The Essence of Herbs

Cinnamon!! Let Me In!!

2011-02-03T16:38:00.000-05:00

Cinnamon

(Cinnmomum cassia, C. zeylandicum)

The fragrance of hot mulled cider, the spicy comfort of warm apple pie, the soft texture of a freshly baked cinnamon bun and the alluring coziness in a cup of chai tea all share the luxurious wealth of our beloved ancient herb Cinnamomum. Although everyone is familiar with the long curled sticks that look so pretty in a potpourri, many people are unaware of the many grades of cinnamon or prevalence of the closely related spice, Cassia (C. cassia) that is commonly sold as Cinnamon.

Over 90% of the world’s true Cinnamon (C. zylandicum) is grown in Sri Lanka, and is mostly prized as a culinary ingredient; its smooth flavor is much milder than Cassia, and costs a bit more. The cultivation of this cherished spice requires that young saplings –about two or three years old- be coppiced, that is, cut to the ground and harvested, subsequently, young shoots will spring up the following year, and the cycle is renewed.

The inner layer of the coppiced shoot is separated from the outer bark after a fermentation period of 24 hours. This thin, moist cambium layer naturally curls as it is dried, first in the shade, then in the sun, overall for about 3 or four days. These “quills” are about ½ inch in diameter may be inserted into larger rolls and bundled into “pipes” for export. The processed quills of Cinnamon are evaluated and sorted; the thinnest, finest textured quills are graded “00000”, while the coarsest quills get a “0” designation. The “quillings” are broken bits of cinnamon that chip off during drying and sorting, and these are sold for considerably less.

It doesn’t take long for powdered cinnamon to lose its flavor, as the volatile oils evaporate quickly, therefore Cinnamon should be purchased whole to be ground at home in a spice mill or in a coffee grinder used only for spices. Poor quality Cinnamon and the rough bark of Cassia may damage home grinders if they are too coarse; the finer the quality of Cinnamon, the more easily it crumbles. Ceylon Cinnamon is considered to be of the highest quality obtainable.

C. Cassia is a very close cousin to Cinnamon, and is legally allowed to be sold as such in both the US and France; in other parts of Europe and in Australia, it is illegal to misrepresent Cassia as Cinnamon. Cassia often includes both the inner and outer bark and is harvested from tree at least seven years old; it has a much sharper and bold flavor and is valued as an herbal remedy more so than true Cinnamon.

Native to China, Cassia has a long history of use in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily for the treatment of “Cold Central Qi.” Rou gui, as it is called in Pinyin, is a wonderfully warming herb that can help restore libido, bring strength to a weak lower back, relieve certain types of asthma, increase the appetite and stop watery diarrhea. When symptoms are associated with chilliness and lassitude, Cassia is the go-to herbal pick-me-up.

As for a medicinal diet, Cinnamon/Cassia is the perfect accoutrement for our damp, cold winters. Flavoring meats, soups, squash, teas and baked goods with this sweet and spicy seasoning not only helps improve digestion, but it brings our core temperature up while allowing the surface of our body to acclimate to blustery weather conditions.

Current medical studies are researching the use of Cassia for the treatment of a variety of conditions including insulin dependent Type II Diabetes; one study found compelling evidence to support the use of cinnamon/cassia, but subsequent studies have not been able to duplicate the positive results. So, although it appears that Cinnamon/Cassia may lower blood sugar, the jury is still out on its effects on Type II Diabetes. In any case, modest amounts of the spice can improve digestion and may even lower cholesterol, just be cautious if you are taking blood thinning drugs or are pregnant.

The twig of C. cassia is known as Gui Zhi in TCM and is used in a slightly different way; when taken at the onset of a cold exhibiting such symptoms as an excessively runny nose with clear mucous, chills, and aversion to draughts, Cinnamon Twig will help push the illness back out of the body. If the normal attempts at getting up a good sweat don’t begin to resolve this pathogenic invasion, Cinnamon Twig is generally very helpful, particularly in combination with fresh ginger.

Cinnamon Twig is also great in a formula when it comes to some cases of Renaud’s Syndrome because it can help lead warmth out to the extremities and assist poor circulation. I use it with many clients in a custom built formula that also addresses the underlying issues, often with herbs that nourish the blood and move stagnant Qi. When I add ear reflexology to the treatment, my clients and I literally watch their fingers turn from white or purple to a healthy pink color.

I also have available in my pharmacopeia the essential oils of Cinnamon Bark and Cinnamon Leaf; both are energetically very hot in nature and must be applied with a carrier oil, or sandwiched between milder oils. I use either of them for skin parasites like lice or scabies, or for intestinal parasites by applying the oil –diluted or specifically layered- to the belly and putting a couple of drops in rice to be eaten. For achy muscles and joints, I use different layers of healing oils, including Cinnamon, to create a natural icy/hot combination that brings fast relief.

Cinnamon Bark essential oil can eradicate a plantars wart in about two weeks; use it undiluted directly on the wart after showering and immediately put on a sock. It helps to open up the wart and to pull out the roots with tweezers. Cinnamon Leaf essential oil is a great natural way to get rid of the spider mites that seem to thrive in the dry indoor environment while our houseplants are overwintering. Simply add 40 drops of Cinnamon Leaf essential oil to 4 oz of water in an atomizer and mist the plants daily.

Please remember that the medicinal-grade essential oils that are used safely in therapy are NOT the ones you can readily buy at a retail establishment. Feel free to contact me for quality oils, I am happy to help. Also, a word of caution about the Cinnamon essential oil: it is VERY hot!! Do not put it anywhere else on your skin because it will burn like the dickens (although so long as it’s medicinal-grade, it should do no permanent damage).

If, despite caution, the oil still manages to burn you, DO NOT wash the area with water!! The nature of essential oils is to be absorbed by oil/fat (your skin cells) and repelled by water, so washing with water will only serve to intensify the burn by thrusting the oil faster into your fat cells. The best thing to do if you feel the burn is to apply a heavy amount of any type of oil you have on hand, (olive, sesame, canola, vegetable) and the heat will diminish in a few moments.

Cinnamon is a well-known aphrodisiac, and certainly the smell of it cooking is no deterrent to cozy feelings of intimacy. The oil, when used intentionally, can help individuals and couples get to the core of their issues, bring more closeness to a relationship and help open up communication. Once valued more than its weight in silver, Cinnamon is a treasure we could all take a new look at.

“HerbaLisl” is Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG), a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years.

Please call the office: 860-673-6863 or cell: 860-480-0115 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes, workshops or retreats.

Noni: Polynesian Master Healer

2011-01-02T03:38:00.001-05:00

Noni

(Morinda citrifolia)

Morinda citrifolia, a member of the coffee family (Rubiacea) is a small tree that can grow up to 30 feet tall with large, shiny green and simple, deeply veined leaves. The tree will flower throughout the year, and mature in about 18 months to produce a multiple fruit that appears as an individual (like a pineapple). The fruit itself is ovoid and turns from green to a translucent white when fully ripe; a mature tree can produce up to eighteen pounds of this seedy fruit yearly.

A celebrity herbal remedy that has generated much interest in the recent past, Noni was Introduced either by ancient Polynesians or carried by ocean currents, or perhaps both. This non-invasive tree is found in many low-lying tropical primary forests and can adapt to a wide variety of harsh conditions from drought to rainforest, heavy shade to full sun, and tolerate saline and lava alike. Many botanists believe that if necessary, the noni would be able to self-pollinate; truly this is a most self-sufficient, pioneering plant!

Although noni was considered a staple food in some Pacific Island nations, it was mostly considered a “starvation fruit” to be consumed only during famine. In some cultures, the seeds were roasted and eaten, but the consumption of “cheesefruit” itself was limited to only a few communities. The dried fruit powder contains about 70% carbohydrates and approximately 30% dietary fiber with 5% protein and a small amount of fat. It also contains a significant amount of potassium, iron and vitamin A, as well as a fair amount of vitamin C, but still only half the amount as that of an orange.

The noni has several names, depending upon the region of Polynesia you’re in, such as great morinda, Indian (or beach) Mulberry, nuna’ akai, dog dumpling, and mengkudu. Noni is considered one of the most important medicinal plants in all of Polynesia, and its uses are as adaptable as its tenacious ability to survive. Noni’s modern commercial appeal is quite different than its historical applications; in traditional Polynesian cultures, the most utilized part of the plant was not the ripe fruit, as is popular today, but the green fruit, the leaves and the root bark.

Some traditional cultures actually identify three varieties of noni; one has small leaves, many small fruits and its bark and roots produce a dye for fabric, another exhibits the well-known putrid odor and is mainly used by herbal laypersons for juice while a third variety produces fruit with little or no odor and displays long, strap-like and highly medicinal leaves. These leaves make a very effective bandage; when heated, the leaf will stick to itself and its anti-septic and healing properties make it ideal for dressing all types of wounds. If macerated, the herb can also be applied as a paste or poultice to the site of injury to reduce inflammation and prevent or draw out infection.

Particularly of note are the traditional uses of ‘ura in the Rotuma region of Fiji where poultices are often utilized, sometimes with the addition of sea salt, coconut oil or other herbs, for fungal infections and the fast relief of painful stonefish stings. Midwives also have a method of preparing noni with coconut oil and curcuma to be applied as a paste to the new mother’s body which supports post-partum health; to promote lactation, young leaves are heated and applied to the breast while prayers are offered to the gods Ku and Hina.

Internally, the juice of the fruit may be combined with sugarcane syrup and the very oily kukui nut to make a powerful purgative and blood purifier. Another preparation, sometimes called aumiki’awa, includes red clay and is used for Tuberculosis, however the name of this formula also describes a different preparation that is used for hangovers… another handy remedy!

Generally, preparation of the ripe noni fruit involves a fermentation process sometimes called pake; the ripe fruit is placed in a jar, covered with spring water and left in the sun for three weeks followed by a week in the shade. The potent and unpleasantly fragrant brew is strained, refrigerated and taken in two ounce doses up to three times daily. Some home herbalists will puree the ripe noni and take little shots of it daily to help control diabetes. There is some debate about whether the ancient uses of noni included these fermented brews, as there is little evidence to support such preparations; it is assumed that this is more of a modern application of the herb, utilized by younger herbalists.

The young green fruit is also applied externally for bites, stings, oral ulcers and skin infections; it is quite effective in the treatment of staph (Staphylococcus aureus), a current concern on the Hawaiian Islands. Internal uses of the unripe fruit include the relief of menstrual cramps, arthritis, gastric ulcer and indigestion; the ripe fruit is popular for the treatment of a myriad of diseases including malaria and hypertension. The root and inner stem bark are also used for external infections, but is considered extremely abortive if taken internally and shouldn’t be used by pregnant women.

A popular article by Dr. Heinicke of the University of Hawaii, published in a botanical journal sparked much of the current interest in Noni. The NIH is supporting research on the contemporary uses of noni juice, particularly in the treatment of breast and colon cancer; these phase I studies have been spearheaded by Dr. Brian Issell at the Cancer Research Center of Hawaii. Papa Kaluakaihua, a traditional Hawaiian healer, utilizes noni for these purposes and more, ”I have used noni to help people with cancer, kidney problems, diabetes and tumors… to me, noni is the most important of the herbs used in medicine.”

It is believed that few Kahunas used noni internally in any capacity except for emetics and cathartics until the mid-nineteenth century; historically, its uses externally were therapeutic and mystical. Due to the significant presence of butyric acid, the ripe noni smells like vomit; traditionally its bad odor was indicative of its power against disease-causing malevolent spirits. Some of the ritualistic uses of noni involved applying a salve over the whole body of the afflicted and then burying the patient in the hot sand to purge the toxic influence. Methods that encouraged sweating, massage and the simple application of hot noni leaves all served to extricate malevolent influences and to restore health and vigor. Legend speaks of the Togon god Maui, who was resurrected after his body was covered with noni leaves.

Noni wood contains alkaloids that can be used to stun fish, making it easier to catch dinner. A strong insecticidal hair wash is also made from the strong roots, and octanoic acid in ripe fruits is poisonous to fruit flies, some ant species and cockroaches; this compound is also toxic to honeybees. Another species of ant, the weaver ant, has developed a reciprocal relationship with noni; the insect provides protection against predation while the plant provides a steady supply of food.

Other traditional uses for Morinda citrifolia include a dye for batik made from the roots (yellow) or the bark (brownish maroon); the anthraquinones in the dye are also highly effective for the treatment of intestinal worms. The fibrous bark can also be pounded into a type of felt to be made into fabric. An ancient Hawaiian chant describes a taunt from the pig god Ku to the fire goddess Pele referring to the process of cloth and dye making:

I have come now from Puna.

I have seen the women gathering noni,

Scratching noni,

Pounding noni,

Marking with noni.

Noni has proven its adaptability and value throughout Polynesia in both ancient and modern times. The tree has managed to convince humans to help it colonize new territory; Europeans have introduced noni to other tropical regions including Puerto Rico, Florida and the US Virgin Islands. In areas where it has become naturalized, noni offers many benefits for agriculture; it provides windbreaks, supports vining crops, gives shade to coffee plants and prevents soil erosion. It’s likely that noni’s widespread use will continue to thrive and new applications for this diverse plant are still to be discovered.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG), “HerbaLisl” is a Registered Professional Clinical Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild, and a Nationally Board Certified Chinese Herbalist with the NCCAOM (the same board that regulates licensure for acupuncturists throughout the US). In addition, she is a certified practitioner and teacher of Auriculotherapy, Medicinal Aromatherapy and Chinese & Western Herbal Medicine. Lisl is a Reiki Master who utilizes other energy techniques such as Acupressure, Therapeutic Systematic Realignment (TSR), Taoist breathing techniques, toning, vibration and works with stones and crystals; she incorporates spiritual counseling, dietary wisdom and meditation/visualization into her deeply informative and revealing sessions. A renowned diagnostician, teacher and published writer in private practice for over a decade, she continues to develop her knowledge of botanical medicine, agriculture, elemental medicine and shamanism. Lisl is joyfully committed to assisting others on their journey of self-enlightenment through the wisdom of Gaia.

Myrrh's Bitter Tears of Sacrifice

2010-12-01T01:15:00.001-05:00

Myrrh

(Commiphora myrrha)

Livingclean.com

From the seemingly barren lands of the Far East grows a thorny tree that has shaped the nature of our civilization. The desire for Commiphora myrrha created trade routes throughout Asia and Europe, introduced new herbs and spices to the West, advanced knowledge of traditional medicines and ancient healing methods as well as promoted vast cultural exchange that has made us who we are today. Myrrh was frequently used in ancient cultures as an embalming agent; it was also burned to help cover the odor of decay. Frankincense was often paired in the offering of incense, as the sweet high notes of Boswellia beautifully counter the dark, acrid tones of the Myrrh.

The resin is still gathered in the same way that it has been done for thousands of years; after deliberate cuts are etched into the trunk of the tree, tears of resinous sap begin to ooze from the wounds as the sacred tree seeks to heal itself. After allowing these small reddish-brown nuggets to gather and harden for a couple of weeks, collectors return to reap their harvest. Today the best quality Myrrh comes from Yemen, Somalia and Eastern Ethiopia, although related species such as C. momol and C. gileadensis (also known as Balm of Gilead) are grown in Israel, Jordan and Palestine.

Another member of the Myrrh family is referred to as bdellium, and although there is a bit of confusion as to its correct nomenclature (C. wightii, C. africana or C. stocksiana), this so-called “Indian Myrrh” is generally regarded as being inferior to true Myrrh. This species can be referred to by a trade name “guggul”, from the Sanskrit gulgulu, and has recently received a bit of attention for its potential cholesterol lowering properties. In Ayurvedic medicine guggul is used for a variety of imbalances, particularly those involving circulatory disorders.

True Myrrh also has a long history of use in ancient therapeutic practices; in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), it is prescribed for issues pertaining to painful obstruction or traumatic injury and taken internally in small doses or applied topically. Mo Yao, literally translated as “bitter medicine” is considered to be an excellent remedy to move Blood, relieve pain, reduce inflammation and promote healing. Because it is so effective for moving blood, it is absolutely contraindicated during pregnancy.

Due to their mutually complementary actions on traumatic injury, for most applications Myrrh is generally paired with Frankincense. According to the book Dui Yao: The Art of Combining Chinese Medicinals by Philippe Sionneau, Bernard Cote and Bob Flaws, “One tends to rectify the blood; the other to rectify the qi. When these two medicinals are combined together, they complement and mutually reinforce each other. Together, they effectively move the qi and quicken the blood, dispel stasis, free the flow of the viscera and bowels and channels and network vessels, disperse swelling, stop pain, and constrain (weeping) sores and engender muscle (i.e. flesh).”

“Ru Xiang {Frankincense} quickens the blood; Mo Yao breaks the blood.”

-Li Shi Zhen, the Father of Chinese Medicine

The resins and oils of Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Galbanum, Cistus and Agarwood are frequently mentioned in the Bible and other religious texts because they were so exceedingly valued for their medicinal properties. Scientific research has indicated that these highly prized essential oils contain Monoterpenes, Sesquiterpenes, and Phenols; these chemical compounds have been found to help repair damage to the DNA that can lead to certain cancers. Other benefits include strong anti-bacterial components, anti-oxidants and the ability to cleanse the body of toxins, support liver function, balance hormones and bring an overall sense of well-being. Sesquiterpenes directly affect the glands that control our emotions, so using these oils as a personal sacrament could potentially alleviate depression, as well as raise consciousness.

Myrrh is commonly used today to support healthy gums and to treat abscesses of the mouth; in fact, myrrh is often added to mouthwashes and oral hygiene products. Rubbing the soothing, anti-septic oil of Myrrh on your gums stimulates blood flow; I have seen it restore a friend’s inflamed, bleeding gums in a short amount of time, much to his dentist’s approval. Its analgesic qualities also make it ideal for topically applied salves in order to promote the healing of painful ulcerations. A student recently told me that her husband quickly healed his hemorrhoids with an undiluted application of the medicinal-grade essential oil of Myrrh that I had provided for them. (Please note that an essential oil must be of a particularly exceptional quality in order to be applied neat to the skin; inquire with the author for a source.)

Religious references to Myrrh are frequent; in the Old Testament, Moses was given instructions for specially preparing incense that contained rare and precious agents, including Myrrh. The precious oil of Myrrh was used for anointing during sacred ceremony, and was notably used after the crucifixion to prepare Christ’s body for burial. It is even said that a statue of Nicolas, the beloved saint of the Greek Orthodox Church, miraculously bleeds a healing myrrh resin that has cured many pilgrims to the church where it is housed. In Roman Catholic mass, five grains of Myrrh, representing the five wounds of Jesus, are solemnly placed in the Paschal candle to be burned on Easter Sunday.

"All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces,

whereby they have made thee glad." –Psalm 45:8

The deep, rich penetrating bitterness of myrrh was once a luxurious attractant for only the wealthiest of merchants, traders, politicos and priests that could afford to perfume their garments with the resinous bitter scent that announced their authority. Imagine a time long ago where the sinuous fragrance of myrrh, aloes and sandalwood wafted on the air accompanying every layered movement of precious silk and linens. The offering of Frankincense and Myrrh burned upon hot coals carried to heaven not only the prayers of worthy supplicants but also the tears of the thorny trees that bore the precious resin.

"Who is this coming up from the wilderness

Like palm-trees of smoke,

Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense,

From every powder of the merchant?"

-Song of Solomon 3:6

Perhaps Myrrh is most famous for being one of the gifts of the Magi to the Holy Child in Bethlehem, but biblical references connecting Christ to Myrrh didn’t stop at His birth. One scripture tells that Jesus was offered a goblet of wine spiked with Myrrh on His way to the crucifixion, but He declined to partake of the slightly narcotic drink. We may presume that He intended to fully experience the transcendent sacrifice He was about to make.

“And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.”

–Mark 15:23

Myrrh’s blood-red tears shed from wounds etched in her trunk and used as a sacrament in funerals forever connects her to The Blood of Christ that spilled from His pores as a painful endowment to humanity for the sacredness of life everlasting. If a tree could cry for the dark reign of humanity, certainly throughout the ages, that tree has been Commiphora myrrha. The bitter tears that have been scratched from her flesh year after year caused myrrh to be sold as a commodity valued as highly as gold. Although trade routes were established and cultural exchange thrived as a result of the precious resins and spices of the East, humanity’s brutal hunger for authority and control also managed to exploit these gifts of Creation and bring pain and suffering to the homeland.

Our behavior today is far from improved; our Mother Earth has been ravaged by humankind’s greed, lust for power, and corruption. The scars Gaia bears on her lands and in her oceans is a bitter reminder of the sacrifices that we seem unwilling or unable to make. That we may learn to sacrifice some of our unnecessary desires and honor what is truly sacred is the lesson Myrrh continues to assert for us. We may begin by living from our hearts and acting from a place of compassion and integrity. Embodying love is hardly a sacrifice and saving our species and our home will be our reward.

“HerbaLisl” is Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG), a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years.Visit www.HerbaLisl.com for more information.
Please call 860-480-0115 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes, workshops or retreats.

Clove Bud: "C" to the Love

2010-11-06T21:02:00.001-04:00

Clove Bud

(Syzygium aromaticum

seu Eugenia aromaticum, E. caryophyllata)


Clove Bud ©L. Huebner '10

Clove, a commonly known and easily recognized spice is the dried, unopened flower bud of an evergreen tree from the Myrtle (Myrtaceae) family that is native to Indonesia and grown throughout the Middle East. The tree must be at least five years old before it produces the bright pinkish-red flower buds, which are carefully hand-harvested and dried. When one considers the insubstantial weight of a flower bud, it is impressive to consider that a mature tree can produce up to forty pounds of flower buds in a single harvest! Talk about abundance!!

©Materia Aromatica

Like all aromatic herbs and spices, Clove has a long and rich history as an ally of humanity. Originally found on the “Spice Islands” of Indonesia, the indigenous people there once planted the tree to venerate the birth of their children. Each soul was then linked to the health and longevity of the Clove tree, in this way the tree was an honored member of their community. In the 1600’s, the Dutch seized control over the spice trade and began to burn down clove trees that were out of their sphere of direct command; imagine the devastation of discovering that the sacred tree that was linked to your spirit, or that of a loved one had been unceremoniously burned to the ground.

At this time in history, Cloves were worth their weight in gold; the high value placed on the spice was ample temptation for greedy traders to disregard all but their own monetary advantage. However, the trees were eventually so widely planted during the 1800’s by the British that the price came down and Cloves became commonly available. Today, the fact that we can easily obtain an abundance of Clove Bud is testament to the widespread wealth that many westerners enjoy on a regular basis.

The name is derived from the Latin “clavus” which means nail, of which the whole spice bears a striking similarity. The intense flavor of Cloves is as distinct and precise as its namesake and is used in small amounts to enhance cuisines throughout the world. In Mexico, the sweet, hot flavor of “clavos de olor” is blended with cumin, cinnamon and other exotic spices in Abuela’s secret molé recipe. In Germany, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without Cloves for the pfeffernuesse, and the Dutch speculaas and the Greek kourambiedes cookies wouldn’t have the same appeal either.

©FoodBuzz.com

In France, it is traditional for some cooks to stud an onion with a clove or two and add it to a simmering stock. Of course we can all relate to the holiday ham bedazzled with Cloves and where would pumpkin pie be without Clove’s distinctive pizzazz? Cloves are integral in Indian curries, Chinese five spice blend, mulling and pickling spices and is a surprising ingredient in Worcestershire sauce. Cloves are best enjoyed in the autumn and winter; the energetic coziness of this toasty spice brings thermal heat to the core of our body, thereby cooling the surface and harmonizing with colder temperatures.

Medicinally, Cloves have a myriad of uses and has been incorporated in traditional medicines for thousands of years. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, ding xiang is used as a carminative, especially for Cold-type digestion characterized by nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, with cold extremities and pallor. In the same way, its spiciness can transform a cold deep in the chest with an unproductive cough, so long as the mucous is white or clear and there is no fever or signs of heat. Sometimes it is used for morning sickness when combined with ginseng and patchouli; this combination concurrently warms the center, aromatically transforms damp-heavy congestion and nourishes the body.

Cloves are antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic; in West Africa they are called Ogun Jedi-jedi, and traditionally have worked quite effectively in the treatment of scabies, cholera, tuberculosis, and malaria. As a vermifuge, cloves -having the added benefit of promoting peristalsis- can be combined with walnut hulls, various Artemesias and other herbs during a case-specific parasite-purge regimen.

©ChestofBooks.com

Current scientific studies indicate that cloves may help inhibit the herpes virus and shingles. Some practitioners are now incorporating the use of Clove in the treatment of diabetes, as early scientific data suggests that the herb may reduce blood sugar. Some cautions should be taken when working with Clove bud; because it thins the blood, it is contraindicated with blood thinning medications and prior to surgery. Due to its powerfully warming nature, it is not to be given to people with inflammation, or other signs of internal heat. There is some concern about the potential poisonous properties of this pungent prescription, but its toxicity is very low, one would need to consume about a ½ lb of Clove in order to get a lethal dose.

As an aphrodisiac, cloves can stimulate the fire of passion; putting a few drops in a small amount of carrier oil and then sharing the pleasure of massaging this romantic oil on your partner can enhance ardor and excitement. The mildly numbing oil can also be diluted a bit more and applied in small amounts to overly sensitive areas in order to dull amorous sensations and prolong intimate encounters. One old folk remedy for headaches calls for Cloves combined with milk and salt to be applied to the temples, so if your partner is willing, this spicy friend can even take care of “Not tonight, Honey.”

©HubPages.com

Clove’s numbing effect was once considered an invaluable asset in dentistry before Novocain was commonly used. Clove oil continues to be helpful for toothaches and gum abscess, and due to its efficacy is still very popular for treating dry socket. A rubifacient, Clove can help stimulate circulation of blood, not just to heal problems with the teeth and gums, but also as a helpful addition to liniments for traumatic injury, healing salves for sores, and muscle rubs for cramps, aches and spasms.

©Fluther.com

The spicy fragrance of Cloves is a desirable commodity even beyond the scope of food and medicine. Cloves, blended with up to 80% tobacco, are smoked in cigarettes called “kretak” in Indonesia. Clove cigarettes, increasingly popular in the west, were recently banned in the U.S., but a loophole currently allows them to be sold as “filtered clove cigars.” The smooth and warmly scented smoke is an even lovelier element in much of the incense burned for religious offerings throughout Asia. Other uses for the spice are even more diverse; Japanese katana swords are polished with mineral oil enhanced by a drop of clove oil. In oil paintings, a tiny bit is used to prevent oxidation of seed oils in the paint during drying.

Pomanders are a popular holiday craft these days but were once used to ward off insects and disease, or to mask unpleasant odors. This simple bit of folk art makes a festive decoration and a cheerful homemade gift.

©mimifroufrou.com

Holiday Pomander
You will need:
Citrus Fruit (apples and pomegranates also work)
A thin skewer or knitting needle
About a cup of Cloves (with head and “nail” intact)
Powdered spice mixture (cinnamon, allspice, clove, ginger, etc)

If you wish to hang your pomander, apply masking tape around the fruit where you will tie the ribbon later. Carefully pierce fruit with skewer in a pattern that pleases you, keeping each hole about 1/8-1/4 inch apart; the fruit will shrink as it dries and the holes will get smaller and closer together. Insert Clove buds into each hole, being careful not to crush the delicate crown. Gently roll each decorated fruit in the spice mixture to help preserve it, leave in a dry area and allow it to desiccate. Once it dries, you can tie it with ribbon; if mold forms, compost the pomander, and chalk it up to a learning experience!

Valuable and useful on so many levels, Clove bud naturally has a message not just for the body, but for the soul and the mind. The shape of a Clove bud may remind us of our brainstem; its piquant aroma and fiery flavor seems to pierce our very consciousness, sharpening our collective memories. As we breathe in its penetrating warmth, its heat spreads through our chest, infusing our heart with tenderness and compassion. From this heart-centered perspective we may then C-LOVE as it exists all around us and allow this abundance and generosity to flow through us to our community. The wealth of cloves available to us is without a doubt something to savor and appreciate as a symbol of great prosperity, health, endurance and of course, Love.

©Abundant Life Essentials

“HerbaLisl” is Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG),

a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild.

Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist,

an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years.

Please call 860-480-0115 or email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes, workshops or retreats.

Black Cumin: Oil of the Ancients

2010-10-04T20:51:00.000-04:00

“Let fall these Black Seeds upon you, these contain cure for all diseases except death.”

-The Prophet Muhammad

Although Black Cumin is the moniker that most people in the West know the herb Nigella sativa by, it’s about as closely related to Cumin Seed as Broccoli is to Chamomile. Some of its other names are even more confusing: Black Seed, Black Onion Seed, Black Caraway, Black Sesame, and Roman Coriander., but Nigella sativa is absolutely unrelated to onion, caraway, sesame or coriander. Perhaps the Biblical name “fitch” should make a come back to mitigate the confusion, or we should honor the holier references like “Blessed Seed” or “Herb from Heaven.”

Nigella sativa is a charming plant in gardens; it is approximately 18” tall and adorned with feathery leaves and white blossoms that may sport a bit of pale blue at the tips of the petals. Take note that the popular garden ornamental Nigella damascus (also known as “Love in a Mist”), is a related species, but is not considered medicinal; another relative, N. garidella is considered toxic. Nigella’s seed head is as attractive as her flowers; a balloon-like pod that encapsulates the pale seeds opens in the shape of a five pointed star. The small triangular seeds, covered with fine hair turn a matte black as they dry and mature.

Growers of Black Cumin will harvest large bunches of stalks laden with pods before dawn to keep the dew from settling upon them, and dry them evenly over sheets so that the seeds will be easily gathered when the pods open. Some of the seeds are sown in September to ensure the next year’s crop, while the bulk of the harvest is ground and cold-pressed into oil in the traditional way. Some producers will seek to get more of the final product by extracting the oil with solvents; these chemically treated oils should never be used for healing. Always know your source and do not trust “sale items.” The best oil comes from Egypt, where traditional methods of cold expression have been passed down through generations.

Black Cumin is native to the hot, dry climates of the Middle East, where the herb is so popular that more acreage is devoted to growing the Blessed Seed every year, and families are stockpiling the esteemed herb and its oil. Nigella sativa has a long history of healing human-kind, a reference to its value above wheat is found in the Old Testament, Book of Isaiah. For thousands of years the seed and its oil have been used for health conditions ranging from asthma and allergies to wounds and worms. A vial of the precious seed was found in the tomb of the Egyptian King Tutankhamen, presumably to ensure his health in the afterlife.

Black Cumin was frequently praised by the forefathers of modern medicine; In the Cannon of Medicine by Ibn Sina (980-1037) it states, “{Black Cumin}stimulates the body’s energy and helps recover from fatigue or dispiritedness.” Doiscorides used the herb to treat a variety of ailments and Hippocrates particularly favored it for liver and digestive complaints. Modern medicine recognizes that its strong anti-bacterial qualities make Black Cumin effective against Cholera, E. coli, and nearly all strains of Shigella (except S. dysentriae), comparing favorably –and it some instances outperforming- several pharmaceutical antibiotics.

Black Cumin seeds are very nutritious; they contain 35% oil, most of which are Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) and 21% protein. The EFA’s like Linoleic Acid (LA) and Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) acid help strengthen and maintain cell integrity, heal skin conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, reduce wrinkles, and heal wounds. My friends and I discovered that Black Cumin Seed Oil (BCSO) makes an amazing sunscreen! To fancy it up a little, we would add a couple of drops of medicinal grade Lavender essential oil (my preference is Spike Lavender). With nothing but this, we have all avoided sunburn, even with our fair skin! Naturally, you will use common sense and not unduly expose yourself to irresponsible amounts of strong sun.

Cleopatra herself used Black Cumin to enhance her beauty and vitality; taken internally or applied topically, the oil encourages smooth skin and a radiant complexion. Try infusing a half cup of raisins in 8 oz of BCSO for about a week and then take one tablespoon of the mixture daily for beautiful skin. Beauty is not just skin deep however, and BCSO also addresses numerous internal conditions such as lowering blood pressure, improving brain function, as well as regulating the CNS and activating the immune system.

Since 1960, over 200 university studies have been conducted on the medicinal properties of Black Cumin. A study conducted in India in 1991 found that the herb was 100% effective in preventing the growth of Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, a common form of cancer. The study concluded, “It is evident that the active principle isolated from Nigella sativa seeds is a potent anti-tumor agent, and the constituent long chain fatty acid may be the main active component.”

Immunomodulators in BCSO balance the immune system in order to increase resistance to pathogens, and protect against auto-immune diseases. Studies conducted in 1986 and 1993 concluded that the majority of test subjects given the BCSO displayed a significant increase (up to 72%) in the ratio of helper to suppresser T-cells as well as an improvement of natural killer (NK) cell function. This is profoundly important when it comes to the treatment of various Cancers, AIDS and other auto-immune diseases. When combined with Garlic and administered in normal dosages, the immunomodulatory action rivals that of interferon because there are no side effects from BCSO.

Science has isolated more than one hundred chemical components in Black Cumin including 15 amino acids- eight of which are essential and cannot be produced by the body. Vitamins and minerals such as carotene, potassium, calcium and iron, as well as mono and polysaccharides also contribute to the overall benefits of BCSO. Thymoquinone and other volatile oils in BCSO exhibit strong anti-cancer properties that have been shown to increase apoptosis (programmed cell death) and can effectively suppress leukemia and pancreatic cancer. With the addition of Astragalus, the effect on normalizing white blood cells would be amplified.

One of the volatile oils in BCSO, called Nigellone is a powerful anti-histamine that is excellent for treating seasonal allergies and asthma symptoms triggered by a histamine response. The active properties of Black Cumin are vasodilating, mucous reducing and relax the airways, making it perfect for the treatment of asthma and chronic bronchitis. Taking a teaspoon of the oil twice daily in hot water or nettles tea and a little raw honey is a delicious way to reduce asthma and allergy symptoms without side effects. When taken long-term, at least 3-6 months, studies have indicated that BCSO can bring up to 90% improvement in allergy symptoms.

Black Cumin is often used as a culinary herb, and like most herbs found in the kitchen, it has a beneficial effect on digestion. As a carminative, Black Cumin prevents bloating, gas and cramping, as well as relieving diarrhea and vomiting. It’s pedantic effects on the alimentary canal does nothing to decrease the deliciousness of Black Cumin seeds sprinkled on naan, a tasty flatbread from India traditionally baked in a clay oven. Black Cumin seed is also a wonderful seasoning for stews, beans, cabbage and is indispensable when making curries or garam masala.

Add this wonderful, health-promoting seed to your spice cabinet, and don’t forget to include it in your recipes. For even more profound effects on your well-being, ask your herbalist for a bottle of high-quality Black Cumin Seed Oil from Egypt and take a teaspoonful twice a day in tea. The benefits listed in this article barely skim the surface of the numerous advantages that BCSO can give you in the form of Vitality, Vigor, Strength… and oh, did I mention Libido?

Please call 860-480-0115 or email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

2010-09-09T23:41:00.005-04:00

Treating Cold Sores

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) a cold sore is considered to be an expression of excess Heat -generally of the “Liver Channel”. An easy way to understand this classification is to observe the “hot” quality of the sore itself: it has an inflamed, raised, and red appearance and is very painful. Usually these types of sores are located on the lips although they can appear anywhere in and around the mouth.

Prevention of cold sores is simply a matter of keeping a balance of Yin and Yang energies in the body, especially for the Liver channel. Moderation is the key: a diet that includes whole foods and plenty of green vegetables is a good start. Too much alcohol, fried, spicy foods, greasy or rich and heavy meals on a regular basis creates heat in the body and a lot of work for the Liver and Gall Bladder. Similarly, drugs and pharmaceuticals are processed by the liver, so be conscious of the amount of work that your liver needs to do for you on a daily basis and limit the amount of toxins that it must manage.

TCM also attributes our emotional state to the health of the Liver as well. Too much stress, frustration or anger is a helpful warning that the Liver is overworked, while a genuinely calm and relaxed demeanor indicates the smooth flow of Qi and a relatively balanced Liver. A regular practice such as Meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gong helps to ease stress and promotes emotional equilibrium. Frequently taking silent walks in nature provide inner calm and a sense of well being so that we may align with our core self and personal integrity.

I also recommend Black Cumin Seed oil taken internally on a regular basis for clients who are prone to viral outbreaks. It has an overall healing effect on the body, strengthening immune functions, improving digestion and reducing inflammation. The prophet Mohammed once said that Black Cumin cures all illnesses except death.

Treating cold sores once they erupt is simply a matter of balancing the repletion Heat with Cold herbs applied topically as a powder, or herbs to Cool Liver Heat, taken internally. The herb Coptis root (Goldthread), is very helpful for clearing this type of Heat, and is usually combined with other herbs that drain Heat and share its antibacterial and antiviral properties. Huang Lian Jie Du Tang (Coptis Formula to Relieve Toxicity) is the most famous classic Chinese formula suited to this purpose.

Genital sores have the same characteristics and are treated in much the same way, the only difference in the addition of herbs specific for that location. Gentiana is frequently used in TCM for painful sores located in the Lower Burner. The formula Long Dan Xie Gan Tang (Gentiana Drain Fire) is most often the remedy of choice.

Because energetically Cold herbs are difficult to digest, they can cause weakness of the Spleen and an overall deficiency for the body when taken for extended periods of time. These extremely cooling herbs are only taken when there are clear and outward signs of Heat and discontinued as soon as harmony is restored-often within a week.

Please call 860-480-0115 or email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

Mugwort: Contradictions, Dreamtime and Thin Spaces

2010-09-06T20:38:00.006-04:00

Mugwort

(Artemesia vulgaris)

A powerful herbal ally, Mugwort is just one of approximately 300 species in the genus Artemesia, named for the goddess Artemis. As the goddess of fertility and childbirth, she was frequently called upon by midwives and new mothers to ease labor; Artemis even delivered her twin brother Apollo. Artemis is the goddess of the wilderness, of the hunt; she is often depicted with her golden bow and quiver accompanied by the Stag.

The goddess is a hunter, a bringer of death, yet a friend to all wild animals; she is the goddess of fertility, yet she herself has remained always a virgin; she is a divine midwife that can ease birthing though she may extinguish the flame of life on occasion. She represents what appears to be opposition in our modern world, but just as Artemis herself presents many seeming contradictions, Mugwort also embodies apparent incongruities when it comes to her medicine.

Like the goddess she was named for Artemesia is associated with the moon and with women’s moon cycles. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this warming, bitter herb is used to stop prolonged menstrual bleeding when the patient is weak, cold and fatigued. “Ai Yi” is also used to calm a “restless fetus” and to prevent miscarriage -again the woman would present with pronounced signs of deficiency, cold and bleeding. Herein lies the apparent contradiction: since the herb has been shown in many studies to stimulate uterine contractions, if you are pregnant, it is unadvisable to use Mugwort in this capacity without a strong understanding of TCM diagnostics.

Here in the West, the herb is used to hasten and promote menses in instances of energetic Cold; the warming qualities of Mugwort will stimulate menstrual blood when it is congealed, slow to start, or if there are cramps that are soothed by warmth and massage. In this case the herb may be taken internally as a tincture or an infusion, or externally a strong tea or its essential oil could be added to a hot bath for a relaxing soak. Although I am a sucker for a comforting bath, when it comes to quick relief of cramps, I sometimes prefer to burn a preparation of dried leaves referred to as moxa in TCM.

Moxa has a strong tradition in TCM, and some resources suggest that burning moxa along the meridians of the body actually predate acupuncture. Moxibustion is the practice of burning Mugwort in order to deliver its deep penetrating heat to various areas of concern, thereby invigorating circulation, easing pain, and releasing constraint. It can loosen cold, stiff, arthritic joints, relieve achy knees, bring comfort to a tired and sore back, is a true blessing for monthly cramps, and is extraordinarily effective for turning a breech baby! It’s no small wonder that Artemesia earned her name and admiration from hunters and midwives alike!

Moxa is prepared by grinding dried Mugwort leaves or by scraping the soft downy fuzz from the underside of them. This fluff can then be compacted into a cigar-like roll and its warming ember of may be hovered over the skin, or it may be rolled into small balls to be burned on the end of an acupuncture needle. Stick-on moxa is placed on acupuncture points with an adhesive and a slightly insulating bit of material that keeps the ember from burning the patient, while allowing the therapeutic heat to reach the site. Some practitioners prefer to compress the loose herb and place it into a specially devised container that can be laid upon the body, or held in skilled hands for more precise work.

When ingested, Mugwort is an effective digestive bitter that was once widely used as a culinary herb to flavor meats and to protect against food-born illnesses and parasites. The entire genus is sometimes incorrectly referred to as the “wormwoods,” and as the name suggests, members of this tribe are effective vermifuges. Mugwort is a powerful anthelmintic, but unlike her brother Wormwood (A. absinthium), she is gentle enough to use with children. Mugwort has been shown to be effective against roundworm and threadworms and has been used for centuries with all parasitic infections.

It seems that the Artemesias are notorious for keeping all undesirable bugs at bay; this genus of herbs is repellant to insects, parasites, as well as a large variety of infectious pathogens. Research has shown A.vulgaris to be antibiotic against Staph, Typhoid, dysentery, Strep, E.coli, and even Pseudomonas-the second most resistant infection in hospitals. The list goes on: pneumonia, salmonella, shigella and even malaria have all been treated successfully with decoctions of Mugwort. Perhaps less impressive than curing malaria, but several changes of fresh, crushed leaves per day for about a week could even cure your warts.

Laboratory studies have isolated the compound Artemisinin as the active component that is antimalarial and can prevent certain types of cancers. Unfortunately, myopic thinking has focused solely on this single ingredient rather than testing the plant as a whole. The results of these limited studies has been less impressive than the clinical work done with the whole plant, but studies are only funded for solitary elements of a plant that could one day be synthesized into drugs and patented. Nature herself is far more adept at creating balanced and effective medicine than even the most learned human could ever hope to create artificially.

Mugwort is close kin to other well-known medicinals like Sweet Annie and Wormwood. Sweet Annie (A. annua) has received much notoriety these days for her ability to treat Lyme Disease. This tall, fragrant garden plant is strongly antispirochetal and has been shown clinically to inhibit Borrelia burgdorferi –the gram negative spirochete that causes the dreaded disease. In Africa A.annua is currently in high demand due to its effectiveness against malaria; it has come to replace quinine as the preferred treatment.

Eric Litton photography

As mentioned above, Wormwood is strong medicine for intestinal parasites; however, this energetically male herb is also the notoriously famed ingredient in the elixir favored by bohemians and artists, Absinthe. Also known as “The Green Fairy,” absinthe became enormously popular with the French after troops were rationed the spirit as a preventative measure against malaria in the 1840’s. Due to its overblown reputation as a hallucinogen, the drink was banned in 1914, and the whole culture that had grown up around the ritualized drinking of this green spirit dissolved like so many sugar cubes.

Perhaps it is not as potent a hallucinogen as the hysteria proclaimed it to be, but there is some truth to Artemisia’s ability to promote a dreamy perspective. Mugwort is commonly used by herbalists and spiritualists to promote lucid dreaming. It is said that if you have trouble remembering your dreams, Mugwort will inspire more vivid and memorable images during sleep. If you have vivid dreams, but would like to have more conscious participation, she will encourage lucidity during dreamtime. For the purpose of inviting visions and dreams during meditation or sleep, Mugwort may be smoked, taken as a tea or tincture, or applied as an essential oil. Some resources even suggest that placing a bundle in your pillowcase will infuse your nights with colorful dreams.

The genus Artemesia is home to many other well-known herbs and shrubs; garden ornamentals such as southernwood and silver mound and the culinary herb French tarragon are her polite domesticated cousins. Even the high desert is home to vast landscapes of Sagebrush (A. tridentada), another well-known and ceremonial member of the Artemesias. Whether utilized as a smudging tool to clear negative energy, used as an insect repellant, taken as a medicine for infectious disease or ingested to promote visions, without contradiction Artemesia is our ally and a powerful gatekeeper for the thin spaces between worlds.

Please email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

Earth’s Harvest of Health

2010-08-10T22:03:00.005-04:00

We can feel the transition approaching. The days are getting shorter and the crisp scent of fall is in the air. Nights are finally cooler and more comfortable for sleeping. The sound of wood being split punctuates the still air that is sweet with the smell of apples and sawdust.

We’re overwhelmed with the choices available from the garden and the farm stands and frantic to find yet another recipe featuring zucchini, eggplant, squash and tomatoes. Autumn is approaching. For many this time of year continues to be a favorite for the vast array of culinary choices it offers. It is a time of stocking up our larders and our bodies in order to survive the cycle of death and transition in our natural world.

Ancestrally it was a busy time to finish repairs, chop and stack wood, return from distant travels, preserve the harvest and enjoy the last of the warmer weather before the forced confinement of winter. There was much to be done. Grains needed to be cut, gathered, and dried, winnowed and stored. Whole families would gather in the kitchens of their grandmothers to preserve fruits, pickle a variety of fresh vegetables, dry herbs, and prepare baked goods.

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this is the time of year corresponding to the Earth element (or more accurately, phase), the time of transition and harvest: late summer. The Earth element encompasses the organs Spleen and Stomach; the sweet foods naturally available to us during this time assist in the optimum functioning of this organ system. The key word would be nourishment, as Earth relates to Mother energy, our center. Stocking up on fruits, nuts, grains, root vegetables, squash, beans and all the rest of the incredible array of seasonal foods provides a layer of protective fat that will help keep us warm and begin the process of moving our energies inward for the long hibernation ahead. Even the animals know this as evidenced by deer raiding our gardens with a passion. The waxing of our girth during this time of year is a tribute to the season’s bounty; it is only natural that we begin to put on a little weight.

We, as a product of Mother Earth, are designed to live in harmony with her seasons. It is no surprise that this time of year offers such a cornucopia of produce. Our grandmothers knew that all of it could and should be preserved to keep us nourished and healthy during the leaner months ahead. Canning, preserving, pickling, and drying, freezing and salt curing all had a place and offered an aspect of necessary nutrition for the winter hibernation. Since refrigeration was not readily available, freezing was done by digging deep caches down to the layer of permafrost. Root cellars were used to keep potatoes, root vegetables, squashes and hearty fruits, such as apples fresh for as long as possible. Even still, canning made more sense once pottery, and eventually glass were commonly available.

Canning often used salt and/or lacto-fermentation to keep the hard-won harvest from spoilage and to increase its nutritional value. The beneficial bacteria available through fermenting foods provide robust health to the individual that consumes it; lactobacilli wards off disease and greatly enhances the immune system by crowding out harmful bacteria. It should be noted that modern and commercial methods of preserving use not whey -a nearly clear liquid obtained by separating soured curds from whole, raw milk- but vinegar, which does not readily provide us with beneficial bacteria and can make our systems more acidic. Simply using salt for canning vegetables is sufficient, the lactic acid will form on its own after sitting for a few days at room temperature and proliferate as the product is stored. A modern consumer can easily strain plain yogurt through cheesecloth to get two products: whey for canning and preserving and delicious yogurt cream cheese.

Every ancient culture in the world offered a variety of fermented foods including cheese, sausage, preserved meats, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles, chutney, relish, wine, beer and more. Most of these were eaten sparingly as condiments to help ensure the best digestion of heavier foods. Even ketchup and mustard were fermented condiments once upon a time. The beneficial and symbiotic bacteria that were once a regular part of our diet increased resistance to disease and warded off pathogenic yeasts; reintroducing lacto-fermented foods to our regular diets will provide a cascade of health benefits, particularly if the produce preserved is fresh, organic and local.

The Earth phase is an excellent time to shake off lethargy and stagnation, use centering practices such as yoga, meditation, Tai Chi and Ayurvedic breathing exercises to align with the ‘middle path’ often described in Zen or Buddhist teachings. When we become deficient in Earth energy -often described as Qi (vital energy) deficiency or Spleen Qi deficiency in TCM- we lose vitality, our muscles become sore and weak, we may experience shortness of breath, or sweat more easily. Our digestion may become impaired, marked by bloating, flatulence, weight issues, and lack of appetite, nausea or loose stools. A diet of highly refined fats, sugars and flour, processed meats and dairy, especially when coupled with a sedentary lifestyle is a recipe for disaster when it comes to the health and well-being of an individual, in particular their Spleen and Stomach Qi; the Earth element.

Returning to the old ways of storing and preserving the season’s harvest reduces our dependence on the fossil fuels used for refrigeration and the shipping of produce from other climates which ultimately puts us out of balance with out natural circadian rhythms. Being prepared with a stock of nutritious foods would be invaluable during the inevitable power-outages of tempestuous weather. We can reclaim our autonomy and healthy vigor through this sort of self-reliance and the economic advantages will quickly become evident: less trips to the grocery stores that burn expensive fuel, the price of out-of –season factory farmed fruits and vegetables, and the less obvious, but incredible cost to our health. Time spent in unfulfilling leisure activities become time spent with family or friends preserving the harvest and gaining the confidence of self-sufficiency. As a result, we not only enhance and strengthen our own personal Earth element, but we also ensure the vitality of our Mother Earth.

Lisl Meredith Huebner is a Chinese Herbalist nationally board certified by the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM), an Auriculotherapist, a certified medicinal Aromatherapist, and is a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. In addition, she is also skilled in a wide variety of energy-healing techniques, has published volumes of articles and photographs espousing the magic of nature and teaches certification classes and workshops on a plethora of modalities and spiritual subjects.

She is available by appointment at her private practice. Please email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation.

Thy Goldenrod & Thy Staff, They Comfort Me

2010-08-02T20:57:00.004-04:00

Goldenrod

(Solidago canadensis)

Late each summer we are greeted by a profusion of Goldenrod’s gloriously radiant and cheerful yellow blooms decorating our views in meadows, fields and roadsides. Jovial golden blossoms adorn the sturdy stalks that will never appear alone; vast colonies of this herbal ally will prodigiously populate pastures and paddocks if given half a chance. There are a dizzying variety of species of Solidago; some sources estimate that there are over eighty, while more conservative approximations are about half that figure. Nonetheless, it is notoriously difficult to differentiate members of the genus and although most are medicinal, the variety that is usually referred to in herbalism is S. canadensis.

The enormous plethora of Solidago makes it easy to understand her long-held reputation for generating abundance, luck and love. Astrologically, Goldenrod is assigned to Venus, making her a popular herb for ceremonies to attract true love. Some legends claim that a tea or a bouquet of her flowers will draw your soul-mate to you. Planting it near your front door is said to attract prosperity, and if she volunteers to make a home in your garden, she brings good fortune with her. The most fragrant of the Goldenrod native to New England is S. tenuifolia, more readily distinguished by its many branches of slightly rounded flower clusters; it smells exactly like honey and the bees adore it.

Because her bloom-time is shared with the invisible green flowers of ragweed, poor Goldenrod gets blamed for seasonal allergies, but this is simply untrue. Ragweed has tiny pollen grains that are carried by the wind, grains that are small enough to irritate and inflame sinus tissues; Goldenrod sports a small amount of sticky, large-grained pollen that are exclusively picked up by bees and other pollinating insects, and do not cause allergy symptoms. The irony is that Goldenrod is in fact a helpful remedy for sinusitis and chronic hay fever.

The leaves and flowers are the most helpful part of the plant to use when treating upper-body imbalances such as mouth abscesses, sore throat, scrofula, nasal congestion, cough or asthma; a refreshing tea or a tincture will do the job nicely. The homeopathic dose is effective when treating seasonal allergies or sensitivity to dander –especially feline. The roots of Solidago taken as a decoction or in tincture form are more appropriate to use when treating lower-body or deep-seated imbalances, such as gout, diarrhea, menstrual troubles and kidney or bladder problems. Famed herbalist Nicolas Culpepper wrote, “The decoction also helps to fasten the teeth that are loose in the gums.” This is of particular interest to me because according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Kidneys rule the bones and teeth.

Goldenrod is particularly helpful for the Water Element, not only for its diuretic and cleansing effect on the bladder and kidneys; Solidago can help with infections and inflammation as well as stones and gravel. In addition to its heat clearing and soothing properties, Goldenrod is also fortifying; it can help to boost Kidney Qi, the physical energy that governs the organ’s functions, and enrich the Yin, a moistening, receptive, nourishing quality. Solidago can even somewhat nourish the precious “Essence” or “Jing” -the very foundation from which we grow and thrive- that is stored energetically within the Kidneys.

We inherit our Essence from our parents (ultimately all of our ancestors), and we are born with a fixed amount. I like to call this Kidney Essence a “trust fund;” one could spend carefully, budget wisely and save for a rainy day in order to make even a meager inheritance last a long time. Some may be privileged enough to have inherited great genetic riches, but it is quite easy to squander a fortune!

For our body’s daily requirements we utilize energy (Qi) that we receive through food, water, rest, air and relationships (obviously it’s imperative to seek the highest quality in all of these life-sustaining requirements). We use our Essence to fill in the gaps when we can’t rely upon our steady income of Qi and we may never be aware that we are using it. Our Kidneys also help to process our emotional toxins, so when we experience extreme stress, frayed nerves, repressed or excessive emotions and cease to take proper care of ourselves, our inheritance gets spent.

This is where the spiritual and energetic benefits of Goldenrod can help us the most. The name Solidago means “to make whole” which not only refers to her value as a wound healer, but also to her ability to facilitate our recovery from emotional trauma. Deep grief and poignant loss can leave us broken and scarred, in need of potent healing; Goldenrod can help us to mend these painful injuries to our heart and soul.

The fragrance, color, and form of the whole spiritual expression of Goldenrod are hopeful and strength-giving beyond any others I know. A single spike is sufficient to heal unbelief and melancholy.

– John Muir

Heartrending ordeals can leave us fractured and lost, searching for the way back to our personal center. It is said that the Druids once used the stiff stalks of Solidago as divining rods because the plant would always help locate hidden treasures such as fresh, drinkable water or buried gold and silver. Dowsing for lost objects can include our own search for the path back to self. We may lose our faith; we may find that our strength to endure is flagging; we may feel that we cannot take another step and that’s when the staff of goldenrod can be our support.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;

Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

-Psalms 23

Goldenrod offers to fortify our reserves and assures us that we can hold on just a little longer. Herbalist Matthew Wood says that Goldenrod gives us determination so we may “endure to reach the goal.” The Ojibwe described the formation of the roots as gripping the earth in preparation for the difficult times ahead. The promise of rebirth, abundance and found riches is just ahead upon the Path… yes, that’s the one… The Path back to Your own Heart. Hang in there. You can do it.

I lie amid the Goldenrod,
I love to see it lean and nod;
I love to feel the grassy sod
Whose kindly breast will hold me last,
Whose patient arms will fold me fast!
Fold me from sunshine and from song,
Fold me from sorrow and from wrong:
Through gleaming gates of Goldenrod
I’ll pass into the rest of God.
Mary Clemmer – last stanza from “Goldenrod” (1883)

“HerbaLisl” is Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG), a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a Reiki Master an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer who has enjoyed a successful private practice for fifteen years.

Please call 860-480-0115 or email lislmeredith@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment or are interested in participating in classes or retreats.

Medicinal Mushrooms: There's A Fungus Among Us

2010-07-16T11:33:00.004-04:00

Medicinal Mushrooms

Throughout history mushrooms have been used as food and medicine by nearly every culture. Modern science has conducted numerous studies on the efficacy of mushrooms when used in the treatment of various cancers and a myriad of other diseases with excellent results! The scope of this article could not even begin to approach the broad spectrum of mushrooms available for medicinal use (there are over 38,000 known species of mushrooms!), nor the range of their medicinal factors, so I will attempt to cover the basics of the medicinal mushrooms that are currently used in the treatment of cancer. There happen to be several of them, which I will list, but the focus of this article will be on the Big Three: Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) and Maitake (Grifola frondosa).

A mushroom is the above-ground reproductive aspect of a larger organism. The fruiting body called a mushroom produces spores that are easily distributed by wind. The underground aspect is called the mycelium, a threadlike structure that can spread for miles in some instances. The mycelium generally feeds on decomposing organic matter and often shares a symbiotic relationship with its host plant, tree or environment. When attached to the roots of some plants or trees, it often will make nutrients more bio-available to the plant, while in return receiving nutrition from its host. Fungi also do a great service for their entire environment, breaking down organic matter and adding richness to the soil. Plants will frequently thrive in an environment where fungi are naturally present; they are a necessary aspect to a healthy eco-system. Some species of fungi actually parasitize their host-plants, insects and other animals. This non-toxic and cutting–edge technology is now being utilized by a few environmentally conscious exterminators to infect certain pests by setting out traps of inoculated bait that quickly dispatches the entire colony.

Superficially speaking, the attributes of mushrooms could be considered clues to their benefits on human health. Their ability to transform organic matter hints at their ability to transform toxins in the body. The manner in which they appear to grow quickly and seem to materialize from nowhere suggests a similarity to the properties of cancer, for which mushrooms are famous for treating effectively.

Mushroom are cellulose based organisms that contain polysaccharides, terpines, steroids and other compounds, many of which show great promise in the treatment of cancer. Polysaccharides, shown in many studies to be anti-tumor, are large molecules with an above average molecular weight which resemble molecules found in bacterial cell membranes. Because of this, their presence in the body creates various immune responses like an increase in the production of killer T-cells and macrophages (specialized white blood cells with strong immune functions). The nutritional content of mushrooms is wide and variable, but most contain significant amounts of protein, essential amino acids, essential fatty acids (EFA’s), vitamins such as biotin, C, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine and occasionally beta carotene, as well as minerals like sodium and phosphorus and moderate amounts of iron and calcium.

Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) also known as Ling zhi, has a rich history- over 4,000 years- particularly in Asia where it was widely sought after and highly valued. Emperor Ti, the first emperor of China (Chin dynasty- 221 BCE), ordered a fleet of ships to sail the seas of the East in search of this valuable “mushroom of immortality.” The reishi was credited with not only conferring long life, but also great health and stamina. The Taoist sages leaned upon staffs carved from the hard shelf-like mushrooms that increased memory, nurtured the Spirit and calmed the mind. Today, the reishi mushroom is valued mostly for its anti-cancer properties. Ganoderma contains germanium, a compound that increases oxygen utilization in the cells and protects against free-radicals; it has several other active constituents, including Beta-D-glucan, that are anti-tumor, immunostimulating, build the bone marrow, cleanse liver toxins, are antihistamine and the list goes on.

Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) is a delicious gourmet treat commonly available in the produce section of most grocery stores-a word to the wise: non-organic mushrooms available as produce are heavily sprayed and best avoided. This well-recognized edible mushroom is the subject of vast amounts of research in Japan and the US for its anti-tumor properties. This is mostly due to the exciting results shown from the protein-bound polysaccharide Lentinula edodes mycelium (LEM) and the polysaccharide Lentinan. Studies have shown dramatic degeneration of tumor cells, an increase in white blood cell, interferon and antibody production, as well as assisting patients with HIV and AIDS and various forms of hepatitis. This is one of the most widely cultivated mushrooms in the world, second only to the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), and though not native to the US, can be cultivated with growing kits indoors or out.

Maitake (Grifola frondosa) is also known as “hen of the woods;” it’s Japanese name translates as “dancing mushroom,” reputedly because its value was worth its weight in silver and anyone who found it would dance with joy. It remains quite valuable and mushroom hunters guard their secret locations vigilantly-not even to divulge their whereabouts to family members! Techniques for cultivation were introduced in the late 1970’s, so Maitake is now much more widely available for food and medicine. Maitake is delicious; it is a tender mushroom that enhances any savory dish. Therapeutically, it is a source of potent anti-tumor and immune stimulating compounds that increase immune function and inhibit tumor growth, proliferation and metastasis. Several promising studies have been done on Maitake D-fraction which is available at most health food stores.

There are many more mushrooms used as medicine available commercially. Turkey Tail (Coriolus versicolor a.k.a. Trametes versicolor), found in the popular Essiac (and Cassie’s) tea, is antibiotic and immune-stimulating. Studies at Sloan Kettering on the fruiting body of Porcini (Boletus edulis) have shown anti-cancer and anti-tumor activity, especially when used preventatively. A peptide or protein found in this bolete may be responsible for the inhibition rate of 90% against Ehrlich carcinoma and the 100% inhibition rate against sarcoma 180. The gourmet Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus), Porcini (also known as Cep or King Bolete), Chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius), Morel (Morchella esculenta and M. deliciosa) and the Fried Chicken Mushroom (Lyophyllum decastes/Tricholoma aggregatum/Clitocybe multiceps) have all been shown to inhibit tumor growth and to taste extraordinarily scrumptious! Even the boring old standby, the button mushroom has anti-tumor properties.

Medicinal and epicurean mushrooms may be purchased fresh, dried, powdered, tinctured or in capsules and tablets from natural food stores, gourmet grocers, qualified health care practitioners and are widely available online. Be sure to research the quality of the brand you choose, or you can start cultivating your own mushrooms to really build an intimate relationship with your friendly fungi! Another option is to learn how to identify and forage for your own wild mushrooms by joining a local mycological group (mushroom foraging clubs that have experts on hand) and purchasing an excellent field guide! Never ingest any wild mushroom when in doubt about its identity; some look-alikes may be toxic or even deadly. Don’t let that scare you off too much though, with spore prints and frequent, careful observation, many species of delicious and healthy mushrooms are easy to identify positively.

The author can frequently be found with a flat-bottomed basket and a supply of paper bags in forests throughout the area gathering up her favorite wild gastronomic treats-some to enjoy right away sautéed in a little butter, more to dry for future food and medicine. Please don’t ask me where to find the Maitake or the Morels; it’s a secret I’ll never divulge!

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Hyssop: Her Ancient Message Still Applies

2010-07-01T20:35:00.003-04:00

Hyssop

(Hyssopus officinalis)

Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Psalms 51:6/7

To say that Hyssop has a timely message for humanity and for me personally right now would be a gross understatement. A few months ago, I began to feel compelled to write a monograph about her, but the time was not yet ripe. I could feel that she wanted me to wait just a bit longer, and now as I am beginning to fully integrate her message, I can understand why. Collectively, humanity is at a critical juncture. Both on a personal level and globally, we need to take inventory of our values, our possessions, our relationships and our responsibilities -basically everything- and make some serious choices. What is most valuable to us and worth keeping? What is no longer working and needs to be scrapped?

According the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Five Element paradigm, the lungs are paired with the large intestines and are associated with the Metal Element (or more accurately, Phase). The Metal Phase represents evaluation and release- that is separating the pure from the impure- and eliminating what is left. It is crucial that we rid ourselves of that which no longer serves us in order to create space for new energies that will match our higher frequency. If we fail to do so, we become bogged down emotionally with attachments that drain us, and we find that instead of owning our possessions, our possessions own us. We become so hampered with responsibilities that are not ours that we have no energy left with which to take response-ability for what we must, such as a change of course or direction.

The lungs are also where we hold onto grief that has not been completely released. When we are burdened, whether from sadness, emotional constraint, or a resistance to necessary surrender, we can begin to fear healthy release. We may come to equate pure space with emptiness and loneliness instead of using that void as a starting point for Divine inspiration and creation. The analogy is also made in TCM that our lungs take in the breath of heaven, that is to say air, our physical connection to the intangible or the Divine. The Divine is Universal Truth and Love; a healthy ability to discern what is truly healthful to us and to disengage with what is not is a path to purifying our soul.

Many references hold true that Hyssop purifies the soul, helps one break old patterns of unhealthy thoughts or behavior, like anger, addictions and lack of forgiveness. What is a grudge, dependence, or resentment? Simply stated, unhealthy emotional patterns are based in judgment and often rooted in our inability to let go of our own imperfections enough to have true compassion for ourselves and others. What is forgiveness? The ability to release a judgment that we have been holding onto -whether it is toward ourselves or someone else- is a letting go, a surrendering. Breathing deeply, we inhale the Divine into our body and exhale the emotional weight we no longer need to carry.

On a physical level, Hyssop is one of the premier herbs for assisting the lungs in their ability to breathe deeply. It has an expectorant quality that will purge phlegm, but more specifically will thin mucous, making it more watery and easier to dislodge. Often taken as a tincture or syrup for bronchial complaints, herbalists may combine Hyssop with Mullein, Thyme, Licorice, Basil or other herbs that loosen phlegm, circulate energy in the chest and soothe coughs. A hot infusion of fresh or dried Hyssop herb is an effective remedy for the recent onset of colds or flu because it promotes a light perspiration that helps the body rid toxins through the pores and lowers a fever.

The crushed, fresh herb spread over bruises and contusions will help them to heal faster, and an infusion applied topically is helpful for achy joints. Steam from a hot infusion of Hyssop can help to soothe inflammations of the ear; its camphor-like aroma belies its ability to aromatically open areas of obstruction. In fact, the fragrance of Hyssop was once valued more highly than Lavender essential oil.

The herb is considered very safe; however it can stimulate the uterus and shouldn’t be utilized by pregnant women without professional guidance. Some sources suggest that it should not be used by children or by anyone with epilepsy because it may be a mild neurotoxin. Warnings that the herb can raise blood pressure indicate that it should never be used by anyone with hypertension. The essential oil (EO) has received much scrutiny due to the presence of the toxic ketone pinocamphene and cautions abound that advise consumers to dilute Hyssop EO in carrier oil to a concentration not exceeding 5% potency.

This logic does not take into account the thousands of trace chemicals and chemotypes that are also present in a pure steam-distilled, single source product which create a natural balance. In my opinion, a single chemical extracted and given at high concentrated doses does not represent Hyssop as a whole. I personally use several drops at a time of a very high quality, medicinal-grade Hyssop EO undiluted directly on my skin and have never had any adverse effects. In fact, I have several case studies that show the use of this high-grade oil, applied neat to the top or back of the head can help balance hypo and hypertension. Recently, one of my students was able to come off his high blood pressure medication after only 2 months of applying 4-5 drops of the oil this way on a daily basis. [Naturally, you must be responsible for your own choices if your instinct is to go against modern scientific reductionist data.]

Hyssop can help restore the nerves and soothe grief by generating strength, promoting clarity of thought, relieving depression and easing chest tightness. The judgment we attach our process when we are dealing with unpleasant emotional states is needless and causes us to tighten up, hold our breath and run a hamster wheel of worry. We would serve our higher self better by not succumbing to the temptation to be so internally harsh. Once again, deep and calm breathing helps to soothe the body, calm the mind and release emotional constraint. This release is a sacrifice of unnecessary attachments such as objects, emotions and relationships that no longer serve the highest good.

In the Bible the Jews in Egypt were compelled to protect themselves from the tenth plague by using a bunch of Hyssop to mark their doors with lamb’s blood. In this way, they would be spared the harsh judgment that would be reined upon the Egyptians, specifically the imposed sacrifice of their first born children and cattle, the embodiment of their successors and their assets.

"Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning." Exodus 12:22

Hyssop, besides being regarded as an ancient mystical herb, ritually used for purging and purifying, has also been shown to inhibit many pathogens, including a modern plague, AIDS. Some recent studies have shown that the herb inhibits the replication of HIV and were not harmful to uninfected cells. It is believed that the high content of caffeic acid, certain tannins and some unidentified high molecular weight compounds are the active compounds in Hyssop that are generating this promising research.

It has been suggested in clinical trials that Hyssop may be effective at increasing CD4+ cells and supporting the immune system during HIV related infections. According to viablehealth.com, “Two recent studies have reported on preliminary anti-HIV activity from hyssop fractions. A California research group identified a polysaccharide (deemed MAR-IO) that, depending upon concentration, inhibited the SF strain of HIV-1 in laboratory experiments designed to measure HIV-1 cell replication.”

Interestingly, Hyssop also shows some potential in the treatment of liver-related disease, including all forms of Hepatitis. In TCM, the Liver is where we energetically store emotions such as resentment and anger as well as our repressed feelings and unarticulated personal expression. Holding these patterns of stagnation can lead to a plethora of physical and emotional problems.

It is necessary for humanity to stop waiting for others to take responsibility for our own lives or the condition of the world today. Spiritual rebirth is from a place of Purity, and Purity comes from sacrificing that which we have outgrown. We must take inventory at all levels and begin purging superfluous attachments in order to start moving forward. Inspired by the clean and uncluttered space we open up, we can allow the Divine to enter and co-create the World we envision. This is Hyssop‘s message.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment. Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Basil: Joyful and Courageous

2010-06-27T11:59:00.002-04:00

Basil
(Ocimum basilicum, O. sanctum)

Basil. Saying it summons images of sunny weather, dining outdoors, delicious cuisine and happy memories. Basil is affiliated with many legends that ascribe pleasant imagery and feelings to the herb. In Italy, where the plant was sometimes called “kiss me Nicholas,” a woman left a pot of Basil on her windowsill to indicate that she was looking for a suitor. Some traditions say that a man would be destined to fall in love with any woman who gifted him with a Basil plant, but love and fidelity aren’t the only desirable blessings the herb is said to attract; in Mexico, carrying a few Basil leaves in your pocket is certain to bring in money. Be sure to carry some in your wallet the next time you visit the casino!

Basil’s folklore didn’t always invoke such pleasing associations though; during Medieval times, a superstition that linked Basil to scorpions went as far as declaring that smelling basil’s pungent aroma would cause scorpions to grow in one’s brain. In reality, Basil deters insects, in particular it is repellant toward scorpions and toxic to mosquitoes. It is marvelously helpful to apply on bites and stings, notably from scorpions, as it draws poisons back to the site and inhibits the dispersal of toxins into the bloodstream. Also noteworthy, dried and powdered basil “snuff” or essential oil applied topically can open sinuses and clear headaches rather than grow a brain scorpion.

The name Basil is believed to originate from the word basilisk, an evil serpent-like creature with deadly venom that could be conquered with a mere sprig of Basil. The connection to its power against venomous bites is not subtle in this tale. Another theory is that it originates from the Greek term basilikos, which means “worthy of kings;” certainly there are vast amounts of literature that present Basil with a level of sanctity. Tulsi, meaning “matchless” in the Far East, is known as Holy Basil (O. sanctum) here in the West. In legends, Tulsi manifested from the ashes of the goddess Tulasi and provides love, eternal life, purification and protection.

Holy Basil is considered to be very sacred in many parts of the world as its name suggests. In India, some courts have those who testify swear their oaths upon a Holy Basil plant. Sacred to Lakshmi, wife of Vishnu, the dried stems of Tulsi are sometimes cut into beads and used like a rosary for offering prayers. After the Lotus, Holy Basil is considered to be the most blessed plant in India; being far too hallowed to cook with, the herb is planted around homes and temples for heavenly protection.

The offer of divine protection has been a universal theme for Basil; In India, when death was imminent, a piece of Tulsi placed in the mouth of the dying assured safe passage to paradise. An old European custom had loved ones place sprigs of the herb in the hands of their dearly departed to ensure a protected journey to the Other Side. In ancient Egypt and Greece, Basil was provided to the deceased in order to open the gates of Heaven for them. In fact, the Greek Orthodox Church prepared their Holy Water with Tulsi, and other traditional churches would often place pots of Basil underneath their altars.

In modern spirituality, Basil continues to provide a link to the unconscious; some resources suggest that Basil can assist one in recalling their past lives. Renaissance herbalist Gaspard Bauhin (1560) once said that Basil, “with its fine scent quickens the brain and heart and restores the vital spirits.” Perhaps it is the penetrating aroma that opens unexplored pathways to previously uncultivated aspects of our consciousness.

A few weeks ago, before I had decided to embrace Basil’s teachings beyond a rudimentary understanding of her vast benefits to humanity, I went to lunch with a girlfriend that I hadn’t seen in quite a while. During our meal, she began to tell me about the reason she had been off the radar screen: she had been sick. As a professional opera singer, her lungs and her voice were more than important to her, they were her raison d’etre. We spoke at length about different dietary, herbal and complementary approaches and after we parted company, the thought of her lingering illness stayed on my mind.

Her symptoms included copious amounts of mucous, bronchial and sinus congestion, tremendous fatigue, poor digestion and a feeling of being chilled. She looked pale and puffy and she moved without her usual grace and spunk. I was concerned about her when I went to sleep that night, and at the first light of dawn I received a message from the plant I had only just chosen for this monograph: Basil. (Okay, let’s be honest here, Basil clearly chose me.) The message I was given was specific to my friend: that Basil strongly desired to be her plant ally. I immediately sprang from my bed and looked up the various characteristics of Basil beyond what I knew about her benefits in the treatment of migraine headaches, to improve digestion and her established attributes for lowering blood sugar in the treatment of diabetes.

All Basils are warming and drying and have strong action on the respiration, the nervous system and reproduction; they are stimulating to Yang energy and treat fatigue, cold and depression. Better than Hyssop for supporting the body’s vital energy and more effective than Thyme for warming and stimulating wet, congested lungs, Basil also address chronic sinusitis with concurrent loss of smell. The most specific indication that Basil is appropriate for in respiratory conditions is chest tightness, wet asthma and lungs that consistently produce copious amounts of clear or white phlegm. I knew instantly that Basil had indeed come to give me this communication for my damp friend and called her on the spot to deliver the message.

Interestingly, she had been feeling drawn to Basil essential oil, one of the strongest methods of administering the herb (a tincture is also a great form of the remedy). With some time and effort, it could very well be the shot in the arm that she needs to restore her vitality, lift the fog of melancholy that weighed her spirits down from the long-standing malady and invigorate her sluggish constitution. I was also reminded of Basil’s ability to attract a loving mate and figured as a plant ally, this quality couldn’t hurt her any either!!

Speaking of amore, I find it fascinating that Basil can reduce sperm production, but is often used to restore libido in men and women alike. Across the board, applying the essential oil to someone with fatigue and a cold, achy lower back will bring immediate relief. For women, it can help to balance certain hormonal issues that present with delayed or scanty menstruation and cramps that are improved with the application of heat. The herb can help issues of female infertility, encourage the flow of breast milk and give men a much-needed lift in cases of impotence.

Basil restores the nerves, revives the consciousness, promotes clear thinking and helps assist the memory. Herbalist Wilhelm Ryff (1582) said of Basil, “It awakens joy and courage.” I have to agree, it is a marvelous cure for stress!!

Almost everyone loves Basil; the scent, the flavor, its attractiveness in a garden and its versatility in so many cuisines. From sweet basil pesto, to Thai spring rolls and as an interesting and pleasant accompaniment to sweet dishes like tea breads and fruit salad, it seems that Basil knows no culinary limits either. Plant some in your garden and enjoy the harvest of love, passion, fidelity, fine dining, and good health.

Please call 860-480-0115 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

A Rose is a Rose

2010-06-14T15:34:00.001-04:00

Rose
(Rosa centifolia, R. damascena, et al)

“That which we call a rose,

By any other name would smell as sweet.” -William Shakespeare

When I told a friend which plant I was considering for the topic of this monograph, his reply was, “Is Rose an herb?” That sealed the deal for me. I guess it’s about time she was acknowledged for the many levels of healing she offers. The enormous jar of pink Rose petals in my apothecary is only a partial testament to the great and varied work she does on behalf of the human species.

“It will never rain roses:

when we want to have more roses we must plant more trees.”

- George Eliot

Rose is a part of our collective consciousness; people think of her most often when her gorgeous and fragrant blossoms make their seasonal debut in June. Of course she is also enormously popular in February when lovers share her sensuous blooms in order to bring heart-felt passion into a dreary, dark month. For Rose, kindling love and passion is an easy task that she has mastered long ago.

“The rose is a flower of love.

The world has acclaimed it for centuries.

Pink roses are for love hopeful and expectant.

White roses are for love dead or forsaken,

but the red roses, ah the red roses

are for love triumphant."

-Anonymous

The Rose, native to Asia and the Middle East originally, has been revered and respected for thousands of years; hundreds of species have been cultivated to capture various aspects of her charms. Some Roses have been bred for fragrance, while others continue to be cultivated for shape, size, and color. Many commercial Roses, grown with durability in mind for the florist market, have lost much of their scent, but have developed the refined, elongated shape that we are familiar with, such as the long stemmed red rose.

“Won't you come into the garden?

I would like my roses to see you.”

- Richard B Sheridan

In the world of Rose gardeners, there can be a bit of snobbery when it comes to antique Roses versus the newer breeds. The classic Roses that adorn distinguished gardens are smaller, particularly fragrant and can be shrub-like or climbers. Names like ‘Madame Hardy’, 'Comte de Chambord' and 'Yolande d'Aragon' have an air of pretentiousness, whereas the Jenny-come-latelies of the Rosa family sport monikers like ‘Dolly Parton’, ‘Tropicana’, ‘Blueberry Hills’ and tend to feature unusual colors or exceptionally large blossoms.

"Once I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: "No good in a bed, but fine up against a wall."

— Eleanor Roosevelt

What are usually referred to as thorns on a Rose are actually called prickles, a thorn is really a modified stem, whereas a prickle is an extension or outgrowth of the outer tissue of the stem. The purpose of the hook-shaped pricker is to help the Rose climb toward the light and to discourage animals from browsing, although they don’t dissuade the deer very often.

“Gather the rose of love

Love is much like a wild rose,

beautiful and calm, but willing

to draw blood in its defense.”

- Mark Overby.

"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses."

— Abraham Lincoln

The petals or buds of the Rosa centifolia or Rosa damascena varieties are most often used by herbalists in soothing herbal teas; Roses are frequently paired with Lavender or Melissa to enhance a generous feeling of well-being. The taste of Pink Rose is pleasant and sweet and goes right to the heart. For serums, elixirs, and infused vinegars these petite pink roses produce a jewel-like color to the finished product, have the highest concentration of volatile oils, and offer the most alluring perfume. These are also the varieties used in medicinal aromatherapy.

“Take time to smell the roses.” - Ferdinand the Bull

The most desirable Rose essential oil is from the Bulgarian Rose (R. damascena), although eo’s distilled from China Rose (R. chinensis) and Moss or Cabbage Rose (R. centifolia) are also absolutely sublime. Rose oil is fragile and will deteriorate if the blossom isn’t harvested the very morning it first opens. During its peak season, farmers are up before sunrise to collect the burgeoning flowers still damp with dew. The hand-harvested Roses are dried straight away, or processed immediately into essential oil.

The highest quality essential oil is steam-distilled (sometimes called Rose Otto), in other words, processed only with pure water. The young flowers are placed in a still and the water beneath is heated to a specific temperature to allow steam to rise through the plant material. The vapor that has passed through the Roses carries traces of the volatile oil and consolidates in a specially designed chamber back into liquid. The liquid will naturally separate into the essential oil and the hydrosol (or rose water) because of the varying density. It takes approximately 1,000 pounds of rose petals to make an ounce of steam-distilled essential oil.

“A rose is a rose is a rose.” - Gertrude Stein

Because the cost is so prohibitive, there is great temptation to adulterate Rose essential oil, and many products are impure, cut with alcohol, of poor quality, or blended with a very large amount of carrier oil. Frequently, the actual amount of Rose oil in such products is fractional. The market also offers Rose absolute, which is produced with a chemical solvent, often hexane; I personally will only use medicinal-grade, steam-distilled Rose essential oil. A single drop of this wonderful medicinal essence goes a long way and is worth every penny… approximately $300-$500 per quarter ounce (roughly 240 drops).

The divinity of the Feminine is an aspect of her magic and symbols of Rose appear in every culture and religion. In Earth-based spiritual traditions, the 5 petals of the wild rose is representational of the 5 pointed star, a holy symbol. The name of the devotional prayer beads used in Christianity, the rosary, is derived from “rose garden” or “rose garland.” Churches and cathedrals throughout Europe often exhibit elaborate rose windows, complex stained-glass designs that utilize powerfully sacred geometric patterns.

The spiritual medicine of Rose offers peace and stillness; it infuses Love on all levels. Compassion is one of her lessons, starting with empathy for one’s own self. Quan Yin, the Buddhist goddess of compassion could be likened as a counterpart to Mary, The Divine Mother who is often represented by the Rose. It is said that when Visions of Mother Mary appear to devotees, the scent of Rose accompanies Her.

“…in Mary we see a rose, soothing everybody's hurts, giving the destiny of salvation back to all. Mary was a rose, white for maidenhood, red for love; white in body, red in soul; white in her seeking after virtue, red in treading down vice; white in cleansing her affections, red in mortifying her flesh; white in her love of God, red in compassion for her neighbor.” -Saint Bernard of Clairvaux

Research has been done measuring the vibrational frequency in Mega Hertz (MHz) on a variety of essential oils; one MHz equals one million oscillations per second. According to Dr. Marcy Foley, author of Embraced by the Essence, a healthy human body vibrates at around 62-68 MHz, and disease begins at oscillations below 60 MHz; Cancer has a low frequency at 42 MHz. Rose, by far, has the highest vibrational frequency of any essential oil, 320 MHz, compared to the next highest, Helichrysum which oscillates at 181 MHz. It’s reasonable to believe that utilizing this transcendent oil will raise anyone’s frequency!

I often use this magnificent grade of Rose oil in cooking; a few drops in chocolate chip cookies is beyond description, and stirring a little into melted chocolate just before dipping strawberries will result in a confection that approaches a religious experience! I have also created a strawberry and Rose sorbet that tastes exactly like Love. When using Rose oil in cooking, be sure to use only the highest quality steam-distilled Rose essential oil. If it isn’t in your budget, Rose water is frequently available in specialty shops for a modest amount of money (although a reputable Aromatherapist will likely offer a better quality product for close to the same price).

Rose syrups, jams and jellies are delicious and make a fun project for the whole family; kids are especially fond of making flowers into food. Experiment with Rose in your recipes; you may be surprised at how versatile her flavor can be, adding new dimensions to old standards in the kitchen. Rose hips, the fruit of the rose, are tart and sweet and rich in Vitamin C; they can be added to herbal tisanes and also make a tasty jam. Combined with Hawthorn, Rose Hips make a safe and effective tonic for the heart.

Rose hip seed oil from R. Rubiginosa or R. mosquetta is used in creams, lotions and other beauty products. The cold-pressed oil by itself is lovely; this magical, ruby-hued serum heals burns and abrasions after the initial pain is relieved. I infuse mine in the sun with St. Joan’s Wort to create a facial serum that keeps my skin soft and elastic and reduces wrinkles. It really works, it’s good for you, and it is so much more economical than high-prices facial elixirs found in fancy beauty shops; the simple ingredients make a great deal of sense for the health of the planet too. You can’t tell me that the “blush is off the rose!”

From the medical benefits and the culinary delights, to the spiritual connotations and historical references, information about Rose could -and has- filled volumes. Sit with a Rose this summer, inhale her fragrance, peer into her depths and experience the peace she offers. Experience for yourself the myriad of gifts she offers from her heart… to yours.

“The sweetest flower that blows,

I give you as we part.

For you it is a Rose,

For me it is my heart.”

- Frederick Peterson

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment.
HerbaLisl.com
Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Passiflora: Lessons in Coexistence

2010-04-09T10:12:00.004-04:00

Passionflower

(Passiflora incarnata)

Although believed by many to be an aphrodisiac, Passionflower was named for the Passion of the Christ, not for passion of the loins. Its symbology was identified by Spanish missionaries as a sign of God’s approval for their duty to convert native people of the Americas to Christianity. To summarize the correlation, the three stigmas represented the three spikes used to nail Christ to the cross, the five anthers indicated the five wounds; the radial filaments were representative of the crown of thorns and the ten sepals stood for the apostles (minus the two -Peter and Judas- that these particular followers of Christ weren’t willing to forgive in order to characterize elements of this flower. Perhaps if the blossom had sported 12 sepals, it would be a different story.)

The peculiar portrayal of a Christ-like flower was construed to curry support from Pope Paul V by a Jesuit priest on a mission in Peru in the early 1600’s. At that time, Spanish missionaries were at the forefront of botanical expeditions in the newly conquered territories; to be the discoverer of the next great herbal specific for a current malady was an opportunity for achieving prestige and undoubtedly, wealth. This seems somewhat akin to the enthusiastic pharmaceutical fervor we witness today, even to the extent of disenfranchising indigenous populations by laying claim to their traditional medicines (and converting the “active constituents” into lucrative drugs via a lengthy, environment-polluting process).

What could have been a marriage of healing traditions, a sharing of herbal ideals and a harmonious co-mingling of support and structure for plant-based natural medicine systems became an opportunistic invasion of self-serving interests. Perhaps I digress.

There are approximately 500 species of Passiflora, most of them vining plants that seek the light of the sun by attaching themselves to trees, plants and other supports in their vicinity with curling tendrils. The benefits to their native ecosystems are manifold. The soft, palmate, deeply lobed leaves provide a leaf litter that breaks down in only five months, compared to other tropical trees and plants which often take many years to decompose. The nectar is an important food source for many insects and their showy flowers are specialized to attract a variety of larger pollinators, such as honeybees, carpenter bees, bats and hummingbirds, pollinators which are currently in decline worldwide.

One species of Passiflora has developed an interesting symbiotic relationship with other insects in its community. Initially, the Passiflora manufactured a cyanide-based compound to deter moths and butterflies from devouring its leaves. The Heliconiinae butterfly over time developed a resistance to the chemical and began to feed on the vine in earnest, even to the point of laying its eggs on the leaves so that the newly hatched larva could immediately begin feeding. In response to the over consumption of whole shoots, the Passiflora began to manufacture nectaries -small nodes of nectar- located at the base of the leaf stalk, in order to attract ants that would feast on the sugary syrup. The ants provided great protection in exchange and attacked anything that threatened their food source. The Passion flower then further trumped the butterfly by creating nubs on their leaves, a mock-up of what it would look like if a butterfly had already laid its eggs there. Seeing that the site was already claimed, the winged invader would seek another place to lay its eggs. There was no hard feelings though, the Heliconiinae butterfly will still happily pollinate the Passiflora and distribute its pollen grains to neighboring blossoms.

The Passiflora is mainly a tropical species native to South America, although P. incarnata is a subtropical variant that is found mainly in the southern United States, but ranging as far north as Pennsylvania. Very few pests harass this species and it can thrive quite well in the harsher northern climate. Known as “Maypops,” this Passion flower is rather hardy, surviving temperatures as low as minus 4 degrees Fahrenheit before the root succumbs to the cold. It is the medicinal qualities of this species of Passiflora that are mostly referred to in studies.

Passiflora is very effective for many generalized anxiety disorders; in studies it performed as well as the drug Oxazepam, but without the range of side effects. For insomnia, this herbal ally can help one to transition to a deep, restful slumber without the all too common “hangover” that comes with taking sleeping pills. The alkaloids and flavonoids present in the herb makes it an effective and non-addictive sedative without causing undue drowsiness, just calm. One of the flavonoids, Apigenin, is antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory, which accounts for Passifora’s popularity in the treatment of pain.

It would be appropriate to say that Passiflora “smoothes out the rough edges” physically, emotionally and mentally, but is not given to pregnant women. It treats a range of disorders that come from excess stress such as nervous tension, anxiety, depression, insomnia, palpitations, pre-menstrual syndrome, irritable bowels, asthma and high blood pressure. It is also prescribed for spasmodic dis-eases such as Parkinson’s, epilepsy, certain types of seizures and neuralgia, even when the cause of the nerve pain is viral in nature, as it is with shingles. The dose for a tea is one teaspoon of dried herb to a cup of boiling water, steeped for about 15 minutes; the tincture is taken at doses averaging 20-30 drops, as needed. For sleep disorders it is simply taken before bedtime, but for other uses, it is taken two or three times a day.

Passiflora produces a purple or yellow, ovoid or elongated fruit that is filled with juicy pulp and many seeds. The sweet/tart flavor of the fruit makes it a successful commodity and early in the twentieth century it was widely exported to many newly commercialized tropical locations for marketable agriculture. As it turns out, this idea may have been short-sighted.

With a lack of native pests or diseases, the Passion flower vine, which when unhindered can grow up to twenty feet a year, thrived in these new environments and began to become invasive, crowding out indigenous plant populations. Without the checks and balances of its native ecosystem, one particular species, P. mollissima, conquered territories, subjugated local plant communities, and blanketed large areas with its self-serving agenda. To make matters worse, non-native birds and feral pigs, also introduced by colonists, enthusiastically consumed the fruit and spread its seed hither and yon.

What could have remained a marriage of symbiotic relationships, a sharing of ecological benefits and a harmonious co-mingling of support and structure for plants and their pollinators became an opportunistic invasion of self-serving interests. Perhaps I haven’t digressed after all.

In this way Passiflora teaches us great wisdom; we can seek to rise to new heights and grow emotionally and spiritually without hindrance if we do so in harmony with others. The ability to seek support where it is offered and return benefits in exchange is mutually advantageous. If we attempt to expand unhindered in someone else’s environment, we cannot benefit from mutual support and we can become a burden to others, and the Earth. The demands of our modern world tend to ignore these basic truths, and we are unwittingly playing a large part in the invasive tendencies of unrestricted growth and expansion. When the burden of trying to accommodate the yoke of our responsibility becomes more than we can handle, Passiflora is there to help smooth out the rough edges and teach us how to coexist.

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH (NCCAOM), RH (AHG) is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level II Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment.
HerbaLisl.com

Please call 860-673-6863 or email at HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Yellow Dock: Super Cleanser

2010-03-27T12:23:00.003-04:00

Yellow Dock

(Rumex Crispus)

Early in spring, its raggedy, bespeckled leaves first emerge in a basal rosette from the tough, deep taproot that has wintered below. The edges of the elongated leaves are wavy and somewhat crinkled, giving definition to its other well-known moniker, Curly Dock. Gardeners as a rule are not particularly fond of this tenacious garden interloper, knowing full well that the profusion of seeds it produces late in every growing season will spell disaster for their carefully tended beds. Each root must be carefully dug out from its firm grip on the earth far below the surface, for even a small piece of the brittle root, snapped off in an attempt to extricate it from the soil, will produce an even sturdier offspring. Hoeing is out of the question; the best thing to do is to make peace with the rugged invader and relentlessly continue to harvest this valuable herb for its medicine.

The name “Dock” which refers to a broad leafed weed sometimes causes some confusion; another useful wild plant called Burdock (Arctium lappa) is actually of no direct relation to Rumex crispus. The environment they favor tends to share many similarities however; waste places, overgrown meadows or pastures, roadsides, ditches, abandoned farmland and cultivated ground such as your garden are all locales where one may find Yellow Dock languishing. Be sure to use common sense when harvesting any wild plants and avoid places where toxic chemicals may be present in the ground, particularly by the side of roads and landfills.

Rumex crispus (also known as Sour Dock) is considered to be cold and dry, a restoring, bitter astringent that decongests and dissolves accumulations. Its effects are felt most strongly in the intestines, the liver, the lymphatic system and the kidneys. It can help to reduce inflammation and promote healing both topically and internally. It has been prescribed for a variety of ailments including herpes, syphilis, vaginitis, ovarian cysts and fibroids, tumors, boils, acne, thrush, ulcers, dysentery, hemorrhoids, urinary tract infections, kidney and gallstones, acidosis, and as an adjunctive support for diabetics.

As its name suggests, the root of this perennial herb is yellow which can be a signature or a reminder for some of its medicinal effects. Well known as a spring tonic, Yellow Dock is hepatic in nature, supporting and restoring the functioning of the liver. As a boost for the liver and gall bladder, Rumex crispus assists the digestion of fatty foods by enhancing bile production. Historically, its use in spring was truly revitalizing after a long season of mostly meat and fats in the winter diet. The judicious use of this herb can be of great benefit to people who frequently indulge in the rich and over processed foods of a modern diet as well.

The root of Curly Dock is known to help the intestines increase its absorption of minerals; therefore it has been used effectively in the treatment of malabsorption issues, including Crohn’s disease. Herbalists sometimes prescribe the remedy to people with various food allergies because this symptom generally indicates an imbalance with the liver. Other conditions that may point toward Liver imbalance include gout, certain skin diseases, congestive dysmennorhea, and of course jaundice. When used to help decongest the liver, we frequently will pair Yellow Dock with Dandelion root.

Because of its ability to increase mineral absorption, and the significant amount of iron it contains, Yellow Dock has been used extensively for building blood in the treatment of anemia and has even been used successfully in extreme cases of leukemia. It is wise to remember however, that this is a cold and decongesting herb and by itself is not appropriate for the treatment of blood deficiency. When used for anemia it is excellent in combination with nettles, peony root, dang gui, red clover and molasses. These herbs, prepared as a decoction and taken at a dose of one cup three times daily most often will resolve anemia within three months. Following this method from time to time will help keep blood levels balanced and prevent the reoccurrence of anemia.

The bioflavonoids Yellow Dock contains also have a strengthening effect on the capillaries and the herb can be of great benefit where there is portal congestion. It can actually help to regulate menstrual blood when there is a tendency toward early flooding or slow, heavy and delayed menstruation. Slow, heavy menstrual blood can often be a sign of congestion; I frequently see a correlation between such conditions and uterine/ovarian cysts or fibroids. In these cases, Yellow dock can be helpful when part of a carefully constructed formula.

Perhaps the most common use for this Sour Dock is as a safe laxative for chronic constipation, especially if there is concurrent liver imbalance. Its purgative function is due the presence of anthraquinone glycosides that stimulate peristalsis. It is less irritating than other herbs like senna, cascara sagrada or rhubarb because of the high tannin content. Combining it with a carminative like cumin or fennel seed to make the remedy even more harmonious to the body is a good idea; often Yellow Dock will stimulate a bowel movement within a few hours of ingestion. A tincture of the herb can be taken starting with a low dose of ¼ teaspoon two to three times daily, up to one teaspoon for each dose, but do not exceed taking the remedy for more than one week.

Like all peristaltic herbs, laxative dependency is possible, so use only when necessary and if constipation persists, seek out an experienced herbalist to get to the root of the problem. It is also important to note that Yellow Dock also contains a considerable amount of oxalic acid, a compound found in many plants and foods such as spinach, strawberries, rhubarb, beets, Swiss chard, wheat bran, nuts, chocolate, and tea. An excess of oxalic acid in the diet can interfere with calcium absorption and increase the risk of kidney stones, so although herbs are frequently much safer to use than pharmaceuticals, it is wise to seek the expertise of a professional herbalist when embarking on an herbal regimen.

The sour leaves of Yellow Dock are a tasty and refreshing young leafy green to add to an early spring salad, but eating too much may cause gastric upset for some people. Because the newly emerged leaves contain a small amount of chrysophanic acid that can irritate the mouth and cause a tingling numbness that lasts for a few hours, be sure to wash the young leaves well before eating them which will remove all traces of the irritant. Curly Dock can also be cooked as a vegetable; some sources say to cook in several changes of water, but personally, I prefer to simply steam it or boil it briefly in a small amount of water. The leaves are also a valuable source of many vitamins and minerals, particularly iron.

The seeds are prolific, and as a rich source of riboflavin, can help the body absorb Vitamin C more efficiently. Although some wild food enthusiasts find hulling them to be too labor-intensive, others simply don’t bother to do more than sift through trays of seeds to remove insects, pieces of stem, twigs and leaves before grinding the seed, hull and all in a spice mill to use as a coffee substitute, or grind them extra fine for use as flour. I found at Natureskills.com a recipe for Yellow Dock Seed Crackers that combines equal amounts of Rumex crispus seed flour and any other type of flour you like with, salt and water to make a dough to be rolled out and baked. Simple enough, I plan to make some next fall!

Lastly, the magical uses of Yellow Dock are to attract success, commerce and prosperity; perhaps it is the profusion of seeds the plant produces, or the opportunistic habits of this common plant that bring abundance to mind. Whatever the reasoning, if you want to experiment with drawing in wealth by utilizing a wash of this weed on the doorknobs of your business, what could it hurt? Just let me know how it works out!

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Sweet Honeysuckle: Faithful Friend or Scourge of the Country?

2010-03-09T16:02:00.003-05:00

“…how sweetly smells the honeysuckle in the hush’d night…”

-Tennyson

Just inhaling the fragrance of Honeysuckle on a warm evening breeze is enough to make anyone pause and seek the source of her sweet cologne. Oh, there… that overgrown vine enveloping the hedge that your eyes always skip over on their way to a more pressing engagement, that’s where that heavenly aroma is coming from… the Honeysuckle. Beloved by bees and hummingbirds alike, this tenacious climbing plant boasts creamy white and yellow, or sometimes pink, two-lipped flowers in pairs. These delicate blossoms measuring one to two inches long, offer a sweet nectar making her very poplar with the wee winged ones.

Not long ago, when most people were still fairly attuned to nature, it was commonly noted that her flowers resembled lovers entwined, thereby making “Love Bind,” as she was sometimes called, a symbol of devotion and love. In Victorian times, it was said that if one brought a Honeysuckle bouquet into the house, a wedding would follow within the year. Prudence being the operative theme in those days, perhaps marriage was the only possible option for release of wanton desires, for it was well-known that the perfume that spills from her honey-lipped blossoms would spark dreams of passion and desire.

“The trumpet flower whose ivory bugles blow scent instead of sound.” -Pepys

Look at the way her trailing vines twist around each other as they reach new heights in their quest for sunshine. The interlacing vines certainly do bring to mind an intimate embrace, but as we all learn at one point or another, clinging is not necessarily the most sought after characteristic in a person or a plant. Fidelity and devotion is one thing certainly, but it is this very quality gone to the extreme of suffocation that has made Honeysuckle an invasive scourge in most parts of the country.

Lonicera is a genus of plants from the family Caprifoliacae, of which the Elder is another well-known member. The name lets us know that goats like to eat the leaves- think “foliage” and “Capricorn”- and goats aren’t the only ones who enjoy browsing on the tender tips; the Honeysuckle is a major food source for the white-tailed deer. Over 100 of the approximately one hundred eighty species of Lonicera originated in Asia, the species used mostly in herbal medicine is L. japonica. The Honeysuckle is listed as a USDA National Invasive Species; it grows quickly, doesn’t succumb easily to pests or diseases and has a grip that can strangle a small sapling.

Honeysuckle propagates by seed or by the nodes on its trailing runners; these root runners can explore the area up to ten feet from the main plant and root down to depths of 4 feet. The seeds are generously scattered by the birds who enjoy the bright clusters of fleshy red (or occasionally black) berries and add a bit of fertilizer as they distribute them. The berries are not edible to humans, in fact, except for one elongated bell-shaped blue variety (L. caerulea), the fruit of the Honeysuckle is slightly toxic to people.

The berry is not the medicinal part of the Honeysuckle; it is the young flower buds and the stems that contain the properties used to ward off disease. In fact, well-known herbalist Michael Tierra calls Lonicera the “Echinacea of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” According to medical traditions dating back thousands of years, Jin Yin Hua, literally “gold-silver flower,” is powerfully effective for the treatment of hot purulent infections. In TCM, Honeysuckle belongs to a class of remedies that Clear Heat Toxicity; in other words, the aspect of pathogens or infectious disease that makes one physically sick. Examples of Heat Toxicity can include swellings or inflamed eruptions with fever and malaise, dysentery, abscesses, encephalitis, appendicitis and the like.

Lonicera is anti-inflammatory, and anti-infectious, particularly suited to treating issues of the throat, eyes, skin, breast and intestines. For sore throats, headaches and conjunctivitis, Lonicera has been shown to be highly effective at providing relief, and for the early stages of contagious diseases it is often taken in a formula called Yin Chiao Chieh Tu Pien (pronounced “yin chow chee dew peein”). Cheap “patent formulas” are often available at Asian grocery stores or online, but often contain pharmaceutical agents that aren’t listed on the label. There is very little, if any, regulation when it comes to retail products from China (as we have sadly learned), so be sure to get your Yin Chiao from a trusted source. Excellent and safe brands that are regulated by strict US codes for safe manufacturing and handling are available, usually though a credentialed herbalist. For myself and a great number of my patients, we can’t get through a winter without the help of our legendary Yin Chiao!

This renowned formula contains a combination of antibacterial and antiviral herbs, the most noteworthy of which is Forsythia fruit, and is indicated for the onset of severe colds and flu-like symptoms including sore throat, headaches, fever and possible chills. It is a very balanced prescription that addresses the infectious nature of the pathogen while keeping the body harmonized. It has been taken for upper respiratory infections, flu, acute bronchitis, measles and even for early stages of encephalitis and meningitis. Because it is an energetically cooling formula specific for virulent Heat-type symptoms, it is ineffective for colds with profuse, clear, watery mucous accompanied by a pronounced chilly feeling.

In laboratory trials, Lonicera has been shown to inhibit the growth of various pathogens in vitro such as streptococcus pneumonia, the two most prevalent anti-biotic resistant hospital infections, staphylococcus and pseudomonas, as well as being especially effective against salmonella. Other studies have confirmed that its use against tuberculosis is particularly warranted. It is antiviral against several strains of influenza, and is used in ophthalmology for corneal ulcers, keratitis and conjunctivitis. Honeysuckle has even been shown to lower cholesterol in lab studies, making it a possible alternative treatment for balancing lipid metabolism.

As if that weren’t enough, in Europe Lonicera is used to treat urinary problems (it is also diuretic), as well as asthma and to ease the discomfort of childbirth. In Japan, it is frequently included in products taken for the treatment of bloating, nausea, vomiting and even Hepatitis C. Recent research is investigating its use in the treatment of breast cancer and for the clinical suppression of AIDS. It is a mild herb that is safe for children and elderly alike, but it is not recommended if there is chronic diarrhea.

Generally it’s the flower buds that are used medicinally, gathered May through June early in the morning before they open- mind the bees! Soothing syrups can be made from these sugary buds, or add the open blossoms to salads for some added charm. The tender stems gathered in autumn or winter, are also used in herbal medicine for the treatment of joint pain with inflammation or for sores and abscesses; in Pinyin it is called Ren Dong Teng, literally “stem that resists winter.”

If the stem resists winter, then it’s no surprise that folklore once touted Honeysuckle’s ability to resist evil, especially on Mayday. Planted in the garden, it was supposed to protect the home and property from malevolent spirits. Modern practitioners using flower essences hold Honeysuckle in high esteem for its ability to attract wealth; the characteristics of the vine also represent ascension in the quest to find one’s highest self.

Our highest self is reflected in our integrity and our peaceful bliss which comes when we are able to release our grip on the past and the illusion of safety when we clutch tightly to what no longer serves our highest potential. Honeysuckle energetically can help us to have the courage to accept struggles with grace and ease and move forward with purpose. So take advantage of the plethora of wild Honeysuckle; harvest and dry some buds for the next flu season, toss a few flowers in with some greens, or bring a fragrant bouquet home to enjoy… just remember that it could mean a wedding in your future!

Lisl Meredith Huebner, Dipl.CH, RH

Diplomate Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM), Registered Herbalist (AHG)

”Herbalisl” is a nationally board certified Chinese Herbalist with the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and a Registered Herbalist with the American Herbalists Guild. Lisl is also a certified Medicinal Aromatherapist, a level III Reiki practitioner, an Acupressurist, an Auriculotherapist, a plant photographer, a renowned diagnostician, a teacher of Herbal Medicine and Medicinal Aromatherapy and a published writer in private practice for over a decade. She is available by appointment.
www.HerbaLisl.com

Please call 860-673-6863 or email at HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions,

would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks,

or are interested in taking classes.

Sweet Violet:: A Gentle Friend

2010-03-05T09:34:00.003-05:00

Viola odorata

To me, one of the most welcome sights of spring is my special friend, Sweet Violet. Although diminutive in size, their heart-shaped leaves and happy blue, white or violet faces fill me with such delight that I use them as often as I can while they are in season. Although considered by some as a weed, (perish the thought!) this precious plant should have an honored place in everyone’s garden. I have even gone so far as to transplant them into the garden bed from the lawn or walkways instead of tossing them into the compost pile when weeding.

For starters, Sweet Violet is delicious. For anyone who still uses weed killers and pesticides, you’ll just have to sit on the sidelines while the rest of us enjoy our wild, healthy and delicious “weeds.” Tender, young Violet leaves and flowers in a salad make it not only more beautiful and enticing, but it also is a very healthy addition because of the high content of vitamins A and C. Another culinary option would be to steam either young or older, tougher leaves, as a cooked green vegetable or to use the cheerful blossoms either candied or plain to decorate desserts or as an edible garnish. By carefully drying the leaves and fresh flowers slowly in a cool, dark area with good air circulation until just crisp, then storing the herb in a glass jar in your pantry, a wonderful herbal tea will be available to delight your senses year-round.

Violet is not limited to being a choice edible however, it is also a mild and effective remedy for a myriad of conditions. In traditional Chinese medicine, a species of Viola has been used for over two thousand years as a powerful detoxifier. The local variety boasts properties quite similar to her Asian cousin. Cooling and soothing, Violet had earned a reputation for reducing fever, relieving a sore throat and as an effective expectorant for a variety of lung complaints from asthma to bronchitis. As an effective diuretic, it is often prescribed in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Many skin conditions are also helped by the use of Violet due to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties; eczema, sores, suppurations, swellings, and allergic rashes can benefit from either internal or topical applications of this useful herb.

Last summer, while strolling with a visitor around the property, she suddenly began hopping on one foot, obviously in pain. It became apparent that she had stepped on a bee in her bare feet and was stung on the bottom of her foot. While sitting her down on the patio steps, I noticed the Violets clamoring for my attention. I quickly grabbed some leaves (while thanking them for the reminder) and had our friend chew the leaves and apply the poultice to the now-swollen bee sting. Her relief was immediate and the swelling and pain promptly subsided. Within five minutes she was up and walking around again, but this time with her sandals back on!

That in itself would seem reason enough to add Viola to your list of herbal friends, but the most impressive qualities of Viola include some of the more recent studies that show her to be antimicrobial in vitro against Tuberculosis, cleansing to a congested lymphatic system, and as an antihistamine for childhood allergies to cow’s milk. The seeds of Violet are especially diuretic and assist in the dissolving and flushing of kidney stones. It has also been reported to be very useful in the treatment of cancerous tumors when taken at 2-3 times the normal dosage. Caution should be used when ingesting large amounts of the herb as it can cause vomiting due to the high saponin content, not to mention that when treating any serious imbalance or illness, consulting a professional is always advisable.

The essential oil of Violet has also been valued for centuries. Its fragrance speaks of calming and nurturing support for times when we experience emotional fragility and mental depression. It can help to open our hearts in a safe, gentle manner and allow us to speak our Truth in a loving way. Truly, Sweet Violet is a charming and devoted friend that we can be grateful for when she appears so abundantly each spring.

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Spring Cleaning For the Body and Soul

2010-02-25T21:09:00.001-05:00

As we awaken from the confinement of winter, we can imagine our ancestors also emerging from their hibernation. The snow is still persistent in shady spots; cold nights and wet snow punctuate the struggle between winter and spring for dominance. Here and there small shoots of green push up through the thawing earth, streams and rivers once again flow cold and clean and the promise of fresh fish and spring greens whets our appetites. Like our elders before us, we can feel the energy rising in us like the sap in the trees. The time for birth and renewal has begun.

If we picture ourselves back in the lives of our forefathers and mothers, we will see that this was the time of year that the food stores in our pantries were becoming bare. Dried meat provisions had been mostly used up, lard stores were waning, any remaining grains were being stolen a little at a time by hungry mice and the canned goods from autumn’s bounty, were scarce. If meat was hunted, it was thin and lean. The sight of fresh foods emerging, warm weather returning and increased activity filled us with anxious anticipation. There would be much work to be done, and anything seemed possible.

This time of year is encoded within us to be a time of fasting, lean eating and increased physical activity. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), this time of year corresponds to the Wood element; the organ system affected is the Liver/Gall Bladder. The foods available to us traditionally in the early spring are naturally very cleansing to this system, for we were designed to live in harmony with the seasons.

In the winter, we retreat to the indoors just as our body’s Qi (energy) moves inward to warm our interior and lower our surface temperature in order to harmonize with the cooler weather. The foods we consume this time of year reflect the need to store energy and build insulating fat for warmth. Richly marbled roasted meats, soups and stews, slow-cooked root vegetables, sweet squashes with butter and maple syrup, preserved fruits and vegetables as well as salt cured meats and fish all contribute to the deep nourishment of our organs during the cold months. Our activity decreases as our confinement increases and we become slower-paced, more sluggish.

As winter recedes, all of nature is beginning to shake off its sleep and share the need to be reborn. Our stored potential, strength and power are beginning to push to the surface, seeking expression like a seed lying seemingly dormant in the cold hard ground only to break open to send a shoot through all obstacles and find the sun once again.

And so here we are, standing on the threshold of a new season, hopefully ready to shed the burdens of the past and take on new challenges with renewed vigor and a clean slate. This process is facilitated by the natural cleansing of our systems, particularly of the liver and large intestines. If we’ve followed the examples of the past, we have fasted, reduced the consumption of heavier foods, increased outdoor activities, and introduced the fresher, vitamin rich greens of the burgeoning season to our diets.

Fresh spring foods are conducive to assisting in the detoxification of our clogged organs and provide energy, alertness and strength. Is it any small wonder that the freshest greens available this time of year are the ones best suited to our metabolism? Take dandelion for example. This nutritious wild food, (often found in grocery stores if foraging for it is not an option) is strengthening to the whole body. It detoxifies the liver and gall bladder, promotes the production of bile to improve digestion and rid the system of excessive fats and sweeteners. Sprouts of all kinds are also detoxifying to the liver, provide abundant vitamins and are delicious raw or cooked. One can even find sprouted grain breads which provide complete protein and a compliment of enzymes to benefit digestion in the health food section of many grocery stores. An emphasis on fresh young greens, sprouts, fish and occasionally eggs, mimics the springtime dietary habits of people throughout history.

If these traditions are ignored, as is frequently the case in our modern world, a continued reliance on rich foods, frequent consumption of heavy meats, excess fats (in particular hydrogenated oils, so-called “heart-healthy” margarines and processed vegetable oils), alcohol, processed foods, and insufficient intake of vegetal foods will lead to stagnant liver function. TCM tells us the symptoms of stagnant Liver Qi will vary greatly but include many common ailments such as thyroid problems, headaches (particularly migraine), eye problems, menstrual difficulties, allergies, swellings, eczema, gout, emotional outbursts, high blood pressure, inflexibility, frustration, impatience, depression, excessive anger, insomnia and more.

Herbal medicine can also help to clear the liver and other overworked organs by providing necessary nutrients, helping the body rid itself of waste, tonifying and enriching the Qi and Blood and bringing a person closer to a state of balance. Professional herbalists can diagnose a variety of problems in each individual and prescribe herbal remedies specific to their needs. Personal dietary modification enhances this process as does exercise, fresh air and meditation. When a person gets closer to balance, it becomes easier for them to adopt new, healthier habits and to feel great physically, mentally and emotionally on a regular basis. It’s important not to try to take on too much change all at once, as rapid detoxification is an unbalanced approach for many people. It can also be very difficult attempting to make such sweeping lifestyle changes, and can often lead to discouragement. Start with small incremental changes and do a little more for your health every day.

Although herbal medicine is strong and best left to an expert who can understand your personal needs, some herbal remedies can be of service to most people during the spring cleanse. Dandelion, burdock, clover, mints, lemon balm, cardamom, basil, marjoram, milk thistle seed, rosemary and fresh ginger are all stimulating to the liver and can be consumed as tea as often as desired. (If you are pregnant or experiencing serious health issues, it is advisable to consult a professional before undergoing any herbal regimen.) Concentrated sweeteners are not recommended, but a small amount of raw honey is actually helpful to the liver and can make some teas even more enjoyable.

Not so long ago, access to foods was limited to what was available locally and in season. Springtime fasting was a common practice for spiritual as well as practical reasons. If we maintain a connection to our past, we can once again embrace the relationship between ourselves and our environment which will lead to a healthier body, mind and spirit.

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes

Astragalus: Chinese Medicine's Premier Herb for Fortification

2010-02-17T12:52:00.001-05:00

Milk Vetch
(Astragalus membranaceus)

In the Traditional Chinese Medicine pharmacopeias, one of the premier herbs for building Qi energy is Astragalus membranaceus. In fact, this root is currently garnering a lot of attention in both modern Western Herbology as well as with physicians of allopathic medicine. Studies have shown this ancient herb to be an excellent nutritive addition to anyone with a compromised immune system either due to age, frequent or long term illness, chemotherapy, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or other factors.

Native to Mongolia and the northern and eastern parts of China, Astragalus can be grown in New England with relative ease. It prefers well drained, sandy and slightly alkaline soil and lots of sun. Roots are generally harvested in autumn of their fourth year, and the plant is propagated by seed. A relative of the pea plant, Milk Vetch is fairly cold-hardy and is often used as fodder for livestock, although some species of vetch are actually toxic to animals and humans alike. Prospectors have used the mineral-absorbing roots as fairly reliable indicators for mining purposes, but herbalists have found Astragalus itself to be worth its weight in gold.

Astragalus has been shown to increase white blood cell counts when deficient and to help balance and normalize them when required. Many practitioners (allopathic and alternative alike) utilize this herb as part of a complimentary cancer protocol to assist patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiation by keeping their blood levels healthy during these invasive and systemically taxing procedures. It has been proven to restore red blood cell production in bone marrow and to assist immune function by stimulating natural interferon production. It can help to alleviate the side effects of cancer therapies and protect against liver damage during such procedures as well.

In the Chinese Medicine Materia Medica, Huang Qi is known as a Spleen and Lung tonic and enhances Qi energy. It is used to stimulate a poor appetite, encourage digestion and improve conditions marked by fatigue, shortness of breath, spontaneous sweating, weakness and even diarrhea. Raising Yang Qi energy is another traditional function of Astragalus, therefore it is particularly useful for conditions of “sinking Qi” such as hemorrhoids, organ prolapse and certain types of abnormal uterine bleeding. In China the Wei Qi is somewhat analogous to our concept of the immune system and Huang Qi is famous for its ability to nourish the Wei Qi. Lowered immune functions exhibited by frequent colds, tiredness, weakness, slow healing sores, cold limbs and loss of appetite are markedly improved with the addition of therapeutic doses of Astragalus.

Milk Vetch root is also utilized as a diuretic and is helpful for edema when accompanied by fatigue and other symptoms of deficiency. Because of this, modern uses for the herb have shown it to be beneficial for the treatment of diabetes, kidney and urinary problems. Astragalus also lowers blood pressure and can help to normalize elevated blood sugar. Modern day herbalists find Astragalus to be balancing overall to the internal organs and it is considered a valuable adaptogen that enhances energy, endurance and stamina, increases immune function, improves circulation and generally nourishes the whole body.

Astragalus is commonly used in combination with Dang Gui to nourish the Blood for the treatment of post partum anemia or severe blood loss and hemorrhage. Dry frying the herb alone or with raw honey enhances its already powerful tonifying effects. When used in combination with ginseng, Astragalus is a powerhouse of energy-enhancing nourishment for those who are very weak and health-compromised. For people who are frequently lethargic and chilled, decoct Astragalus with cinnamon and dried ginger and drink this delicious combination warm with your coziest slippers on.

When used to treat an invading pathogen accompanied by chills and fatigue, combining Astragalus with fresh ginger slices and diaphoretics like yarrow or elder flowers will support the immune system while kicking the pathogen out of the body. It is not wise to use Astragalus alone when treating a cold, flu or virus; use it in combination with diaphoretic herbs. If precautions aren’t taken to use it in proper combinations, Astragalus has such a strong ability to “strengthen the fortress walls,” that it’s akin to sealing the gate after the army has invaded.

Milk Vetch root resembles a large tongue depressor when purchased as a whole herb. Its long slices are fibrous, slightly yellow and have a mild, slightly sweet flavor. The Chinese name Huang Qi aptly describes the herb when translated to “Yellow Qi.” It is so mild that it can be easily cooked with grains, beans or soups to enhance nutrition without compromising flavor. The root slices are simply removed from the dish before being served. Long, slow cooking or decocting in water is in fact the best way to prepare Astragalus for consumption and it actually enhances the value of other herbs and foods that are taken with it.

For a warming, stimulating tonic that will put a little vim and vigor in your step and increase your overall health, use 4-18 grams of Astragalus in a single dose. For intensive need, up to 30 or even 60 grams may be used safely without adverse effects. One of my favorite ways to get concentrated nutrition into clients undergoing chemotherapy or otherwise immune-compromised is to prescribe an individualized health-promoting and immune enhancing soup complete with customized herbal and mushroom packets:

Immunity-Enhancing Chinese Herbal Chicken Soup

64 oz. Organic Chicken Broth (preferably homemade)

64 oz. Cold Water

3 Cups Chopped Carrots

3 Cups Chopped Celery

2 Large onions coarsely chopped

3 cups Cooked Quinoa (a whole grain available at most health food stores.)

1 Head of Garlic (about 8 or 9 cloves-optional)

2 Bay Leaves

1 Tbs. Parsley

2 tsp Thyme

2 tsp Rosemary

2 tsp Sage

2 tsp Atlantic or Celtic Sea Salt (this is important)

Freshly Ground Pepper to taste

1 Herbal packet (may include Astragalus, Codonopsis, Dang Gui, Red Dates, Lily Bulbs, He Shou Wu, prepared Rehmannia root, ginger, Goji berries or other herbs specific to the patient’s needs)

1 Mushroom packet (may include Reishi, shiitake, wood ear, lion’s mane, maitake, turkey tail, straw, porcini and/or chanterelle)

Soak herb mixture and 64 oz. organic chicken broth in a large stainless-steel or Pyrex glass pot for 1 hour (do not use aluminum or iron). After soaking, bring entire contents of the pot to a boil over high heat, as soon as it comes to a boil, cover and reduce heat. Simmer for one hour then strain the herbs from the broth, reserve broth. (Herbal mixture may be cooked again in water or broth for a slightly less potent second batch. Use half the amount of liquid and eliminate the soaking time.)

Place mushroom mixture in a large pot and cover with 64 oz. cold water, soak for 1 hour. Bring to a boil over high heat and then immediately reduce heat and cover. Simmer on low heat for one hour. Combine with chicken broth. All mushrooms may be consumed, but the reishi mushroom has a poor consistency, so you’ll probably want to take it out. The others may be sliced to your preference.

To the hot broth add chopped carrots, celery, onions, garlic and seasonings; continue to simmer until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes. Add cooked quinoa, stir and serve. Freeze any remaining soup in small containers for easy-to-prepare meals. Microwaving this soup is not recommended.

Astragalus is a serious and potent herb for the treatment of immunodeficiency disorders, but it is extremely safe and adaptable to the body’s specific needs. Don’t be shy; educate your family about this marvelous root and incorporate it into your meals. The taste is so mild; you may not even realize it’s there!

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Transcript: Plants & Trees Have Feelings Part III

2010-02-08T22:26:00.002-05:00

What follows here is the third part of the transcript of a lecture I was asked to give at a healing conference...please keep in mind that this was spoken...during this 60 minute lecture, I was running a Power Point program of 111 of my photographs that truly connect with the personalities of many flowers, trees...I mean really...they literally HAM IT UP for the camera...so sexy, playful, wise...I'll post a few, but the purpose of the photos was to somewhat DISTRACT my audience so that they would only hear my words semi-consciously...this is where I wanted them to be processing the information....the images invited attendees to drift off, or to read the short quotes or poems that accompanied and complemented them. It was a great effect and it worked...people sank into their hearts and understood from deep within what I was communicating to them...what the plants are communicating to us all...
Anyway, I hope that you like it, I am still receiving offers to give this lecture elsewhere, so I hope that you might have a chance to feel the entire effect. Still, each time I look at the images and read the words of such wise teachers as Thoreau, Goethe, Rachel Carson and more, well I get choked up.
Here is part III...any feedback is really welcomed.

Feelings

The feelings of the heart such as Love, Compassion, and Caring lead to a coherence of the EM field.

Mind-created emotional responses to Fear such as Frustration, resentment, jealousy lead to an incoherent EM field.

Remember that the world is first perceived by the world and then interpreted by the mind.

The mind makes a wonderful servant, but a terrible master.

Our baggage, our mental constructs, our ego…allows us to misinterpret and miss valuable information…putting us on a hamster wheel of emotional analysis or suppression that depresses our EM field and denies us the opportunity for a high frequency, connectivity of consciousness, love and vibrant health.

“The senses do not deceive, judgment deceives.” -Goethe

“Unlike the heart, with its connected empathic perceptions, the brain has no inherent moral nature.” –Buhner

Brain Entrainment / Mind-centered consciousness = shallow emotional states

=> impairs the ability to perceive and respond to deeply embedded meanings and communications from the environment and the self.

Heart entrainment / Heart-centered consciousness = deep emotional states

=> Possible hormonal changes:

• 23%↓ in cortisol (a stress hormone with negative impacts)

• 100%↑in DHEA (an adrenal hormone that generates tissue repair, creates insulin, is essential to the release of sex hormones and creates overall well-being)

=> Lowered blood pressure

=> Improved eyesight

=> Improved brain functioning

=> General improved health

Heart entrainment leads to overall improvement of health. Frequent practice communicating with Nature trains us to entrain with our Heart.

I have found that high quality/ high integrity medicinal aromatherapy essential oils facilitate plant communication quickly from the heart. Shamans the world over utilize psychotropic or hallucinogenic plants to access plant wisdom.

“The significant problems we face today cannot be solved at the same level of thinking we were when we created them.” –Einstein

Plants have natural complexity in their compounds and their communications, which by now we understand IS their medicine. A single drop of plant essence contains 50-65,000 different chemical compounds and chemotypes on the Quantum scale. Plants constantly adapt their chemical structure in response to environmental factors, such as the presence of disease, infestation of predatory insects, drought, mildew and so on. Plants are in fact constantly changing chemical factories (as are their predators). Nature, in essence, is extremely complex and ever evolving. When we take advantage of the inherent diversity of natural medicine, we allow ourselves much greater odds of being able to counter any attack by various pathogens.

Pharmaceuticals, however, are comparatively very simple in form and structure. Being man-made, they lack the genetic advantages that thousands of years of natural selection give to plant medicines. While plant based medicinals may contain tens of thousands of chemotypes, drugs may only contain a handful, if that.

According to Harper’s, as of 1999 the average number of casualties in Zimbabwe due to AIDS was 2,500 per week; the average number of Americans that same year that died due to the proper use of pharmaceutical drugs numbered 1,900 per week.

Pharmaceuticals are to chemical agri-farming what plant medicines are to organic gardening. Pharmaceuticals produce vast amounts of pollution; Drug factories pollute air and ground water as well as disenfranchising citizens of third world countries. The thousands of chemicals produced and released as by-products create a dangerous cocktail of deadly poisons that are then dispersed through rain over large areas of the planet. Pharmaceuticals are inserting vast quantities of highly bioactive and toxic chemicals into the soil and water worldwide.

The human body excretes 50-95% of every pharmaceutical drug ingested chemically unchanged. This human excrement filters into the groundwater, also creating a dangerous cocktail as this refuse mixes with other drug wastes in the ecosystem. Your neighbor’s Viagra, combining with another’s birth control, mixed with the elderly man’s chemotherapy wastes plus your antibiotics and countless other chemical contaminants (let’s not forget personal care products) seep from the septic systems into the soil and back into our drinking water. Many excreted pharmaceuticals are not biodegradable and go on producing chemical effects forever. Remember how sensitive living systems are to chemical cues in the ppm/ppb/ppb? We cannot underestimate the hazards of this wholesale trashing of our environment, as it has lasting effects on our ecosystems and ourselves.

“We don’t have to heal the Earth; she can heal herself. All we have to do is stop making her sick.” –Wallace Black Elk (Lakota Shaman)

Once upon a time, antibiotics were produced from common bread mold; now antibiotics are simple synthetic drugs that allow bacteria to easily adapt to their chemical message. The chemical message they present is static and linear; building resistance to these chemicals is effortless for pathogens. The communication that takes place between trees, plants, mycelium and their ecosystems also exist between bacterium, viruses, and other pathogens; these communications allow resistance information to be spread for miles, and even occur between different species, i.e.; bacteria to virus. Bacteria and viruses can never adapt to natural remedies due to the ever evolving and changeable nature of a plant’s chemical structure.

Remember, a lot of money went into the purchase of our belief system: beliefs that make us think that when we are really sick that’s when we need the help of pharmaceutical antibiotics. It’s also worth noting that the use of antibiotics in agribusiness allows factory farms to cram unhealthy numbers of animals into cramped quarters and does a double duty by fattening livestock faster, thereby increasing weight and profits. The overcrowding of these abused animals leads to hosts of resistant diseases…swine or bird-flu, anyone?

However, I don’t wish to dwell on these unpleasantries; I wish only to make you aware of the long and short-term results of choosing to consume factory meats and pharmaceutical drugs. Let’s focus again on the heart and plant communication.

According to Taoism, a plant’s fragrance is the expression of its soul. In China, Egypt and throughout the world, fragrance was used in ceremony to engage the gods. The Gnostic Christians (100-400 C.E.) believed that fragrance was the Spirit of a plant, and a gateway to the Soul of the World.

Humans can recall scents from their childhood for more than 50 years. Science has determined that one year after a new aroma is encountered, 65% of people can recall it accurately, whereas visual memory declines by 50% within three months. Fragrance opens to memory centers and feelings, smells are processed by the same portion of the brain that process memories and feelings…the parts of the brain that are controlled by the heart.

Here’s a simple exercise to do that will allow you to quickly experience plant communication from the heart right now. In a moment, we’ll pass around a few essential oils; pay attention to any memories that come up, any emotional responses, any physical reactions –positive or negative. You will notice that the energy in this room will become quite stirred up and active, so we’ll pause while the essences go around.

Pause and pass essential oils around

Open floor for everyone to share their experiences.

Discuss Classes offered in Plant Communication via Aromatherapy/Herbology

Click Here to See all the photos

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.

Transcript: Plants & Trees Have Feelings Part II

2010-01-14T11:35:00.002-05:00

What follows here is the second part of the transcript of a lecture I was asked to give at a healing conference...please keep in mind that this was spoken...during this 60 minute lecture, I was running a Power Point program of 111 of my photographs that truly connect with the personalities of many flowers, trees...I mean really...they literally HAM IT UP for the camera...so sexy, playful, wise...I'll post a few, but the purpose of the photos was to somewhat DISTRACT my audience so that they would only hear my words semi-consciously...this is where I wanted them to be processing the information....the images invited attendees to drift off, or to read the short quotes or poems that accompanied and complemented them. It was a great effect and it worked...people sank into their hearts and understood from deep within what I was communicating to them...what the plants are communicating to us all...
Anyway, I hope that you like it, I am still receiving offers to give this lecture elsewhere, so I hope that you might have a chance to feel the entire effect. Still, each time I look at the images and read the words of such wise teachers as Thoreau, Goethe, Rachel Carson and more, well I get choked up.
Here is part II...any feedback is really welcomed.

“All self-organized systems are, in fact, intelligent. They have to be, for they must continually monitor their environments, internal and external; detect perturbations; decide on the basis of those perturbations what the likely effect will be; and respond to them in order to maintain self-organization.” –Buhner

Perturbations can be extremely subtle, such as chemical cues in the ppm, ppb and ppt.

Plants communicate with each other and their environment with EM waves and chemical cues. They pass this information to other plants, to insects, different species…it doesn’t matter…this information is exchanged frequently via the vast mycelium network. Information vital to survival, information about viruses, predators, information about healing, chemicals for healing and for protection…all passes through this complex network. Gaia Consciousness.

Paul Stamets is a world renowned mycologist (he studies mushrooms). His book, Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World, reveals complex relationships between mycelia and the ecosystem. Toxic waste, including petroleum sludge, is inoculated with oyster mushroom spores and within weeks the toxic waste is consumed and rendered benign. Stamets feels that mycelium are the world’s first “internet” system and proposes that the silicon-based internet that has “mushroomed” over the last 15 years, may be a construct of Gaia Herself; a thought spore planted in humanity’s collective consciousness.

EM fields naturally interact/synch with other EM fields forming Ecosystems.

We are part of an Ecosystem. We use this information gathered from EM fields for rebalancing the Dynamic Tension, in other words, self healing.

In his book, The Lost Language of Plants, Stephen Harrod Buhner tells the story of the logging industries practice of slash and burn from an intimate and personal perspective. He witnessed the clear cutting of old-growth forest and the deliberate burning of acres of destroyed forest. As part of the ecosystem in which this was happening, Buhner felt deep loss and grief and felt his ecosystem and the Earth sharing in his spiritual and emotional pain. He understood it to his core when the following Spring, thousands of young wild lettuce plants took root on the devastated forest floor. You see, Wild Lettuce is known for its ability to comfort and soothe a burn, to calm scorched lungs and it produces an opium-like latex that comforts pain on all levels, spiritual, emotional and physical. The Earth and the plants responded to the injury of the land and manifested the appropriate balm to help re-harmonize the delicate balance…dynamic tension.

In Ecosystems all life works together. Ecosystems consist of enormous (infinite?) groups of Individuals and Individual Species.

Plants. Trees. Grass. Herbs. Shrubs. Soil. Worms. Beetles. Snails. Birds. Four-legged’s. Fish. Mushrooms. Fungi. Insects. Bacteria. Viruses.

Like radio waves, EM signals from all living organisms continue outward indefinetly…

“The characteristics of conduction in the plant nerve are in every way similar to those in the animal nerve.” –Jagadis Chunder Bose

A plant’s Central Nervous System has synapses like our brains; their neurotransmitters are identical to those in our brains.

Plants experience feelings.

In the famous book, The Secret Life of Plants, we learn of the “Backster Effect.”

Testing the sensitivity of his polygraph, on a whim Backster attached the lie detector’s electrodes to the the leaf of a Dracaena plant in the office. Trying to think of a way to get a positive reaction from the plant, but never really expecting one, he decided to burn one of the leaves. As soon as the thought crossed his mind, the machine’s needle jumped. The plant was creating a huge reaction on the polygraph. It had appeared to read his mind! Backster would later come to recognize this particular reaction as Fear or Anxiety. Years of research ensued… he observed that plants would react to the cracking of a fertilized egg and show response to a spider on the other side of a large room. Plants that would “witness” the uprooting of another plant could identify the culprit later. If a bond of Love had formed between a human and a plant, the plant would pick up on their human companion’s emotional state even if they were halfway across the world.

Love is an important ingredient in getting the response from the plants.

Love opens the channel.

This sensitivity we see demonstrated in the plants is mirrored by our CNS and accurately felt with our Hearts.

The Mind of The Heart

The human heart is much more than a muscle that pumps blood. It is one of the most powerful EM generators and receivers known in the universe. It is an organ is Perception and Communication. By the way, blood is an excellent conductor of EM energy.

The heart is a receptor organ of internal and external environments. The heart’s wave forms are experienced as emotions.

MEANING…Emotional meaning can be extracted and comprehended just as visual and auditory input is. Emotions are like flavor and color.

Between 60-65% of heart cells are neural! The heart is directly wired to the CNS and the brain to assist

• Emotional memory processing

• Sensory experiences

• Memory & special relationships and extraction of environmental meaning

• Problem solving, learning and reason

The heart stores memories, mostly those with an emotional aspect. Information comes at the body and first impacts the heart, the heart then sends this information to the brain…AFTER the heart has already perceived it.

Neurons: The Heart generates the strongest EM field of the body…over 5,000x more powerful than the brain’s EM field. A heart-centered consciousness leads to a coherence of that signal, which in turn leads to improved health of self and others. The more caring a practitioner, the more coherent their EM field, the better the healing.

Communications within the EM field of an organ or organism are experienced as emotions.

(Plants have feelings.)

Emotions give us clues to internal functions. The ancients knew that organs sent signals in the form of emotions that indicated internal imbalance before a physical symptom manifested. I like to use the “dashboard light” analogy.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine anger indicates imbalance of the Liver; over-thinking and worry points to disharmony of the Spleen; depression shows that the Gall Bladder needs attention; Grief is an emotion associated with the Lungs; while pronounced fear would benefit from Kidney tonification. An experienced practitioner knows how to read subtle clues on the radial pulses to identify and diagnose the troubled areas of the body.

“Whatever the complaint is, it’s always the same thing: something beneficial is trying to happen. In true medicine, there is no conflict, no enemy, no disease, only the opportunity to bring someone out of the dream of strife into the dream of wholeness.” – Eliot Cowan

Click Here for Part III

Transcript: Plants & Trees Have Feelings/ Photos Part 2

2010-01-11T13:49:00.002-05:00

Here are a few of the slides that I hope transfer well onto this blog...if anyone has any suggestions as to a format to better present them, please let me know. (and YUP! These are all my photos!! When I said that the plants pose for me, I wasn't kidding!!)

Transcript: Plants & Trees Have Feelings/ Photos

2010-01-10T22:25:00.004-05:00

Click Here to Photos See Part 2

Transcript: Plants & Trees Have Feelings Part I

2010-01-07T23:55:00.006-05:00

What follows here is the transcript of a lecture I was asked to give at a healing conference...please keep in mind that this was spoken...during this 60 minute lecture, I was running a Power Point program of 111 of my photographs that truly connect with the personalities of many flowers, trees...I mean really...they literally HAM IT UP for the camera...so sexy, playful, wise...I'll post a few, but the purpose of the photos was to somewhat DISTRACT my audience so that they would only hear my words semi-consciously...this is where I wanted them to be processing the information....the images invited attendees to drift off, or to read the short quotes or poems that accompanied and complemented them. It was a great effect and it worked...people sank into their hearts and understood from deep within what I was communicating to them...what the plants are communicating to us all...
Anyway, I hope that you like it, I am still receiving offers to give this lecture elsewhere, so I hope that you might have a chance to feel the entire effect. Still, each time I look at the images and read the words of such wise teachers as Thoreau, Goethe, Rachel Carson and more, well I get choked up.
Here is part I...any feedback is really welcomed.

Trees Have Feelings

Thank you all for being here. If you’ve found yourself here, maybe it’s because you feel drawn to a different way of thinking…of feeling. AND FEELING IS THE BASIS OF KNOWING.

This lecture is not about:

• A new isolated protein compound

This lecture is not about:

• A standardized herbal drug substitute

This lecture is not about:

• An exciting new therapy, or even a new discovery…

This is about YOU

This is ANCIENT

This is about the Health of the Earth

This is about Your Personal Health

THIS IS ABOUT CONNECTIVITY

***Breathe***

Please experience this now. Stand and take several deep breaths from the roots of the Earth…

This breath is a gift we receive every moment from the plants and trees that provide our oxygen. Feel the gratitude with each conscious breath…

Please be seated.

[Introduce photographs]

I admire them, love them and they pose for me as part of our communication

Their purpose in this lecture is to help you sink into your hearts…not to think but to FEEL…YES! If you begin to drift off, you’ll find that they [the photos] capture your attention and will bring you into your heart…a place of feeling and connecting emotionally.

They are provided in order to evoke emotions. They are paired with poems and quotes by masters of imagery and well-know naturalists…people who themselves were profoundly inspired by the inherent Love that runs through all of Nature.

Luther Burbank, George Washington Carver & Nobel Laureate Barbara McClintock all said that it was the PLANTS that told them their wisdom-the wisdom that they became famous for.

They said that to receive and understand this wisdom, it is ESSENTIAL to care for them, to respect and to Love them.

All ancient and indigenous cultures the world over learned their herbal medicine from the plants themselves, using their hearts as organs of perception. This is no mystery; it’s how we were designed.

ANCIENT USES OF PLANTS FOR MEDICINE WERE TAUGHT BY THE PLANTS THEMSELVES.

Herbal medicine traditions are thousands of years old and today’s science only serves to validate it.

We are the children of the plants and trees. They were here for thousands of years before we ever arrived. As Stephen Harrod Buhner said, they weren’t waiting here, pining away for our existence.

Plants are a product of the Earth and the Sun. They produce a physical form, storing energy provided by the Earth, Sun, Water and Air. They absorb EM fields and produce them.

A plant’s CNS senses EM fields – JUST LIKE OURS

The Sun produces Electromagnetic Energy….plants evolved upon this Sun-powered Earth to make use of this energy. Plants were given LIFE because of this energy.

Plants actually detect all broadband EM signals…ALL life does.

In ancient times, our ancestors worshiped the Sun…it was “The Light of the World”

Is this primitive? Have we proven ourselves to be so much wiser…particularly in the last 150 years? Let’s examine that belief, starting with us:

What do we eat? What do we consume? Meat? Vegetables? Bread? Tofu?

All is sourced by PLANTS.

Plants eat sunlight. They convert it.

Our energy began as sunlight. Our energy is the culmination of Sun, Earth, Water and Air. Our food (meat, vegetable, fish, grain) began as Energy from Sunlight.

It built us. (not so primitive after all…)

Our Mothers nourished us with this energy while we were being created within their wombs. Our Mothers were nourished by this energy whilst being created within our Grandmother’s wombs…and on and on back through all the generations, plants have fed us.

We eat Plants. We eat meat that was fed by Plants. We are clothed by Plants. We are housed by Plants. We are healed by Plants. Our breath was given to us by the Plants. Our bodied are made of Plants.

All our Ancestors understood this. Shamans-current/native/indigenous- understood this.

Relationship is WITH Nature, not separate from it.

Modern human has become disconnected…lost.

Science studies “nature” by removing it from the environment. Nature IS the environment. So, what are they studying?

Can we understand the meaning of a book from a sentence? The meaning of a sentence from a word? The meaning of a word from a letter?

Relationship is inherent in Nature. Comprehension comes from the whole. The shamans describe this as the Eagle/Condor view.

To know an author better, study his works.

To know an artist better, study her art.

To know Creator better, study Creation.

Experience Creation with the Heart.

The Earth is Alive: A living, breathing organism. We are part of it. Whether we choose to act like beneficial bacteria, to be stewards/caretakers…

OR a deadly virus or cancer is our choice. Gaia has ways of dealing with us.

Nothing of the Earth is static; everything is constantly shifting…and AWARE…making adjustments based on observable environmental perturbations

ALIVE

CONSCIOUS (are you understanding?)

“To be sure, what is alive can be dissected into its component parts but from these parts it will be impossible to restore it and bring it to life again.” –Goethe

What is life? What is consciousness?

Being alive means being able to perceive and adapt because life is constantly shifting. By this definition, we can understand that everything of the Earth is Alive and Conscious…including the rocks.

The “Universe as a Machine” Theory is flawed; it implies straight lines. Nothing in Nature is linear. If you examine a shoreline, you will see that it constantly shifts and the closer you get, the smaller you go, the more irregular it becomes.

“Recognizing the non-linearity of Nature confounds the linear mind.” –Buhner

Nature is constantly shifting; our relationship to it -and it to itself- is always seeking balance. This is Dynamic Tension. Within that tension, communication lies.

Click Here for Part II

Making Your Own Medicine Empowers Everyone

2010-01-07T15:21:00.001-05:00

Making Medicine

Tincture

The herbs for a tincture are chopped as finely as possible; the active compounds of the herbs are then extracted via a solvent, called a menstruum. This maceration process takes approximately 2 weeks, sometimes longer. The spent herbs (the marc) should be composted after being pressed thoroughly to extract every last drop of extract. There are two basic ways of making tinctures, the folkloric method and the measured method.

Folkloric Method:

• Use freshly picked herbs (after asking their permission, of course), chop them finely and almost fill a scrupulously clean glass jar with them.

• Pour vodka-the cheaper the better-over the herbs leaving an inch from the top of the jar. Be sure that the herbs are completely covered by the menstruum.

• Keep in a cool place out of the light, but visible enough to you so that you’ll remember to shake the jar and add your intentions daily.

• After 2 weeks, strain the tincture through cheesecloth and squeeze out every last drop of tincture. Compost the marc.

• Store in blue or amber bottles in a cool, dark place clearly labeled with the name of the herb, the date harvested and the type of menstruum used.

Measured Method:

• Dried herbs are crushed finely and placed inside a very clean glass jar. The ratio of dried herbs to menstruum is approximately 1:5 or 1:4

• Macerate herbs approximately two weeks as with the Folkloric method.

• Individual herbs have different solvency ranges, depending upon the compounds inherent in the herb, therefore different percentages of alcohol are used to extract the most medicinal compounds into the tincture.

Alcohol (from vodka to grain alcohol diluted with distilled water): 40-70% alcohol content by volume extracts sugars, salts, glycosides, alkaloids, most tannins, bitters, enzymes and vitamins.

Grain Alcohol: 90-95% alcohol by volume extracts resins, waxes and essential oils

Vodka: 40-50% alcohol by volume is used for fresh or dried leafy or floral herbs.

Usually it is preferable to use dried herbs for this process with the exception of dense, slightly moist roots with precious compounds like Ginseng, Valerian and Skullcap or hard, oily seeds like Burdock or Milk Thistle and some tender, non aromatic herbs like Shepherd’s Purse. Other exceptions can be found in various herbals and Materia Medica; it is a good idea to look up each herb that you wish to tincture for specific recommendations.

Infusion

Infusions (hot or cold) also are water based and are used to extract medicinal compounds, mucilage and volatile oils from lighter plant material such as leaves, flowers, tender stems, flowering tops, crushed/chopped aromatics and some roots. It is important to use only fresh, pure non-chlorinated water and a non-reactive pot such as glass, stainless steel or ceramic ironware (Aluminum is NOT recommended). This method is not appropriate for most roots, seeds or barks unless they are finely ground or minced, and even then most of their medicinal compounds are still not released into the infusion.

Cold Infusion:

• Best used for mucilaginous herbs (like marshmallow or slippery elm) or herbs high in aromatic and volatile oils (like Peppermint or Lemon Balm) to retain more vitamins and flavor.

• Immerse herbs in pure, cold water in a covered glass container for 8-12 hours.

• Strain the spent herbs.

• Compost the plant material.

Hot Infusion:

• Boil pure water for a few moments and remove from heat for a minute or 2

• Place herbs in a teapot or other non-reactive vessel. The ratio of herbs to water is approximately 1 teaspoon-1/2 oz. dried herb to 1 Cup water.

• Pour the boiled water (no longer at boiling temperature, but still very hot, about 180°).

• Steep (or infuse) covered for 5-10 minutes then strain. (Longer times may be used, up to 20 minutes)

• Compost the plant material.

Dosage varies depending on age, weight and strength of medicine required. The average dose for an adult is 1 Cup of an infusion 3 times daily, usually drunk warm (to nourish) or hot (to expel a pathogen). Do not microwave this medicine.

Syrup

Syrups are soothing to a sore throat and can help to calm a persistent cough. Usually syrups require 60% sugar content in order to keep them preserved properly, but this makes them terribly sweet, and too much sweet is not good for the immune system. Making them with less sugar or honey is certainly an option, but the finished product needs to be kept refrigerated and used within 2-3 months.

• Combine 2 ounces of dried herbs with 1 quart of pure water in a non-reactive pot.

• Simmer until concentrated to half the original volume.

• Strain out the herbs, compost them and return liquid to the pot.

• Add 1 Cup of honey to one pint of liquid

• Bottle in sterilized containers and label accurately.

Steve’s Super Cough-Busting Syrup:

• Mince one onion and place in a shallow bowl

• Pour raw honey over the chopped onion to cover. (About 1 Cup of honey to 1 Cup minced onion).

• Allow to infuse for 8 hours

• Strain out the onion

• Take 1-2 teaspoons as needed for persistent coughs.

Decoction

Decoctions use a water extraction method for heavy materials such as roots, barks and seeds that are boiled, then simmered and are intended for immediate consumption. It is important to use only fresh, pure non-chlorinated water and a non-reactive pot such as glass, stainless steel or ceramic ironware (Aluminum is NOT recommended). This method is not appropriate for leaves, flowers or aromatic herbs as it will evaporate their delicate volatile compounds. Those lighter materials may be added at the end of the decoction process and allowed to infuse off the heat.

• Place herbs in a non-reactive pot and cover with pure water (amounts of herb to water vary and depend upon the strength desired)

• Soak especially hard or dense herbs for 20-40 minutes until they feel moist throughout. (A small amount of apple cider vinegar may be added to extract minerals if desired).

• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-60 minutes.

• If necessary, add leaves, flowers or aromatics at this point and remove from heat. Keep covered and steep (infuse) for 5-10 minutes.

• Strain the spent herbs well in order to get every precious drop.

• Optional: Cook a second time for twice as long (eliminating the soaking time) with half the amount of water and add to the original batch.

• Compost the solid material.

Dosage varies depending on age, weight and strength of medicine required. The average dose for an adult is 1/3 Cup of concentrated decoction 3 times daily, usually drunk warm (to nourish) or hot (to expel a pathogen). Do not microwave this medicine.

Soup

Soups are nourishing and easy to digest, so they are especially helpful for the young, the frail, the elderly, the infirm, and those with compromised digestion. I find that soups are very beneficial for cancer patients who have nausea and food sensitivities, limited appetites, but absolutely require concentrated nourishment. Similar to a decoction, soups make good use of wholesome, beneficial roots and other dense herbs as they are simmered in an organic and nutritive broth or stock. The vitamins and minerals inherent in the stock potentiate the herbal medicine, and the combination equals unparalleled sustenance! Homemade stock is absolutely preferred over store bought, but if necessary, use an organic variety and add unflavored gelatin to the broth.

• Place herbs in a non-reactive pot and cover with broth (amounts of herb to stock vary and depend upon the strength desired)

• Soak especially hard or dense herbs for 20-40 minutes until they feel moist throughout. (A small amount of apple cider vinegar may be added to extract minerals if desired).

• Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and immediately reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20-60 minutes.

• If necessary, add leaves, flowers or aromatics at this point and remove from heat. Keep covered and steep (infuse) for 5-10 minutes.

• Strain the spent herbs well in order to get every precious drop.

• Compost the solid material.

Dried mushrooms are also an excellent addition and make their own broth when reconstituted with hot water. Most of the medicinal compounds available in mushrooms are released through decocting. Allow them to soak until completely rehydrated and then add to the herbal stock, soaking water and all. Add chopped vegetables to the soup and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Remove any mushrooms that are too tough to chew (such as Shiitake stems or Reishi mushrooms). Finally, put in some cooked whole grains such as quinoa, barley or amaranth, flavor with herbs and spices, and stir until combined and heated through. This delicious and health-promoting soup may be frozen in pint-sized containers to be reheated easily as needed. For patients who are weak and require rest, this is a convenient way to get medicine in. Do not microwave this medicine.

Enjoy experimenting with making your own medicines. When it comes to treating yourself, your friends or your family, there’s nothing like the sense of empowerment that comes from healing those you love with your own two hands. Homemade remedies are healthier and more wholesome than factory-made medicines or toxic pharmaceuticals. With practice and experience, you can even treat the most stubborn of common ailments or help support those that are undergoing harsh and taxing medical procedures. By becoming empowered, we also become more educated patients if we make the choice to seek allopathic intervention. Live well, and be Healthy!

Please call 860-673-6863 or email HerbaLisl@hotmail.com if you have any questions, would like to schedule an appointment, attend meditations, weed walks, or are interested in taking classes.