AUGUST 24, 2023 ANGELICA

How some herbs get their names is quite unusual. An example is the herb Angelica (Angelica archangelica, Angelica atropurpurea). Angelica has been used a food and medicine for centuries. If you are a historian or know someone who is, the herb, angelica is usually associated with the bubonic plague. Some herbalists recount the story that a monk had a dream in which the arch angel St Michael appeared. Her told the monk what herb to use during the plague decimating Europe. Today modern studies have revealed that angelica is an immune booster as well as an anti bacterial, viral and fungal agent. Since this herb is also associated with Mary the Virgin, many herbalists use this herb for gynecological problems. What troubles me is that I do not see it in Duke's Medicinal Plants of the Bible.

I love how some herbalists describe angelica as a flower. They discuss her poise, her stance and her fragrance. You get the feeling that she--Angelica is an actual human being. She is alive in the plant world. Angelica does remind me of the fragrant Convallaria - Lily of the Valley. I do use it to reconnect the patient with their spiritual side. Sometimes the spiritual side of a patient has been lost due to illness, death of a family member, or loss of a job. I think everyone should have angelica in their home.

Until tomorrow…

Until tomorrow...

AUGUST 23, 2023 EPSOM SALT

Did you ever take an Epsom salt bath ? Dissolving Epsom salt in warm water and taking a soothing bath can help relax muscles, reduce inflammation, and alleviate pain. The magnesium in Epsom salt aids in muscle relaxation, while the sulfates assist in reducing swelling and promoting faster recovery from injuries

WHAT IS EPSOM SALT ? it’s a compound of magnesium and sulfate. These two elements possess a range of health and wellness benefits – from easing anxiety and improving sleep, to reducing inflammation in your body.

A nice bath at night can help you sleep The magnesium in Epsom salt helps regulate the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of calmness and well-being. Soaking in an Epsom salt bath before bedtime can help relax the body and mind, leading to a more restful sleep

For aching joints I suggest an Epsom bath Epsom salt can provide relief from joint pain and inflammation caused by conditions like arthritis and gout. The magnesium in Epsom salt helps reduce inflammation, while the warmth of an Epsom salt bath or compress can soothe achy joints and improve mobility

It is a great detox Epsom salt helps draw out toxins from the body through the process of reverse osmosis. This detoxifying effect can support overall well-being and help maintain a healthy balance of minerals in the body

So there is no reason not to do an Epsom bath . Try it

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 22, 2023 HOBBIES AND HAPPINESS

" The surest way to happiness is to lose yourself in a cause greater than yourself."

What is your definition of happiness ? Happiness is smelling the first morning dew of the first spring rain. Happiness for me is doing a hobby. I have many hobbies which many I have written about. One of my hobbies is writing this blog. It is now part of my life. I try to write every day. This is happiness to me.  Hobbies can be addictive if not properly timed or scheduled. I had difficulty with needle point, as I love it so much that this art has been an addiction. As I discuss rotating your foods in your diet --you should rotate your hobbies. I am sure some consider reading, or learning a language as a hobby. I feel a hobby should be creative. It should be a hobby that uses your hands. If you cannot think of one- start by visiting a museum per week, or re learning to play a musical instrument. I feel it should be the reawakening of the boy/girl within yourself.

I hope this blog has been inspirational to some. I hope you have developed a hobby or interest as part of your daily life which can boost your self esteem. I love all the above quotes. To lose yourself in a cause greater than yourself is a way to boost your esteem and can lead to happiness. It can also be the beginning of saving Earth Mother. One of my greatest hobbies has been Bee Keeping. It has now become a passion. I make propolis tinctures from my hives, and candles from the wax in my hives

Some of the Hobbies I have written about and done include:

1. Needlepoint work- cross stitch/bargello
2. Knitting
3. Card Making
4. Updating my website www.oldacquaintances.com
5. Ceramics
6. Bee Keeping
7. Antique Hunting for New York Worlds Fair 1939, Roseville
8. Legos
9. Jigsaw Puzzles
10. Making Plant Medicine
11. Candle Making
12. Gardening

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 21 2023 CLEAVERS

You probable have seen cleavers in your yard You thought it was a weed . It is annoying as your pass cleavers as it sticks to your pants It has many medicinal benefits

It helps with lymphatic stagnation It acts as the best lymphatic dranage herb. It also cools inflammation Cleavers enhances the function f the lymphatic system. I imorives the abiity of the bidy to fush out toxins, decrease congestion and reduce swelling.

This is can help with edema ( fluid buid-up in the legs and does promote urine formation during bladder infections

I prefer to give this herb as a tea or a tincture

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 10, 2023 POISONED

Have you seen “ Poisoned” The Dirty Truth About Your Food ? It is a documentary on Netflix. I highly encourage it , but I warn you — You may not like what you see.

The CDC reports that 1 in 6 Americans (a whopping 48 million people) develop food poisoning each year. The facts in this documentary will surely awaken your senses and might even steer you away from certain foods . We all have read about E coli outbreaks of E Coli 0157.

The book is based on the book “ Poisoned “ Jeff Benedict's book, Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat, chronicled the 1993 E.coli outbreak that killed four children and sickened over 700 people who ate Jack In The Box hamburgers. The documentary then chronicles post hamburger E coli- the E coli outbreaks from Romaine lettuce, eggs, chicken and peanut butter

You will learn about regulations and then about no regulations from various government agencies. It was heart breaking to hear about families who lost loved ones— especially young children due to these outbreaks ( Some which could have been prevented ) I was glad to see ‘ some ‘ justice served.

You will now think twice before ingesting a salad after watching this documentary

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 9, 2023 YOUNG FOREVER

I love to read. I especially enjoy listening to a podcast on my way to New York City I stitch a canvas while listening either to Dr Rangan Chatterjee - Feel Better, Live More or The Doctor’s Farmacy with Dr Mark Hyman. If I read on the train I cannot stitch I save reading for bedtime. I recently purchased Young Forever.: The Secrets to Living Your Longest, Healthiest Life by Mark Hyman

There is a lot of data out there about how to ive young forever. However this book dealt with other issues other than medicine that is linked to living a younger healthier life The book discusses mechanisms by which ur social relationships and connections can influence our gene expression and everything from inflammation to insulin resistance. So building relationships and community is very important and far more important than once thought. Possibly this is why herbalists are healthier and younger looking than conventional medical doctors ? Is this why I became an herbalist ! I do know that the commradery and relationships I have built with my fellow herbalists is deeper and more nuturing than most of my conventional colleague relationships.

The book discusses exercise in a different way Mark stated “ Exercise is probably the single most potent intervention there is, other than calorie restriction. “

Buy this book and enjoying reading it. It will give you a different perspective on life

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 8, 2023 TEA

Do you love tea ? I know I do. Where do you buy your tea ? Do you buy your tea in mesh bags, or loose at a tea shop. Since I have loose tea at work sold by Botanical Bounty ( www.botanicalbounty.org ) I am lucky. As a matter of fact, with a recent new kitchen I have a tea rack where I store my tea. The tea rack has 3 shelves where i can fit 5 glass jars. Each jar had a single herbal tea or a blend. Each has been marked on the outside of the jar with a label.

I am telling you about this as mesh tea bags have found to contain 20- 30 % of microplastics and nano plastics, These substances are harmful to our human health. A recent study published in Journal of Environmental Science and Technology discussed microplastics. One standard tea bag made with plastic released 11.6 billion microplastics and 3 billion nanoplastics in one cup of tea

My solutin is safe. Buy loose teas. You can buy them from Botanical Bounty ( www.botanicalbounty.org ) and other tea companies. If you are lucky enough to have a tea shop in your town- suport them I steep all my loose tea with a variety of stainless steel strainers. Even organic teas may still have plastic int heir tea bag. Go with fresh fair trade organic loose teas that are stored in glass jars

Until tomorrow…

AUGUST 7, 2023 HERBS and the GUT

A recent journal article published last year i the Journal of Nutrition stated that herbs were the unsung heroes of gut health The study was small involving only 54 obese or overweight individuals aged 30- 75

Akk consumed the same American diet for one month ( 4 weeks ) with one of three daily doses of herbs -0.5 grams, 3.3 grams and 6.6 grams

The herbs were ginger, cumin, cinnamon, tumeric , rosemary , oregano, basil and thyme Fecal samples were collected after the end of each week

The results werre suprising Thoe individuals that consumed 3.3 and 6.6 grams had increased levels of Ruminococcaceae bacteria These bacteria are vital for gut health The highest levels of these bacteria werre fund in patients who consumed the highest levels of spices and herbs.

I found this to be interesting In fact this should lead more research to be done on each individual herb

Until tomorrow…