April 28, 2010
Long Live the Placebo Effect
The placebo effect is in the news yet again. Seems that all those millions of dollars worth of antidepressants people are buying aren’t really all they’re cracked up to be. But, we knew that all along, didn’t we? What about the devastating side effects many people experience using these drugs? Are they a kind of anti-placebo-effect? Or are they just the result of lacing our bodies with bizarre chemicals that we are not designed to process?
Natural healers work under the assumption that human bodies and minds have the capacity to heal themselves, if they’re treated well. The belief that one can heal is the best part of the placebo effect. The sugar pill is just a tangible representation of our ability to heal. If we don’t hold that belief, it’s not likely that good health will be restored, in any case. In my opinion, no one would ever get well without the placebo effect.
Natural healers provide people with the knowledge and the means to undo and correct the lifelong conditioning that has led to ill health. We show you how to treat yourself well. We help you build confidence that you really are capable of coming to a place of vibrant health by eliminating your detrimental habits and replacing them with the habits that support both mental and physical health. We offer guidance along the way, since it’s hard to do it alone.
There are natural alternatives to any drug that’s ever been compounded in a lab. My job is to know what they are and help my clients determine which of them is most appropriate for their special situation. Whether the remedies are based on chemical substances, nutrition, habit changes, mental conditioning, energy manipulation, or anything else, the belief that it’s possible to heal is essential to success.
Long live the placebo effect!
April 26, 2010
Herbal Happiness
I have now fallen into a comfortable routine for making and using my herbal infusions. In the evening, I put a kettle of water on to boil, weigh out my ounce of dried herb and funnel it into a Mason jar, fill the jar with boiling water, and cover to steep overnight. In the morning, I strain the infusion, pressing well with the back of a spoon, pour the infusion back into the rinsed jar, then bless my herb garden with the remains. The thyme and oregano look simply amazing this year, and the chives are stunning. Of course, I pour off a little glass of infusion to sip while I’m doing my morning tasks. I drink about 6 ounces at a time throughout the day.
I’ve also been making a lavender/chamomile infusion which only steeps for 30 minutes, since the chamomile is quite bitter beyond that (ask me how I know). I only drink a couple of ounces of it at bedtime.
My skin and nails are improving. I’m sleeping soundly. My appetite is under control because I feel well nourished. While I’m pleased with the comfrey, chickweed, oatstraw and nettles, I’m looking forward to expanding my herbal pantry and trying some new varieties.
I’ll probably be out harvesting dandelion blossoms soon, too, to make some dandelion vinegar.
April 17, 2010
Stocking the Pantry
I always feel more secure when I have my pantry stocked with “non-perishable” items which may be used to create quick, healthy meals when I’m too busy to shop, or have forgotten to thaw anything for dinner.
Here’s a tasty, healthy bowl of food I put together yesterday from items I keep on hand.
Lentil Soup
makes 2 generous servings
1/2 c. lentils
1/2 c. mixed dehydrated soup vegetables
1 quart chicken or vegetable broth
3/4 tsp. curry powder
Place all ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a boil, and simmer covered for an hour or so.
How simple is that?
Of course, if you’re not a curry fan, you can season your soup with any combination of herbs and spices you prefer. And you could change the flavor by changing the kind of broth you choose. Beef, turkey, or ham broth might be interesting choices. And you may select brown, green, or yellow lentils. You could brighten the flavor with a spritz of fresh lemon juice, if you have one on hand.
And if it’s not enough of a meal this way, you may want to serve it on a mound of cooked brown rice. (If you don’t want to take the time to cook brown rice, there are plenty of pre-cooked, packaged options out there for your convenience. My favorite is Trader Joe’s.)
This high-fiber, high-nutrition, no-work meal can be just an hour away! I would recommend using that hour while your soup simmers to treat yourself to some quality time with yourself or your loved ones.
April 10, 2010
Herbal Infusion Update
I started out thinking I was going to sip a cup of herbal infusion each evening. It wasn’t long before I decided it would be nice to also have a cup in the morning. Then one day just after lunch, it seemed like another cup would be delightful!
It’s hard to explain the benefits. Yes, my digestion and elimination have improved. I’ve dropped a couple of unwanted pounds. My mind seems a bit more clear and focused. But in general, I just feel so well-nourished.
I’ve been rotating through the nettles, chickweed, oatstraw, and comfrey, pretty much at random. Although some people would add a bit of sweetener, I’m finding them quite fine without. The oatstraw is the tastiest, but I look forward to each one, in turn.
I’ve quickly become convinced that this dietary practice is a good thing. I won’t be stopping any time soon.
March 31, 2010
Seasonal Allergies
I love spring. Other people don’t love it as much as I do because they suffer from allergies that spring up along with the flowers, leaves, and grasses. In order to mitigate the uncomfortable symptoms of seasonal allergies, I’ve compiled a list of my best recommendations. These suggestions apply for people of any age, with dosage adjustments for the little ones.
- MMS, the Miracle Mineral Supplement, has become my go-to remedy for so many things. It takes on bacteria, viruses, molds, yeasts, and parasites. It works in the respiratory system, digestive system, and circulatory system. It’s fast-acting and thorough. I consider it the best option for spring cleaning our body!
- MSM is the active ingredient extracted from DMSO. It is available in capsules for convenient dosing. It works as an anti-inflammatory.
- Cell salts are an easy and uncomplicated way to use homeopathic healing principles. Hyland’s #5, Kali Mur. 6X, is recommended for allergies. These are generally available at health food stores.
- Vitamin D3 has been in the news a lot lately. Most people in our area are apparently deficient in this vitamin. It helps prevent everything from depression to cancer, allergy symptoms included. People with spring allergies may tend to stay inside to avoid the allergens, but this only increases the likelihood of vitamin D deficiency.
- Vitamin C is still a great anti-oxidant and respiratory system healer. Increasing Vitamin C intake during allergy season is probably a good idea. A tasty and refreshing way to do this is with Emergen-C packets, which will also give you a little energy boost in the afternoon, if you need it.
- Neti Pots are wonderful. Nasal irrigation is a great way to clear out your sinuses and breathe better. Along with sea salt, I was advised to add a teaspoon each of glycerin and Betadyne to my warm water to help eliminate any chronic sinus infection I might be carrying. This worked well for me, so I also recommend these additions.
- Essential oil of oregano may be inhaled to help clear the head and chest. For this application, use only 100% pure essential oil or oregano. Read the label to make sure it is not adulterated. On the other hand, if you intend to apply the oil to your body in any way, make sure it is diluted sufficiently to avoid irritation. It’s very powerful stuff!
- Dietary changes can help eliminate many allergy symptoms. Avoiding dairy products and gluten may relieve a lot of problems. Switch out your soda pop (regular or diet) for sparkling water with a splash of fruit juice. If you must sweeten beverages, use stevia, available in either powder or drops.
- Spend a lot of time in environments with climate controlled, filtered air, especially for sleeping.
Using any or all of these suggestions may transform your experience of spring! If you require further assistance with acquiring these products or advice on lifestyle changes, please contact me for a consultation.
March 30, 2010
Nettle Infusion
I’m working on my third batch of nettle infusion. I started out thinking I was going to have a glass each evening. My plan has evolved into drinking a small glass whenever the urge arises, which turns out to be about three times a day. My body seems to be craving it.
It tastes quite “grassy,” but pleasant enough. It’s hard to pinpoint what the benefits may have been. An overall sense of well-being? A feeling of being nourished? Nothing negative, in any case. When I finish this batch, I think I’ll move on to the next one, probably the chickweed, and see what happens with that.
March 27, 2010
I’m My Own Lab Rat
Recently, I listened in on an interview with the herbalist, SuSun Weed, about the power of herbal infusions. I’ve been using herbs in various formats for many years, but hearing her voice the benefits of this method was a real mind-opener. She was so inspirational, I popped online that evening and ordered myself a supply of oatstraw, nettles, chickweed and comfrey. I showed enough restraint not to order the entire catalog, although it was tempting.
Herbal infusions are like herbal tea to the nth power. Instead of a teaspoon of herb steeped for 10 minutes, the infusion starts with an ounce of dried herb in a quart canning jar. Boiling water is added up to the neck, and the infusion is allowed to steep for at least 4 hours. Then the fluid is strained off, pressing the herbs well to extract as much liquid as possible. The spent herb is added to the garden soil with honor and gratitude.
In my experience, this recipe yields about 3 cups of infusion. Quantities may be doubled if you have a 2-quart canning jar, or make 2 at a time.
For best healing results, one will drink 1 to 2 cups of the infusion each day. Results will depend on which herbs you use to heal which conditions.
While I was waiting for my shipment to arrive, I made a batch of lavender/chamomile infusion, since I had those herbs on hand. I drank a cup each evening to see if the quality of my sleep would improve. I don’t recall being quite so relaxed in a long time.
I noticed in SuSun’s book, Healing Wise, that she recommends herbal “simples,” which are remedies made from one single herb. For experimental purposes, I will no longer be mixing the herbs I use for infusions. And I will pay attention when she says chamomile only requires a 30-minute steep!
I plan to focus on a single herb for a week at a time, and let you know of any significant results.
February 3, 2010
Aromatherapy Delight
Recently, I whipped up a new aromatherapy blend to use in my bath. Please understand that “aromatherapy” does NOT mean chemical fragrance oils that some lab rat thinks smells like pear, or whatever. I’m talking about 100% pure essential oils distilled from plants. Real aromatherapy.
Anyway, my blend consists of rose geranium, rosewood, sandalwood, and vetiver oils. Five drops of the blend in my bath, along with a cup or so of Epsom salts, turns the bathing experience into something akin to an hour on a psychiatrist’s couch! Very emotionally grounding and healing. And it smells wonderful. That’s why I named it “Delight.”
Years of using and adapting recipes found in books have paid off in opening my intuitive sensitivities to the oils. One of my “go-to” references for blending oils has long been Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, by Gabriel Mojay. But now, I go to it after I’ve already made the blend and used it a while, just to verify my experience with it. Subtitled A guide to restoring emotional and mental balance though essential oils, this remarkable work details the emotional effects of around 40 different oils, then presents blending suggestions to alleviate dozens of specific difficult emotional states.
So get rid of that Glade Plug-In! It’ll trash your liver and may even burn down your house. Try some real aromatherapy, and experience the difference. You’ll be delighted.
January 3, 2010
New Life
Last night, we fired up our Aerogarden again. This time, we selected the salad greens collection instead of the herbs. It will be wonderful to have fresh greens enlivening our cuisine during the upcoming winter weeks. If we were rolling in dough and had lots of room, I could easily see having tomatoes/peppers, herbs, salad greens, strawberries and flowers all going at once!
There’s something very exciting and satisfying about watching seeds germinate and plants grow lush and lovely… especially in middle of winter when such things are not expected. And then the harvest! Getting to prepare a salad with lettuce you’ve nurtured from the beginning. What a gift!
