Rosemary

Metabolic Nature of Rosemary

See a complete list of all biocharacteristics.

METABOLIC NATURE

Metabolic Nature

Ayurveda assesses metabolic imbalances through 20 main biocharacteristics (gunas). Aggravating them weakens your body and causes imbalance. By knowing which biocharacteristics are habitually imbalanced in your body, you will be able to identify and correct metabolic imbalances before you get sick. Every biocharacteristic has an opposite which balances it (i.e. hot balances cold). You restore balance by favoring diet and lifestyle choices that increase the opposite biocharacteristic.
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LIQUEFIED

ABOUT LIQUEFIED BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Substances that thin fluids (lower viscosity of blood plasma). These may include blood thinners or mucolytic herbs.

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MOBILE

ABOUT MOBILE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Mobile refers to anything that stimulates the nervous system, muscles, or activity.

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CLEAR

ABOUT CLEAR BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Clear refers to anything that cleanses or flushes out wastes, or that digests ama.

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HOT

ABOUT HOT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot is identified by increased body temperature, metabolism, or inflammation.

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TASTES

The 6 Tastes

Taste is used to sense the most basic properties and effects of food. Each taste has a specific medicinal effect on your body. Cravings for food with certain tastes indicate your body is craving specific medicinal results from food. Taste is experienced on the tongue and represents your body's reaction to foods. Sweet taste causes physical satisfaction and attraction whereas bitter taste causes discomfort and aversion. Kapha should use less sweet taste while Vata and Pitta would benefit from using more sweet taste. One of the first signs of illness is that your taste and appetite for food changes. The six tastes are sweet, sour, salty, pungent, bitter, and astringent. Do you crave foods with any of the tastes below?
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ASTRINGENT

ABOUT ASTRINGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Astringency is characterized by constriction, drawing together, or drying.

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BITTER

ABOUT BITTER BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Bitter taste has cholagogue action - it is cold, clear, light, and stimulating. It increases digestive enzymes and is laxative, and drying.

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PUNGENT

ABOUT PUNGENT BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Pungency is characterized by irritation, or sharp, spicy foods that irritate the mouth such as black pepper.

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DOSHAS

The Three Doshas / Body Types

Ayurveda is a metabolic theory of medicine that explains individual health, tendencies, and disease patterns through the concept of doshas, which can be understood as your metabolic patterns and tendencies.
Each dosha reflects a distinct metabolic nature and describes strengths & weaknesses in bodily function, and how these affect energy levels, digestion, susceptibility to disease, and many other tendencies.
Your metabolic nature not only affects your physical characteristics, but also influences your mental thought patterns, confidence, and enthusiasm.
Ayurveda balances these metabolic strengths & weaknesses to support your body's vitality and prevent recurrent disease cycles. This support is a critical aid, especially in chronic or incurable disease conditions.
The 3 metabolic body types (doshas), are Catabolic (Vata), Metabolic (Pitta), and Anabolic (Kapha).
Through dosha, Ayurveda empowers people to identify metabolic imbalances early, break repetitive patterns of disease, and cultivate habits that support long-term vitality and well-being.
Ultimately, these metabolic patterns also provide a framework for understanding yourself, including body, mind, and spiritual tendencies.
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PACIFIES

AGGRAVATES

GREEK MEDICINE / TEMPERAMENTS

The Four Temperaments / Humors

Ayurveda & Greek Medicine were the dominant form of medicine along the Silk Road from England to China and South Asia. They work by assessing your metabolic type, patterns, and nature. Greek medicine recognizes 4 metabolic temperaments, Melancholic, Choleric, Sanguine, and Phlegmatic.
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PACIFIES

MELANCHOLIC

ABOUT MELANCHOLIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Cold and dry with a slow, variable or erratic metabolism. Colicky, tense. Withdrawn, pensive, anxious, and hesitant. Analytical, intelligent, detail oriented and creative. Prone to ojas depletion, dehydration, an overactive nervous system, and depression.

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PHLEGMATIC

ABOUT PHLEGMATIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Wet & cold. When out of balance becomes congested, stagnant, and overweight. Loving, trusting, and patient.

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AGGRAVATES

CHOLERIC

ABOUT CHOLERIC BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Has a hot and dry metabolic nature. Enthusiastic, vibrant and bright. In excess burns up fluids and ojas, irritable. Corresponds to high bilirubin in the blood that irritates and heats up the body and liver.

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SANGUINE

ABOUT SANGUINE BIOCHARACTERISTIC

Hot & moist. Full-blooded, vigorous. Vivacious, social, and epicurean. Bullish.

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Other

Subtaste:

Aromatic

AROMATIC

Herbs or spices with volatile essential oils that present strong aromas. Aromatic oils shock, refresh and numb tissue, with the end result of relaxing, opening and clearing stagnant fluids in tissues.

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Resinous

RESINOUS

Resinous substances often contain sap in them, such as rosemary, or herbs such as cedar, frankincense, and guggulu.

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Moves Energy:

Outward

OUTWARD

Outward-moving substances stimulate circulation, push heat towards the skin, or are stimulating.

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Affinity:

Digestion, Heart Circulation Blood, Respiratory Health

Family:

Lamiaceae

Medicinal Benefits, Uses & Herbal Actions of Rosemary
Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary. The list of herbal-actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.

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Digestion:

Digestive

DIGESTIVE

Herbs that encourage healthy digestion.

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Spleen Tonic

SPLEEN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens spleen function by improving strength of the blood. Spleen tonics Builds agni, brighten the person's appearances & firms up tissues.

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Stomachic

STOMACHIC

An herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.

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Cleanse & Detox:

Burns Toxins

BURNS-TOXINS

An herb that detoxifies by helping your body metabolize toxins, as opposed to eliminating them.

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Internal Detoxicant

INTERNAL-DETOXICANT

Liquefies, dissolves, decongests or dislodges internal stagnant toxins. Decongests the lymphatic system.

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Mind, Stress & Sleep:

Analgesic

STRONG ANALGESIC

Pain reliever, reduces pain without eliminating sensation. Also known as anodyne.

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Analeptic

ANALEPTIC

Stimulates the central nervous system (CNS). Increases alertness. Counteracts the effects of sedatives or other CNS depressants. These are used in dizziness, drowsiness, stupor, coma, or paralysis especially following a concussion or contusion.

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Antidepressant

ANTIDEPRESSANT

Herbs that lift feelings of depression, benefit the mind and improve mental function.

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Brain Tonic

BRAIN-TONIC

An herb that strengthens the brain and thereby enhances memory or other cognitive functions and improves mental stamina or stability.

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Cholinergic

CHOLINERGIC

Increases acetylcholine production or uptake, improving nerve health, memory, mood, coordination, and protecting neurons.

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Improves Focus

IMPROVES-FOCUS

Reduces scattered thoughts. Creates a steady mind. Includes herbs that relax (for Vata) and herbs that stimulate (for Kapha).

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Nerve Stimulant

NERVE-STIMULANT

Provide short lived stimulation of the nervous system.

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Nervine

NERVINE

Balances the nervous system. They can help with stress, memory, early alzheimer's, and even chronic pain. Often they are aromatic in nature.

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Neuroprotective

NEUROPROTECTIVE

Repairs / restores damaged nerves. Protects nerve health.

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Energy Vitality:

Stimulates Energy

STIMULATES-ENERGY

This category groups thyroid and adrenal stimulating herbs.

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Skin Care & Beauty:

Diaphoretic

DIAPHORETIC

An herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.

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Rubefacient

RUBEFACIENT

An herb used topically that causes dilation of the capillaries and an increase in blood circulation. The skin will appear red or flushed.

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Respiratory-Health:

Warms Chest

WARMS-CHEST

Warms the chest and lungs, clearing mucus and allowing for clear breathing. Often these herbs are hot, aromatic, and pungent.

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Bronchodilator

BRONCHODILATOR

An herb that encourages the widening or opening of the lung airways. They are helpful in wheezing and asthma.

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Decongestant

DECONGESTANT

An herb that reduces mucus production often by restricting blood flow to mucus membranes.

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Immune System:

Anthelminthic

ANTHELMINTHIC

Kills parasitic worms (hookworms, tapeworms, roundworms, etc).

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Anticarcinogenic

ANTICARCINOGENIC

Herbs that inhibit or prevent the activity of a carcinogen or the development of cancer.

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Antifungal

ANTIFUNGAL

Herbs that destroy fungus.

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Antimicrobial

ANTIMICROBIAL

An agent that kills microorganisms or inhibits their growth. Antimicrobial is an umbrella term that can be broken down into specific categories of target microorganism, such as anti-bacterials, fungals, and virals.

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Antiviral

ANTIVIRAL

Herbs that inhibit the development of viral infections. Antivirals also can be found in essential oils of some herbs, such as eucalyptus oil.

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Immune Calming

IMMUNE-CALMING

Herbs that interrupt an allergic reaction or calm the immune system, useful in allergies and autoimmune conditions.

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Heart & Circulation:

Cardiac Stimulant

CARDIAC-STIMULANT

Herbs that increase the heart rate. Useful in cardiovascular health, blood stagnation, and subjective feeling of heaviness in the chest area.

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Vasodilator

STRONG VASODILATOR

A vasodilator is an herb that widens the blood vessels by the relaxation of smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls, thereby increasing circulation systemically or to a local area.

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Cardiac Tonic

CARDIAC-TONIC

Strengthens and tones the heart (heart-tonic). Cardiac tonics are used to treat a wide range of heart issues from arrhythmia, to cardiac insufficiency.

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Hypertensive

HYPERTENSIVE

An herb that increases blood pressure.

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Reproductive Health:

Emmenagogue

EMMENAGOGUE

Herbs which stimulate menstruation. Emmenagogues are used for scanty menstruation, to relieve menstrual pain, and improve blood flow in the pelvic area and uterus.

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Strength, Muscle Health:

Muscle Relaxant

STRONG MUSCLE-RELAXANT

Herbs that relax muscles. Helpful for chronic pain or tension as well as healing from physical trauma.

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Antispasmodic

STRONG ANTISPASMODIC

Herbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, menstruation, heart palpitations, migraine, or IBS.

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Constituents:

Rosmarinic Acid

ROSMARINIC-ACID

Inhibits autoantibodies from binding to TSH receptors in the thyroid.

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Salicylates

SALICYLATES

Salicylates relieve inflammation, are anti-cancer, and antidiabetic, but some are allergic to it.

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Foods with a Similar Nature to Rosemary

Mustard Seed

Mustard Seed has these Actions in Common
Antimicrobial, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Warms-chest, Analgesic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy
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Mustard Powder

Mustard Powder has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial, Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Warms-chest
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Mustard

Mustard has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Warms-chest, Analgesic, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Digestive, Muscle-relaxant, Stimulates-energy, Antimicrobial
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Basil

Basil has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Cardiac-stimulant, Digestive, Improves-focus, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Hypertensive, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Antidepressant, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Immune-calming, Nerve-stimulant, Vasodilator
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Allspice

Allspice has these Actions in Common
Antispasmodic, Decongestant, Muscle-relaxant, Spleen-tonic, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Warms-chest, Antidepressant, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Rubefacient, Stomachic
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Sage

Sage has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Cholinergic, Digestive, Immune-calming, Neuroprotective, Bronchodilator, Decongestant, Emmenagogue, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Analgesic, Burns-toxins, Diaphoretic, Hypertensive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy
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Turmeric

Turmeric has these Actions in Common
Internal-detoxicant, Vasodilator, Analgesic, Antifungal, Brain-tonic, Emmenagogue, Neuroprotective, Warms-chest, Anthelminthic, Antimicrobial, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Anticarcinogenic, Antispasmodic, Digestive
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Thyme (fresh)

Thyme (fresh) has these Actions in Common
Decongestant, Immune-calming, Rubefacient, Vasodilator, Anthelminthic, Bronchodilator, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Antimicrobial, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Nervine, Stimulates-energy, Antispasmodic
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Cloves

Cloves has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Antimicrobial, Cardiac-stimulant, Internal-detoxicant, Spleen-tonic, Anthelminthic, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic, Nervine, Vasodilator, Antifungal, Burns-toxins, Digestive, Rubefacient, Warms-chest
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Mint

Mint has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Burns-toxins, Immune-calming, Spleen-tonic, Vasodilator, Antifungal, Diaphoretic, Internal-detoxicant, Stimulates-energy, Analgesic, Antispasmodic, Digestive, Nervine, Stomachic
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Herbs & Supplements with a Similar Nature to Rosemary

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi)

Holy Basil Leaf (Tulsi) has these Actions in Common
Burns-toxins, Nervine, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Decongestant, Stomachic, Antidepressant, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Antifungal, Emmenagogue, Warms-chest, Antimicrobial, Immune-calming, Antispasmodic, Internal-detoxicant, Bronchodilator, Muscle-relaxant
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Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz

Thyme White Essential Oil - 1/3 oz has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Rubefacient, Burns-toxins, Spleen-tonic, Decongestant, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator, Digestive, Anthelminthic, Immune-calming, Antimicrobial, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Nervine
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Wild Ginger

Wild Ginger has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Warms-chest, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Antispasmodic, Rubefacient, Burns-toxins, Spleen-tonic, Cardiac-stimulant, Stimulates-energy, Diaphoretic, Vasodilator
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Angelica

Angelica has these Actions in Common
Analgesic, Emmenagogue, Anticarcinogenic, Immune-calming, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Stomachic, Decongestant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Digestive
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Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru)

Deodar (Himalayan Cedar, Devadaru) has these Actions in Common
Cardiac-stimulant, Warms-chest, Decongestant, Digestive, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Vasodilator
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Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm has these Actions in Common
Diaphoretic, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Antidepressant, Nervine, Antispasmodic, Neuroprotective, Antiviral, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic, Vasodilator, Cholinergic
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Ginkgo

Ginkgo has these Actions in Common
Bronchodilator, Cardiac-tonic, Cholinergic, Analgesic, Immune-calming, Antidepressant, Internal-detoxicant, Antifungal, Nervine, Antimicrobial, Neuroprotective, Brain-tonic, Vasodilator
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Dong Quai

Dong Quai has these Actions in Common
Digestive, Emmenagogue, Immune-calming, Analgesic, Internal-detoxicant, Anticarcinogenic, Muscle-relaxant, Antispasmodic, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator
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Hyssop Powder

Hyssop Powder has these Actions in Common
Improves-focus, Internal-detoxicant, Antidepressant, Nerve-stimulant, Antimicrobial, Nervine, Bronchodilator, Stimulates-energy, Cardiac-stimulant, Vasodilator, Diaphoretic, Hypertensive
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Elecampane

Elecampane has these Actions in Common
Cholinergic, Diaphoretic, Digestive, Analgesic, Muscle-relaxant, Anthelminthic, Neuroprotective, Brain-tonic, Stimulates-energy, Bronchodilator, Cardiac-stimulant
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Ginseng, Chinese

Ginseng, Chinese has these Actions in Common
Antidepressant, Digestive, Antifungal, Hypertensive, Immune-calming, Improves-focus, Nerve-stimulant, Neuroprotective, Antimicrobial, Stimulates-energy, Brain-tonic
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Rosemary Impact Statistics

In each study below, students from the Joyful Belly College of Ayurveda ate the selected food for 3 days and reported the effects. See other studies of food & herbs at Joyful Belly.