2nd Canadian Herb Conference November 4 – 7, 2021
Happy to be back as a presenter at the 2nd Canadian Herb Conference (online), November 4-7. Hope to see you there!
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
CANADIAN HERB CONFERENCE
We’re pleased to welcome Gudrun Penselin from Rainbow Healing to our presenter team this year. Gudrun will be teaching:
🌱 A Morning Meditation
🌱 How to Create Your Own Flower Essences
An award-winning author, speaker, teacher, and expert in herbal medicine, Gudrun has over 30 years of experience as a complementary health practitioner.
In her practice and teachings, she uses a holistic approach to wellness combining healing modalities such as herbal medicine, Bach Flowers, connecting to plant spirit, reflexology, iridology/sclerology, light/colour therapy and lifestyle improvement.
In November 2018 she shared her passion in a TEDx talk, Flowers that Heal Us, in Wilmington, Delaware, US.
Gudrun graduated in Germany with a M.Ed. and M.Phys.Ed.
After her immigration to Canada in 1981 she focused her education on complementary medicine and as part of her journey of life long learning she graduated as Clinical Herbal Therapist from Dominion Herbal College in 1996.
Her commitment to the Earth and humankind prompted her to create several publications.
She is the author of award-winning books Healing Spirituality – A Practical Guide to Understanding and Working with Bach Flowers (Winner), Healing with Bach Flower Mandalas (Finalist) as well as the executive producer and co-creator of the instructional DVD Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone, A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Herbal Preparations.
She also created the card deck Bach Flowers Unfolding.
Her deep interest in learning about other cultures and their healing traditions led her to travel to many places across the globe, including India, where she was fortunate to spend some time with Mother Teresa.
More recently, her travels have taken her to Central and South America, where she focused her attention on some of their traditional forms of healing.
As a natural educator, Gudrun brings joy whenever she shares her knowledge and experience about plants and their healing spirit. Her clients see her as a compassionate professional, mentor, and friend.
Will you join us at our 2nd annual conference? Tickets on sale now at herbconference.com
SHOWING A LITTLE KINDNESS
Showing a Little Kindness will go a long ways and bring much needed light and joy into people’s hearts.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
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
DELICIOUS FLAVOURS FROM NATURE
One of my favourites is to create drinks with the delicate and subtle flavours of nature.
There really is no recipe; as always my favourite recipes are easy to create.
I add flowers to my glass of water, let the glass sit in the sun (or not) for a short while before enjoying it.
Needless to say, you only want to use nontoxic, edible flowers. I suggest, you do NOT use the flowers from plants bought at any of the stores because most of them will have been treated with chemicals.
Examples of flowers: Dandelion, Borage, Wild Rose, Fireweed, Pansies, Lilacs.
Be creative and enjoy.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – DANDELION
Finally the bright yellow flowers are brightening the landscape – a sure sign that spring is here to stay. Hard to believe that herbalists have great appreciation for this marvelous creation of nature? We use flowers, buds, leaves and roots as food and medicine. My grandkids nibble on the flowers and young leaves.
Last year I made a crown out of dandelion flowers for my then 4 year old grand daughter. She was wearing it proudly as we walked into Canadian Tire. With great joy I observed the reactions of customers especially when we were wandering around the Round-up shelf. So much fun!
Be creative and “brave” – eat flowers and young leaves, add both to salads, make a Dandelion flower cold infusion. Decorate ice creams and cakes … and most of all, have fun and be grateful for the gift of this plant that most consider to be a pesky weed.
DANDELION – Taraxacum off. – Asteraceae famly
PARTS USED: Roots, stems, leaves and flowers
HARVEST TIME
Roots: Spring before flowering or fall after first frost
Leaves: Early spring, throughout summer (leaves increase in bitter taste with age)
Flowers: When in full bloom
NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Rich in minerals such as calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, silicon, and zinc. Vitamins A, B complex, C and D.
Carotenoids, fatty acids, flavenoids and phytosterols.
NOTE: The roots are exceptionally high in vitamin A
THERAPEUTIC ACTIONS
Leaf: Diuretic (high in potassium) – Choleretic (stimulates bile production by liver) – Aperient (mild laxative)
Root: Bitter digestive tonic; nutritive – Choleretic, cholagogue – Aperient, laxative – Anti-rheumatic, anit-inflammatory (animal studies)
Sap: Keratolytic (breaks down outer layer of skin)
INDICATIONS
Leaf: Water retention
Root: Inadequate bile production, gallstones, liver/gall bladder insufficiency, congestive jaundice, Dyspepsia, lack of appetite
Sap of stalks, roots, or leaves: Warts, cankers
FORM OF PREPARATION
Infusions (leaves; flowers) – Decoctions (root) – Tinctures – Vinegars (roots, leaves, flowers) – Infused Oils – Salves – Food (leaves, petals, young roots)
CONTRA-INDICATIONS
No reported toxicity; however some people experience sensitivity reactions
NATURE as the ARTIST
What a gift to be able to go bush whacking again, recharging spirit and soul while discovering artful creations from Mother Earth. It is a great time of the year when nature is coming alive with its vibrant colours, the sounds of birds and insects.
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
“THE FLOWERS OF TOMORROW ARE IN THE SEEDS OF TODAY” Author unknown
My mind is filled with thoughts and questions about what is currently happening in the world. Our children, the plant and animal kingdom, and Mother Earth cannot make their own voices heard. We therefore owe it to them to stand up and speak up on behalf of them. Educating ourselves about the current realities and taking action, is critical if we want to be instrumental in creating positive change, securing our rights and freedoms and a planet that will continue to be able to provide in a healthy way for all – now and in the future.
ENJOY STORY OF FLOWERS https://youtu.be/vDpFyHmt0AE
Spring cleansing made easy!
WHY SPRING CLEANSING?
• When toxins accumulate in the body, they can cause tissue damage, disrupt cell metabolism, and bring about localized or systemic disease. Thus, “diseases” are what happens when the organism fights against toxins as it attempts to counteract and expel them.
• Toxins can either come from outside the body (exotoxins) or within the body (endotoxins).
• Homeopathic drainage provides strong stimulation of the elimination processes of the organs, tissues, and cells. It also has beneficial effects on emotions.
LIVER SUPPORT
Breaking down most of the body’s dietary and metabolic waste and preparing it for elimination via the bowels or kidneys, the liver is the primary organ of elimination. When structural or functional liver disturbances occur, digestive sluggishness, headaches, bloating, constipation, and skin irritations can result. Furthermore, due to toxic burden, bitter taste in the mouth, abdominal bloating, heavy head, overall tiredness and fatigue, flatulence, and constipation can be indicative of structural and functional dysfunctions in the liver and gallbladder. These dysfunctions can lead to chronic issues and may result in cholecystitis, biliary calculi, hepatitis, and hypochondria. Many consider the liver to be the centre of all therapies for chronic degenerative disease as well as for allergies, digestive disorders, skin problems, chemotherapy-associated ailments, and the side effects of pharmaceutical medications. Several remedies can assist in stimulating the liver’s detox pathways, facilitating the speedy removal and drainage of accumulated metabolic toxins. Some remedies can even regenerate the liver through their stimulation of hepatocytes.
KIDNEY SUPPORT
The kidneys are the primary filter of minerals, electrolytes, and protein metabolites, such as nitrogenous wastes. It also maintains acid-base balance. Improper kidney function can lead to inflammatory and congestive conditions within the urinary system. Stubborn organic wastes, such as uric acid and other inflammatory toxins, accumulate in the kidneys and can sometimes refuse to exit the body. Successful kidney and bladder drainage can be achieved using remedies with potent diuretic properties. Furthermore, particular attention should be given to ionic balance to help the kidney maintain a proper alkaline environment. Structural and functional dysfunctions of the kidneys or urinary bladder can lead to symptoms such as sharp, stinging pains in the kidneys (renal area), pains in the sacral region, burning sensations upon urination, piercing pains in the bladder, and chronic inflammatory conditions of the kidneys, and renal calculi.
LYMPHATIC SYSTEM SUPPORT
The lymphatic system is one of the most important and yet least talked about drainage pathways. It runs alongside the vascular system and drains the entire extracellular matrix. It is designed to pick up and remove all left-over metabolic waste around individual cells. Any improper functioning of the lymph system can lead to edema, glandular swelling, abnormal fat metabolism, and a weakened immune system. Supporting the lymphatics supports all other organ systems (liver, skin, kidneys, etc.) and helps purify both blood and body. Proper lymphatic function boosts innate immunity, neutralizes pathogenic infiltration, and facilitates the elimination of inflammatory toxins.
Spring cleansing made easy! I have a homeopathic drainage kit available to support the LIVER, KIDNEYS & LYMPHATIC SYSTEM. For more information call me at 780.532.246.
SPRING CLEANING THE NATURAL WAY
Have you ever wondered about the safety of the cleaning products you use in your home?
How about tackling spring cleaning this year with some home-made products that are easy and fun to prepare while at the same time getting the job done?
Nature offers many alternatives to chemicals; alternatives that are powerful anti-microbial. For example, essential oil of Oregano kills a broad spectrum of bacteria including E.coli and spores from anthrax. It can therefore be substituted for bleach products such as Clorox.
Rosemary is another great option because of its natural antibacterial and antiseptic properties. In times of the plague, Rosemary was worn around the neck for its antiseptic qualities.
Below find two simple recipes – shared with permission from Theresa Mieseler, author of Beyond Rosemary, Basil, and Thyme, available from https://www.shadyacres.com/ and Amazon. The book includes 25 recipes.
Countertop Spray Cleaner
1 tablespoon liquid soap, such as Biokleen
¼ teaspoon baking soda
8 to 10 drops Rosemary essential oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 cup distilled water
Combine all ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. It will fizz initially and then settle down. Shake before spraying on the surface—wipe off with a soft cloth.
Rosemary and Geranium Essential Oil All-Purpose Cleaner
1 cup rubbing alcohol
1 cup distilled water
20-25 drops Rosemary essential oil
10 drops Geranium essential oil
Combine all ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Before use — shake well.
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