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
HERBS TO THE RESCUE – BEE & WASP STINGS
This year seems to be especially bad for people getting stung by bees or bit by wasps. I know of many people who have been affected, including myself, and ouch, it really hurts. With the help of Mother Nature I was fortunately able to avert a potentially severe reaction.
Always remember PLANTAIN (Plantago major or minor) in any situation involving insect bites. If you cannot find Plantain, the leaves of FIREWEED (Epilobium)/Chamerion angustifolium) can be used instead.
WHAT TO DO?
Pick a few leaves, CHEW them up until they become moist, and immediately apply to the area of concern. Hold the leaves in place as long as needed. You may need to replace the poultice with fresh leaves after a while. It is amazing how well this simple “trick” works and how good it feels.
NOTE: For best results, you have to actually chew the leaves rather than just crushing them with your hands because your saliva activates the action of the plant. If you have the tendency to an allergic reaction, increase your vitamin C intake and drink Stinging Nettle tea (anti-allergenic; anti-histamine) at the same time. For a description of Plantain and additional information, check out my post from June 1, 2019.
Green Blessings
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 FOR THOUGHT - MONKEY BUSINESS
“The further society drifts away from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” – George Orwell
Surprised that we are facing the next global health crisis?
Would you be surprised to find out:
• that our government posted a request for tenders for the development of a “jab” relevant to this current “outbreak” PRIOR to the announcement of the first case of the monkey business? (see link below)
• that over one year ago (March 2021) there was an international bio-security conference in Munich where participants held a table top simulation of a global pandemic involving this latest disease that is apparently spreading across the globe? According to the conference’s published schedule of future events the first case was to be reported mid May of 2022. Co-incidence? (see link below)
Remember the importance of educating yourself outside of mainstream media and that the emotions of fear and anger are strong suppressants of our immune system.
Green blessings, Gudrun
FOOD FOR THOUGHT - POWER GRAB BY THE WHO?
“The welfare of the people in particular has always been the alibi of tyrants.” – Albert Camus
Did you know that in less than two weeks there will be an important vote at the WHO that, if passed, will have far reaching consequences for our future? The International Health Regulations amendments could literally end national sovereignty.
As always, I encourage you to educate yourself and come to your own conclusions. For more information on this and other topics, follow this link. https://rainbowhealing.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-05-14-Attachment.docx
Finally the trees are starting to shimmer green and the frogs are croaking, announcing the late arrival of spring
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.
.
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/
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