Echinacea

You may have heard of this purple cone-shaped flower called echinacea. There are nine known species native to the United States and Canada, though the species most commonly used for medicinal purposes is the echinacea purpurea. According to the medical center at the University of Maryland, Native Americans named this plant due to its prickly spine, of which they believed to resemble the spine of an angry hedgehog. Though seemingly named to intimidate, the plant is truly not scary at all. The source of medicine lies within the flower rather than the stem, and the plant itself is extremely popular within the medical community. It is highly regarded for its aesthetic beauty, its traditional use, as well as its close association with other flowers such as the marigolds, chrysanthemums, and daises.

 In its history, echinacea has most commonly been used to treat the common cold, but it has also been known to cure many more serious conditions than this. In the 1800s, doctors in America recommended the use of echinacea to treat scarlet fever, syphilis, malaria, blood poisoning, and diphtheria. Though these ailments are all now extremely rare in our American society, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that when the echinacea plant is consumed in tincture form, it can not only reduce pain, but stimulate the immune system to more effectively fight respiratory infection, fever, skin irritations, acne, or boils.  Herbalists also use this herb to treat a variety of symptoms, including candida, urinary tract infections, ear infections, athlete's foot, and slow-to-heal wounds.

Echinacea is such a powerful medicinal plant because of its innate chemical properties. Its healing effects lie within the chemical makeup of polysaccharides, glycoproteins, alkamides, volatile oils, and flavonoids. The flower of the echinacea purpurea is said to have one of the largest concentrations of immune-boosting properties, as compared to the root of the plant and the other plants within its genus.

When used under safe conditions and in appropriate amounts, echinacea has the ability to heal much more than commonly thought. It could be the gateway to the discovery of other wonderful medicinal plants or the solution to a dreary day. Because it is an entirely natural medicine, it can connect us back to the Earth, to the source of health and human vitality. Echinacea may just be the solution to manifesting more value in medicinal plants.

References:

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/echinacea/ataglance.htm

http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/echinacea

How Fungi Can Save the World

 Although they may not look very intimidating, mushrooms hold healing properties that could not only uphold the entirety of the ecosystem, but also the well-being of every human being. According to “The Ecologist,” an online resource for environmental news and case studies, “the potential of fungi for medicine, filtering polluted water, controlling pests and even biofuels, is truly staggering.” Because of these discoveries of the powerful properties of fungi, humans now have the potential to implement their uses in order to find health and balance throughout themselves and throughout the ecosystem. 

In his article titled, “Case Study: how mushrooms can save forests,” journalist David Hawkins describes the essential relationship between fungi and the stability of the forested lands. His main focus is on the research conducted by renowned mycology scientist Paul Stamets, who is well-respected for his research on the interconnections between the fungi’s mycelium membrane and forest soils. In 2009, Stamets gave a TED talk on his microbial research which included the six ways that mushrooms can save the world. Stamets’ career has led to evidence of fungal strength, resistance to disease, sentient actions, communication with the ecosystem, anti-viral properties, and immune system support. These qualities serve two vital purposes: to improve the health of human beings and to restore the health of the biotic community. Fungi, specifically mushrooms, have the potential to heal otherwise impossible cases, such as polluted and disease-ridden systems. Throughout the article, Hawkins exemplifies the research of Stamets as innovative evidence that mushrooms can save the health of our planet.

This literature provides new, impressive research within the realm of health. Not only can mushrooms cleanse, heal, and balance soils within forests, they can also provide medicinal purposes for human beings. Instead of abusing conventional medicine, individuals can utilize the natural anti-viral properties, immune system support, cleansing of toxins, and restorative health that mushrooms naturally provide. 

Humans only need to know and take advantage of their curative properties in order to propagate widespread well-being. If they are so inclined, they can also help improve the health of the ecosystem by purchasing fungi for less fortune human beings. Stamets encourages the purchase of a “Life Box,” a design of his making which comes supplied with fungi and plant seedlings. When watered, the box grows into a small, healthy ecosystem. He mainly supplies these boxes for people living in rural, arid places of Africa, where the people use the tiny ecosystems to grow the main food source for their community. Although not everyone who reads literature on the healing potential of mushrooms will choose to purchase a Life Box, the knowledge that they are available and entirely profitable can change lives.

Recently, health trends have shown an increased interest in natural medicine, such as that from shiitake mushrooms, which has claims to prolong the lives of those with cancer or other life-debilitating diseases (American Cancer Society). This natural medicine may have less health risks for human beings than conventional medicine because it comes straight from the Earth and has been proven helpful through centuries of traditional healing medicine. Because of the increase in usage, people are also less likely to pollute the water or the land with conventional medicine. Mushrooms are healers, and an entirely sustainable solution to improving the health of the human and biotic communities.

Although many people remain skeptical and opposed to the use of fungi as a healing substance, this may be due to conventional, institutional forms of learning that have prevented more progressive knowledge.  The creative expression of this knowledge of fungi through environmental literature such as Hawkin’s article has facilitated learning in otherwise unheard of ways. It creates an understanding of environmental experiences and values through improved knowledge of the abilities of natural medicine. So far, this knowledge has benefited the human population and the biotic community greatly in regards to improved health. With more research and a greater following, fungi may be the healthy solution to our changing world.  

Hawkin's article can be found here: http://www.theecologist.org/campaigning/wildlife/363301/case_study_how_mushrooms_can_save_forests.html

Stamets' 2009 TED Talk can be found here: http://www.ted.com/talks/paul_stamets_on_6_ways_mushrooms_can_save_the_world.html