AUGUST 18, 2022 KITCHEN WITCH
Are you a kitchen witch ? I believe my grandfather might have been when in the kitchen. He used many common herbs int he kitchen as Basil, Angelica, Clove, Caraway, Garlic, Nutmeg and Parlsey. He hardly used Majoram and Ginger. He always different wooden spoons int he kitchen I only realize this now as I get older. I try to imagine him in the small kitchen in this apartment in my parents home.
I can only imagine him talking to himself while he was cooking delicious Sicilian dishes from the ‘old country ‘ Was he reciting an incanation as:
‘BLESSED BE THE HAND
BLESSED BE THE HEAT
BLESSED BE THE SUSTENANCE
THE NOURISHMENT WE EAT
BLESSED BE THE GATHERING
BLESSED BE THE FLAME
BLESSED BE CREATION
ASSEMBLED IN HER NAME ‘
I doubt he recited these words, nor do I believe he stirred food clockwise in a pot to project those things he wished to call or manifest or counterclockwise to lend energy to those things he wished to release or ward off.
My Poppy cooked because he loved to cook He loved to make people happy while eating He was a proud man- a hard worker among workers and a quiet man. He knew herbs made a difference in cooking. He used them wisely . I miss him
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 17, 2022 YARROW
Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium) is definitely an Earth plant being cold and dry which would counter hot and moist conditions for which it is used. It grows in my garden yellow. The red and white are also represented in yarrow indicating an influence on the base chakra and the nervous system
It is an invader in almost any garden so be careful . It grows quite happily in my garden and loves competition pushing its rhizomes through the roots of other plants.
It has both external and internal uses. It is good for cuts and wounds especially where there is blood loss. For internal use I use it for inflammation and internal bleeding especially with the female reproductive system. I feel is has some effect on pain due to the blood congestion. Notice the plant with red color running in streaks up the stem and presence of hairs on the plant
It is a fascinating plant
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 16, 2022 OSHA ROOT
Osha root is not commonly discussed Its other names are Bear Root, Loveroot, and Bear Medicine Its botanical name is Ligusticum porter
It is not common to find this plant in the Northeastern areas. It has affinity for the southern Rocky Mountains . Many tribes of native Americans could not do without this plant. It was seen as a purifying agent, and to help babies breathe
I have used this herb as a powerful anti viral agent. It is great for colds, flu, upper respiratory infections and although I haven’t used it to treat tuberculosis ( it has been used for TB in the literature )
On reading about this herb in different books, it has been used to treat many different ailments. The essential oils of this plant are bitter. It is excellent for lung and throat infections. I compare this herb to Self Heal as well as Lungwort. It is great for the lungs as it broch dilates the lungs. I have seen it used for rheumatism and digestive disorders.
It should be part of your herbal first aid kit
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 15, 2022 LEMON BALM
One of my favorite mint herbs is Lemon Balm, known botanically as Melissa officinalis. It is also known as Bee Balm and Cure All. When you rub the leaves together which is identical to mint- you known it is lemon balm from the lemon scent. I grow lemon balm is pots in my garden.
Lemon balm contains essential oils as citral, linalol and geraniol. It also has volatile oils .
The actions of Lemon Balm are as a carminative, anti-depressant, anti-spasmodic and has a sedative effect I use it to promote sweating and as an anti-viral agent. It is great for patients with herpes simplex I and II as well as for varicella zoster (Shingles) I combine it with Bugleweed and Motherwort to treat patients with hyperthyroidism. It is contraindicated for patients with an underactive thyroid
The monoterpenes in lemon balm act on the central nervous system causing a calming effect. This makes it an excellent anti-anxiety herb and calming herb
Get your Lemon Balm tea at Botanical Bounty - fair trade organic company Call 646 723 1823
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 11, 2022 HERBS
Herbs used for the liver and digestive tracts can be divided into categories. This categorization was unheard of when I studied medicines. I feel it is a better way to breakdown the role of the liver and the medicines or plants that can be used. This classification was used when I learned Botanical Medicine. The six categories are:
1. Aromatic bitters
2. Cholagogues
3. General liver tonic
4. Constitutional tonics
5. Liver 'purgatives'
6. Simple bitters
Credit for my learning goes to 7Song ( colleague/friend/mentor - Northeast School of Botanical Medicine Ithaca NY ) I have his teaching of hepatic herbs very useful in my medical practice. There are many symptoms of liver ailments. I can apply my knowledge of different herbs in these categories to the individual’s particular ailment. For example, for the alcoholic or drug addict who has abused their liver for so many years, I would consider milk thistle, artichoke, turmeric and chicory. These are the herbs I think of for detoxifying.
When the liver really needs to purge toxins and needs a good 'kickstart' I would use Mayapple or Poke, but would use caution as I have seen some of these remedies ' back fire'
The more knowledge you have about your patient, both medically, socially, psychologically and financially - the better the choice can be made. It always helps me in choosing the specific herb. I am intuitive about this.
Until tomorrow...
AUGUST 10, 2022 DEMUCLENT FOODS
As an herbalist I will define the word demulcent. It is used to describe any substance that soothes inflamed mucosa. Many herbs /foods have a demulcent effects as fenugreek, flax and ghee (clarified butter
Some of these demulcent foods have been studied These include Green Bananas/plantains, bone broth, cabbage juice and ginger Ginger is a widely used culinary herb but has many excellent health benefits due to the active ingredient—gingerol.
Other demulcent herbs include black pepper, peppermint and tumeric .
As a beekeeper, i need to put honey as a excellent demulcent. Its medicinal effect on wound healing is excellent. It is great for infections and digestive issues It is not any honey The honey studied was honey from the manuka flowers ( Leptospermum scoparium ) - as it had the highest level of antibiotic activity. This was studied in New Zealand ( the origin of Manuka honey ) You can understand why this is a very expensive honey to buy- It also has a strong inhibitory effect of Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) I use propolis and mastic gum for H. pylori infections
Studies were done with ulcerative colitis patients . This manuka honey had 100 % compared to other sugars studied
I must mention other demulcents as Umeboshi plums ( from China ) , wheatgrass juice and the use of traditional Indian spices.
Until tomorrow…
AUGUST 8, 2022 COMMON COLD TONIC
Many of my patients are getting flu like symptoms. Some of these are patients who got COVID despite whether they were vaccinated and even boosted. You get a headache, aches, and the usual flu like symptoms—nasal inflammation, sore throat, cough, lethargy
I got the tonic for you
8 teabags Echinacea Plus from Traditional Medicinals
1 1/2 pint of spring water
2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon of chopped licorice root
1 tablespoon of pure vanilla flavoring