ROSA SPP.

MEDICINAL: Rose hips are very nourishing to the skin, as well as containing vitamin C. It is used as a blood purifier, and for treatment of infections, colds, and flus.

RELIGIOUS: Rose water is used in gourmet dishes and in love potions. Petals are used in healing incense and sachets, and burned to provide a restful night’s sleep. The essential oil is used in ritual baths to provide peace, love, and harmony within the self. The hips are strung like beads and worn to attract love. Rose petals sprinkled around the home will calm personal stress and upheavals in the home.

GROWING: Roses of all varieties are adaptable to most soils as long as they have adequate water, and are occasionally fed through the growing season. There are varieties that will grow throughout North America. Plant them where you can enjoy their beauty and fragrance.

Amla is the name given to the fruit of a small leafy tree (Amlica Embillicus) which grows throughout India and bears an edible fruit. This fruit is highly prized both for its high vitamin C content and for the precious oil which is extracted from its seeds and pulp and used as a treatment for hair and scalp problems. During colonial times the British referred to the amla fruit as the “Indian Gooseberry”.

It is edible, very tart and rich in pectin. Because of this, it is commonly used to make jams, jellys, chutneys and other condiments. Another common use of this fruit is in medicines and tonics since it is extremely rich in vitamin C. In fact, it is documented that the amla fruit, on a per pound basis, is the world’s richest source of vitamin C. “Amla oil” is prepared from dried amla berries which have been soaked in coconut oil for several days in order to extract the oil soluble vitamins from the fruit. The filtered and purified oil is commonly called “amla oil”. This oil has a long history of use as an aid for improving the health of hair and scalp. In fact, it is one of the world’s oldest, natural hair conditioners. Customarily, a small amount of amla oil is applied to the hair after washing. This not only brings forth a rich, natural shine and soft texture, but also helps rejuvenate hair that is dull and damaged. Amla Oil is used for no other purpose than treating hair. It is a natural hair conditioner with a long history of use. Because of its beneficial properties, ShiKai uses Amla Oil as the principle conditioning agent in ShiKai Amla Conditioner.

AZADIRACHTA INDICA

MEDICINAL: This plant, known as “the village pharmacy” in India, has been used for at least 4000 years for its medicinal qualities.All parts of the plant are used. Neem has been used to treat a wide range of ailments, including wounds, burns, sprains, bruises, earache, headache, fever, sore throat, food poisoning, shingles, colds, flu, hepatitis, mononucleosis, fungal infections, yeast infections, sexually transmitted diseases, acne, skin diseases, heart diseases, blood disorders, kidney problems, digestive problems, ulcers, periodontal diseases, nerve disorders, malaria, fatigue, and a host of others. It is being closely studied for use in battling AIDS, cancer, diabetes, allergies, and as birth control for both men and women. Neem should not be used for more than two weeks at a time. For chronic ailments, it should be used on a schedule of two weeks on, one week off, or as directed under the guidance of a health practitioner. It is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-septic, and strengthens the body’s overall immune reponses.

RELIGIOUS: Neem leaves were traditionally strewn on the floor of temples at weddings, to purify and bless the area and the couple, and the air was fanned with neem branches during the ceremony. The bark was burned to make a red ash for religious decoration of the body in adulthood. Neem branches were used to cover the body at death, and the wood used to burn the funeral pyre. Neem is considered to be the Goddess Neemari Devi.

GROWING: Neem is a tropical evergreen, native to India and Burma, and growing in southeast Asia and western Africa. It can grow to reach 50 feet tall in a desirable climate, and tolerates drought and poor soils. It can live up to 200 years. Neem bears fruit at 3 to 5 years of age. It cannot take freezing temperatures, so those in northern climates can grow it as a houseplant. Summer it outdoors, and place near a bright or sunny window in the winter. It needs organic fertilizers, well drained soil, and as large a pot as possible. Ten gallon sized pots are recommended as the minimum. Be careful not to overwater.

SANTALUM ALBUM

MEDICINAL: Sandalwood oil is used to cool the body during fevers and heat stroke. It is also used to aid in the passing of kidney and gall stones, and for infections in the urinary tract.

RELIGIOUS: Sandalwood oil is massaged on the forehead and between the eyes to help center and calm the mind. It is used in healing oils and sachets. It is burned as a purifiying agent in every room of the home, and as a protective agent.

HERPESTIS MONNIERA

Brahmi (what gives knowledge of Brahman or Supreme Reality), Manduka parni (what has the leaf of a frog)
PART USED—-root, TISSUES——– nerve, blood SYSTEMS——- nervous, muscular, circulatory ACTIONS——– brain tonic, sedative, antispasmodic, alterative, diuretic, astringent

Brahmi is perhaps the most important nervine herb used in Ayurvedic medicine. It revitalizes the brain cells, removing toxins and blockages within the nervous system, while at the same time have a nurturing effect upon the mind. It improves memory and aids in concentration. Himalayan Brahmi is an important food for Yogis and improves meditation. A small amount of the fresh leaves is eaten daily for its rejuvenating effect upon the mind. Brahmi helps awaken the crown chakra and balance the right and left hemispheres of the brain. It calms the heart and helps guard against heart attack.

Brahmi helps us give up bad habits and addictions of all types. It aids in recovery from alcholism or drug abuse, and also helps us kick the sugar habit. For this reason it is added to many Ayurvedic formulas as a nervine and antispasmodic agent. It is cleansing to the blood, improves the immune, allays excess sexual desire, and is excellent for venereal diseases, including Aids. It cleanses the kidneys, while calming and soothing the liver. BRAHMI IS ONE OF THE BEST HERBS FOR BALANCING AND REJUVENATING PITTA, while at the same time reducing Kapha strongly. It can reduce Vata if taken in the proper dose or with other anti-Vata herbs.

Bhringaraj

SANSKRIT NAME: BIBHITAKI

COMMON NAME (ENGLISH): BELERIC MYROBALAN

SPECIAL POTENCY: Longevity of cellularlife

PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION: Tonic, laxative, astringent, digestive/appetizer, lekhana, tridosha hara, sothahara, rakta stamvana, dipana, anulomana, krmighana, kapha nasaka, vajikarana, dhatu bardhaka, cekacusya (good for eyes), astringent, tonic, expectorant, laxative.

PLANT PART USED: fruit