WEEDS FOR WELLNESS – A GUIDE TO YOUR BACKYARD PHARMACY
PLANTAIN – PLANTAGO MAJOR
Plantain is one of the most versatile herbal medicines. We can use the leaves, seeds and roots but I will focus on the use of the leaves in the post. Most of you will have come across it. Most commonly around here we find broad-leaved Plantain (Plantago major). The plant grows along waysides, in gardens, lawns, pastures, meadows and cultivated fields. The leaves are very broad ovate and surround the stem in a basal rosette.
Plantain, just like so many other so-called weeds, is rich with nutrients including vitamins A, C, K, zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and silicic acid. Remember that the nutritional value of any (edible) plant depends greatly on the soil it is growing in. Silica promotes tissue repair, in this case specifically in the lungs. Zinc enhances immune system function. Plantain also contains mucilage. Mucilage has a soothing effect on any tissue.
Internally Plantain is primarily used for any respiratory tract challenges, it restores the lungs and helps to expel mucous. It is helpful in conditions such as coughs including nervous cough, bronchitis, lung infections, allergic asthma and any other congestion incl. sinus and ear infections. I always have a jar of dried leaves on hand in the winter for my grand children. As a tea it can also be useful in cases of urinary tract infections or simple irritation.
Internally and externally it is a great wound healer for sores, cuts, scratches, dog bites, ulcers and burns. Applied as a poultice it provides instant relief from insect bites. Chew on a few leaves to get the juice from the plant flowing and apply directly to the irritated area(s). It is amazing how good this feels.
Plantain has many more usages but these are the most common ones.
As food you can add some leaves to the Jungle Juice or salad, use as spinach (cook only for a few minutes) or as a potherb. The younger leaves are preferable to older ones. And of course, you can make an herbal tea from the leaves as well.
I highly recommend that you get out there, harvest this miracle herb and add it to some of your dishes. But not only this, make sure you dry some for use in fall and winter in case a nasty cough gets hold of you.
Happy herballing and green blessings,
Gudrun
JUNGLE JUICE
Thank you for your interest in my signature drink. Here is the information and recipe you were asking for. The u-tube video, demonstrating how to create this delicious concoction, is a segment taken from my DVD, Herbal Pharmacy for Everyone. A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Your Own Herbal Preparations. The DVD is available from my website, www.herbalinstructions.com or you can contact me directly.
Happy herbaling and green blessings,
Gudrun
DID YOU KNOW that we may LOSE ACCESS TO many more NATURAL HEALTH PRODUCTS?
Knowledge is power. Here is your chance to educate yourself about the proposed “Natural Health Products (NHP) Regulations”.
Live Webinar with lawyer Shawn Buckley – May 13, 2019 at 6pm MST
Shawn Buckley is a lawyer who has focused on protecting our rights under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and on testing the constitutional validity of legislation. He will explain how Health Canada’s new regulations will affect all of us – consumers, retailers and NHP manufacturers.
If we want our rights and freedom to be protected, we need to stop being complacent!
SPRING CLEANING the NATURAL WAY- Part 2
Tired of watching the arrival of spring through dirty windows? Want to turn spring cleaning into a fun experience with your (grand)children? If yes, following is recipe for a window cleaner you might want to give a try.
Ingredients
1. 120ml white vinegar
2. Fresh lemon juice (from about 1/2 lemon)
3. 1 Tbsp cornflour
4. 120 ml water
Place vinegar, lemon juice and corn flour in a bowl and whisk to mix.
Add the water.
Fill mixture into glass or plastic bottle.
Shake before use.
Should store for up to one month. You can spray the cleaner onto the glass or dip a crumpled up newspaper in the solution. Clean in circular motion.
Have fun and green blessings,
Gudrun
Greetings from Down Under
“Nobody can do for little children what grandparents do.
Grandparents sort of sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children.”
– Alex Haley
Greetings from Down Under in Australia where I get to bond with the latest addition to our family, our fourth grand daughter, 2 1/2 weeks old. I am very grateful to have the opportunity to be part of these precious moments in life.
You might want to check this out: Gift of Grandparents
https://stevemccurry.blog/2019/04/03/gift-of-grandparents-2/
Green Blessings,
Gudrun
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU to all of you for your wonderful and kind words in response to my TEDx talk! The positive feedback has been overwhelming and at the same so rewarding. The experience of the event will always remain a highlight of my life and I am so grateful to have had this opportunity.
If you have not watched the talk yet, please find the link below. The talk is only 11 minutes long.
Thank you again for your support.
Green blessings,
Gudrun
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 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.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Albert Einstein:
“The world’s problems cannot be solved by the same manner of thinking that caused them in the first place.”
Please remember to share the link to my TEDx talk (https://youtu.be/Fit7BqpBDLE) so that more people and the Earth may benefit.
HEALING FROM THE RAINBOW Introduction to Light and Colour Therapy Workshop
Presented by Gudrun Penselin, M.E.D. Clinical Herbal Therapist, Bach Flower Practitioner & Author
Come to enjoy a colourful time, learn how to make light and colour part of your Journey to Health!
Join us Sunday March 24, 2019
Time: 1-4pm
Cost $80.00 plus GST
Limited Seating Call Now!
RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY 250.782.4656
Have you ever thought about the possibility that light and colour influence us greatly, physically, emotionally and spiritually? Our lives and well-being are truly dependent upon the sun. Life on Earth evolved under natural sunlight and has existed under that full spectrum of light that it contains. Many pre-historic tribes and even entire civilizations worshiped the sun for its healing powers, using its full spectrum of light to treat physical and mental challenges.
Through various exercises you will be able to experience the effects of light and colour – physically, emotionally as well as spiritually. Light and colour are very simple, yet powerful tools that can be integrated easily into a person’s daily life.
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