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Quiz - for more advanced herbalists :)

54 comments


So, my first quiz was relatively easy. Now I decided to make the quiz, which is similar to situation, which we solve in everyday real life: which one/whom will I choose?
So what is expected from you?
As you know, many herbs have been claimed credit for similar healing properties, so one can have a pretty hockey from it. Which one do I have to choose? Herbalists know this, they also know, that in spite of a similar clinical effect, mechanism of action isn´t the same. So they use quite often combinations of herbs, to enhance certain effect. Not more then six herbs! That was rule of Paracelsus.
Now, you will see bellow set of beautiful old paintings of herbs (which aren´t of course mine). They all work very well in the treatment of one specific problem. I cannot say more.
Your task is to find, what healing property is common to all of them. Or – what is the specific health related problem in which they act synergically if used internally. Internally, please.
I would like to note, that they all – with more or less efficiency – can be used in different digestive problems, but this is not the effect which I am asking on. So omit digestive problems at the beginning.
Enjoy the puzzle :) and here is the witch list:

Alchemilla vulgaris

Origanum vulgare

Lamium album

Potentilla anserina

Strobilus lupuli

Who will be the white witch this time?

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Comments

 

are we allowed to do some research ~ look them up please kat?

2 Jan, 2013

 

Look outside, please :))

2 Jan, 2013

 

in the garden?

2 Jan, 2013

 

Hi Katarina, I will send what I think is the answer, in a PM, not to spoil it for other members :o)

2 Jan, 2013

 

Hywel@My answer to you was sent as PM.

2 Jan, 2013

 

Sticki@does Google work? :))

2 Jan, 2013

 

oh ok, thanks kat ~ wasnt sure if that was allowed? i dont know the answers other wise!

2 Jan, 2013

 

You know, I am sure. And I will wait.

2 Jan, 2013

 

I have sent you a PM ~ its a very interesting quiz, thank you

2 Jan, 2013

 

Answered by PM :))

2 Jan, 2013

 

Very intriguing Katarina...have PM'd you with a possible answer.

2 Jan, 2013

 

Please, be free to answer it here. Only that way can everybody sees who was the forst with correct answer. Untill know nobody solved the riddle.

2 Jan, 2013

 

i havent worked it out yet! any clues?

2 Jan, 2013

 

Are they all anti-spasmodics?

2 Jan, 2013

 

My answer is the Potentilla thingee is a b..... nuisance to get rid of ! I have moved plants and searched the root systems to extract every piece of root, and still it survives. Ugh!

3 Jan, 2013

 

Sticki and Melchi@I think, Melchi get a sniff of something :)))))

3 Jan, 2013

 

they all seem to have so many different properties, are they all anti-septic?

3 Jan, 2013

 

The anti spasmodic properties.....are they used to counteract cramps with female menstrual cycle.....crikey Hywel shut your ears...lol!

3 Jan, 2013

 

They all have sedative properties and can be used as tinctures or teas which help with women's problems?

3 Jan, 2013

 

Very, very close, Janey, partly you got it.
Yes, all these plants help in all kinds of diverse menstrual problems (heavy bleeding, not bleeding at all, cramps) plus one very feminine (or better say only feminine) indication. If you get it, you are winner!
These plants are feminine :))))

3 Jan, 2013

 

Well, that can only be fertility probs?

3 Jan, 2013

 

No.

3 Jan, 2013

 

Problems carrying a child?

3 Jan, 2013

 

This is all fertility, Jane. I said this is not the case (P.S. Men can be infertile, too and in these days thy are more often infertile then women.) As I said, this is typical feminine indication :))

4 Jan, 2013

 

OK. Maybe this will help - all these plants contain some substance....

4 Jan, 2013

 

Well, youve got me here.....what a quiz....no one else has any ideas?

4 Jan, 2013

 

its too hard for me, they all have lots of properties but i cant find a linking one

4 Jan, 2013

 

I think I substantially reduced the spectrum of indications :)

4 Jan, 2013

 

Is it eggs or ovum...(seeds). Female plants you say.....I can only think of this area...maybe that's my mind...Lol!

Are you a lecturer Katarina...you have that way of asking the questions...:))

4 Jan, 2013

 

Hi Janey@what eggs? You mean plants with eggs? :))
No, not this form of femininity :))
I was thinking about substance, stuff, agent - which....ach I cannot say more.....sorry.
I suggest very simple thing make table listing effects of these plants and have a look on those, whch they have the common. Sort out that effect then.
P.S. No, I am not a teacher, but I have been occasional lecturer for years :))

4 Jan, 2013

 

i have done the table but still cant find a thread common to them all

4 Jan, 2013

 

I am going to have to take a sedative now, as I'll not be able to sleep chewing this over......any link there Katerina...if not........arrrrgghhhhh!!!

4 Jan, 2013

 

i even tried googling the properties of them all ~ guess what it came up with ~ your blog katarina!!!!

4 Jan, 2013

 

OK. Here is the answer.

So why these plants are feminine:
First four plants have been for centuries used in traditional folk medicines for menstruation problems and menopausal problems, because they contain natural female hormones - phytoestrogens or substances which enhance synthesis of estrogens - female natural and dominant hormone.
Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady's mantle) is also uterine astringent(Herbs that have a vasoconstrictive action on the endometrial circulation).
Potentilla anserina above its phytoestrogenic activity contains great amont of lithium (used in therapy of depressive moods, which are common in menopause).
Lamium album: has soothing properties. It is used in irregular menstruation cycles and vaginal discharge.

The most interesting and very recent is knowledge on positive properties of hops in this indication. It was ignored by all famous herbalists and physicians in the history, so maybe this could cause problems in searching.
As you know, from hops is made beer. Only the female hop flowers are cultivated for beer :)). Beer has been used for centuries in sleeplesness - also a common symptom in menopause. In North American traditional medicines you can find wider usage of this plant then in European medicine. The Cherokee used hops as a sedative and gynecological aid for breast and womb problems. It was noticed in Europe, that among female hops-pickers there are common menstrual disturbances what linked hops with potential hormonal activity and initiated its research.The estrogenic principle in hops extract is 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN).The development of 8-PN-enriched hops extracts for the relief of menopausal symptoms (MenoHop® from Biodynamics, Ostend, Belgium) is however fairly recent.

4 Jan, 2013

 

Can I have my degree now please?

4 Jan, 2013

 

My dear child, what for? :)

4 Jan, 2013

 

because i worked hard doing the research!!!

4 Jan, 2013

 

Kiss on a forehead and good night!

4 Jan, 2013

 

:-)

4 Jan, 2013

 

That explains it then Katarina!!

5 Jan, 2013

 

! Should have known (a few years ago)!

6 Jan, 2013

 

It is never too late, Melchi :))

7 Jan, 2013

 

!

It is a fascinating subject. I grow culinary herbs and use a lot in cooking. It is so satisfying to pop outside the kitchen door , pick something, and then put it in the pot!

7 Jan, 2013

 

I grow too, but decided for more rosemary.

8 Jan, 2013

 

Mmm - one of my favourites, also sage.

9 Jan, 2013

 

Yes, sages are great in a group, different sorts with different colouring of leaves. It is very good in feta cheese salads.

10 Jan, 2013

 

And it smells wonderful when it's simmering in a stock. I grow the tricolour - it thrives whatever weather attacks it! I love chives in a cheese sandwich.

10 Jan, 2013

 

What do you mean "simmering in a stock"? Come on with the recipe! :)

11 Jan, 2013

 

I make stock and soup all the time! Just simmer turkey/chicken carcass (or lamb bones) for an hour or so, then strain it, remove any fat and add onion, carrot, squash, celery, parsnip, barley - whatever's available - and of course SAGE! I add a few peppercorns as well. Cook till tender. If it's for soup, liquidise the whole lot. Lovely! I've made a potful today.

11 Jan, 2013

 

What is chicken carcass?

12 Jan, 2013

 

It's the bones that are left after the chicken has been eaten. I put all the bones and any tiny bits of meat left on it into water. I don't put skin in because it's rather fatty. It's best of all when I have boned and jointed it and haven't already cooked the bones. When I roast a chicken, I always do it in a covered roaster with about half an inch of water in it. I find the resulting liquid is a really good basis for gravy or stock, and the pan is easy to clean!

12 Jan, 2013

 

Sounds delicious. I will have to try it next time, when my sage will grow again.

12 Jan, 2013

 

:-)

12 Jan, 2013

 

:)

13 Jan, 2013

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