdalus L. var. dulcis and Prunus amygdalus var.amara)
Family. Rose family -rosaceae.
Habitat: Originally from Asia, it is cultivated in warm Mediterranean places. Sometimes naturalized..

Characteristics : Perennial tree of the Rose family - Rosaceae - up to 10 metres tall Erect stems of dark , cracked bark. Leaves sharp , ovate-lanceolate, toothed at the edge till 12 cm long. Flowers grouped in pairs, pink-white, completely pink or, most infrequently white. Petals till 2, 5 cm wide. Fruit in drupe, with the mesocarp initially soft, but becoming stiff as it becomes ripe.

Components:
Proteins , minerals, vitamins ( A and B mainly and sugar in the two variants. Fatty oil and albumin in the var. dulcis ; amygdaline and fatty oil in the var. amara. Amygdaline which by means of enzyme emulsin, in contact with liquids as saliva, is converted into hydrocyanic acid, a strong poison. ( For more information about characteristic of var. amara see Botanical's Alkaloid containing plants and other poisons )

Properties:

We will refer to the properties of sweet almond. In reference to bitter almond, although it has been used in home medicine, it should be avoided this type of usage, because it is a very dangerous custom , leaving it in the hands of experts in Pharmacology.



a) medicinal:

Internal use


Inflammations of digestive and urinary tract : Sweet almonds must be used. After removing the exterior brown peel ( otherwise almonds are very indigestive) we will prepare milk of almonds ( Dilute in a litre of milk the mixture of 30 gr. of smashed almonds and 20 gr. of sugar, sieve it and take a couple of glasses a day)

Antifebrific , antitussive and pectoral: In case of fever, pain in the breast or coughing (The same preparation seen above can be suitable) ( Oil of almonds produced by pressing them without peel, in a proportion of 6 cc each dose. )

Laxative: The oil of almonds also has lightly laxative properties.



External use

Almonds and specially oil of almonds takes part in the preparation of many beauty products, to hydrate skin, avoiding wrinkles to appear, also if dermatitis or skin burns.

Edible uses

Almonds can be considered a very suitable food because their high content in proteins ( about 20 % ) and very little content in carbohydrates. Much suitable for vegetarian diet to avoid animal proteins. Taking off their peel should be recommended to made them digestive..

With almonds nougats and marzipan ( types of Mediterranean sweet ) are made, being a very nutritive nourishment to fight cold in Christmas. It must be said that, because their high content in sugars, they should be eaten with care by people having obesity, cholesterol, stomachache, acidity and so on.

In East Mediterranean coast, there is the custom of eating raw almonds. Something that should be avoided taking into account that at this state almonds , besides being indigestive, contain amygdaline, which disappears when they ripe.

Picking up and storing: Almonds must be collected when well riped in the middle of September. Skin covering the outer shell must be removed. They must be spread on a dry surface to dry . It is very suitable to break the outer shell shortly before using them.