Quiz - for more advanced herbalists :)

are we allowed to do some research ~ look them up please kat?

Look outside, please :))

in the garden?

Hi Katarina, I will send what I think is the answer, in a PM, not to spoil it for other members :o)

Hywel@My answer to you was sent as PM.

Sticki@does Google work? :))

oh ok, thanks kat ~ wasnt sure if that was allowed? i dont know the answers other wise!

You know, I am sure. And I will wait.

I have sent you a PM ~ its a very interesting quiz, thank you

Answered by PM :))

Very intriguing Katarina...have PM'd you with a possible answer.

Please, be free to answer it here. Only that way can everybody sees who was the forst with correct answer. Untill know nobody solved the riddle.

i havent worked it out yet! any clues?

Are they all anti-spasmodics?

My answer is the Potentilla thingee is a b..... nuisance to get rid of ! I have moved plants and searched the root systems to extract every piece of root, and still it survives. Ugh!

Sticki and Melchi@I think, Melchi get a sniff of something :)))))

they all seem to have so many different properties, are they all anti-septic?

The anti spasmodic properties.....are they used to counteract cramps with female menstrual cycle.....crikey Hywel shut your ears...lol!

They all have sedative properties and can be used as tinctures or teas which help with women's problems?

Very, very close, Janey, partly you got it.
Yes, all these plants help in all kinds of diverse menstrual problems (heavy bleeding, not bleeding at all, cramps) plus one very feminine (or better say only feminine) indication. If you get it, you are winner!
These plants are feminine :))))

Well, that can only be fertility probs?

No.

Problems carrying a child?

This is all fertility, Jane. I said this is not the case (P.S. Men can be infertile, too and in these days thy are more often infertile then women.) As I said, this is typical feminine indication :))

OK. Maybe this will help - all these plants contain some substance....

Well, youve got me here.....what a quiz....no one else has any ideas?

its too hard for me, they all have lots of properties but i cant find a linking one

I think I substantially reduced the spectrum of indications :)

Is it eggs or ovum...(seeds). Female plants you say.....I can only think of this area...maybe that's my mind...Lol!

Are you a lecturer Katarina...you have that way of asking the questions...:))

Hi Janey@what eggs? You mean plants with eggs? :))
No, not this form of femininity :))
I was thinking about substance, stuff, agent - which....ach I cannot say more.....sorry.
I suggest very simple thing make table listing effects of these plants and have a look on those, whch they have the common. Sort out that effect then.
P.S. No, I am not a teacher, but I have been occasional lecturer for years :))

i have done the table but still cant find a thread common to them all

I am going to have to take a sedative now, as I'll not be able to sleep chewing this over......any link there Katerina...if not........arrrrgghhhhh!!!

i even tried googling the properties of them all ~ guess what it came up with ~ your blog katarina!!!!

OK. Here is the answer.

So why these plants are feminine:
First four plants have been for centuries used in traditional folk medicines for menstruation problems and menopausal problems, because they contain natural female hormones - phytoestrogens or substances which enhance synthesis of estrogens - female natural and dominant hormone.
Alchemilla vulgaris (Lady's mantle) is also uterine astringent(Herbs that have a vasoconstrictive action on the endometrial circulation).
Potentilla anserina above its phytoestrogenic activity contains great amont of lithium (used in therapy of depressive moods, which are common in menopause).
Lamium album: has soothing properties. It is used in irregular menstruation cycles and vaginal discharge.

The most interesting and very recent is knowledge on positive properties of hops in this indication. It was ignored by all famous herbalists and physicians in the history, so maybe this could cause problems in searching.
As you know, from hops is made beer. Only the female hop flowers are cultivated for beer :)). Beer has been used for centuries in sleeplesness - also a common symptom in menopause. In North American traditional medicines you can find wider usage of this plant then in European medicine. The Cherokee used hops as a sedative and gynecological aid for breast and womb problems. It was noticed in Europe, that among female hops-pickers there are common menstrual disturbances what linked hops with potential hormonal activity and initiated its research.The estrogenic principle in hops extract is 8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN).The development of 8-PN-enriched hops extracts for the relief of menopausal symptoms (MenoHop® from Biodynamics, Ostend, Belgium) is however fairly recent.

Can I have my degree now please?

My dear child, what for? :)

because i worked hard doing the research!!!

Kiss on a forehead and good night!

:-)

That explains it then Katarina!!

! Should have known (a few years ago)!

It is never too late, Melchi :))

!

It is a fascinating subject. I grow culinary herbs and use a lot in cooking. It is so satisfying to pop outside the kitchen door , pick something, and then put it in the pot!

I grow too, but decided for more rosemary.

Mmm - one of my favourites, also sage.

Yes, sages are great in a group, different sorts with different colouring of leaves. It is very good in feta cheese salads.

And it smells wonderful when it's simmering in a stock. I grow the tricolour - it thrives whatever weather attacks it! I love chives in a cheese sandwich.

What do you mean "simmering in a stock"? Come on with the recipe! :)

I make stock and soup all the time! Just simmer turkey/chicken carcass (or lamb bones) for an hour or so, then strain it, remove any fat and add onion, carrot, squash, celery, parsnip, barley - whatever's available - and of course SAGE! I add a few peppercorns as well. Cook till tender. If it's for soup, liquidise the whole lot. Lovely! I've made a potful today.

What is chicken carcass?

It's the bones that are left after the chicken has been eaten. I put all the bones and any tiny bits of meat left on it into water. I don't put skin in because it's rather fatty. It's best of all when I have boned and jointed it and haven't already cooked the bones. When I roast a chicken, I always do it in a covered roaster with about half an inch of water in it. I find the resulting liquid is a really good basis for gravy or stock, and the pan is easy to clean!

Sounds delicious. I will have to try it next time, when my sage will grow again.

:-)

:)