Hydrangeas and Autoimmunity

Image from wikimedia commons.

Thanks to Kim for sharing this interesting item:

A substance found in hydrangea root, halofuginone, may provide yet another tool in the fight against autoimmune disease.

Dr Anjana Rao, of the Children's Hospital in Boston in the U.S., said: 'Halofuginone may herald a revolution in the treatment of certain types of auto-immune and inflammatory diseases.'

Read on here.

I would be tempted to brew myself some hydrangea root tea from my very own hydrangea plant were it not for the fact that my hydrangea bush is not healthy.

Why? Got a little extra time? Let me share yet another John and Greg story.

Hubby John and his friend Greg, buddies for 13 years, love a project. Usually these projects involve heavy equipment or large bonfires, and are followed by some sort of adult beverage. If the adult beverages were involved during these projects, I strongly suspect that one or even both of these guys would not still be alive.

A recent project required a chain saw. And Greg's large pickup truck. And a big tree in my back yard.

After spending some serious time in prayer, I watched with relief as they cut down and hauled the tree away successfully with all limbs intact, both tree and lumberjack wannabe's.

John and Greg high-fived and surveyed their work with pride. Then, with chain saw still in hand, began to appraise the remaining vegetation in the yard.

I had a sinking feeling that this would not end well. I was right.

Panic stricken, I ran for my shoes and the back door but was too late to save my giant hydrangea bush from a chain saw pruning.

The guys looked at me with disbelief when I protested. They informed me that this would be beneficial to my plant. I threatened them that I would prune various parts of them if they did not cease and desist, so they retreated to Greg's truck while commiserating about my lack of gratitude for all their hard work.

Which explains why my poor straggly and struggling hydrangea plant wouldn't appreciate sharing one of its roots for my tea.

I think I need to pray harder. For what I'm not sure.