Painful periods, or dysmenorrhoea, are a common health problem for women. Although it is considered normal, menstrual pain can be very embarrassing and have a considerable impact on quality of life. The causes of painful periods can vary from person to person, but there are a number of factors that can contribute to them. In … Read more
In ancient Greece, Theophrastus and Dioscorides spoke of a plant called Klymenos . At the same time, among the Romans ( Virgil , Pliny , Columella …), the case of Caltha is mentioned. Some writers who are not very informed have wanted to see in these two names the concern . If the first of these terms is forgotten, confusion over the second term persisted for so long that in the 16th century Jean Bauhin designated … Read more
Sleep is a natural phenomenon that results in a loss of consciousness and awareness of the outside world. The average French person sleeps an average of 7 hours during the week and 8 hours at the weekend. During nocturnal sleep, there are 3 to 5 cycles of around 90 minutes each. Each cycle is divided … Read more
Perfectly ignored in Antiquity and the Middle Ages, Figwort made its timid beginnings in the 16th century, spotted by Jérôme Bock and Léonard Fuchs as a remedy for hemorrhoids, vulneraries and more specifically for skin diseases. This may pass for anecdotal, but behind the strange name of these plants hides a part of the medical history of Europe , which has been … Read more
Clary sage, whose name comes from the Latin salvare = to heal , has medicinal properties known since Antiquity. Obtained by hydrodistillation of the inflorescences, clary sage essential oil is also used in the composition of vermouths , particularly in fine perfumery. Known in Europe since the year 800, clary sage is robust and very aromatic. A little history This essential oil was … Read more
Nervous system disorders and epilepsy Still called “mal comitial” or “comitialité”, epilepsy is a very common neurological disorder which affects approximately 50 million people worldwide. It is the second neurological pathology in France after Alzheimer’s disease. There is not an epilepsy , but many forms, with very diverse manifestations, depending on the area of the brain concerned. Epileptic seizures are caused … Read more
As indicated by its Celtic root sa-lis (or salik ) which means ” near water “, the willow particularly likes temperate places throughout the northern hemisphere , along rivers and streams, on cool and humid grounds, even marshy, but above all it is a “green and beneficial tree of running waters” and riparian forests. A bit of mythology Mentioned in the Iliad , the willow … Read more
Mountain savory, whose botanical name is Satureja montana, belongs to the Lamiaceae family. Its essential oil is extracted from the flowering branches. History of Savory Wild, perennial mountain savory, and savories in general, have been known and/or cultivated since ancient times, particularly in Italy. Savory’s reputation as an aphrodisiac dates back to antiquity, when the … Read more
Osteology is the part of medicine that deals with bone pathologies; it is the study of bones. Osteoporosis, for example, is a pathology of the musculoskeletal system; it is a bone disorder. Bones play an important role in : The structure of the body Soft tissue support and visceral protection Movement and posture Development of … Read more
Between sage officinalis and clary sage , it’s 10 to 1. If the literature is full of information concerning the first, it is clear that the bare minimum falls on the second. So I’m going to do my best to relate the few meager events recorded here and there about him, to tell his story. A little history The oldest … Read more
Gelsemium owes its name to Antoine-Laurent Jussieu , the famous French botanist (1748-1836), father of plant classification. Jussieu named it in reference to “ gelsomina ” which means jasmine in Italian. English speakers also call it “ Carolina Jasmin ” or Carolina jasmine . Definition of Gelsemium Gelsemium is a small climbing plant from America and Asia. It enjoys a certain popularity, but it is not its small yellow and delicate flower that … Read more
Saffron is an atypical crocus in many respects and whose reputation is well established. Unlike other crocuses , it is the only one whose flowering is autumnal . The preciousness that characterizes it makes it particularly expensive, and this since the highest antiquity, and also remarkable; as I will now practice demonstrating. A little history 4000 years, it is approximately the age of the … Read more
Breastfeeding is a gift that every mom should be able to give her baby. A natural and generous act that will allow the baby to be closer to his mother, and thus discover the life that is offered to him in the best possible conditions, with gentleness and serenity. Unfortunately, some women cannot breastfeed due to physiological causes: malformations of the … Read more
Rosemary smells of Provence. In our imagination, it rubs shoulders with thyme and wild thyme. Undoubtedly, it evokes good herbs , and its use imposed itself first in food, for the pleasures of the nose and the palate, even before we realize that a meal decorated with rosemary not only tastes better, but also digests better. It is thus part … Read more
The Latin appellation for Rhodiola derives from the Greek word rhodios , used by the Greek philosopher Dioscorides when he first described the plant in his De Materia medica (77 AD), as Rodio riza , in reference to the smell of rose given off by the root, once cut. Its vernacular name of golden root is an allusion to its legendary reputation as a panacea plant . A … Read more
Spring marks the arrival of fine weather, but also of seasonal allergies. These ailments affect more and more people, young and old alike. Sneezing, coughing, conjunctivitis… The spring season and its climatic conditions favour the appearance of these crises. Pollen and pollution, the body reacts to these aggressions and alerts you. These symptoms, linked to … Read more
Who hasn’t crumpled a sprig of rosemary between their fingers to release its powerful, fresh aroma? Much more than just an aromatic herb, rosemary has earned a reputation throughout the ages as a plant with a thousand virtues. Already revered in ancient times, it was used both to honour the gods and for its medicinal … Read more
To unearth the oldest written traces linked to the meadowsweet, it is necessary to wait for the Middle Ages, but they still have nothing to do with its medicinal value . It was made into crowns, especially at weddings, because its flowers symbolized virginity . A little history It was not in fact until the Renaissance that it was possible … Read more
Dyeing your hair undoubtedly makes you look your best. However, after chemical colouring, hair becomes more fragile. The formulation and stripping action of conventional dyes alter the hair’s natural structure. As a result, the hair fibre becomes brittle and your hair thinner – an inordinate price to pay for beauty. Fortunately, there’s an alternative: natural … Read more
If you’re the parent of an infant, you know how difficult teething can be to manage. Babies can become very restless and irritable, and it can be difficult to calm them down. Although teething is an inevitable part of life for all children, there are ways to relieve the pain and discomfort associated with this … Read more