LEMON BALM (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is native to southern Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa.  The plant is lemon scented and in the mint family. Its leaves are oval shaped and toothed with tiny white flowers that are highly attractive to honeybees.  Lemon balm used to be rubbed on beehives to encourage the productiveness of bees.…

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Salvia officinalis (Garden Sage)

Salvia officinalis (Garden Sage) is native to the Mediterranean region.  Garden Sage can be used for culinary purposes. It is a great addition to salads, pasta dishes, soups, beans, cabbage, and eggplant. Traditionally,  garden sage was added to meats as a preservative and flavoring. The medicinal properties of Salvia officinalis (Garden Sage) include it being…

Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh)

Commiphora myrrh (Myrrh) is native to northeast Africa. It can also be found in Saudi Arabia, India, Iran, and Thailand. Myrrh has been used in perfumes since prebiblical times. The ancient Egyptians used this herb to embalm their dead. Myrrh has medicinal properties such as antiseptic, astringent, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, and wound healer. Antiseptic ( substances that…

The Different Types of Traditional African Healers

There are different types of traditional African healers. The traditional healers can have different names due to culture and/or language. One traditional healer is called the diviner (sangoma). The diviner is usually a highly respected female who diagnoses unexplained illnesses through and by contact with ancestral spirits. The diviner may or may not have knowledge of…