WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY
CHICKWEED – Stellaris media
Chickweed is one of my favorite herbs. You can use all aerial parts of the plant. My husband has gotten into trouble more than once when he got rid of it from garden beds. Chickens and small birds enjoy feeding on Chickweed as well – probably the reason for its name. Chickweed is very nourishing, it contains many minerals and vitamins such as vitamin C, copper, iron, phosphorus and potassium.
My preference is to use Chickweed raw in salads, added to smoothies and the Jungle Juice, and as a garnish on sandwiches and in wraps. The flavour is mild and as with many herbs the younger plants are preferable. Especially when using it raw for salads and toppings, the stems of more mature plants get stringy, so you may only want to us the (flowering) tops. Try mixing it into cream cheese or make a herbal butter by adding chives and chickweed and maybe a bit of flax oil.
You can also add Chickweed to soups and other cooked dishes. However, you don’t want to cook Chickweed for more than a few minutes; therefore I suggest you add it towards the end after any other vegetables and greens have their required tenderness.
Medicinally Chickweed is very soothing to the skin. I like to use it externally for skin conditions such as eczema and itchy skin. It also has a cooling effect. Apparently the herb is also used as a tea in natural weight loss programs; however, I do not have any personal experience with this application. Less well known is the fact that Chickweed helps to soothe stomach ulcers and other digestive ailments.
Have fun, be creative and I hope you will enjoy Chickweed as much as I do.
Green blessings,
Gudrun
WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY
In the following weeks I will share information about some of the so-called weeds and how you can add them to your food menu. Many of the “weeds” have a greater nutritional value than cultivated vegetables.
Let’s start with the “pesky” DANDELION that adds so much vibrant yellow to the landscape right now; the blossoms look like little suns reaching up to the sky. Dandelion is a great friend for an ailing digestive system. Medicinally the leaves are used internally as a diuretic and stimulant for the gall bladder; the root provides support for the digestive system especially the liver. The milky juice from the stems is applied externally to warts and skin blemishes.
Dandelion GREENS are more nutritious than spinach; they contain many vitamins (i.e. vitamin A, C and D) and minerals (i.e. calcium, potassium and iron). Another constituent, photosterols support the body by preventing the accumulation of cholesterol.
The greens should be harvested before the flowers appear; either for immediate use or kept in the fridge for up to 5-6 days after they have been rinsed with cold water. You may want to store them in a damp dish towel. Leaves that are lighter in colour have less of a bitter taste as do younger leaves.
FOOD USES: My favorite is to add Dandelion greens to a salad, scrambled eggs or the Jungle Juice (see previous post). You can also add them to smoothies, guacamole or baking such as pancakes, muffins and biscuits.
Dried leaves, stored in an airtight container, can be prepared as an infusion (tea).
FLOWERS: Gather while in full bloom and fully open. Pluck the petals and add to any baking or water to make a cold infusion. Dandelion flowers don’t keep well, therefore they should be used within a few hours of harvesting. You can also make wine or syrup from the flowers.
ENJOY and be creative. Feel free to share your Dandelion experiences and recipes.
Stay tuned for the next weedy post.
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.
CRAVINGS FOR CHOCOLATE?
Healthy Chocolate Treat – WARNING: ADDICTIVE!
Here is your answer for the times when the cravings for chocolate are overpowering but you do not want to eat junk.
Thank you Crystal for introducing me to the basic recipe! It is so fast and easy to make and absolutely delicious. Be creative, the recipe allows for many variations.
Combine the following ingredients, slowly heat and stir until well mixed:
1/4 cup peanut butter (organic; I like chunky)
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp. honey
Add the following and simmer mixture for about 5 minutes and take off heat:
1/4 cup organic raw cacao powder
1/4 cup maple syrup, high quality coconut or agave syrup or a combination
1-2 tsp. vanilla extract
Options:
1. Fast and easy (my favorite): pour mixture into a dish lined with parchment paper, or,
2. Pour/spoon into small candy moulds or cup cake paper cups. Place in fridge or freezer.
ENJOY!
Variations:
Add hemp hearts, dried cranberries or cherries, shredded coconut…
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
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
GENERATION ZAPPED
I have not watched this documentary yet but it is a topic of great interest and concern to me. I trust that the film is well worth watching. We need to educate ourselves and dig for the truth so we can make responsible decisions and if necessary fight, not only for our own well-being but especially for the health of our children, grandchildren and the Earth.
“A wifi classroom is like the inside of a microwave oven set at very low power. Children are exposed to that wifi radiation six hours every school day, five days a week, and for several months during the year.”
– Magda Havas, Associate Professor of Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, Canada
GENERATION ZAPPED investigates the potential dangers of prolonged exposure to Radio Frequencies (RF) from wireless technology; its effects on our health and well-being, as well as the health and development of our children. From its links to breast and brain cancer, to its associations with increased infertility and genetic mutations related to autism and ADHD, to newly developed illnesses, such as Electrical Hyper-Sensitivity (EHS).
So how can we uncover the facts and reduce our exposure to limit the associated health risks during this technological revolution? GENERATION ZAPPED attempts to do just that.
Here’s the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7R4gKs8ViI
PLAGUED BY A PERSISTENT COUGH?
Here are some tips and simple home remedies to support the body in overcoming this affliction regardless of what causes the cough.
1. Cut out all mucous forming foods, especially dairy and wheat as well as all foods you know you are sensitive to.
2. Change your diet to at least 70% raw and drink lots of carrot juice and green smoothies.
3. Drink lots of good water – city water is typically full of chemicals and not recommended for consumption on a regular basis.
4. Keep the chest warm with appropriate clothing.
5. Apply poultices to the chest, i.e. onion poultice or castor oil pack (see DVD “Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone”, Disc 2 for instructions)
6. Cough Syrup – homemade, simple yet effective:
Cut up an onion, place in glass jar and cover with honey (honey can be hard; the juice of the onion will liquefy the honey).
Let sit for several hours to several days and strain. Take 1 tsp. as needed.
7. Herbs to use are the ones with anti-microbial properties such as Garlic and Thyme and expectorants for example Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) and Fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum-graecum).
You can find good combination teas for the support of the respiratory system at the health food stores.
Spring cleansing made easy!
Time to think about SPRING CLEANSING – even though it may not feel like it while winter wonderland is still with us.
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.
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