SONG OF THE FLOWER
I am a kind word uttered and repeated
By the voice of Nature;
I am a star fallen from the
Blue tent upon the green carpet.
I am the daughter of the elements
With whom Winter conceived;
To whom Spring gave birth; I was
Reared in the lap of Summer and I
Slept in the bed of Autumn.
At dawn I unite with the breeze
To announce the coming of light;
At eventide I join the birds
In bidding the light farewell.
The plains are decorated with
My beautiful colors, and the air
Is scented with my fragrance.
As I embrace Slumber the eyes of
Night watch over me, and as I
Awaken I stare at the sun, which is
The only eye of the day.
I drink dew for wine, and hearken to
The voices of the birds, and dance
To the rhythmic swaying of the grass.
I am the lover’s gift; I am the wedding wreath;
I am the memory of a moment of happiness;
I am the last gift of the living to the dead;
I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.
But I look up high to see only the light,
And never look down to see my shadow.
This is wisdom which man must learn.
Kahlil Gibran
SPROUTING YOUR OWN SEEDS – WHY & HOW
Heading into the fall and winter seasons it is good to know that, even in the north, we can still grow some of our own food, packed with vitality and nutrients, helping to fend off those pesky colds and flus that are certain to make their come back.
PART 1 – WHY SPROUT YOUR OWN SEEDS
Today’s post covers WHY to sprout. In the following posts I will provide specific instructions plus additional information.
Why Sprout?
Sprouting is a great way of adding high quality nutrition to your daily life. Sprouts are the only food source that is still alive when we eat it. The process is easy and can be done by anyone with supplies found in every home kitchen. No extra space is required, even the smallest kitchen will do. Sprouting is very economical and therefore is suitable for any budget.
Any seeds and nuts can be used for sprouting; however, it is best to use certified organic seeds and only those that are intended as food crop rather than farm planting seeds. This minimizes the risk of contamination.
To my knowledge, organic sprouting seeds have not been implicated in any outbreak of food poisoning.
Sprouts contain the highest concentration of phytonutrients per calorie of any food. Phytonutrients provide a great spectrum of health benefits.
Benefits of Eating Sprouts
➣ Great source of nutrition; sprouts are rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins and enzymes
➣ Support and nourishment for the entire body including immune system and cardio vascular health
➣ Very easily digested and assimilated
➣ Improvement of the efficiency of the digestive system
➣ Protection against free radical damage
➣ Very inexpensive
➣ Available year-round even when other vegetables and fruits are not available
➣ Easy to grow at home
➣ Great variety of usages
➣ Plus lots more
Commonly Used Seeds for Sprouting
Alfalfa – Beans (various) – Broccoli – Chia – Chickpeas – Fenugreek – Lentils – Mustard – Peas – Pumpkin – Radish – Red Clover – Sunflower
NOTE: Most seeds and nuts can be used for sprouting but some may require more equipment and experience than the ones mentioned above.
Avoid sprouting seeds from plants that have poisonous parts.
You can save some of your garden seeds and use them for sprouting i.e. radish, caragana seeds
Homesteader Health
Don’t miss this event!
You always see that one plant, and maybe you wonder – what is it? Join Homesteader Health and Herbalist Gudrun Penselin on this fun and leisurely herb walk to learn about some local plants and so-called “weeds”.
Tickets available in store – but we’re working on a method of online purchase!
Gudrun Penselin is a Clinical Herbal Therapist, is an award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and expert in herbal medicine. She has over 30 years of experience as a complementary health practitioner. Gudrun has a strong commitment to the Earth and humankind, as well as a passion for sharing her knowledge and experience about plants and their healing spirit.
TROUBLE WITH 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
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?
Contact me at 780-532-2464.
WORKSHOP: INFUSED OILS & SALVE MAKING
Thursday, November 24 @ Homesteader Health (Gateway)
One of my passions is teaching which includes sharing simple, yet effective tools of healing.
If you always wanted to learn how to make your own (healing) salve, the upcoming workshop is for you.
I will teach how to make infused oils from dried plant material, and how to use these oils for creating salves.
For information and to register, contact Homesteader Health at 780.539.8870.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
FOREST FIRES, SMOKE & OUR (RESPIRATORY) HEALTH – WHAT TO DO?
“One nature. We are nature. All people and all species.
We are interconnected with nature and with each other. What we do to the planet and its living creatures, we do to ourselves.”
The extreme forest fire season, once again, drives home the importance of making lifestyle choices that minimize our negative impact on the environment. Lots to be said about this but I want to focus on how you can protect yourself from the potential damaging effects of the smoke so many of us are inhaling these days.
The most obvious area of our body that are affected are the respiratory tract (sinuses, throat, bronchials and lungs) as well as the eyes. However, the long-term effects are not limited to these systems.
The exposure to smoke over extended periods of times creates irritation and inflammation to the tissues of our body. Many, many toxins are part of the smoke we are breathing in.
What to do?
1. The obvious is to reduce outdoor activities and close windows.
2. DIET: Avoid all foods you know you are sensitive to as well as mucous forming foods. For many people dairy, refined sugar and wheat are known to cause extra mucous. However, depending on the individual, any food may trigger this response. A health-giving diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, green smoothies and vegetable juices will provide the greatest support. Eliminate all junk food. Anything that does not provide the building blocks required by the body to regenerate healthy cells, should not be considered as food. There is no such thing as health foods. Food supports the body in regenerating healthy cells, if it does not, it should not be considered food!
3. WATER: Drink plenty of good water, stay hydrated.
4. SUPPLEMENTS: Vitamins C (high dosages), A (beta carotene in high dosages) and E
5. HERBS: Herbs to support and soothe the respiratory system are high in mucilage. They may be enjoyed as a tea, if desired sweetened with honey, or if used fresh as a juice. Some examples are: Plantain (Plantago spp.), Marshmallow – root/leaf- (Althea off.), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) or the seaweed, Irish Moss (Chondrus crispus).
6. ESSENTIAL OILS: diffused in the air with a diffuser or as a steam inhalation, for example Thyme, Oregano, Clove, Spruce, Pine, Lavender and Eucalyptus. These essential oils have antimicrobial properties and the ones from evergreen trees exert their healing effect especially on the respiratory tract.
7. PLANTS: Plants can help clean the air of pollutants. Different plants have different capabilities, both re: the type and amount of pollutants they clean.
8. AIR PURIFIERS: Negative ions neutralize pollutants to some degree.
9. SORE THROAT: Drink hot lemon juice with honey. Gargle with sea salt and warm water or sage tea.
10. EYES: My favorite herb for eyes as an eye wash is Eyebright (Euphrasia off.). Other possibilities are Chamomile or Fennel. Make a tea with either one of them, strain extremely well and either use with an eye cup or soak small pieces of sterilized fabric in the tea and lay on closed eye lids. Any of these applications will be very soothing and rejuvenating to the eyes. Make sure that the tea you are using is sterile. You can keep the tea in the fridge in a sealed glass jar for up to three days.
I hope this helps. Enjoy the summer despite the adversities.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – CHICKWEED
I am grateful to Mother Earth for sharing so many treasures with us. This time of the year provides great opportunities to show our appreciation and support for the Earth. Despite the relentless abuse and exploitation, we continue to be blessed with her beauty and abundance. The big question is, for how much longer though if humankind refuses to change course.
Chickweed with its little white flowers is one of my favourite herbs in the summer. It is a staple in our daily diet. The grand kids enjoy picking and eating it straight, we add it to salads, green smoothies, the Jungle Juice, scrambled eggs and whenever we feel like some fresh greens.
The fresh leaves can be used as a poultice for inflammations, ulcers, abscesses. The poultice has an anti-itching effect.
Enjoy and happy herballing this summer.
CHICKWEED – Stellariia media – Caryophylaceae
PARTS USED
Whole plant (aerial parts)
TIME OF HARVEST
All year round; preferably younger plants
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
High in Vitamin C & A, minerals
THERAPEUTICS
Primarily used EXTERNALLY
Itchy, irritated skin (i.e. chickenpox, eczema)
Wounds (cuts, abrasions)
Soothing to eyes (red or swollen eyes)
INTERNALLY
Conditions of respiratory system incl. coughs, colds etc.
Soothing and cleansing to entire system
PREPARATIONS
Infusion (internal/external application)
Juice – Ointments/salves – Food
ACTIONS
Vulnerary – Emollient – Anti-rheumatic
GENERAL
Very mild herb – Great as food – Can be eaten in large quantities
As always, green blessings,|
Gudrun
FOOD AS MEDICINE
HE THAT TAKES MEDICINE AND NEGLECTS DIET, WASTES THE TIME OF HIS DOCTOR. – Ancient Chinese Proverb
Summer is a great time to re-assess one’s diet and cultivate new eating habits by adding more fresh, organic vegetables, herbs and fruits to the daily diet.
If you have not yet watched the documentary: FORKS OVER KNIVES, I highly recommend, you do. This film presents evidence for the fact that most degenerative dis-eases can be controlled or even reversed with a plant-based diet. The film is very well done and worthwhile watching.
ONE QUARTER OF WHAT YOU EAT, KEEPS YOU ALIVE. THE OTHER THREE QUARTERS KEEPS YOUR DOCTOR ALIVE. – Egyptian Proverb
Website: https://www.forksoverknives.com/
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
Happy Family Day
FEBRUARY 19- 21, 2022
The third Monday in February’s rolled around again!
Have a beautiful Family Day long weekend.
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