Herbal Quiz from St. Francis Herb Farm

Answer is Elderberry.

Hello herb! A “berry” good one!

These deep, dark berries are harvested from bushes at their peak in the autumn and are one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world!

They were traditionally used to treat fever and rheumatism, and ancient Egyptians made preparations from them to improve their complexions and heal burns.

While still gathered and used in folk medicine across Europe, the berries are well-established as effective antiviral, antibacterial plant medicines, rich in flavonoid compounds that make them an effective treatment for treating coughs and other symptoms of common colds and flu!

Answer is Reishi.

This plant is known as “king of mushrooms” and is highly valued in Tradition Chinese Medicine for its healing properties, abilities to build resiliency against stress and balancing effects on the body – including the immune system!

We work with sustainable cultivators of this amazing adaptogenic plant medicine that is a key ingredient in our Deep Immune and Allergy Relief with Deep Immune formulas!

Answer is Nettle.

Nettle (Urtica dioica) is one of the first herbs to emerge in Spring – just in time for allergy season – for which it's a valuable remedy!

This powerful, natural antihistamine herb helps to treat allergic nasal symptoms and respiratory issues like cough, runny nose, and chest congestion.

PLUS, nettle also exerts a balancing effect on the allergic immune response by stabilizing cells that release histamine, helping to reduce future reactions!

Many natural products contain nettle, but we’ve crafted formulas that blend nettle with complimentary herbs - that amplify its amazing benefits for the ultimate natural allergy relief. We also use only the highest quality, certified organic nettle, and traditional extraction techniques.

Nettle is a foundational herb in both our Sinafect® and Allergy Relief with Deep Immune® formula, where its anti-allergy properties work in synergy with targeted plant medicines to help relieve immediate symptoms PLUS treat the root cause of hay fever!

Answer is Black Cohosh.

Black cohosh (Actaea racemosa or Cimicifuga racemosa) may sound like a dark, mysterious plant - especially with common names like "snakeroot" and "black bugbane" – but it is also known as “fairy candle”, bears dainty flowers, and is a member of the buttercup family!

Native to the forests of eastern North America, the root and rhizome of this medicinal flowering plant was traditionally used by native North Americans and European settlers to support women’s menstrual and reproductive health.

Black cohosh remains a popular herbal remedy today for its ability to ease symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause, such as cramping, tension, hot flashes, and other symptoms of hormonal imbalances.

Because of its multi-faceted benefits, black cohosh is a key ingredient in several of our women’s health tincture formulas, including PMS Support, Menopause Support and Menstrual Tonic.

Each formula blends black cohosh with condition-specific, targeted herbs that benefit a variety of women’s health issues. Learn more about our formulas that harness the benefits of black cohosh – link in bio!

Answer is Goldenrod.

Whether you think of goldenrod as a joyful wildflower, invasive weed, or poster plant for allergies (psst! Lookalike ragweed is to blame for your sneezing) – this sunny plant has amazing herbal benefits!

In folklore, goldenrod is associated with good luck and its growth near your house meant good fortune to come! Its Latin name – Solidago means “to heal or make whole”, reflecting its use in traditional plant medicine.

Traditionally, goldenrod was applied topically to treat wounds, as a mouth rinse to treat inflammation of the mouth and throat and to treat conditions related to both the kidney and bladder.

Goldenrod is a foundational herb in our UTI Clear formula, for its strong anti-inflammatory and antiseptic qualities that specifically address issues of the urinary tract. It also works to increase flow of urine and soothe inflammation!

Learn more about how goldenrod - PLUS complementary urinary health herbs - work together to treat urinary issues.

Answer is St. John’s Wort.

St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) is known for its beautiful, sunny yellow flowers - but this powerful herb has been used therapeutically for thousands of years.

The medicinal blooms appear in late June, around Summer Solstice and the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist - hence its name. St. John’s Wort would traditionally be hung in houses to ward off evil spirits and to protect families and their livestock.

This herb has remarkable pain relieving and nerve soothing benefits when applied topically AND when taken medicinally!

Taking St. John’s Wort internally has been found to help in cases of mild to moderate depression and helps relieve restlessness or nervousness.

It has also been called “arnica for the nerves” due to its usefulness in painful, neuralgic conditions as well applying to everyday traumas including bruises, sprains, swelling, minor cuts and burns including sunburn.

Because of its versatility, we have crafted Certified Organic St. John’s Wort into 3 different herbal products: St. John’s Wort topical oil, St. John’s Wort tincture and as a key ingredient in one of our most popular formulas – Ear Oil!

Answer is Passion Flower.

Hello herb – just look at this intricate flower!

This spectacular looking climbing plant was introduced to Europe from the Americas by the Spanish in the 16th century. It has a long history of use as a therapeutic herb by Native Americans.

It is said that this plant was named for the impression it left on Christian missionaries who found that various parts of the flower symbolized elements of the death of Christ.

As for its medicinal qualities, this exceptionally beautiful herb has calmative, sleep inducing, muscle relaxing effects – and can soothe a restless mind – helping one to fall asleep with ease.

We turned to this plant medicine as a central ingredient in our ValeriCalm® sleep aid tonic, for its relaxant benefits that are especially helpful during periods of mental stress.

Answer is Echinacea.

There are two powerful strains, are you able to identify them?

Echinacea frequently grows in North American gardens and is an extremely popular cold & flu remedy that can help lessen the impact of common viruses – and even nip them in the bud!

Did you know this perennial member of the sunflower family has a spiny seed head that inspired its genus name “echinos” – Greek for hedgehog?

Species #1 is native to eastern North America – has specific antiviral properties and was studied extensively in Germany.

Species #2 is native to central/western north America, is anti-bacterial PLUS it amplifies and extends the beneficial compounds found in species #1!

Many echinacea products only contain species #1, as it was inadvertently brought to Europe for mass cultivation, despite the fact that species #2 was more extensively used and studied in its native North America.

BUT more current research has found that the 2 species combined creates the most powerful and effective cold & flu remedy!

Can you name these 2 species of echinacea? (HINT: they can be found in many of our cold & flu formulas like EchinAce®, EchinaSeal® and Echinacea Kids!)

Answer is Propolis.

Hello Herb!

While this natural wonder isn’t a plant medicine, it does come from nature (bees, to be exact) and holds potent healing qualities!

Honeybees create this reddish-brown resinous mixture from a mix of their saliva and wax with substances gathered from tree buds, for building and supporting hives and to seal and varnish honeycombs. (It’s also known as “bee glue!)

As for human use – ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians were aware of its healing properties and made extensive use of it as a medicine for relieving pain, fighting infection, and speeding healing.

Today, you can find it as a key ingredient, alongside powerful plant medicines in our Stop It® Cold Throat Spray that works to effectively treat throat infections!

Can you name this nature-made therapeutic substance?

Answer is Codonopsis.

This beautiful flowering plant is commonly known as "Woodland bonnet bellflower" or "false ginseng" and has a long, thick sweet tasting root with potent medicinal benefits.

It's a valuable herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine where it is frequently used to increase energy levels, help the body adapt to stress and recover after illness - much like the well-known adaptogen, ginseng! These roots make for a more affordable substitute for ginseng, hence the common English names “false ginseng" and "poor man’s ginseng”.

This root is also a revered immune support tonic that both strengthens immunity and bolsters the body's resiliency to infection!

(HINT: It's an excellent herb for children - and is one of the 2 active herbal ingredients in our Deep immune® Kids formula.)