Sharing the health benefits of plants 

What does serenity mean to you? Dictionary definitions generally refer to being in a peaceful, untroubled and/or relaxed state. Personally, when I think about serenity, I see myself waking up refreshed from a restful night's sleep, feeling refreshed, knowing that whatever happens I am able to deal with it in a calm and confident manner. Not easy in this rapidly evolving, sometimes chaotic world! However, certain plants can help us along the way. One such plant is Valerian ( V

Not so long ago I was asked, rather sarcastically, « So, how does aromatherapy work then? Healing by smell ?! ». In a way, this is a logical conclusion given the name «  aroma therapy ». Indeed, some scents, including Lavender ( Lavandula angustifolia), have been proven to reduce stress levels by stimulating the release of neurotransmitters, such as endorphins, with relaxing and sedative properties [1, 2] . These, in turn, immediately impact physiological functions in the bo

Common Hawthorn ( Crataegus monogyna) is well known for its fruit, popular in syrups, liqueur, ketchup and jam, but did you know that the...