It’s so easy to get food – just go to the store, find what you want, come back home, prepare it, eat it, and repeat. But what if you just had to go to your windowsill?

Although many fruits and vegetables won’t fully grow on your windowsill, many of your favorite herbs can easily be grown in your house and your garden, so you will always have an abundance of herbs available.

Herbs will not provide you with all the calories that you need to survive, but they are packed with what you need to thrive. They have more vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds than almost any other fruit or vegetable, which make them flavorful and medicinal at the same time.

Featured image credit and cool DIY project: Window-Mounted Hanging Herb Garden

How to Grow an Abundance of Herbs

In this article, we will focus on how to regrow herbs from kitchen scraps with as little effort as possible. It all starts with buying the herbs that you want to grow from your local organic grocery store, and if you are successful at growing them you will never have to buy your favorite herbs again.

Reocmmended: How to Eliminate IBS, IBD, Leaky Gut

Mint

This herb is most commonly consumed as herbal tea, but it also can be added to dishes like raw carrot salad or cacao-based deserts to make it more flavorful. Mint may help relax your gastrointestinal tract, improve the health of your nervous system and immune system, and prevent cancer. To grow it yourself and get all of these benefits, all you need is a healthy mint stem with leaves.

Here’s how you grow it:

1. Pick a healthy 3-inch stem with leaves from your bundle of mint. Remove the lower leaves for use in your recipe, but leave a couple healthy leaves on top.
2. Put the stem in a glass of water on a windowsill that receives plenty of light. When the water starts to look murky, dump it out, and replace it with fresh water to keep your plant healthy. Your mint will develop roots within a couple of weeks.
3. Once your mint’s roots have grown in, plant it in a pot with soil and water it enough to keep the soil moist.

Tips:

• Choose an indoor or outdoor location where it receives morning sun and afternoon shade.
• Mint spreads easily and can take over your garden, so it’s best to grow it in its own pot.
• Harvest the mint leaves before it flowers.
• Extend your harvesting season by pinching off the flowering buds as they appear.

Lemon Balm

Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and comes with many of the same health benefits as mint. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion.

Follow the same steps as you do to grow mint.

Tips:

• It grows best in full sun and will tolerate shade.
• It prefers slightly moist soil.
• It will die back to the ground in freezing weather, but regrow from the roots in spring.

Basil

Another member of the mint family, basil is one of the most popular herbs used in cooking across cultures. Not only does it make sauces, curries, and even watermelon taste better, it also fights bacteria, viruses, and chronic diseases.

Here’s how you can grow it:

1. Take a 4-inch basil cutting right below a leaf node, and remove the leaves off of the basil cutting about 2 inches from the end.
2. Put it in a glass of water and keep it in your house where it can get sunlight throughout the day.
3. Change the water every few days.
4. When the roots grow 2 inches or longer in about two to four weeks, put it in a planter where it can get direct sunlight.

Tips:

• Grows very fast in 80 to 90 degree Fahrenheit weather.
• Harvest leaves by pinching them from the stems after the plant has reached 6 to 8 inches.
• Harvest all the basil before the first frost.
• Freezing basil best preserves its flavor.
• Always cut leaves from the top of the plant to encourage more leaf growth and to discourage the plant from seeding.

Rosemary

Most of us can tell when rosemary is around because of its potent fragrance, but do you notice the cognitive boost the smell can give you? Studies show that the smell of rosemary can improve our quality of memory and increase our alertness. The positive effects only increase when we consume rosemary because of its potent antioxidant activity. Add about a 1/2 teaspoon of rosemary to your roasted vegetables and you can increase their flavor while you boost your cognitive function.

To regrow your rosemary:

1. Snip a sprig of rosemary from 2-3 inches off the top of a healthy rosemary sprig.
2. Use the lowest leaves for cooking and keep the others that are further up on the sprig.
3. Place the sprigs in a small glass with the stem fully immersed in water on a windowsill. Change the water every few days and rinse the stems at the same time.
4. After about 2 months you will begin to notice roots coming from your rosemary sprig. Give the roots about 1 to 2 weeks to sturdy up before you plant them in soil.

Tips:

• Rosemary takes time to grow. It should pick up speed in its second year.
• Make sure it gets full sun and light, although partial shade is fine.
• Let the soil dry out between watering.
• Use mulch to keep roots moist in summer and insulated in winter.
• Prune dead wood from the plant in the spring.

Thyme

Thyme has anti-inflammatory properties, making it the perfect herb to fight off diseases that are linked to inflammation like heart disease, asthma, arthritis, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, diabetes, and Parkinson’s disease. Simply put it in your soup, stew, or roasted vegetables to infuse your food with delicious flavor.

Rosemary and thyme grow similarly at first. You can start growing your thyme and rosemary in the same cup. However, once you are ready to plant them, put them in separate pots or areas of the garden. Thyme will grow faster then rosemary, and will need to be pruned by one third in the spring. It requires full sunlight just like rosemary.

Parsley

Parsley is packed with Vitamins C, A, and K. It also contains a flavone called apigenin, which can destroy cancer cells. To make the most of this herb you can add parsley to your vegetable juices or smoothies, or have it in salads, dressings, sauces, or soups.

Here’s how you can grow it at home:

1. Cut a stem of parsley to around 3-4 inches long and leave a few leaves on the top for regrowth.
2. Place it in a glass of water in a sunny spot on your windowsill.
3. Transfer it into a pot with soil when roots appear.

Tips:

• Parsley is a biennial, which means it grows for two gardening seasons then dies. The first year is when it produces the leaves that we commonly eat, and in its second year it goes to seed.
• It grows well with annuals, perennials, and herbs in full sun or partial shade.
• Don’t eat the leaves when the plant begins to flower, they will be bitter.
• You can eat the parsley root as well. Cook it after its sliced or cubed like you would prepare turnips or parsnips.

Cilantro

One of the most pungent smelling and tasting herbs, cilantro is filled with  phytonutrients, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that may help rid the body of toxic heavy metals like lead and mercury. It is also a good source of vitamins A & K, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. Add it to guacamole, salsa, or sauces to give them more flavor, or juice it and add it to your favorite vegetable juice.

Although cilantro grows better from seed, you can still grow a full plant in a few months from a cilantro stem cutting. Simply follow the same steps as you do to regrow parsley.

Tips:

• Cilantro thrives in full sun and grows faster than most other herbs.
• Harvest by cutting the leafy stems near ground level
• Avoid cutting more than one-third of the leaves at one time.
• For maximum flavor, chop the leaves and add them to your meal at the last minute.
• To preserve flavor, store cilantro by freezing it in cubes of water or oil.
• Let the plant self sow its own seeds and regrow itself or dry the coriander seeds and use them in curry, poultry, relishes, and pickles.

Sage

Sage is a natural antiseptic with preservative and bacteria-killing abilities. It adds a delicious flavor to almost any meat dish, and it can also be brewed as a relaxing tea.

Here’s how to grow it yourself:

1. Cut a 1-2 inch long stem. Remove all leaves except the top ones.
2. Place in a glass with the stem fully emerged in water. Place on a sunny windowsill and after two weeks roots should appear.
3. Plant in soil.

Tips:

• It grows well in medium to full sun indoors or outdoors.
• Let the soil dry between watering.
• For the richest concentration of their aromatic oils, harvest sage leaves in the morning, after the dew has dried.

Oregano

Oregano was revered as a symbol of happiness by the ancient Greeks and Romans, and for good reason. It contains antioxidants and phytochemicals that fight off common happiness destroyers like infections, inflammation, and cancer. Add to your favorite sauce or salsa, or you can use it as a medicine to kill off infections by drinking it as tea or making your own oregano oil.

Oregano is also one of the easiest herbs to grow at home:

1. Cut a stem measuring 2-3 inches long; just below a leaf node. Remove all leaves except for the ones on the top, and cut off all flowers.
2. Place the cutting in a glass with water covering at least one of the leaf nodes.
3. When roots appear within a week, transfer the plant to a pot with soil.

Tips:

• Only water the oregano when the soil is dry to the touch.
• It prefers sun with a bit of afternoon shade.
• Cut out dead stems in the spring before the plants begin new growth.
• Begin harvesting as soon as the plant is several inches tall.
• The herb has a stronger taste when it is dried than when it is fresh.
• For a big harvest, cut the stems just above the plant’s lowest set of leaves. This stimulates new growth for another harvest in late summer.

Marjoram

Marjoram has one of the most subtle flavors of all the herbs we covered in this article. It is a member of the mint family, and a subspecies of oregano, so it comes with the digestive benefits of mint and the anti-bacterial, anti-fugal, and anti-viral benefits of oregano. This makes it a perfect addition to soups, sauces, and salads, as well as home-made skin care products.

Here’s how you can grow marjoram:

1. Cut a stem a few inches long and remove all the leaves except a few from the top.
2. Place in a glass of water with the waterline fully covering the stem.
3. Transfer to soil when roots appear.

Tips:

• Prefers full sun
• Trim the plants when buds appear to ensure continued growth
• Begin picking fresh leaves as needed 4 to 6 weeks after planting
• Keeps its full flavor fresh or dry.

Lavender

If you want to calm your anxiety, just break off some lavender flowers, grind them between your fingers, and take in its aroma. Lavender is similar to rosemary because one sniff can change your state of being. However, lavender will sedate you and relax you rather then increase your alertness like rosemary.

Lavender also can help calm skin inflammation, so it will be a perfect herb to add to your homemade soaps and lotions. If you think you’ll like the taste of lavender then you can add it to roasted rooted vegetables and your favorite sweets like cookies, chocolates, and frozen deserts. Lavender goes especially well with honey.

Here’s how you can regrow lavender at home:

1. In the spring, Cut 3-4 inches from the soft, pliable tips of new growth on a lavender plant.
2. Remove all of the leaves from the lower 2 inches of the stem and then gently scrape the skin off the bottom portion of the stem on one side with a knife.
3. Fill a small pot with a homemade mix of half vermiculite or perlite and half peat moss
4. Stick the lower end of the cutting about 2 inches into the soil and firm the soil so that the cutting stands up straight. Cover with plastic to form a greenhouse-like environment for the cuttings.
5. Remove the plastic when the cutting has roots. This will take two to four weeks.
6. Set the plant in a sunny location and water it when the soil is dry an inch or so below the surface.

Tips:

• Gently tug your lavender cutting to see if it has roots. If it resists the tug then it has roots. (Only tug the cutting once every 3 to 4 days.)
• Put the lavender in a container with adequate drainage. Lavender doesn’t like to be damp.
• It will grow best when it receives 8 hours of sun a day.
• Lavender thrives in warm temperatures.

Garlic

Garlic is delicious to our taste buds and  spectacular for our health. It contains a miraculous compound called allicin, which prevents cancer, boosts our immune system, reduces blood pressure, and improves cholesterol levels. Garlic also helps reduce oxidative stress, heal inflammation, and detoxify heavy metals.

And it’s easy to grow:

1. Separate the cloves from your organic garlic bulb.
2. Plant them pointy sides facing up  two inches deep in the soil (pot or garden.)
3. Harvest when the green tops begin to yellow and fall over. This will be in July or August in northern climates.

Related: Garlic – The Most Amazing Herb On The Planet

Tips:

• Plant it a month before the ground freezes.
• Fertilize it with nitrogen from things like crushed egg shells.
• Cut off any flower shoots to encourage bulb growth.
• After harvest, let the bulbs cure in an airy, shady spot for two weeks.
• Save your largest, best-formed bulbs to regrow in the fall.
• Northern gardeners should mulch heavily with straw for over-the- winter outdoor gardening. Remove mulch after the threat of frost has passed.
• Water every 3 to 5 days from May through June.
• Ensure they get full sun.

Ginger

Ginger is commonly known for its ability to treat indigestion and nausea, but it also contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds that can prevent heart disease and reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. You can easily make it into a delicious tea or supplement with a slice of ginger with every meal to promote digestion and gain its other healing effects.

Ginger can easily be grown in its own pot indoors. Here’s how:

1. Find an organic ginger root that is plump with tight skin, not shriveled and old. Soak it overnight in warm water to get it ready for planting.
2. Stick the ginger root with the eye bud pointing up and cover it with 1-2 inches of soil, and water it well.
3. Keep the soil moist, and make sure the ginger is in a reasonably warm area that doesn’t get too much direct sunlight. After a few weeks, you will see shoots popping out of the soil.
4. Small pieces of ginger can be harvested 3-4 months after growth begins. Just cut off what you need and place it back in the soil to regrow.

Related: The Amazing Herbal Power of Ginger

Tips:

• Ginger grows well in partial or full shade, making it a great indoor plant.
• If your root has several eye buds, it can be cut into pieces, and each bud can be placed in a separate pot to produce several plants.
• Ginger thrives in shallow and wide pots.
• If you prefer a larger harvest, take ginger out of the soil when the plant begins to die back, and replant the healthiest looking ginger.
• If you need a slice of ginger, you can slice a piece off at any time and replant it.

What To Do With All These Herbs?

If you put these steps into action you will be rich (in herbs). Each one can be used in a variety of ways, and when you have more than enough you can start donating them or you can make them last for 1 to 3 years by dehydrating them.

Related Reading:

• Total Nutrition – Make your own Homemade Multivitamin and Mineral Formula
• Detox Cheap and Easy Without Fasting – Recipes Included
• You Need Sulforaphane – How and Why to Grow Broccoli Sprouts
• Invasive Weeds You Can, and Should, Be Eating – Easy Foraging

Sources:

• Chelation: Harnessing and Enhancing Heavy Metal Detoxification—A Review — The Scientific World Journal
• Biological activities of Lavender essential oil — Phytotherapy Research
• A review of the bioactivity and potential health benefits of peppermint tea (Mentha piperita L.) — Phytotherapy Research
• Aromas of Rosemary and Lavender Essential Oils Differentially Affect Cognition and Mood in Healthy Adults — International Journal of Neur0science
• Effect of parsley (Petroselinum crispum) intake on urinary apigenin excretion, blood antioxidant enzymes and biomarkers for oxidative stress in human subjects. — NCBI
• Breast Cancer Effectively Treated with Chemical Found in Celery, Parsley by MU Researchers — MU News
• Effects of Thyme Extract Oils (from Thymus vulgaris, Thymus zygis, and Thymus hyemalis) on Cytokine Production and Gene Expression of oxLDL-Stimulated THP-1-Macrophages — Journal of Obesity
• What Are the Health Benefits of Oregano? — Mercola
• What’s so healthy about basil? — Precision Nutrition
• 11 Proven Health Benefits of Garlic — Authority Nutrition
• Herbs — Bonnie Plants

For most people, lavender conjures memories of powdery-scented sachets in lingerie drawers, spray colognes, or dainty English soaps. Because of this nostalgic cosmetic association, this age-old garden plant has been mostly forgotten as a medicinal, even by seasoned herbalists. Lavandula angustifolia or true lavender is a gentle but highly effective multitasking plant ally for children and adults alike. This fragrant shrub in the mint family has tiny, purple flowers, but don’t let the lovely fragrance or size only connote cosmetic pleasantry. Lavender is highly therapeutic. It is capable of combating influenza and strep throat yet mild enough to calm the stormiest of tummy troubles in youngsters.

When infused gently in hot water, this lovely herb displays aqua hues that mellow to mauve as it fills the room with its fragrance. With such fairy glamor charms, this tea makes an easy internal medicine for nervous exhaustion, digestive spasms, tension headache and migraine, anxiety, panic attacks, chest infections, tonsillitis, bowel infections, excessive Candida, cold and flu, insomnia, and fevers including typhoid. Lavender can easily be combined with synergistic herbs such as lemon balm, chamomile, and rose petals to tailor its valuable properties for specific maladies.

On the other hand, lavender essential oils—true lavender and spike lavender–—are some of the most important oils in clinical aromatherapy that are capable of fighting drug-resistant infections including MRSA (methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus) when used topically.

When looking at the body of modern clinical studies, old herbal manuals, and scribbled notes of aromatherapists, it is easy to see why this humble plant should be one of the most important items to keep on hand at all times—in the medicine chest, the kitchen cabinet, and the travel case.

Uses for Lavender Tea

Allergies and Adrenal Support

Lavender is a natural immune booster, but it can also calm an overactive immune system that is responsible for multiple allergies or sensitivities. The adrenals, the body’s stress glands, can play a significant role in promoting equilibrium between both extremes, and lavender can help. When the adrenals are nourished and the more the parasympathetic nervous system kicks into temper chronic fight or flight response, there will be fewer allergies and less severe allergies.

Tip: To prevent the body from neutralizing the effects of long-term use, alternate weeks that you drink lavender tea. For example, after a week of consistent use, skip a week and then resume.

Recommended amount: 1-2 cups a day.

Anxiety, Depression, and Neurotransmitter Balance

Lavender—both its scent and chemical properties within the flowers themselves when ingested—affect the production of serotonin, a vital neurotransmitter found within the gut and the brain. When this neurotransmitter is imbalanced or deficient, a multitude of “mental health” conditions can manifest. An inhibitory neurotransmitter, serotonin plays a major role in taming excessive production of excitatory chemicals that are responsible for low immunity, disrupted sleep cycles, sugar cravings, and heightened pain. Regular consumption of coffee and other stimulants, prolonged stress, hormonal changes, and poor diet compromise and deplete our serotonin levels. In the simplest terms, serotonin imbalance directly affects many functions in the body including digestion as well as emotional wellbeing. When it is disrupted, it can be evident in many ways ranging from hormonal moodiness to eating disorders such as bulimia and certain types of depression to chronic anxiety. Lavender tea can offer wonderful and near-immediate calming effects by lowering the stress hormone cortisol and regulating adrenaline.

Recommended amount: 1-3 cups a day.

Blood Sugar Balance

 Lavender tea has balancing effects on the pancreas and insulation production, therefore it can be beneficial for blood sugar stability, especially for non-diabetic/reactive hypoglycemia.

Recommended amount: 1-3 cups of unsweetened tea a day.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Because of its effects on neurochemicals and the adrenals, lavender tea is helpful for some individuals with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.

Recommended amount: 1-2 cups of unsweetened tea a day.

Digestive Balance

Chamomile has long been hailed as the quintessential herb for stomach upset, but lavender is also a heavy hitter when it comes to calming nervous bellies, nausea, gas, bloating, and griping pains. A warm infusion of lavender can also increase good intestinal flora while combatting yeast overgrowth. Lavender tea is also an excellent children’s remedy for tummy troubles, school jitters, nightmares, and stomach aches from nervous origins.

Recommended amount for adults: 1-3 cups a day. Recommended amount for little ones: ½ cup twice a day taken by the tablespoon if need be. A little local honey makes it a pleasant drink.

Energetic Properties and Emotional Influence

On the energetic level, lavender can soothe stormy emotions, stimulate peace where there is resentment or jealousy, and lift the mood.

Immunity

 An infusion of lavender flowers drunk a few times a week is a pleasant immune booster that can prevent illness during the flu season, guard against infections, and balance neurochemicals such as serotonin that play an important role in strong immunity. Lavender tea is also wonderful for sore throats, and an added touch of local honey enhances its healing and soothing properties. The tea can be drunk cold, at room temperature, or hot. The latter is useful in bringing down high fevers.

Recommended amount: 3-5 cups a week, skip a week and then resume.

Insomnia  

The scent of lavender and its effects on calming the body and inducing sleep are well known, but the herb prepared as tea gets little attention. A warm lavender infusion taken half an hour before bed can help the body wind down and calm racing thoughts.

Recommended amount: 1 cup of strong unsweetened tea before bedtime.

Muscle Tension and Headaches

Warm or hot lavender tea  can relieve tension headaches and muscle tightness (anywhere in the body, including the neck), and it may help migraines.

Recommended amount: 1-2 cups of unsweetened tea.

Caution: Because of lavender’s effects on neurotransmitters and insulin, those on antidepressants, diabetic pharmaceuticals, or sleep medications might need less of these drugs and should be monitored. Always ask your physician about contraindications regarding any medication. Also, despite lavender’s gentle effects, some individuals can be allergic to it. If any signs of allergic reaction occur, discontinue use.

How To Make Lavender Tea

Quick Method

Use 1-1 ½ teaspoons of dried organic lavender flowers per cup of water. Place the dried herb in a heat proof Pyrex measuring cup or a tea pot, pour boiling water over the lavender and allow it to steep for 10 minutes. Strain before drinking. If preferred, add honey to taste.

Overnight Method for a Larger Quantity

Fill a 1-quart Mason jar with ½-3/4 cup of dried organic lavender flowers. Pour boiling water over the herbs, filling the jar halfway. Stir the herb mixture and then fill the rest of the jar with water until full. Put a lid on and cover with a towel overnight. Strain and drink. If preferred, add honey to taste. Refrigerate for up to 4 days. Individual portions can be reheated.

Topical Use of Lavender Essential Oil

How to Use Lavender Oil Topically

Due to individual skin sensitivity, neat, or undiluted, application of lavender essential oil is recommended via the soles of the feet. Pores of the foot sole are the largest in the body and are therefore ideal for fast delivery of essential oils into the bloodstream. Inhalation of lavender essential oil can also have profound benefits.

Adults: For undiluted application to the soles of the feet, use 3-4 drops of essential oil maximum per foot. Apply to the soft part of the sole between the heel and the ball of the foot.

Children: Use 1 drop essential oil per sole of the foot or 1 drop of essential oil mixed into 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and massage on chest, belly, or any other part of the body. Avoid mucus membranes.

Tip: The easiest way to apply essential oils neat to the soles of the feet is to simply place an index finger over an essential oil bottle, invert the bottle, and then turn right-side up. The amount of essential oil dispensed on your finger should equal 1 drop. Be sure to allow oils to be absorbed before putting on shoes and socks.

Uses for Lavender Oil

Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Depression, and Chronic Worry

Lavender essential oil is the premiere essential oil for afflictions of the nervous system that manifest as emotional or psychological conditions ranging from certain types of depression to PTSD. Dermal (skin) application and inhalation are both recommended for any of the above. Lavender essential oil is best used consistently, even when symptoms are not apparent. For example, a person who suffers from panic attacks will benefit from lavender by using it between attacks as a preventative measure as well as when symptoms are present. When inhaled, lavender essential oil immediately affects the limbic portion of the brain and works with the adrenals to regulate stress hormones such as adrenalin and cortisol.

Application: 3 drops per sole of the foot daily, preferably before bed. For inhalation, put a drop on a tissue and inhale as needed.

Cardiovascular Health

Dermal application of lavender essential oil has been shown to increase oxygen and decrease inflammation, thus making it beneficial for heart disease or the prevention of this condition.

Application: 3 drops per sole of the foot daily, preferably before bed. Steam inhalation is also beneficial and can be used by dropping 3 drops of lavender essential oil into hot water and inhaling for ten minutes with a towel over the head.

Chronic Pain Syndromes and Inflammation

Rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other pain syndromes respond positively to a topical application of lavender. Lavender is a gentle analgesic that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation. Steam inhalation of lavender can also benefit the body by reducing physiological stress responses and reducing inflammation.

Application: 3 drops per sole of the foot daily, preferably before bed.

Steam inhalation: add 3 drops of lavender essential oil to hot water and inhale for ten minutes with a towel over the head.

First-Aid and Skin Health 

A drop or two of lavender essential oil applied to cuts, burns, wounds, and other injuries can instantly promote healing and stop bleeding. Immediate application followed up with daily re-application is recommended for best results. A few drops of lavender essential oil added to water in a spray bottle makes a wonderful sunburn soother that can also be used for inflamed skin condition such as acne, rosacea, and allergies. Lavender applied to the skin after radiation treatment can speed healing and ease pain. Lavender has been shown to decrease certain types of skin cancers, especially when combined with high quality frankincense essential oil.

Headaches

A few drops applied to the back of the neck, the temples, and the forehead can relieve headaches stemming from tension, stress, and allergies. Use as needed.

Immunity

Lavender essential oil is a powerful oil to use during the cold and flu season and is best used as a preventative.

Application: 3 drops per sole of the foot daily, preferably before bed. Lavender essential oil can be combined with other immune-boosting essential oils such as clove or organic lemon. If combining, use 2 drops of lavender to 1 drop of lemon or clove.

Conclusion

In the world of alternative health, lavender is an all-around remedy with many more uses than those discussed here. It is also a gift for the frazzled spirit in challenging times. Here’s wishing you lavender’s beautiful benefits!

Recommended Reading:

• The Many Benefits Of Turmeric, the Perfect Paleo Herb
• The Power of Pau d’Arco – Herbal Remedies and More
• Garlic – The Most Amazing Herb On The Planet
• Cayenne and Capsaicin, Natures Miracle Medicine

Where to Find Dried Organic Lavender Flowers:

• Frontier Co-op
• Jean’s Greens
• Starwest Botanicals

Author’s Recommended Brands of Essential Oil of Lavender, Spike Lavender, and Other Lavender Species:

• Birch Hill Happenings
• doTERRA
• NOW
• Young Living

Sources:

Books

• Back to Eden by Jethro Kloss
• Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier
• Flower Power by Anne McIntyre
• Goddess Consciousness by Marlaina Donato
• Healing Oils, Healing Hands by Linda Smith
• Multidimensional Aromatherapy by Marlaina Donato, CA

Online

• Green Med Info 

The cold winter months not only bring in coughs, colds, and flu, we find it harder to stay warm and our circulation tends to be less effective at throwing out toxins. Not least, we feel less energized and able to find that extra bit of energy. Here are 5 key herbs to help with all those winter aspects.

Cinnamon Stick

A fragrant winter favourite, this herb is able to bring circulation as far as cold fingers and toes. It is also a potent antiviral and antibacterial, making it a vital herb for the worst of the flu season. Not only does it fight these microbes, its constituent, cinnamaldehyde, provides welcome pain reduction and is sedative. It continues to be useful post colds and flu, during the often debilitating convalescence stage. It is also a blood sugar stabilizer useful for helping calm down any post-festive sweet tooth over-indulgence.

Ginger Root

This is ‘the’ classic for warming up circulation and helping colds and flu and it is often twinned as an herbal tea with cinnamon to warm and detoxify. However, it is most effective as an antiviral and antibacterial when freshly grated and eaten raw. (You can add a little honey if you wish or simply chew a teaspoon of it as it is.) The gingerol, zingerone, and shogael and other constituents are 6-15 times stronger in the fresh root, and if the aim is to work as an antimicrobial, do not make as a tea or cook with it. Reserve the latter for digestive assistance and circulatory help.

Siberian Ginseng Root (eleuthero)

(This adaptogen is not a ginseng and can be used as a daily food.) It is perfect for the winter months as it increases the body’s ability to resist infection, lessening the likelihood of picking up colds, and stops the “cold” wearing us down and making us more exposed to microbes. In fact, because of this, we are less likely to gravitate to eating weight-gaining carbs and other cold-weather foods. As an adrenal building herb, it enforces energy conservation generally and fortifies against “winter” stress in all its varying guises, from cold, to support while detoxing.

Elderberry

These anti-viral berries are of increasing interest as findings show they appear to “inactivate” any given flu and virus strain. It helps to shorten and reduce its symptoms and severity. Of course, it has been made and used as a home remedy as a syrup for centuries, to treat tickly coughs, colds, and fevers. If taken at the onset, nastier versions like flu, bronchitis, and pneumonia are less likely to progress. It is good taken throughout the colder winter months on a weekly basis, and daily during a cold.

Nettle Leaves

The leaves are a good winter detox choice. In winter it is harder to sweat and naturally get rid of accumulated toxins. Nettle’s high levels of flavonoids and potassium makes it excellent for moving on waste products via the increased urine production. Nettle is also a specific to help clear the skin, so it is perfect for preventing “detox skin”, where toxins can congregate. Use either as an organic powder of 1 tsp (5g) in smoothies or as an herbal leaf tea.

Recommended Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics

Recommended Reading:

• How to Optimize Curcumin Absorption – With Golden Milk Tea Recipe
• Elderberries and Recipes
• The Amazing Herbal Power of Ginger
• Cinnamon – Ceylon Vs Cassia, Health Benefits, and Other Interesting Facts
• Five Common Weeds to Cultivate for Health and Nutrition

Author:

Jill R. Davies, HNH, Phd, FAMH, is a qualified herbalist and naturopath of over 30 years. She is the author of 14 books on herbal medicine. Jill lectures in naturopathy and herbal medicine at CNM (College of Naturopathic Medicine).

(Natrual News) You may not think it a worthwhile endeavor to grow culinary herbs indoors, or outdoors for that matter. After all, a quick trip to most food stores will usually allow you to come back with the spices you need. But how fresh are they and have they been irradiated?

There are medicinal qualities to some culinary herbs that are best ensured by growing your own. And they don’t require much space. They can even be cultivated indoors if you lack outdoor earth space or if your area suffers severe winter weather.

All material sources for this article recommend using the kitchen or area near the kitchen where there is six hours of sufficient sunlight. But if your area gets a good deal of cold weather, don’t cultivate too close to windows. In lieu of sunshine, grow lamps can be used. Just be prepared for that SWAT team to bash your door down looking for weed (kidding, sort of).

One source advises bringing in herbal plants during cold weather that are perennial instead of annual. Perennials keep on going even outdoors when they go dormant during cold winters. Annuals have to be replanted.

If your dwelling requires heat throughout most of the winter, make sure that the area of potted herbal plants is humid. Without a humidifier, pebbles with water in a tray where your plant pot can be placed should work.

Culinary herbs with strong medicinal properties and health benefits

Cilantro (coriander) grows rapidly and is best started from seeds. Once harvested, cilantro does not continue growing. So it’s best to stagger three pots planted some time apart to get through winter months.

Cilantro offers remedies for many maladies that can be found here. Even more importantly, cilantro has been discovered to actually remove heavy metals from organ tissues. These heavy metals include three of the most harmful: lead, mercury and aluminum.

By using cilantro for pestos, soups and sauces or simply constantly garnishing many cooked foods, you would be undergoing constant heavy metal chelation. Not a bad idea in our heavily contaminated heavy metal environment.

Cilantro’s chelation properties were discovered intentionally and incidentally through several studies over the past few years. Combining chlorella with cilantro boosts heavy metal, especially mercury, chelation.

Rosemary is a perennial that does well in drier air, but the soil should never dry out. There are two basic types, upright and trailing. Obviously, uprights would be more appropriate for kitchen cultivating.

Rosemary has been proven by two separate studies in Spain to help ward off radiation damage from even ionizing radiation, which is the more dangerous type of radiation from atomic energy, radon and medical equipment such as mammograms, X-rays and CT scans. Airport scanners also emit ionizing radiation, which is capable of removing electrons from atoms, thus instantly damaging cells and DNA.

Other sources of radiation that are common to everyday life are Wi-Fi, cell phones and cell phone towers, all of which excite electrons in atoms enough to put them into different orbits. Not as quickly damaging short-term as ionizing radiation, but ultimately damaging with chronic exposure over time.

Using rosemary often can help reduce the effects of radiation from everyday living and even ionizing radiation.

Other herbs that can be easily grown indoors

Oregano, especially of the Greek variety, can keep growing for a couple of years. Harvesting leaves encourages that growth. Oregano is useful in a variety of foods, and oregano oils have powerful medicinal qualities.

Parsley has both a flat leaf and curly leaf variety. It thrives indoors. Harvesting the outer leaves encourages more plant growth. Parsley seems to be an underrated herb for health benefits. But it does have many health benefits.

Thyme, dill, mint and sage can also be grown indoors.

Further Reading:

• Planning Your Organic Garden
• DIY Solutions for the Garden
• How to Start a Vegetable Garden – How to Grow Vegetables
• 5 Natural Pest Remedies for Your Garden
• Ten Great Gardening Tips
• How to Make Your Own Compost Tea

Sources:

• http://www.pressherald.com
• http://www.ifis.org
• http://nourishedkitchen.com
• http://www.naturalnews.com
• http://www.naturalnews.com
• http://chemed.chem.purdue.edu
• http://science.naturalnews.com

In our family, we haven’t taken antibiotics for more than twenty years. We no longer catch annual or biannual colds and flu. The years of chronic sinus infections and ear infections are long gone. The young children in our family are well, year round. Once a year or so, one may run a mild fever or catch a mild respiratory infection that their immune system handles quickly.

Our first line of defense is diet. No supplement or treatment will take the place of a healthy diet. Raise a child with a truly healthy diet and reap the benefits. Illnesses will be rare or non-existent. No midnight runs to the emergency room. No miserable children struggling to breathe through an asthma attack or croup.

A healthy diet consists of 80% raw produce–fresh, organic fruits and vegetables. All meat should be organic. When we eat at the top of the food chain, we need to be aware of the animal’s diet. Conventionally raised beef, poultry, and pork have been fed antibiotics and GMO foods in addition to being fed an unnatural diet and being raised in diseased, overcrowded conditions. Do not eat conventional dairy; it is tainted with antibiotics and growth hormones. We occasionally eat goat or sheep cheese. We drink and cook with almond and hemp milk.

At the first sign of infection, we use natural herbs, supplements, or foods to give the body what it needs to fight any pathogen. We support the immune system, helping it to do its job.

My home medicine cabinet includes the following items from the kitchen:

• Apple cider vinegar
• Garlic
• Coconut oil
• Aloe Vera
• Ginger

And the following tinctures, herbs, and supplements:

• Shillington’s Total Tonic
• Echinacea
• Thorne Research Formula SF722
• Spanish Black Radish
• L-Lysine
• B-complex vitamins
• Vitamin C

Raw, organic apple cider vinegar is amazing. Many people swear by it as a preventative, taking shots each day. It is a probiotic, therefore it helps keep the gut healthy. It’s other uses include:

• Ear infections. At the first sign of an ear infection, lay on your side and use a dropper to fill the ear canal with apple cider vinegar. Catch it early enough, and one dose is all you need. Apple cider vinegar kills bacteria and yeast infections. Some people mix it half and half with alcohol. I use it straight.
• In addition to ears, apple cider vinegar applied directly will kill fungal infections on the skin, including athlete’s foot. I had not had athlete’s foot in years. When it did pop up, one dose of straight apple cider vinegar and it was gone. Yes, it burned like crazy, but I knew that was yeast giving off toxins as it died screaming.
• Sore throats. When I first started gargling with apple cider vinegar, it was difficult. If you inhale the fumes, they burn your lungs. I had to practice the art of gargle, spit, and breathe through the nose, not the mouth. Many will tell you to dilute it with water. I use it full strength. Though it burns at first, I have used it with the worst sore throat imaginable. Moments later, the pain is gone. Gargling a few times has always completely cured a sore throat. And as I became healthier through diet, the years of sore throats and respiratory infections were left behind. I haven’t had a serious sore throat in 15 years. If you think you are coming down with a cold or flu, gargle every hour on the hour. You will cut the viral load and aid your immune system in fighting off the pathogen before it gets a good hold on you.
• Bug bites. Apple cider vinegar is a time honored cure for mosquito bites and bee stings.
• Take a shot if you have heartburn. It works!
• Vaginal yeast infections. Use in a douche. Add 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar to 8 ounces of filtered water. Personally, I have never used this because I haven’t had the problem since I stopped taking antibiotics. But vaginal yeast infections are Candida, so this makes sense.
• Dab on pimples and acne to kill bacteria and restore proper pH to the skin.

Garlic is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiparasitic. Who needs antibiotics when we have garlic? At the first sign of illness, chew garlic. It’s not for the faint of heart, I agree. But practice helps. One of my first attempts at natural medicine was to place a sliver of garlic in my ear to treat an ear infection. Don’t do this. It got stuck. When you use garlic, slice it and let it sit for 10 minutes. This is true for cooking as well as medicinal uses. Letting it sit helps to release the allicin, which is the health benefit.

• Chew garlic for any systemic infection. Better yet, use raw garlic often and abundantly in your diet for preventative care.
• Garlic can be diced up and used to treat fungal skin infections.
• Vaginal infections. Insert a garlic clove into the vagina at night. For easier retrieval, sew a string through the core.

Aloe Vera

Few things are as soothing to the skin as aloe vera. You can use it straight from the plant, juice from the bottle, or gel from the jar.

• Break open a piece of aloe vera and rub over a burn.
• Spread aloe vera over affected skin.
• Cuts, scrapes, bug bites, acne. Spread aloe vera over affected area.

Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is antibacterial and antifungal and it is soothing for any skin issues. You can add essential oils to treat nail fungus or to make bug repellent.

• Use for oil pulling. Coconut oil is good for the teeth and gums and is reported to whiten the teeth. It can be used as a toothpaste alone or used as a base with other ingredients.
• Irritated skin. Every variety of irritated skin will benefit from coconut oil. Great for baby bottoms and adult nether regions as well.
• For more see Health Benefits of Coconut Oil.

Ginger

One of ginger’s claims to fame is its ability to cure nausea. While garlic is miraculous for cleansing the body of parasites, viruses, and bacteria, it can cause severe nausea. Follow garlic with ginger to calm the stomach.

• If fresh ginger is taken at the first sign of a migraine, it will stop a migraine before it can take hold. Juice fresh ginger with apples and carrots. Personally, I have never had a migraine, but I have had several friends who suffer from them. Ginger has worked for them every time.
• Chew ginger or juice it for a ginger shot.
• For more see The Amazing Power of Ginger.

Spanish Black Radish

• This is my go to supplement for any suspected bacterial infection. According to printed information, it helps detox the liver and intestines and helps with Candida. But for me, it also knocks any bad bacteria on its ass.

Thorne Research Formula SF722

• This supplement is Candida’s worst enemy. It works great. Enough said.

Dr. Shillington’s Total Tonic

• At the first sign of a cold, sore throat, sniffles, etc. two droppers of total tonic stops the progression. Sometimes a second day is necessary to eradicate all symptoms. My grandson, today, said his nose was stopped up and he thought he might be getting sick. One dose and all symptoms were gone. One of the main ingredients is garlic. I have to admit, I would rather take a dropper or two than chew on garlic.

Echinacea

• I hate the taste and I hate the way echinacea makes my tongue feel. But I love the way it boosts the immune system. I hate it enough, though, that I always have it on hand…

L-Lysine

• L-lysine is the go-to supplement for anything wrong in the mouth. Blisters, raw spots, sore tongue–gone in minutes.

B-complex vitamins

• Grouchy? Trouble sleeping? Moody? Hormonal? Behavioral problems? B complex is a wonder.

Vitamin C

• I am more likely to take vitamin C at the first sign of a viral infection than anything else. For me, it is an instant fix. It is important to remember that high doses of vitamin C may stop or slow down a virus, but you should never abruptly stop taking it if you have been taking high doses. Titrate down or the virus may come right back.
• Also see Homemade Vitamin C.

Booty Balm

• Booty Balm by Lusa Organics was developed for baby bottoms. It is a great salve for any skin irritation from adult nether regions to scrapes, rashes, windburn, etc. Lusa has developed a new salve called De Balm. I haven’t tried it yet, but we are ordering it and I will. Their products are amazing.

There are a few more things I would like to stock–just in case. Though I must admit, I am no longer afraid of viruses or bacterial infections. In years past, the common cold usually morphed into pneumonia or at the very least, asthmatic bronchitis. Now, at the first sign of sniffles I take whatever supplement I choose and gargle and the symptoms are gone. A healthy immune system is a wonderful thing!

I am going to add oil of oregano, tea tree oil, and coptis chinesis to try other powerful microbials. I do have Blood Detox, which I have only taken when detoxing, but I will add to my list of go-to tonics for illness. And I intend to stock up on several other essential oils like peppermint and rosemary to make my own toothpaste and bug repellent. But this is my basic home health/home remedy arsenal. What do you have in your medicine chest?

Recommended Products:

• Mother Earth Organic Root Cider – Barrier Island Organics
• Coconut Oil
• Spanish Black Radish
• Thorne Research Formula SF722
• Dr. Shillington’s Total Tonic
• Echinacea
• L-Lysine
• B-complex vitamins
• Vitamin C

Way before the advent of synthetic, drug-based medicine, herbs and spices were valued for their medicinal properties. One clear example of this is the use of plants in Ayurvedic medicine in India.

What Is Ayurveda?

Ayurveda, which roughly translates to “The Science of Life,” is an ancient holistic system of natural healing and medicine that goes back thousands of years. It is based on preventative medicine and acknowledges that your senses and your mind greatly influence your physiology.  However, Ayurveda is not just a medicinal system. It also teaches how human beings are an integral part of nature. It emphasizes that you should live in harmony with nature, just as animals and plants do.

Ayurveda has many important components, and one of these is the use of herbs and spices. Herbs are recommended on a regular basis to help build and maintain a healthy physiology. In fact, many Ayurvedic herbs are now known as some of the most potent adaptogens on the planet.

Ayurvedic herbs and spices are greatly valued in Asian traditions and are often incorporated into everyday meals. Fragrant and flavorful varieties like ginger and cardamom are some of the most common examples of Ayurvedic herbs.

This Curry Spice Is One of the Best Ayurvedic Herbs

Turmeric is another Ayurvedic herb that is known for its healing properties and warm peppery flavor. It is the primary spice used for making delicious curry dishes. The use of this herb is said to date back more than 5,000 years. In India, there are tales that suggest that this spice’s usage dates back 10,000 years.

According to historical records, the ancient Polynesians also carried turmeric with them on their voyage across the Pacific to Hawaii. Today, turmeric, or Olena, is still widely used by Hawaiian natives. Meanwhile, in Europe, turmeric has been used as a substitute for saffron, an expensive old world spice.

Turmeric contains a powerful curcuminoid called curcumin, the pigment that gives this spice its lovely yellow-orange color. Curcumin benefits are becoming more and more well-known, leading to the popularity of turmeric and curcumin supplements today.

How to Maximize Your Curcumin Absorption

You can get curcumin simply by adding turmeric in your meals. Use it liberally in your cooking, and its earthy flavor will add a unique taste to your food. It’s best to opt for a pure turmeric powder instead of curry powder, as many curry powders typically have small amounts of curcumin.

It is difficult to absorb curcumin, so it’s important to maximize its bioavailability. Here’s one method: make a microemulsion by mixing one tablespoon of curcumin powder with one or two free-range egg yolks and a teaspoon of melted coconut oil. Afterwards, use a hand blender to emulsify.

Another idea is to put one tablespoon of curcumin powder into a quart of boiling water. Let it boil for 10 minutes, creating a 12 percent solution. Drink the liquid once it’s cooled down. The curcumin will fall out of the solution gradually, so make sure to drink it within four hours. This drink has a woody, earthy flavor.

Remember, though, that the curcumin in turmeric is a very potent yellow dye that may permanently discolor surfaces and even your skin, so be careful when handling this spice. Wear gloves and an apron when using it.

Turmeric is just one of the herbs and spices widely used in Ayurveda. Other notable herbs you shouldn’t miss out on include tulsi, basil, and ginger, which can all have a positive impact on your wellbeing.

About the Author

Elaine Rosales writes for Mercola.com. She is currently researching the uses of turmeric and whether or not curcumin supplements are as potent and efficient as turmeric powder.

 

Maca is a root vegetable belonging to the Brassica family of cruciferous vegetables.  It is most similar to radishes and turnips in growth habits, size, and proportions.   Maca is extremely rich in minerals with ample amounts of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, selenium, potassium, copper, and zinc.  These are extremely important for healthy skin, bones, eyes, and joints.   These minerals are also vital for effective cellular formation, communication, and regeneration.

Maca is one of the highest altitude crops in the world, growing atop 8,000-14,500 foot regions of the Andes Mountains in Peru.  In this climate, it faces extreme cold, intense sunshine, powerful winds, and challenged agricultural areas.  The challenging climates do not harbor pests; therefore, maca is always grown organically.  In fact, many Peruvian farmers have begun planting it with other root vegetables as the plant naturally repels pathogenic nematodes and other pests.

Adaptogenic Properties

The survival of the fittest principle of ecological evolution helps us understand the unique benefits maca provides.  Over thousands of years, maca has developed the ability to thrive in some of the worst soil and environmental climates in the world.  Maca has adapted effectively to these stressful conditions and developed certain factors that enhance human adaptability.

Maca is an adaptogenic in that it helps the body adapt to environmental stressors effectively.  Adaptogenic substances support the nervous system, endocrine system, and immune system to allow the body to effectively manage homeostasis under challenging circumstances.  This enhances energy levels, stamina, mental clarity, spiritual outlook, and the ability to handle oncoming stress.

Maca contains a certain balance of alkaloid and polysaccharide compounds that help improve control and coordination of the hypothalamus and pituitary gland.  These regions are the master regulators of the body’s stress response and reproductive systems.  Through this mechanism it helps stabilize adrenal output and regulate inflammatory hormones like cortisol.

Balancing Hormones

One of the unique characteristics of maca is its ability to help balance hormones in both men and women.  Studies have found it effective for reducing hot flashes, painful menstrual cramps, improving mood and sexual desire.  It hasn’t been demonstrated to consistently increase sex hormone production; instead it modulates and coordinates the role of these hormones more effectively.

A 2008 study published in Menopause showed that about 3.5 grams of maca per day reduced psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and lower measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women independent of estrogenic and androgenic activity.  Another 2006 study showed that maca improved cognitive function and reduced depression in surgery induced menopausal rats that couldn’t produce sufficient sex hormone.

Maca has also been demonstrated in several studies to improve libido and fertility in male and female rats.  Many people have blogged their unique anecdotal testimonies of maca improving their sex life and overcoming their struggles with infertility.

Red maca has been shown in 2 studies to reduce prostatic hyperplasia in testosterone induced male rats.  This demonstrates the glandular modulating effects of maca as it works to balance hormones.   Red and black maca have the greatest anti-oxidant content and therefore the greatest health benefits.

Maca Helps Fight Against Diabetes and Heart Diseas

A 2007 study demonstrates maca’s ability to reduce inflammation at the cellular level.  The results of the study indicated that maca was effective at improving glucose metabolism, lipid profile and anti-oxidant status.  This improves cardiovascular function and decreases the risk of diabetes and heart disease.

This A 2006 study showed that Maca was able to inhibit bone loss in an ovarectomized rat.  Typically amlack of the estrogen-secreting ovaries leads to increased catabolic state and subsequent bone loss.  Another study showed a specific extract from Maca (RNI-249) was able to help to preserve cartilage cells by inhibiting catabolic pathways, activating anabolic mechanisms and enhancing blood flow into the cartilage cells.

Sources For This Article Include:

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lepidium_meyenii
• http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/maca-superfood-energy-stamina-and-libido
• Beneficial effects of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on psychological symptoms and measures of sexual dysfunction in postmenopausal women are not related to estrogen or androgen content.  Nicole A Brooks, Gisela Wilcox, Karen Z Walker, John F Ashton, Marc B Cox, Lily Stojanovska.  Menopause. 2008 Nov-Dec;15(6):1157-62. PMID: 18784609
• Gustavo F Gonzales, Vanessa Vasquez, Daniella Rodriguez, Carmen Maldonado, Juliet Mormontoy, Jimmy Portella, Monica Pajuelo, León Villegas, Manuel Gasco. Effect of two different extracts of red maca in male rats with testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.Asian J Androl. 2007 Mar;9(2):245-51.
• G F Gonzales, M Gasco, A Malheiros-Pereira, C Gonzales-Castañeda. Antagonistic effect of Lepidium meyenii (red maca) on prostatic hyperplasia in adult mice. Andrologia. 2008 Jun;40(3):179-85. PMID: 18477205
• Mark J S Miller, Salahuddin Ahmed, Paul Bobrowski, Tariq M Haqqi. The chrondoprotective actions of a natural product are associated with the activation of IGF-1 production by human chondrocytes despite the presence of IL-1beta. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Apr 7;6:13. PMID: 16603065
• Yongzhong Zhang, Longjiang Yu, Mingzhang Ao, Wenwen Jin. Effect of ethanol extract of Lepidium meyenii Walp. on osteoporosis in ovariectomized rat. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21;105(1-2):274-9. Epub 2006 Feb 8. PMID: 16466876
• Julio Rubio, Maria Caldas, Sonia Dávila, Manuel Gasco, Gustavo F Gonzales. Effect of three different cultivars of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) on learning and depression in ovariectomized mice. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Jun 23;6:23. PMID: 16796734
• Rostislav Vecera, Jan Orolin, Nina Skottová, Ludmila Kazdová, Olena Oliyarnik, Jitka Ulrichová, Vilím Simánek. The influence of maca (Lepidium meyenii) on antioxidant status, lipid and glucose metabolism in rat. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2007 Jun;62(2):59-63. PMID:17333395
• Ana C Ruiz-Luna, Stephanie Salazar, Norma J Aspajo, Julio Rubio, Manuel Gasco, Gustavo F Gonzales. Lepidium meyenii (Maca) increases litter size in normal adult female mice. Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1991 Aug 30;179(1):661-7. PMID: 15869705
• G F Gonzales, A Córdova, K Vega, A Chung, A Villena, C Góñez, S Castillo. Effect of Lepidium meyenii (MACA) on sexual desire and its absent relationship with serum testosterone levels in adult healthy men. Andrologia. 2002 Dec;34(6):367-72. PMID:12472620
• Christina M Dording, Lauren Fisher, George Papakostas, Amy Farabaugh, Shamsah Sonawalla, Maurizio Fava, David Mischoulon. A double-blind, randomized, pilot dose-finding study of maca root (L. meyenii) for the management of SSRI-induced sexual dysfunction. CNS Neurosci Ther. 2008 Fall;14(3):182-91. PMID: 18801111
• http://www.examiner.com/article/discover-maca-root-nature-s-viagra
• http://www.docstoc.com/docs/156925617/Maca-Powder-Benefits
• http://therawsomelife.net/2013/07/18/the-benefits-of-maca/