Echinacea-Herb of the Week

Echinacea- Echinacea spp;Asteraceae

These are those pretty purple coneflowers that bring an abundance of beauty to any garden....But the medicinal properties of this herb is amazing!


Echinacea is an incredible antibiotic, one of natures best! It activates leukocytes (white blood cells, our body's infection soldiers). It increases your bodies immune level and is a heavy hitter to bacteria infections and inflammations. How? Why?
So glad you asked! Echinacea inhibits hyaluronidase enzyme. This is the enzyme that causes the spread of bacteria. Echinacea is also a blood purifier.
Now my favorite property of Echinacea is it's ability to fight cold and flus. This herb is most effective at the very first sign of cold/flu. I keep this herb in my herbal pantry. It even helped to break my 2 year old's fever last night. I've never had the flu shot and my children don't get the shot either. Nature is medicine cabinet. So the next sign of cold/flu try Echinacea. Keep this herb in your herbal medicine chest.

Raspberry Leaves-Herb of the Week

Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus)
Parts used –Leaves
Properties-Hemostatic, astringent, mild alterative, parturient
• Useful as a uterine tonic
• Good for excessive menstruation
• Increases milk flow
• Pregnancy tonic

This herb has been used to aide in childbirth for centuries by indigenous people around the world. It is just in the last 60 years that it became recognized in the Unites States.
This is the herb of all herbs for pregnant women and nursing moms! But it is an overall great herb for women in general. It is high in calcium and iron and is great during menstruation. Great for healthy bones and teeth. Effective treatment for fevers and even lowers blood sugar.

Herb of the Week-Nettles

Each week I will highlight an herb. I'll give you information on some uses and properties of each herb. This week we will discuss Nettles

Nettles- Urtica diocia
Parts used-mostly the leaf


Nettles helps reduce water retention, is excellent for PMS symptoms, great source of digestible plant iron ( good for anemia) and is rich in calcium, vitamin A and chlorophyll.
Known to many as Stinging Nettle- for centuries the sting of fresh nettle leaves were used to flog ( to hit with the the leaves or stalk of the plant) arthrithic patients in the areas of inflammation. There is formic acid in the the tiny hairs found on nettle leaves. (Formic acid is also found in the sting of bees and ants.) These stinging hairs agitate the skin instantly upon contact, but the counter effect produced from the plant alleviates the pain and any blockage. I experienced this personally at an herbal seminar in California this past spring. I took an herb walk and there was nettle growing in the garden. My neck was killing me! I asked a fellow seminar attendee to flog my neck with the nettle…..It stung horribly…but afterwards my neck felt great!

Fresh Nettle leaves can also be lightly steamed and served with olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoned to taste.

When I am experiencing any kind of urinary related discomfort such as lower back pain ( kidney), I always make a cup of nettles tea.
So try nettles. Great as a daily tea because of it’s high mineral content.

Nettles or any other loose herbs you purchase should be organically grown or at the least wild-harvested. Don’t settle for any substitutes, exception, or excuses. You don’t want herbs sprayed with chemicals and poisons because they will lose their medicinal value.If you would like to purchase organic nettle or other organically grown herbs please contact me. info@edenspathway.com