Eleanor Moyer brings Herbalist Training to ILN Certified Herbalist, Eleanor Moyer announces her acceptance to New England's prestigious Intuitive Life Network Organization (ILN) in Chelmsford MA. Eleanor has signed on as the official Herbalist for the ILN network. Her "dedicated to helping people build healthful lifestyles by incorporating herbs, natural supplements, aromatherapy, nutrition and body work into their lives" is exemplary, said Anderson Mar, ILN's press secretary. We are convinced of Eleanor's ability to create a nature based nurturing environment for inner and outer wellbeing.
Eleanor specializes in natural pregnancy and childcare options, herbal spa therapy and product formulation for the whole family. She conducts workshops to enhance public awareness of herbs powerful healing uses and she gives herbal health consultations to people throughout the New England area and she is proud to extend those services to the ILN network.
As an Herbalist, Eleanor is dedicated to helping individuals take back their sense of autonomy, build confidence in the natural and alternative health choices available today and guide people to create a more fulfilling and rewarding lifestyle for themselves and their families. She will be featured on ILN Radio, on a regular basis, to take calls from members and the general public alike. Eleanor Moyer brings to ILN her Herbalist training and was certified in 2007 at Misty Meadows Herbal Center in Lee, NH. She is currently pursuing a Distance Learning Course in Aromatherapy Certification with the East West School of Herbal and Aromatic Studies.
Eleanor's business is located in Manchester, NH. Green Inside Herbals, a brand focusing on public workshops, private consultations and customized products and Gothic Herbals, a division of the company that gears marketing medicinal herbal products toward individuals of a darker persuasion. For more information on Eleanor and her work as an herbalist, visit her blog at www.greeninsideherbals.blogspot.com, or browse the member profiles on the ILN website. Eleanor can be reached at greeninsideherbals@gmail.com or by phone at 603-233-3217.
Written by Lou Ann Diamond
Choice Treasures Companies for Intuitive Life Network Chelmsford MALdiamond@choicetreasuresTEAM ILN
Office: 978-251-0828 (9AM-6PM)
Just for Today TV Broadcast:
Producer: http://www.IntuitiveLifeNetwork.org
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet!
This is the research paper that I wrote for a recent seminar I gave for the New England Metaphysical Faire in Cambridge, MA, sponsored by the Intuitive Life Network and the New England SEERS. All information in this text is for public knowledge and has been written with the idea that herbal healing is for everyone. That being said, the easiest way to access herbs and their healing powers is right in your own kitchen! I hope that you will enjoy reading this work and that next time you look in your kitchen spice cabinet you will be able to take advantage of the useful information described below.
Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet!
By Eleanor Moyer
My name is Eleanor Moyer, I’m a Certified Herbalist and the Owner of Green Inside Herbals located in Manchester, NH. As an herbalist, I specialize in Herbal Health Care for the whole family, with a focus on infants and children and pregnant and nursing mothers. I formulate and make herbal products, conduct herbal health consultations and make recommendations and I give workshops such as the one you will be experiencing today
You don't have to be a Top Chef to know that one of the most valuable culinary secrets is that herbs used in the kitchen have medicinal properties.
You can bet that if you have an Italian grandmother, she is well aware that the oregano and basil she uses in her famous spaghetti sauce are digestive aids as well as herbs that have antibiotic properties; helping to keep her family healthy during the cold winter months.
My own Jewish grandmother would put heaping tablespoons of chive, onion and garlic into her matzo ball soup broth for the very same reason.
If you come from an multi-cultural background, chances are, your family has their own arsenal of kitchen herbs used as medicine throughout the seasons.
Just this year, an Indian-American friend of mine told me about the use of Cumin tea as an ancient Ayurvedic remedy passed down through her family to help induce labor. I tried it and it worked! So much for thinking cumin was just for spicing up tacos.
If you’re interested in alternative healthcare, I’d like to share information with you about how the herbs in your spice cabinet can be included as part of a healing diet or used as supplements in an herbal self care program.
In this seminar, Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet, some of the herbs we’ll be discussing today are Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Anise, Fennel, Mint, Chamomile, Cayenne and Turmeric. You might be familiar with the uses of some of these herbs, yet there may be some things these herbs are capable of that you may not have known.
I would like to answer any questions that you might have, and welcome your thoughts and inquiries at the end of the session.
The next time you make rosemary chicken think about the fact that you’re using an aromatic herb that also benefits blood pressure and proper circulation.
Cayenne Pepper, used popularly in the Master Cleanse Program and added to many Mexican dishes, is known to speed up metabolism and help promote weight loss.
Catnip is not just for cats anymore. If you have cats and have some catnip in the house, you can make a tea of this herb to soothe an upset stomach, calm a colicky baby, reduce fever or use as a wash to bring out a rash. This multifaceted herb is part of the mint family, which are known for their digestion enhancing qualities.
Fennel too, is another wonderful herb to have in the kitchen. Its seeds can be chewed after a meal to promote healthy digestion and ease flatulence. Its use is popular throughout the Mediterranean as well as in the Middle East. If you’ve ever gone to an Indian restaurant and seen upon leaving a bowl of dried herb with bright colored specks sitting out, that is called Mukhwas, a mixture of Fennel, Anise Seed, Coconut and Sesame Seeds. These beautiful herbs are meant to be used as a digestive aid just as a mint candy would after dinner at an American eatery.
Indian curry recipes often call for turmeric, recognizable by its vibrant orange hue. This delicate spice is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used by athletic trainers to decrease swelling after a sports injury. Internal swelling is one of the main sources of many diseases afflicting Westerners today. Turmeric is a good remedy to have on hand in the kitchen and may even aid people who suffer from asthma.
Some of the most common complaints can be remedied by herbs that we might never have thought of for that purpose. With proper planning, one can create a healing menu for every ailment, every day of the week!
Who said cloves were just for pomander balls made during the holidays? Cloves have a bite that take away the sting of a tooth ache, just soak a teaspoon of cloves in an ounce of extra virgin olive oil overnight and apply it to the affected area as you would over the counter Orajel. I have used this remedy on my baby since she began teething and my husband who has chronic tooth problems swears by it.
If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, herbs which we call nervine tonics are often the most useful for relaxing tension in the body and helping to return the body to optimal function. In your kitchen you may find peppermint tea, commonly thought of for stomach ailments, this wonderful herb is highly effective in treating nausea and pain associated with migraine headaches.
Colds, Flu and Bronchitis are often rampant this time of year. Stock up on savory herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. These herbs are known to be anti-spasmodic: reducing the action of a chronic cough, astringent: reducing inflammation and creating a protective barrier within the body, expectorant: allowing for mucous to be expelled from the lungs, and sedative: calming to the system. Make a strong tea of these herbs, add ginger and fresh local honey to ease a chronic cough, relax the nervous system and help a fever break.
If you're like me and suffer from insomnia, Chamomile tea is a great way to unwind from a hectic day. Most of us have used this gentle herb for tummy related issues, but don't let Chamomile's subtle properties fool you; it’s a hard working little flower that packs a big punch in all it can do. Chamomile is an infant’s best friend. If your baby suffers from colic, just make a tea and allow it to cool and put it in with their formula or spoon feed it to them as much as they will take. You will see results almost immediately. I've also used Chamomile as a wash for sore eyes and as a compress to reduce mild inflammation of insect bites and wounds.
For some of us, food equals love. Food invariably carries with it the ability to attract or repel. Many Hollywood movies have been made about food and its sensual qualities. Think of Chocolat, the film that came out in 2000 with Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp. This movie inspired chocolatiers everywhere to begin experimenting with spicy peppers in their chocolate recipes. The next time you and that special someone are in the mood for a treat, try adding a bit of cinnamon and cayenne to your hot chocolate on a cold winter night and you'll see what I mean!
If you'd like to take your beauty regimen to a whole new level, look no further than your kitchen.
Hops in beer makes an excellent emulsifier and conditioning agent for limp hair. I have been using quality beer for years to make my lack luster hair luxurious!
We all need our beauty sleep. Perhaps your significant other snores so loudly it wakes you up or vice versa, simply place a heaping tablespoon of peppermint in a muslin bag and position it by your head where you sleep to reduce snoring and clear nasal passages.
Inhale deeply to unclog a stuffed up nose or to stimulate wakefulness and boost energy.
The skin is a mirror of our health as are the tongue and eyes. The next time you give yourself a facial, be sure to steam open your pores to release built up toxins in your skin. You can reduce inflammation in your face and reduce signs of aging by adding a tablespoon of chamomile flowers and rose petals to the boiling water and allowing the steam to penetrate your face under a towel for at least fifteen minutes. Follow by making a paste of honey and oats, leave this on as a mask for 10 minutes and scrub the skin gently to slough off any dead skin cells, follow by rinsing with warm water and then cool water to close the pores.
Not only can herbs be added to your diet to increase health, sustain wellness and nourish the body, but many fruits and vegetables, sea vegetables, minerals and grains are therapeutic as well.
Before grocery stores and pharmacies, which became a product of the industrial revolution, our ancestors relied on the seasons and their own harvests to nurture their bodies during the year. Storehouses and basement refrigeration, canning and drying were the primary method of preserving food for the year ahead. Folk medicine was the herbs you found in the wild, the vegetables and fruit you grew in your gardens and the natural wisdom of how to use these substances to heal, which was passed down by word of mouth generation to generation.
While much of the wisdom of the ages has been lost, a lot of it has been preserved in books and handed down by wise men and women who kept this knowledge flowing into today’s modern world. In recent years, alternative medicine has become the preference for many American families. As rising costs in healthcare have caused many to become uninsured, people are looking for ways to remain healthy without having access to modern medicine. In addition, individuals who seek a more nature based way to nurture their bodies are returning to greener lifestyles, invoking the memory of their ancestors to embrace organic gardening, alternative healthcare, bodywork and environmentally safer options in their daily lives.
Because kitchen herbs are so versatile, we can use them in a variety of ways as part of a healing diet, as supplements and in body care products such as creams, salves and oils. The most popular way of ingesting herbs for medicinal purposes is by drinking tea. You will find that children will readily drink a sweet healing tea over a chemical filled over the counter medicine.
We have become a culture of quick fixes. When we have an illness, we want to eradicate it immediately so that we can get back to our busy lives. It is important to note that sometimes illness hits us for the very reason we are seeking to avoid, to cause us to slow down, reflect and rejuvenate our bodies. Rather than being resistant to the care our bodies need, we should try to look within to find out what an illness might be trying to tell us.
Herbs work with our bodies to gently, yet powerfully nurture and nourish us. Although they might work slower than a single compound pharmaceutical, herbs work more directly to bring about balance to the body as a whole. It’s nice to know that we have a whole arsenal of healing remedies available to us right in our own kitchen.
It is important to state here that not all herbs, even kitchen herbs, in a healing diet are for everyone. Some who have compromised immune systems should consult their regular healthcare practitioner prior to taking any herbs. Nursing and Pregnant mothers should also communicate with their health care provider regarding which herbs they are taking. A word of caution is necessary regarding the use of rosemary for medicinal healing. This herb is high in Pyrolyzic Acid, known to have a strong effect on the liver if used in excess and may be toxic to some who have weakened liver function. Children should not ingest this herb regularly.
As an herbalist, I can help guide you and your family in the wise choice of incorporating herbs into your lives as part of a healing program. Not only can you use the dried herbs in your kitchen cabinet to create and sustain wellness, but you can purchase perennial herb plants from your local farmers market and easily grow herbs to use all year long.
I recommend trying to purchase only organically grown herbs without the added pesticides, as well as fruits and vegetables that have not been contaminated by chemical fertilizers. In a healing diet it is always best to start off with the freshest local and organically grown ingredients to reduce the toxicity levels in our bodies.
Because we live in an ever more industrial world, it is up to us, seekers of wisdom, healers, beings of light, to bring about the needed changes it will take to sustain long term health not only for the individuals on this planet, but the collective whole of the planet and all her people so that future generations can enjoy the great bounty that the earth is blessed with. As an herbalist I support sustainable agriculture, local farming, organic growing and fair trade. In my practice I do not recommend herbs that are on the endangered species list and I am very careful to use herbs in my products that have no known toxicity. My commitment to your health is also my commitment to your safety. I advise you to always research herbal remedies prior to use and discuss any herbs you might be taking with your health care practitioner.
Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet!
By Eleanor Moyer
My name is Eleanor Moyer, I’m a Certified Herbalist and the Owner of Green Inside Herbals located in Manchester, NH. As an herbalist, I specialize in Herbal Health Care for the whole family, with a focus on infants and children and pregnant and nursing mothers. I formulate and make herbal products, conduct herbal health consultations and make recommendations and I give workshops such as the one you will be experiencing today
You don't have to be a Top Chef to know that one of the most valuable culinary secrets is that herbs used in the kitchen have medicinal properties.
You can bet that if you have an Italian grandmother, she is well aware that the oregano and basil she uses in her famous spaghetti sauce are digestive aids as well as herbs that have antibiotic properties; helping to keep her family healthy during the cold winter months.
My own Jewish grandmother would put heaping tablespoons of chive, onion and garlic into her matzo ball soup broth for the very same reason.
If you come from an multi-cultural background, chances are, your family has their own arsenal of kitchen herbs used as medicine throughout the seasons.
Just this year, an Indian-American friend of mine told me about the use of Cumin tea as an ancient Ayurvedic remedy passed down through her family to help induce labor. I tried it and it worked! So much for thinking cumin was just for spicing up tacos.
If you’re interested in alternative healthcare, I’d like to share information with you about how the herbs in your spice cabinet can be included as part of a healing diet or used as supplements in an herbal self care program.
In this seminar, Your Kitchen is Your Medicine Cabinet, some of the herbs we’ll be discussing today are Oregano, Basil, Thyme, Anise, Fennel, Mint, Chamomile, Cayenne and Turmeric. You might be familiar with the uses of some of these herbs, yet there may be some things these herbs are capable of that you may not have known.
I would like to answer any questions that you might have, and welcome your thoughts and inquiries at the end of the session.
The next time you make rosemary chicken think about the fact that you’re using an aromatic herb that also benefits blood pressure and proper circulation.
Cayenne Pepper, used popularly in the Master Cleanse Program and added to many Mexican dishes, is known to speed up metabolism and help promote weight loss.
Catnip is not just for cats anymore. If you have cats and have some catnip in the house, you can make a tea of this herb to soothe an upset stomach, calm a colicky baby, reduce fever or use as a wash to bring out a rash. This multifaceted herb is part of the mint family, which are known for their digestion enhancing qualities.
Fennel too, is another wonderful herb to have in the kitchen. Its seeds can be chewed after a meal to promote healthy digestion and ease flatulence. Its use is popular throughout the Mediterranean as well as in the Middle East. If you’ve ever gone to an Indian restaurant and seen upon leaving a bowl of dried herb with bright colored specks sitting out, that is called Mukhwas, a mixture of Fennel, Anise Seed, Coconut and Sesame Seeds. These beautiful herbs are meant to be used as a digestive aid just as a mint candy would after dinner at an American eatery.
Indian curry recipes often call for turmeric, recognizable by its vibrant orange hue. This delicate spice is scientifically proven to have anti-inflammatory properties and has been used by athletic trainers to decrease swelling after a sports injury. Internal swelling is one of the main sources of many diseases afflicting Westerners today. Turmeric is a good remedy to have on hand in the kitchen and may even aid people who suffer from asthma.
Some of the most common complaints can be remedied by herbs that we might never have thought of for that purpose. With proper planning, one can create a healing menu for every ailment, every day of the week!
Who said cloves were just for pomander balls made during the holidays? Cloves have a bite that take away the sting of a tooth ache, just soak a teaspoon of cloves in an ounce of extra virgin olive oil overnight and apply it to the affected area as you would over the counter Orajel. I have used this remedy on my baby since she began teething and my husband who has chronic tooth problems swears by it.
If you suffer from chronic headaches or migraines, herbs which we call nervine tonics are often the most useful for relaxing tension in the body and helping to return the body to optimal function. In your kitchen you may find peppermint tea, commonly thought of for stomach ailments, this wonderful herb is highly effective in treating nausea and pain associated with migraine headaches.
Colds, Flu and Bronchitis are often rampant this time of year. Stock up on savory herbs such as sage, thyme, rosemary and marjoram. These herbs are known to be anti-spasmodic: reducing the action of a chronic cough, astringent: reducing inflammation and creating a protective barrier within the body, expectorant: allowing for mucous to be expelled from the lungs, and sedative: calming to the system. Make a strong tea of these herbs, add ginger and fresh local honey to ease a chronic cough, relax the nervous system and help a fever break.
If you're like me and suffer from insomnia, Chamomile tea is a great way to unwind from a hectic day. Most of us have used this gentle herb for tummy related issues, but don't let Chamomile's subtle properties fool you; it’s a hard working little flower that packs a big punch in all it can do. Chamomile is an infant’s best friend. If your baby suffers from colic, just make a tea and allow it to cool and put it in with their formula or spoon feed it to them as much as they will take. You will see results almost immediately. I've also used Chamomile as a wash for sore eyes and as a compress to reduce mild inflammation of insect bites and wounds.
For some of us, food equals love. Food invariably carries with it the ability to attract or repel. Many Hollywood movies have been made about food and its sensual qualities. Think of Chocolat, the film that came out in 2000 with Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp. This movie inspired chocolatiers everywhere to begin experimenting with spicy peppers in their chocolate recipes. The next time you and that special someone are in the mood for a treat, try adding a bit of cinnamon and cayenne to your hot chocolate on a cold winter night and you'll see what I mean!
If you'd like to take your beauty regimen to a whole new level, look no further than your kitchen.
Hops in beer makes an excellent emulsifier and conditioning agent for limp hair. I have been using quality beer for years to make my lack luster hair luxurious!
We all need our beauty sleep. Perhaps your significant other snores so loudly it wakes you up or vice versa, simply place a heaping tablespoon of peppermint in a muslin bag and position it by your head where you sleep to reduce snoring and clear nasal passages.
Inhale deeply to unclog a stuffed up nose or to stimulate wakefulness and boost energy.
The skin is a mirror of our health as are the tongue and eyes. The next time you give yourself a facial, be sure to steam open your pores to release built up toxins in your skin. You can reduce inflammation in your face and reduce signs of aging by adding a tablespoon of chamomile flowers and rose petals to the boiling water and allowing the steam to penetrate your face under a towel for at least fifteen minutes. Follow by making a paste of honey and oats, leave this on as a mask for 10 minutes and scrub the skin gently to slough off any dead skin cells, follow by rinsing with warm water and then cool water to close the pores.
Not only can herbs be added to your diet to increase health, sustain wellness and nourish the body, but many fruits and vegetables, sea vegetables, minerals and grains are therapeutic as well.
Before grocery stores and pharmacies, which became a product of the industrial revolution, our ancestors relied on the seasons and their own harvests to nurture their bodies during the year. Storehouses and basement refrigeration, canning and drying were the primary method of preserving food for the year ahead. Folk medicine was the herbs you found in the wild, the vegetables and fruit you grew in your gardens and the natural wisdom of how to use these substances to heal, which was passed down by word of mouth generation to generation.
While much of the wisdom of the ages has been lost, a lot of it has been preserved in books and handed down by wise men and women who kept this knowledge flowing into today’s modern world. In recent years, alternative medicine has become the preference for many American families. As rising costs in healthcare have caused many to become uninsured, people are looking for ways to remain healthy without having access to modern medicine. In addition, individuals who seek a more nature based way to nurture their bodies are returning to greener lifestyles, invoking the memory of their ancestors to embrace organic gardening, alternative healthcare, bodywork and environmentally safer options in their daily lives.
Because kitchen herbs are so versatile, we can use them in a variety of ways as part of a healing diet, as supplements and in body care products such as creams, salves and oils. The most popular way of ingesting herbs for medicinal purposes is by drinking tea. You will find that children will readily drink a sweet healing tea over a chemical filled over the counter medicine.
We have become a culture of quick fixes. When we have an illness, we want to eradicate it immediately so that we can get back to our busy lives. It is important to note that sometimes illness hits us for the very reason we are seeking to avoid, to cause us to slow down, reflect and rejuvenate our bodies. Rather than being resistant to the care our bodies need, we should try to look within to find out what an illness might be trying to tell us.
Herbs work with our bodies to gently, yet powerfully nurture and nourish us. Although they might work slower than a single compound pharmaceutical, herbs work more directly to bring about balance to the body as a whole. It’s nice to know that we have a whole arsenal of healing remedies available to us right in our own kitchen.
It is important to state here that not all herbs, even kitchen herbs, in a healing diet are for everyone. Some who have compromised immune systems should consult their regular healthcare practitioner prior to taking any herbs. Nursing and Pregnant mothers should also communicate with their health care provider regarding which herbs they are taking. A word of caution is necessary regarding the use of rosemary for medicinal healing. This herb is high in Pyrolyzic Acid, known to have a strong effect on the liver if used in excess and may be toxic to some who have weakened liver function. Children should not ingest this herb regularly.
As an herbalist, I can help guide you and your family in the wise choice of incorporating herbs into your lives as part of a healing program. Not only can you use the dried herbs in your kitchen cabinet to create and sustain wellness, but you can purchase perennial herb plants from your local farmers market and easily grow herbs to use all year long.
I recommend trying to purchase only organically grown herbs without the added pesticides, as well as fruits and vegetables that have not been contaminated by chemical fertilizers. In a healing diet it is always best to start off with the freshest local and organically grown ingredients to reduce the toxicity levels in our bodies.
Because we live in an ever more industrial world, it is up to us, seekers of wisdom, healers, beings of light, to bring about the needed changes it will take to sustain long term health not only for the individuals on this planet, but the collective whole of the planet and all her people so that future generations can enjoy the great bounty that the earth is blessed with. As an herbalist I support sustainable agriculture, local farming, organic growing and fair trade. In my practice I do not recommend herbs that are on the endangered species list and I am very careful to use herbs in my products that have no known toxicity. My commitment to your health is also my commitment to your safety. I advise you to always research herbal remedies prior to use and discuss any herbs you might be taking with your health care practitioner.
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