supplements

Herbs and Essential Oils for High Blood Pressure

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High blood pressure, otherwise known as hypertension, is extremely common, and it’s no surprise considering this is one health issue where stress and anxiety can have immediate, measurable affects on a diagnostic reading. This is also a health issue that tends to build, with warning signs well in advance of having a situation that requires medication, which makes it an ideal sort of issue to tend to with herbs and other natural remedies such as diet and exercise, when there are warning signs in the very beginnings of impending imbalance. Warning signs can be occasional higher than normal blood pressure readings, aging with a family history of hypertension, a new life situation that involves a lot of stress, or habits that can lead to hypertension such as smoking. This is the time when herbs work best, when there is an imbalance beginning and the gentle nudges of herbs can help correct the situation if diet, exercise, and overall lifestyle are also supportive. If you are already at a point where you are on pharmaceuticals for any issue, including hypertension, then the herbs can still help, but it will take longer and you will have to be very careful and very communicative with your doctor. Don’t go off your medicines without consulting your doctor, and if your doctor doesn’t want you to supplement with herbs, you might need to get the support of a naturopath, TCM practitioner, or clinical herbalist to talk with your doc. (Or get a new doctor who is curious and open-minded enough to explore all options that might be best for his/her patients.) I must say that I’ve generally found the physicians in my life quite open to whatever health issue I wanted to explore through natural means, but not everyone has been so lucky.

Herbal allies~ Our old familiar friends, adaptogens, can support optimal health concerning blood pressure as well as many other things. To learn more about adaptogens and their many beneficial attributes, check out my free mini-course about them. This is a class of herbs that you take small amounts of for a long period of time, so this is not a quick fix, but instead a deep, fundamental shift toward healing and balancing. Adaptogens have both the ability to adapt to what a person needs and therefore are known to ‘not cause harm’, and also the ability to help the person adapt to stress of all kinds~ environmental, emotional, physical, mental, etc. The name pretty much says it all. Specific adaptogens that are especially good choices for regulating blood pressure according to David Winston and Steven Maimes are: tulsi (holy basil), astragalus, cordyceps, reishi, and jiaogulan. And just fyi, all those except for astragalus are also adaptogens that can help lower cholesterol. Astragalus is a great immune booster though and is traditionally viewed as an overall cardio-protective herb, so any of these herbs would be great additions to a daily health regimen. Another adaptogen that have a normalizing affect on blood pressure is schisandra which can help raise blood pressure when it is too low as well as lower high blood pressure.

Adaptogen mix
Tulsi in coffe~ yum!

One familiar herb that can help hypertension is hibiscus. Drinking two or three cups of high quality hibiscus tea, either warm or iced, can have a lowering effect on blood pressure. Garlic is another old favorite herb that can help with blood pressure as well as many other things such as lowering cholesterol, warding off bacteria, fighting fungal infections, and it is high in antioxidants. Including fresh or cooked garlic in meals is the best way to take in this medicinal superfood, but there are capsules for those who can’t quite fit a few garlic cloves into their meals on a daily basis.

Hawthorn berry is the classic Western tradition cardio-tonic herb. It is an herb that is taken for general cardiovascular health, including all heart specific issues, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. It has also been traditionally used for anxiety and sleep disorders. It has always been very well regarded and often used in Europe, and that remains the case, although the leaves and flowers have grown in popularity and are now included in herbal supplements, along with the berries, as in this supplement by Gaia Herbs. Hawthorn and hibiscus are combined in this tea if you are looking for a way to get both into your system at the same time. Hawthorn is a potent herb that should not be taken lightly for heart related ailments, especially if on any pharmaceutical drugs. Talk with your naturopath or other natural health advisor to see if this is a good herb for you.

A tea blend for lowering blood pressure from the Western Tradition by David Hoffman is the following: 2 parts Hawthorn berries, 2 parts Lime blossom, 2 parts Yarrow, and 1 part Mistletoe. The tea should be drunk three times a day, and can be modified for the specific person. For example, if it’s night time, valerian might be helpful for sleeping, or if anxiety during the day is a problem, you can add skullcap.

If you want to add essential oils into the healing mix, Valerie Ann Worwood sites four specifically for lowering blood pressure. They are: clary sage, hyssop, lavender, and marjoram. You can diffuse these in a room, make a room spray any combination of the four, wear them in an alcohol or oil based perfume, or add them to a bath.

Diffusers
Base oil in first
Add essential oils
Alcohol based perfumes

Don’t forget the healing power of getting out into nature, doing physical activities you sincerely enjoy, and relieving stress in any healthy way that resonates with you. As always, please share with anyone who might benefit from it, and subscribe for weekly posts similar to this one. Best health to you and yours!

Good Mood Food and Supps

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Summer is singing its swan song, at least here in the Northern Hemisphere, and that unfortunately means moods that can dip as quickly as the sun on the horizon. (I’m not ready for sunsets that begin before dinnertime!) Luckily there are plenty of herbs to help with darker days and the accompanying Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and even foods that can help to brighten darker moods. I ran across this article from Delicious Living highlighting nine foods that give moods a boost, plus the New Hope Blogger Box had two supplements for help with mental and emotional health. I’ll share the foods after the supplements.

Gaia Herbs, one of my go-to herbal companies, has Mood Uplift. This formula has adaptogens, Gotu Kola and Schisandra berry, as well as nervines including St. John’s Wort, Oats, Passionflower, Vervain, and Rosemary. In other words, this is an excellent combination for long-term stabilizing and building with the adaptogens, and also immediate anxiety and stress relief coupled with brain wakefulness, focus, and memory benefits, thanks to the nervines. And remember how there were studies out a year or two ago about herbal products being adulterated or not what they claim to be on the box? This is not a company that you have to question. They have the real deal herbs and the quality is superb. You may have noticed that in all my blog posts and courses I link to Gaia Herbs often for their herbal pills and tinctures, and that’s because they are reputable, high quality, and well formulated. If you are going to add herbs into your health regime, please pick high quality products. You deserve it.

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The other mood supplement in the New Hope blogger box is Source Naturals’ Theanine Serene with Relora. As you can probably tell from the name, it includes L-Theanine which is an amino acid that helps with anxiety. You may have heard of it as a substance in tea that promotes calm feelings as it’s been a rather well studied natural anxiety reliever . This product also has GABA in it, Holy Basil, magnesium, and other ingredients to not only calm the mind but also the body. This seems like an excellent choice for someone who has a hard time calming down at night before bed, or someone who is fidgety and can’t quite get out of ‘amped up’ mode at any time of the day. I also enjoy Source Naturals’ GABA for quick anxiety relief. GABA was first recommended to me by my naturopath for times when I had to take my sons for blood testing~ both for the kids and for me. It did help with getting my kids through dreaded needle moments, and pulling up funny doggie videos on my phone also helped.

It’s actually fairly easy to make sure there are foods on your plate daily that support your mental and emotional well-being. Looking at the foods on this chart, they are not only common foods, they are also, not surprisingly, all whole foods. Here are some great options to help bolster moods and brain health:

Lentils Blood-sugar moderating fiber, energizing iron and calming magnesium

Use in a recipe: Nutty Lentil Burgers
Berries Promotes mental clarity

Use in a recipe: Berry Crisp
Beets Folate, which increases blood flow to the brain and relaxes blood vessels

Use in a recipe: Beet-Raspberry Lentil Bowl
Broth Provides hydration, which is important for mental clarity

Use in a recipe: Leek, Mushroom and Zucchini Noodle Soup
Mushrooms Provide a source of vitamin D, which is linked to a cheery mood

Use in a recipe: Kale-Stuffed Portobellos with Millet
Millet As a whole grain, millet provides mood-boosting protein, B vitamins, calcium, iron, potassium and zinc.

Use in a recipe: Warm Millet Salad with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Pine Nuts
Walnuts Deliver healthy omega-3s, crucial for mood health.

Use in a recipe: Cherry-Walnut Bites
Salmon  Also provides healthy omega-3s, which are important for brain health.

Use in a recipe: Walnut-Crusted Salmon with Edamame Mash
Cabbage This cruciferous vegetable provides tryptophan and selenium, which relax your body and mind

Use in a recipe: Chinese 5-Spice Shrimp with Mango-Carrot Slaw

Don’t let the blues keep you down. There are so many options out there to help mitigate stress, anxiety, and even feelings of depression. Always seek help if you feel you are at a point where your life is negatively impacted by your moods, and know that there are plant allies at the ready to help. Please share this with anyone who might be looking for a little natural help with stress, depression, and/or anxiety, and subscribe for more posts like this one on a weekly basis. Take good care of your brain and body so your brain and body can take good care of you!

Natural Supplements for Osteoarthritis

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When looking for supplements to help ease arthritis pain, it’s important to include anti-inflammatories as well as those that work on cartilage. As far as an anti-inflammatory, turmeric is a proven herb for reducing inflammation all over the body. (That’s turmeric that my friend brought back from Hawaii in the pic up above.) It is usually combined with black pepper for best absorption, although it doesn’t have to be in order to receive benefits, especially if taken as part of a meal in food or drink. If taken in a pill, look for one that does include black pepper such as Gaia’s line of turmeric supplements. Ginger is another herb that can be combined with turmeric or taken separately to ease arthritis pain, and Devil’s Claw is approved as one of those phytomedicines prescribed in Germany that I talked about earlier. (If you missed that post, German doctors have about six to seven hundred herbs they can and do regularly prescribe, as advised by the committee which oversees herbs and supplements and reports to their version of the FDA.) Devil’s Claw is not as popular in the U.S. as it is in Europe, although you can easily find it here. I personally have no history with that particular herb, but turmeric and I on the other hand have a long and happy history because although I don’t have arthritis, I have experienced some pain from joint damage that turmeric has all but erased. When I was pregnant, I had some joint movement in my feet, which is quite common. It resulted in a lot of pain, especially when my feet were stepped on, and let me tell you that happened often when my boys were little. I ended up getting a steroid shot at the base of my big toe to stop the inflammation from all the damage, and the doctor told me I’d probably just have to get one about once a year unless I ever opted for surgery. Sure enough, the pain started to come back after a few months, so I got another shot about a year after the first one. This time I decided to take turmeric daily to help with the inflammation (those first few years with little ones had my brain way too occupied to remember my herbal training but by this point the fog was starting to clear) and I’ve never needed another shot, nor have I been in pain besides rare long nights with crampy shoes. It’s definitely due to taking turmeric consistently and luckily turmeric has benefits for the digestive system as well, and is even touted in the Blue Zones books for being one of the superfoods that slows aging. Not bad side effects!

As for supplements to target cartilage damage, most people have heard of glucosamine and chondroitin. When I worked at health food stores I talked to many people getting powerful results from these two, if they stuck with it. But there is a best practice to follow when taking this combination because some people have a bit of stomach sensitivity to these pills, so starting below the amount recommended on the bottle is advisable. (Or just follow your doctor’s instructions.) If your stomach handles the lower dose, build up over a few days, adding another pill per day or every few days, depending on your sensitivity. In other words, if the bottle says take three pills twice per day, it’s better to start with one pill twice per day, then if that goes well for a couple of days then move up to two pills for the first dose then one pill for the second dose for a couple of days, and so on. This allows for the digestive system to adapt. It usually takes about six to eight weeks for the effects to really be noticeable, although I got a sample from the New Hope Blogger Box of some chewables that report a much quicker time to relief. Joint Health by Redd Remedies boasts results in an impressive 4-10 days, plus the suggested dose is just one per day and it’s a chewable, making it a nice fit for those who have pill fatigue.

Since I no longer have any joint pain, I’ll have to pass these along to someone and see what they think. Redd Remedies puts a lot of effort into their research with peer-reviewed, published human clinical trials and published safety data, so I’m betting this is an extremely effective product, but I’ll let you know if my tester runs into any issues with it.

Another supplement to consider is Bromelain, the enzyme found in pineapple. To get the anti-inflammatory action straight from the fruit, it needs to be consumed fresh, not frozen or canned, and you need to eat it often. I’ve heard of people getting great results from this enzyme but it really depends on the person and what works best for each individual’s body. Taking bromelain for your joints though has the added benefits of helping to break down protein in your meals so you get the most nutrients from what you eat. Isn’t it nice to hear about beneficial side effects instead of a long list of potential problems that accompany most pharmaceuticals?

It’s never too early to start taking care of your joints, and know that there is help available if osteoarthritis sets in. Take care of yourselves and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

 

 

Lentil Soup and Supps on the Go

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I took a short trip to Portland and the Oregon coast for a few days this week. On the little getaway I was able to try a couple of the New Hope Blogger Box supplements because they were conveniently packaged for portability. F8F114EC-3821-4B1C-B3BA-28D6734E4E12[1]

I didn’t take a lot of supplements with me since it was such a quick trip, so these two products were perfect to take along. The Green Vibrance by Vibrant Health is chock full of superfoods, probiotics, and tastes delicious. The chocolate coconut flavor does not disappoint. I was really happy to be able to take such a nutrient-packed supplement which covered a lot of bases all in one convenient powder packet. I believe the actual product does not come in these little packets by the way, but instead in a more eco-friendly container which works better for everyday use.

This collagen booster below from Fusion Naturals is vegan, tastes naturally fruity, and is in attractive packaging which I always thoroughly appreciate. It is lovely from the outside and delicious tasting so definitely a quality product. I like using a jar to shake up the powder with the water, but on the trip I just put the powder in a glass of water and stirred with a spoon. Either way works. 9FE53C8F-171D-4B58-812E-68D55A51E6F4[1]

Inexplicably, I’ve been craving soup this hot, hot summer. Cooking it sounded like too much of a sweat session (we don’t have A/C) so I’ve just left the desire alone, marinating until crisper fall days. Until today that is. It’s only 68 degrees and since I’ve just come back from the Oregon coast where we had one warm day, one cool day, and one in-between, that cool day really got my thoughts revolving around soup until there was no chance of putting it off anymore. Lentil soup is one of my favorites, and each time I make it the recipe is a bit different. The things I always put in are garlic, onion, leeks, and potatoes, but sadly I didn’t remember the leek at the grocery store today. I added a sweet potato this time, just because I had one on hand, and carrots which are regular items. Lentils are one of the few legumes that don’t need to pre-soak before cooking, but a rinse does the dry beans good and it also gives the cook a chance to pick them over and toss out any that are discolored or any items that are not in fact legumes that might have gotten mixed in with them, especially if you buy them from a bulk bin. Here’s today’s recipe:

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Lentil Soup

About 1 Tablespoon of olive oil

1 Yellow Onion

2 or 3 garlic cloves

2 medium sized carrots

2 potatoes

1 sweet potato

1.5 Cups French Green Lentils

5 Cups of vegetable broth

About 1-2 teaspoon (to personal taste. I like a lot of herbs in there.) each of Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Black Pepper, Sea Salt and a Bay Leaf

Chop up all the veggies in small pieces, making them all around the same size. Coat the bottom of large pot with olive oil (or another oil of choice) and start sauteing the onion until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the other veggies and cook for another couple of minutes before adding the thyme, oregano, basil, and black pepper. Cook another couple of minutes, then add the broth, lentils, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil then turn it down to a low simmer until the lentils are soft which takes about 35-40 minutes, but it depends on a couple of factors, including the age of lentils. Once the lentils are soft, then add the salt to taste. Take the bay leaf out once the soup is finished. It’s always better the next day and just gets better over the next couple of days. This version is good but I miss the leek or two I usually have in it. It tastes great with either bread or rice and of course, if you like a thinner soup, add more broth or water. Also, you can always replace the teaspoons of herbs with a bouquet garni, preferable wrapped in the outer layer of a leek.

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Enjoy the second half of August! Late summer moving into early fall is my favorite time of year. More soup recipes will be coming shortly I’m sure, as well as some bread recipes for serving with them and I’d be forever grateful if you shared this with anyone who might be interested and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty. Best health to you and yours!

 

Natural Help for Common Skin Issues

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Many people suffer from one or more of three common skin issues~ acne, eczema, and psoriasis. These can be frustratingly stubborn problems with a series of harsh topicals and prescriptions thrown at the issues with less than stellar results. The reason usually is, although it’s a myth that chocolate causes acne, the digestive system does indeed play a fundamental role in skin health. If you have a stubborn skin issue and haven’t looked into food intolerances yet, well, you are in for a treat because most likely once you get the food intolerances under control, your skin will glow with gratitude. There’s more to healthy skin than just a healthy gut of course, but you aren’t going to have the first without the latter, so step one is just making sure your digestive system is as healthy as can be. This may mean supplementing with bitters, enzymes, and probiotics to help the digestive system be optimally healthy, and if you do have food intolerances, there are other steps you can take to heal your system. By the way, you take bitters and/or enzymes before you eat, and probiotics after the meal is finished. Bitters activate your natural enzymes while taking enzyme supplements help to break down food with the added supplementation instead of boosting your body to make its own enzymes as the bitters do. Probiotics act later and deeper in the process.

Other important things to keep in mind when addressing skin issues are toxins in your food, products, and environments, your hormones (which really means your entire endocrine system), and your overall health which of course includes stress. That’s admittedly a lot to look into, so it might be nice to start with some natural topicals and specific supplementation for acne, eczema, and psoriasis. Delicious Living has a few suggestions to help with getting started:

Problem: Acne.

Clogged skin gland follicles lead to acne, the nation’s most common skin condition.

Cause: Pesky pimples are just part of the problem. Acne indicates any number of deeper health issues: hormonal imbalances, digestive upset, overactive oil glands or bacteria buildup, says Kate Tackett, ND. Although the condition is most common among 11- to 30-year-olds (approximately 80 percent of people in this age group experience it), many adults never outgrow acne and others may even experience acne for the first time in adulthood.

Topical solution: Look for serums and washes that use antimicrobial ingredients, such as tea tree oil, witch hazel and willow bark. Recent research also supports thyme for its acne-fighting properties. Salicylic acid (from willow bark) remains an effective go-to for alleviating inflammation and irritation. Green tea and neem may also help.

Try: Derma e Very Clear Acne Cleanser

Supplements: Use vitamin A to reduce sebum production; vitamins C, E and selenium to support skin “immunity” and skin cell repair; and probiotics to restore digestive imbalances. For severe redness, Benyamin recommends a high dose of 50 mg zinc (avoid long-term use at this dose; reduce it once redness subsides to avoid copper imbalance).

Try: Terry Naturally Acne Essentials

Problem: Eczema.

Eczema, from a Greek word meaning to “bubble or boil over,” is an itchy, red rash that can appear anywhere on the body and affects more than 30 million Americans. Although there is no cure, there are various ways to manage it.

Cause: As with acne, eczema triggers are vast—and vary from person to person. Common causes, according to Tackett, include excess stomach acid and leaky gut syndrome, candida overgrowth, food sensitivities, stress and contact with irritants found in cleaning and personal care products. Skin’s moisture loss can greatly exacerbate the condition.

Topical solution: Use gentle, nontoxic lotions that contain nourishing, plant-based oils and extracts. Research has shown that shea butter and sunflower seed oil can control and soothe dermatitis- related skin issues. Avoid “fragrances,” which are common skin irritants.

Try: Salcura Bioskin DermaSpray

Supplements: Probiotics balance gut bacteria and fight eczema-related inflammation. Omega-3s and hyaluronic acid restore moisture from the inside out.

Try: SeabuckWonders Sea Buckthorn Seed Oil

Problem: Psoriasis.

Less common than acne and eczema (10 percent of people inherit one or more of the genes that eventually lead to psoriasis, but only 2 to 3 percent of people develop it), psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that causes raised, red, scaly skin patches.

Cause: One main cause is silica (a trace mineral) deficiency, says Benyamin. Other triggers include genetics, leaky gut and diminished liver function.

Topical solution: Products that use salicylic acid can reduce scales and soften lesions, according to research published in Canadian Family Physician. Research has also shown that using aloe vera for four weeks can reduce psoriasis irritation. Jojoba moisturizes and soothes, while apple cider vinegar and capsaicin (the active ingredient in chili peppers) may alleviate itching and pain.

Try: Jason Natural Soothing Aloe Vera 98% Gel

Supplements: In addition to omega-3s and probiotics, look for beauty supplements that contain silica, with additional skin- and nail-supportive nutrients such as collagen and biotin. Tackett also recommends milk thistle for liver support and fiber to help eliminate toxins from the body.

Try: BioSil

If you like to drink herbal infusions, there are several blends that address skin health and usually focus on liver and blood cleansing herbs like burdock root and/or nettles. My favorite is Yogi’s Healthy Skin Tea with cinnamon and vanilla which is delicious and along with nettles has great digestive herbs and beautifying schisandra to support a healthy glow. There are plenty of other combinations out there if cinnamon and vanilla do not sound like your cup of, well, tea (oy!) and also green tea is always a great choice for skin health with all those antioxidants. Other herbs that are particularly healthy for the skin are Turmeric, Neem, and Amla, and be sure to drink plenty of water daily.

Wishing all of you skin that radiates your optimal health and natural light, and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article..

A Personal Note

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This blog has been trucking along for a while now, so I thought I’d check in with a personal note on the goals and philosophy for this space. It might seem a tad erratic with herbal tutorials here, food recipes there, and ready-made product information, but to me the goals are the same. My main interest is to empower people with the knowledge of what is out there in the natural world, whether that means their garden, their spice cabinet, or their natural food store, that can enrich their life and enhance their health. I’m a big believer in the idea that we are advancing in technological ways faster than we can humanly adapt, a concept that has been around for decades but has been mostly conveniently ignored, and this is my small way of grounding myself and anyone else who is interested back to the real world, the actual earth we inhabit, the roots that have brought us to this crazy point, and the traditions that have made us communal creatures. So much is lost each day to isolation, stretched schedules, imitation foods, and processed products, that the richness of life is threatened in the push towards better, faster, easier. But for what end? The Slow Foods Movement is a beautiful example of people taking a stand and saying we’ll take the more nutritious meal over the faster one, and that same idea can be applied to just about every aspect of life. Technology, and especially social media, are pushing images and information onto us and into us at an ever-increasing rate, leaving everyone a little on edge, if not completely frantic, and feeling always and forever behind. The laws haven’t kept up so how could our long-evolved emotions, our sense of time and space, our ideas of community, morality, humanity? They haven’t had the time and the future certainly isn’t carving out space for us to collectively take a time out and regroup, unless something major happens which certainly wouldn’t be pretty, so the best thing I can think to do is to try to be mindful of it all and not get swept up and away into the vacuum of a false reality. For humanity’s sake, for the plants’ and animals’ sake, and for the earth as a whole, we need to remain thoughtful. Humans are so darn proud of their capacity for higher thinking, yet we collectively choose to dull it on the regular. We must be mindful caretakers of each other and the earth we inhabit because it is quite simply our birthright. We can step up, or not, but the consequences of ‘not’ are unfortunately extreme.

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I engage in social media reluctantly, which is why I don’t do all the regular things bloggers generally do. There is a formula for it actually, the whole blogging thing, and I’ve studied how it’s done as is my nature, but I’ve decided against the things that do not resonate with me, which is most of it. This may very well mean this space will have to evolve into something else, but for now I’m happy to connect with people in a way that feels somewhat natural though it does involve the very technology and social media that I just now protested. It’s a complicated world and a strange time to try to fit into it in an organic way that embraces long held values, addresses fears, and is done in an effort to try to share in an authentic and positive way, but this is what I’m working towards. I guess this is just a meandering way of saying what Shakespeare said so succinctly: “Though this be madness, yet there is method in ’t.” Hamlet (2.2.204-09).

Thank you, very sincerely, for being a part of my world and allowing me to be part of yours. You are a true gift and a treasure.

All the best to you and yours.

Gum Recession

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Between gum disease, grinding teeth at night, and possibly brushing too hard (though that cause is up for debate), gum recession is incredibly common. It generally shows up after age 40, though it most likely started years earlier. It’s a slow, gradual process which can eventually lead to tooth loss, so it’s no small matter. Depending on how far along the recession is, a dentist may do a deep cleaning that involves cleaning below the gum line, which is different than just the normal twice a year cleaning, or suggest a mouth guard to stop grinding teeth at night. There doesn’t seem to be a modern medicine option for actually rebuilding the gum tissue and overall oral health, but luckily for us, there are natural products out there to help do just that.

Uncle Harry’s is a natural products company that was actually founded due to gum health concerns. You can read about that history here, or just check out their products that are based on Ayurvedic principals for keeping the mouth healthy and thriving. Their anise toothpaste is my personal favorite, but they have several flavors to choose from such as the more common flavor of peppermint. You dip your toothbrush right into the jar and the essential oils make sure that the jar of toothpaste stays free of bacteria, viruses, and germs of all sorts. The toothpastes help the mouth keep a proper alkaline pH, have no sweeteners or fluoride, and naturally fight gum disease while offering the gums and teeth herbs and essential oils that build them up. They also have a powder to help soothe sore gums called Inflamed Gums, with numbing and healing herbs and essential oils in it.

Another great company, Herb Pharm, has a mouthwash called Gum Guardian that is full of gum healing and building herbs. Use this after brushing and flossing, just as you would a conventional mouthwash, though this one is more medicinal in nature. It’s an extract so you have to just add a dropperful to a small amount of water to swish it around.

Wishgarden Herbs has a Gum Strengthener that can also be used as a mouthwash, but alternatively it can be massaged directly into problem areas. If the whole mouth is a problem area, it can be administered all over with a toothbrush. Another similar product is by Herbs Etc and is called Mouth Tonic which has great reviews. Actually all these herbal extracts have great reviews and all are quite similar in terms of the herbs used (read the ingredients lists and count how many times you see Myrrh), so you can’t really go wrong.

Before going any further I should say that vitamin C is the most important vitamin for gum recession issues. Most people get enough vitamin C in their daily diet and possibly a multivitamin, but a little extra doesn’t hurt when fighting any kind of disease or infection. Just something to keep in mind.

Oil pulling is a technique from Ayurveda that seems to be growing in popularity. It involves swishing sesame oil or coconut oil in one’s mouth for 10-20 minutes, then spitting it out. To be honest, I’ve not tried this yet because the thought of holding the oil in my mouth that long doesn’t seem appealing when there are herbs in extract form that will aid oral health in an easier way, but then again I generally always choose the herbal options. To each his own though so if you try it, or currently do it in your oral health regimen, let me know because I want to hear about it! Here’s a good article on how to do it if you need instructions.

Green tea is known for its many benefits from its antioxidants to its fat burning properties, and one more benefit is oral health. Drinking just one cup of green tea a day is enough to increase the health of gums and mouth. Green tea is so versatile, you can add it to your skincare products, drink it for a multitude of health benefits, and add the room temperature tea bags to your eyes for help with puffiness and dark circles.

I just love how the natural world so quietly and competently has so many options for improving our health and daily life. Long before “there’s an app for that” became the modern mantra, “there’s an herb for that” prevailed, and still does, but you often have to look beyond the noisy world to find the right ones for you. There are always options so don’t let an ‘incurable’ condition such as anxiety or hair loss get you down.

Happy Summer and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

 

 

CBD Oil and Einkorn

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If you are wondering what CBD oil and Einkorn have in common, the answer is nothing at all other than they are both related to things I recently received in the New Hope Blogger Box, and also they are both part of the latest and greatest in the natural foods and supplements trends. I mentioned the CBD oil in a previous post but even then I was still a tad confused on why exactly it seemed to be such a hot supplement lately. Today I read an article from Delicious Living that explained the supplement in far more detail than I had previously found in my earlier research. The whole article is worth the read, but I thought I’d pull out the key parts that answered my questions best, and hope they answer any you may have as well.

CBD is short for cannabidiol and is an extract of the hemp portion of a Cannabis sativa plant. This is the same plant where THC, the active ingredient of marijuana, is found and indeed the CBD and THC do similar functions in the body. THC has a psychoactive component though that CBD does not have, therefore you cannot get high from CBD oil. Both CBD and THC work on the body’s innate endocannabinoid system. The endocannabinoid system governs specific areas of your physiology, such as hunger, pain, stress and pleasure. On a molecular level, the endocannabinoid system works like a lock and key with receptors. The receptors are the lock, the cannabinoids are the keys. The benefits of pain and stress relief make CBD a potentially powerful medicine indeed, even without the pleasurable high.

Benefits: A type of CBD seems to benefit people suffering from childhood-onset epilepsy disorder. A panel of FDA experts in April unanimously declared a pharmaceutical-grade CBD should be approved to treat certain rare types of epilepsy. The FDA is expected to grant its approval later this year. A 2015 review published in the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at 79 studies published since 1975. Researchers found various cannabinoids—THC, CBD and others—were useful medicine. They were most effective treating chronic pain and muscle spasticity; nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy; and weight gain associated with HIV, sleep disorders and Tourette syndrome. THC and CBD were also found to improve sleep and reduce anxiety.

So that is what I learned from the Delicious Living article by Todd Runestad and some of it was directly taken from it, and other bits were quite modified. The bold is all me. Please read the whole article if you are interested in learning more because there is actually a lot he covers that I left out.

Einkorn flour is an ancient wheat, meaning it hasn’t been genetically modified to produce higher amounts of gluten like other wheat flours that are used today. For those who are sensitive to gluten, this might be a digestible alternative, although it still contains gluten and is not to be eaten by celiacs, nor during a period of time when you want to completely abstain from wheat and gluten in order to stop the body’s negative reactions. Once you begin healing your digestive system from the intolerances, you might find that Einkorn is safe to eat, even if you had been found to be gluten intolerant before the healing process. It is kind of like spelt flour, which is a low gluten flour and easier on the digestive system, though it still contains gluten and is still a wheat. Jovial Foods has an informative page on Einkorn that you should check out if you are considering whether or not to start adding wheat back into your diet. Also, if you are a current wheat eater, switching to Einkorn could provide some overall nutritional benefits as well, such as easier digestibility, more protein and less starch . Another reason to visit Jovial Foods’ website is because they have great recipes with Einkorn flour or gluten free flour, and most of their recipes have directions for either one. I made these Einkorn cinnamon scones and not only were they incredibly delicious, they were also quite easy to make. I did not have the cream that it called for, but I was able to substitute with Elmhurst’s cashew milk that had come in the blogger box, and it worked perfectly.

I also made these peasant breads with the recipe I use to make gluten free peasant breads, and they turned out well also. The left one shows the top, while the right one shows the bottom.

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Now that gluten awareness seems to have moved a bit into digestive health awareness with probiotics leading the way in healing and overall wellness, I believe we’ll see more and more products using Einkorn flour and berries as a way to ease back into eating gluten, and just as a healthier alternative to the highly processed and hybridized wheat flours that we use today. I hope that is the case anyway, because I for one am ready to start seeing fresh Einkorn bread in grocery stores and restaurants, and farmers switching to ancient grain Einkorn instead of the hybridized wheat that has taken over.

Best health to you and yours through the changing seasons, and be sure to listen closely to your body when trying new supplements or reintroducing foods to your diet after a time of abstaining from them. When reintroducing a food that was previously a sensitivity, be careful and go slowly, staying aware that symptoms may be different than before. Good luck and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

Brain Health

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While creating a mini-course on adaptogens, I’ve been thinking about putting together a blend focused on brain health for my sons who are students and will be for many more years. The adaptogenic herbs I’m thinking of including are Ashwagandha, Tulsi, Gotu Kola, and Rhodiola. This would be a great mix for long-term energy and stamina, with herbs specifically targeting brain health, focus, and stress management, with anti-depressant and anti-anxiety action. This seems like an optimal mix for a student, or for anyone looking for long-term brain support. As we age it is especially important to make sure our brains get the best nutrition and care we can provide. No one else can do it for you~ this is self care at a fundamental level.

Here is an infographic from Delicious Living that has other ways to improve brain health on a daily basis. These tips are not only good for brain health but overall health and wellness in general, and they really aren’t hard. It’s a nice reminder of how eating more fruits and vegetables, reducing stress, exercising, and consciously limiting toxins improve every part of daily life. I’ve been thinking lately how the ripple effects of our thoughts and actions can be either be beneficial and building a better future, or damaging. It’s hard to always choose wisely, but self care can never be detrimental.

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Nutritious foods don’t have to be boring. The New Hope Blogger Box has some foods this time around that make superfoods snackable and drinkable. This Beet Latte from Raw and Root has goji and maqui berries along with the beet root to make this a deeply nourishing addition to any daily diet. This combination offers support for energy, heart health, weight loss, and more. Check out their website to see all the benefits of these three superfoods. This powder is going in my morning smoothies.

This dried Dragon Fruit from Jungle Orchards  has only 6g of sugars per package, plus 2g of protein. Dragon fruit is considered a superfood for its many benefits without the excessive sugar that many fruits have, especially dried fruits. This would make a great healthy snack for kids’ lunch bags when you want to send them off with extra fruit but not extra sugar. To learn more about the many benefits of dragon fruit (it was all new to me!) then check out this article which talks about weight loss, lowering cholesterol, improving energy, and more.

Avocado is delicious but has the one overwhelming flaw of being seriously high maintenance when it comes to catching its perfect ripeness, and also you can’t take an avocado anywhere without bruising. These freeze-dried avocados from Senor Avocado take the guesswork out of avocado ripening and they are fully transportable so lunch boxes can carry them. The healthy fats are still there, and the taste is the same as a fresh, but the texture is slightly different so no avocado toast with these. Instead, throw them on salads or soups, or just eat them as a snack or as part of healthy meal. There are different flavors but I really liked these Peruvian Pink Salt ones.

Enjoy the upcoming Memorial weekend (for those here in the U.S.) and be sure to take good care of yourself with some healthy delicious foods, some fun activities, and plenty of rest. Your body and brain will thank you for it. Please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.

Noteworthy Natural Supplements

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Allergies seem like one of those things that are destined to be suffered through or managed with over the counter medicines which may have unwanted side effects. There actually are alternatives though, with herbs such as nettles often recommended for helping to ease the allergy misery. Redd Remedies Sinus support has a combination of nutrients such as vitamin C, quercetin, nettles, and more to support allergy sufferers all season long, working on the sinus cavities, respiratory system, and the immune system. They have an adult formula (below) and a children’s formula. My husband tried it and said it eased the pressure in his sinuses in a gentle way and broke up mucous after only one dose, though this does seem to be something that improves efficacy with longer term use.

This multivitamin from Naturewise has a focus on joint support as well as extra nutrients for a variety of women’s health issues. This seems like a great option for women who want their multivitamin to do more than just cover the basics, and instead address multiple concerns in one supplement. (Two capsules daily.)

Source Naturals has an energy supplement that focuses on going deep for cellular energy. EnerVital has a multitude of nutrients including B vitamins, adaptogenic herbs, amino acids, antioxidants,  blood sugar regulating chromium, and green tea which does contain a bit of caffeine. This seems to be another supplement that will give results right away, but the efficacy will build over time. This is a great option for those looking to build energy and stamina long-term, but also need an energetic boost right away.

Barlean’s has a CBD oil supplement that is ‘extra strength’ with a bit of mint added for flavor. The mint is really subtle, but it does cut down on the hemp-iness of the taste. CBD oil is one of those supplements that is a tad hard to define because it works to keep the body in a balanced, healthy state, known as homeostasis. It has the ability to help with a variety of processes including relaxation, cognition, sleeping, eating, recovery and repair. This is one supplement that is quickly gaining in popularity and you will definitely be hearing more about it. A liquid delivery that goes under the tongue is a great way to get the most out of a product without putting it through the questionable digestive system.

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This extra strength pain relief supplement called Curamin from Europharma has impressive testimonials and a plethora of awards. I’m almost looking forward to some kind of flare up to give it a try. Maybe I should try running hills again and see how long it takes before my knees protest….

That’s all the supplements from the New Hope Blogger Box this quarter. I’ll share some of the fun food items from the box here soon. There are avocado snacks and dried dragon fruit that I’m especially looking forward to my kids trying.

Best health to you and yours and please subscribe for weekly posts about herbs, natural health, and green beauty, and please share with anyone who might benefit from this article.