I made gingerbread cookies tonight... that didn't contain dairy, eggs, or flour. They were so tasty.
Before you make these, you will have to sprout some wheat for a couple of days until the tails are half the length of the grain. Rinse and drain well. Then dry the grain- I like to use my Excalibur dehydrator for this because I can dehydrate at 95 degrees and maintain the life of the grains. You can use a low low heat oven with the door cracked though. I usually will sprout 3-4 mason jars of wheat at a time and dry it all at the same time and then store the dried grain in the freezer in a ziploc bag. I then grind the amount of grain I need when I need it. You will also need to make 1 flax "egg" by grinding up flax seeds to make 1 T ground flax. Bring 2 T of water to a boil. Stir in the flax and simmer for 3 minutes. Let cool while you proceed with the other directions. Add your flax egg at the right time.
This is the recipe I used:
Gingerbread cutouts from better homes and gardens
1/2 cup shortening (use non-hydrogenated like Earth Balance but better yet would be virgin coconut oil)
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/2 cup molasses
1 flax "egg"
1 T apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 cups sprouted grain "flour"
In a mixing bowl beat shortening. Add dry stuff except flour. Beat molasses, egg and vinegar in. Then add as much flour slowly and stir in remainder. Divide dough, cover and chill for 3 hours. Grease cookie sheet, on "floured" surface roll dough out and cut up. 375* for 5 minutes. Let cool on cookie sheet before transferring to a wire rack.
Enjoy... We decorated them with raisins.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Apple Cider Vinegar strikes again!
Word is getting around the Dojo about the great benefits of apple cider vinegar. BTW, just to be clear, I am NOT talking about the clear apple cider vinegar that most people buy, usually made by Heinz. That stuff is great for cleaning but it is not a medicinal or healthy. I am talking about the raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar like Bragg's, Spectrum, or the store brand that Trader Joe's sells.
One of the owners of the school got asthma which developed into bronchitis and then finally into pneumonia. He is on 4 different medicines and none of them were working. He came to me and asked why the apple cider vinegar had helped another Sensei. I explained it so he decided to start taking some. I actually was a little doubtful that it would help the pneumonia. After two days, I got a report that the only thing that has been helping him is in fact the apple cider vinegar, which he is taking several times per day.
So, how do you take apple cider vinegar? Generally, the dose is 1 T 3x's per day. You can take it with some honey and warm water or you can take it with equal parts unsulphured molasses. I like the later way best.
Other uses for apple cider vinegar include relieving heartburn, swabbed on sunburns or other burns, assist in digestion, etc. Here is another article on Apple Cider Vinegar.
One of the owners of the school got asthma which developed into bronchitis and then finally into pneumonia. He is on 4 different medicines and none of them were working. He came to me and asked why the apple cider vinegar had helped another Sensei. I explained it so he decided to start taking some. I actually was a little doubtful that it would help the pneumonia. After two days, I got a report that the only thing that has been helping him is in fact the apple cider vinegar, which he is taking several times per day.
So, how do you take apple cider vinegar? Generally, the dose is 1 T 3x's per day. You can take it with some honey and warm water or you can take it with equal parts unsulphured molasses. I like the later way best.
Other uses for apple cider vinegar include relieving heartburn, swabbed on sunburns or other burns, assist in digestion, etc. Here is another article on Apple Cider Vinegar.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
In the Kitchen- I am Making Vanilla Extract
Now I've done it! I have taken my herbal knowledge into the kitchen! What fun and how yummy smelling the vanilla extract I am concocting is! I bought vanilla beans from The Organic Vanilla Bean Company. They are super yummy smelling, reasonable cost, and nice beans. I then put 16 beans, scored lengthwise and then chopped into 6-8 pieces per bean in my 16 ounce amber bottle and added vodka. Label it! Shake several times a day and store in the cupboard. I will let it sit for at least 6 weeks before I begin to pour it out into smaller batches. For this batch, I used 6 Tahitian and 10 Bourbon vanilla beans. I was reading that if you use less than 6 beans per cup of alcohol then it isn't technically vanilla extract, I am making it not quite double fold, but boy does it smell heavenly!
On the new moon, I also began some catnip and fennel glycerite with equal parts catnip and fennel seeds to equal just under 4 ounces, 11 ounces of distilled water, and 1 pint of glycerin. I like to mix my glycerin and water before I pour it into the jar so it is thoroughly mixed. I also like to mix my dry herbs together before I pour the liquids over them. I put it in a quart mason jar and shake several times per day. I am also making some Complete Bone and Tissue glycerin extract and some Complete Bone and Tissue oil. Some of it I will turn into ointment and the rest I will use for oil for things like sore backs and burns etc.
On the new moon, I also began some catnip and fennel glycerite with equal parts catnip and fennel seeds to equal just under 4 ounces, 11 ounces of distilled water, and 1 pint of glycerin. I like to mix my glycerin and water before I pour it into the jar so it is thoroughly mixed. I also like to mix my dry herbs together before I pour the liquids over them. I put it in a quart mason jar and shake several times per day. I am also making some Complete Bone and Tissue glycerin extract and some Complete Bone and Tissue oil. Some of it I will turn into ointment and the rest I will use for oil for things like sore backs and burns etc.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Asthma
Asthma is nasty. I know, I used to have it! I haven't had any problems in years except for if I consume too much dairy. Then again, no asthmatic should EVER consume dairy!
About two years ago, I had gotten really sick and it went into my lungs. I began to have an attack. I quickly grabbed for Dr. Christopher's Lung and Bronchial formula and took 2 dropperfuls under the tongue. The attack ended and that was that. I continued to take 1 dropperful a couple times per day until that congestion had passed.
So, what does all this have to do with today? I am getting there.
When I was studying at the School of Natural Healing, I had an assignment to formulate a remedy. I had to test that remedy as well. The remedy had to contain two or more herbs. At the time, my daughter had had a cold and it had settled in her lungs. Nothing I tried worked for her. I had done comfrey glycerite, the usual standby Lung and Bronchial formula, Complete Tissue Formula on the chest, and I tried Dr. Christopher's asthma treatment with lobelia and peppermint tea. None of it worked. I eventually made a special tea for her with mullein, comfrey, lobelia, red raspberry leaf, lavendar and thyme and that helped. (The approximate measurements of the herbs as well as more information on comfrey are found in this post). But, while I was standing at the counter pondering, the Lord blessed me with a formula. I made it up into a glycerite. By the time it was done, she had healed and I had no one to test it on. Fast forward to 6 months later. A friend's son was on daily nebulizer treatments. She gave him 1/2 the dose I suggested and saw immediate improvement. Her son was not having attacks despite being outside, playing in the dirt, cleaning a very dusty area, etc. After he finished the small bottle I had given her, he didn't need any more for about 4 or 5 months.
Just the other day, I gave some to one of my Senseis. He had gone from breathing 800mL/min to 200 and was blacking out. He was so frustrated. The doctor had put him on prednisone, more inhalers and upped the dose and he still was seeing no improvement. He started to take 1 T of equal parts apple cider vinegar and black strap molasses 3xs per dayand began to see improvement. Then he started taking the lung support formula. At first it gave him a mild headache (probably because it was bringing some extra oxygen to his body and was cleaning his lungs) but he kept taking it anyway. He began to cough up lots of thick mucus from his lungs and now he is breathing 850 mL/min!
So, what herbs were in there? Comfrey, Elecampane, Marsh mallow, Elder, Spearmint, Red Raspberry, and Lobelia.
Here is an excerpt from my assignment as to why each one is beneficial in Lung Support:
Comfrey is an excellent herb for the lungs. It is healing, demulcent and and expectorant. I knew the condition was viral, so I used Elder berries. Elder has been shown to be effective against flu strains. It also has an affect on the immune system and helps decrease inflammation causing white blood cells while increasing infection-fighting white blood. It is also a remedy for asthma. Spearmint is a stimulant as well as tasty. It is also milder than peppermint so it is better suited for children. Spearmint is also antispasmodic, so it is good for asthmatic like conditions. I chose Marsh mallow to soothe the inflammation in the lungs. It is especially good for pulmonary complaints as well as spasmodic asthma. Elecampane is an expectorant to help relieve the congestion. Historically it has been used for all manner of lung complaints and congestions including chronic problems. Red raspberry to cleanses mucous membranes. In this case it cleanses the lungs and thin the mucus. It is nutritive and provides iron, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, as well as many other vitamins and minerals. Red raspberry leaves are specific to colds and flu. Dr. Christopher called Lobelia the thinking herb. It is used in this formula to accentuate the other herbs as well as for its specific properties. Lobelia is excellent for asthmatic conditions and helps to open the bronchials and expel the putrid mucus.
About two years ago, I had gotten really sick and it went into my lungs. I began to have an attack. I quickly grabbed for Dr. Christopher's Lung and Bronchial formula and took 2 dropperfuls under the tongue. The attack ended and that was that. I continued to take 1 dropperful a couple times per day until that congestion had passed.
So, what does all this have to do with today? I am getting there.
When I was studying at the School of Natural Healing, I had an assignment to formulate a remedy. I had to test that remedy as well. The remedy had to contain two or more herbs. At the time, my daughter had had a cold and it had settled in her lungs. Nothing I tried worked for her. I had done comfrey glycerite, the usual standby Lung and Bronchial formula, Complete Tissue Formula on the chest, and I tried Dr. Christopher's asthma treatment with lobelia and peppermint tea. None of it worked. I eventually made a special tea for her with mullein, comfrey, lobelia, red raspberry leaf, lavendar and thyme and that helped. (The approximate measurements of the herbs as well as more information on comfrey are found in this post). But, while I was standing at the counter pondering, the Lord blessed me with a formula. I made it up into a glycerite. By the time it was done, she had healed and I had no one to test it on. Fast forward to 6 months later. A friend's son was on daily nebulizer treatments. She gave him 1/2 the dose I suggested and saw immediate improvement. Her son was not having attacks despite being outside, playing in the dirt, cleaning a very dusty area, etc. After he finished the small bottle I had given her, he didn't need any more for about 4 or 5 months.
Just the other day, I gave some to one of my Senseis. He had gone from breathing 800mL/min to 200 and was blacking out. He was so frustrated. The doctor had put him on prednisone, more inhalers and upped the dose and he still was seeing no improvement. He started to take 1 T of equal parts apple cider vinegar and black strap molasses 3xs per dayand began to see improvement. Then he started taking the lung support formula. At first it gave him a mild headache (probably because it was bringing some extra oxygen to his body and was cleaning his lungs) but he kept taking it anyway. He began to cough up lots of thick mucus from his lungs and now he is breathing 850 mL/min!
So, what herbs were in there? Comfrey, Elecampane, Marsh mallow, Elder, Spearmint, Red Raspberry, and Lobelia.
Here is an excerpt from my assignment as to why each one is beneficial in Lung Support:
Comfrey is an excellent herb for the lungs. It is healing, demulcent and and expectorant. I knew the condition was viral, so I used Elder berries. Elder has been shown to be effective against flu strains. It also has an affect on the immune system and helps decrease inflammation causing white blood cells while increasing infection-fighting white blood. It is also a remedy for asthma. Spearmint is a stimulant as well as tasty. It is also milder than peppermint so it is better suited for children. Spearmint is also antispasmodic, so it is good for asthmatic like conditions. I chose Marsh mallow to soothe the inflammation in the lungs. It is especially good for pulmonary complaints as well as spasmodic asthma. Elecampane is an expectorant to help relieve the congestion. Historically it has been used for all manner of lung complaints and congestions including chronic problems. Red raspberry to cleanses mucous membranes. In this case it cleanses the lungs and thin the mucus. It is nutritive and provides iron, calcium, B vitamins, vitamin C, as well as many other vitamins and minerals. Red raspberry leaves are specific to colds and flu. Dr. Christopher called Lobelia the thinking herb. It is used in this formula to accentuate the other herbs as well as for its specific properties. Lobelia is excellent for asthmatic conditions and helps to open the bronchials and expel the putrid mucus.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Colds
I haven't been sick in SO long, but I have been burning the candle to bits (can there be more than 2 ends on a candle!?) Anyway, the whole family has not been sleeping well because of crazy schedules and unexpected business trips my dh has had to take. Furthermore, with all the craziness, we have not been eating as well as we usually do. This of course weakens the immune system.
So, what am I doing?
Lots of Red Raspberry Leaf tea! We also had some Onion Soup using this recipe from Herbal Legacy. YUM! We made some garlic bread using Ezekiel bread (no flour which is mucus forming and would keep us sick longer) with half a head of garlic pureed with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Dh and I crushed a clove of garlic into each bowl of soup we ate. Then, I roasted a head of garlic and ate 2/3 of it myself- YUM I will stink of garlic tomorrow but I don't care. It was tasty and my body needed it!
The kids ate the garlic bread and the onion soup. They didn't want any extra garlic, but the pot had about 5 cloves pressed in just before serving, so they definitely got some good raw garlic.
I have also taken several doses of Dr. Christopher's Super Garlic Immune. That is the nastiest tasting stuff but it works. And, especially since I haven't been able to just sleep all day like I did when I was a kid, it has helped me feel well enough to get my kids their meals, etc.
What am I not doing? Or in other words, what would NOT help me get better?
I am not stopping my fever. Fevers are beneficial to the body and they help the immune system to work better. Here is an article in New Scientist supporting this. As an aside, when this was written this might have been "new" information to the AMA but herbalists have been saying this for at least the last 70+ years. Dr. Christopher taught that wet fevers heal and dry fevers kill.
So, I have been keeping bundled, drinking lots of fluids, taking HOT showers, and drinking HOT liquids.
I am not taking a decongestant or OTC cold remedy. These stop up the body's elimination channels in the respiratory system and don't speed up healing. Your body is eliminating the dead viruses or bacteria and other toxins through the mucus. Let it out!
I am not eating sugar, flour, dairy, meat, or anything processed. I am eating, when hungry, lots of raw fruits (cleansing and laxative to keep the bowels working) and liquids and the foods listed above. All of these are mild foods which heal!
So, what am I doing?
Lots of Red Raspberry Leaf tea! We also had some Onion Soup using this recipe from Herbal Legacy. YUM! We made some garlic bread using Ezekiel bread (no flour which is mucus forming and would keep us sick longer) with half a head of garlic pureed with a tablespoon or so of olive oil. Dh and I crushed a clove of garlic into each bowl of soup we ate. Then, I roasted a head of garlic and ate 2/3 of it myself- YUM I will stink of garlic tomorrow but I don't care. It was tasty and my body needed it!
The kids ate the garlic bread and the onion soup. They didn't want any extra garlic, but the pot had about 5 cloves pressed in just before serving, so they definitely got some good raw garlic.
I have also taken several doses of Dr. Christopher's Super Garlic Immune. That is the nastiest tasting stuff but it works. And, especially since I haven't been able to just sleep all day like I did when I was a kid, it has helped me feel well enough to get my kids their meals, etc.
What am I not doing? Or in other words, what would NOT help me get better?
I am not stopping my fever. Fevers are beneficial to the body and they help the immune system to work better. Here is an article in New Scientist supporting this. As an aside, when this was written this might have been "new" information to the AMA but herbalists have been saying this for at least the last 70+ years. Dr. Christopher taught that wet fevers heal and dry fevers kill.
So, I have been keeping bundled, drinking lots of fluids, taking HOT showers, and drinking HOT liquids.
I am not taking a decongestant or OTC cold remedy. These stop up the body's elimination channels in the respiratory system and don't speed up healing. Your body is eliminating the dead viruses or bacteria and other toxins through the mucus. Let it out!
I am not eating sugar, flour, dairy, meat, or anything processed. I am eating, when hungry, lots of raw fruits (cleansing and laxative to keep the bowels working) and liquids and the foods listed above. All of these are mild foods which heal!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Be Aggressive and Quick on the Draw!
Sandra Ellis always says that you have to be as aggressive as what you are dealing with or it will win. She is so right!
This past week I went camping with my kids and a bunch of other homeschooling families. We went hiking and at some point a bug bit my hand. I don't believe it was a mosquito because it swelled worse and itched worse than any mosquito bite I have ever had. I knew I had been bit, and I know I needed to get some plantain to heal the bite. Unfortunately, I was carrying a 25 pound 2 yr old who refused to walk and chasing after 3 4-5 year old girls who didn't want to wait up. So, I waited for a few minutes and the itching got worse. I had to find some plantain NOW! By this time, we were in an area of the forest that didn't have much plantain. If only I had taken the time right away when the forest floor was covered in it...
So, we kept walking. After about 15 minutes I finally found some growing in a patch. I picked a few leaves and bruised them and then laid them on the back of my hand. The cool leaves seeped into my hand and the itch was instantly lessened. Unfortunately, it is hard to keep leaves stuck to the back of your hand while you carry a 2 yr old, so they didn't last long. The leaves had taken down the central bite bubble within about 5 minutes, but then the leaves fel off and one of the girls had run up ahead so I had to chase after her rather than deal with my bite. My hand still itched. When things settled down and I got back to camp, I got out my Dr. Christopher's Stings and Bites ointment, which is nothing more than plantain, olive oil, and beeswax and slathered it on. I got more fresh leaves and bruised them and put them on top. Now they stuck! I made dinner and then the ointment had been fully absorbed so the leaves fell off again. It only mildly itched and I Was chasing 3 kids so I didn't do anything else. The next morning I woke up to a swollen, red welt half the size of the back of my hand and boy did it itch! Shame on me for only partially taking care of the problem! If I had been more aggressive, I would have had it completely gone the night before but no, I had to live the consequences. I slathered more ointment on, more leaves and went about my day. I changed the leaves a few times. With in a few hours the hot and red was gone, but the itch was still there when the leaves were not glued to my hand and there was still a bit of swelling. I kept at it more dilligently and the bite cleared up.
I really should know better. But, life as a mom sometimes you don't pay that much attention to yourself.
This past week I went camping with my kids and a bunch of other homeschooling families. We went hiking and at some point a bug bit my hand. I don't believe it was a mosquito because it swelled worse and itched worse than any mosquito bite I have ever had. I knew I had been bit, and I know I needed to get some plantain to heal the bite. Unfortunately, I was carrying a 25 pound 2 yr old who refused to walk and chasing after 3 4-5 year old girls who didn't want to wait up. So, I waited for a few minutes and the itching got worse. I had to find some plantain NOW! By this time, we were in an area of the forest that didn't have much plantain. If only I had taken the time right away when the forest floor was covered in it...
So, we kept walking. After about 15 minutes I finally found some growing in a patch. I picked a few leaves and bruised them and then laid them on the back of my hand. The cool leaves seeped into my hand and the itch was instantly lessened. Unfortunately, it is hard to keep leaves stuck to the back of your hand while you carry a 2 yr old, so they didn't last long. The leaves had taken down the central bite bubble within about 5 minutes, but then the leaves fel off and one of the girls had run up ahead so I had to chase after her rather than deal with my bite. My hand still itched. When things settled down and I got back to camp, I got out my Dr. Christopher's Stings and Bites ointment, which is nothing more than plantain, olive oil, and beeswax and slathered it on. I got more fresh leaves and bruised them and put them on top. Now they stuck! I made dinner and then the ointment had been fully absorbed so the leaves fell off again. It only mildly itched and I Was chasing 3 kids so I didn't do anything else. The next morning I woke up to a swollen, red welt half the size of the back of my hand and boy did it itch! Shame on me for only partially taking care of the problem! If I had been more aggressive, I would have had it completely gone the night before but no, I had to live the consequences. I slathered more ointment on, more leaves and went about my day. I changed the leaves a few times. With in a few hours the hot and red was gone, but the itch was still there when the leaves were not glued to my hand and there was still a bit of swelling. I kept at it more dilligently and the bite cleared up.
I really should know better. But, life as a mom sometimes you don't pay that much attention to yourself.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Herbs heal again!
One of these days I will get smart and start taking pictures of yucky things that need to be healed and then tracking the healing process. I have watched some great healings and have never taken a picture! Oh well.
About a month ago, my husband told me my son had something on his toe that needed to be addressed. I had not seen it because my son didn't want to show me- afraid I would put x-ceptic on it. He didn't understand that x-ceptic only hurts if it is on broken skin! I was rushing about as usual and forgot about it. Then about a week ago, my husband again mentioned the foot bump. It looked like a wart on the bottom of his ring toe. (As it turns out it was a plantar wart). So, I told dh to put some black walnut tincture on it followed by duct tape. The second day, as my husband was taping him up, my son kept yelling ow! That is when I realized it was a plantar wart. I went and go some dandelion flower stalks and leaves picked at the base and brought them in. My silly son proclaimed, "Mom! Those are weeds! What are you doing with the weeds?!" (I was shocked to hear him say this because we are always harvesting "weeds" for food or medicine.) So, I explained that the milky sap in the dandelion was good for plantar warts. I dropped the sap on and then put more black walnut tincture. The wart no longer was covered by his skin. Instead, it looked like the calloused skin was splitting open and literally spitting out the wart. Over the next couple of days, we repeated the black walnut tincture and dandelion sap (2 more days). Some bandage changes yielded a larger bump that would not allow the duct tape to stick because every time dh would put the bandage on the tape would pop off due to the sloughing off of the dead wart. Yesterday I realized that my son wasn't yelling ow anymore at bandage changes. The wart is letting go. After 5 days, the wart has begun to shrink and the skin is beginning to close up again. It is amazing to watch the body heal and know what to do!
About a month ago, my husband told me my son had something on his toe that needed to be addressed. I had not seen it because my son didn't want to show me- afraid I would put x-ceptic on it. He didn't understand that x-ceptic only hurts if it is on broken skin! I was rushing about as usual and forgot about it. Then about a week ago, my husband again mentioned the foot bump. It looked like a wart on the bottom of his ring toe. (As it turns out it was a plantar wart). So, I told dh to put some black walnut tincture on it followed by duct tape. The second day, as my husband was taping him up, my son kept yelling ow! That is when I realized it was a plantar wart. I went and go some dandelion flower stalks and leaves picked at the base and brought them in. My silly son proclaimed, "Mom! Those are weeds! What are you doing with the weeds?!" (I was shocked to hear him say this because we are always harvesting "weeds" for food or medicine.) So, I explained that the milky sap in the dandelion was good for plantar warts. I dropped the sap on and then put more black walnut tincture. The wart no longer was covered by his skin. Instead, it looked like the calloused skin was splitting open and literally spitting out the wart. Over the next couple of days, we repeated the black walnut tincture and dandelion sap (2 more days). Some bandage changes yielded a larger bump that would not allow the duct tape to stick because every time dh would put the bandage on the tape would pop off due to the sloughing off of the dead wart. Yesterday I realized that my son wasn't yelling ow anymore at bandage changes. The wart is letting go. After 5 days, the wart has begun to shrink and the skin is beginning to close up again. It is amazing to watch the body heal and know what to do!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Wheat grass juice without a wheat grass juicer
If you have ever read about wheat grass juice, you will know that most people talk about using a juicer to extract the juice. Well, I don't have a juicer that will do wheat grass, and I don't have the money to buy one, but I needed to take wheat grass juice... So, I take my wheat grass and place it in my vitamix. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of water and blend. Then strain by pouring it through a mesh strainer into a cup and pressing out all the green juice with a spoon. After a little bit, you can use your fingers and squeeze every last drop out of the blended cellulose. You should be left with a pale green almost white mass of cellulose and a glass of dark emerald green juice. Yum! Be sure to "chew" your juice and taste the yummy sweetness.
Blending Herbs
I have been doing Dr. Christopher's Extended Herbal Cleanse. I made up some Liver and Gallbladder formula as well as some Kidney and Bladder and some Lower Bowel formulas. The Lower Bowel formula contains red raspberry leaf. If you have ever tried to powder raspberry leaf, you may have found that it is apt to fluff up and fly around your grinder but never do any powdering... I have discovered the secret! Layer the raspberry leaf between other herbs. In this case, I was using my vitamix dry blender (you must be careful not to blend for too long or it will heat up) I put in half the ingredients, then the red raspberry leaf, and then the rest on top. Poof- no fluffing up, nicely powdered red raspberry leaf fully mixed with the other herbs. Life is good.
On a side note, after 2 weeks of only taking Lower Bowel formula, Hormonal Changease, Female Reproductive, Wheatgerm oil, and the Master Gland formula, eating really well (ok I cheated once or twice a tiny amount), green smoothies almost every day, especially with carrot tops or fresh wheat grass juice, and 2 castor oil packs over night I am pain free. I started to feel a little off the other day as I am nearing ovulation, but I took it easy, continued with my routine and I am doing well. I was told by most people that it took 6 months to be rid of the ovarian cyst. I can still tell that I am healing from it, but the pain is gone. On to more healing!
On a side note, after 2 weeks of only taking Lower Bowel formula, Hormonal Changease, Female Reproductive, Wheatgerm oil, and the Master Gland formula, eating really well (ok I cheated once or twice a tiny amount), green smoothies almost every day, especially with carrot tops or fresh wheat grass juice, and 2 castor oil packs over night I am pain free. I started to feel a little off the other day as I am nearing ovulation, but I took it easy, continued with my routine and I am doing well. I was told by most people that it took 6 months to be rid of the ovarian cyst. I can still tell that I am healing from it, but the pain is gone. On to more healing!
Monday, July 28, 2008
Red Raspberry- the Queen
I love red raspberry. Lately I have been focusing on chickweed and plantain because I have been using them for a broad spectrum of things. However, red raspberry is one of my absolute MUST have herbs for many ailments. I love Red Raspberry so much that I wrote my thesis for The School of Natural Healing on it. My thesis can be read on the website Herbal Legacy. I will discuss many of the uses of red raspberry over time; however, 3 uses have recently been brought to my attention.
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that a friend's son was dealing with hives so we made the salve of chickweed and plantain. They were helping the hives diminish but not entirely. His bowels were not moving properly (which can exacerbate hives as the body tries to throw out toxins any way that it can). His mom made some juice of red raspberries and apples and within an hour the hives severely subsided and after 2 glasses of raspberry juice, they left completely. I hypothesize that the raspberry helped because raspberries are a refrigerant. Chinese medicine considers hives a heat condition so you need to give the body cooling things and eliminate heat producing foods. Raspberries may cool the body. Furthermore, they are also a laxative, so they get the bowels moving properly and the body has a place for the toxins to go. The other possibility, which my friend reminded me of, is quercetin in the raspberries and apples (found in the skin).
The second thing about raspberry that was brought up today is red raspberry leaves. When I was pregnant with my first, I didn't know about raspberry leaves. How I wish I had! With my second, my husband said that raspberry leaves made such a difference, he would walk to China and back if he had to to get them for me. Raspberry leaves balance hormones, provide calcium, iron, vitamin C, almost all the B vitamins, magnesium, etc. They also strengthen the uterus to be more efficient and the contractions less painful. They help with afterpains as well as milk supply. I wouldn't bother with the little raspberry tea bags but found that the raspberry leaf from Mountain Rose Herbs is not far less expensive than those tea bags, but far more potent and beneficial.
So, how to make raspberry leaf tea. Take a tea basket or tea ball. Place 1ish teaspoons in the basket or ball inside the cup. Pour boiling water over. Cover with an upside down plate for 20 minutes. If mint or something else is desired to flavor it, throw that in during the last 5 minutes. Enjoy. For really strong tea, let cool to room temperature before removing the raspberry leaves and enjoying.
Some people don't mind the taste- it tastes a little like ice tea when cold. Some people dislike it. I find that adding some lemon and honey or icing it and then adding 1/4-1/3 the amount of tea in juice like cherry or grape really helps. Sometimes I will put mint in at the end of steeping.
The third is somewhat related to the previous one in that it is related to female reproductive organs. I have found that for an ovarian cyst, 1-2 quarts of red raspberry leaf tea has helped tremendously in lessening the pain to a dull soreness when pressed on. If I don't drink the raspberry leaf tea, the pain increases. I am doing other things too to get rid of the cyst, but the raspberry leaf has been a very important part of my treatment of my cyst.
A couple of days ago, I mentioned that a friend's son was dealing with hives so we made the salve of chickweed and plantain. They were helping the hives diminish but not entirely. His bowels were not moving properly (which can exacerbate hives as the body tries to throw out toxins any way that it can). His mom made some juice of red raspberries and apples and within an hour the hives severely subsided and after 2 glasses of raspberry juice, they left completely. I hypothesize that the raspberry helped because raspberries are a refrigerant. Chinese medicine considers hives a heat condition so you need to give the body cooling things and eliminate heat producing foods. Raspberries may cool the body. Furthermore, they are also a laxative, so they get the bowels moving properly and the body has a place for the toxins to go. The other possibility, which my friend reminded me of, is quercetin in the raspberries and apples (found in the skin).
The second thing about raspberry that was brought up today is red raspberry leaves. When I was pregnant with my first, I didn't know about raspberry leaves. How I wish I had! With my second, my husband said that raspberry leaves made such a difference, he would walk to China and back if he had to to get them for me. Raspberry leaves balance hormones, provide calcium, iron, vitamin C, almost all the B vitamins, magnesium, etc. They also strengthen the uterus to be more efficient and the contractions less painful. They help with afterpains as well as milk supply. I wouldn't bother with the little raspberry tea bags but found that the raspberry leaf from Mountain Rose Herbs is not far less expensive than those tea bags, but far more potent and beneficial.
So, how to make raspberry leaf tea. Take a tea basket or tea ball. Place 1ish teaspoons in the basket or ball inside the cup. Pour boiling water over. Cover with an upside down plate for 20 minutes. If mint or something else is desired to flavor it, throw that in during the last 5 minutes. Enjoy. For really strong tea, let cool to room temperature before removing the raspberry leaves and enjoying.
Some people don't mind the taste- it tastes a little like ice tea when cold. Some people dislike it. I find that adding some lemon and honey or icing it and then adding 1/4-1/3 the amount of tea in juice like cherry or grape really helps. Sometimes I will put mint in at the end of steeping.
The third is somewhat related to the previous one in that it is related to female reproductive organs. I have found that for an ovarian cyst, 1-2 quarts of red raspberry leaf tea has helped tremendously in lessening the pain to a dull soreness when pressed on. If I don't drink the raspberry leaf tea, the pain increases. I am doing other things too to get rid of the cyst, but the raspberry leaf has been a very important part of my treatment of my cyst.
Friday, July 25, 2008
Plantain and Chickweed Strike again!!!
So, 2 weeks ago I started the oil of chickweed and an oil of plantain. I didn't have any time on Wednesday or Thursday to do anything with the oil so I let it macerate a few days longer. Today, a friend came over with her son who was covered in hives. He had used some fresh plantain on some of the hives and it gave relief of itching and took away the angry look of most the hives. However, she didn't have access to loads of plantain for the hives to continue applying it and she was growing weary of giving him Benadryl which wasn't really working very well. When she got to my home, it occurred to me that the plantain oil was ready to press out and make into salve. I told her if she stuck around, I would make some up for her.
Earlier this morning, I had gotten out The School of Natural Healing and looked up hives. Dr. Christopher recommended chickweed for the hives. So, we made a salve of 50% chickweed and 50% plantain. I measured 2 ounces of each oil (total 4 ounces) and then 1/4 ounce of beeswax. I just melted the beeswax in a stainless steel saucepan and then added the oils. Adding the oils caused some of the beeswax to clump up again, so we stirred until thoroughly mixed and melted but not hot on low heat. We sterilized a jar and then, after the mixture was finished, we poured it into the jar and let it cool. Then we capped it. The tiny bit left in the bottom of the pot was rubbed all over the hives and they too began to cool. The salve we created with smooth, applied well, and didn't have a goopy consistency. It is a little thin for "packing" but it is fabulous for massaging into something. To thicken the salve, add a little more beeswax.
Earlier this morning, I had gotten out The School of Natural Healing and looked up hives. Dr. Christopher recommended chickweed for the hives. So, we made a salve of 50% chickweed and 50% plantain. I measured 2 ounces of each oil (total 4 ounces) and then 1/4 ounce of beeswax. I just melted the beeswax in a stainless steel saucepan and then added the oils. Adding the oils caused some of the beeswax to clump up again, so we stirred until thoroughly mixed and melted but not hot on low heat. We sterilized a jar and then, after the mixture was finished, we poured it into the jar and let it cool. Then we capped it. The tiny bit left in the bottom of the pot was rubbed all over the hives and they too began to cool. The salve we created with smooth, applied well, and didn't have a goopy consistency. It is a little thin for "packing" but it is fabulous for massaging into something. To thicken the salve, add a little more beeswax.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Plantain again- This time with the bug bites
We went camping this weekend. I had forgotten my bug repellent oil I blended for camping (oops) because I had been showing it to my brother in law when he popped in for a visit, and, like a responsible person I had put it AWAY instead of back in the bag to go camping! So, we got to camp and I realized this. Thankfully I had some lavender essential oil and some bug buttons (they are plastic disks that pin to your clothes and are infused with plant oils). The bug buttons work pretty well, as long as you aren't SWARMED with mosquitoes! We, unfortunately were swarmed with mosquitoes at the camp site. So, I rubbed a little lavender oil on all of us and pinned on the bug buttons. I got 2 bites- one before I had the button on and one on my forehead by my hairline, which was rather far from the button. The one on my forehead was probably from a biting fly or something of that sort because the bite didn't swell but I ended up with a large bulbous spot on my head like a bonk on the head would produce. So, back to plantain. The first mosquito bite hurt, alerting me to the mosquito biting. After smacking the mosquito, I went and found some plantain, smashed a leaf really well to allow the juices to come out, and held it in place for a few minutes. I re-smashed the leaf to expose more juice and repeated. The itch was gone and the bite never really materialized. I got the second bite in the midst of feeding my kids and was unable to find some plantain right away so I ignored it. On my way home I realized what a lump I had on my head. After showering, I put some plantain ointment on my head and lo and behold, within a short time, the itch, warmth, and bump are gone. I love plantain!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Sunburn update
So, my husband got home and took a shower. His forehead has peeled a small amount and except for a few red streaks on his belly, which are still more pink than red, his shoulders are the only thing that is left to heal. All the fluid filled blisters have been reabsorbed and now the skin is beginning to reveal fresh healthy skin underneath. He commented that he has had far milder burns with much more peeling than he has had this time. This is good!
Severe Sunburn
One of these days I will get smart and start taking pictures of before and after... but I am not there yet.
Anyway, my husband went camping on Friday night with my son. He didn't get back until 8pm on Saturday. I had sent him with sunscreen. He did not put ANY on himself or my son. Thankfully, my son inherited my skin and came home with a FAINT pink line on the fleshy part of his cheek just below his eyes, which was gone by morning after a swabbing of St. John's Wort oil. My dh on the other hand was not so fortunate. He has English skin and he BURNS. He was burned from head to toe (yes even on his head where his hair is thin even though he wore a hat much of the time he was out). When he got home, his skin, especially his shoulders, face, arms, belly, back, and tops of his feet were HOT. After getting my son to bed we began to doctor him. He was dehydrated and had begun to go into shock. His hands were frozen as were his feet (except for the patch of red on top) and he was shivering. Out came my bag of tricks!
First, he took a tepid shower. Then I swabbed him down with a mixture of Calendula oil, St. John's Wort oil, and lavender essential oil. We let that soak in for a time. I gave him 1/2 tsp of Cayenne to bring him out of shock. I had him drink several TALL glasses of distilled water, which I added 1 capful of Organa Minerals, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1 tsp grade B maple syrup to restore his lost minerals. I also had him start taking 1 T Complete Tissue Syrup every hour. He drank 2 ounces before bed. After an hour, I repeated the process with the oils and continued to push fluids. Usually the lavender oil pulls the heat out VERY fast, but it wasn't pulling the heat out fast enough for my liking. After an hour and a half, I told him I was going to make him smell like a salad. I got out the apple cider vinegar and swabbed him down with that. I have used apple cider vinegar before on burns and have had great success with pulling the heat and sting right out. I then added more of the oil mixture to his skin. After another hour, I repeated the vinegar and oil routine. By this time it was midnight and we went to bed. The next morning, many of his burns looked better and had not blistered. We repeated the vinegar and oil routine several times during the morning. I forbid him from any cooked foods for the day and continued to hydrate him. I also had him continue taking the Complete Tissue Formula syrup. He slept for part of the afternoon so I didn't repeat during the afternoon until later. Again there was improvement but his shoulders continued to be warm- not as hot as they had been but they were still very angry. We continued more of what we were doing because we had seen good results in the other burns and even some improvement with the shoulders. Monday my husband went to work. He did not put anything on his shoulders after his shoulder other than a paltry amount of Complete Tissue ointment and then some soft cloths to protect his shoulders. That night, when he got home, his shoulders were beginning to blister with fluid filled sacs- indicating a 2nd degree burn. I made up some of Dr. Christopher's burn paste and slathered that on his shoulders. He wore that, covered in lettuce leaves, and then wrapped with a soft cloth for several hours. When I returned, the size of the blisters had shrunk. We slathered on Complete Tissue Formula on his shoulders. Because he has been working, I have only been able to add more complete tissue when he gets home. His shoulders continue to show improvement and lessening of the redness. The rest of his body is now mostly a pale pink or even a little tanned. I haven't seen his shoulders today yet, as he leaves very early in the morning for work.
I will update later.
Anyway, my husband went camping on Friday night with my son. He didn't get back until 8pm on Saturday. I had sent him with sunscreen. He did not put ANY on himself or my son. Thankfully, my son inherited my skin and came home with a FAINT pink line on the fleshy part of his cheek just below his eyes, which was gone by morning after a swabbing of St. John's Wort oil. My dh on the other hand was not so fortunate. He has English skin and he BURNS. He was burned from head to toe (yes even on his head where his hair is thin even though he wore a hat much of the time he was out). When he got home, his skin, especially his shoulders, face, arms, belly, back, and tops of his feet were HOT. After getting my son to bed we began to doctor him. He was dehydrated and had begun to go into shock. His hands were frozen as were his feet (except for the patch of red on top) and he was shivering. Out came my bag of tricks!
First, he took a tepid shower. Then I swabbed him down with a mixture of Calendula oil, St. John's Wort oil, and lavender essential oil. We let that soak in for a time. I gave him 1/2 tsp of Cayenne to bring him out of shock. I had him drink several TALL glasses of distilled water, which I added 1 capful of Organa Minerals, juice of 1/2 lemon, and 1 tsp grade B maple syrup to restore his lost minerals. I also had him start taking 1 T Complete Tissue Syrup every hour. He drank 2 ounces before bed. After an hour, I repeated the process with the oils and continued to push fluids. Usually the lavender oil pulls the heat out VERY fast, but it wasn't pulling the heat out fast enough for my liking. After an hour and a half, I told him I was going to make him smell like a salad. I got out the apple cider vinegar and swabbed him down with that. I have used apple cider vinegar before on burns and have had great success with pulling the heat and sting right out. I then added more of the oil mixture to his skin. After another hour, I repeated the vinegar and oil routine. By this time it was midnight and we went to bed. The next morning, many of his burns looked better and had not blistered. We repeated the vinegar and oil routine several times during the morning. I forbid him from any cooked foods for the day and continued to hydrate him. I also had him continue taking the Complete Tissue Formula syrup. He slept for part of the afternoon so I didn't repeat during the afternoon until later. Again there was improvement but his shoulders continued to be warm- not as hot as they had been but they were still very angry. We continued more of what we were doing because we had seen good results in the other burns and even some improvement with the shoulders. Monday my husband went to work. He did not put anything on his shoulders after his shoulder other than a paltry amount of Complete Tissue ointment and then some soft cloths to protect his shoulders. That night, when he got home, his shoulders were beginning to blister with fluid filled sacs- indicating a 2nd degree burn. I made up some of Dr. Christopher's burn paste and slathered that on his shoulders. He wore that, covered in lettuce leaves, and then wrapped with a soft cloth for several hours. When I returned, the size of the blisters had shrunk. We slathered on Complete Tissue Formula on his shoulders. Because he has been working, I have only been able to add more complete tissue when he gets home. His shoulders continue to show improvement and lessening of the redness. The rest of his body is now mostly a pale pink or even a little tanned. I haven't seen his shoulders today yet, as he leaves very early in the morning for work.
I will update later.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Carrot tops, cherries, grapes, apples, yum!
For breakfast today I used my super fresh carrot tops in a smoothie. I bought some organic cherries from a wholesaler yesterday. These Bing cherries were picked at 6am Tuesday morning and in my home yesterday. They are the best cherries I have ever had. So I pitted about a dozen or so cherries, tossed in the tops of 6 or 7 carrots, an apple (whole and quartered with seeds), a few chunks of frozen mango, a tablespoon of flax seeds, a capful of Organa minerals, and some leftover homemade almond milk. The kids and I loved it.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
CSA weeds again!
Today at the CSA the U-pick fields for parsley and cilantro were open. I love the fresh cilantro and parsley! There was a tiny sign that said, "Weeding welcome." I promptly got to work weeding and pulling out the gorgeous young plantain plants among the parsley. The young plantain (Plantago major) can be used in salads and are high in calcium, vitamin C, iron, choline, zinc, and a whole host of healing compounds and other vitamins and trace minerals. This time, rather than eating it in our salad, I decided to make some salve with it. Plantain is fabulous for bug bites. It is also good for cuts and helps to draw out contaminants and heal without scarring. When my second child was 2, she got poked near her eye with a plastic pipe. I had NOTHING in terms of first aid stuff because we were moving and all the stuff was packed at the apartment and not on me 25 miles away at the house. I went outside and found some plantain leaves, mushed them up, and then put them on her wound. When we got home, I had forgotten about it. I didn't get my normal complete tissue salve on her wound until the next day. She healed up quickly, no scarring, no infection. I did not know that Plantain contained allantoin which is a cell proliferant and aucubin which is antibacterial.
So, back to my salve I am making. First I have to make an oil infusion. To do this, I let the leaves wilt for about 12 hours to help some of the water content evaporate out so I don't spoil my oil. I then took each leaf and brushed off all the residual dirt and placed them in a jar. I covered the leaves with olive oil. Then I roughly blended up the leaves and oil so the leaves were about the size of peas and then poured it back into the jar. I covered with a cloth napkin to allow the water to evaporate but keep dust out of my oil. I put my oil jar in the bottom of my dehydrator set to 95 degrees. It is not necessary to do this, but it helps to get the water out quickly so the oil doesn't go rancid. I will leave this in the dehydrator for 3 days or so (I have other things dehydrating in there like red clover blossoms, parsley, peppermint, etc so the electricity is going to good use. I also put a jar of chickweed oil infusion in. After about 3 days, I will leave the jars in a darker spot on my counter, still covered with a napkin, so the oil sits a total of 2 weeks. I will press out the oil and then allow it to sit undisturbed in the jar for a few more days so the oil and water and leftover sludge separate. I will then decant the oil. Depending my how much water is left over, I will repeat one more time. In about 3 weeks I will make my salve. Yes, this is time intensive in that it must sit on the counter but fresh salve is so much better than store-bought. And it costs a fraction of the bought product.
So, back to my salve I am making. First I have to make an oil infusion. To do this, I let the leaves wilt for about 12 hours to help some of the water content evaporate out so I don't spoil my oil. I then took each leaf and brushed off all the residual dirt and placed them in a jar. I covered the leaves with olive oil. Then I roughly blended up the leaves and oil so the leaves were about the size of peas and then poured it back into the jar. I covered with a cloth napkin to allow the water to evaporate but keep dust out of my oil. I put my oil jar in the bottom of my dehydrator set to 95 degrees. It is not necessary to do this, but it helps to get the water out quickly so the oil doesn't go rancid. I will leave this in the dehydrator for 3 days or so (I have other things dehydrating in there like red clover blossoms, parsley, peppermint, etc so the electricity is going to good use. I also put a jar of chickweed oil infusion in. After about 3 days, I will leave the jars in a darker spot on my counter, still covered with a napkin, so the oil sits a total of 2 weeks. I will press out the oil and then allow it to sit undisturbed in the jar for a few more days so the oil and water and leftover sludge separate. I will then decant the oil. Depending my how much water is left over, I will repeat one more time. In about 3 weeks I will make my salve. Yes, this is time intensive in that it must sit on the counter but fresh salve is so much better than store-bought. And it costs a fraction of the bought product.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
I love weeds and other commonly discarded greens
Yesterday I went with my family to the local CSA we belong to. I love going to the farm each week to get fresh picked organic local produce. Our CSA has a u-pick field of greens and, later in the season, flowers, basil, and other herbs. Every week, throughout the summer, I go pick my greens for green smoothies and I pause to pick some weeds. Most people would just toss them aside, but I select the best weeds to bring home and eat. Yesterday, like most weeks, the weed of choice is chickweed. We use it in our green smoothies for its high nutrient content. I will also be making some chickweed salve to add to my first aid kit in case of skin irritation while we are camping or around the house. I will have to take some pictures of chickweed to post.
Today I made basil pestoand added an equal amount of chickweed to stretch the pesto. I couldn't tell that it wasn't 100% basil on the quinoa and veggies. Actually, I think I liked it better than straight pesto.
For breakfast this morning, I used the carrot tops in my green smoothie. I added in some frozen peaches, cherries, 1 lemon with just the yellow peeled off (it was not organic), 1 T flax seeds, organa minerals, and a dash of agave. It was yummy! Carrot tops are full of chlorophyll. According to the book Green For Life, they are also very high in Calcium, even higher than the carrots.
Today I made basil pestoand added an equal amount of chickweed to stretch the pesto. I couldn't tell that it wasn't 100% basil on the quinoa and veggies. Actually, I think I liked it better than straight pesto.
For breakfast this morning, I used the carrot tops in my green smoothie. I added in some frozen peaches, cherries, 1 lemon with just the yellow peeled off (it was not organic), 1 T flax seeds, organa minerals, and a dash of agave. It was yummy! Carrot tops are full of chlorophyll. According to the book Green For Life, they are also very high in Calcium, even higher than the carrots.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
The School of Natural Healing
What a joy it is to sit at the feet of some of the great Herbalists in this country and learn more. I spent the last 6 years studying at the School of Natural Healing. A few weeks ago I attended the 2008 Master Herbalist seminar with 27 other people. We studied hard, we learned more, and we made friends. We came away blessed with more knowledge and more confidence and more questions and research to do! I am continually amazed at the power that herbs have to heal the body.
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