Herbs, Oils and Ideas

Oils - Oregano

Oregano oil makes me hungry. That is to say it puts me in mind of pizza, pasta and good, homemade minestrone. It is also a powerful medical oil. Whether topically applied or orally ingested it can be a tremendous aid for health.

Touted as an ANTI - fungal, it can set up an environmental condition not conducive to the growth of fungus, mold and viral infections. Indeed it appears to function as a purification element regarding all microbes. That said it DOES NOT damage beneficial microbial life in the human system. This is very important because we need microbes! They are imperative to the function of everything from digestion to the production of enzymes. They aid the body as an integral part of the whole and must be nourished careful and consistently. Oregano does just that.

While the consumption of this wonderful plant can be done in delicious - and very Mediterranean - ways, the ingestion of the essential oil needs to be done with caution. I DO NOT recommend placing several drops in a gelatin capsule and swallowing as this is far too concentrated. I DO encourage the combination of 2 or 3 drops in salads dressing, the butter used on garlic bread, or the mayonnaise used to create chicken salad.

Defusing this oil in the home during illness can help prevent the spread of infection and lift the mood. Of course you have to make a big pot of spaghetti at the same time - just saying. Bon appetite, here’s to your health

Idea - Science

I am thrilled to see so many people sharing on this page. When I first created this Facebook presence I had hoped to share many thoughts regarding natural health. Life took other turns and I am only now returning to what I once began. Today I want to say a few words about the idea of science - what it is and what it is not.

Science is the dependable, repetitive results of a particular action. For example the science of gravity. Each time one walks, sits or rides gravity supplies the same effect. We can play with and even defy it as when we board an airplane. But even flying actually uses the science of gravity to make such things possible. Science knows no political agenda, will not alter due to the motivations of an individual or group and is not subject to a vote.

Science is NOT consensus. No matter how many people vote to ignore gravity it will still be there. No matter how many papers are generated to demonstrate that gravity might be effective only on alternate tuesdays, consensus is not that repetitive, predictable result we know as science.

I once read a paper entitled “Proof of the safety of (pharmaceutical name withheld)” As I read I came to the “Methods” section which showed that 112 participants took part in this study of scientific proof. Of that number 5 had died. No explanation was given for these deaths of otherwise healthy people. No car accident, natural disasters or other reason was offered simply that they were part of the study and were now dead. It would seem that the paper’s conclusion of safety was inaccurate. Yet the title said otherwise. Always read the whole paper - no matter the title. Always look at the methods used then draw your own conclusions. (By the way, a group of only 112 participants is too small a romp to prove anything)

Science it wonderful, fascinating and informative. It may take an extended effort and even be frustrating from time to time but to me it is well worth that effort. Keep looking, keep studying - happy hunting!

Food for thought

Herbs - Olive Leaf

In herbology there are different approaches to health. The Chinese and Ayurvedic approaches seek to balance the system as a whole in order to achieve health and wellness, acknowledging the malady secondarily. The Western, allopathic approach is to focus on the ailment and acknowledge the greater whole as a secondary focus. As such we seek to categorize illness. Using Muscle Testing - Kinesiology - the body is asked if the affliction is Bacterial, Viral or Fungal (which includes yeast and molds). Then a remedy is applied targeting that specific category.

Labels such as ANTI - bacterial or ANTI - viral are a bit of a misnomer. Herbs are not ANTI as they do not destroy. What they DO is to create an environment in which the health promoting aspects of the system can flourish and the disease agents are unwelcome. For example pH is a factor who’s is altered by the use of herbs and foods - as well as attitude but that is a topic for another day. Volume such as Alkalize or Die by Dr Theodore Baroody, discuss this phenomenon is great length. Herbs allow the system to correct its own issues by creating an atmosphere of health in the cells of the body. To that end I want to spend a moment on an herb classified as an Anti-Viral - Olive Leaf.

Olive Leaf is used in many parts of the world and has been for centuries. It creates a situation the the human body which makes it very difficult for virus to thrive. Unlike bacteria and fungus a virus morphs and changes in order to adapt. It can survive in the system for years, manifesting periodically then hiding aging until the next opportunity comes along. How many people deal with herpes simplex, a virus which causes cold sores or fever blisters. Some women deal with this issue each month in conjunction with me**es. Others find that 3 or 4 times a year they have this problem. It never really goes away because the virus maintains a presence somewhere in the body, to resurface when conditions are ripe. Olive Leaf has the ability to target this, and other viruses and keep them from altering their behavior so that the body can eliminate them.

Working with the whole system is important, dealing with health issues in a more target fashion also has its place. When dealing with viral infections I strongly urge the use of Olive Leaf.

Herbs - Olive Leaf

In herbology there are different approaches to health. The Chinese and Ayurvedic approaches seek to balance the system as a whole in order to achieve health and wellness, acknowledging the malady secondarily. The Western, allopathic approach is to focus on the ailment and acknowledge the greater whole as a secondary focus. As such we seek to categorize illness. Using Muscle Testing - Kinesiology - the body is asked if the affliction is Bacterial, Viral or Fungal (which includes yeast and molds). Then a remedy is applied targeting that specific category.

Labels such as ANTI - bacterial or ANTI - viral are a bit of a misnomer. Herbs are not ANTI as they do not destroy. What they DO is to create an environment in which the health promoting aspects of the system can flourish and the disease agents are unwelcome. For example pH is a factor who’s is altered by the use of herbs and foods - as well as attitude but that is a topic for another day. Volume such as Alkalize or Die by Dr Theodore Baroody, discuss this phenomenon is great length. Herbs allow the system to correct its own issues by creating an atmosphere of health in the cells of the body. To that end I want to spend a moment on an herb classified as an Anti-Viral - Olive Leaf.

Olive Leaf is used in many parts of the world and has been for centuries. It creates a situation the the human body which makes it very difficult for virus to thrive. Unlike bacteria and fungus a virus morphs and changes in order to adapt. It can survive in the system for years, manifesting periodically then hiding aging until the next opportunity comes along. How many people deal with herpes simplex, a virus which causes cold sores or fever blisters. Some women deal with this issue each month in conjunction with me**es. Others find that 3 or 4 times a year they have this problem. It never really goes away because the virus maintains a presence somewhere in the body, to resurface when conditions are ripe. Olive Leaf has the ability to target this, and other viruses and keep them from altering their behavior so that the body can eliminate them.

Working with the whole system is important, dealing with health issues in a more target fashion also has its place. When dealing with viral infections I strongly urge the use of Olive Leaf.

PEARLS
Many volumes have been written regarding the healing capacities of things found in nature; plants, water, the sun, gemstones, the ocean, to name a few. Petting a dog or cat is therapeutic. Listening to the breeze through the branches of trees, watching the sun rise or set all seem to have a beneficial effect on our body, mind and/or spirit. The one thing that these all seem to have in common is vibration or energy. All things in nature vibrate, are 'electric' you might say - people too!
Pearls are worn as jewelry for their curative powers, or they could be ground up and made into potions, balms, and salves. The powder is even take internally.
Are pearls herbs? Stones? Perhaps something altogether unique. They are indeed a product of nature and with a remarkable purpose; to ease a situation of discomfort and provide protection. Layer upon layer, day after day, year after year, slowly and methodically the mollusk builds a pearl. Light reflecting from these overlapping layers is what produces the characteristic iridescent luster. The creature itself is used for food but the pearl is not a plant so not herb. The pearl is not mined or found in deposits such as diamonds or turquoise so not gem. What a rare and wonderful thing, surely it's natural energies are healing by its very design.
Pearls are found in many healing traditions. Since their earliest discovery by man pearls have been prized. Today's modern pharmaceutical industry uses pearls in medicine. In particular, they are ground into a fine powder and used to prepare high-quality pharmaceutical calcium.
In Metaphysical philosophies pearls are Moon and Water ruled. Therefore they enhance sincerity, truth and loyalty, bring centering and a calming reflection, as well as attune the wearer to the ebb and flow of life.
Pearls will balance and heal all Chakras. They are said to assist in the search for higher wisdom and truth, absorbing negative energy from the one who wears it. Pearls are directly associated with the 3rd, Sacral Chakra and 7th Crown Chakra.
In the 13th century a German monk, Albertus Magnus, stated that pearls could heal mental diseases. In the 17th century, an elixir called ‘Aqua Perlata’ was recommended for restoring strength and combatting fevers. This preparation contained pearls dissolved in fruit vinegar or lemon juice. Once the pearls dissolved, fresh lemon juice was added, then the mixture was decanted into a new container where strawberry, rose, cinnamon and borage were added.
Fascinating, right!? In point of fact, pearls contain a variety of amino acids, proteins,and calcium. Concoctions such as Aqua Perlata likely worked because the pH levels of the juice extracted these properties and made the easy to assimilate. Used today in cosmetics throughout Asia many women claim that the use of pearls keeps their skin young and healthy.

Turmeric

At a small farmer's market on Kauai there was a stand selling freshly harvested ginger roots and a similar, although smaller root, with that looked like a cross between ginger and carrot. This was my first experience with fresh Turmeric. Purchasing a little of each as well as salad greens, including nasturtium blooms lunch that day was fresh salad sprinkled generously with freshly grated Turmeric. It was love at first bite! Breakfast the next morning included a small chunk of Turmeric blended into a fresh pineapple based green drink. Slightly hot - like ginger - but mellow and rich at the same time it is a wonderful addition.
Providing enhanced energy, digestive cleansing, cardiac support and balancing the endocrine system (let's hear it for balanced hormones) this was the start of an amazing journey. In capsules this little rhizome can aid in ache and discomfort due to inflammation. It can diminish the build up of cholesterol and strengthen blood vessels throughout the body (even cleaning up such lovelies as hemorrhoids).
In Ayurvedic practices, turmeric has been used to treat a variety of internal disorders, such as indigestion, throat infections and liver ailments, as well as topically to cleanse wounds or treat skin sores. Research shows extracts from turmeric may have anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Also under current investigation are its effects on kidney and cardiovascular diseases, arthritis, cancer, irritable bowel disease, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes.
Highly concentrated in capsule form be sure of quality. Concentration herbs which are contaminated with pesticides, synthetics and the like can be poisonous. Studies have shown no ill effects of taking the WHOLE plant in such a way however. Speaking of whole;
One very popular compound in Turmeric is curcumin remember that this is ONE compound and nature blends many things into the same plant for reasons which may not be apparent to us mere mortals. It is my view that when we work with nature and allow ourselves to acknowledge her wisdom over our own need to be brilliant we benefit the most. So let's eat it the way it comes rather than extracting the 'active ingredient' and eat it all.

Black Pepper Oil

Black Pepper is considered a condiment or a spice that is very common and popular throughout the world. It is extensively used in culinary applications, it may taste hot and has an appetizing aroma. Black pepper is the dried fruit of the pepper plant, whose scientific name is Piper Nigrum. However, the oil is NOT hot and will NOT burn the skin when applied topically.

In the distant past, it was considered sacred and was even used as a form of currency. It was one of the most prized trade items exported from India to the rest of the world. There have been times when it was was considered more valuable than gold.

Digestion: Black pepper is remarkably beneficial for digestion because it stimulates the whole digestive system, from the salivary glands in the mouth to the large intestine, including promoting secretion of digestive juices like acids and bile into the stomach to facilitate evacuation.

Anti-rheumatic & Anti-arthritic: These are two of the best qualities of black pepper oil. It is warming, stimulating and improves circulation, thereby giving immediate relief for rheumatism and arthritis, particularly during the winter when the symptoms are aggravated the most. It is also effective in removing toxins like uric acid from the blood, thereby benefiting people suffering from chronic rheumatism, arthritis, and gout. It can also act to reduce inflammation and excess fluids.

Antioxidant: It protects the body from damages done by oxidants (free radicals) and also helps to repair those damages that have already been done. It also delays adverse affects of aging such as vision loss, macular degeneration, wrinkling of the skin, degeneration and loosening of the muscles, loss of mobility in the joints, nervous disorders, and memory loss.

Aphrodisiac: While this type of action is hard to define the clearing and balancing nature of the oil allows for optimum function of the endocrine system and increases circulatory processes needed for this category.

Respiratory: Aiding in dilation of the alveoli of the lungs, this oil can enhance both breathing and oxygen absorption.

Blending: Black pepper oil can be blended with Lemon, Lime, Lavender, Sage, Sandalwood, Mandarin, Ylang-Ylang, Juniper, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Clove, Ginger, Geranium, Coriander, Grapefruit, Fennel and Frankincense oils.

Eating Oils
So, ingesting essential oils is a topic of concern to many of us in natural health. Is it safe? Is it effective? Why the controversy?

Several months ago a friend of mine wrote me a letter. She was very concerned about this issue as a colleague of her's, who was an Aromatherapist, had been hospitalized with liver failure. She was told that her liver was so damaged that it would be years - if ever - before she could function normally again. What had happened? She had taken Oil Bombs. Multiple times a day she filled gelatin capsules with 10-15 drops of essential oils and swallowed them. These immensely powerful concentrates had been too much for her liver to digest. The liver works on cleaning out all toxins and chemical contaminates that get into the system. While Essential Oils may - MAY - be pure and organic, they are so dense that they are recognized in the body as chemicals and potentially toxic.

Why take oils internally? The ability of essential oils to work on repairing damage at a cellular level is remarkable. Dr Josh Plant, of Ameo Oils, has footage of the effect of ingested oils on live tissue. The question of efficacy is clear, they work. The safety is another issue.

Safety of ingesting oils lays in the logic of human digestive processes. Besides cleansing toxins, the liver functions as the resource for fats and oils in the body. We all need fats to utilize the vitamins such as A and E which are fat-soluble. If the essential oils are blended, emulsified and properly united with the food, they are simply processed safely through normal digestion.

Ameo, part of the Zija International Corporation, has a small line of such oils - The AGX Oils. These little capsules contain olive oil, sea vegetation and tiny, but very effective amounts of essential oils. I have had tremendous success using these products. I also cook with the oils.

Adding EOs to the diet can be fun as well as healthy! Here is one of my all-time favorites:

Amazing Egg Salad!

5-6 hard cooked eggs - diced 1/4 cup red onion - minced
1 cup + of Curley Red Kale - minced 1/4 cup celery - diced
3 drops Patchouli Oil 5 drops Black Pepper Oil
1/2 cup mayonnaise (more or less) Fresh Black Pepper

Making your own mayonnaise is easy and a great way to ingest oils in any dish calling for mayo.

Just a note;
Black Pepper Oil - This wonderful oil balances and enhances proper hormone production and function in both men and women. It is nourishing to the skin and respiratory systems and cleanses the digestive tract.

Patchouli oil - For some time this oil has been relegated to the hippy-dippy (yes a very scientific classification) category of natural health. It is however a terrific purifier an cleanser. Whether the invasion is bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitical, this oil balances out the system so that the threat is released and the body fortified.

I hope this is informative and helpful. Bon appetite 😊

Granola with Freeze-Dried Fruit and Oils
{Makes 5 cups}

1 1/2 cups raw rolled oats
3/4 cup almond butter
4 - 6 drops essential oils, such as Tangerine, Clove, Cinnamon or Peppermint, mixed into the honey
1/3 cup honey
1 tsp vanilla
2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder
1/2 cup sliced raw almonds
1 1/2 cups freeze dried fruit

Combine very well, store in a sealed container. Refrigerate or freeze. Serve with cold yogurt or warm nut milk.

Bombing or Building

When we find ourselves dealing with health issues we have a choice - do we seek to destroy that which we blame for our discomfort or do we seek to strength and support that which provides healing?
Sometimes we operate within what may be referred to as The Cut and Burn Method. Even in the natural or wholistic world we can fall into this trap and use potentially destructive methods. We may even over-react and try to light a candle with a blow torch rather than a match.
By using tiny amounts of tremendously powerful healing substances - herbs, essential oils and homeopathic solutions - we can allow the body to do that which is was designed to accomplish, after all healing is built into human existence. If we support, strengthen and provide resources for our bodies, minds and spirits, we will heal. By the same token, if we bombard our system with incredibly powerful and potentially destructive substances, we run the risk of damaging, even shutting down, the very healing powers we require to find the comfort we seek.
Remembering that healing is strongly linked to proper digestion, indeed it has been called our "First line of defense", we can focus our efforts at the very beginning of digestion, smell and taste. Digestion begins in the mouth and nose so putting these things in our food will aid proper digestion and most efficiently establish a healthy intestinal microbiome.
Dr. Daniel Penoel has reminded us of the importance of creating an environment within the system which is conducive to healing microbes and yet is hostile to pathological elements, this may be a key part of our healing routine. In a recent article he emphasized the need for "Creating a healthy medium for the symbiotic microscopic flora and a medium that at the same time is not favorable to the pathogenic flora." After decades of including essential oils in his practice Dr Penoel is quite insistent that a few drops of oil added to vegetable oil and taken with meals may be used carefully, with the training and experience needed to insure safety (http://ameo.com/media-center/zija-news/20150819/améo-certi-5™-series-safety-usage-essential-oils).
The practice of placing 15 - 20 drops of essential oil, especially those which would otherwise be objectionable to the tongue, in a capsule several times a day in order to bomb disease can damage internal organs and cause years of difficult recovery.
Fundamentally, we need to ask the question "Am I seeking to build the system and provide the resources needed for my body to do its job or do I desire destruction?" When caution and experience come together we find both safety and efficacy. Let us take a step back and allow dispassionate logic and wisdom the govern our choice of which experts we take as our guides.