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.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT – DIGITAL ID
Great opportunity, JCCF webinar plus more: JCCF INFO »
The next step of surveillance is encroaching on our freedoms and privacy quickly – all under the pretense of being of great benefit to humanity.
Way too many people are quick to accept this intrusive technology without questioning it. As with so many developments, it is too late to “wake up” once the systems have been implemented.
As always, take the time to educate yourself!
“Arguing that you don’t care about privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don’t care about free speech because you have nothing to say.” Edward Snowden
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
Inspirational Thought of the Day
“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
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
HOPE
“Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tunes without the words and never stops at all”. – Emily Dickinson
Hope is an essential element in any form of healing. Dr. Edward Bach said to never take away from anyone the hope for healing. I am hoping, wishing and praying that this year more and more people will re-connect to nature, so that Mother Earth will receive the much needed support for her healing. Everyone of us can make a difference. Let’s shift our focus to things that really matter and what life is truly about.
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”.
http://herbalinstructions.com/order-dvd/
GREEEN BLESSINGS FROM HAIDA GWAII
Green blessings from Haida Gwaii (formerly Queen Charlotte Islands). We are enjoying time out in nature: camping, hiking, biking, nature art, beach combing, photography…
Until the next time,
Gudrun
GRATEFUL FOR BOUNTIFUL HARVEST
Mother Nature will always be my favorite medicine chest. I am so grateful for having followed the path of learning from the Earth with the help of many incredible individuals. I consider myself extremely blessed for all the tools and knowledge I have acquired over the years. Thank you to all the people who, so freely, have shared their wisdom and knowledge (knowingly or not) with me.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
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