2009-04-20 - Learn more about the botanicals in Big Tub Botanicals Features Evening Primrose, Heal-all, St. John's Wort & Rose

Featured plants:  Common evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), Heal-all (Prunella vulgaris), St.John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), Prickly rose (Rosa acicularis).  These common species can often be seen in ditches and waste places along the highway, and are largely considered weeds.  Yet, they have many healing and health-giving properties to offer. Evening primrose is a plant native to North America and was traditionally used as a poultice  for bruises and sores.  Modern herbalists use evening primrose oil to treat PMS.  The oil of evening primrose seeds is now used as an anti-inflammatory and is a common ingredient in herbal beauty creams.  You can find evening primrose oil in Big Tub Botanicals Eye Serum & Facial Oil. Heal-all or Self-heal is a non-native species that traveled to Canada from Europe.  It has traditionally been used as a gargle and as a poultice to promote circulation.  It has antibiotic, antioxidant and antitumor properties and is used by modern herbalists for bruising, infammation and to promote healing.  You can find heal-all in Big Tub Botanicals Hand & Heel Salve. St.John's wort is also a non-native species from Europe and a traditional treatment for ulcers, wounds and sores.  It is now known to be a powerful anti-depressant with the ability to regulate & balance brain chemicals.  In skin-care it is used as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.  Herbalists use it frequently as a healing herb, anti-fungal and detoxifier.  You can find St.John's wort in Big Tub Botanicals Healing Salve & Lemon Balm Balm. Prickly rose is a native species with both the flower and fruit having soothing and healing properties.  Traditionally the flower tea was used to soothe stomach upset and liver ailments.  Flowers are believed to promote circulation and have been used to make rosewater, which has long been a staple bath & beauty products.  The fruit (rosehips) are high in vitamin C and were used to treat scurvy.  Today, rosehip seed oil is an exceptional beauty oil for facial creams & lip balms.  Rose waters and oils are astringent and clarifying, especially good for aging skin.  You can find rosehip seed oil in Big Tub Botanicals Shea Butter Rose soap, Eye Serum & Shimmering Lip Gloss, rose petals in BTB Shea Butter Rose soap, and rose water in BTB Cleansing Lotion & Facial Toner. The creator of Big Tub Botanicals offers workshops on medicinal plants & herbs at Gamiing Nature Centre.  For more information, please Contact Us.