Jabin Trees Used for Arthritis Headache Back Pain Insomnia

By Liliana Usvat    
Blog 340-365 

Names
Dogwood Tree (English) Jabin  or Habin (Maya), Florida fishpoison tree, Piscidia piscipula, Fabaceae family. 

Description

Native to Yucatan Peninsula, Florida and Caribbean.  Jabin (Ja'abin) trees reach up to 20 meters tall; leaflets are elliptic in shape and alternated pinnately compounds; small pale lilac-pink  flowers; pendant paper thin seed pods are pale cream colored and four winged with rippled edges. 

 
Since Habims are members of the Bean Family the fruits are legumes. The dangling legumes themselves are very slender, but each legume bears four paper-thin, fin- like "wings." A typical four-winged legume with its pedicel emerging from a cuplike calyx.

Medicinal Uses 

* Arthritis 
* Headache/Migraine 
 * Nerve/Back Pain 
 * Pain Relief 
* Sleep/Insomnia


Jabin tree bark is highly used by Mayan J-Men healers as a medicinal Mayan plant specially to help female's menstrual cycles.  Wood is heavy resistant to decay; its root bark extracts are medicinal as analgesic and antispasmodic properties. 
 
It has been used in herbal medicine for treating nervous conditions and pain
The tree has medicinal value as an analgesic and sedative.
The bark extracts may have potential for their anti-inflammatory, sedative, and antispasmodic effects.
Piscidia is a very serviceable pain medicine, especially for general body pains (such as after an accident or a jousting tournament) and as an adjunct for skeletal muscle pain. Its sedative effects are minimal which makes it useful for daily use as it does not impair the cognitive process.
 
Piscidia is that it is well tolerated with unwanted side effects being uncommon. This gives more room to play around with dosages when using it for treating pain.

Formulation and Combinations

Depending on what you are using it for, Piscidia combines well with other medicinal plants. It has an ‘adjunct’ quality, meaning it seems to increase the medicinal effects of other plants as well as having its own amplified when they are used together. Two specific plants  works particularly well with for pain are Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora) and Hops (Humulus lupulus). The following are some helpful combinations.

• For skeletal muscle pain; Skullcap, Pedicularis (Pedicularis spp.), Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa) and Willow (Salix spp.)
• For insomnia due to body aches; Skullcap, Valerian (Valeriana officinalis), Wild lettuce (Lactuca spp.) and Hops.
• For a recent injury; Valerian, Kava kava (Piper methysticum) and Wild lettuce.

Piscidia does not have obvious antiinflammatory effects, but since inflammation is a common factor in pain, it can be combined with antiinflammatories such as Willow, Licorice (Glycyrrhiza spp), Arnica (Arnica spp.), Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) and Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) to help reduce the sensation of pain while the above herbs decrease inflammation.

 
Bees

 Its blooms are an important source of pollen and nectar for bees in Yucatan, Mexico. Bees are blind to red, and to them orange, yellow and green are the same color –- yellow. 
Therefore, a honeybee visiting a white Habim flower with a green spot will see a flower with a yellow spot.

Reforestation Restoration of Soil
 
In one of those occasionally flooded areas near the mangroves with very thin to nonexistent soil atop limestone rock where regular trees give way to cacti, agaves and scrub usually less than head high, a dry-season-leafless, woody bush has been prolifically producing clusters of white flowers.

Piscidia piscipula can flower so abundantly when it's only knee high, and apparently live its life as a bush.  These scrubby, flowering ones might be a subspecies adapted to areas of very thin, dry soil.

Trivia

Indigenous peoples all over the world used local poisonous plants to aid in catching fish, and because of this many plants bear common names descriptive of this use.Within its natural range, Native Americans used an extract from the bark, roots, twigs, and leaves of Florida fishpoison tree to sedate fish, making them easier to catch. A number of chemicals present in the tree's tissues are toxic to fish, the principal one being the well-known rotenone

Links

http://www.backyardnature.net/yucatan/jabim.htm

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/356558495468320686/ 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piscidia_piscipula

http://7song.com/blog/2014/03/jamaican-dogwood-piscidia-piscipula-2014/ 

http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail306.php

 

Bible Trees The Almond Tree - Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 315-365

The almond tree is the first tree to sprout and the last one to lose its leaves. 

The almond, Amygdalus communis, is a medium sized tree with narrow, light green leaves. Unlike the fig and olive, the almond does not live to a great age. The almond is a well-known symbol of resurrection because it is the first tree to flower. 
 
The white, five-parted flowers are up to two inches across and come in the late winter before the leaves of the tree develop. Because they may flower as early as late January or early February, it is sometimes possible to find almond flowers with snow.  

The Bible contains several references to the almond, often because of its early blossoming as a sign of awakening. The six-branched candlestick of the biblical Tabernacle, the meeting place of God with Moses and his people, is modelled on an almond tree. Later, in Christianity, the almond was seen as a symbol of the immaculate conception. 
 
"Christ was conceived in Maria as the almond kernel is formed in the still untouched almond" (Konrad von Würzburg, 13th century). The almond is probably best known in the form of marzipan, which came originally from the orient and was traditionally made of almonds, sugar and rose water. Baghlaba is the Persian variety.

Medicinal Uses

• Almonds form an ideal tonic for your growing child. Soak 3-6 shelled almonds in warm water and than remove the skin. Grind them into paste, and mix it with milk. Add a teaspoon of honey. Feed your child daily. It can also be useful in adolescent girls with delayed puberty; crushed almonds, egg yolk, gingelly (til) powder, and a teaspoon of honey in milk will ensure good overall development during adolescence.

 

 

• An excellent food supplement in case of general debility and convalescence. Soak 12-15 shelled almonds in hot water and remove outer covering. Grind them into fine paste, and mix it with the buttermilk and mash a ripe banana in it. Strain it through a muslin cloth, add 4 teaspoons honey, and drink twice daily. Almond forms an ideal food for diabetics also as it contains little carbohydrates.
• Almonds are a good for constipation. Grind separately 5 teaspoons almonds and 5 teaspoons dried dates. Combine them and add 10 teaspoons honey.  Take 3 teaspoons of this mixture twice daily.
• In the case of head lice, grind 7-8 kernels with 1-2 teaspoons lime juice and apply on the scalp. Apply a little almond oil on the scalp regularly and massage.

• In the case of tooth ache and gum diseases, burn the shells of almonds, powder, and use as tooth powder.
• To get relief from psoriasis and allied skin troubles, powder a few almonds, boil and apply on affected areas and let it remain overnight.
• To improve skin complexion, mix equal quantities of almond oil and honey and apply to face. To protect from sunburn, apply the paste of almonds and milk cream along with coconut oil on exposed skin.
• In the case of insomnia, grind blanched almonds (8-10) along with khuskhus grass powder (1 teaspoon) and milk (half teacup) and smear the paste on palms and soles.
• To get relief from muscle sprains, mix equal parts of almond oil and garlic oil and massage over affected areas.

 

Other Uses

The almond tree gives off a resin which can be collected in the form of tears. In Ancient Greece these resin tears were burnt as incense to ward off disease and evil spirits. The fine fragrance disinfects, purifies and clarifies.

The almond is probably best known in the form of marzipan, which came originally from the orient and was traditionally made of almonds, sugar and rose water. Baghlaba is the Persian variety additionally flavoured with cardamom and traditionally eaten there during the four-week festivities in celebration of the New Year. 

In 16th century Germany the production of marzipan was the province of the pharmacists whose "confectiones" were only prepared with sugar to make the bitter medicine more pleasant-tasting. Marzipan was also known as "heart sugar".
 

Almond Tree in History

Almonds already grew in the stone age and their cultivation is thought to go back to the Bronze age. The almond is probably the oldest cultivated fruit of the Old World with a success story that continues right up to the present day. In the 17th to 16th century before the birth of Christ the almond tree made its way from its native Asia via Persia to Asia Minor, Syria and Egypt. In the 5th century it then travelled further to Greece and to the Roman Empire.  

Legends about Almond Tree

Ancient Greece in particular is the source of many legends in which the almond tree plays a role. According to one of these legends the almond is said to have developed from a drop of blood of the Greek goddess Kybele, the mother of the gods, who was originally the goddess of the mountains and of fertility in Asia Minor. 

In other accounts the almond tree is said to have developed from the male half of a hermaphroditic being created by Zeus.


There is an almond tree fairy tale from Morocco. In this fairy tale the beautiful princess Hatim had such a kind heart that she took money from her father's coffers and gave it to the poorest of her country. The king had no understanding for his daughter's behaviour, accused her of theft and had her executed. Allah understood Hatim's action and transformed the dead princess into an almond tree which gave the country's people almonds year after year.

Bible Remarks regarding Almond Tree 

Almonds are mentioned six times in the Scriptures and only in the Old Testament. The first reference is in Genesis 43:11 where Jacob, in an apparent attempt to curry favor with the ruler of Egypt, orders his sons to take some of the "best products of the land" including almonds.

 The best-known reference to the almond is Aaron's rod that budded (Numbers 17). This is miraculous because the flowering, budding, and fruiting of the almond in nature are always separated in time. 

Its flowers symbolize the cups that crown the seven branches of the Jewish candelabra (Ex. 25:33-36; 37:19-20). 

In the biblical books, the almond tree is mentioned several times (e.g., Gen. 30:37-39; 43:11; Qo.12.1-5). 

The prophet, Jeremiah, mentions it in a vision: The word of Yahweh was addressed to me asking, "Jeremiah, what to you see?" "I see a branch of the watchful tree," I answered. 

Then Yahweh said, "Well seen! I too watch over My Word to see it fulfilled" (Jer. 1:11-12). In this text there is a word game between the Hebrew words shaqed, a/mond tree, and shoqed, I watch. 

 Also, the image of the almond tree, the first tree to bloom, reminds us of the watchful eye of God, that watches over His word to set it to practice.

The last reference to the almond is in Jeremiah 1:11. "The word of the Lord came to me: 'What do you see, Jeremiah?' 'I see the branch of an almond tree', I replied." The Hebrew word for almond sounds similar to that for watchful. 

Links

http://www.christusrex.org/www1/ofm/mag/HolyLnA2.html 
http://ww2.odu.edu/~lmusselm/plant/bible/allbibleplantslist.php 
http://blog.tattvasherbs.com/tag/medicinal-uses-of-almonds/ 
http://www.dr.hauschka.com/en_DE/knowledge-base/medicinal-plant-facts/almond-tree/#5 

Medicinal Uses of Rauwolfia (Rauwolfia serpentina)

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 260-365

Other Names

INDIAN SNAKEROOT

Description

More like a shrub than a tree in most places where it grows in India, rauwolfia produces extracts in its roots that have for centuries been used to treat nervous disorders. The extract also provides an antidote for snake- bites and insect stings. In the 20th century it was discovered that powdered rauwolfia root as a clinical medicinal ingredient would treat hypertension and mental disorders. Many drugs that make up tranquilizers have their origin in rauwolfia root.

Medicinal Uses

Indian snakeroot is used for 

• mild high blood pressure,
•  nervousness, 
• trouble sleeping(insomnia), and 
• mental disorders such as 
• agitated psychosis and insanity. 
• Indian snakeroot is also used for snake and reptile bites,
•  fever, 
• constipation, 
• feverish intestinal diseases, 
• liver ailments, 
• achy joints (rheumatism), 
• fluid retention (edema),
• epilepsy, and 
• as a tonic for general debilities.

One of the chemicals in Indian snakeroot is the same as a prescription drug calledreserpine. Reserpine is used to treat 

• mild to moderate hypertension, s
• chizophrenia, and 
• some symptoms of poor circulation.
• Root is a valuable remedy for dysentery and painful affections of bowel.
• Juice of leaves is instilled in eyes as a remedy for the opacities of cornea.

How does it work?

Indian snakeroot contains chemicals such as reserpine that decrease heart rate and blood pressure.

History

• It is one of the 50 fundamental herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it has the name shégēn mù.
• The extract of the plant has also been used for millennia in India – Alexander the Great administered this plant to cure his general Ptolemy I Soter of a poisoned arrow.
•  It was reported that Mahatma Gandhi took it as a tranquilizer during his lifetime.
•  It has been used for millennia to treat insect stings and the bites of venomous reptiles. 

Habitat: Moist forests shady places near rain-forest.

Status: The natural reserves of this plant are declining, especially after reports of its medicinal properties appeared in literatures. International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) has kept this plant under endangered status.
Distribution: The snake-weed genus includes about 50 species, this has fairly wide area of distribution, including the tropical part of the Himalayas, the Indian peninsula, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Indonesia.

Bee Atracting Plants St. John's Wort (Hypericum sp.) Madicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 172-365

Hypericums are excellent nectar plants. The full grown shrub attracts an assortment of bumblebees.

There are several species of this flowering shrub found throughout the world in warm temperate to tropical climates. St. John's Wort is common in the savanna areas . It can grow on dry, disturbed soil, and benefits from fire ecology, growing quickly and robust after savanna fires. 

Medicinal Uses

Scientific research has found that certain species of St. John's Wort were an effective antidepressant in the treatment of mild and moderate depression. 

• Besides depression, St. John’s wort has also been tried for many other conditions in which prescription antidepressants are thought useful, 

•  such as attention deficit disorder , 
• anxiety , 
•  insomnia , 
• menopausal symptoms , 
• premenstrual syndrome (PMS) , 
• seasonal affective disorder (SAD) , 
• and social phobia.
• One substantial double-blind study did find St. John's wort potentially helpful for somatoform disorders (commonly called psychosomatic illnesses).

 
The genus has a nearly worldwide distribution, missing only from tropical lowlands, deserts and polar regions. All members of the genus may be referred to as St. John's wort, though they are also commonly just called hypericum, and some are known as tutsan. The marsh St. John's-worts are nowadays separated into the genus Triadenum.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum sp.) can be planted in full sun or part shade. Best growth occurs in full sun, but afternoon or dappled shade can help to prevent leaf burn and wilt in hot, humid climates. Well-drained soil is best as hypericums can be susceptible to root rot.