This week we had a bit of a problem in our household in the form of a sick cat. Our household has many animals with the bulk of them being my daughters “children” as she is not able to have them with her at this time.
She has two long haired cats; Aarik and Boomer and a collie mix dog; Patch.
For the most part we all get along with a few shining exceptions to the rule.
But several days ago I went to pick up Kris' cat Boomer and about got my hand taken off at the wrist. He was in big pain and I realized he had a problem urinating. This is a real issue with some animals; especially cats as they're prone to UTI infections and stones.
Of course the day I noticed this was Saturday.....great....double the cost at the vets.
Normally I have some things for animals in my medicine cabinet for all illness.
Cats however are much more selective in what they can ingest without issue.
In fact; many things that I can eat or drink are actually toxic to cats. Dogs are not quite as particular to their health but they also have things they cannot eat without problems.
I was sure Boomer had a UTI or a stone as he was having bloody urine and was distended in the stomach. So away we went after a quick call to the vet. Our veterinary office is located in a near by town; approximately 35 miles from my farm. Boomer was very uncomfortable but after we got him catheterized and a shot to help this issue; we were home again. I realized that he was not drinking enough and was probably not getting to the bathroom in a timely manner; which made me realize that I needed another cat litter box. Ideally you should have have one more cat litter box than cats in your household but I simply do not have enough room for four cat litter boxes! I actually had only two but found a place to put another one in the upstairs area; which is perfect for him as that is his sanctuary. Hopefully this will help but I also realized that I need to have some more basic herbs on hand for my animals.
The first thing you think of in any situation with an animal is how to stop pain. There are many things you can do for an animal in pain but there are also some things extraordinarily dangerous as well! The next thing to consider for your cat or dog is what to do to help the immune system; then there is the issue we've had to deal with; urinary tract infections. Also another thing to consider is eye and joint health as animals have these issues frequently and can cause serious problems if left untreated.
All these factors are important to the longevity and quality of health for your pet.
I will address only cats in this section as the list for dogs is much longer and should be addressed separately.
Here is a small list I've compiled but covers the basic needs of an animal. I also don't wish to give you the idea that this should be all you do for your pet. As I'm not as learned in veterinary herbs as in humans; I do suggest strongly that you consult your pets doctor before using these recommendations.
Eyebright works well to wash infected eyes and to sooth inflammations of the eye. Please consult your vet if conditions don't improve as the animal can go blind if it does not heal in a timely manner.
Poppy Seed is a good remedy to numb the pain and as a sedative.
Slippery Elm is a great herb to help inflammation; good for bladder spasms.
Ginger is a wonderful treat to help the stomach of upset; It's stimulating qualities are good to help remove toxins as well.
Milk Thistle is a very old remedy for the liver and is tops at helping with gall stones. It has properties of boosting the immune system and is known to help animals with tumors and diabetes.
Catnip is the age old remedy of being a stimulant to cats if smelled and interestingly enough; a sedative if ingested. It is not effective on all animals as a stimulant with approximately only 50% of cats responding to it.
Hawthorn is an effective herb to treat cardiac issues in both cats and dogs. It is long known to help by opening the blood flow to the heart; thus improving circulation and healing.
Another help for the cardiovascular system in cats is Ginko Biloba; especially the effects of aging.
Couchgrass otherwise known as Quackgrass is particularly effective in helping the urinary tract with properties of being anti inflammatory and as a demulcent. This would have helped Boomer immensity.
Dandelion is very effective in helping to cleanse the kidneys and work as a blood cleanser which is why people used to make dandelion tincture in the spring as the first sprouts came out of the ground. It tends to be a diuretic so keep this in mind when using this herb. This herb can cause issues with an already inflamed gall bladder so consult your veterinarian before using.
Bugleweed has been an effective way to treat types of thyroid disease in cats with great results; in hyperthyroidism only. Do not use with an animal suffering from hypothyroidism.
Chamomile and Valerian are both effective in treating agitation in cats; with soothing, calming properties. You can also use Lavender Essence on the skin under the coat on the back of the neck for extra help to calm an animal.
One flower essence I love to use for a nervous animal is to use Nature's Sunshine
Rescue Remedy. This combination of flower essences is perfect to help calm the cat or dog in tense situations. Put 4 to 6 drops on the skin under the coat at the back of the neck; repeating two or three times a day as needed.
It's important to remember that God gave us these beautiful creatures and it's up to us to give them the best life they can have. They can't speak to us as a child would so we need to be especially vigilant in their behavior and actions to note health changes. With herbs, essential oils and flower essences; along with a great diet and exercise; we can have a healthy, happy animal for years to come!
http://petremedycharts.blogspot.com/2010/08/herbs-to-treat-heart-disease-in-dogs.html
http://www.naturalark.com/herbpet.html
http://lostcatsofstarclan.wetpaint.com/page/Medicine+Cat+Herbs
Monday, March 14, 2011
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Losing a Friend
Today I lost a dear friend. Oh not the way it sounds; I lost one due to the well meaning intentions of my advice.
This all started a couple of days ago.....
I started out the day like I always do....checking and rechecking all my emails and social sites for people wanting answers to herbal questions and finding that I have no big issues to discuss; decided to hit a social site that is popular with all my friends.
As I was checking the site; noticed that a great friend and fellow alternative health enthusiast was discussing the dangers of a narcotic drug to a mutual friend that was prescribed by her doctor for pain. I put in my two cents and all hell broke out. I decided it would be best to step back and mull this over. After all; I didn't start the conversation and I didn't think it would be wise to fly off the handle. Never the less; today I decided that something more needed to be said and I said it. That was a mistake. The next thing I know; people are accusing me of wishing her death; accusing others of overstepping their boundaries and most of all; everyone getting in a heated debate over herb safety vs traditional meds.
The reason this was done was simple. I gave an opinion of something that was absolutely none of my business. Sure I did it in the spirit of friendship; thinking this person would actually help themselves to my knowledge and the co writer of this message. But what I have had to learn and re learn in the field I've chosen is this. Some people do not want my advice....some people do not want to quit high powered meds (even if they are dangerous and don't work well) and some people even may want to stay sick.
How can that be? The answer is as complex as human nature can be. First of all; a person has to realize why they are sick in the first place. Sometimes it's an old emotional issue that makes us hold onto our emotions and or try to “medicate” to make them go away. Sometimes it's a case of the person not knowing what to be if they aren't their illness. For instance a client of mine is convinced that they are never going to get well; but this illness keeps them full of warm fuzzys from well meaning friends feeling sorry for them. This person lives alone and has no one to make them feel special so they hang on to this illness as the only way they can get attention. If you asked them they would be appalled and deny this was happening. But when I put them on a flower essence they changed; so dramatically that they are now a much different person then a year ago!
This is a major undertaking in most people. You see we are taught by the medical field that disease hits us like a thief in the night; like a tornado or a mad dog; we don't know who will get it or how bad it'll be. This is not what alternative practitioners believe at all. In fact we believe that we are in charge of our health at all stages of our life. Our eating, and living choices are paramount to the health we have by those choices. Now having said that; yes we all die someday; but how long we live and how well well we live can be directly and indirectly be related to how this all ends up. Disease to us is a manifestation of how we take care of ourselves; not a Russian Roulette game with God.
It was mentioned today that herbs kill people too; that they are as dangerous as traditional meds are and that it's just a lifestyle choice which meds you wish to use. I would like to address this issue as it is probably the most incorrect of all the things said.
In the herbal world there are thousands of plants, roots and other parts of the plant kingdom that are utilized for the treatment of imbalances of the body. Some are used topically and others are able to be ingested.....some can be used for both purposes.
As an herbalist I find that most herbs are mild and extremely helpful in the world of health. While there are some that are considered cautionary and some even dangerous I don't see problems much in my line of work.
As an herbalist I treat the body; not the disease. I help the emotional person with liver herbs because a happy liver is a happy person. I recommend Aloe for the person with skin conditions as well as liver and kidney herbs to flush toxins from the body and therefore help the skin to heal. I don't use some herbs ever; such as Belladona or Blue Cohosh as they can be life threatening. They are unstable for use in someone that doesn't know their potential and I don't feel comfortable in dealing with potential problems.
However; in saying these things I find that most people don't have any issue with herbs at all. The biggest complaint I have heard is “I'm sick of taking pills!” or “ I have some diarrhea and don't like it”.....these are common complaints. It does get old taking pills; and there are many ways to help this; such as taking them all at once by opening them up and mixing with yogurt or blending in a smoothie (tastes awful though) but for most there are no issues.
The second complaint of diarrhea is a very common one; in fact not a bad thing at all when you consider what the body is doing. The body is designed to utilize food and water as best it can and then eliminate excess with the toxins in tow. If the body is toxic or stagnant; the tissues can become inflamed and sore; leading to health issues. This causes untold series of issues and will end in major disease if left untreated. So diarrhea is the body's way of eliminating a huge amount of toxins in a short period of time. Herbs help the body to actually work better to remove those toxins as well as utilize the food we eat and the water we drink. Now having said that; I don't recommend anyone having more than a day or two of diarrhea; and drinking lots of good clean water to replenish the fluids of the body. If you've ever had a bout with diarrhea you'll notice that you feel less heavy and tired after you replenish the body's water and nutrient intake in the following days. This is most helpful to the person as a whole as it eliminates many of the person's toxins easily.
The other issue I had with the idea of herbs being dangerous as meds was this. Traditional medications are very strong. In fact; the herbal world refers to most prescription and over the counter meds as poisons....which means that they are poisonous if taken in access. These medications are toxic if they are mixed with others and can actually kill a person by shutting down the body's functions. In contrast; if you take too much of most any herb; the most common side effect is diarrhea....the elimination of too much of something. When the amount of herb is back in balance in the body; the diarrhea leaves. Simple isn't it?
The point I'm trying to make here is this. Herbs are milder; more effective and for the most part less dangerous by far than the average aspirin at the drug store. This is an important distinction to make when you are faced with serious life threatening illness or disease.
So the next time you reach for the bottle of pills in your medicine cupboard; remember that the things you ingest can have a long term effect on all of you; not just the part that you are treating.
This all started a couple of days ago.....
I started out the day like I always do....checking and rechecking all my emails and social sites for people wanting answers to herbal questions and finding that I have no big issues to discuss; decided to hit a social site that is popular with all my friends.
As I was checking the site; noticed that a great friend and fellow alternative health enthusiast was discussing the dangers of a narcotic drug to a mutual friend that was prescribed by her doctor for pain. I put in my two cents and all hell broke out. I decided it would be best to step back and mull this over. After all; I didn't start the conversation and I didn't think it would be wise to fly off the handle. Never the less; today I decided that something more needed to be said and I said it. That was a mistake. The next thing I know; people are accusing me of wishing her death; accusing others of overstepping their boundaries and most of all; everyone getting in a heated debate over herb safety vs traditional meds.
The reason this was done was simple. I gave an opinion of something that was absolutely none of my business. Sure I did it in the spirit of friendship; thinking this person would actually help themselves to my knowledge and the co writer of this message. But what I have had to learn and re learn in the field I've chosen is this. Some people do not want my advice....some people do not want to quit high powered meds (even if they are dangerous and don't work well) and some people even may want to stay sick.
How can that be? The answer is as complex as human nature can be. First of all; a person has to realize why they are sick in the first place. Sometimes it's an old emotional issue that makes us hold onto our emotions and or try to “medicate” to make them go away. Sometimes it's a case of the person not knowing what to be if they aren't their illness. For instance a client of mine is convinced that they are never going to get well; but this illness keeps them full of warm fuzzys from well meaning friends feeling sorry for them. This person lives alone and has no one to make them feel special so they hang on to this illness as the only way they can get attention. If you asked them they would be appalled and deny this was happening. But when I put them on a flower essence they changed; so dramatically that they are now a much different person then a year ago!
This is a major undertaking in most people. You see we are taught by the medical field that disease hits us like a thief in the night; like a tornado or a mad dog; we don't know who will get it or how bad it'll be. This is not what alternative practitioners believe at all. In fact we believe that we are in charge of our health at all stages of our life. Our eating, and living choices are paramount to the health we have by those choices. Now having said that; yes we all die someday; but how long we live and how well well we live can be directly and indirectly be related to how this all ends up. Disease to us is a manifestation of how we take care of ourselves; not a Russian Roulette game with God.
It was mentioned today that herbs kill people too; that they are as dangerous as traditional meds are and that it's just a lifestyle choice which meds you wish to use. I would like to address this issue as it is probably the most incorrect of all the things said.
In the herbal world there are thousands of plants, roots and other parts of the plant kingdom that are utilized for the treatment of imbalances of the body. Some are used topically and others are able to be ingested.....some can be used for both purposes.
As an herbalist I find that most herbs are mild and extremely helpful in the world of health. While there are some that are considered cautionary and some even dangerous I don't see problems much in my line of work.
As an herbalist I treat the body; not the disease. I help the emotional person with liver herbs because a happy liver is a happy person. I recommend Aloe for the person with skin conditions as well as liver and kidney herbs to flush toxins from the body and therefore help the skin to heal. I don't use some herbs ever; such as Belladona or Blue Cohosh as they can be life threatening. They are unstable for use in someone that doesn't know their potential and I don't feel comfortable in dealing with potential problems.
However; in saying these things I find that most people don't have any issue with herbs at all. The biggest complaint I have heard is “I'm sick of taking pills!” or “ I have some diarrhea and don't like it”.....these are common complaints. It does get old taking pills; and there are many ways to help this; such as taking them all at once by opening them up and mixing with yogurt or blending in a smoothie (tastes awful though) but for most there are no issues.
The second complaint of diarrhea is a very common one; in fact not a bad thing at all when you consider what the body is doing. The body is designed to utilize food and water as best it can and then eliminate excess with the toxins in tow. If the body is toxic or stagnant; the tissues can become inflamed and sore; leading to health issues. This causes untold series of issues and will end in major disease if left untreated. So diarrhea is the body's way of eliminating a huge amount of toxins in a short period of time. Herbs help the body to actually work better to remove those toxins as well as utilize the food we eat and the water we drink. Now having said that; I don't recommend anyone having more than a day or two of diarrhea; and drinking lots of good clean water to replenish the fluids of the body. If you've ever had a bout with diarrhea you'll notice that you feel less heavy and tired after you replenish the body's water and nutrient intake in the following days. This is most helpful to the person as a whole as it eliminates many of the person's toxins easily.
The other issue I had with the idea of herbs being dangerous as meds was this. Traditional medications are very strong. In fact; the herbal world refers to most prescription and over the counter meds as poisons....which means that they are poisonous if taken in access. These medications are toxic if they are mixed with others and can actually kill a person by shutting down the body's functions. In contrast; if you take too much of most any herb; the most common side effect is diarrhea....the elimination of too much of something. When the amount of herb is back in balance in the body; the diarrhea leaves. Simple isn't it?
The point I'm trying to make here is this. Herbs are milder; more effective and for the most part less dangerous by far than the average aspirin at the drug store. This is an important distinction to make when you are faced with serious life threatening illness or disease.
So the next time you reach for the bottle of pills in your medicine cupboard; remember that the things you ingest can have a long term effect on all of you; not just the part that you are treating.
Monday, December 27, 2010
End of Year Blah's
As the year comes to a close and the holiday’s wind down so can the body’s stress. But with this “let down” of activities; a person can feel a little out of sorts. Most attribute this to the last of a year of unfinished or unfulfilled projects or goals. And for others it seems that the pocketbook is the painful reminder of what we are missing.
The fact is; after a hectic physical and emotional rollercoaster like Christmas; a person will naturally feel tired and run down. Add eating poorly, sleeping too little and the added stress of figuring what to buy and how to pay for it and you have an opportune situation for illness. This can manifest itself in the form of a good old fashioned cold or the flu bug or it might become a more exotic illness such as liver or pancreas issues. These are little more than the body trying desperately to purge itself of unwanted toxins built up over the last few weeks.
For many; this time of the year is a let down emotionally as well. The missing friends and family that have passed on or poor relationship issues of a person not getting along with a family member or one that may be in a nursing home and it becomes not the season of joy but the season of depression.
These factors are very common during the holidays with many dreading this time of year instead of enjoying it. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A better way to remember this time of year is to think of it as a time to “clean house”. In ancient times; Christmas was considered a time to clean the house and the body of unwanted things….to rid itself of dust and debris from the whole year. For many religions the season of Advent was not only a cleaning time but a time of fast before the feast at the end of the year with the Celebration of Christ’s birth. It was traditional in ancient times to not only clean house but to rid the body of unwanted things by fasting for many days before December 25th; and while I do not advise people to do a fast through the whole Advent season; a fast of eating less; eating better and drinking lots of good clean water is a great way to get the body and mind back on track.
As we near the end of this year it’s important to realize that build ups of the toxins in our life weigh us down; not just figuratively but physically as well. Those unwanted pounds and inches are not a great reminder of what we didn’t accomplish this year and the sluggishness of the toxins can add to the emotional stress we feel.
I personally like to get the blood sugar issues under control first; after all the sugar cookies and pie I had didn’t really help me a bit in that department. This can be accomplished by simply eating more veggies and protein and staying away from that last piece of chocolate in the candy dish. I also utilize the great product of Licorice Root to help my body assimilate sugar better during my “binge” of unneeded sugar products. Then it’s on to the colon with a cleanse. I personally love the Tiao He Cleanse by NSP but you can use any cleanse that you feel comfortable with. Just remember that a cleanse should not hurt! It should make you feel less tired, more energized and make you more regular in the bathroom.
If you still feel really run down it may well be the liver. If we celebrate the holidays as most do; we feel the need to imbibe in alcoholic beverages and brightly colored drinks with many having a wealth of toxins and chemicals that do the body no good. It may seem really great to drink Aunt Ida’s spiced cider or brother Bob’s eggnog but the fact remains that those drinks have little to actually offer the body but a build up of junk in the system from food colorings, milk and even the poison of alcohol. And it’s really important to note that although the liver has the most amazing ability to heal itself; even it has it’s limits and will let you know in no uncertain terms that this is not acceptable behavior if we take it to the limit.
A great product for the liver and the pancreas is Dandelion Root. This is actually a blood cleanse; and while it may seem that this is not going to help the liver; it actually accelerates the body’s capability to rid itself of toxins; therefore aiding the liver in it’s job of doing just that.
Dandelion Root has properties of being a mild diuretic are also a great benefit for the person who’s eaten junk food by helping rid the body of excess water. For that reason it is a great help to the kidneys as well. A note to those taking prescription meds for water retention; please consult your doctor before taking this herb.
Another help for the person who’s just too run down to get back on track is the benefit of the B vitamins. I particularly like Pantothenic Acid or B 5. This is an essential supplement that the body needs to help the adrenals do their job better. I am very fond of any herb that will help the adrenals as they are hormone regulators; working with the thyroid gland to keep me in balance with the proper energy.
As we go through the end of the year rituals of cleaning up our Christmas decorations and get the house ready for a new year remember that we don’t need to change everything in our life to feel better; we just need to treasure our body’s the way God intends by caring for it as we would our children and enjoy better health!
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/pantothenic-acid-250-mg-100-caps/sku-1640.aspx
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/tiao-he--cleanse-15-day/sku-3050.aspx
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/licorice-root-100-caps/sku-420.aspx
The fact is; after a hectic physical and emotional rollercoaster like Christmas; a person will naturally feel tired and run down. Add eating poorly, sleeping too little and the added stress of figuring what to buy and how to pay for it and you have an opportune situation for illness. This can manifest itself in the form of a good old fashioned cold or the flu bug or it might become a more exotic illness such as liver or pancreas issues. These are little more than the body trying desperately to purge itself of unwanted toxins built up over the last few weeks.
For many; this time of the year is a let down emotionally as well. The missing friends and family that have passed on or poor relationship issues of a person not getting along with a family member or one that may be in a nursing home and it becomes not the season of joy but the season of depression.
These factors are very common during the holidays with many dreading this time of year instead of enjoying it. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A better way to remember this time of year is to think of it as a time to “clean house”. In ancient times; Christmas was considered a time to clean the house and the body of unwanted things….to rid itself of dust and debris from the whole year. For many religions the season of Advent was not only a cleaning time but a time of fast before the feast at the end of the year with the Celebration of Christ’s birth. It was traditional in ancient times to not only clean house but to rid the body of unwanted things by fasting for many days before December 25th; and while I do not advise people to do a fast through the whole Advent season; a fast of eating less; eating better and drinking lots of good clean water is a great way to get the body and mind back on track.
As we near the end of this year it’s important to realize that build ups of the toxins in our life weigh us down; not just figuratively but physically as well. Those unwanted pounds and inches are not a great reminder of what we didn’t accomplish this year and the sluggishness of the toxins can add to the emotional stress we feel.
I personally like to get the blood sugar issues under control first; after all the sugar cookies and pie I had didn’t really help me a bit in that department. This can be accomplished by simply eating more veggies and protein and staying away from that last piece of chocolate in the candy dish. I also utilize the great product of Licorice Root to help my body assimilate sugar better during my “binge” of unneeded sugar products. Then it’s on to the colon with a cleanse. I personally love the Tiao He Cleanse by NSP but you can use any cleanse that you feel comfortable with. Just remember that a cleanse should not hurt! It should make you feel less tired, more energized and make you more regular in the bathroom.
If you still feel really run down it may well be the liver. If we celebrate the holidays as most do; we feel the need to imbibe in alcoholic beverages and brightly colored drinks with many having a wealth of toxins and chemicals that do the body no good. It may seem really great to drink Aunt Ida’s spiced cider or brother Bob’s eggnog but the fact remains that those drinks have little to actually offer the body but a build up of junk in the system from food colorings, milk and even the poison of alcohol. And it’s really important to note that although the liver has the most amazing ability to heal itself; even it has it’s limits and will let you know in no uncertain terms that this is not acceptable behavior if we take it to the limit.
A great product for the liver and the pancreas is Dandelion Root. This is actually a blood cleanse; and while it may seem that this is not going to help the liver; it actually accelerates the body’s capability to rid itself of toxins; therefore aiding the liver in it’s job of doing just that.
Dandelion Root has properties of being a mild diuretic are also a great benefit for the person who’s eaten junk food by helping rid the body of excess water. For that reason it is a great help to the kidneys as well. A note to those taking prescription meds for water retention; please consult your doctor before taking this herb.
Another help for the person who’s just too run down to get back on track is the benefit of the B vitamins. I particularly like Pantothenic Acid or B 5. This is an essential supplement that the body needs to help the adrenals do their job better. I am very fond of any herb that will help the adrenals as they are hormone regulators; working with the thyroid gland to keep me in balance with the proper energy.
As we go through the end of the year rituals of cleaning up our Christmas decorations and get the house ready for a new year remember that we don’t need to change everything in our life to feel better; we just need to treasure our body’s the way God intends by caring for it as we would our children and enjoy better health!
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/pantothenic-acid-250-mg-100-caps/sku-1640.aspx
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/tiao-he--cleanse-15-day/sku-3050.aspx
http://www.naturessunshine.com/us/product/licorice-root-100-caps/sku-420.aspx
Monday, November 29, 2010
Live to Fight another Day
With the advent of the holiday season a great deal of people feel the pressure to get things done and the stress of the season can take it’s toll. One of the worst things that can happen are stressors. These are things that bombard the body to cause potential illness if left unchecked.
Stressors include money woes; too much work; cold season and even poor diet. It’s a common mistake to not get enough water during the cold season as we aren’t triggered by thirst as we would be during the hot summer months. But we need water even more when it’s a cold dry climate as this time can be. And a dehydrated body is prone to all sorts of illness. Couple that with a huge inundation of sugar and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.
The most common illness is an upset stomach followed in popularity by the flu or a seasonal cold with headaches coming in a close third. These things are easily preventable with a few common sense steps.
First off; hydration and sleep are the most important things you can do. You might not be able to resist grandma’s sugar cookies but if you eat sensibly with the cookie and drink lots of water with it; you may not get the tummy or headache ache common to this type of eating. AND the added benefit of hydration allows the body to rid itself of a toxic condition that sugar provides and may even help shed those extra calories.
Sleep is the most overlooked and underappreciated thing we do this time of year and I have found that if I have several sleepless nights in a row; I can just mark on the calendar the following week will be fraught with either a cold sore or a cold or both! The body just does not have the reserves that it should if we do not repair with sleep.
The next thing that seems to always happen; especially if we are not eating and sleeping right; is to go to the crowded department stores and catch a virus or bacteria. This is such a perfect environment for illness; a virtual Petri dish of germs just waiting for a home! So do we avoid these places? Are we to forgo the famous “Black Friday” specials in lieu of good health? It’s not always possible to stay away from those places and it’s not always going to help us keep away from illness. But if we arm our immune system with good food, sleep, water and common sense we can go a long way toward good health.
One thing that we can do if we just don’t have the ability to take as good of care of ourselves is to take herbal supplements to offset the devastating things we do to our body.
One of my favorite herbs to take is to balance my pH with either Chlorophyll or minerals to help the body’s defense. A body that is alkaline is not going to be a good environment for bugs so pH is paramount to great health. Another thing I always keep on hand and use every day during flu season is Colloidal Silver. I also keep a tube of Silver Shield Gel in my purse for those times when I have to enter a grocery or department store. This is especially true if I know that those places are giving flu vaccines and nasal spray for the seasonal illness. Contrary to popular science information; this CAN cause you to get ill! So I try to arm myself with a shield of silver to offset this potential danger. Please note that this is NOT the same as sani wipes that are so popular. If you use those on your hands; you are basically wiping a pesticide on them! Who needs more chemicals in our body? No one!
If by some chance the flu or other viral or bacterial infection starts to hit; take immediate action in the form of immune boosters such as Elderberry; Garlic, Capsicum, Echinacea or Vitamin C; especially a type called Citrus Bioflavonoid. If you take immediate action followed by rest and hydration you may well find that you will be healthy enough to fight another day; AND without spreading illness to the rest of the family!
So make sure that you fill your medicine cabinet with herbs to help the immune system; your refrigerator with great food and your body with good herbs, water and nutrition and you will sail through this sometimes stressful time of year like a breeze!
Stressors include money woes; too much work; cold season and even poor diet. It’s a common mistake to not get enough water during the cold season as we aren’t triggered by thirst as we would be during the hot summer months. But we need water even more when it’s a cold dry climate as this time can be. And a dehydrated body is prone to all sorts of illness. Couple that with a huge inundation of sugar and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.
The most common illness is an upset stomach followed in popularity by the flu or a seasonal cold with headaches coming in a close third. These things are easily preventable with a few common sense steps.
First off; hydration and sleep are the most important things you can do. You might not be able to resist grandma’s sugar cookies but if you eat sensibly with the cookie and drink lots of water with it; you may not get the tummy or headache ache common to this type of eating. AND the added benefit of hydration allows the body to rid itself of a toxic condition that sugar provides and may even help shed those extra calories.
Sleep is the most overlooked and underappreciated thing we do this time of year and I have found that if I have several sleepless nights in a row; I can just mark on the calendar the following week will be fraught with either a cold sore or a cold or both! The body just does not have the reserves that it should if we do not repair with sleep.
The next thing that seems to always happen; especially if we are not eating and sleeping right; is to go to the crowded department stores and catch a virus or bacteria. This is such a perfect environment for illness; a virtual Petri dish of germs just waiting for a home! So do we avoid these places? Are we to forgo the famous “Black Friday” specials in lieu of good health? It’s not always possible to stay away from those places and it’s not always going to help us keep away from illness. But if we arm our immune system with good food, sleep, water and common sense we can go a long way toward good health.
One thing that we can do if we just don’t have the ability to take as good of care of ourselves is to take herbal supplements to offset the devastating things we do to our body.
One of my favorite herbs to take is to balance my pH with either Chlorophyll or minerals to help the body’s defense. A body that is alkaline is not going to be a good environment for bugs so pH is paramount to great health. Another thing I always keep on hand and use every day during flu season is Colloidal Silver. I also keep a tube of Silver Shield Gel in my purse for those times when I have to enter a grocery or department store. This is especially true if I know that those places are giving flu vaccines and nasal spray for the seasonal illness. Contrary to popular science information; this CAN cause you to get ill! So I try to arm myself with a shield of silver to offset this potential danger. Please note that this is NOT the same as sani wipes that are so popular. If you use those on your hands; you are basically wiping a pesticide on them! Who needs more chemicals in our body? No one!
If by some chance the flu or other viral or bacterial infection starts to hit; take immediate action in the form of immune boosters such as Elderberry; Garlic, Capsicum, Echinacea or Vitamin C; especially a type called Citrus Bioflavonoid. If you take immediate action followed by rest and hydration you may well find that you will be healthy enough to fight another day; AND without spreading illness to the rest of the family!
So make sure that you fill your medicine cabinet with herbs to help the immune system; your refrigerator with great food and your body with good herbs, water and nutrition and you will sail through this sometimes stressful time of year like a breeze!
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Keeping your Family Safe this Winter
I’ve been asked a lot lately about how to protect families and individuals against the threat of illness. With flu, colds and even things like meningitis around it’s an important health issue.
First off, it is important to have a clean environment to live and work in. We need to clean our workspace with soap and water. It’s always assumed that we need to use anti bacterial products on everything but the truth is; our immune system takes a big hit when we use chemicals to clean surfaces such as counters and door handles. Soap and water will kill over 95 % of all germs if done properly and is much safer to expose our body to than a chemically based product that affects our DNA and immune system.
I do recommend for those that are concerned with major illness to use Colloidal Silver. This can be either purchased or made by a silver generator with less cost to you and your family. A purchased Silver can be diluted at a rate of 10 to 1 in a sterile solution such as distilled water and wiped on surfaces and used as a hand sanitizer. There are products on the market such as Natures Sunshine that even have an effective gel that works wonderfully in lieu of hand wipes.
As for the flu season; one of my very favorite herbs to use for the whole family is Elderberry. This is a plant that is native to many parts of the world and is a common one found in many places in the United States with a hardiness zone of 3 through 9. It’s important to note that this is a plant that gets rather big; reaching heights of 6 to 12 ft and 6 to 10 ft wide.
The flowers and the berries are both used for medicinal and flavorings in dishes. Elderberry has a super anti oxidant in the berries that are housed in the color of the berry that work to help the immune system work at it’s very best called flavonoids.
It also has Anthocyanins which are ingredients that help block inflammation from starting in the body.
The berry comes in several varieties and is a beautiful addition to the garden or landscape. It should be noted that the berries should not be eaten raw; they have toxins that will cause illness and should always be thoroughly cooked for the best use of them for flavor and health benefits.
If you do not wish to make your own Elderberry; many companies such as Natures Sunshine are now putting this amazing herb in many of it’s products with astounding results for health.
I use Elderberry on a regular basis and Natures Sunshine has added a couple of new products on their line for help that also combine Vitamin D 3 for an extra boost to the all important immune system.
Whatever you decide to do to help your body; from purchasing a safe product from a reputable source or growing your own; Elderberry is an amazing help for keeping your family safe for all.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2093593_grow-american-elderberry.html
http://herbs.lovetoknow.com/Elderberry_Tea
First off, it is important to have a clean environment to live and work in. We need to clean our workspace with soap and water. It’s always assumed that we need to use anti bacterial products on everything but the truth is; our immune system takes a big hit when we use chemicals to clean surfaces such as counters and door handles. Soap and water will kill over 95 % of all germs if done properly and is much safer to expose our body to than a chemically based product that affects our DNA and immune system.
I do recommend for those that are concerned with major illness to use Colloidal Silver. This can be either purchased or made by a silver generator with less cost to you and your family. A purchased Silver can be diluted at a rate of 10 to 1 in a sterile solution such as distilled water and wiped on surfaces and used as a hand sanitizer. There are products on the market such as Natures Sunshine that even have an effective gel that works wonderfully in lieu of hand wipes.
As for the flu season; one of my very favorite herbs to use for the whole family is Elderberry. This is a plant that is native to many parts of the world and is a common one found in many places in the United States with a hardiness zone of 3 through 9. It’s important to note that this is a plant that gets rather big; reaching heights of 6 to 12 ft and 6 to 10 ft wide.
The flowers and the berries are both used for medicinal and flavorings in dishes. Elderberry has a super anti oxidant in the berries that are housed in the color of the berry that work to help the immune system work at it’s very best called flavonoids.
It also has Anthocyanins which are ingredients that help block inflammation from starting in the body.
The berry comes in several varieties and is a beautiful addition to the garden or landscape. It should be noted that the berries should not be eaten raw; they have toxins that will cause illness and should always be thoroughly cooked for the best use of them for flavor and health benefits.
If you do not wish to make your own Elderberry; many companies such as Natures Sunshine are now putting this amazing herb in many of it’s products with astounding results for health.
I use Elderberry on a regular basis and Natures Sunshine has added a couple of new products on their line for help that also combine Vitamin D 3 for an extra boost to the all important immune system.
Whatever you decide to do to help your body; from purchasing a safe product from a reputable source or growing your own; Elderberry is an amazing help for keeping your family safe for all.
http://www.ehow.com/how_2093593_grow-american-elderberry.html
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Being Thankful
Today I’m going over things to suggest to several of my clients and as I go over a particular person’s diet am appalled. Not at the parent; not at the child certainly but at the societal problem so many of us face.
How do I tell this mother; this hardworking, overtired, over stressed mom that the diet she has her child on is half the problem? Because the food we eat is paramount to good health and this will lead to much needed help for her beautiful child.
But as a single mom I find I cannot tell her to stop cheap food; I cannot tell her that the junk in poor quality food is half of her child’s issue. And it’s exacerbated by the fact that this person lives in my small hamlet of a town and I see how she lives. It’s a dilemma that I come across so much in my line of work and one that traditional medicine finds of little importance. Oh they do talk of cholesterol and high blood pressure but do not seem to see or believe the correlation of healthy food and a healthy healed body. But we in the herb world do believe we “Are what we eat”. And so the masses keep scarfing down Mac burgers and Chicken nuggets thinking at least I’m getting protein and vitamins right? Wrong! These food stuffs are so poor of quality that they actually cause disease and illness in the body!
But the real issue is not that the person who needs help is uncaring or uneducated. Most intelligent people know that to eat better we will feel better. But how do you tell a person on a fixed income that they will have to change their spaghetti O’s for organic greens? How do you tell your client that even though she can cook a meal for her brood for ten dollars you want her to double her costs at the dinner table?
It’s a constant battle in my mind how to be strong in my beliefs without insulting the intelligence; the passion of a good parent trying to do what will work for her family. I do try to bring up the idea that if better health becomes the norm in their household that money savings will follow in less visits to the doctor’s clinic and in the long run less money spent on prescriptions and over the counter drugs. But to believe that is to gamble the grocery money on herbs and alternative remedies. And this is a huge leap of faith for so many; especially in this uncertain political and social climate we live in.
So I smile and talk to them of Ph balancing and utilizing social services that are available to fixed income people. I explain about discount store helps for organic and utilizing food co-ops that will find great prices on needed organic items. And I try very hard to remember that these wonderfully hard working; lovely people are doing the very best they can for their families with the resources that they have.
So when you go to the grocery store; notice the next time you see a person at the cash register with a brood of kids checking out and try to remember that their food choices; the discount items and boxed and canned food may be the only way they are keeping their family fed. And be thankful.
How do I tell this mother; this hardworking, overtired, over stressed mom that the diet she has her child on is half the problem? Because the food we eat is paramount to good health and this will lead to much needed help for her beautiful child.
But as a single mom I find I cannot tell her to stop cheap food; I cannot tell her that the junk in poor quality food is half of her child’s issue. And it’s exacerbated by the fact that this person lives in my small hamlet of a town and I see how she lives. It’s a dilemma that I come across so much in my line of work and one that traditional medicine finds of little importance. Oh they do talk of cholesterol and high blood pressure but do not seem to see or believe the correlation of healthy food and a healthy healed body. But we in the herb world do believe we “Are what we eat”. And so the masses keep scarfing down Mac burgers and Chicken nuggets thinking at least I’m getting protein and vitamins right? Wrong! These food stuffs are so poor of quality that they actually cause disease and illness in the body!
But the real issue is not that the person who needs help is uncaring or uneducated. Most intelligent people know that to eat better we will feel better. But how do you tell a person on a fixed income that they will have to change their spaghetti O’s for organic greens? How do you tell your client that even though she can cook a meal for her brood for ten dollars you want her to double her costs at the dinner table?
It’s a constant battle in my mind how to be strong in my beliefs without insulting the intelligence; the passion of a good parent trying to do what will work for her family. I do try to bring up the idea that if better health becomes the norm in their household that money savings will follow in less visits to the doctor’s clinic and in the long run less money spent on prescriptions and over the counter drugs. But to believe that is to gamble the grocery money on herbs and alternative remedies. And this is a huge leap of faith for so many; especially in this uncertain political and social climate we live in.
So I smile and talk to them of Ph balancing and utilizing social services that are available to fixed income people. I explain about discount store helps for organic and utilizing food co-ops that will find great prices on needed organic items. And I try very hard to remember that these wonderfully hard working; lovely people are doing the very best they can for their families with the resources that they have.
So when you go to the grocery store; notice the next time you see a person at the cash register with a brood of kids checking out and try to remember that their food choices; the discount items and boxed and canned food may be the only way they are keeping their family fed. And be thankful.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Saving a little bit of Summer
Today is herb drying day. I love this time of year because the crops are almost done and the garden is about finished. But my pantry is full and the only thing left to “put up” is herbs.
The smell in the kitchen is wafting throughout the house as I dry peppers and herbs to store and use this winter. This is an important part of my organic gardening. I have tried freezing the herbs but this doesn’t seem to work well as they need to be blanched to stop the enzyme process. This is not a good thing to keep the volatile oils active in these all important herbs.
Right now I’m drying rosemary and then it will be on to garlic and regular chives. I couldn’t get the caterpillars to leave my cilantro alone so I have none of that this year but the chives are marvelous. You can use these herbs just as you would store bought; but the difference is phenomenal! I adore fresh and freshly dried herbs in almost everything. From cooking chicken with rosemary and garlic to throwing a sprig of dried lavender into the bath before dipping in; herbs are an important part of my life.
So many ask; why do this? Why go to all the trouble of drying and storing your own herbs? It’s a simple answer. Chemicals and preservatives are the bane of our health in society. The hidden amounts of these man made dangers hold untold health problems that can be as simple as a headache to cancer in the long run. I find that if I can eliminate as many of those hidden dangers in my life; I feel much better! And I know that in the scheme of things; I will be a healthy individual as well as my family.
To dry herbs pick in the early morning the best and freshest herbs you have on hand. It’s very important to note that you will need to be sure they have not been sprayed with anything or have any exposure to chemical fertilizers. This will not only change the taste but can cause health issues.
Next wash thoroughly all dirt and debris off the plant pieces. If they are long stems like chives; wash well and lay on a paper towel in a single layer.
Next chop the herb up if it’s something like chives into little bits that are easy to sprinkle. If it’s a rosemary stock; place the whole branch on the cookie sheet. No oil is needed; they will not stick.
Turn the oven on to 185 or 200 F. In the case of chives; it will only take about 1 to 2 hours to finish the process. They will feel a little soft in places when you take them out but the next step will finish them. Take the cookie sheet and place on the counter until cool. They should be dry at that time.
Store in an air tight container which should keep for at least 6 to nine months until your new crop is at hand.
For Rosemary or other stocky, woody type herbs like Sage, put the whole stock on the cookie sheet and let dry for at least 4 hours. This will take less time if you remove the leaves first but I find that the flavor is not as intense if you do that. The Rosemary can be stored in jars as well as the sage. If sage is dried properly it can be crumbled up to fit the jar and your recipes better.
Another way to finish after the drying process is to grind the herb in an herb or coffee grinder. It’s always best to use a new one for this process. Nothing is more disappointing than tasting coffee in the herbs that you have worked so hard to prepare! I use a grinder that is especially for this purpose only.
Then place in a decorative jar for storing. I like to use old herb jars or the mini ½ pint canning jars for this purpose. Don’t forget to label carefully and store in a dark cool cupboard to use in your favorite recipes.
Just think; the next time you make grandma’s famous stuffing won’t it taste wonderful to have sage from your garden for the it!
The smell in the kitchen is wafting throughout the house as I dry peppers and herbs to store and use this winter. This is an important part of my organic gardening. I have tried freezing the herbs but this doesn’t seem to work well as they need to be blanched to stop the enzyme process. This is not a good thing to keep the volatile oils active in these all important herbs.
Right now I’m drying rosemary and then it will be on to garlic and regular chives. I couldn’t get the caterpillars to leave my cilantro alone so I have none of that this year but the chives are marvelous. You can use these herbs just as you would store bought; but the difference is phenomenal! I adore fresh and freshly dried herbs in almost everything. From cooking chicken with rosemary and garlic to throwing a sprig of dried lavender into the bath before dipping in; herbs are an important part of my life.
So many ask; why do this? Why go to all the trouble of drying and storing your own herbs? It’s a simple answer. Chemicals and preservatives are the bane of our health in society. The hidden amounts of these man made dangers hold untold health problems that can be as simple as a headache to cancer in the long run. I find that if I can eliminate as many of those hidden dangers in my life; I feel much better! And I know that in the scheme of things; I will be a healthy individual as well as my family.
To dry herbs pick in the early morning the best and freshest herbs you have on hand. It’s very important to note that you will need to be sure they have not been sprayed with anything or have any exposure to chemical fertilizers. This will not only change the taste but can cause health issues.
Next wash thoroughly all dirt and debris off the plant pieces. If they are long stems like chives; wash well and lay on a paper towel in a single layer.
Next chop the herb up if it’s something like chives into little bits that are easy to sprinkle. If it’s a rosemary stock; place the whole branch on the cookie sheet. No oil is needed; they will not stick.
Turn the oven on to 185 or 200 F. In the case of chives; it will only take about 1 to 2 hours to finish the process. They will feel a little soft in places when you take them out but the next step will finish them. Take the cookie sheet and place on the counter until cool. They should be dry at that time.
Store in an air tight container which should keep for at least 6 to nine months until your new crop is at hand.
For Rosemary or other stocky, woody type herbs like Sage, put the whole stock on the cookie sheet and let dry for at least 4 hours. This will take less time if you remove the leaves first but I find that the flavor is not as intense if you do that. The Rosemary can be stored in jars as well as the sage. If sage is dried properly it can be crumbled up to fit the jar and your recipes better.
Another way to finish after the drying process is to grind the herb in an herb or coffee grinder. It’s always best to use a new one for this process. Nothing is more disappointing than tasting coffee in the herbs that you have worked so hard to prepare! I use a grinder that is especially for this purpose only.
Then place in a decorative jar for storing. I like to use old herb jars or the mini ½ pint canning jars for this purpose. Don’t forget to label carefully and store in a dark cool cupboard to use in your favorite recipes.
Just think; the next time you make grandma’s famous stuffing won’t it taste wonderful to have sage from your garden for the it!
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