Arnica, infused oil and cream

Arnica, scientific name Arnica montana, is a medicinal plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. Arnica is also one of the most well-known and appreciated traditional natural remedies, so that, even today, you can find in every chemist’s and herbalist’s shop arnica infused oils, tinctures, creams and gels, used for external applications in case of trauma, bruises, sprains with swelling, pain and stiffness. Moreover, arnica-based products are also considered useful to alleviate the symptoms of os...

Cherries, stones and stems

Cherries are so delicious, juicy, tasty and healthy, rich in vitamins, mineral salts and antioxidant substances. And the great thing of cherries is that nothing is thrown away, neither the stems nor the stones, both interesting natural remedies! But let's see better in detail. Cherry stems - Cherry stems are highly diuretic and therefore useful in case of water retention and cellulite (Hooman et al, Pak J Pharm Sci, Oct 2009). Moreover, scientific studies (Aires et al, ABP, 2017) have observed...

Natural cosmetics, like kings and queens Part 8, lemon balm honey for the Nefertari’s bath

Nefertari was a queen of Ancient Egypt, the wife of Ramses the Great, who dedicated her a temple that still fascinates all the people who have the opportunity to admire it, majestic and timeless, able to defy the centuries and the works of humans, Abu Simbel, set in the southernmost part of Egypt, in Aswan. Nefertari was much loved by Ramses and, as they say, also very beautiful and she took care of her beauty with ointments, creams and baths. Between history and legend, today we take inspiratio...

Sea salt, unrefined

it’s easy to say salt… but actually there are a lot of different types of salt that you can buy, some types are healthier than other varieties. For example, the refined salt commonly used to season the dishes in cooking is the most processed and the richest in sodium chloride that, of course, is an indispensable substance for life but, if in too high quantity, can cause damages to the gastric mucosa, an increase in blood pressure and a worsening of osteoporosis. If you consider that sodium is a...

Mace

Mace is a spice native to the Moluccas obtained from the internal part of the fruit of a tree, Myristica fragrans. From the same tree is obtained also nutmeg that comes, on the contrary, from the seed and has a more intense and less sweet taste than mace. Mace has vitamins, such as A, C and group B, and mineral salts, such as magnesium, iron, potassium, calcium, manganese, selenium and phosphorus, it contains also antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, very useful to counteract free radicals. In a...

Willow

The willow is a plant with anti-inflammatory, painkilling and febrifugal properties also known by ancient people, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The active substance is the salicin, that makes the willow a remedy in case of pain, neuralgias, headache, back pain, muscle pain, muscle strains, arthritis, rheumatism but also fever, cold and other inflammations such as laryngitis and pharyngitis. Avoid willow or ask your doctor for advice during pregnancy, lactation or if you are taking FANS drugs or ...

Mustard seed

There are two types of mustard seeds: yellow mustard seeds, with big yellow seeds, and black mustard seeds with black seeds. Mustard helps digestion but it is better not to exceed with mustard because it can irritate the stomach. All the types of mustard are rich in mineral salts such as calcium, magnesium, potassium , and vitamins, such as vitamin A, E, C, of group B, and antioxidants. Yellow and black mustard seeds are the ingredients to prepare mustard sauce, but, in addition to this, it is ...

Mugo pine

Mugo pine has a powerful anti-inflammatory power, especially for what concerns the respiratory tract. The essential oil obtained from mugo pine is used to treat all infections of respiratory tract and has expectorant and balsamic action. Steam Inhalation – to treat diseases of the respiratory tract and to get rid of catarrh steam inhalation can be very useful: add to a bowl full of hot water some drops of mugo pine essential oil. Massages – Mugo pine essential oil acts with an anti-infla...