any unpleasant powder tastes. This is our BULK DISCOUNTED 10 lb plastic-lined cardboard bulk pack. We also have this herb at a further discount in our 25 lb pack, and in 1 lb bottles and capsules. To find the other pack sizes, just copy and paste the herb name into our Search. Other common names: Guggulu, Guggul, Guggulow, Indian Bedellium, Mukul Myrrh, Makkul, False Myrrh Gum Guggul has been used for centuries in India to treat arthritis, poor circulation and obesity. Today, it is believed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, reduce high blood pressure, ease arthritis and enhance the immune system. It is also thought to increase metabolism and help in weight loss programs. History: There are many species of small, deciduous, mostly thorny shrubs and trees that belong to the Commiphora genus that are native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and tropical Americas. The trees exude an oleo-gum resin that is known as myrrh, which has been used in the Middle East since Biblical times for infected wounds, bronchial and digestive complaints, and was especially associated with women's health and purification rituals. In India, it was traditionally used to treat poor circulation, dyspepsia, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, menstrual problems and arthritis. The term, ''bdellium,'' can refer to any of the trees that produce myrrh or to the resin or gum that the trees exude. The trees, which remain leafless most of the year, thrive in well-drained soil in full sun in a minimum of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit and produce the pungent, astringent, aromatic oleo-gum resin that is used in herbal medicine. It is interesting to note that cardiovascular disease has been affecting civilization for thousands of years, and practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine understood many of its principles, including arteriosclerosis, and described it in the ancient medical treatises of Charaka Samhita. They understood that ''coating and obstructing channels'' may result in fatty streaks in blood vessels. To counteract the process, Ayurvedic practitioners have prescribed an amber-like resin that oozes from incisions in the Commiphora mukul, known as Gum Guggul. In the 1960s, the oleo-gum resin was systemically studied for its potential in the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol, or hyper-lipidemia. Continuing research in the 1980s, at the Banaras University in India (and elsewhere), demonstrated that use of Gum Guggul helped to significantly lower serum cholesterol (by an average of 17.3%) and triglycerides (by an average of 30.3%) in 78% of the patients treated, and the positive changes in blood lipids were noticeable after four weeks of therapy with no side effects reported. Gum Guggul has recently been found to contain unique sap  (less)

herb name into our Search. We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose ''00'' capsules for all of our encapsulated products. We offer both bulk powder and capsules. Obviously our bulk bottles are bulk powder, not capsules, but the capsule weight is included to give you a way of judging the recommended dosage. St. John's Wort - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each capsule. 1/2 teaspoon of powder is about equal to one capsule. Powder can be consumed by sprinkling it over your food or mixing it with a syrup such as maple or chocolate. You could also mix it with orange juice. The citric acid in the orange juice will help to mask any unpleasant powder tastes. Other common names: Goatweed, Hypericum, Amber, Witches' Wort, Klamath Weed, St. Joan's Wort, Common St. John's Wort, Tipton's Weed, God's Wonder Plant St. John's Wort is powerful natural medicine for temporary depression. It has become the world's most popular herbal supplement for banishing the blues and controlling stress and has also been used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and a host of other ailments. History: St. John's Wort is a perennial plant, native to Western Asia, Europe and Great Britain (especially in Wales), and it has been introduced to the United States, where it grows wild. The herb grows in well-drained to dry soil in partial shade to a height of about thirty-two inches and bears bright yellow petals with flowering tops. Although St. John's Wort is cultivated in many parts of Europe for commercial purposes, it is it is listed as a noxious weed in several countries. St. John’s Wort invades pastures and replaces useful vegetation as a toxic weed, making productive land unviable, as ingestion by livestock can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion and may be fatal. The plant allegedly possessed mystical and magical powers, partly due to the fluorescent red pigment, hypericin (one of its most powerful chemical constituents) that oozed like blood from the crushed flowers. If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, that red resin will ooze out, and according to one legend of the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded. Another legend says the plant's name came from the fact that it bloomed around June 29th, which is the feastday commemorating the beheading of St. John the Baptist on the Christian Church calendar. As a matter of fact, the plant's botanical genus, Hypericum, is said to be derived from the Greek words, hyper, meaning ''above'' and eikon ''picture,'' referring to a traditional custom of hanging St. John's Wort over a picture or icon in the house during St John's day to ward off evil. In  (less)

and paste the herb name into our Search. We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose ''00'' capsules for all of our encapsulated products. We offer both bulk powder and capsules. Obviously our bulk bottles are bulk powder, not capsules, but the capsule weight is included to give you a way of judging the recommended dosage. St. John's Wort - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each capsule. 1/2 teaspoon of powder is about equal to one capsule. Powder can be consumed by sprinkling it over your food or mixing it with a syrup such as maple or chocolate. You could also mix it with orange juice. The citric acid in the orange juice will help to mask any unpleasant powder tastes. Other common names: Goatweed, Hypericum, Amber, Witches' Wort, Klamath Weed, St. Joan's Wort, Common St. John's Wort, Tipton's Weed, God's Wonder Plant St. John's Wort is powerful natural medicine for temporary depression. It has become the world's most popular herbal supplement for banishing the blues and controlling stress and has also been used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and a host of other ailments. History: St. John's Wort is a perennial plant, native to Western Asia, Europe and Great Britain (especially in Wales), and it has been introduced to the United States, where it grows wild. The herb grows in well-drained to dry soil in partial shade to a height of about thirty-two inches and bears bright yellow petals with flowering tops. Although St. John's Wort is cultivated in many parts of Europe for commercial purposes, it is it is listed as a noxious weed in several countries. St. John’s Wort invades pastures and replaces useful vegetation as a toxic weed, making productive land unviable, as ingestion by livestock can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion and may be fatal. The plant allegedly possessed mystical and magical powers, partly due to the fluorescent red pigment, hypericin (one of its most powerful chemical constituents) that oozed like blood from the crushed flowers. If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, that red resin will ooze out, and according to one legend of the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded. Another legend says the plant's name came from the fact that it bloomed around June 29th, which is the feastday commemorating the beheading of St. John the Baptist on the Christian Church calendar. As a matter of fact, the plant's botanical genus, Hypericum, is said to be derived from the Greek words, hyper, meaning ''above'' and eikon ''picture,'' referring to a traditional custom of hanging St. John's Wort over a picture or icon in the house during St John's day to ward of  (less)

any unpleasant powder tastes. This herb is BULK DISCOUNTED in our 10 lb & 25 lb bulk packs. To find the bulk packs, just copy and paste the herb name into our Search, or refer to our Bulk By The Kilo & Ton category. Other common names: Guggulu, Guggul, Guggulow, Indian Bedellium, Mukul Myrrh, Makkul, False Myrrh Gum Guggul has been used for centuries in India to treat arthritis, poor circulation and obesity. Today, it is believed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, reduce high blood pressure, ease arthritis and enhance the immune system. It is also thought to increase metabolism and help in weight loss programs. History: There are many species of small, deciduous, mostly thorny shrubs and trees that belong to the Commiphora genus that are native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and tropical Americas. The trees exude an oleo-gum resin that is known as myrrh, which has been used in the Middle East since Biblical times for infected wounds, bronchial and digestive complaints, and was especially associated with women's health and purification rituals. In India, it was traditionally used to treat poor circulation, dyspepsia, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, menstrual problems and arthritis. The term, ''bdellium,'' can refer to any of the trees that produce myrrh or to the resin or gum that the trees exude. The trees, which remain leafless most of the year, thrive in well-drained soil in full sun in a minimum of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit and produce the pungent, astringent, aromatic oleo-gum resin that is used in herbal medicine. It is interesting to note that cardiovascular disease has been affecting civilization for thousands of years, and practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine understood many of its principles, including arteriosclerosis, and described it in the ancient medical treatises of Charaka Samhita. They understood that ''coating and obstructing channels'' may result in fatty streaks in blood vessels. To counteract the process, Ayurvedic practitioners have prescribed an amber-like resin that oozes from incisions in the Commiphora mukul, known as Gum Guggul. In the 1960s, the oleo-gum resin was systemically studied for its potential in the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol, or hyper-lipidemia. Continuing research in the 1980s, at the Banaras University in India (and elsewhere), demonstrated that use of Gum Guggul helped to significantly lower serum cholesterol (by an average of 17.3%) and triglycerides (by an average of 30.3%) in 78% of the patients treated, and the positive changes in blood lipids were noticeable after four weeks of therapy with no side effects reported. Gum Guggul has recently been found to contain unique saponins, known as guggulipids, which has been used to relieve ma  (less)

appearing over dark green leaves which grow through the rocks of mountain peaks. This is loose green tea, not bagged. One pound is the equivalent of approximately 200 tea bags. Green tea should be steeped in very hot, but not boiling, water. Boiling water will scorch the delicate flavor, rendering it bitter. Green tea comes mainly from China, Japan, Taiwan and, to a lesser degree, India. The critical difference between green and black tea is that green tea leaves are not allowed to ferment. Green tea is, instead, steamed, rolled and fired. Green tea is the natural dried leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Black tea is oxidized green tea. The phrase 'Black Tea' is also used as a generic name for all Camelia sinensis teas. The major Black Tea types, from the traditional black tea evergeen (Camellia sinensis), classified according to processing method, include: fermented, or black, tea, producing an amber-coloured, full-flavoured beverage without bitterness; semi-fermented, or oolong, producing a slightly bitter, light brownish-green liquid; and unfermented, or green, tea, resulting in a mild, slightly bitter, pale greenish-yellow beverage. Tea contains only four calories per cup when consumed without added ingredients but is a source of several B-complex vitamins, including B2 and nicotinic acid. Caffeine is responsible for tea's stimulating effect. Flavor is produced by volatile oils, and astringency and color by tannin. Black teas are classified by geographical origin and the size of the processed leaf. Traditional operations result in larger leafy grades and smaller broken grades. The leafy grades are flowery pekoe (FP), orange pekoe (OP), pekoe (P), pekoe souchong (PS), and souchong (S). BOP=Broken Orange pekoe; FOP=Flowery Orange Pekoe; TGFOP-Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe; FTGFOP=Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Green tea is not graded similar to black tea but classified according to age, style of the leaf and manufacture, e.g., Gunpowder, Pan-fired, Young Hysson, Bancha, etc. Since green tea, unlike black and oolong tea, is not fermented, the active constituents remain unaltered in the herb. Green tea is bioflavonoid-rich, proven useful for fighting free radical damage in the human body. It has a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids. Green tea's best studied polyphenol is Epigallocatechin Gallate. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), protects against digestive and respiratory infections. A solution of 1 mcg per ml of EGCG heavily inhibited influenza virus in vitro. Green tea is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as it exerts antioxidant activity, lowers cholesterol and reduc  (less)

and is also called Italian Everlasting or Immortelle. The word Helichrysum is derived from the Greek ''helios'' meaning sun and ''chrysos'' meaning gold, referring to the color of many of the flowers of species in this genus. Helichrysum as a herb has been revered since the time of Homer and the ancient Greeks for its great wound healing ability. Helichrysum oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing, but should not be used on children under 12 years. Helichrysum oil is helpful for circulatory disorders; it can relieve the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. It has a beneficial effect on colds, flu, bronchitis, coughs and asthma. Helichrysum oil has regenerating qualities and can assist in the healing of scars, acne, dermatitis, stretch marks, boils and abscesses. Folk medicine also presents this as a great helps for healing scars and fighting the ravages of aging. It aids the digestive system, reducing liver and spleen congestion. In vapor therapy or diluted in the bath Helichrysum oil can help with: muscle aches and pains, respiratory problems and the digestive system. As a blended massage oil Helichrysum oil can assist with: muscle aches and pains, respiratory problems and the digestive system. In a cream or as a lotion Helichrysum oil can be beneficial to dermatitis, acne and the healing of scars. Helichrysum oil blends particularly well with Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary sage, Lavender, Mandarin and Rosewood. Essential and resin oils are volatile, fragrant materials extracted from the root, bark, wood, seed, fruit, leaf or flower of a single plant. Essential oils contain the odor, taste and medicinal properties of the plant itself, but in very concentrated form, with no base oil, alcohol, water or dilutants added. Steam distillation and cold pressing are used to extract the essential oil from the plant. Starwest Essential Oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and undiluted. The distillation process occurs either at the site where the plants are grown or at a distillery. Each oil is tested for purity and strength using the gas chromatography method. Packaged in glass amber bottles to preserve the oils, the 1/3 ounce size has a fitted dropper insert and a tamper-evident, child-proof lid. The larger items are in amber glass or PET gallon containers, depending on the product. Starwest’s pure essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy, cosmetic preparation, healing and body care, potpourris and more. Essential oils are very potent and should always be used sparingly and in conjunction with a reliable reference.  (less)

a way of judging the recommended dosage. St. John's Wort - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each capsule. 1/2 teaspoon of powder is about equal to one capsule. Powder can be consumed by sprinkling it over your food or mixing it with a syrup such as maple or chocolate. You could also mix it with orange juice. The citric acid in the orange juice will help to mask any unpleasant powder tastes. Other common names: Goatweed, Hypericum, Amber, Witches' Wort, Klamath Weed, St. Joan's Wort, Common St. John's Wort, Tipton's Weed, God's Wonder Plant St. John's Wort is powerful natural medicine for temporary depression. It has become the world's most popular herbal supplement for banishing the blues and controlling stress and has also been used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and a host of other ailments. History: St. John's Wort is a perennial plant, native to Western Asia, Europe and Great Britain (especially in Wales), and it has been introduced to the United States, where it grows wild. The herb grows in well-drained to dry soil in partial shade to a height of about thirty-two inches and bears bright yellow petals with flowering tops. Although St. John's Wort is cultivated in many parts of Europe for commercial purposes, it is it is listed as a noxious weed in several countries. St. John’s Wort invades pastures and replaces useful vegetation as a toxic weed, making productive land unviable, as ingestion by livestock can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion and may be fatal. The plant allegedly possessed mystical and magical powers, partly due to the fluorescent red pigment, hypericin (one of its most powerful chemical constituents) that oozed like blood from the crushed flowers. If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, that red resin will ooze out, and according to one legend of the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded. Another legend says the plant's name came from the fact that it bloomed around June 29th, which is the feastday commemorating the beheading of St. John the Baptist on the Christian Church calendar. As a matter of fact, the plant's botanical genus, Hypericum, is said to be derived from the Greek words, hyper, meaning ''above'' and eikon ''picture,'' referring to a traditional custom of hanging St. John's Wort over a picture or icon in the house during St John's day to ward off evil. In Middle English, the term ''wort'' referred to any plant or vegetable that was used medicinally, and this herb was used in herbal medicine in medieval England to treat attacks of insanity attributed to the work of evil spirits or the d  (less)

any unpleasant powder tastes. This herb is BULK DISCOUNTED in our 10 lb & 25 lb bulk packs. To find the bulk packs, just copy and paste the herb name into our Search, or refer to our Bulk By The Kilo & Ton category. Other common names: Guggulu, Guggul, Guggulow, Indian Bedellium, Mukul Myrrh, Makkul, False Myrrh Gum Guggul has been used for centuries in India to treat arthritis, poor circulation and obesity. Today, it is believed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, reduce high blood pressure, ease arthritis and enhance the immune system. It is also thought to increase metabolism and help in weight loss programs. History: There are many species of small, deciduous, mostly thorny shrubs and trees that belong to the Commiphora genus that are native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and tropical Americas. The trees exude an oleo-gum resin that is known as myrrh, which has been used in the Middle East since Biblical times for infected wounds, bronchial and digestive complaints, and was especially associated with women's health and purification rituals. In India, it was traditionally used to treat poor circulation, dyspepsia, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, menstrual problems and arthritis. The term, ''bdellium,'' can refer to any of the trees that produce myrrh or to the resin or gum that the trees exude. The trees, which remain leafless most of the year, thrive in well-drained soil in full sun in a minimum of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit and produce the pungent, astringent, aromatic oleo-gum resin that is used in herbal medicine. It is interesting to note that cardiovascular disease has been affecting civilization for thousands of years, and practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine understood many of its principles, including arteriosclerosis, and described it in the ancient medical treatises of Charaka Samhita. They understood that ''coating and obstructing channels'' may result in fatty streaks in blood vessels. To counteract the process, Ayurvedic practitioners have prescribed an amber-like resin that oozes from incisions in the Commiphora mukul, known as Gum Guggul. In the 1960s, the oleo-gum resin was systemically studied for its potential in the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol, or hyper-lipidemia. Continuing research in the 1980s, at the Banaras University in India (and elsewhere), demonstrated that use of Gum Guggul helped to significantly lower serum cholesterol (by an average of 17.3%) and triglycerides (by an average of 30.3%) in 78% of the patients treated, and the positive changes in blood lipids were noticeable after four weeks of therapy with no side effects reported. Gum Guggul has recently been found to contain unique saponins, known as guggulipids, which has been used to relieve ma  (less)

and is also called Italian Everlasting or Immortelle. The word Helichrysum is derived from the Greek ''helios'' meaning sun and ''chrysos'' meaning gold, referring to the color of many of the flowers of species in this genus. Helichrysum as a herb has been revered since the time of Homer and the ancient Greeks for its great wound healing ability. Aromatherapy benefits: Use for conditions of depression, debility, nervous exhaustion, headache, migraine, neuralgia, and stress related conditions, shock, phobias. Blends Well With: bergamot, chamomile, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, lemon. Helichrysum oil is non-toxic, non-irritant and non-sensitizing, but should not be used on children under 12 years. Helichrysum oil is helpful for circulatory disorders; it can relieve the pain of rheumatism and arthritis. It has a beneficial effect on colds, flu, bronchitis, coughs and asthma. Helichrysum oil has regenerating qualities and can assist in the healing of scars, acne, dermatitis, stretch marks, boils and abscesses. Folk medicine also presents this as a great helps for healing scars and fighting the ravages of aging. It aids the digestive system, reducing liver and spleen congestion. In vapor therapy or diluted in the bath Helichrysum oil can help with: muscle aches and pains, respiratory problems and the digestive system. As a blended massage oil Helichrysum oil can assist with: muscle aches and pains, respiratory problems and the digestive system. In a cream or as a lotion Helichrysum oil can be beneficial to dermatitis, acne and the healing of scars. Helichrysum oil blends particularly well with Bergamot, Chamomile, Clary sage, Lavender, Mandarin and Rosewood. Essential and resin oils are volatile, fragrant materials extracted from the root, bark, wood, seed, fruit, leaf or flower of a single plant. Essential oils contain the odor, taste and medicinal properties of the plant itself, but in very concentrated form, with no base oil, alcohol, water or dilutants added. Steam distillation and cold pressing are used to extract the essential oil from the plant. Starwest Essential Oils are guaranteed to be 100% pure and undiluted. The distillation process occurs either at the site where the plants are grown or at a distillery. Each oil is tested for purity and strength using the gas chromatography method. Packaged in glass amber bottles to preserve the oils, the 1/3 ounce size has a fitted dropper insert and a tamper-evident, child-proof lid. The larger items are in amber glass or PET gallon containers, depending on the product. Starwest’s pure essential oils are suitable for use in aromatherapy, cosmetic preparation, healing and body care, potpourris and more. Essential oils are very  (less)

appearing over dark green leaves which grow through the rocks of mountain peaks. This is loose green tea, not bagged. One pound is the equivalent of approximately 200 tea bags. Green tea should be steeped in very hot, but not boiling, water. Boiling water will scorch the delicate flavor, rendering it bitter. Green tea comes mainly from China, Japan, Taiwan and, to a lesser degree, India. The critical difference between green and black tea is that green tea leaves are not allowed to ferment. Green tea is, instead, steamed, rolled and fired. Green tea is the natural dried leaves of the tea plant, Camellia sinensis. Black tea is oxidized green tea. The phrase 'Black Tea' is also used as a generic name for all Camelia sinensis teas. The major Black Tea types, from the traditional black tea evergeen (Camellia sinensis), classified according to processing method, include: fermented, or black, tea, producing an amber-coloured, full-flavoured beverage without bitterness; semi-fermented, or oolong, producing a slightly bitter, light brownish-green liquid; and unfermented, or green, tea, resulting in a mild, slightly bitter, pale greenish-yellow beverage. Tea contains only four calories per cup when consumed without added ingredients but is a source of several B-complex vitamins, including B2 and nicotinic acid. Caffeine is responsible for tea's stimulating effect. Flavor is produced by volatile oils, and astringency and color by tannin. Black teas are classified by geographical origin and the size of the processed leaf. Traditional operations result in larger leafy grades and smaller broken grades. The leafy grades are flowery pekoe (FP), orange pekoe (OP), pekoe (P), pekoe souchong (PS), and souchong (S). BOP=Broken Orange pekoe; FOP=Flowery Orange Pekoe; TGFOP-Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe; FTGFOP=Finest Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe. Green tea is not graded similar to black tea but classified according to age, style of the leaf and manufacture, e.g., Gunpowder, Pan-fired, Young Hysson, Bancha, etc. Since green tea, unlike black and oolong tea, is not fermented, the active constituents remain unaltered in the herb. Green tea is bioflavonoid-rich, proven useful for fighting free radical damage in the human body. It has a high content of polyphenols, which are a class of bioflavonoids. Green tea's best studied polyphenol is Epigallocatechin Gallate. Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG), protects against digestive and respiratory infections. A solution of 1 mcg per ml of EGCG heavily inhibited influenza virus in vitro. Green tea is beneficial in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease as it exerts antioxidant activity, lowers cholesterol and reduc  (less)

We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose ''00'' capsules for all of our encapsulated products. We offer both bulk powder and capsules. Obviously our bulk bottles are bulk powder, not capsules, but the capsule weight is included to give you a way of judging the recommended dosage. St. John's Wort - Standardized Extract -- Approximately 600 mg. each capsule. 1/2 teaspoon of powder is about equal to one capsule. Powder can be consumed by sprinkling it over your food or mixing it with a syrup such as maple or chocolate. You could also mix it with orange juice. The citric acid in the orange juice will help to mask any unpleasant powder tastes. Other common names: Goatweed, Hypericum, Amber, Witches' Wort, Klamath Weed, St. Joan's Wort, Common St. John's Wort, Tipton's Weed, God's Wonder Plant St. John's Wort is powerful natural medicine for temporary depression. It has become the world's most popular herbal supplement for banishing the blues and controlling stress and has also been used to treat chronic fatigue syndrome, anxiety and a host of other ailments. History: St. John's Wort is a perennial plant, native to Western Asia, Europe and Great Britain (especially in Wales), and it has been introduced to the United States, where it grows wild. The herb grows in well-drained to dry soil in partial shade to a height of about thirty-two inches and bears bright yellow petals with flowering tops. Although St. John's Wort is cultivated in many parts of Europe for commercial purposes, it is it is listed as a noxious weed in several countries. St. John’s Wort invades pastures and replaces useful vegetation as a toxic weed, making productive land unviable, as ingestion by livestock can cause photosensitization, central nervous system depression, spontaneous abortion and may be fatal. The plant allegedly possessed mystical and magical powers, partly due to the fluorescent red pigment, hypericin (one of its most powerful chemical constituents) that oozed like blood from the crushed flowers. If you rub the petals of this flower between your fingers, that red resin will ooze out, and according to one legend of the Middle Ages, this plant sprang from the blood of St. John the Baptist when he was beheaded. Another legend says the plant's name came from the fact that it bloomed around June 29th, which is the feastday commemorating the beheading of St. John the Baptist on the Christian Church calendar. As a matter of fact, the plant's botanical genus, Hypericum, is said to be derived from the Greek words, hyper, meaning ''above'' and eikon ''picture,'' referring to a traditional custom of hanging St. John's Wort over a picture or icon in the house during St John's day to ward off evil. In Middle English, the term ''wort'' referred to  (less)

any unpleasant powder tastes. This herb is BULK DISCOUNTED in our 10 lb & 25 lb bulk packs. To find the bulk packs, just copy and paste the herb name into our Search, or refer to our Bulk By The Kilo & Ton category. Other common names: Guggulu, Guggul, Guggulow, Indian Bedellium, Mukul Myrrh, Makkul, False Myrrh Gum Guggul has been used for centuries in India to treat arthritis, poor circulation and obesity. Today, it is believed to lower cholesterol levels in the blood, reduce high blood pressure, ease arthritis and enhance the immune system. It is also thought to increase metabolism and help in weight loss programs. History: There are many species of small, deciduous, mostly thorny shrubs and trees that belong to the Commiphora genus that are native to India, the Middle East, and parts of Africa and tropical Americas. The trees exude an oleo-gum resin that is known as myrrh, which has been used in the Middle East since Biblical times for infected wounds, bronchial and digestive complaints, and was especially associated with women's health and purification rituals. In India, it was traditionally used to treat poor circulation, dyspepsia, mouth ulcers, gingivitis, menstrual problems and arthritis. The term, ''bdellium,'' can refer to any of the trees that produce myrrh or to the resin or gum that the trees exude. The trees, which remain leafless most of the year, thrive in well-drained soil in full sun in a minimum of fifty to sixty degrees Fahrenheit and produce the pungent, astringent, aromatic oleo-gum resin that is used in herbal medicine. It is interesting to note that cardiovascular disease has been affecting civilization for thousands of years, and practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine understood many of its principles, including arteriosclerosis, and described it in the ancient medical treatises of Charaka Samhita. They understood that ''coating and obstructing channels'' may result in fatty streaks in blood vessels. To counteract the process, Ayurvedic practitioners have prescribed an amber-like resin that oozes from incisions in the Commiphora mukul, known as Gum Guggul. In the 1960s, the oleo-gum resin was systemically studied for its potential in the treatment of elevated blood cholesterol, or hyper-lipidemia. Continuing research in the 1980s, at the Banaras University in India (and elsewhere), demonstrated that use of Gum Guggul helped to significantly lower serum cholesterol (by an average of 17.3%) and triglycerides (by an average of 30.3%) in 78% of the patients treated, and the positive changes in blood lipids were noticeable after four weeks of therapy with no side effects reported. Gum Guggul has recently been found to contain unique saponins, known as guggulipids, which has been used to relieve ma  (less)