FLU SEASON SPECIAL
FLU SEASON is just around the corner. Protect yourself and your family with the FLU SEASON SPECIAL of 4 homeopathic remedies available at my office.
1. Vitamin D drops (vegetarian)
2. Immune system support
3. Anti-bacterial formula
4. Anti-viral formula
Cost: $85 including GST for all 4 (savings of over 20%). Suitable for children.
In addition you can take some preventative measures in order to enjoy perfect health throughout this season.
1. NUTRITION – Eat a wholesome diet with lots of vegetables, fruits, seeds and nuts; enjoy one liquid meal a day (green smoothie or vegetable juice). Avoid all foods that stress the immune system such as sugar, any processed foods and allergens. Dairy creates mucous in most people so it is best to reduce or eliminate it from the diet. Make your foods your medicines and your medicines your food.
2. REST – Ensure adequate rest in order to be able to recharge your batteries adequately. Avoid getting run down. Listen to your body.
3. EXERCISE – Exercise among others increases oxygenation in the body and disease causing organism typically do not like an oxygenated environment.
4. STRESS REDUCTION – Take time for yourself and do something that feeds your own spirit every day even if it is only for a few minutes. Remember health is not only the absence of disease. Our physical well-being depends on the harmony of all aspects – spiritual, emotional, mental and physical.
5. STAY WARM – Adequate clothing during the winter months to stay warm allows the body to use its energy for vital functions rather than diverting it to create heat. We lose a lot of heat through the head. When I travelled in India in 1974 in a mountainous area where it was very cold at night, it was interesting to see that everyone was wearing a toque even if they had bare feet.
Did you know that CORN SILK has medicinal properties?
The “beard” of corn on the cob is called CORN SILK. If you want to use it for medicinal purposes I suggest you only use the silk from organic corn. Corn Silk is easy to dry for later use. Just spread it out on a mosquito screen, in a basket etc. and within a few days it should be well dried. Store it in a sealed glass jar away from the sun for future use in form of a tea or make a tincture.
MEDICINAL USE: As a soothing anti-inflammatory its primary focus is the urinary system. It can be applied in urinary tract infections, kidney stones and bed wetting formulas for children. Some research suggests that corn silk also promotes bile flow.
LEAP OF FAITH
My LEAP OF FAITH that has taken me into the public arena of radio interviews has been interesting and fun. After having been interviewed on several radio shows across the U.S., from New York to California, (sometimes for almost an hour) over the past few months, the next interview is coming up this Wednesday September 23.
Since every host has a different agenda it is almost impossible to prepare for an interview, which of course, makes for an exciting experience. One of my primary goals, as always, is to create awareness about Mother Earth and the need to support her in her much needed healing.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
WEDNESDAY’S SHOW:
Dr. Pat Sulak, Med school professor, speaker & author of “Should I Fire My Doctor”, joins me along with Gudrun Penselin, herbalist, natural medicine & reflexology practitioner.
Tune-In 3:00pm CT at http://healthylife.net/RadioShow/archiveTSD.htm
This Week’s Guests On The Sports Doctor – Dr. Pat Sulak & Gudrun Penselin
International Day of Peace
Monday September 21, 2015 is International Peace Day.
Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on 21 September. It is sometimes unofficially known as World Peace Day. The day was first celebrated on Tuesday 21 September 1982. The theme of the first International Day of Peace was the Right to peace of all people.
International Peace Day is dedicated to world peace, and The United Nations “invites all nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities during the Day.”
As individuals we can take a moment on Monday to do a random act of kindness, simply something to brighten someone’s day. Speaking a kind word, writing a note of gratitude to someone you love, holding a door open for someone, lighting a candle, buying a coffee for the person in the vehicle behind you at your local cafe drive-thru, or simply acknowledging someone with a smile, are things we’re all capable of. The smallest act of nurturing inner peace can change the world one person at a time.
Inspirational Thought
“Age is a quality of mind:
If you have left your dreams behind
If hope is cold,
If you no longer look ahead,
If your ambition-fires are dead,
Then you are old.
But if from life you take the best,
And if in life you keep the jest,
If love you hold,
No matter how the years go by,
No matter how the birthdays fly,
You are not old. ”
Author unknown
ROSEHIPS and VITAMIN C
Rosehips are from the Wild Rose (Rosa canina).
They are especially high in vitamin C but also contain vitamin A, B1 and B2 in the pulp. Vitamin C was first discovered in Rosehips. Long before the discovery of vitamin C Rosehip tea was used for the common cold and locally for inflamed and bleeding gums.
Most animals are able to manufacture their own vitamin C but because of a lack of a major enzyme in the human liver, the human body is unable to manufacture its own vitamin C. This is why we need to ensure adequate vitamin C intake through our diet or supplements. Rosehips also help to maintain healthy collagen, the substance that holds trillions of cells together in our body.
ROSEHIP TEA
Following are two of my favourite ways of preparing Rosehip tea:
1. My preference is to make a cold infusion and let it sit over night or at least a few hours before straining it. Cold infusions have the advantage of preserving the mineral content provided by the herbs.
2. Make a cold infusion and then slowly bring the infusion with the rosehips to simmer to make a decoction.
For instructions of the different water extractions such as cold infusions and decoctions I suggest you refer to disc 1 of the DVD “Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone”.
“ALTERNATIVE BAKING”
Alternative Baking by Marita Dreger
For all of you who need to avoid wheat, gluten and eggs. Check it out!
The cookbook gives classic, contemporary and folk baking recipes that use alternative ingredients to wheat flour, cow’s milk, butter, chicken eggs and cane sugar. The way the book is set-up, you can customize the recipes to your own needs.
Details specific to each type of flour and other ingredients are provided. Some of the recipes included are: crepes, pancakes, waffles, cookies, various cakes etc.
Hopefully the book is still in print.
Green blessings from the white north,
Gudrun
Thought of the Day
Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.
Life may not be the party we hoped for, but while we are here we might as well dance.
“Many people walk in and out of your life, but only love will leave footprints in your heart…”
Mother Nature in Your Home
The abundance and beauty of the Earth at this time of the year in the Peace Country is amazing. I encourage you to bring some of the magic of Mother Earth into your home by adding the wild greens to your food, preparing a cup of tea with fresh plants or harvesting and drying herbs for later use. Goldenrod is one of those amazing herbs you can see everywhere right now.
Goldenrod is a fairly tall plant with beautiful, vibrant golden-yellow flowers. You will find it in dry woodlands, forest clearings and roadsides.
The Latin name Solidago originates from “solidus” & “ago,” Solidus, meaning “healthy and strong,” and ago meaning “to make whole.” Both of these terms refer to the plant’s ability to heal wounds.
Some common names for Goldenrod from various cultures also give an indication for its medicinal use as a wound healing herb, for example in Germany the herb is often called “Fastening Herb”. In fact in ancient German history Goldenrod was gathered as a wound herb before engaging in battle, just in case it was needed.
However, the focus today for its use has shifted from a wound healing aid, to a very reliable herb to support the kidneys. It promotes the elimination of urine and is applied for acute as well as chronic conditions of the kidneys and bladder including inflammation. In addition, it has been found to support the body during times of upper respiratory infections, especially when dealing with a chronic situation.
For medicinal purposes the leaves and flowers (early flowering stage) are being harvested and may be used fresh or dried. The fresh leaves and flowers can be used for wound healing or made into a tea, which can also be used as a wound wash. The dried herb may be used in the form of a tea as well but also as a tincture. A tincture is an alcoholic extract of a plant and is more concentrated than an herbal tea. The “crafty” person might want to try to use the flowers as a natural dye.
This summer Goldenrod has been brightening up the landscape in so many places and the quality of it has been superb. Many times you will find it being “infested” with many small bugs, but this year the only insects I have watched enjoying the bright, yellow flowers are butterflies and bees!
- If you are not sure how to prepare the herbs, remember that the DVD Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone provides clear and easy to follow instructions, teaching a great variety of herbal preparations. Check my website www.herbalinstructions.com for more information.
- Also remember the Herb Walk on August 20 if you would like to learn more about local plants and their medicinal properties.
Disclaimer
This information is not intended for the use of diagnosing any disease, condition or prescribing any treatment whatsoever. The use of any of the herbs and preparations is the sole responsibility of each individual and does not replace the services and advice of a medical practitioner and qualified healthcare provider. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medical decisions or if you have questions about your individual medical situation. No responsibility is assumed should the information be used in place of a licensed medical practitioner’s services.
Tossing & Turning Instead of Sleeping Peacefully?
“Be happy for this Moment. This Moment is your Life.”
– Omar Khayyam
Many people are complaining about being challenged with sleep these days. Read on for a few useful hints to support restful sleep.
Sleep is complicated.
What works for one may not work for the next person. Also what has worked once may not work the next time.
Checklist
- Eliminate any stimulants such as coffee, black tea, sugar (especially at night)
- If taken at night certain supplements such as vitamin C may have enough of a stimulating effect to interfere with sleep in some individuals
- Peppermint, even though calming for the nervous system, has a stimulating effect on the metabolism and may interfere with sleep patterns in sensitive people
- Allergies/sensitivities to foods and inhalants can be the culprit
- Check your medications for potential side effects
- Treat the underlying cause. Many dis-ease processes may interfere with proper sleep (blood sugar imbalances, adrenal fatigue…)
- Getting up in the night to urinate may be a sign of kidney weakness in women and prostate issues in men
- Minimize stress levels and over-excitement at night
- Ensure adequate exercise during the day
- If you wake up once again feeling like you have been run over by a truck, relax, breathe deeply, take a hot shower and know that you are going to make it through the day okay. Accepting the situation is half the battle, pondering and being upset about it is creating more unnecessary stress
Some HERBAL ALLIES are (alone or in combination):
- Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata) – one of my favorites
- Lemon Balm (Melissa off.)
- Skullcap (Scutellaria lateriflora)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) – Note: Adverse reactions to Chamomile are not uncommon
- St. John’s Wort (Hypericum perfoliatum) – especially when (nerve) pain and/or depression are a factor
- Rescue Remedy
NOTE: Commercial herbal sleep blends frequently contain peppermint (too stimulating at night for many) and hops (not recommended for anyone with tendency to depression).
You can create a nice blend of dried herbs with any of the above herbs and enjoy a cup of tea at night or take them as a tincture.
Questions or comments?
Interested in any specific topics or workshops, contact me at 780-532-2464.
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