Posts tagged ‘Health’

May 29, 2012

Clove essential oil

Clove essential oil is invaluable to have on hand for good dental health and to treat any dental, gum pain and discomfort.  Clove oil is best known for its pain relieving eugenol constituent used to treat toothaches, sore gums, mouth infections, and bad breath. Always use clove oil diluted in an edible carrier oil like olive oil, it is strong, and numbing.

Directions:

Dilute clove essential oil 50/50 in olive oil to carry with you to treat in transit. 

Put carrier oil like olive oil on a Q-tip with a drop of clove essential oil and put directly on affected mouth areas.

Clove buds

Clove is an evergreen tree with red flowers. It is one of the five noble spices along with cinnamon, nutmeg, black peppercorns and ginger.

Clove is one of the ingredients in the Indian spice blend garam masala and masala chai, which is a tea beverage drink. 

Clove comes from the Latin wordclavus’ meaning nail, because the dried clove buds look like little nails.

COMMON NAME CLOVE
Latin Name Sygyzium   aromaticum
Family Myrtaceae
Country of Origin Indonesia, Philippines, Madagascar,   West indies
Volatility Middle note
Extraction steam distillation or CO2   extraction from the dried buds
Colour pale yellow to clear
Aroma spicy, pungent, rich, strong
Caution Contraindications Use sparingly, hot stimulant. Skin irritant. Do not use during pregnancy or with   children. Always use diluted.Not recommended for massage. 
Primary Uses Digestion:spasms, parasites, gastritis,   spasms

Immune: stimulant, colds, flu, viral   infections,

Cardiovascular:circulatory stimulant,

Skin: fungal infections, shingles, warts,   localized treatment only  

*****Toothaches, dental problems, gum infections, sore gums, bad breath/halitosis

 

Properties Local anaesthetic, analgesic, anticatarrhal,   antiemetic, antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral,   anti-parasitic,   antioxidant, astringent, antispasmodic,   anti-inflammatory, warming carminative, circulatory stimulant, diaphoretic, digestive   stimulant, male aphrodisiac,  nervine relaxant, stomachic, vasodilator
Constituents  Esters:18-25% eugenyl acetateSesquiterpenes:4-8%  caryophyllene

Phenylpropanoids:

70-80% eugenol

 

 

May 29, 2012

Thyme time

Time for Thyme herb!

Essential oil Thyme

There are many varieties of thyme and they are all hardy and easy to grow. Thyme is grown in pots year round for culinary, medicinal or ornamental purposes or grown directly in the ground, where it comes back bigger and better every year. There are creeping varieties that grow close to the ground or hanging varieties that hang over and trail down the sides of pots. Thyme is a sturdy sub-shrub and the creeping varieties are a great alternative to lawn grass or to put under other bigger shrubs. Put thyme around walkways or in cracks to keep other weeds out.

Common Name  Thyme herb
Latin Name  Thymus vulgaris spp.
Family Lamiaceae (Mint Family)
Parts Used Perennial- herb picked in spring and summer growing season
Target Organs Digestion, Respiratory, Immune, Central Nervous System, Skin, Muscular
Common Uses Digestion: infections, gastritis, colitis, parasites, diarrhoea, worms,

Respiratory: bronchitis, pleurisy, TB, whooping cough infections, cough, bronchitis, colds, flu, gargle sore throats,

Immune: stimulant, colds, flu, strep, staph, tonsillitis, infections, fever,

Nervous system: stimulating, depression

Skin: warts, lice, scalp infections;

Muscular: analgesic pain relief, arthritis, sprains, strains

External: wounds, astringent stops bleeding

Culinary fresh or dried

Essential oil use diluted-very hot

Properties Anthelmintic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, antifungal, anti-inflammatory (local, systemic) antimicrobial, antioxidant, antispasmodic (general, digestive, respiratory), anxiolytic, appetite stimulant, astringent, warming carminative, cholagogue, decongestant, diaphoretic, relaxing secretolytic expectorant, febrifuge, stimulating nervine relaxant, stomachic, vasodilator, vulnerary
Constituents Essential Oil: 1%   Monoterpene: p-cyamene aka paracymene;

Phenol: Thymol 45% thujanol, carvacrol,

Monoterpene alcohol: Geraniol, linalool

borneol;

Other:  bitter, tannin, flavonoids, triterpenoids

Cautions Essential oil use diluted very hot and stimulating. May irritate sensitive skin.
Dosage Tincture: 1-4ml  
April 10, 2012

How my Dad Overcame Diabetes

Me Da

When my father got diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes he did not want to take the pharmaceutical medication offered to him because his arthritis medication he had taken earlier caused him to have a bleeding ulcer so severe he almost died.

****** Note to others who are taking pharmaceutical medications: Pharmaceuticals and even OTC remedies like aspirin can cause bleeding ulcers.

The doctor gave my father 4 months to change his diet and try alternatives to see if he could avoid taking the pharmaceutical medication for his high blood sugar levels. I usually do not treat family and friends because of the conflict of interest it can create, but if they come to me openly and willing how can I refuse?

I gave my dad an herbal tincture formula and some diet and supplement advice. I also gave him a glycemic index guide to help educate him on the sugar levels in foods and how they affect the body, and told him to start reading food labels.

When he started to read the labels on food he couldn’t believe how much sugar was in everything, not to mention the other types of code words for sugar like glucose, fructose, high-fructose corn syrups, now under the code word corn sugar, and the list goes on. He said no wonder diabetes is a problem; the over-consumption of refined sugars is killing people.

The danger with diabetes is that high levels of sugar destroy blood vessels which cause glaucoma, heart disease, and stroke. It is also good to avoid bad fats like hydrogenated, animal saturated fats, and processed and refined foods, because they destroy blood vessels just like high levels of sugar do.

When my dad went back to the doctor 4 months later he was no longer diabetic and his blood sugar was under control!!! My dad stuck with the change in diet and in 4 months he lost 20 pounds and is diabetes free! It is a comfortable weight loss of 5 pounds per month and he will be less likely to put it back on. He also avoided getting a knee operation for his arthritis, and now has less arthritic flare-ups and is pharmaceutical free. Not many seniors can say they are pharmaceutical free! The doctor also asked my dad tips about how to lower his own blood sugar.

My dad has stuck with his all natural diet, takes herbs and supplements and has maintained his healthy weight. Now he feels great, and everyone in my family has received better health benefits because of this immense change in diet.

When the problem is detected early the better the chances are for rapid recovery. An individual detailed diet is recommended because everyone is different and unique.

April 5, 2012

Rules for Ecological Wild-harvesting

Wild-crafting Guidelines

If you are thinking about wild-crafting or collecting herbs for medicine or food there are certain rules and guidelines to follow.  Correct identification is important to avoid fatal errors so when in doubt buy herbs instead.

Smiling Eastern Tree Frog

Do not harvest herbs in urban areas unless it is an emergency. Harvest herbs in healthy wilderness areas that are free from any sources of pollution. Don’t harvest near any major roads, road-sides or any area that has any intense agricultural activity. Herbs for wild-harvesting must grow 50m away from any road or be 100m away if it is dirt gravel road. Pick herbs at least 200m away from any agricultural industry other than organic farming. If there is running water nearby there shouldn’t be any sources of urban, industrial or agricultural pollution upstream. When in doubt buy herbs instead.

Follow these wild-crafting guidelines for health and abundance.

Make sure you have correctly identified plants because errors are fatal.

 

  1. Only harvest common species in the area you are harvesting. Do not harvest endangered species.
  2. Only wild-harvest herbs that are plentiful in the immediate area you are harvesting.
  3. Only wild-harvest herbs that have a healthy and strong local population.
  4. Never wild-harvest from more than 10% of herbs in any specific area.
  5. Never wild-harvest any herb if there is evidence that someone else has harvested in that area.
  6. Always find at least three different areas from which you can get each species of herbs that you need to wild-harvest from so that you never wild-harvest any species from any area more than once every three years.
March 21, 2012

Turmeric rhizome

A good culinary spice that is amazing at detoxifying, protecting and nourishing the liver is Turmeric rhizome.

Fresh Turmeric rhizome

While most herbs that treat the liver are sour and bitter, turmeric is mild tasting and has a beautiful golden colour that is appealing to the eye. I use it in curry dishes and to colour and flavour rice just like saffron does. In Ayurvedic medicine in India turmeric is used as culinary medicine and as fabric dye, the same way it has been for centuries. It comes from the same family as ginger and looks like a ginger rhizome, but it is more golden orange in colour. 

Fresh Turmeric used to dye fabric

 

Common Name  Turmeric rhizomes
Latin Name  Curcuma longa
Family Zingiberaceae
Parts Used Perennial – rhizome
Target Organs Digestion, liver, gallbladder, cardiovascular, immune, circulatory
Common Uses Nutritive antioxidant

Digestive:  IBD, diarrhea, worms, colic, indigestion

Liver: detoxify, cleanses, protects the liver. Good for all liver conditions.

Lowers bad cholesterol

A good supportive detoxifying nutritive for inhibiting tumours and skin conditions,

A natural fabric dye

Properties Antiallergenic, antibacterial, anticatarrhal, antihepatotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antineoplastic, antioxidant, antiprotozoal, antithrombotic, carminative, cholagogue, choleretic, circulatory stimulant, digestive stimulant, emmenagogue, hepatic, hypolipidemic, hypotensive, immune stimulant
Constituents Curcumin, fiber, manganese, iron, potassium Vitamin B6,
Cautions mild remedy
Dosage Tincture: 1-4ml

Tea: 1-2 tsp infuse 10-15 minutes

Fresh or powdered spice used in cuisine

 

March 21, 2012

Spring Wood Element

Spring is here!

In the Chinese Five Elements the Liver / Gallbladder rules the wood element and the season is spring. The cycle of spring rules the wood element because of the tree’s ability to shoot its seedlings through the earth in springtime. The climate is wind like the breath of fresh air we need at this time. The colour is green and green foods nourish and cleanse the liver.

WOOD ELEMENT

SEASON: Spring
CLIMATE: Wind
ORGANS: Liver, gallbladder
GLAND: Pineal
COLOUR: Green
FLAVOUR: Sour
FLUID: Tears, Bile
SENSE: Sight
TISSUES: Nerves
EMOTION: Assertiveness into anger
SOUND: Shouting

 

Wood Spring Theme: Expansion 

Meridian/Organ systems: Liver, gallbladder

Yang organ is the gallbladder.

Yin organ is the liver.

 

Gallbladder meridian imbalances:

temple migraines, ear weakness,

neck tension, asthma, pain in shoulder,

hip, knee, fourth toe

 

Liver meridian imbalances:

psychological, big toe, gout, corns,

shinbone pain, inner knee pain

 

People in this spring/wood rhythm may have imbalances in the liver and gallbladder.

The liver gets stimulated by sour taste that is why lemon, lime or citrus in water helps to detoxify. Bitter sour herbs stimulate the liver, gallbladder, glands and digestion.  

Sour action tightens, stimulates, decongests and is astringent. 

The gland in this rhythm is the pineal gland which responds to liver detoxification.

 

Emotion: Assertiveness turns into anger, irritability, impatience, annoyance, resentment, bitterness, frustration, rage, fury. 

The positive emotion in this cycle is assertiveness. This helps to forge our way, grow and survive. When we become assertive about our intentions for too long the frustration can lead to infuriating anger. The sound that alleviates anger is shouting. 

Spring/ Wood Element: Stay calm and assertive instead of becoming angry, and stand up for yourself, without the rage. Be kind and do not judge yourself and others harshly. Allow growth and expansion.

 

“Holding onto anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” Buddha

 

March 13, 2012

Unhealthy Oils and Fats

Unhealthy Edible Oils and Fats

Hydrogenated oils: Hydrogenation is an industrial manmade process that turns liquid oil into a semi-solid.  

Margarine: made from hydrogenated oils and partially hydrogenated oils which make it spreadable for convenience sake, margarine remains semi-solid at room temperature and is spreadable even when refrigerated. Margarine is a new food and they dyed it yellow at first to distinguish it from butter.

Hydrogenated oils and trans-fats destroy healthy cells to the point where exercise and diet change cannot repair it. Always avoid because these fats raise bad cholesterol, cause serious cardiovascular disease, obesity, and are carcinogenic. The body does not know how to process these processed oils because the chemical structure has changed and it turns toxic and permanently destroys cells.

There have been tests done where people have put out butter and margarine and ants, bugs and animals do not touch the margarine and eat the butter instead. You decide.

Saturated Fats

Animal Saturated Fats: beef, pork, lamb, poultry,

Eating a lot of animal saturated fats like lard, chicken and beef fat is implicated in serious cardiovascular disease, obesity, bad cholesterol, and cancer.

Dairy saturated Fats: yogurt, butter, cheese, milk

There are lots of dairy low-fat varieties available today, but these foods should still be moderated. Dairy is a serious allergen that affects over half of the world’s population. Many people remain unaware of their dairy allergy and put up with digestive symptoms.

Yogurt: Don’t be fooled by yogurt that contains sugar, gelatin, additives and thickeners. For a healthier choice strain plain yogurt and add your own fruit.

Butter: Butter blended with 50% olive oil is a healthier choice than hydrogenated margarines.

Milk: There are many varieties of milk; the milk with the highest saturated fat content is whole cow’s milk and cream. Seed and nut milks like almond milk are a better choice. Coconut water is very healthy.

March 7, 2012

BEE POLLEN (FLOWER POLLEN)

Bee Pollen

I just had a spoon and had to share how amazing this is!

Bee pollen doesn’t need to be tinctured or put in a tea or cooked, it is eaten raw. So many actions come from the complex variety of tastes. The taste is a natural rollercoaster ride of different flavours that ranges from the sweet of honey, to salty and earthy, like the taste of flowers and roots. I almost want to guess which flowers and plants I am tasting. This is the original version of a vitamin that nature intended. Food of the Gods!

Bee pollen is really concentrated flower pollen that bees collect from the many flowers, herbs and trees that it visits in the process of gathering nectar, which bees turn into honey. Bees cross-pollinate and accumulate flower pollen on their bodies which they shape into grains to feed the bee larvae. Propolis, honey and royal jelly are products of the hive produced by bees which is different from bee pollen; it is not an animal product but a botanical one.

Bee pollen is good for malnourished people who have malabsorption conditions such as gluten allergy and anemia. It is good for treating chronic allergies and infections where immune deficiency is present. It is a nutritious food that helps to rejuvenate, support and detoxify all systems.

Bee pollen is used as medicinal food all over the world. A super nutritive, an elixir of longevity and detoxifying food, it has more chemical constituents than any other botanical remedy, more than even micro-algae and nettles. It has a powerhouse of nutrition including ten amino acids, enzymes, minerals and every vitamin, nucleic acids, antibiotic substances and steroid hormones, but nutrition content will vary due to the fluctuations in nature. 

NUTRITION CONTENT:

18 proteins 35% (half in amino acid free form including 8 essentials)

16 minerals and trace minerals: (calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium, sulphur, chlorine, magnesium, iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, silica, selenium, molybdenum, boron, titanium)

16 vitamins: (B 1&2, C,D,E, K, B6, B12, biotin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, folic acid, rutin, choline, inositol)

Enzymes and co-enzymes: (amylase, diastase, 24 oxidoreductases, 21 transferases, 33 hydrolases, 11 lyases, 5 isomerases, pepsin, trypsin)

Nucleic acids: (DNA & RNA)

Phytosterols: (estrogen and androgen)

Flavonoids, nucleosides, terpenes, glucose, xanthine, lecithin, lycopin, pentosane,

Saccharides 40%

Fats & oils 5%

Dosage: Dissolve the granules in your mouth. Take a few grains up to a teaspoon a day on an empty stomach.

Caution: Even though bee pollen use treats allergies, in some people it may cause allergic reaction. The inhaled version of pollen creates a different reaction than when ingested and being an immune tonic it will build up immunity to allergens. The doctor does the same thing when they inject allergy sufferers with small doses of allergens to build up a tolerance. Caution is advised!

Take a small dose at first: a couple of grains to ¼ teaspoon to start.

Bibliography:

The Energetics of Western Herbs: Vol. 1

Snow Lotus Press

Peter Holmes

February 4, 2012

Essential Oils and the Five Elements: e-book

Essential Oils and the Five Elements:
Easing Emotional Overload with Aromatherapy and
Reflexology.

This book explores and combines the natural health therapies of Aromatherapy, Reflexology and integrates the Ancient Chinese Five Elements. By combining essential oils used in Aromatherapy with the ancient healing therapy of Reflexology it helps to ease emotional overload, filter out destructive emotions and improve over all health. The Ancient Chinese Five Elements helps to decipher emotional and physical states of being and acts as a map to show the way into more positive realms of existence.

Includes detailed maps of reflexology, plus Aromatherapy recipes for health, beauty and wellness.

Includes Bonus Essential Oil Profiles that are detailed monographs explaining properties, primary uses and more…

Buy e-book now $3.99

January 10, 2012

Make Your Own Herbal Tinctures

Tinctures absorb better than pills, they last longer and are more convenient and cost effective. Everybody should know how to make their own Herbal Tinctures for health purposes.

Herbal Tinctures are a mixture of alcohol and water. Any type of alcohol can be used such as wines, sake, brandy, or vodka (ethanol and pure grain alcohol), which most people use. Under no circumstance should rubbing alcohol (isopropyl) be used as it is poisonous, even in small doses.

The word ‘proof’ beside the number on the alcohol bottle is representative of double the actual alcohol percentage; for instance 80 ‘proof’ is 40% alcohol. If you have a permit license to buy ethyl alcohol you can mix the water in separately.

First mix your alcohol with water. The correct ratio to use is 40% alcohol to 60% water. You can also increase that ratio as high as 50% alcohol and 50% water or as low as 20% alcohol and 80% water depending on the desired strength. An herbal essence has an even lower percentage of alcohol in it.

You will also need good quality organic or ethically wild crafted herbs (not irradiated). You can buy herbs online, in a store or it is best to grow your own.

Next, get mason jars or large brown glass bottles with seal-tight lids. If you are using dried herbs, fill the bottle 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herbs. With roots, fill to 1/3 full because they are going to expand. Fill the remaining space in the bottle with the alcohol water mixture leaving a little room at the top for shaking purposes.

Once complete, let the mixture marinate in a dark, cool cupboard or box, for anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, and be sure to gently shake the bottles every day.

After the herbs have marinated for a month, strain the mixture through unbleached hemp, cotton or muslin natural cloth. I prefer to press the root mixture in a press, but if you are using herbs a good hand squeeze will do. Bottle the liquid and correctly label it and put the date on it.

This is now your mother tincture. You can portion some of the liquid into smaller bottles or ideally in dropper bottles for greater convenience.

Taking a Herbal Tincture

Taking your Herbal Tincture is very easy to do.

Dosages vary depending on the strength of the herb. The dosage goes down as the strength or heat of the herb increases. Dosages can range anywhere from one drop to one teaspoon, or 1-5 ml, but as a general rule use one drop per pound per person.

In general for adults 2-4 dropper squeezes or a teaspoon to start will do.

Pour the herbal tincture into a measuring cup or shot glass using the dropper or a teaspoon, and then add water until it reaches one ounce. The herbal remedy is easy to consume in one gulp or shot. You can also put the tincture directly in your mouth but it is strong so be cautious! Chase it with some water. It can also be mixed with tea herbal infusions or juice. For bitter herbs I like to marinate them straight in red wine and take a spoon a day. Create your own flavoured wines.

*Those who are trying to avoid alcohol put the tincture in hot water to boil the alcohol off, like how you would prepare a tea.

Taking it hot, it has a more diaphoretic, warming effect.

Taking it cold it has a more tonic effect.

As a general rule:

Take herbs on an empty stomach for the maximum absorption and effectiveness.

Take vitamins, minerals, supplements with a meal for better absorption and to avoid stomach upset, unless otherwise recommended on the bottle.

Take breaks from herbs so that a resistance does not build up.

How often do I take herbs?

How often you take herbs depends on what your goal is.

Acute conditions such as fighting a cold require that herbs be taken 4-8 times a day at an increased dosage.

Chronic conditions require that herbs be taken 2-4 times a day at a lower dosage.

Night time blends for sleeping requires a single dose before bed.

Herbal tinctures require a cycle of 3 weeks taking the herbs, followed by break for a week.

Female herbal treatments require 1-2 weeks followed by 2-3 week breaks.

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