Daily Herb-o-Scope - Watermelon

          Summertime festivities just wouldn’t be complete without watermelon. You know you picked a good fruit when you bite into a slice and the juice runs down chin and neck. Ummm! But watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) has benefits that extend beyond a tasty fruit.

          In Chinese medicine, watermelon, known a Xi Gua, is often referred to as a natural White Tiger Decoction, an herbal formula that treats heat stroke and summer heat. This tasty summer delight contains 92% water, more than any other fruit which helps to cool the body, relieve thirst and generate fluids. It’s high in vitamins and minerals and is a great source of antioxidants and other anti-cancer compounds. The fruit also helps to detoxify the body by increasing the frequency of urination and therefore helping the body to release toxins. Watermelon juice makes a great topical treatment for sunburns. It helps to cool the skin and promotes healing. 

          I always buy organic, but it’s nice to know that watermelons are one of the 15 cleanest fruits and veggies that are least likely to contain pesticides. So if you don’t want to pay extra for organic it’s ok. Just make sure to wipe down your fruit with a wet rag before indulging. 

          To get the maximum benefits from watermelon you should eat the pink part as well as the white part in between the pink fruit and green rind. A great way to enjoy both the white and the pink part of the fruit is to cut the green rind from the fruit and in a blender mix the remaining fruit. It makes a very tasty and refreshing drink. You can also freeze this juice in ice cube trays. They make a great addition to your water or cocktails on a warm summer day.

References

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=8315650&page=1

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31#nutritionalprofile

http://www.yinyanghouse.com/theory/herbalmedicine/xi_gua_tcm_herbal_database

http://tcmworld.org/publications/harmony/summer_2006/h2-taste/

http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fruits-vegetables/watermelon-benefits.php

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Find the Fire and Inspire

          It is an indescribable feeling when you do something that truly satisfies you soul. It's not always easy to find the inspiration to make a difference even if it's in your own life. Today, try to step outside of your comfortable box and do something different, something inspiring.

          I'll admit that I have wanted to start writing a blog for over a year. I kept making excuses as to why I couldn't start and when it came down to it, I was flat out scared. Scared to say something stupid, scared to offend someone and just scared of exposing myself to the world. Then I had a moment of clarity: I can only be me. I realized that I can only speak my truth, how other people interprite it is up to them. I feel so fulfilled since I became inspired and started speaking my truth. People in 5 different countries have already read what I have to say and the feeling is so empowering. In the end I think we all just want to to find our voice and we all just want to be heard.

          So my advice is to do something that you feel is worth while. Volunteer, take a class, do that thing that you have always wanted to do but always made excuses as to why you shouldn't. Life is limitless and when you love who you are and you love what you do, what else matters?

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Get your eyes right with Eyebright

Eyebright (Euphrasia spp.) is a good example of the law of similar. This is the idea that like is cured by like, so if a plant looks like a particular part of the body then it is likely to help that part of the body. Eyebright flowers resemble blood shot eyes and as its name describes, eyebright helps to promote healthy eyes and treats inflamed and unhealthy eyes. The areal parts of the plant are used medicinally (leaves and flowers) having antibacterial, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.  Eyebright has a bitter taste and is cool and dry.  

In 1903 John William Fyfe describe eyebright as being helpful in cases of “profuse secretions of mucus from the eyes and nose especially when there heat and pain in the frontal region.” In 1922 Harvey Wickes Feltner expanded on this saying” it is equally effective when acute catarrhs” (inflammation of the mucous membranes with discharge) “extend to the ears through the Eustachian passage and are attended by earache, headache, sneezing and coughing.”  I like to quote these early texts because they give a very detailed picture of the symptomology that specific plants address.

 Overall, Eyebright is great for issues of the upper respiratory system by helping to resolve mucus damp and stop discharge. It can be used for prevention and relief in the early stages of sinus infections, colds, congestion, hoarseness, pinkeye, sore throat, styes, conjunctivitis, eye strain, weak vision, vertigo, and scratches to the eyeball. 

 Eyebright also stimulates the liver to clean the blood. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) this effect on the liver explains why eyebright is helpful to the eyes. TCM describes the liver as opening to the eyes. So the health of the liver can be seen in the condition and health of the eyes. Jaundice is a good illustration of this. When the liver is in severe distress there is a yellowing of the eyes.

Eyebright tea or the fresh pressed juice can be used as an eye wash for many eye issues or as a nasal wash but you must be very careful that you are using a sterile container. To make an eyebath using tea, put 1.5 grams of herb into 1 cup of boiling water for about 10 minutes. Then strain and refrigerate the liquid in an airtight sterile container. Use within two days. If you have reoccurring eye issues, you may want to purchase an eyecup. Its a little cup that fits around the eye so you can easily do an eyewash. Eyebright can also be taken internally as a tea or a tincture. Peter Holms suggests an infusion of 6-16grams or 2-5 ml of tincture that is a 1:3 ratio in 40 percent alcohol.

          Although generally regarded as safe, eyebright may cause constipation, confusion, coughing, headache, sneezing and tearing of the eyes. Also avoid use during pregnancy and in cases of extreme congestion because it may make the condition worse.  For serious eye disorders, use eyebright only under the guidance of a health care professional.

Eyebright can be a great addition for individuals who are stuck behind a computer to combat eye strain. Making a blend of eyebright and bilberry can have a great effect on enhancing vision. Taken internally or used topically this herb is sure to help you see clearer.

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Get Some Sleep with Natural remedies for insomnia

Insomnia can be devastating to both the body and the mind. There is nothing worse then lying in bed awake, hours after you should be sleeping. I feel like more and more I am hearing of people having trouble with the necessity of sleep. There are many things an individual can do to help relieve the symptoms of insomnia but until the root of the problem is addressed, insomnia will always be an issue.

There are two categories of insomnia. The first form is sleep onset insomnia where there is difficulty falling asleep. This may be due to anxiety and stress, environmental issues, emotional issues, phobia of sleep, the fear of not being able to fall asleep, pain, caffeine, alcohol and/or drugs. The second category is maintenance insomnia where the is frequent or early waking. This can be due to sleep apnoea, pain, drugs and alcohol, hypoglycemia or depression. Participation in a sleep study may be needed to rule out any serious conditions.

There are many herbs that can be taken to help with insomnia. If the problem is long term it is important to help build and tonify the nervous system. Herbs that are nervous system restoratives include: American, Asian and Siberian Ginseng, Oatstraw and berry, Flowering knotweed (He Shou Wu), stinging nettles and Schisandra berries. For symptom relief herbs such as lavender, chamomile, hops, oats, passion flower, skullcap and lemon balm can all be used as a tincture or as a tea 30 minutes before bed to promote rest. Valerian is also a common herb used in cases of insomnia, however it can be habit forming and in some people it has an energizing effect. You may wish to brew extra tea is you have maintenance insomnia and continually wake up in the middle of the night. Drink this tea when you wake up or pulse dose additional tincture.   

Essential Oils can be very helpful when you are unable to fall asleep. I find oils such as Roman Chamomile, lavender, sweet marjoram, neroli and valerian very helpful at bed time. You can purchase an electric diffuser that can help vaporize the oil. In school I heard of a man who had an awful time trying to sleep but he had also lost his olfactory function and couldn't smell anything. He bought an electric diffuser and vaporized lavender essential oil and although he could not smell, he experienced the best night sleep he had in a long time. Essential oils can also be sprinkled on you pillow or mixed with water in a spray bottle and misted of the bed before bed time.

There is a long list of things that many individuals have found helpful when dealing with insomnia. It's important to find what changes in your routine work for you. Listed are a few lifestyle changes:

· Meditation before bed can help calm the mind and stop racing thoughts.

· No TV 1/2 hour before bed time. Too much visual stimulation makes it hard for your system to turn off when you are ready for bed.

· Expressing your anxieties and worries can help to ease stress and help individuals to sleep. Try not to keep worries bottled up. If you can't express these issues, how do you expect to resolve them?

· Certain prescriptions can cause insomnia and may need to be taken earlier in the day rather than before bed.

· Going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time every day can help the body to establish natural rhythms and can help reduce any sleep issues.

· Avoid sleeping medication. Pharmaceutical can promote the wrong type of sleep, reducing REM sleep and leaving you feeling groggy and exhausted.

· Avoid alcohol. It may initially help you fall asleep but it can disrupt your sleep cycle later in the night.

· Exercise during the day helps to tire the body and the mind, making it easier to fall asleep at bed time.

· Take a warm bath before bed. If you include a few drops of lavender essential oil it can be even more beneficial.

· For dinner, eat foods that are high in tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin which helps regulate sleep.

· Vitamin B3, B6 and magnesium all help with the conversion of tryptophan to serotonin.

· Avoid foods high in tyramine a precursor to norepinephrine which is a brain stimulant.

Traditional Chinese Medicine really seeks to find the cause of the problem and address it. Insomnia is just a symptom within a bigger picture. Kidney Yin deficiency, blood deficiency and Liver Fire are just a of the bigger syndromes that might include a symptom of insomnia. If insomnia is an ongoing problem for you, I suggest making an appointment with an herbalist or with an acupuncturist that is also studied in herbal medicine. This way the root of the problem can be addressed producing long term relief.

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Natural remedies for Grief

                 The passing of our loved ones can cause so much grief and turmoil in ones life. Grief is such a strong and hopeless emotion that for some it's so easy to get stuck in a bottomless pit of depression and yet others turn to pharmaceuticals to repress the grief. I want to provide some herbal and natural remedies for getting through the difficult time of coping with grief.

          In Chinese medicine, grief can injure and weaken the lungs causing shortness of breath, shallow breathing and making us more susceptible to catching colds. Repressed grief can cause more long term issues of the lungs including asthma, emphysema and allergies. Deep breathing exercises helps to tonify the lungs and release grief. One exercise that you might find helpful is to breathe in through your nose for 5 counts, hold for 5 counts and then breathe out through your mouth for five counts and then hold for five counts. Repeat at least 10 times and do it as many times throughout the day as you find helpful. There are also many herbs that can be helpful to tonify the lungs and help the body deal with the stress of loss. I suggest using adaptogenic herbs like astragalus, reishi, ashwaganda, eleuthero and licorice root.

          Uplifting and euphoric essential oils can be helpful in lifting you spirits. Bach flower remedies have proven to be useful along with essential oils such as neroli, melissa, jasmine and what I would consider to be the most helpful, rose essential oil. The smell of rose is so comforting and soothing that it can penetrate the heart; however, rose essential oil can be very expensive. I suggest purchasing rose water or rose hydrosol. It's not as pricey and still elicits a similar response.

          Receiving flowers after the death of a loved one is very common in American culture, and internally flowers can be as wonderful as they are esthetically pleasing. Try making an tea infusion from flowers such as chamomile, rose petals, hawthorn leaf and flowers, hibiscus or St. John's Wort.

          The physical manifestations of grief and include insomnia, poor appetite and physical exhaustion. Herbs can help to promote relaxation and rest, and calm and soothe in times of grieving. Such herbs can include lemon balm, lemon verbena, passion flower, and chamomile to name a few. Vitamin B complex and a magnesium and calcium supplements can also be beneficial while grieving.

           As hard as it may seem, the grief must be acknowledged. If we repress this hopeless emotion we can become cold and rigid. Crying helps to free the heart and make room for love. By shedding tears, it helps to clean the wounds of loss. Don't discredit the importance and value of bereavement counseling. It can be very helpful to talk to someone who knows what you are going through. All else aside, be sure to nurture yourself in this painful period and hopefully with time you will find the piece of yourself that was lost.

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Old Fashion Homemade Marshmallow Root Candies

It’s crazy to think that the fluffy and sticky marshmallows that we roast over camp fires have herbal healing origins. Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) is no longer an ingredient in the common marshmallows but back in the day, this mucilaginous herb was prepared into candies to get kids to eat this plant, helping with coughs and other respiratory issues. Its mucilaginous feature makes it very soothing to irritated and inflamed mucous membranes especially the lungs and the GI tract. In the Respiratory system, Marshmallow root is indicated for asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis and a dry and unproductive cough (not coughing up much gunk).  Because of marshmallow root’s moistening property and its content of fiber, this plant is also great at dealing with GI issues including IBS and Crohn’s disease or when there is hard dry stool or issues of urgent burning bowel movements.  

          

So after a long weekend of eating the conventional marshmallow loaded with ingredients that no one should eat I thought I’d try to make old fashion marshmallow candies. The receipt I found is from Lesley Tierra.





Ingredients:

Ø      2 egg whites

Ø      1 tsp vanilla

Ø      ½ cup raw cane sugar

Ø      1 tbsp powdered marshmallow root

Directions

Ø      Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F

Ø      Separate 2 eggs, keeping the whites (I also kept the yolks for breakfast tomorrow)

Ø      Whip the eggs whites until they are foamy. Don’t get them too stiff because there is still some mixing to do

Ø      While continuing to whip the egg whites, add in the other ingredients - add the vanilla first

Ø      Slowly add the sugar

Ø      Add the marshmallow powder

Ø      When it is well blended, scope mixture onto the cookie sheet. For smaller candies use a teaspoon of mixture at a time. I used a tablespoon to get bigger marshmallows.

Ø      Bake for 1 hour.

Ø      Remove them form the cookie sheet and let them cool before enjoying.

      Here are some photos from the process

Start whipping the egg whites

Egg whites are whipped and ready to add the other ingredients

Other ingredients have been added

Scooped and ready to bake

Finished Product!

    I must say they were very tasty, crunchy on the outside and gooey on the inside; however, they do not resemble modern marshmallows. Overall I think these old fashion marshmallow candies would make a great remedy for kids that they would enjoy.

Daily Herb-o-Scope - Exercise!

      I really wanted to keep today's post short and sweet, mainly for two reasons. First, I don't want to sound like I'm preaching. Most people know how important it is to exercise. Second, my weekend starts today with a three day camping trip and I still have some packing to do.

"A well used gate gathers no rust."

      This proverb has stuck with me for several years. If you keep your body moving you are less likely to see age related musculoskeletal issues. So this summer find something exercise related that you like to do. Swim, walk, hike, play tennis or get friends together for a game of flag football. Exercise doesn't have to mean spending time in the gym. It can be enjoyable and very fulfilling. So find your movement in whatever form it takes. Have a wonderful weekend hopefully filled with exercise.