Herbalists all over the country are combining forces to educate the public about natural health practices that can be used during cold and flu season, and especially in this time of the H1N1 flu pandemic.
Contrary to common belief, the flu is both preventable and treatable with herbs and other methods derived from nature. And the common cold can be eased along with the assistance of herbs and other nutrients allowing our bodies to fully experience each stage of recovery necessary to healing.
Symptoms of cold include, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, fever, chills, ear infections, restlessness nausea and appetite disturbances. Flu symptoms include fever, achiness, loss of appetite, cough and sore throat and dizziness. Both are contagious viral infections which cannot be treated with antibiotics and over the counter pharmaceuticals do little but mask symptoms. Many herbs grown across the US and sold in bulk at herbal shops or health stores are far less expensive than OTC medicine and herbal remedies can easily be made at home.
The herbs in this category are anti-microbial, which fight illness and destroy harmful pathogens. Anti-inflammatory, which act to soothe inflamed tissue and remedy irritation through a soothing emollient or demulcent action. Tonic, which help the body assimilate essential nutrients into the body and strengthen the system overall. Expectorant, which helps the respiratory system expel excess mucous from the lungs. And Febrifuge, which helps the body reduce fever.
Building the Immune System
Building the immune system is the first step to creating sustained wellness and the ability to successfully fight common cold and dangerous flu viruses.
Elderberries and Elder Flowers have been clinically studied and are proven to show remarkable action for preventing and treating flu and cold viruses. Elderberry syrup can be taken prior to a virus as a preventative measure or during the course of illness, often resulting in a quicker recovery period. Everyone can take elderberry syrup, including infants, and will notice immediate results. A strong tea of the berries or flowers also has the same effect.
Echinacea has long been renowned for it’s immune boosting properties. As an anti-viral herb, its unique ability to act as a lymphatic decongestant is the primary reason it works so well to rid the system of harmful organisms and viruses to support the immune system as a whole.
An herb popularly used in Traditional Chinese medicine is Astragalus, fast becoming popular to Western Herbalists. Astragalus is a root and is used to support immunity. Fresh or dried chopped root can be added to vegetable or chicken broth for a powerful immune enhancing soup.
Nutritional Support During Healing
Garlic is one of nature’s finest anti-viral and anti-microbial agents can be taken at the onset of illness. Raw garlic cloves taken daily with pure water and lemon juice can be useful in clearing up congestion, expelling mucus from the respiratory system and nasal passages, acting as an expectorant and fighting infection. Use in tandem with any of the herb vegetables of the onion family, chives, scallions to fight viruses and tone the entire system.
Nutritionally Garlic, Onions and Carrots work well together as a support during cold and flu season. Russian herbalists recommend drinking carrot juice daily, the Vitamin C content and beta carotene are vital components for immune strength and health. A soup made with vegetable broth, onions, garlic, carrots and Astragalus makes an excellent tonic.
The old saying “Feed a cold, starve a fever” is taken to mean when we have a cold, we may be more inclined to eat, but when we have a fever, our bodies are less likely to consume regular quantities of food in order to conserve energy for healing. Therefore, it is important to feed our bodies the highest quality nutrients, reducing sugar intake, processed foods, red meat and dairy.
A diet of easily digestable food is preferable to heavy, starchy or fiberous substances. Brown or white rice and miso soup is a well balanced alternative to canned soups and Kitcheree, a Middle Eastern dish made with lentils, rice and carrots, coconut milk and lemongrass, ginger and cayenne can be a nutritionally packed meal supporting healing.
The use of Cayenne and Ginger have a warming affect on the body by increasing circulation and will induce sweating and promote the expelling of fever.
During the flu, when we are less inclined to eat, herbal teas can be nutritive and provide adequate fluid. An excellent Tonic is made from Chickweed, a little weedy flower that grows in grassy fields. Chickweed is a cooling, restorative herb that can help with any chest infection or feverous conditions. In addition to tea, a light meal of whole grain toast with elderberry jam can improve stamina in addition to boosting the immune system, and lemon/ lime juice in fresh water can provide the vitamin C and energy you need during an illness.
Symptom Relief
To relieve a scratchy, sore throat, mucilaginous herbs called Demulcents can aid in reducing inflammation and irritation. Marshmallow root, Licorice and Slippery Elm are all used for this purpose. At your local health food store, you can find Slippery Elm Lozengers and a great tea is made with these ingredients is from Traditional Medicine called Throat Coat. A milder tea for children can be made with Raspberry Leaf, Chamomile and Marshmallow Root.
Honey is another staple food item that is needed during cold and flu season. Honey makes an effective cough syrup and the addition of certain herbs can make honey a prize fighter on the road to recovery. Nettle leaf is a wonderful tonic herb that can help heal respiratory illnesses. It releases deep congestion without irritating sensitive lung tissue. Pine has always been a remarkable healer of all kinds of lung conditions. Throughout the centuries herbalists and doctors have known of Pine’s unique healing qualities and have often recommended that infirm patients walk in Pine Forests to soothe their respiratory ailments. I combine a mixture of Marshmallow Root, Red Clover and White Pine to local honey to make a wonderful cough syrup for adults and children alike.
Children tend to get upset easier when they are sick. Valerian root is an excellent calmative which can be given to babies and children to calm them and ease them to sleep. Glycerites are pleasant tasting herbal medicine for children and Valerian Root Glycerite is easy to administer to even the fussiest of children. Adults can also benefit from Valerian when they are ill, tea or tincture can be taken regularly until a state of calm is induced. The benefit of Valerian as a sleep aid is that it is non habit forming and after a peaceful night sleep there is no grogginess upon waking the next morning.
If ear infections become a worrisome factor during a viral illness, treatment at the onset of earache is often effective to relieve pain and discomfort. A few drops of warmed olive oil can do the trick, but the addition of anti-microbial herbs such as Mullein, Garlic and Lavender add power to the remedy. Do not use this treatment however, if the ear drum has ruptured.
Checking In with Our Bodies
Herbalists and Holistic practitioners believe that illness is often a call to action. When we are tired and over-stressed, our bodies become more susceptible to illness and invasive bacteria and viruses.
It has become standard practice in our culture to seek a quick fix to many ailments with over the counter pharmaceuticals, which merely mask symptoms and do not get to the root of the problem. As a society, we feel pressure from our employers and our families to be well and get back to our busy lives immediately without taking time to fully recover.
The body has a way of miraculously healing when given adequate rest, fresh air, light exercise, nutrition and herbal treatments, renewing the system, detoxifying the body and giving rise to a more vibrant energy.
If illness tells us anything, it is to take the time to look within, slow down and take stock of our lifestyles and make the necessary adjustments to live in a more balanced and nurturing way.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Treating Childhood Ear Infections Naturally
Middle Ear infections, called Otitis Media, are becoming more and more common amongst infants and children of the twentieth century. It has been reported that ear infections increased 150 Percent between 1975 and 1990. Childhood ear infections can be the result of a viral infection, bacteria, inflammation and even emotional stress. With the rise in antibiotic treatments, infant formula and use of cows milk, many holistic practitioners are citing these factors as some of the main reasons for the increase in ear infections in children.
Inner ear infections result in severe pain related to fluid retention, causing pressure on the ear drum. The risks are high if left untreated and can cause permanent hearing loss due to a ruptured or fractured ear drum. Outer ear infections result in inflammation and redness with a dull ache when the earlobe is pulled or pressure is exerted on the ear.
When an infant or child has a highly mucilaginous diet, full of heavily saturated fats from cheese, milk, refined sugar, red meat and other processed foods, frequent episodes of colds or runny nose can occur and may block the Eustachian tube of the inner ear, causing it to fill with mucus and become inflamed. Inflammatory fluid builds up, and over time bacteria can multiply causing painful chronic infection of the middle ear.
Another documented source of ear infection has been linked to pacifier and bottle use. A non-breastfed infant is at a greater risk of ear infection due to being placed on his/her back with a pacifier or bottle, which can cause nasal and throat bacteria to drip into the inner ear canal and cause under-developed Eustachian tubes to swell.
Children with frequent ear infections may be at risk for more serious illnesses as they age. Autism, ADHD hearing loss, language delay and certain neurological problems may either be the result of chronic ear infections or the antibiotics given to treat them.
One third of all ear infections are Viral. Now that we know that antibiotics do not kill viruses, why do doctors continue to prescribe antibiotics for many ear infections? It is simply because there is no way to tell if an ear infection is viral unless the inner ear drum is pierced and the fluid is drained for testing. Many studies have shown that short term antibiotic use has little effect and that no treatment is often better, minimizing the risk of harmful bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics and the antibiotics killing off any remaining helpful bacteria in the ear.
Natural remedies have been successful in the treatment and cure of ear infections for centuries by addressing the root cause of the problem.
Before rushing your child at the last minute to the emergency room for drainage and drugs, know the signs and symptoms and treat naturally.
To avoid swimmer’s ear, drop a few drops of white vinegar into your child’s ear after swimming to kill bacteria.
Be conscious of your child’s emotional environment, children who “block” out what is being said to them may require a different approach to communication, sometimes emotional barriers manifest in the physical.
When your child has reddened or inflamed ears, try using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. Couple this with light, yet firm massage on pressure points along the jaw, backs of the ears, cheekbones and top of the head.
The first line of defense is to make sure the home environment is free of unnecessary pollutants and toxins, such as harsh chemical cleaners, sulphuric products and cigarette smoke which can be the cause of allergies and asthma.
Make sure their diets are well balanced and healthy and avoid dairy products which may cause a build up of mucus to form in infected areas, such as the upper respiratory system. Adjusting your child’s diet to include more raw fruits and vegetables and reducing dairy, red meat and processed foods will show an automatic immune response by improving energy, creating a more stable internal environment, strengthening liver function to fight toxins and balancing internal flora. When your child has an infection serve only foods that are seasonal and do not have extreme temperatures. Serve juice or tea lukewarm, do not let them eat ice cream or freezer pops. Warmer foods help to decrease the mucus in the system.
The immune system can be supported by enhancing your child’s diet with vital herbs such as garlic, a powerful anti-viral and anti-microbial; elderberry which has been clinically proven to fight cold and flu and strengthen the immune system overall; Echinacea acts as a lymphatic decongestant and its powerful antimicrobial functions make it the ideal herb for treating any viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
Mullein and Garlic Oil dropped directly into the ear acts as an analgesic and anti-bacterial, ridding the inner ear of infection and easing pain. Drop 3 drops into the infected ear and have your child rest on a pillow on their side for 5-10 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side. In the meantime, wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place under the other ear. A substitute for this or additional to the oil can be Calendula Oil.
Above all, your child’s comfort in times of illness is important. Rest and relaxation aid in easing discomfort. Chamomile tea is an excellent and gentle sleep aid and Valerian Glycerite is a superior calmative for fussy infants and children of all ages.
If the infection persists more than 4-5 days seek medical advice. It is often the case that fluid from an inner ear infection can remain in the ear anywhere from 2-3 months. Fever may occur with infection, it is important to become comfortable with the notion of fever as a detoxification agent, cleaning out the system naturally and preparing for a new, healthier internal environment to be born. You can support this natural healing process with the use of herbs and natural health remedies. By following these measures you can reduce the chance of your child getting painful chronic ear infections and improve their long term health overall.
Inner ear infections result in severe pain related to fluid retention, causing pressure on the ear drum. The risks are high if left untreated and can cause permanent hearing loss due to a ruptured or fractured ear drum. Outer ear infections result in inflammation and redness with a dull ache when the earlobe is pulled or pressure is exerted on the ear.
When an infant or child has a highly mucilaginous diet, full of heavily saturated fats from cheese, milk, refined sugar, red meat and other processed foods, frequent episodes of colds or runny nose can occur and may block the Eustachian tube of the inner ear, causing it to fill with mucus and become inflamed. Inflammatory fluid builds up, and over time bacteria can multiply causing painful chronic infection of the middle ear.
Another documented source of ear infection has been linked to pacifier and bottle use. A non-breastfed infant is at a greater risk of ear infection due to being placed on his/her back with a pacifier or bottle, which can cause nasal and throat bacteria to drip into the inner ear canal and cause under-developed Eustachian tubes to swell.
Children with frequent ear infections may be at risk for more serious illnesses as they age. Autism, ADHD hearing loss, language delay and certain neurological problems may either be the result of chronic ear infections or the antibiotics given to treat them.
One third of all ear infections are Viral. Now that we know that antibiotics do not kill viruses, why do doctors continue to prescribe antibiotics for many ear infections? It is simply because there is no way to tell if an ear infection is viral unless the inner ear drum is pierced and the fluid is drained for testing. Many studies have shown that short term antibiotic use has little effect and that no treatment is often better, minimizing the risk of harmful bacteria becoming resistant to the antibiotics and the antibiotics killing off any remaining helpful bacteria in the ear.
Natural remedies have been successful in the treatment and cure of ear infections for centuries by addressing the root cause of the problem.
Before rushing your child at the last minute to the emergency room for drainage and drugs, know the signs and symptoms and treat naturally.
To avoid swimmer’s ear, drop a few drops of white vinegar into your child’s ear after swimming to kill bacteria.
Be conscious of your child’s emotional environment, children who “block” out what is being said to them may require a different approach to communication, sometimes emotional barriers manifest in the physical.
When your child has reddened or inflamed ears, try using a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling. Couple this with light, yet firm massage on pressure points along the jaw, backs of the ears, cheekbones and top of the head.
The first line of defense is to make sure the home environment is free of unnecessary pollutants and toxins, such as harsh chemical cleaners, sulphuric products and cigarette smoke which can be the cause of allergies and asthma.
Make sure their diets are well balanced and healthy and avoid dairy products which may cause a build up of mucus to form in infected areas, such as the upper respiratory system. Adjusting your child’s diet to include more raw fruits and vegetables and reducing dairy, red meat and processed foods will show an automatic immune response by improving energy, creating a more stable internal environment, strengthening liver function to fight toxins and balancing internal flora. When your child has an infection serve only foods that are seasonal and do not have extreme temperatures. Serve juice or tea lukewarm, do not let them eat ice cream or freezer pops. Warmer foods help to decrease the mucus in the system.
The immune system can be supported by enhancing your child’s diet with vital herbs such as garlic, a powerful anti-viral and anti-microbial; elderberry which has been clinically proven to fight cold and flu and strengthen the immune system overall; Echinacea acts as a lymphatic decongestant and its powerful antimicrobial functions make it the ideal herb for treating any viral, bacterial or fungal infection.
Mullein and Garlic Oil dropped directly into the ear acts as an analgesic and anti-bacterial, ridding the inner ear of infection and easing pain. Drop 3 drops into the infected ear and have your child rest on a pillow on their side for 5-10 minutes. Repeat on the opposite side. In the meantime, wrap the hot water bottle in a towel and place under the other ear. A substitute for this or additional to the oil can be Calendula Oil.
Above all, your child’s comfort in times of illness is important. Rest and relaxation aid in easing discomfort. Chamomile tea is an excellent and gentle sleep aid and Valerian Glycerite is a superior calmative for fussy infants and children of all ages.
If the infection persists more than 4-5 days seek medical advice. It is often the case that fluid from an inner ear infection can remain in the ear anywhere from 2-3 months. Fever may occur with infection, it is important to become comfortable with the notion of fever as a detoxification agent, cleaning out the system naturally and preparing for a new, healthier internal environment to be born. You can support this natural healing process with the use of herbs and natural health remedies. By following these measures you can reduce the chance of your child getting painful chronic ear infections and improve their long term health overall.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Embarking on a Mission of Health
Call me crazy, idealistic, extreme, whatever, but I am thinking of embarking on a year long food mission for my health and the health of the planet. I recently read Gary Paul Nahban's book, Coming Home to Eat, and was inspired. Not only did I learn a ton about an area of the country that I hardly think of, but I was deeply and profoundly impressed by his wisdom, fortitude and continued empowerment when it came to eating locally within his own foodshed.
It got me thinking, being in the New England area allows me an abundance of seasonal food all year round. I have alot of time on my hands as a work at home mom and I love a good challenge. Why not try my own version of what Gary did in his desert town of Sonora Valley and explore my local terrain, meet other local foodists and native eaters and learn a thing or two about the history of this area and our food supply.
I think if I tried to eat 3 out of 4 meals including mostly locally grown and produced faire and 2 out of 4 meals raw, that would be a substantial challenge that I would love to explore. In addition, reducing my carbon footprint by walking more and finding out what each corner in my city has to offer would be a good way to get out of the house with the baby for a little exercise and fun.
So far, I haven't found any books on New England based local eating movements but I know there are plenty of locavores here. I may start a new blog about this if it is something I don't get burnt out on too quickly. A year is a long time and I am still breastfeeding, so I don't want to do anything stupid. I just think that this would be something unique and life affirming and a good way to get to know myself even better as well as to instill in my child something that I care deeply about.
It got me thinking, being in the New England area allows me an abundance of seasonal food all year round. I have alot of time on my hands as a work at home mom and I love a good challenge. Why not try my own version of what Gary did in his desert town of Sonora Valley and explore my local terrain, meet other local foodists and native eaters and learn a thing or two about the history of this area and our food supply.
I think if I tried to eat 3 out of 4 meals including mostly locally grown and produced faire and 2 out of 4 meals raw, that would be a substantial challenge that I would love to explore. In addition, reducing my carbon footprint by walking more and finding out what each corner in my city has to offer would be a good way to get out of the house with the baby for a little exercise and fun.
So far, I haven't found any books on New England based local eating movements but I know there are plenty of locavores here. I may start a new blog about this if it is something I don't get burnt out on too quickly. A year is a long time and I am still breastfeeding, so I don't want to do anything stupid. I just think that this would be something unique and life affirming and a good way to get to know myself even better as well as to instill in my child something that I care deeply about.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
The Devil You Know
Last night my husband came home complaining of chest pains in his cardiovascular region. Because it was so late and because heart attack's run in his family, I urged him to go to the ER. While I waited up for him to arrive home, I kept in contact with him to give him my support though I could not be there.
When he checked in they provided him with an EKG and took his blood pressure, temperature and asked him all of the routine questions. Then they sent him out to the waiting room until they could make room for him. About eight hours later, having had blood taken and more questions asked, they diagnosed a strained muscle and prescribed Naproxen, Flexerol and another muscle relaxer. Three pharmeceutical medications for the diagnoses of a pulled muscle in the chest cavity!
At 3am my husband came home, weary from the strain of florescent lights and waiting in a crowded hospital ward. I came downstairs to inquire about the results. As he told me, I must have reacted with horror and in my own tired haze began to tell him all that I knew about the muscular system, the different ways to self-heal without prescription drugs and lectured him on taking better care of himself. This must have overwhelmed him because he snapped "You're not the expert!" and we ended up sleeping in separate rooms that night.
Why does my husband not want my advice, when I have done so much to discover different ways of self healing and bring to light the possibilities of creating and sustaining personal health?!
This question raged through my sleep-deprived mind all day. For many hours I resented my husbands words of, "You're not the expert." And no, I am certainly not an expert, but then again, how many doctors are experts? How does one become an expert in their field? It takes years and years of practice with experience of both specifics and variables being studied and learned. By no means am I an expert, but at the same time, I might never be, nor ever want to be. If the only means by which I could be considered an expert is to get my doctorate after 8 plus years of school and brain washing, no thank you.
Dejected feelings aside, I have to ask, why, when I have brought such knowledge of natural healing, herbs, aromatherapy, yoga, pilates, energy work and nutrition into our home would my husband rather take drugs to ease his pain before even trying any of the alternatives?
I decided to discuss this with him in a more gentle way this evening. Inquiring, I asked him if the doctors had told him of any stretching exercises that he could do to relieve his discomfort. No.
Did the doctors recommend any topical solution to the problem? No.
Did the doctors discuss any minerals or vitamins that could help with the muscle spasms? No.
Did the doctors advise any alternative ways to cure the pain besides the medicine? No.
Then my husband said something astounding: "I received the prescriptions and I did not feel that I had a choice but to get them filled".
I realized then that my husband had fallen into the medical trap just as many American's have. Precisely because we are not given a choice, therefore we feel as if we do not have a choice. Choice is one of the major cornerstones of modern society, and yet our medical system appears to give little choice to individuals looking to partake in their own self care. Three prescriptions offered because of what? A relationship between drug companies, the hospital tax shelters or simply because no one knows of anything better to offer?
This is the very reason herbalists like myself are pushing for Integrative Medicine in our country. This is why we must fight for our health freedom and the right to choose the treatment we would like to have offered to us and to our bodies. If our bodies are supposed to be our temples, only we can determine the right course of action for them. No one should be made to feel like a poor patient because they refuse to take their medicine or decide to get an alternative diagnosis.
While the miracle of modern medicine, surgery and transplantations is very valid, one should be cautious to begin with the least intervention in the first stages of illness. Very often the body is reacting to stress, toxins, hormonal imbalance or poor nutritional distribution in the body. This is the time to do nothing and to take stock of what might be affecting us, not cover up the problem with drugs.
My husbands entire family seems to be deeply rooted in the medical system, it doesn't come as a surprise because his father has Polio. In the era when Polio was first being treated, he was one of the very first kids in Pennsylvania to receive treatment, one which allowed him to be mobile and heal from the Polio. My husbands father also receives dialysis on a regular basis for kidney failure and has survived four heart attacks, while his mother received a gastric bypass surgery and a knee replacement. All of these interventions have kept them going into their mid seventies. But you see, they were born into an era when how to eat healthy and how to treat the body was not widely explored. And they were born when the medical system was just beginning to take shape. Now there are so many marvels of modern medicine to take advantage of and when you are already locked in to needing this or that surgery, one must feel quite priveledged to be able to partake in these sciences. Therefore, my husband also feels that he is receiving the best care, because afterall UPS has the best healthcare coverage in the United States today.
So we finally determined that the reason my husband was more inclined to take the advice of the medical "expert" over the simple herbalist is because it is easier to hear what the Devil you know has to say than the Devil you don't know.
So the next time you feel you have no choice, think again, it may not be easy at first to think about what your body might be trying to tell you, or what your body might need, rather than accepting the quick fix. But in the long run, you will have taken an approach which allows freedom of choice over feelings of fear to take you where you need to be. You will be empowered to act confidently and take responsibility for yourself and your self care and that is a beautiful thing.
When he checked in they provided him with an EKG and took his blood pressure, temperature and asked him all of the routine questions. Then they sent him out to the waiting room until they could make room for him. About eight hours later, having had blood taken and more questions asked, they diagnosed a strained muscle and prescribed Naproxen, Flexerol and another muscle relaxer. Three pharmeceutical medications for the diagnoses of a pulled muscle in the chest cavity!
At 3am my husband came home, weary from the strain of florescent lights and waiting in a crowded hospital ward. I came downstairs to inquire about the results. As he told me, I must have reacted with horror and in my own tired haze began to tell him all that I knew about the muscular system, the different ways to self-heal without prescription drugs and lectured him on taking better care of himself. This must have overwhelmed him because he snapped "You're not the expert!" and we ended up sleeping in separate rooms that night.
Why does my husband not want my advice, when I have done so much to discover different ways of self healing and bring to light the possibilities of creating and sustaining personal health?!
This question raged through my sleep-deprived mind all day. For many hours I resented my husbands words of, "You're not the expert." And no, I am certainly not an expert, but then again, how many doctors are experts? How does one become an expert in their field? It takes years and years of practice with experience of both specifics and variables being studied and learned. By no means am I an expert, but at the same time, I might never be, nor ever want to be. If the only means by which I could be considered an expert is to get my doctorate after 8 plus years of school and brain washing, no thank you.
Dejected feelings aside, I have to ask, why, when I have brought such knowledge of natural healing, herbs, aromatherapy, yoga, pilates, energy work and nutrition into our home would my husband rather take drugs to ease his pain before even trying any of the alternatives?
I decided to discuss this with him in a more gentle way this evening. Inquiring, I asked him if the doctors had told him of any stretching exercises that he could do to relieve his discomfort. No.
Did the doctors recommend any topical solution to the problem? No.
Did the doctors discuss any minerals or vitamins that could help with the muscle spasms? No.
Did the doctors advise any alternative ways to cure the pain besides the medicine? No.
Then my husband said something astounding: "I received the prescriptions and I did not feel that I had a choice but to get them filled".
I realized then that my husband had fallen into the medical trap just as many American's have. Precisely because we are not given a choice, therefore we feel as if we do not have a choice. Choice is one of the major cornerstones of modern society, and yet our medical system appears to give little choice to individuals looking to partake in their own self care. Three prescriptions offered because of what? A relationship between drug companies, the hospital tax shelters or simply because no one knows of anything better to offer?
This is the very reason herbalists like myself are pushing for Integrative Medicine in our country. This is why we must fight for our health freedom and the right to choose the treatment we would like to have offered to us and to our bodies. If our bodies are supposed to be our temples, only we can determine the right course of action for them. No one should be made to feel like a poor patient because they refuse to take their medicine or decide to get an alternative diagnosis.
While the miracle of modern medicine, surgery and transplantations is very valid, one should be cautious to begin with the least intervention in the first stages of illness. Very often the body is reacting to stress, toxins, hormonal imbalance or poor nutritional distribution in the body. This is the time to do nothing and to take stock of what might be affecting us, not cover up the problem with drugs.
My husbands entire family seems to be deeply rooted in the medical system, it doesn't come as a surprise because his father has Polio. In the era when Polio was first being treated, he was one of the very first kids in Pennsylvania to receive treatment, one which allowed him to be mobile and heal from the Polio. My husbands father also receives dialysis on a regular basis for kidney failure and has survived four heart attacks, while his mother received a gastric bypass surgery and a knee replacement. All of these interventions have kept them going into their mid seventies. But you see, they were born into an era when how to eat healthy and how to treat the body was not widely explored. And they were born when the medical system was just beginning to take shape. Now there are so many marvels of modern medicine to take advantage of and when you are already locked in to needing this or that surgery, one must feel quite priveledged to be able to partake in these sciences. Therefore, my husband also feels that he is receiving the best care, because afterall UPS has the best healthcare coverage in the United States today.
So we finally determined that the reason my husband was more inclined to take the advice of the medical "expert" over the simple herbalist is because it is easier to hear what the Devil you know has to say than the Devil you don't know.
So the next time you feel you have no choice, think again, it may not be easy at first to think about what your body might be trying to tell you, or what your body might need, rather than accepting the quick fix. But in the long run, you will have taken an approach which allows freedom of choice over feelings of fear to take you where you need to be. You will be empowered to act confidently and take responsibility for yourself and your self care and that is a beautiful thing.
Monday, July 27, 2009
My Raw Food Experience
I haven't blogged in a while, I guess you can say I have had a bit of the old writers block. I've also been very busy with the Hope Eternal Loud Music Festival, a little something I put together to celebrate the recovery of a good friend of mine who was diagnosed with a very rare form of uterine cancer this year. Green Inside Herbals has taken a back seat because I am still trying to figure it all out. Being new to this line of business has been a little bit of a challenge. Anyone who knows me from my Eternal Embrace and Triple Moon Entertainment business knows me to be smart, savvy and decisive, but for some reason, my Herbal Business self just has not found her sea legs yet.
This past month has been a very positive and transformational month for me though. I have been told that my ability to change easily and quickly is not always beneficial, but I disagree. I love change and the more I grow in this life, the easier I may have it in the next life. (At least I hope that is the case!)
About a month ago I suddenly started to receive information about raw foods in my email. I don't recall how I started to get them, maybe facebook put a trace on an inquiry that I made to an aquaintance who was trying to go raw and sent the website www.rawepicurian.net to my email, or perhaps some of my herbal buddies turned me on to the idea. At any rate, I began to receive blogs regularly, not thinking too much of it, I would read the recipes with a vague interest. Until one day I was sent a blog about Sarma Melngailis' new book Living Raw Food. It was probably Sarma's unique beauty that caught my attention first, but I began to read the synopsis of the book and became fascinated. In 1999 I breifly encountered a Raw Food workshop being held in Newburyport, MA and I was intrigued, but at the same time scared. I didn't want to eat raw meat and raw eggs. Boy was I mis-informed. I picked up Sarma's book, one of two in a series, and devoured it. Soon enough I began to incorporate raw foods into my every day eating, then I suddenly lost all my desire to eat otherwise. In a month's time I went almost completely Raw Vegan.
As a still breastfeeding mother, I worried at first that I would not be providing enough nutrients for my daughter, but because breastfeeding is merely supplemental at this point and she eats everything now, I surged ahead. I was relieved when I read that certain vegetables and fruits, including coconuts have more protien than meat and that our bodies are more efficient when we eat our fruits and veggies in liquid form.
Not only did I suddenly have amazing energy because of this new eating, but I loved food again. I went through quite a long period after my pregnancy, where I detested food and craved only sweets. It was not pretty and I felt that something had to be done when I received a blood test back where my tryglicerides were through the roof! I had originally met with a dietician who counciled me about portion sizes, that helped tremendously as we are now consuming double the portions that we did fifty years ago. I also began running and joined a Pilates class which has been such an amazing experience for me because I previously did not like to exercise and now I love it. Now, finally, after I made these adjustments, I am beginning to feel better about myself, not only my energy and eating habits, but better over all, more confident, more aware, more myself it seems.
Although recently, I must admit, I fell off the wagon, I jumped right back on. It was hard though. I guess learned behavior patterns can often derail progress. It helps to have amazing resources on the web. If you are interested in exploring more about the benefits of Raw Food health, check out www.rawepicurian.net and www.crazysexylife.com both of these sites are inspirational in their own way and support people looking to add more raw food into their lives. The raw epicurian is all raw food recipes and they even do monthly give-aways, and Crazy Sexy Life has quotes, articles and stories about everyday people who are making the transition to living healthier.
I am not 100% anything. Why be so strict when I know that I will fail, that is why diets never work. But I make an effort (and yes, it is an effort some days more than others) to do a little each day. In the morning I always have a smoothie or a peice of fruit. In the afternoon, I may have a salad or sometimes I eat just a simple dish of tunafish or share chicken fingers with my daughter. And for dinner I will have a plate of veggies and some rice or a small peice of chicken. I want to try to eventually be about 85% raw, but I am not going to kill myself. As long as I am exercising every week at least three times a week, and eating that way I know I am doing a world of good for me and for my child.
We also implemented Meat Free Monday's at our house, which I borrowed from CSLs website. I read that more and more communities are advocating MFM to try to reduce our consumption of meat. From 1950, we have doubled our meat consumption and also doubled our body masses. Since cows and other meat animals are being fed diets of grain rather than grass, to make them grow fatter quicker, they are unhealthy and get sick easier due to a comprimised immune system which is why they are injected with the antibiotics that we have now built immunity against. I am making a concerted effort to only purchase grass fed meat when I buy meat at all anymore.
I also found these great bars today at the supermarket. Usually supermarkets don't carry anything raw, but Lara Bars are 90% Raw and they are Vegan. If I get a chocolate craving or a sweets craving, I can turn to Lara Bars. I think their base is made of dates, what my Mother calls "God's Candy".
I can't wait to buy Sarma's first book too, I was reading it at the bookstore a few days ago and couldn't put it down. She is an inspiration for me, we are around the same age, she grew up in Newton, MA and went to Mount Ida Summer Camp and I went to college in Newton at Mount Ida. She is a saavy NY restaurant owner and also has several online companies. As a multiple business owner myself, it is nice to have a peer like her to admire and connect with. To learn more visit her restuarant Pure Food and Wine www.purefoodandwine.com or her oneline wholesale raw food store One Lucky Duck www.oneluckyduck.com.
At the end of the day, it is all how you feel about yourself, maybe you will find that eating Raw is not for you which of course, there are plenty of additional ways you can improve your health. I myself, finally found something that is working for me and it took 32 years to figure that out and I am still trying to work at it!
This past month has been a very positive and transformational month for me though. I have been told that my ability to change easily and quickly is not always beneficial, but I disagree. I love change and the more I grow in this life, the easier I may have it in the next life. (At least I hope that is the case!)
About a month ago I suddenly started to receive information about raw foods in my email. I don't recall how I started to get them, maybe facebook put a trace on an inquiry that I made to an aquaintance who was trying to go raw and sent the website www.rawepicurian.net to my email, or perhaps some of my herbal buddies turned me on to the idea. At any rate, I began to receive blogs regularly, not thinking too much of it, I would read the recipes with a vague interest. Until one day I was sent a blog about Sarma Melngailis' new book Living Raw Food. It was probably Sarma's unique beauty that caught my attention first, but I began to read the synopsis of the book and became fascinated. In 1999 I breifly encountered a Raw Food workshop being held in Newburyport, MA and I was intrigued, but at the same time scared. I didn't want to eat raw meat and raw eggs. Boy was I mis-informed. I picked up Sarma's book, one of two in a series, and devoured it. Soon enough I began to incorporate raw foods into my every day eating, then I suddenly lost all my desire to eat otherwise. In a month's time I went almost completely Raw Vegan.
As a still breastfeeding mother, I worried at first that I would not be providing enough nutrients for my daughter, but because breastfeeding is merely supplemental at this point and she eats everything now, I surged ahead. I was relieved when I read that certain vegetables and fruits, including coconuts have more protien than meat and that our bodies are more efficient when we eat our fruits and veggies in liquid form.
Not only did I suddenly have amazing energy because of this new eating, but I loved food again. I went through quite a long period after my pregnancy, where I detested food and craved only sweets. It was not pretty and I felt that something had to be done when I received a blood test back where my tryglicerides were through the roof! I had originally met with a dietician who counciled me about portion sizes, that helped tremendously as we are now consuming double the portions that we did fifty years ago. I also began running and joined a Pilates class which has been such an amazing experience for me because I previously did not like to exercise and now I love it. Now, finally, after I made these adjustments, I am beginning to feel better about myself, not only my energy and eating habits, but better over all, more confident, more aware, more myself it seems.
Although recently, I must admit, I fell off the wagon, I jumped right back on. It was hard though. I guess learned behavior patterns can often derail progress. It helps to have amazing resources on the web. If you are interested in exploring more about the benefits of Raw Food health, check out www.rawepicurian.net and www.crazysexylife.com both of these sites are inspirational in their own way and support people looking to add more raw food into their lives. The raw epicurian is all raw food recipes and they even do monthly give-aways, and Crazy Sexy Life has quotes, articles and stories about everyday people who are making the transition to living healthier.
I am not 100% anything. Why be so strict when I know that I will fail, that is why diets never work. But I make an effort (and yes, it is an effort some days more than others) to do a little each day. In the morning I always have a smoothie or a peice of fruit. In the afternoon, I may have a salad or sometimes I eat just a simple dish of tunafish or share chicken fingers with my daughter. And for dinner I will have a plate of veggies and some rice or a small peice of chicken. I want to try to eventually be about 85% raw, but I am not going to kill myself. As long as I am exercising every week at least three times a week, and eating that way I know I am doing a world of good for me and for my child.
We also implemented Meat Free Monday's at our house, which I borrowed from CSLs website. I read that more and more communities are advocating MFM to try to reduce our consumption of meat. From 1950, we have doubled our meat consumption and also doubled our body masses. Since cows and other meat animals are being fed diets of grain rather than grass, to make them grow fatter quicker, they are unhealthy and get sick easier due to a comprimised immune system which is why they are injected with the antibiotics that we have now built immunity against. I am making a concerted effort to only purchase grass fed meat when I buy meat at all anymore.
I also found these great bars today at the supermarket. Usually supermarkets don't carry anything raw, but Lara Bars are 90% Raw and they are Vegan. If I get a chocolate craving or a sweets craving, I can turn to Lara Bars. I think their base is made of dates, what my Mother calls "God's Candy".
I can't wait to buy Sarma's first book too, I was reading it at the bookstore a few days ago and couldn't put it down. She is an inspiration for me, we are around the same age, she grew up in Newton, MA and went to Mount Ida Summer Camp and I went to college in Newton at Mount Ida. She is a saavy NY restaurant owner and also has several online companies. As a multiple business owner myself, it is nice to have a peer like her to admire and connect with. To learn more visit her restuarant Pure Food and Wine www.purefoodandwine.com or her oneline wholesale raw food store One Lucky Duck www.oneluckyduck.com.
At the end of the day, it is all how you feel about yourself, maybe you will find that eating Raw is not for you which of course, there are plenty of additional ways you can improve your health. I myself, finally found something that is working for me and it took 32 years to figure that out and I am still trying to work at it!
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Your kitchen is your medicine cabinet
To learn how to use the herbs and spices in your kitchen as a part of a healing diet or as supplements in your self care routine, read this article: http://www.examiner.com/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Your-kitchen-is-your-medicine-cabinet
Thursday, July 2, 2009
New Hampshire: Where the herbs are
My latest article entitled New Hampshire: Where the herbs are, has just been published at http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-14746-Manchester-Natural-Health-Examiner~y2009m7d2-New-Hampshire-Where-the-herbs-are.
Please visit to generate traffic to my site and to learn about New Hampshires herbal scene.
Please visit to generate traffic to my site and to learn about New Hampshires herbal scene.
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