Yoga Health Fair January 29th

Healing Foods in your Kitchen

HERBS ARE NATURE'S MEDICINE . . . and we can use herbs to raise our spirits, energy and health for 2017.  Let's not sit on what we have learned this past year, but instead put much of it into practice. A place in our homes that is bursting with healing herbs/foods is the kitchen. The mustard on your table and many of the spices on your shelf come from herbs; most of the vegetables in your salad are herbs; and if you have a yard, many of the plants growing there (whether by your or their own design) are also herbs.

Because our survival is dependent upon our ingestion of food for physical sustenance, digestion is the single most important function of our living organism (next to air and water).  DIGESTION, ASSIMILATION, and ELIMINATION are three extremely important and pivotal aspects of health, and a series of foods and spices that assist our bodies in these areas are called carminatives, laxatives, cholagogues, emetics, parasiticides, sialagogues, and bitters.  The most common are Anise seed, Basil (relieves allergies), Bay leaves, Black Pepper (rids congestion), Caraway, Cardamom, Cayenne (can stop stroke/heart attack), Cinnamon, Cloves, Coriander, Cumin, Fennel (relieves gas), Fenugreek (lung congestion, stomach ulcers), Garlic and Ginger, Marjoram, Mustard Seed, Rosemary, Sage and Thyme, just to name   a few. 

Other herbs like uva ursi, parsley root, gentian root, red raspberry leaves, buchu leaves, saw palmetto berries, kelp, and bladderwrack all contain chemical ingredients that promote the body’s ability to reduce high blood sugar and supports the body’s fight against diabetes. 

Each of these herbs, when used with others in effective combinations, relieves disease and restores balance to our organs.  Most of the illnesses and diseases we experience are a direct result of the types of foods we eat.

Discover how (and when) to eat the foods/herbs that will rid the body of disease forever – register early for our March 2017 herb classes.

ROSEMARY, which is often used to season bread and meats, as a tea is useful for bad breath, coughs, headaches and bronchitis (for asthma make into a syrup with equal parts mullein and coltsfoot).  

Rosemary is also good for gas/indigestion and menopause. In addition, it can treat rheumatism, premature balding, dandruff, urinary problems and wounds/sores.

CELERY SEED tea sipped slowly will improve appetite, relieve hives and hysteria; will ease insomnia taken one-hour before retiring; good for nervousness/hyperactivity (with equal parts skullcap), rheumatism (with Damiana).  Celery seed will serve as a stimulant as a strong morning tea. Promotes urination and as an external wash/internal douche will relieve itching rashes/venereal disease.

There is a multitude of healing virtues from the Ocean: SEAWEEDS. Whether taken as powdered supplements or added to baths, seaweeds are rich in iodine and will help balance the thyroid, and significantly, will act as an anti-inflammatory, reducing painful swollen joints. Seaweed is a natural antifungal, antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant and also contains antiseptic properties.  Seaweed has the ability to remove radioactive strontium and other heavy metals from our bodies and can benefit people who have had exposure to radiotherapy or chemical intervention.

Many types of seaweeds are edible. They contain more protein than meat, more calcium than milk and contain many important vitamins including anti-stress B vitamins, Vitamin K, and important minerals. Seaweed is rich in magnesium and manganese.

HERBS ARE NATURE'S MEDICINE . . . and they act similarly to our foods, in that they provide our body with nutrients and other components that enhance organ functions. The same way we take food to strengthen bones, build our blood, feed our nervous system, reduce cholesterol, etc., herbs are used in the same way to feed, rejuvenate and regenerate our organs. 

Formulas made with specific herbs act directly on that organ system, enabling it to rid itself of the culprits causing the disease. Tonics made in mild combinations and taken in small amounts over a long period of time has a general healing effect on the whole body and facilitates a healthy balance of that system's vital energy. 

To rejuvenate the liver (and subsequently every organ in the body), drink a tonic made from these herbs a few times a week: Gentian, Dandelion, Yellow Dock, Oregon Grape Root, Blessed Thistle, Licorice, Skullcap, and Cayenne. 

To cleanse and detoxify the urinary system, combine Gravel Root, Parsley, Chickweed, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Marshmallow Root and Fu Ling and drink “cool” 2-3x weekly. 

To help heal difficult sores rinse with a tea of Comfrey, Plantain, Burdock and Black Walnut Bark. 

To rid persistent coughs, drink a tea of Coltsfoot, Mullein, Wild Cherry Bark and Licorice 3x daily.