文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Salads and sautés are probably not the first things that come to mind when you see the succulent adorning your windowsill. But did you know that a lot of common succulents can also be healthy and delicious additions to your dinner plate?
Here are seven succulents that do double duty as garden adornments and nutritional powerhouses.
1. Saguaro
Ubiquitous in the backdrop of every old Western movie, the massive saguaro serves as more than a desert decoration. The night-blooming white flowers, which are the state flower of Arizona, produce greenish-pink fruit that contains bright red, slightly sweet pulp and small black seeds that give it a nutty flavor. The Tohono O’odham tribe of Arizona and Mexico has long used the fruit to make everything from jams and syrups to ceremonial wines.
How to Eat It: Chop the juicy pulp into salsa or even bake them into biscuits.
Health Benefits: Saguaro fruit is high in fiber, vitamin C, and B12.
2. Opuntia
You’ve probably seen these on the menu of Mexican restaurants as “nopales”. They have a mild, neutral flavor similar to green beans, and a slightly chewy texture. Its fruit, called “tuna” in Mexico, but commonly known as the prickly pear stateside, tastes like a combination of bubblegum and watermelon.
How to Eat It: Opuntia has flat, oval leaves that can be boiled or grilled and used in salads, soups, salsas, and tacos. The fruit can be peeled, sliced, and eaten raw or juiced.
Health Benefits: The leaves are packed with fiber and calcium and just 23 calories per cup. The fruit is also low in calories and high in vitamin C.
3. Stonecrops
These flowering succulents, also known as Sedums, encompass up to 600 species of plants. Their leaves have a mild peppery, bitter flavor, and are a flavorful addition to salads and stir-frys. Be sure to eat them in moderation, however, because large quantities can cause stomach upset.
How to Eat It: Its bitterness can be mellowed out by sautéing. Red flowering sedum leaves, stems, and tubers are safe to eat raw in salads, but yellow flowering sedums have a mild toxicity and need to be cooked.
Health Benefits: They’re believed to relieve coughs and lower blood pressure, and they can be applied to the skin to relieve burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, and eczema, although there isn’t any research yet to back these claims.
4. Sea Beans
Salicornia, or Sea Beans, are a succulent that grows on salt marshes and sandy beaches. They are gaining popularity amongst gourmet chefs and popping up in more grocery stores across the country.
How to Eat It: These “beans” can be eaten raw or pan-fried and have a flavor and texture similar to asparagus. A quick blanch can mellow out the intense sea salt flavor.
Health Benefits: High in protein, calcium, iron, and iodine.
5. Dragon Fruit
Who knew that the candy-colored dragon fruit, or pitaya, came from a cactus? These bright pink fruits come from a night-blooming cactus commonly known as the Queen of the Night. Despite their flashy appearance, their flavor is very mild—many compare it to a bland, slightly sweet melon or kiwi.
How to Eat It: Simply slice it open, scoop out the white pulp, and eat, or add it to smoothies and shakes.
Health Benefits: What it lacks in intense flavor, it makes up for in nutritional content. It’s low in calories and high in protein, fiber, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
6. Aloe
You already know about this spiny succulent’s applications in treating burns, rashes, and minor cuts and scrapes, but its benefits extend much further.
How to Eat It: Peel away the tough, bitter outer leaf and blend the translucent inner part into drinks and smoothies, chop it into salads, or poach slices in water to get rid of the slimy texture.
Health Benefits: Scientists have identified over 75 phytochemicals in Aloe including high levels of antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and folic acid. There’s also evidence that it can relieve constipation. However, large amounts can potentially be bad for your kidneys, so eat in moderation.
7. Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)
The large, hard spines on this Southwestern American succulent make it look more like a menace than a tasty treat, but it’s completely edible. Its bright red flowers wilt to produce yellow fruit that resembles a miniature pineapple. Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers and even the flesh of the plant itself, but they’re not very palatable (but useful if you ever get lost in the desert!).
How to Eat It: The fruit has a slightly slimy pulp with edible black seeds, and can be picked right off the cactus and eaten raw. Its flavor is slightly tart and reminiscent of lemon and kiwi.
Health Benefits: Cactus fruits are high in vitamins A and C.
Here are seven succulents that do double duty as garden adornments and nutritional powerhouses.
1. Saguaro
Ubiquitous in the backdrop of every old Western movie, the massive saguaro serves as more than a desert decoration. The night-blooming white flowers, which are the state flower of Arizona, produce greenish-pink fruit that contains bright red, slightly sweet pulp and small black seeds that give it a nutty flavor. The Tohono O’odham tribe of Arizona and Mexico has long used the fruit to make everything from jams and syrups to ceremonial wines.
How to Eat It: Chop the juicy pulp into salsa or even bake them into biscuits.
Health Benefits: Saguaro fruit is high in fiber, vitamin C, and B12.
2. Opuntia
You’ve probably seen these on the menu of Mexican restaurants as “nopales”. They have a mild, neutral flavor similar to green beans, and a slightly chewy texture. Its fruit, called “tuna” in Mexico, but commonly known as the prickly pear stateside, tastes like a combination of bubblegum and watermelon.
How to Eat It: Opuntia has flat, oval leaves that can be boiled or grilled and used in salads, soups, salsas, and tacos. The fruit can be peeled, sliced, and eaten raw or juiced.
Health Benefits: The leaves are packed with fiber and calcium and just 23 calories per cup. The fruit is also low in calories and high in vitamin C.
3. Stonecrops
These flowering succulents, also known as Sedums, encompass up to 600 species of plants. Their leaves have a mild peppery, bitter flavor, and are a flavorful addition to salads and stir-frys. Be sure to eat them in moderation, however, because large quantities can cause stomach upset.
How to Eat It: Its bitterness can be mellowed out by sautéing. Red flowering sedum leaves, stems, and tubers are safe to eat raw in salads, but yellow flowering sedums have a mild toxicity and need to be cooked.
Health Benefits: They’re believed to relieve coughs and lower blood pressure, and they can be applied to the skin to relieve burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, and eczema, although there isn’t any research yet to back these claims.
4. Sea Beans
Salicornia, or Sea Beans, are a succulent that grows on salt marshes and sandy beaches. They are gaining popularity amongst gourmet chefs and popping up in more grocery stores across the country.
How to Eat It: These “beans” can be eaten raw or pan-fried and have a flavor and texture similar to asparagus. A quick blanch can mellow out the intense sea salt flavor.
Health Benefits: High in protein, calcium, iron, and iodine.
5. Dragon Fruit
Who knew that the candy-colored dragon fruit, or pitaya, came from a cactus? These bright pink fruits come from a night-blooming cactus commonly known as the Queen of the Night. Despite their flashy appearance, their flavor is very mild—many compare it to a bland, slightly sweet melon or kiwi.
How to Eat It: Simply slice it open, scoop out the white pulp, and eat, or add it to smoothies and shakes.
Health Benefits: What it lacks in intense flavor, it makes up for in nutritional content. It’s low in calories and high in protein, fiber, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
6. Aloe
You already know about this spiny succulent’s applications in treating burns, rashes, and minor cuts and scrapes, but its benefits extend much further.
How to Eat It: Peel away the tough, bitter outer leaf and blend the translucent inner part into drinks and smoothies, chop it into salads, or poach slices in water to get rid of the slimy texture.
Health Benefits: Scientists have identified over 75 phytochemicals in Aloe including high levels of antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and folic acid. There’s also evidence that it can relieve constipation. However, large amounts can potentially be bad for your kidneys, so eat in moderation.
7. Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)
The large, hard spines on this Southwestern American succulent make it look more like a menace than a tasty treat, but it’s completely edible. Its bright red flowers wilt to produce yellow fruit that resembles a miniature pineapple. Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers and even the flesh of the plant itself, but they’re not very palatable (but useful if you ever get lost in the desert!).
How to Eat It: The fruit has a slightly slimy pulp with edible black seeds, and can be picked right off the cactus and eaten raw. Its flavor is slightly tart and reminiscent of lemon and kiwi.
Health Benefits: Cactus fruits are high in vitamins A and C.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe vera also is used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. We bring you forty fabulous uses from this “plant of immortality”, as affectionately dubbed by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago.
That’s right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant’s moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called Aloe vera the “Wand of the Heaven.”
It doesn’t hurt that Aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.
From all-around health elixirs to simple beauty aids, learn about the various ways to put your little plant to maximal use after splitting the leaves lengthwise down the middle. For both topical and oral applications, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor beforehand.
1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice Aloe vera leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.
3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.
4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.
5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe vera contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.
8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.
9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of Aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.
11. Fight Athlete’s Foot.
12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.
13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.
14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe vera is fast absorbing!
15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.
16. Soothe Psoriasis.
17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.
18. Help rid of Rosacea.
19. Shrink warts.
20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
21. Help eliminate Eczema.
22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of Aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of Aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing Aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
27. Replace Aloe vera with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.
28. Remove eye makeup.
29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
30. Drink Aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it’s recommended for its laxative effects.
32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.
33. Take Aloe vera orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.
34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.
36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with Aloe vera ingredients.
37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.
38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.
39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.
40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!
That’s right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant’s moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called Aloe vera the “Wand of the Heaven.”
It doesn’t hurt that Aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.
From all-around health elixirs to simple beauty aids, learn about the various ways to put your little plant to maximal use after splitting the leaves lengthwise down the middle. For both topical and oral applications, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor beforehand.
1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice Aloe vera leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.
3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.
4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.
5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe vera contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.
8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.
9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of Aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.
11. Fight Athlete’s Foot.
12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.
13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.
14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe vera is fast absorbing!
15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.
16. Soothe Psoriasis.
17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.
18. Help rid of Rosacea.
19. Shrink warts.
20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
21. Help eliminate Eczema.
22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of Aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of Aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing Aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
27. Replace Aloe vera with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.
28. Remove eye makeup.
29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
30. Drink Aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it’s recommended for its laxative effects.
32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.
33. Take Aloe vera orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.
34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.
36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with Aloe vera ingredients.
37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.
38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.
39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.
40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Herbs are plants, even those we might consider weeds, that have useful purposes. They may be used for flavorings, fragrances, pesticides, medicines or dyes. Succulent plants are generally recognized has having fleshy parts, such as leaves, stems or trunks; this fleshiness is a result of water storage in the plant’s tissues. Although there aren’t many plants that are both succulent and herbal, a few genera possess both qualities.
Purslane
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, is one of those plants that are considered weedy by most gardeners. It has small, green leaves on fleshy red stems and stays low to the ground. It has a slightly sour and lemony flavor and is eaten in a variety of ways. Most people just eat it raw in salads, but it can be sauteed and seasoned in the same way one would cook spinach, and even pickled with garlic and peppercorns. It is also known as Little Hogweed.
Aloe
Aloe may likely be one of the more popular succulent herbs. Aloes form a rosette of thick, fleshy leaves with a slightly frosty blue-green color. Aloe vera is probably the best-known species. It is most often used as a houseplant but can be grown outside in USDA zones 10 through 11. Because it is not frost hardy, some people in zone 9 choose to grow Aloe ferox, which has much the same appearance but is slightly hardier. These Aloes are often used medicinally. The jelly-like substance that exudes from the cut leaves is often applied to minor wounds or burns.
Indian Borage and Cuban Oregano
Indian Borage (Plectranthus aromaticus or Coleus aromaticus) is also called the All Purpose Herb. The leaves are strongly oregano-flavored but not particularly palatable for salads because of their fuzzy leaves. The leaves are commonly used to flavor meats; however, there are also some traditional medicinal uses as well. Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus, also called French or Mexican Oregano) also has similar culinary and medicinal uses and has a similar flavor. There is a pretty variegated variety (Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’) that has a thin cream edge, making it an attractive garden plant. Both of these herb species are hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11 but are grown as annuals elsewhere.
Other Succulent Herbs
The herb Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) forms a mound of glossy green leaves and clouds of small pink flowers on wiry stems. The foliage is used medicinally and the tangy leaves are eaten fresh or sauteed. The cultivar Talinum paniculatum ‘Limon’ bears chartreuse leaves, and Talinum paniculatum ‘Variegatum’ has creamy white variegation. All are hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11. Samphire, or Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum), hardy in USDA zones 7 through 11, has feathery blue-green leaves and pale yellow flower clusters. Leaves are eaten fresh or pickled, and they have traditional medicinal uses as well.
Purslane
Purslane (Portulaca oleracea), hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 10, is one of those plants that are considered weedy by most gardeners. It has small, green leaves on fleshy red stems and stays low to the ground. It has a slightly sour and lemony flavor and is eaten in a variety of ways. Most people just eat it raw in salads, but it can be sauteed and seasoned in the same way one would cook spinach, and even pickled with garlic and peppercorns. It is also known as Little Hogweed.
Aloe
Aloe may likely be one of the more popular succulent herbs. Aloes form a rosette of thick, fleshy leaves with a slightly frosty blue-green color. Aloe vera is probably the best-known species. It is most often used as a houseplant but can be grown outside in USDA zones 10 through 11. Because it is not frost hardy, some people in zone 9 choose to grow Aloe ferox, which has much the same appearance but is slightly hardier. These Aloes are often used medicinally. The jelly-like substance that exudes from the cut leaves is often applied to minor wounds or burns.
Indian Borage and Cuban Oregano
Indian Borage (Plectranthus aromaticus or Coleus aromaticus) is also called the All Purpose Herb. The leaves are strongly oregano-flavored but not particularly palatable for salads because of their fuzzy leaves. The leaves are commonly used to flavor meats; however, there are also some traditional medicinal uses as well. Cuban Oregano (Plectranthus amboinicus, also called French or Mexican Oregano) also has similar culinary and medicinal uses and has a similar flavor. There is a pretty variegated variety (Plectranthus amboinicus ‘Variegata’) that has a thin cream edge, making it an attractive garden plant. Both of these herb species are hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11 but are grown as annuals elsewhere.
Other Succulent Herbs
The herb Jewels of Opar (Talinum paniculatum) forms a mound of glossy green leaves and clouds of small pink flowers on wiry stems. The foliage is used medicinally and the tangy leaves are eaten fresh or sauteed. The cultivar Talinum paniculatum ‘Limon’ bears chartreuse leaves, and Talinum paniculatum ‘Variegatum’ has creamy white variegation. All are hardy in USDA zones 10 through 11. Samphire, or Sea Fennel (Crithmum maritimum), hardy in USDA zones 7 through 11, has feathery blue-green leaves and pale yellow flower clusters. Leaves are eaten fresh or pickled, and they have traditional medicinal uses as well.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Rhodiola rosea is a perennial succulent plant . There are many common names for this versatile and globally available herb, including Golden Root, Arctic Root, King’s Crown, and Roseroot, but they all describe the same plant. You can typically find this small, hardy perennial in cold regions, including Siberia, the Arctic, as well as northern parts of Asia, North America, Europe, and the UK. You can identify these plants by several stems growing from the same root, topped by small flowers of yellowish-white, and the plants commonly grow in cliffs or rocky sea regions. Rhodiola rosea has been used for thousands of years in certain traditional medicine treatments due to the high concentration of organic compounds, such as phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, and quinones.
There has been a wide variety of research studies conducted on the roots of these plants, as they are where most of the nutrients can be found. These roots have been sought out because they can be dried, powdered, and made into a very beneficial tea, which has been used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicines for centuries. It was initially popularized for its impact on stress and anxiety, but subsequent research has identified a number of other health concerns that can be treated with this versatile herb. You can also find Rhodiola rosea supplements in many herbal shops, which is the most popular way of consuming this herb in western cultures. Now, let’s take a closer look at the many health benefits of Rhodiola rosea.
1. Stress Relief
The calming effects of Rhodiola rosea tea have been known for thousands of years, and from the stress of life in rural China to the depression-inducing weather of Siberia, this particular herbal tea has been soothing and calming people for generations. The chemical constituents found in Rhodiola rosea can affect the hormonal levels of the body and induce relaxation.
2. Depression
One of the side effects of Rhodiola rosea is an increase in energy levels, and for those people suffering from fatigue-induced depression, this herbal approach can be life-changing. For people pursuing alternative medicine solutions to their depressive symptoms, Rhodiola rosea tea can be extremely effective. Some of the organic compounds in this widely available herb are considered adaptogenic, which means that it can actually cause long-lasting effects on our hormonal and metabolic states. In other words, rather than treating certain forms of depression and chronic stress, it can actually cure them! In fact, the proven usefulness of Rhodiola rosea extract has led it to be combined with numerous antidepressants on the market, and the results have been very encouraging.
3. Cognitive Abilities
The two health benefits listed above certainly have an effect on the brain and hormone levels that affect mood, but the actual health of the brain is another major concern in modern medicine. Research has shown that Rhodiola rosea can have an effect on numerous aspects of cognitive health, including memory and concentration. For aging populations suffering through the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s, Rhodiola rosea tea can become a daily treatment to boost cognition and memory, thereby keeping your faculties intact for longer.
4. Weight Loss Efforts
Recent research has shown that using Rhodiola rosea extracts and teas for weight loss efforts can be highly effective. The release of adipose tissue is one of the keys to losing weight, and while researchers have been looking for a natural product containing the essential enzymes to do that, Golden Root has been under their nose the whole time. Essentially, Rhodiola rosea speeds up the fat-burning cells in your body, and when combined with exercise, this can seriously speed up your slim down results.
5. Energy Boost
Some of the active compounds found in Rhodiola rosea have been directly linked with increasing metabolism and stimulating greater circulation of blood and oxygen within the body. When organ systems receive more oxygen, they function more efficiently, particularly when muscles, nerve cells, and the brain receive the benefit of that oxygen boost! This has even been relied on by professional athletes in Asia and Russia as a safe and legal energy enhancer.
6. Heart Health
One of the most dangerous substances for our body is actually already inside of us – stress hormones. By reducing the amount of corticosteroids and catecholamines released by the body, we are able to reduce the effects of those hormones on all of our organ systems, including the heart. Excess stress hormones can cause higher blood pressure, heart disease, and dangerous levels of potassium. Research has also shown that Rhodiola rosea can regulate the heartbeat and eliminate heart arrhythmia, as well as a reduction in the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
7. Cancer Prevention
By increasing the body’s natural resistance to toxins, in conjunction with the high concentration of antioxidants found in the roots of Rhodiola rosea, this herb has become closely linked to preventing and treating certain types of cancer. Anti-tumor activity is just as important as antioxidant effects, and this herb boasts both of those. While research into the range of cancers that can be impacted remains ongoing, the early results are very encouraging, primarily with bladder cancer.
8. Immune System
In addition to all of the other impressive health benefits of Rhodiola rosea, it also has a variety of effects on the immune system. This herb can stimulate the production of NK cells in the stomach and spleen, thereby improving the immune response and establishing homeostasis within the body.
9. Sexual Health
In some traditional and modern applications, Rhodiola rosea has also been prescribed for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. This can lead to increased fertility, boosted libido, and a generally healthier sex life, which comes with its own range of psychological, emotional, and physical health.
Warning: Side effects are quite rare following the use of Rhodiola rosea, but when they do occur, they are typically mild and include insomnia, irritability, chest tightness, and increased blood pressure. As always, before adding a new herbal element to your health regimen, you should consult a trained medical professional, and always get your herbal supplements from a trusted herbalist.
There has been a wide variety of research studies conducted on the roots of these plants, as they are where most of the nutrients can be found. These roots have been sought out because they can be dried, powdered, and made into a very beneficial tea, which has been used in Indian and Chinese traditional medicines for centuries. It was initially popularized for its impact on stress and anxiety, but subsequent research has identified a number of other health concerns that can be treated with this versatile herb. You can also find Rhodiola rosea supplements in many herbal shops, which is the most popular way of consuming this herb in western cultures. Now, let’s take a closer look at the many health benefits of Rhodiola rosea.
1. Stress Relief
The calming effects of Rhodiola rosea tea have been known for thousands of years, and from the stress of life in rural China to the depression-inducing weather of Siberia, this particular herbal tea has been soothing and calming people for generations. The chemical constituents found in Rhodiola rosea can affect the hormonal levels of the body and induce relaxation.
2. Depression
One of the side effects of Rhodiola rosea is an increase in energy levels, and for those people suffering from fatigue-induced depression, this herbal approach can be life-changing. For people pursuing alternative medicine solutions to their depressive symptoms, Rhodiola rosea tea can be extremely effective. Some of the organic compounds in this widely available herb are considered adaptogenic, which means that it can actually cause long-lasting effects on our hormonal and metabolic states. In other words, rather than treating certain forms of depression and chronic stress, it can actually cure them! In fact, the proven usefulness of Rhodiola rosea extract has led it to be combined with numerous antidepressants on the market, and the results have been very encouraging.
3. Cognitive Abilities
The two health benefits listed above certainly have an effect on the brain and hormone levels that affect mood, but the actual health of the brain is another major concern in modern medicine. Research has shown that Rhodiola rosea can have an effect on numerous aspects of cognitive health, including memory and concentration. For aging populations suffering through the onset of dementia or Alzheimer’s, Rhodiola rosea tea can become a daily treatment to boost cognition and memory, thereby keeping your faculties intact for longer.
4. Weight Loss Efforts
Recent research has shown that using Rhodiola rosea extracts and teas for weight loss efforts can be highly effective. The release of adipose tissue is one of the keys to losing weight, and while researchers have been looking for a natural product containing the essential enzymes to do that, Golden Root has been under their nose the whole time. Essentially, Rhodiola rosea speeds up the fat-burning cells in your body, and when combined with exercise, this can seriously speed up your slim down results.
5. Energy Boost
Some of the active compounds found in Rhodiola rosea have been directly linked with increasing metabolism and stimulating greater circulation of blood and oxygen within the body. When organ systems receive more oxygen, they function more efficiently, particularly when muscles, nerve cells, and the brain receive the benefit of that oxygen boost! This has even been relied on by professional athletes in Asia and Russia as a safe and legal energy enhancer.
6. Heart Health
One of the most dangerous substances for our body is actually already inside of us – stress hormones. By reducing the amount of corticosteroids and catecholamines released by the body, we are able to reduce the effects of those hormones on all of our organ systems, including the heart. Excess stress hormones can cause higher blood pressure, heart disease, and dangerous levels of potassium. Research has also shown that Rhodiola rosea can regulate the heartbeat and eliminate heart arrhythmia, as well as a reduction in the chances of atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and strokes.
7. Cancer Prevention
By increasing the body’s natural resistance to toxins, in conjunction with the high concentration of antioxidants found in the roots of Rhodiola rosea, this herb has become closely linked to preventing and treating certain types of cancer. Anti-tumor activity is just as important as antioxidant effects, and this herb boasts both of those. While research into the range of cancers that can be impacted remains ongoing, the early results are very encouraging, primarily with bladder cancer.
8. Immune System
In addition to all of the other impressive health benefits of Rhodiola rosea, it also has a variety of effects on the immune system. This herb can stimulate the production of NK cells in the stomach and spleen, thereby improving the immune response and establishing homeostasis within the body.
9. Sexual Health
In some traditional and modern applications, Rhodiola rosea has also been prescribed for erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation. This can lead to increased fertility, boosted libido, and a generally healthier sex life, which comes with its own range of psychological, emotional, and physical health.
Warning: Side effects are quite rare following the use of Rhodiola rosea, but when they do occur, they are typically mild and include insomnia, irritability, chest tightness, and increased blood pressure. As always, before adding a new herbal element to your health regimen, you should consult a trained medical professional, and always get your herbal supplements from a trusted herbalist.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Scientific Name
Argyroderma patens L.Bolus
Common Names
Blue Stone Plants, Blue Pebbles, Living Rock, Ice Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Argyroderma
Description
Argyroderma patens is a succulent plant that consist of a pair of fleshy leaves, either singly or in clusters. The leaves are up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) tall and up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) wide, half-ovoid, rounded slightly compressed and keeled below, silvery-blue to grayish-silver, older leaves rusty-brown, with a v-shaped fissure. The flowers are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, daisy like, purple or magenta-pink. Flowers appear late in autumn or winter.
How to Grow and Care
The basics of Mesemb care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the Mesembs’ own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions.
Mesembs require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation.
Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point. There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the autumn as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
Argyroderma patens L.Bolus
Common Names
Blue Stone Plants, Blue Pebbles, Living Rock, Ice Plant
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Genus: Argyroderma
Description
Argyroderma patens is a succulent plant that consist of a pair of fleshy leaves, either singly or in clusters. The leaves are up to 1.6 inches (4 cm) tall and up to 0.8 inch (2 cm) wide, half-ovoid, rounded slightly compressed and keeled below, silvery-blue to grayish-silver, older leaves rusty-brown, with a v-shaped fissure. The flowers are up to 1.2 inches (3 cm) in diameter, daisy like, purple or magenta-pink. Flowers appear late in autumn or winter.
How to Grow and Care
The basics of Mesemb care are very simple, with free-draining soil, plenty of sun and ventilation, and regular light watering in the right season. Yet the difficulties are endless, trying to adapt to the Mesembs’ own adaptability and to follow their growth habits in your particular conditions.
Mesembs require a loam-based compost with the addition of extra drainage material such as horticultural grit or perlite. They all like good light conditions and plenty of ventilation.
Some are relatively cold-hardy and can even survive mild winters outside. Most will survive temperatures down to freezing point. There are some Mesembs which begin to grow in the autumn as the temperature drops and the days get shorter.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Scientific Name
Sedum pachyphyllum Rose
Common Names
Stonecrop, Succulent Beans, Jelly Bean Plant, Jelly Beans, Silver Jelly Beans, Blue Jelly Bean, Succulents Water Plant, Many Fingers
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum
Description
Sedum pachyphyllum is a bush forming or ground-hugging succulent, up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall, spreading over time by rooting stems and fallen leaves. The glaucous light green silvery leaves are short stumpy finger-like projections and are often tipped with red. The flowers are yellow and appear in the summer.
How to Grow and Care
When growing Sedum, keep in mind that Sedum plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions that many other plants thrive in, but will do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop, due to the fact that many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.
Sedum varieties vary in height. The smallest are just a few inches tall, and the tallest can be up to 3 feet (90 cm). The large majority of varieties are shorter and they are frequently used as ground covers in xeriscape gardens or rock gardens.
Sedum varieties also vary in their hardiness. Many are hardy to USDA zone 3, while others need a warmer climate.
Sedum pachyphyllum Rose
Common Names
Stonecrop, Succulent Beans, Jelly Bean Plant, Jelly Beans, Silver Jelly Beans, Blue Jelly Bean, Succulents Water Plant, Many Fingers
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Tribe: Sedeae
Subtribe: Sedinae
Genus: Sedum
Description
Sedum pachyphyllum is a bush forming or ground-hugging succulent, up to 1 foot (30 cm) tall, spreading over time by rooting stems and fallen leaves. The glaucous light green silvery leaves are short stumpy finger-like projections and are often tipped with red. The flowers are yellow and appear in the summer.
How to Grow and Care
When growing Sedum, keep in mind that Sedum plants need very little attention or care. They will thrive in conditions that many other plants thrive in, but will do just as well in less hospitable areas. They are ideal for that part of your yard that gets too much sun or too little water to grow anything else. A common name for Sedum is Stonecrop, due to the fact that many gardeners joke that only stones need less care and live longer.
Sedum varieties vary in height. The smallest are just a few inches tall, and the tallest can be up to 3 feet (90 cm). The large majority of varieties are shorter and they are frequently used as ground covers in xeriscape gardens or rock gardens.
Sedum varieties also vary in their hardiness. Many are hardy to USDA zone 3, while others need a warmer climate.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月02日
Scientific Name
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Tineo) P. V. Heath
Common Names
Blue Chalk Sticks, Blue Stick Succulent, Blue Finger
Synonyms
Senecio talinoides var. mandraliscae, Senecio mandraliscae, Kleinia mandraliscae
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Subtribe: Senecioninae
Genus: Curio
Description
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae is a spreading succulent up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall, with 3 to 4 inch long blue gray pencil-like fleshy leaves. It forms a dense mat with leaves angled upward from the ground. Flowers are small rayless dull white and bloom in summer.
How to Grow and Care
Established plants are extremely drought tolerant. They do need some water, during the summer, but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter, when they are somewhat dormant. Since they are growing in sandy soil, nutrients will need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer will cause a lot of leggy growth. Taller varieties can get floppy. You can prune them back to where the stem is firm, in very early spring. You can even root the cuttings. Plants can be divided or repotted in early spring. If you are growing them in containers, they enjoy spending the summer outdoors. Wait until there is no danger of frost and move them back indoors in the fall.
Senecio can be grown from either seed or cuttings. Seeds prefer warm temperatures (55˚F / 13˚C). And constant moisture to germinate. Cuttings are easier and faster.
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae (Tineo) P. V. Heath
Common Names
Blue Chalk Sticks, Blue Stick Succulent, Blue Finger
Synonyms
Senecio talinoides var. mandraliscae, Senecio mandraliscae, Kleinia mandraliscae
Scientific Classification
Family: Asteraceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Subtribe: Senecioninae
Genus: Curio
Description
Curio talinoides var. mandraliscae is a spreading succulent up to 18 inches (45 cm) tall, with 3 to 4 inch long blue gray pencil-like fleshy leaves. It forms a dense mat with leaves angled upward from the ground. Flowers are small rayless dull white and bloom in summer.
How to Grow and Care
Established plants are extremely drought tolerant. They do need some water, during the summer, but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter, when they are somewhat dormant. Since they are growing in sandy soil, nutrients will need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer will cause a lot of leggy growth. Taller varieties can get floppy. You can prune them back to where the stem is firm, in very early spring. You can even root the cuttings. Plants can be divided or repotted in early spring. If you are growing them in containers, they enjoy spending the summer outdoors. Wait until there is no danger of frost and move them back indoors in the fall.
Senecio can be grown from either seed or cuttings. Seeds prefer warm temperatures (55˚F / 13˚C). And constant moisture to germinate. Cuttings are easier and faster.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Scientific Name
Cotyledon tomentosa Harv.
Common Names
Bear’s Paw
Synonyms
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Genus: Cotyledon
Description
Cotyledon tomentosa is a succulent shrublet, up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall, densely branched. The leaves are flat, succulent and hairy, up to 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) long with 3 – 10 (often reddish) teeth, arranged in a neat row. There are bright green forms with yellowish hairs and grey ones with whitish hairs. The bell-shaped flowers are light yellow, orange to orange-red or pinkish in color.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Cotyledons can be divided into two groups. One group consists of evergreen plants with a summer growing period. The other group is made up of deciduous plants, splendidly magnificent with large, solid fleshy stems. The second group grows during the winter, and sheds its leaves during the summer. Cotyledons require a free-draining gritty mix and plenty of sun. They are tolerant of cool, frost-free conditions during the winter if kept dry. Some require pruning to maintain an attractive shape. Cotyledons should be kept in a sunny position. Follow general succulent watering procedures. Be careful of over-watering when they are deciduous.
As succulents go, Cotyledons certainly are rewarding garden and indoor subjects, practically independent of irrigation in all but full desert conditions, though they cannot survive poor light or bad drainage in the wet.
Cotyledon tomentosa Harv.
Common Names
Bear’s Paw
Synonyms
Cotyledon tomentosa subsp. tomentosa
Scientific Classification
Family: Crassulaceae
Subfamily: Sedoideae
Genus: Cotyledon
Description
Cotyledon tomentosa is a succulent shrublet, up to 20 inches (50 cm) tall, densely branched. The leaves are flat, succulent and hairy, up to 1.5 inches (3.5 cm) long with 3 – 10 (often reddish) teeth, arranged in a neat row. There are bright green forms with yellowish hairs and grey ones with whitish hairs. The bell-shaped flowers are light yellow, orange to orange-red or pinkish in color.
Hardiness
USDA hardiness zone 9b to 11b: from 25 °F (−3.9 °C) to 50 °F (+10 °C).
How to Grow and Care
Cotyledons can be divided into two groups. One group consists of evergreen plants with a summer growing period. The other group is made up of deciduous plants, splendidly magnificent with large, solid fleshy stems. The second group grows during the winter, and sheds its leaves during the summer. Cotyledons require a free-draining gritty mix and plenty of sun. They are tolerant of cool, frost-free conditions during the winter if kept dry. Some require pruning to maintain an attractive shape. Cotyledons should be kept in a sunny position. Follow general succulent watering procedures. Be careful of over-watering when they are deciduous.
As succulents go, Cotyledons certainly are rewarding garden and indoor subjects, practically independent of irrigation in all but full desert conditions, though they cannot survive poor light or bad drainage in the wet.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Scientific Name
Senecio barbertonicus Klatt
Common Names
Succulent Bush Senecio, Barberton Senecio, Barberton Groundsel
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Subtribe: Senecioninae
Genus: Senecio
Description
Senecio barbertonicus is an evergreen succulent bush, up to 6 feet (2 m) tall and wide, with a fleshy, cylindrical, finger-like, light green leaves that point upwards along the branches and are crowded toward stem tips, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter. The flowers are yellow, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
Established plants are extremely drought tolerant. They do need some water, during the summer, but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter, when they are somewhat dormant. Since they are growing in sandy soil, nutrients will need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer will cause a lot of leggy growth.
Taller varieties can get floppy. You can prune them back to where the stem is firm, in very early spring. You can even root the cuttings.
Plants can be divided or repotted in early spring. If you are growing them in containers, they enjoy spending the summer outdoors. Wait until there is no danger of frost and move them back indoors in the fall.
Senecio barbertonicus Klatt
Common Names
Succulent Bush Senecio, Barberton Senecio, Barberton Groundsel
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Asteroideae
Tribe: Senecioneae
Subtribe: Senecioninae
Genus: Senecio
Description
Senecio barbertonicus is an evergreen succulent bush, up to 6 feet (2 m) tall and wide, with a fleshy, cylindrical, finger-like, light green leaves that point upwards along the branches and are crowded toward stem tips, up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter. The flowers are yellow, up to 3 inches (7.6 cm) long and 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter.
How to Grow and Care
Established plants are extremely drought tolerant. They do need some water, during the summer, but do not leave the soil wet for prolonged periods. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings in the winter, when they are somewhat dormant. Since they are growing in sandy soil, nutrients will need to be replenished. Fertilize annually, but lightly. Too much fertilizer will cause a lot of leggy growth.
Taller varieties can get floppy. You can prune them back to where the stem is firm, in very early spring. You can even root the cuttings.
Plants can be divided or repotted in early spring. If you are growing them in containers, they enjoy spending the summer outdoors. Wait until there is no danger of frost and move them back indoors in the fall.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Scientific Name
Aptenia ‘Red Apple’
Common Names
Baby Sun Rose
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Mesembryanthemoideae
Genus: Aptenia
Description
Aptenia ‘Red Apple’ is a mat-forming evergreen perennial succulent that forms solid flat mats with stems reaching up to 2 feet (60 cm) long. The leaves are bright green, nearly heart-shaped leaves that are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and covered in very fine bumps. Much of the year appear the red flowers that are open only during daytime.
How to Grow and Care
Water Aptenia only when the soil is completely dry, and then provide enough to drench the soil to a depth of about 6 inches (15 cm). To check for dryness, poke your finger into the soil. Never water if the soil feels damp or cool, as Aptenia, like all succulents, is prone to rot in soggy, waterlogged soil. Water Aptenia lightly during the winter if the leaves begin to look shriveled. Provide only enough water to moisten the soil as the plant deteriorates quickly in cool, damp soil. Withhold fertilizer, which isn’t needed and often results in a weak, floppy plant. Trim the plant as needed throughout the growing season, using pruners or garden shears to keep the plant tidy.
Aptenia ‘Red Apple’
Common Names
Baby Sun Rose
Scientific Classification
Family: Aizoaceae
Subfamily: Mesembryanthemoideae
Genus: Aptenia
Description
Aptenia ‘Red Apple’ is a mat-forming evergreen perennial succulent that forms solid flat mats with stems reaching up to 2 feet (60 cm) long. The leaves are bright green, nearly heart-shaped leaves that are up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long and covered in very fine bumps. Much of the year appear the red flowers that are open only during daytime.
How to Grow and Care
Water Aptenia only when the soil is completely dry, and then provide enough to drench the soil to a depth of about 6 inches (15 cm). To check for dryness, poke your finger into the soil. Never water if the soil feels damp or cool, as Aptenia, like all succulents, is prone to rot in soggy, waterlogged soil. Water Aptenia lightly during the winter if the leaves begin to look shriveled. Provide only enough water to moisten the soil as the plant deteriorates quickly in cool, damp soil. Withhold fertilizer, which isn’t needed and often results in a weak, floppy plant. Trim the plant as needed throughout the growing season, using pruners or garden shears to keep the plant tidy.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Scientific Name
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.) Engl.
Common Names
ZZ Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Aroid Palm, Eternity Plant, Succulent Philodendron, Money Tree, Golden Tree, Zu Zu Plant, Fat Boy
Synonyms
Caladium zamiifolium, Zamioculcas lanceolata, Zamioculcas loddigesii
Scientific Classification
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Zamioculcas
Description
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a herbaceous plant growing up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall, from a stout underground, succulent rhizome. It is normally evergreen, but becomes deciduous during drought, surviving drought due to the large potato-like rhizome that stores water until rainfall resumes. The leaves are pinnate, smooth, shiny, and dark green, up to 2 feet (60 cm) long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. The flowers are produced in a small bright yellow to brown or bronze spadix up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, partly hidden among the leaf bases. Flowering is from mid summer to early autumn.
How to Grow and Care
ZZ Plant care starts with a lack of care. In fact, ZZ Plants will do better if you leave them alone. Much like cacti, they need less rather than more water. Water the plant only when the soil has dried out. The rare way you can kill this plant is to over water it. A ZZ Plant turning yellow means that it is getting too much water and its underground rhizomes may be rotting. So if you remember nothing else about caring for a ZZ Plant, just remember to forget to water it. It can survive months without water, but will grow faster if watered somewhat regularly. ZZ Plants are happy without fertilizer, but if you would like, you can give the plants half strength fertilizer one to two times a year and only in the summer months.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (Lodd.) Engl.
Common Names
ZZ Plant, Zanzibar Gem, Aroid Palm, Eternity Plant, Succulent Philodendron, Money Tree, Golden Tree, Zu Zu Plant, Fat Boy
Synonyms
Caladium zamiifolium, Zamioculcas lanceolata, Zamioculcas loddigesii
Scientific Classification
Family: Araceae
Subfamily: Asclepiadoideae
Tribe: Marsdenieae
Genus: Zamioculcas
Description
Zamioculcas zamiifolia is a herbaceous plant growing up to 2 feet (60 cm) tall, from a stout underground, succulent rhizome. It is normally evergreen, but becomes deciduous during drought, surviving drought due to the large potato-like rhizome that stores water until rainfall resumes. The leaves are pinnate, smooth, shiny, and dark green, up to 2 feet (60 cm) long, with 6-8 pairs of leaflets up to 6 inches (15 cm) long. The flowers are produced in a small bright yellow to brown or bronze spadix up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long, partly hidden among the leaf bases. Flowering is from mid summer to early autumn.
How to Grow and Care
ZZ Plant care starts with a lack of care. In fact, ZZ Plants will do better if you leave them alone. Much like cacti, they need less rather than more water. Water the plant only when the soil has dried out. The rare way you can kill this plant is to over water it. A ZZ Plant turning yellow means that it is getting too much water and its underground rhizomes may be rotting. So if you remember nothing else about caring for a ZZ Plant, just remember to forget to water it. It can survive months without water, but will grow faster if watered somewhat regularly. ZZ Plants are happy without fertilizer, but if you would like, you can give the plants half strength fertilizer one to two times a year and only in the summer months.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Sempervivum arachnoideum (Cobweb Houseleek, Spider Web Hens and Chicks) is low-growing, evergreen, perennial succulent, native to the mountain of Europe from the Pyrenees to the Carpathians.
The leaves of Cobweb Houseleek are emollient, haemostatic, ophthalmic and sedative.
The crushed plant, or its juice, is applied externally to boils, wounds etc and is also used to stop nose bleeds. The slightly warmed juice has been used to relieve ear inflammations and toothaches can be relieved by chewing on the leaves. When macerated and infused in vinegar, the plant can be used to get rid of warts and corns.
The leaves are harvested in the summer and are best used when fresh since they are difficult to dry properly. The leaf pulp is used to make a cooling face mask for reddened or sunburnt skin.
The leaves of Cobweb Houseleek are emollient, haemostatic, ophthalmic and sedative.
The crushed plant, or its juice, is applied externally to boils, wounds etc and is also used to stop nose bleeds. The slightly warmed juice has been used to relieve ear inflammations and toothaches can be relieved by chewing on the leaves. When macerated and infused in vinegar, the plant can be used to get rid of warts and corns.
The leaves are harvested in the summer and are best used when fresh since they are difficult to dry properly. The leaf pulp is used to make a cooling face mask for reddened or sunburnt skin.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Crassula ovata, commonly known as Jade Plant is a succulent plant, native to South Africa and it is one of the most popular houseplants grown worldwide.
But Jade Plant is more than just a pretty plant. In South Africa it is used by the natives as a treatment for nausea and as a vermifuge, to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, cuts, sore, warts, corns, and to purge the intestines.
For cuts and sores the leaves have to be cut in half and put on the sore and put a plaster over it. Redress morning and afternoon. It help for the pain as well. Like a local anesthetic.
Slice a leaf in half and attach the moist inside to the wart for a few hours, or overnight. The unsightly growth should fall off with just three applications.
In Africa leaves are boiled in milk and consumed to stop diarrhea.
But Jade Plant is more than just a pretty plant. In South Africa it is used by the natives as a treatment for nausea and as a vermifuge, to treat epilepsy, diarrhea, cuts, sore, warts, corns, and to purge the intestines.
For cuts and sores the leaves have to be cut in half and put on the sore and put a plaster over it. Redress morning and afternoon. It help for the pain as well. Like a local anesthetic.
Slice a leaf in half and attach the moist inside to the wart for a few hours, or overnight. The unsightly growth should fall off with just three applications.
In Africa leaves are boiled in milk and consumed to stop diarrhea.
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Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Salads and sautés are probably not the first things that come to mind when you see the succulent adorning your windowsill. But did you know that a lot of common succulents can also be healthy and delicious additions to your dinner plate?
Here are seven succulents that do double duty as garden adornments and nutritional powerhouses.
1. Saguaro
Ubiquitous in the backdrop of every old Western movie, the massive saguaro serves as more than a desert decoration. The night-blooming white flowers, which are the state flower of Arizona, produce greenish-pink fruit that contains bright red, slightly sweet pulp and small black seeds that give it a nutty flavor. The Tohono O’odham tribe of Arizona and Mexico has long used the fruit to make everything from jams and syrups to ceremonial wines.
How to Eat It: Chop the juicy pulp into salsa or even bake them into biscuits.
Health Benefits: Saguaro fruit is high in fiber, vitamin C, and B12.
2. Opuntia
You’ve probably seen these on the menu of Mexican restaurants as “nopales”. They have a mild, neutral flavor similar to green beans, and a slightly chewy texture. Its fruit, called “tuna” in Mexico, but commonly known as the prickly pear stateside, tastes like a combination of bubblegum and watermelon.
How to Eat It: Opuntia has flat, oval leaves that can be boiled or grilled and used in salads, soups, salsas, and tacos. The fruit can be peeled, sliced, and eaten raw or juiced.
Health Benefits: The leaves are packed with fiber and calcium and just 23 calories per cup. The fruit is also low in calories and high in vitamin C.
3. Stonecrops
These flowering succulents, also known as Sedums, encompass up to 600 species of plants. Their leaves have a mild peppery, bitter flavor, and are a flavorful addition to salads and stir-frys. Be sure to eat them in moderation, however, because large quantities can cause stomach upset.
How to Eat It: Its bitterness can be mellowed out by sautéing. Red flowering sedum leaves, stems, and tubers are safe to eat raw in salads, but yellow flowering sedums have a mild toxicity and need to be cooked.
Health Benefits: They’re believed to relieve coughs and lower blood pressure, and they can be applied to the skin to relieve burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, and eczema, although there isn’t any research yet to back these claims.
4. Sea Beans
Salicornia, or Sea Beans, are a succulent that grows on salt marshes and sandy beaches. They are gaining popularity amongst gourmet chefs and popping up in more grocery stores across the country.
How to Eat It: These “beans” can be eaten raw or pan-fried and have a flavor and texture similar to asparagus. A quick blanch can mellow out the intense sea salt flavor.
Health Benefits: High in protein, calcium, iron, and iodine.
5. Dragon Fruit
Who knew that the candy-colored dragon fruit, or pitaya, came from a cactus? These bright pink fruits come from a night-blooming cactus commonly known as the Queen of the Night. Despite their flashy appearance, their flavor is very mild—many compare it to a bland, slightly sweet melon or kiwi.
How to Eat It: Simply slice it open, scoop out the white pulp, and eat, or add it to smoothies and shakes.
Health Benefits: What it lacks in intense flavor, it makes up for in nutritional content. It’s low in calories and high in protein, fiber, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
6. Aloe
You already know about this spiny succulent’s applications in treating burns, rashes, and minor cuts and scrapes, but its benefits extend much further.
How to Eat It: Peel away the tough, bitter outer leaf and blend the translucent inner part into drinks and smoothies, chop it into salads, or poach slices in water to get rid of the slimy texture.
Health Benefits: Scientists have identified over 75 phytochemicals in Aloe including high levels of antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and folic acid. There’s also evidence that it can relieve constipation. However, large amounts can potentially be bad for your kidneys, so eat in moderation.
7. Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)
The large, hard spines on this Southwestern American succulent make it look more like a menace than a tasty treat, but it’s completely edible. Its bright red flowers wilt to produce yellow fruit that resembles a miniature pineapple. Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers and even the flesh of the plant itself, but they’re not very palatable (but useful if you ever get lost in the desert!).
How to Eat It: The fruit has a slightly slimy pulp with edible black seeds, and can be picked right off the cactus and eaten raw. Its flavor is slightly tart and reminiscent of lemon and kiwi.
Health Benefits: Cactus fruits are high in vitamins A and C.
Here are seven succulents that do double duty as garden adornments and nutritional powerhouses.
1. Saguaro
Ubiquitous in the backdrop of every old Western movie, the massive saguaro serves as more than a desert decoration. The night-blooming white flowers, which are the state flower of Arizona, produce greenish-pink fruit that contains bright red, slightly sweet pulp and small black seeds that give it a nutty flavor. The Tohono O’odham tribe of Arizona and Mexico has long used the fruit to make everything from jams and syrups to ceremonial wines.
How to Eat It: Chop the juicy pulp into salsa or even bake them into biscuits.
Health Benefits: Saguaro fruit is high in fiber, vitamin C, and B12.
2. Opuntia
You’ve probably seen these on the menu of Mexican restaurants as “nopales”. They have a mild, neutral flavor similar to green beans, and a slightly chewy texture. Its fruit, called “tuna” in Mexico, but commonly known as the prickly pear stateside, tastes like a combination of bubblegum and watermelon.
How to Eat It: Opuntia has flat, oval leaves that can be boiled or grilled and used in salads, soups, salsas, and tacos. The fruit can be peeled, sliced, and eaten raw or juiced.
Health Benefits: The leaves are packed with fiber and calcium and just 23 calories per cup. The fruit is also low in calories and high in vitamin C.
3. Stonecrops
These flowering succulents, also known as Sedums, encompass up to 600 species of plants. Their leaves have a mild peppery, bitter flavor, and are a flavorful addition to salads and stir-frys. Be sure to eat them in moderation, however, because large quantities can cause stomach upset.
How to Eat It: Its bitterness can be mellowed out by sautéing. Red flowering sedum leaves, stems, and tubers are safe to eat raw in salads, but yellow flowering sedums have a mild toxicity and need to be cooked.
Health Benefits: They’re believed to relieve coughs and lower blood pressure, and they can be applied to the skin to relieve burns, cuts, hemorrhoids, and eczema, although there isn’t any research yet to back these claims.
4. Sea Beans
Salicornia, or Sea Beans, are a succulent that grows on salt marshes and sandy beaches. They are gaining popularity amongst gourmet chefs and popping up in more grocery stores across the country.
How to Eat It: These “beans” can be eaten raw or pan-fried and have a flavor and texture similar to asparagus. A quick blanch can mellow out the intense sea salt flavor.
Health Benefits: High in protein, calcium, iron, and iodine.
5. Dragon Fruit
Who knew that the candy-colored dragon fruit, or pitaya, came from a cactus? These bright pink fruits come from a night-blooming cactus commonly known as the Queen of the Night. Despite their flashy appearance, their flavor is very mild—many compare it to a bland, slightly sweet melon or kiwi.
How to Eat It: Simply slice it open, scoop out the white pulp, and eat, or add it to smoothies and shakes.
Health Benefits: What it lacks in intense flavor, it makes up for in nutritional content. It’s low in calories and high in protein, fiber, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.
6. Aloe
You already know about this spiny succulent’s applications in treating burns, rashes, and minor cuts and scrapes, but its benefits extend much further.
How to Eat It: Peel away the tough, bitter outer leaf and blend the translucent inner part into drinks and smoothies, chop it into salads, or poach slices in water to get rid of the slimy texture.
Health Benefits: Scientists have identified over 75 phytochemicals in Aloe including high levels of antioxidants, vitamins B1, B2, B6, C, E, and folic acid. There’s also evidence that it can relieve constipation. However, large amounts can potentially be bad for your kidneys, so eat in moderation.
7. Ferocactus (Barrel Cactus)
The large, hard spines on this Southwestern American succulent make it look more like a menace than a tasty treat, but it’s completely edible. Its bright red flowers wilt to produce yellow fruit that resembles a miniature pineapple. Native Americans traditionally ate the flowers and even the flesh of the plant itself, but they’re not very palatable (but useful if you ever get lost in the desert!).
How to Eat It: The fruit has a slightly slimy pulp with edible black seeds, and can be picked right off the cactus and eaten raw. Its flavor is slightly tart and reminiscent of lemon and kiwi.
Health Benefits: Cactus fruits are high in vitamins A and C.
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文章
Dummer. ゛☀
2017年10月01日
Aloe vera is a succulent plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe vera also is used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. We bring you forty fabulous uses from this “plant of immortality”, as affectionately dubbed by the Egyptians 6,000 years ago.
That’s right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant’s moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called Aloe vera the “Wand of the Heaven.”
It doesn’t hurt that Aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.
From all-around health elixirs to simple beauty aids, learn about the various ways to put your little plant to maximal use after splitting the leaves lengthwise down the middle. For both topical and oral applications, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor beforehand.
1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice Aloe vera leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.
3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.
4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.
5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe vera contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.
8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.
9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of Aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.
11. Fight Athlete’s Foot.
12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.
13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.
14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe vera is fast absorbing!
15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.
16. Soothe Psoriasis.
17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.
18. Help rid of Rosacea.
19. Shrink warts.
20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
21. Help eliminate Eczema.
22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of Aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of Aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing Aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
27. Replace Aloe vera with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.
28. Remove eye makeup.
29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
30. Drink Aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it’s recommended for its laxative effects.
32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.
33. Take Aloe vera orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.
34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.
36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with Aloe vera ingredients.
37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.
38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.
39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.
40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!
That’s right; the spiky, green gem has a rich history of various cultures and personalities who used the plant’s moist middle in a plethora of practical uses. Like Cleopatra who applied the gel to her body as part of her beauty regimen, the ancient Greeks who used it to cure everything from baldness to insomnia to the Native Americans who called Aloe vera the “Wand of the Heaven.”
It doesn’t hurt that Aloe vera produces at least six natural antiseptics, which are able to kill mold, bacteria, funguses, and viruses. In fact, the plant is so powerful that researchers and scientists are looking into its potential as an AIDS and cancer-fighter.
From all-around health elixirs to simple beauty aids, learn about the various ways to put your little plant to maximal use after splitting the leaves lengthwise down the middle. For both topical and oral applications, it’s always recommended to consult your doctor beforehand.
1. Pamper yourself to a soothing body rub. Slice Aloe vera leaves lengthwise and use the inner sides as a biodegradable body scrub in the shower.
2. Treat burns from minor mishaps in the kitchen—from grease splatters or hot utensils.
3. For more major kitchen mishaps like a scald, mix some aloe gel and vitamin E oil into a little jar for a homemade burn healer.
4. Banish black and blue bruises by swapping on the good goo.
5. Soothe and heal sunburns the feel-good way. Aloe vera contains cooling properties similar to menthol.
6. Take the sting or itch out of insect bites.
7. Reduce tissue damage from frostbite.
8. Alleviate mysterious rashes.
9. Make feet baby soft with an exfoliating foot mask by mixing together a half cup of oatmeal, a half cup of corn meal, four tbsp. of Aloe vera gel and a half cup of unscented body lotion.
10. Help heal herpes outbreaks.
11. Fight Athlete’s Foot.
12. Swab over blisters for quick relief.
13. Use as an antidote to allergic skin reactions.
14. Replace creams and lotions as a general moisturizer for dry skin. Aloe vera is fast absorbing!
15. Prevent pesky pimples and treat acne.
16. Soothe Psoriasis.
17. Prevent scarring and stretch marks.
18. Help rid of Rosacea.
19. Shrink warts.
20. Reverse signs of aging skin and wrinkles. Cleopatra did!
21. Help eliminate Eczema.
22. Brighten skin. Aloe can decrease pigmentation and dark spots.
23. Make skin new again with an exfoliating, organic sugar scrub by mixing together two tbsp. of Aloe vera, 2 tbsp. of organic brown sugar and 1 tsp. of organic lemon juice.
24. For rougher patches mix together an organic salt skin scrub using two cups of sea salt, one cup of Aloe vera, one cup of organic coconut oil and two tbsp. of local, organic honey.
25. Speed up hair growth by massaging aloe into the scalp, letting it sit for 30 minutes, and rinsing.
26. Reduce hair dandruff by mixing Aloe vera juice with coconut milk and wheat germ oil. Massage into scalp and rinse.
27. Replace Aloe vera with conditioner for silkier, smoother hair.
28. Remove eye makeup.
29. Treat minor vaginal irritations.
30. Drink Aloe vera juice to relieve gastrointestinal disorders like indigestion.
31. Sip it to aid in elimination. Many times, it’s recommended for its laxative effects.
32. Take a swig to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome including bloating and discomfort.
33. Take Aloe vera orally to relieve heartburn, arthritis and rheumatism pain.
34. Boil leaves in a pan of water and breathe in the vapor to alleviate asthma.
35. Drink to lower blood sugar levels—especially for diabetics.
36. Strengthen gums and promote strong, healthy teeth by taking orally or use toothpaste with Aloe vera ingredients.
37. Drink to help ease congestion, stomach ulcers, colitis, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections and prostate problems.
38. Take orally to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides for a healthy heart.
39. Sip to minimize inflammation and infection of the eye and ear.
40. Toast to its general detoxifier and health boosting qualities!
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