With Parsely and Sage and Thyme

Rosemarinus officinalis (rosemary)

The rosemary shrub get its name due to its hardy nature. Rosemarinus means "dew of the sea" and rosemary plants can often grow with no water other than the humidity in the sea breeze. In addition to its culinary uses, rosemary may have pharmaceutical potential. A recent study showed that rosemary can influence both mood and cognition in people!

A not so merry Christmas?

Bosweillia sacra (Frankincense tree)

Frankincense, a traditional staple of the Christmas story, is produced from the resin of Bosweillia trees  much in the same way that syrup is tapped from Maple trees. The smallish Bosweillia tree is native to the southern Arabian penninsula and the neighboring Horn of Africa . A recent study has shown that Bosweilla populations are in severe decline due to over-harvest, with the number of trees projected to decrease by one half within 15 years, and to be wiped out by the middle of the century. This would leave the Catholic church, one of the main consumers in frankincense, with a big problem. In addition to its religeous uses (or maybe explaining them) frankincense smoke is psychoactive and may relieve depression and anxiety!