FUN FACTS BN : Asparagus officinalis  AKA 芦笋 (Lúsǔn), Sparrow grass.   It takes three years from seed to harvest.  Everyone makes “asparagus pee,” but whether one can smell depends on one’s genes.  China is the world’s largest asparagus producer.  Oceana County, Michigan is the self-proclaimed asparagus capital of the world.  White asparagus is regular asparagus grown without sunlight.  Purple…

FUN FACTS Botanical name:  Euryale Ferox, Euryales Semen.  AKA 芡实 Qian Shi, gordon euryale seed, fox nut, gorgon nut or makhana CONSTITUENTS   USES/ BENEFITS   TYPES     GROWING   PRODUCTS EDITOR NOTES   TCM NOTES This information is for education purposes only.  Seek the advice of your physician before taking any home remedies, herbs, or supplements. PropertiesTreatmentsUsageCautionsFormulas Temp…

FUN FACTS Botanical name: Crataegus,  AKA 山楂  (Shan zha), thorn Apple, May-tree, whitethorn, or hawberry CONSTITUENTS Berries, leaves, and flowers have similar phytochemicals with different ratios of flavonoids and procyanidins. Berries are rich in hyperoside, while leaves have higher levels of vitexin-2-rhamnoside. 1 Phenolic compounds, aglycones, procyanidins.   Triterpenic acids (ursolic, oleanolic, and crataegolic acids) and phenol carboxylic acids…

FUN FACTS Botanical name: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Malvaceae).  AKA Roselle,  Luo Shen Hua 洛神花 or mei gui qie 玫瑰茄,  Agua De Jamaica, , Indici Flower. Native to North African and Southeast Asia.  The seeds, leaves, flower and calyx are all used. 2 The leaves can be eaten green, dried, or cooked as a vegetable.  Seeds are sometimes used as a substitute…

FUN FACTS BN: Ocimum basilicum.  罗勒  Luólè. Both Flower and leaves are edible, but leaves are more widely used.  Different types basil has different aroma. Sweet basil smells like cloves, cinnamon basil smells like cinnamon and lemon bas, lemon basil smells like lemon.   It can    CONSTITUENTS volatile oil – mostly methylchavicol and linalool, methyl cinnamate, cineole, and terpenes….

FUN FACTS Botanical name:Mentha piperita or Balsamea Willd.  It is a cross between spearmint and watermint CONSTITUENTS/NUTRITION volatile oil -menthol, flavonoids, phenolic acids, triterpenes.   USES/BENEFITS (Disclaimer) Indigestion, nausea, digestive headaches, gas, bloating, cramps, irritated bowel.  The menthol in peppermint is an effective decongestant.¹  It thins mucus and is a good expectorant.   It’s also useful for coughs, sore throats, and…

  FUN FACTS  BN: (Cynara cardunculus var. scolymus) AKA 洋蓟  (yángjì).   In China, it’s common practice to boil artichoke for the juice, but throw out the parts.  Castroville, California claims to be the Artichoke Capital of the World. In 1947 Marilyn Monroe, then still going by her given name Norma Jean, was crowned Castroville’s first Artichoke…

FUN FACTS BN: Momordica charantia  AKA 苦瓜 (kǔguā ), bitter gourd, bitter squash, balsam-pear, gohyah tea. In Chinese cooking, it’s often stir-fried, or used for soups.  CONSTITUENTS Contains beta-carotene, lycopene, zeaxanthin, carotenoids, momordin, vicine and charatin, peptide, cucurbitacins, glycosides, and alkaloid.   Vitamin C,  A, folate and small amounts B vitamins, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, potassium, and fiber.  Flavonoids, coumarins,…