Spring appears to have made a come back after all!
It is the time of the year when great herb conferences are in the final planning stages. Check out the Kootenay Herb Conference the first weekend in June. It will be a fun-filled weekend with lots of interesting workshops and people who care about the Earth and leaving a positive foot print.
I will be there for sure, teaching two workshops.
Check it out at: http://kootenayherbconference.com.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
Rosehips High in 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”.
Happy New Year!
The New Year is here
Let’s welcome it with a great cheer
Let’s raise our hopes in a confident toast
May love, peace and happiness spread from coast to coast
Life is like a gigantic and beautiful ocean
It can be calm and still but is always in motion
If the wind is howling and the seas are rough
We might feel lost and feel life is too tough
Always remember you have what it takes to fly
Just spread your wings and try
You have what it takes to fulfill your dreams
Stay true to your spirit and life will flow like a beautiful stream
May love, peace and hope fill the heart of every single soul
May tranquil moments bless all and keep our spirits whole
May humankind awaken and create many paradigm shifts
So that all spirits rejoice and undue burdens and challenges lift
The Earth, our Mother, needs our loving and caring support
Let’s re-connect so we may harmonize in accord
May healing of all aspects for all life become true
So our children may have a happy, healthy future too
January 2016, Gudrun Penselin
CRAVING BREAD? NOT ABLE OR ALLOWED TO EAT IT?
Check this out. This is the best bread ever because it is packed with nutrition, extremely fast and easy to prepare and does NOT contain any flowers or gluten. It has become a staple in our life. Try it and spread the wealth of health.
Ancient Grain, Seed, and Nut Loaf
from The Greenhouse Cookbook
Makes one loaf, or about 10 slices.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup raw sunflower seeds
- ¾ cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1 cup raw slivered almonds
- 1/8 cup buckwheat groats
- 1/8 cup millet seeds
- 1/3 cup amaranth seeds
- 1 ½ cups gluten-free rolled oats
- ¾ cups gluten-free steel-cut oats
- 1/3 cup whole flax seeds
- 1/3 cup psyllium seed husks
- 1/3 cup chia seeds
- 2 tsp sea salt
- 2 tbs pure maple syrup
- ¼ cup virgin olive oil
- 2 ¾ cups filtered water
Steps:
- Preheat your oven to 325 F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine and evenly spread the sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, buckwheat groats, millet seeds, and amaranth seeds on the prepared baking sheet. Toast for 10 to 12 minutes, or until golden.
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, steel-cut oats, flax seeds, psyllium seed husks, chia seeds, and salt.
- When the toasting seed mixture is golden, remove from the oven and add to the bowl of dry ingredients; stir until combined. Add the maple syrup, olive oil, and water to the bowl and mix well. We use our hands for this (wet them first). The mixture should feel quite soggy; the seeds will absorb more water as they rest.
- Line the bottom and sides of a 8- x 4-inch or 9- x 5-inch loaf pan with parchment paper. Pour the dough into the pan and shape the top into a smooth dome with wet fingers. Cover the dough with a clean tea towel or napkin and let it sit at room temperature overnight or for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to bake, preheat the oven to 400 F.
- Uncover the dough and place the loaf pan on a rack in the centre of the oven. Bake for an hour and 15 minutes, or until the crust is dark brown and sounds hollow when you knock on it. (It may take an hour and a half, depending on your oven.) Remove loaf from the oven and let cool completely, at least 2 hours.
- Slice and serve toasted. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
PROPERTIES AND APPLICATIONS of CALENDULA OIL
The oil is made from Calendula officinalis often referred to as Marigold. Many plants are called Marigold and therefore the Latin name is required for correct identification.
The flowers are bright yellow and orange and have many therapeutic properties. It is easy to grow and harvest. The oil can be made into a healing salve which is a favorite of many of my clients.
PROPERTIES
anti-inflammatory – wound healing – anti-fungal – anti-bacterial/anti-microbial – anti-septic
Calendula oil is used topically and primarily used in SKIN CARE because of its great anti-inflammatory and wound healing actions.
APPLICATIONS
SKIN DRYNESS & IRRITATION
The oil helps to moisturize the skin, soothes the area and reduces pain.
Conditions: diaper rash, eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, minor cuts and wounds, bed sores, insect bites, frost bites
FUNGAL INFECTIONS
Athlete’s foot, ring worm and jock itch
INFLAMMATION
Swelling from injuries i.e. sprained muscles and bruises, leg ulcers, spider and varicose veins.
HISTORICAL USE
Applied externally for abdominal cramps and constipation.
SUNSCREEN – Yes or no?
Summer is here and with it for many of us the question: sunscreen – yes or no?
What causes more harm: the sun or the reaction of the chemicals of sunscreen with our body?
If yes to sunscreen, how to pick the right one?
Following are some interesting facts and answers. Please share freely with as many people as possible.
SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Most of us welcome the arrival of spring, yet for others it means the return of a challenging time because of seasonal allergies.
Suffering may be reduced greatly with natural remedies, many of them available at my office. Call me at 780.532.2464 for information.
A wholesome diet (eliminates food allergens), regular exercise, stress reduction, reflexology and a positive outlook on life are key to our well-being all helping to reduce allergic/sensitivity reactions.
SEASONAL ALLERGIES present as short term, seasonal episodes with the majority of symptoms concentrated in the respiratory system, but can extend to the skin and digestive tract. Reactions may be triggered by air-borne pollens, dander, dust and mold.
COMMON SYMPTOMS include:
- Sneezing
- Post nasal drip
- Sinus and nasal congestion
- Itchy watery eyes
- Excessive clear mucous production
- Laboured breathing
- Skin irritations or hives
CHART – by Bio Lonreco
Book Review
Bach Flower Mandalas Coloring Book
“Healing with Bach Flower Mandalas: Coloring Book is a fun tool for working with Bach Flowers .… The beautiful, welcoming floral designs promote tranquility of the spirit. Offering hours of meditative, reflective activity, Healing with Bach Flower Mandalas: Coloring Book is a unique and satisfying coloring book for adults. Highly recommended.”
— Midwest Book Review
Herbal Pharmacy in the Winter
Even in the depth of winter Mother Nature provides and shares her magical gifts. The aroma of the oil I created with spruce and pine needles is incredible. The end product is a body butter which is soft as silk and a pure delight for the senses.
I am so grateful to be able to connect with the Earth in this way during the winter months.
Green blessings from under a blanket of snow,
Gudrun
Vaccinations – To vaccinate or not?
For many people this is a difficult question to answer. Resources are available to help make an informed choice. For details including upcoming documentaries see at the end of the post.
With the flu season in full force, the topic of vaccinations is once again in the news and on many people’s minds. As always, it is a highly controversial and emotionally laden topic making it very difficult for many to figure out what to do. This is true not only for the flu vaccine but any other vaccinations that are being promoted and endorsed by the medical community. Always remember that many factors contribute to our well-being. For example any stress, be it emotional, physical, spiritual and/or mental will make us more vulnerable to contracting disease. A balanced lifestyle includes a diet that provides the building blocks for us to (re)generate healthy cells and therefore nourishes our body as well as adequate exercise, rest, fresh air, joy and laughter etc. – all are essential for our physical well-being regardless of if we decide to vaccinate or not.
1. Remember that you do have a choice, vaccinations are not mandatory.
2. Educate yourself before you vaccinate so that you feel you have made the choice that is the right one for you and your family.
3. There are a lot of good resources available providing information that will help you in making your decision.
For example:
– Vaccine Choice Canada at www.vaccinechoicecanada.com
– Health Action Network Society at www.hans.org (Canadian non-profit organization based out of Vancouver) and,
– National Vaccination Information Centre (NVIC is a US based independent, charitable non-profit organization founded in 1982.) at www.TheVaccineReaction.org
4. Documentaries
– Jeff Hays Films presents… “Vaccines Revealed” is broadcasting their exclusive docu-series event for 9 days only. From Tuesday, January 10th through the 18th you can watch the whole thing for FREE: http://www.vaccinesrevealed.com/landingii/
– The Health Action Network Society presents…“Vaxxed – From Cover Up to Catastrophe” Vancouver Premier. February 7, 2017 at Cinemathique Theatre,
1131 Howe Street, Vancouver from 5:00 pm and 7:30 pm. Tickets are available through Eventbrite by clicking here: Vaxxed Tickets.
To view the official trailer for Vaxxed, click here.
For information on the Health Action Network click here.
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