The Simple Cottage

Working kitchen in a time of bounty

Vibrant watercress at one of the warm springs at Franklin D Roosevelt’s Warm Spring Ga Healing Pool. The waters flow through a magnolia forest. Healing Waters indeed!

Magnolia- From The Institute of Chinese Medicine: “According to an ancient Chinese medicine text, Magnolia Bark was first described in the Shennong Bencao Jing (1) around 100 A.D., as follows:
Houpu is bitter and warm, non-toxic, mainly treating wind-stroke, cold damage, headache, cold and heat, fright qi, blood impediment, and dead muscle. It removes the three kinds of worms. It grows in mountains and valleys.

This description differs markedly from that relied on in subsequent Chinese texts, in which the herb is mainly used for stagnation of qi and moisture circulation in the abdomen (associated with digestive disturbance) and tightness in the chest (associated with impaired breathing). However, the treatment of "fright qi" is one of the persisting indications for magnolia bark in the traditional prescriptions: it treats syndromes that are caused by emotional distress, such as plum pit qi, digestive disturbance associated with fear and anxiety, and shortness of breath due to emotional turmoil. Although magnolia bark is no longer used in the treatment of worms, its antibacterial properties are recognized and may be responsible for its ability to alleviate discomfort due to some intestinal bacterial infections. It may be prepared with ginger juice to enhance its digestive promoting effects.”
According to Sacredlotus.com, Magnolia Flower Disperses Wind-Cold and Opens the Nasal Passages
For stuffy nose, nasal obstruction, congestion, discharge, loss of smell, and related sinus headache. Can be used for any nasal or sinus problem, especially related to Wind-Cold invasion.

And watercress is loaded with calcium, manganese, and antioxidant flavonoids.