Welcome To Artemisia Afra

Who are we physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually biologically, historically and so on? You must be wondering why so many questions, well to truly explain Artemisia Afra I must first say it is all relevant.  Artemisia Afra is based on the foundation of Self Nourishment and Self Love and to truly understand that you must submit to the source of the physical, the mental, the emotional and so on. Artemisia Afra is just a platform for a voice, my voice, your voice and our voices to be heard. We talk about being a “Sacred Women”1 or a “Rite of Passage to Womanhood”2 we talk about foods that are vital to our life source or herbs and oils that promotes hair growth or soothes the aches and pains.  We even give a light to all the wonderful brothers and sisters who are all speaking the same language as we do.  We only want to share with you knowledge that is already yours to have and love.
 

Wisdom, Love and Resources...Artemisia Afra come and visit us www.artemisiaafra.net
coming soon!!!!

1 Sacred Woman, Queen Afua 2 Rite of Passage to Womanhood, Artemisia Afra Better Living Plan

What’s an Herb?

An herb is a plant that is valued for flavor, scent, medicinal and for spiritual purposes. In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered “herbs”, including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, resin, root bark, inner bark (cambium), berries and sometimes the pericarp or other portions of the plant.

Culinary Herbs
 
Culinary use of the term “herb” typically distinguishes between herbs, from the leafy green parts of a plant, and spices, from other parts of the plant, including seeds, berries, bark, root and fruit. Culinary herbs are distinguished from vegetables in that, like spices, they are used in small amounts and provide flavor rather than substance to food. Many culinary herbs are perennials such as thyme or lavender, while others are biennials such as parsley or annuals like basil, and some are shrubs (such as rosemary, Rosmarinus officinalis), or trees (such as bay laurel, Laurus nobilis) – this contrasts with botanical herbs, which by definition cannot be woody plants. Some plants are used as both a spice and an herb, such as dill seed and dill weed or coriander seeds and coriander leaves. Also, there are some herbs such as those in the mint family that are used for culinary and medicinal purposes.

Medicinal Herbs
 
Plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. There may be some effects when consumed in the small levels that typify culinary “spicing”, and some herbs are toxic in larger quantities. For instance, some types of herbal extract, such as the extract of St. John’s-wort (Hypericum perforatum) or of kava (Piper methysticum) can be used for medical purposes to relieve depression and stress. However, large amounts of these herbs may lead to toxic overload that may involve complications, some of a serious nature, and should be used with caution. One herb-like substance, called Shilajit, may actually help lower blood glucose levels which is especially important for those suffering from diabetes. Some herbs are used not only for culinary and medicinal purposes, but also for psychoactive and/or recreational purposes; one such herb is cannabis.

Sacred Herbs 
 
Herbs are used in many religions. For example, myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) and frankincense (Boswellia spp) in Christianity, the Nine Herbs Charm in Anglo-Saxon paganism, the neem tree (Azadirachta indica) by the Tamils, holy basil or tulsi (Ocimum tenuiflorum) in Hinduism, and many Rastafarians consider cannabis (Cannabis sp) to be a holy plant. Siberian Shamans also used herbs for spiritual purposes. Plants may be used to induce spiritual experiences for rites of passage, such as vision quests in some Native American cultures. The Cherokee Native Americans use white sage and cedar for spiritual cleansing and smudging.

Info provided by http://herbs.org 

Essential Oils
 
Neem Flower
 
Derived from a tree native to India, neem is used to treat a number of skin diseases, as an astringent, antibacterial and antiviral. It is also a preservative. The oil has a long history of use in treatment of hair loss, dandruff, excess sebum production, brittle nails, nail fungus and gum infections. This herb is hard to find unless you have a neem tree, but pre-prepared oil can be purchased.

Info provided by (Excerpted from Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art, Crossing Press, 1995) © Kathi Keville, Mindy Green

Great articles and MORE!!!
Full Newsletter on Facebook.com/Artemisia.Afra

Conventional Medicine v.s. Alternative Medicine
What makes for a healthy vegetarian diet?
Featured Artist James Eugene
Featured Music Group Zili Misik

James Eugene