Herb Highlights: Oregon Grape
Herb Highlights: Oregon Grape Introduction On the United Plant Savers Species at Risk List, the Oregon Grape is in the “To Watch” category of plants that could be “At Risk” in the future. Plants that are “At Risk” are those listed as endangered or threatened on the state or federal level. As the state flower […]
Historical Herbalists: Yellow Emperor
Historical Herbalists: Yellow Emperor Introduction Our company’s namesake, the Yellow Emperor or Huangdi, is a legendary figure in history. The legends say the Yellow Emperor’s rule over China started in the late 2690s BCE.1 Since that is well over 5,000 years ago, we will never know the Yellow Emperor’s true origins. Similarly to other legendary […]
Herb Highlights: Slippery Elm
Introduction Slippery Elm, also known as Red Elm, is a deciduous tree native to North America1. In the mid-1700s it was the same species as the American Elm. Later, in 1793, Slippery Elm became a unique species2. Slippery Elm has many uses ranging from construction to medicine.Uses over time Slippery Elm’s value to humans has a […]
Herb Highlights: Cloves
Introduction Cloves are a spice that humans have traded for centuries.1 In the United States, we associate cloves with fall and winter drinks and confections. Ironically, the plant is native to Indonesia, which is in a tropical zone. Currently, cloves grow in tropical countries worldwide.2 Today, cloves are a common spice in food, but […]
Herb Highlights: Kava
Introduction Kava is a traditional medicinal plant from the South Pacific. It originated either on the island of New Guinea or Vanuatu1, but no one knows for sure. Currently, it grows on many islands in Oceania. The scientific name for the kava most popularly used today is Piper methysticum. Actually, this cultivar is sterile, cultivated […]
Herb Highlights: Echinacea spp.
Introduction There are ten species of Echinacea and all are native to the plains of central and eastern North America1. Also known as coneflower, Echinacea is yet another herb that we know about thanks to its use by Native American tribes like Kiowa, Cheyenne, Pawnee, and Lakota. These tribes used it for various reasons from […]
Herb Highlights: Goldenseal
Herbal Highlights: Goldenseal Still useful, after all these years Folks still use Goldenseal today as an eye wash and as a temporary treatment for a variety of digestive issues.4 In fact, a study from 2012 shows that goldenseal could be useful in the treatment and prevention of MRSA,1 an infection that resists many common antibiotics.5 […]
Herb Case Study: Ginseng
Introduction Ginseng root has been a popular herb in Chinese medicine as well as in traditional medicine around the world for centuries. It was one of the first marketable herbs in the US in 1860 (Owlcation 2017), and is still used in herbal medicine as well a dietary supplement in the mainstream Western diet. It […]
Herb Case Study: Turmeric
Introduction Throughout mainstream culture, we often hear about the herb turmeric or curcumin. It has become a part of American culture through its use as a cooking spice and its presence in products such as “curcuma lattes” which can be found at coffee shops around the world. Turmeric is also becoming and integral part of […]
The Effects of Climate Change on Herb Cultivation
Introduction In the past several decades, the earth has been suffering from a change in climate that has affected all life forms. An area of particular interest to Yellow Emperor is how climate change has affected the cultivation and sustainability of herbs because we are part of the community that relies on herbs that are […]