alkanet root, a natural pigment (alkanna tinctoria)

blue flowered alkanna tinctoria with precious red roots

Its flowers reminds us the alpine forget-me-not flower (Myosotis alpestris) and it makes sense because they belong to the same family, while the extracted colour from its root is deep red! Today the post is dedicated to alkanna tinctoria which belongs in the flowering plant family Boraginaceae, a therapeutic herb known since antiquity, native to the eastern Mediterranean.

evening primrose oil, facts & benefits (evening primrose, Oenothera biennis)

Oenothera biennis

The evening primrose is a herbaceus flowering plant, native to the Americas and in the past was mostly used by the Indians, either as food or as medicine, while the first plants arrived in Europe in the 16th century. It numbers about 145 species worldwide; the most common species in greek nature is the Oenothera biennis.

milk thistle & its remarkable properties (Silybum marianum)

remarkable milk thistle benefits

The milk thistle, the Great Safflower is known in my country as the donkey’s flower, because donkeys love eating the flower from the plant. It is also known from Greek mythology, as the magical herb with which Centaur Chiron healed Hercules wound. It is proposed by Theophrastus, Dioscorides and Pliny for healing wounds and treating gallstones. The Romans used it as an antidote to poisoning and today is widely used in homeopathy for its antioxidant action and in cosmetology for its anti- aging properties.

strawberry, charming and glamorous (Fragaria vesca)

strawberries

It belongs to the family of Rosaceae, a perennial herb with thin stems that run on the ground and flowers white or pink in inflorescence corium. It grows in cool places. Small berries have emerged from crosses of different species while large fruit comes from indigenous species of America. Strawberries which are not, from a botanical point of view, berries but technically, are aggregate accessory fruits,  multiply   very very quick. Reports of strawberry are found in Pliny and Apicius, while the first cultivations began in 1300.

about wheat germ (Triticum vulgare)

wheat germ & benefits

Back to school years, you might remember that our teachers learnt us how to grow legumes. We used to put in a bowl cotton and dropped some water, then threw some of the legumes and these slowly grew up within a few days. The sprouts that we observed were eaten normally and constitute a real health bomb for our body.

the awesome avocado (Persea americana)

avocado tree

Αvocado is dating back to 10,000 BC, an evergreen and indigenous tree which  belongs to the flowering plant family Lauraceae. It was discovered in Mexico and was one of the main ingredients of indigenous people diet and later spread to Venezuela, Cuba, Chile, the US, Israel. It came in Europe after the World War II. and in Greece it is mainly cultivated in the region of Crete, as it is a sensitive tree and thrives in areas where thrive mostly citruses. It can reach up to 18 m, while the fruit has a buttery texture and that’s why is called also “butter-tree”.

avocado fruit

Avocado is a fruit with rich nutrients, it’s edible and you can use it as a cosmetic as well. It actually contains a lot of fatty acids, but it does not put you weight because because this kind of fat is beneficial to the body (called "good fat” too). It offers a variety of vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E, K, omega-3 fatty acids, lecithin, beta-carotene, proteins and fiber, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and folic acid.

Eating avocados, helps to reduce cardiovascular disease, treats constipation, reduces cholesterol, strengthens our immune system, is a shield against cancer, sheds pressure, helps in weight loss and when is consumed as an appetite, it stops bulimia  nervosa and protects eyes from various diseases such as cataract. 

For more details, consult a nutritionist.

avocado oil

It is used in cosmetology widely, both for skin care and hair care. It gives a nice foaming in our soaps with softening properties, treats scars and wounds, protects the skin from sun rays, rejuvenates and helps to regenerate skin cells, thus fights premature aging. It is suitable for mature, dry and sensitive skin, moisturizes the eye area, strengthens the hair, gives glow to the dry and dull hair and acts against hair loss. We use avocado oil in all our cosmetic products while we can melt the avocado so that we can create facial  and body masks and scrubs instantly and quickly.

Stella Crown©

introduction to sea buckthorn (Hippophae l.)

sea buckthorn

Hippophae is a genus of sea buckthorns and one of the oldest plants on earth; it precedes even the Ice Age! It’s a deciduous bush, widespread in Europe and Asia, indigenous or cultivated and is part of the family of Elaeagnaceae.

Reports about hippophae are found in texts by Theophrastus and Dioskourides, the father of pharmacology, which prove us its deep history back in time. It was observed in the army of Alexander the Great, that the sick and injured horses who consumed the hippophae berries and leaves, were cured more quickly and their hair grew even brighter. So the name of the plant stems from the Greek words "ίππος" (hippo-) meaning horse and “φαές” (-phaes) which derives from the "φαής" and means bright; hippophae means the shining horse. That’s why the soldiers started to consume it to increase their power.

Ηippophae has more than 190 phyto-nutrients ingredients, a health dynamite that is rightfully placed in superfoods worldwide. It contains a unique combination of antioxidants that act against aging, cancer and cardiovascular diseases, vitamins A, B, C (a thousand times more than oranges), D, E, K, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids omega-3, omega-6, omega-9 , carotenoids and minerals and trace elements, beta sitosterol, flavonoids and 18 different amino acids. All of the above, they appear in significant quantities in relation to other plants and herbs.

It provides toning, wellness and anti-cancer protection, strengthens the immune system, protects against cardiovascular problems and regulates metabolism. It protects the nervous system, stimulates blood circulation, relieves the symptoms of menopause and period pains.

Consult your doctor for proper use.

This amazing plant is also famous for its cosmetic properties. It's a super anti-aging component. It repairs skin tissues, oxygenates and renews skin cells, combats premature aging as well as a variety of skin problems such as eczema, acne, psoriasis, dyschromias and burns.

Stella Crown©

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jojoba oil for beautiful skin & hair (jojoba, Chinensis simmondsia)

jojoba bush

A shrubby perennial plant, native to northwestern Mexico and the southwest region of USA, belongs to the family Simmondsiaceae, of the order Caryophyllales, which is now cultivated in Peru, Argentina, Israel. The indigenous people of America used the fruit of the plant in their food while the fruit oil was used both as a cosmetic and as a healing drug.

about carrot & beauty benefits (carrot, Daucus carota)

carrots in different shades

Did you know that the primary color of the carrot was purple? Experienced egyptiologists reveal than carrots were portrayed as purple in Egyptian tombs! Later, many growers tried to create different varieties such as white, red and yellow, while the famous orange version made by the Dutch, where they crossed the varieties between them. The purple variety is still cultivated though.

borage oil & beauty benefits (starflower, borage, Borago officinalis L.)

starflower, borage

An annual plant, native to the Mediterranean, belongs to the Borage family and either we cultivate it for its edible leaves or we find it naturally in cultivated areas. It is also used as ornamental for its beautiful flowers, the nectar of which the bees love.

rose hips, uses & benefits (rose hip, Rosa canina)

rosa canina

Spriggy shrub, normally ranging in height up to 3m., belongs to the Rosaceae family and thrives in temperate climates. Wild rose or rosa canina, known also as the dog rose has pink or white flowers with a rich fragrance. When it throws its petals, the rose hip seeds, appear in oval shape with red or orange colour.

the magic pumpkin & skin benefits (pumpkin, Cucurbita pepo)

Autumn vegetable, which is classified as superfood, because of its high amount in health benefits. Rumors say it comes from America, others say that it came from Africa while some of its varieties are already known from ancient Greece.