Lana Farson, M.S., L.Ac., Licensed Acupuncturist and Herbalist

Category Archives: All About Herbs

St. Johns Wort treats depression

St. John’s Wort extract is effective as an antidepressant in the management of depression.  Works without the long term side effects of western pharmaceuticals.
See research here.
Note of Caution: St. John’s Wort increases photosensitivity

Hawthorn Berry Health

Properties of Hawthorn Berries

Cardio-tonic (strengthens the heart muscle)
Diuretic (promotes urination)
Astringent (solidifies loose stool)
Hypotensive (lowers blood pressure)
Physical Effects
Heart and cardiovascular tonic
Relaxes and dilates blood vessels
Lowers blood pressure
Improves general circulation and blood flow
Strengthens damaged or weak heart muscles (increasing the heart’s efficiency)
Exerts a scrubbing action on plaque inside the blood vessels.
Click here for research on using [...]

Walnut & Hawthorn Berry Dessert

50 grams Hawthorn fruit ‘Shan Zha’
150 grams Walnuts ‘Hu Tao Ren’
sufficient water for soaking and boiling
6 TBS honey or ¼ cup sugar
Soak the walnuts overnight or at least ½ hour.  Rinse well and moisten with new water.  Grind this walnut and water mixture into a thick liquid.  Add more water to dilute if necessary to [...]

Lotus seeds

Lotus seeds ‘Lian Zi’ strengthen the digestive system and the kidneys. The seeds are also used for strengthening certain types of heart deficiency.  White lotus seeds (peeled before drying) are better quality than the red lotus seeds (unpeeled product). Soak overnight and cook with soups and warm cereals, or mix with rice.  Lotus seeds are [...]

Kudzu – a nourishing & healing root starch

Kudzu root, the invasive plant of the south, really does have some great value.  In fact, its unusual ability to grow several feet in one day is testament to its strength and ability to replenish the body’s resources.  This healing, fibrous root can be used as a cooling, regenerative medicine and is common in many [...]

Smooth your mood with Mimosa Flower Tea

Mimosa Tree Flower Tea ‘He Huan Hua Cha’
6 grams Mimosa Flower ‘He Huan Hua’ (Albizzia julibrissinis)
honey (to taste)
Place mimosa flower in a cup and soak in boiling water.   Strain.  Add honey to taste and drink when cool.
Functions:
Nourish heart and fortifies the spleen
Resolves depression and moves liver qi
Clears the mind and encourages a cheerful spirit
Indications: [...]

Cleanse with Clay!

Certain types of clay from the earth have an astringent, pulling nature.  This cleaning ability is activated when wet clay goes through its drying process.  When used externally on the body, this means that clay can be used to draw out toxins or other foreign particles from the epidermis.   The external use of clay is [...]

Herbal Medicine Tinctures – removing the alcohol

Many herbal tinctures are made using alcohol as a base.  The alcohol is used to extract and preserve the medicinal properties of herbs, but does not have to be consumed with the medicine.  If you would like to prepare an alcohol-free version of the tincture for children or patients who cannot tolerate alcohol, follow these [...]

Guide for homeopathic remedies

Homeopathy – Your Remedy Will Work Best if You:

Keep bottle out of direct sunlight, as this can antidote the remedy.

Don’t touch the remedy with your hands ­– pour it into the cap or a paper cup.
Don’t eat or drink for 10 minutes before and after taking the remedy (this includes gum [...]

Tips for Soaks & Compresses

DIRECTIONS FOR USING ‘SPRINGWIND’ HERBAL SOAKS & COMPRESSES
As Steam Soak:
Place herb pack in 4 cups water & bring to a boil.  Lower heat & simmer for 25 mins.  Immediately place herb pack in appropriate basin & hold affected limb over the steaming liquid, drape towel over the limb to keep in steam.  When the decoction [...]