Today's show is about herbs for healthier lungs. If you live in an area that has poor air quality then you'll want to listen and find out how to protect your lungs.
Use a good air purifier for the home that uses a type of filter called HEPA (high-efficiency particle air). These filters trap harmful particles such as pollen, pet dander, dust mites, smoke, and other pollutants floating in the air.
2. Decrease Inflammation – many people that suffer from chronic lung issues may have food allergies or food sensitivities and may not be unaware. The two most common at the top of the list are gluten/wheat and dairy.
Eliminate these foods as much as possible and eat a whole food-rich diet. As we say, eat the rainbow of vegetables, dark leafy greens, berries, wild foods, herbs, spices.
3. Vitamin D decreases inflammation and improves the immune system. Ask your doctor to do a blood test to measure how much Vitamin D is in your body. Women tend to get deficient as we age.
4. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil also decrease inflammation and helps the body repair itself.
5. Medicinal Mushrooms – Reishi, cordyceps, and Chaga have properties that help rebuild and repair damaged lung tissue.
According to Maria Noel Groves, author of Body Into Balance: An Herbal Guide to Holistic Self-Care (2016, pg. 133).
“All of our medicinal mushrooms have immune-supportive benefits, but reishi and cordyceps strengthen respiratory function and structure. When used regularly, they make you less susceptible to repeat infections like bronchitis and pneumonia, boost oxygen utilization, decrease fatigue, improve red blood cells, and modulate the immune response.
Chaga also seems to aid respiratory health. Some relief may be noted within a few days, but the effects build over a few weeks or months. They are generally safe to take.”
Aromatic Herbs help fight infection and have some antimicrobial effects, enhancing the body's immune response. Aromatics also open the lungs, relieve spasms.
Aromatic herbs are best taken as a warm tea, tincture, food (soup), or infused in honey (for example, fermented garlic and honey) or steam inhalation.
Herbs perfect as a tea or fermented in honey (garlic)
Thyme (steam inhalation)
Pine needles (tea/steam inhalation)
Balsam needles (tea/steam inhalation)
Oregano (tea / steam inhalation / food)
Bee balm (tea)
Hyssop (tea)
Raw garlic – (fermented in honey (for six weeks)/food)
Neti Pot – Irrigating your nasal using a neti pot for sinus relief is recommended.
Understand the difference between an herb that is an Expectorant and a Demulcent. Because depending on your symptoms, you may not need an expectorant but a demulcent or a combination of both.
What specific herbs are best for lung and respiratory support?
Peppermint: Herbs high in aromatic essential oils can help decrease inflammation and open bronchial, which increased lung capacity. Peppermint can also reduce muscle pain and spasms and aids in digestion. Note: if you suffer from reflux or GERD, do not drink peppermint in high doses.
Chamomile: This is an herb that is perfect for children who have sensitivity to smoke from brush fires. It can be made strong, and it also a calming herb. If steeped for a long time, there is a slightly bitter taste perfect for better digestion.
Chamomile tea can be used as an eyewash for raw irritates eyes. Make a cup of tea and allow it to cool. Take the teabag out of your cup and gently place it over your eyes and squeeze a small amount of tea out.
Turmeric is known to be an antioxidant and has compounds that reduce inflammation. This herb can be taken as a tea, tincture, or in dried form and high doses. Turmeric is also known to reduce heart disease and increase brain function.
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) herbalists use licorice root because of their demulcent properties.
It protects the mucous membranes from excessive particle pollution. Small amounts of licorice root should be added to tea recipes and should be drunk for no more than 10 – 14 days is recommended.
Note: This herb can increase blood pressure, low potassium levels, weakness, paralysis, irregular heart rhythms, and heart attack. People who eat a lot of salt or have heart disease, kidney disease, or high blood pressure are more sensitive to licorice. They can have these problems after eating smaller amounts of licorice.
Marshmallow Root is another wonderful demulcent. It helps to protect those with sensitive mucous membranes. Its also cooling and soothes the entire system, specifically constipation associated with stress.
Lavender is an herb that helps reduce anxiety and stress. Lavender tea should be made strong; the aroma will help relax and aid in breathing capacity.
Echinacea is known for stimulating the immune system, which also reduces inflammation in the body by decreasing the chances of getting sick while under stress. It can be taken as tea, tincture, or capsules.
Reishi Mushroom – this herb is a Super Hero Herb! It's one of the most studied herbs around. It has a long list of healing properties to list here. For our purposes, it boosts the immune system and aids in lung conditions, including asthma and bronchitis. It is an adaptogenic herb and helps reduce the heightened stress response in the body.
Reishi can also be taken long-term in either tincture or capsule form.
Mullein is another herbalist's go-to for lung issues. Mullen is best known for being uses as a lung tonic for either a wet or dry cough. It can be taken as tea, tincture, or capsules.
Lobelia is a bronchial dilator and antispasmodic, which helps with bronchitis, pneumonia, or a general cough. Lobelia can become toxic in the body and cause serious side effects. This herb should not be taken in large doses or for long periods of time. This herb should be taken in small doses in tincture form or tea.
Tulsi or Holy Basil (Ocimum sanctum spp.) Another favorite of mine. Holy Basil is an adaptogen that helps reduce the feeling of overwhelm and general stress. This herb can be taken daily as a tea or capsule.
Ashwagandha is another herb I take daily to help with the feeling of overwhelming. This herb is an adaptogen. It comes in a powder and can be sprinkled in drinks such as coffee, milk (e.g., Golden Milk). This herb can also be taken in tincture form or capsules.
Garlic herbal actions are antimicrobial, diaphoretic, hypocholesterolemic, cholagogue, hypotensive, antispasmodic.
If used daily, garlic helps to support the body in various ways that no other herb can match. It has been effective in antimicrobial, acting on bacteria, viruses, and parasites of the alimentary tract. The volatile oils are excreted via the lungs, making garlic helpful in controlling a respiratory infection, such as chronic bronchitis, respiratory catarrh, recurrent colds, and influenza. (Hoffmann 2003)
Garlic can be used as preventive medicine against most infectious conditions, digestive and respiratory systems. In the digestive tract, garlic is thought to support natural bacterial flora development while killing pathogenic organisms. (Hoffmann 2003)
Garlic also has a wide range of effects on cardiovascular health. It can reduce serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels while raising levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It can act as an effective inhibitor of platelet-activating factor (PAF). (Hoffmann 2003)
I ferment a half jar of finely chopped garlic in local honey for six weeks. If I feel a little stuffy or have a raw sore throat, I'll take a tablespoon of fermented garlic and honey 3 x day or until the symptoms go away.
Raw Honey has been used as a folk remedy for centuries, and research has shown it has many health benefits and medicinal uses. In some hospitals, they use honey to treat burns and wounds.
For sore throats and stuffy noses, honey in a cup of hot water with lemon and ginger can go a long way in relieving those symptoms. Many herbalists (me including) reach for our jar of fermented garlic and honey on the first hint of a sore throat; however, don't give children under one because honey can carry botulism.
Corn Silk (Zea mays) stamen has been used for many centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Native American Medicine.
Corn silk is taken for depression, inflammation of the prostate, inflammation of the unitary system, kidney stones, congestive heart failure, diabetes, fatigue, heart disease, high cholesterol, jaundice, liver health, obesity, to name a few conditions.
Most herbalists add corn silk to their cold and flu remedies for calming inflammation and fatigue when sick. Corn silk can be taken as a tea, capsules, and tincture.
Plantain (Plantago spp.) seed husk is known as an unwanted weed in manicured lawns in my area; plantain has several health benefits such as reducing inflammation and blocks microbial growth in wounds and the body. Many herbalists add plantain to their teas as a supporting herb to their herbal remedies. We can use plantain as a tea, capsule, or tincture.
Irish Moss / Sea Moss (Chondrus crispus) This herb has been around for centuries and is known in Ireland, Scotland, England, and Caribbean Islands such as Jamaica. The algae has been used in skincare products to making paper, curing leather, and cheese.
However, herbalists also use sea moss in their apothecaries for centuries to heal burns, boost the immune system and probiotics, to name a few benefits.
According to WebMD, researchers have been doing studies on whether sea moss can slow or stop the progression of Parkinson's Disease in order adults with some promising results. Other studies have suggested that sea moss can boost the immune system and protect the body from contracting salmonella.
For our purposes for treating the lungs and respiratory system, I would consider this herb a supporting herb in any remedy. It's important to note that a little goes a long way. Sea moss can be taken in capsules, or taking the dried moss rehydrating it in water, and either making it into a gel or in whole to a smoothie, soup, or stew. A small amount can go a long way.
Mallow is a demulcent, and its secondary action is an expectorant which makes it the perfect primary herb in any herbal remedy. Its primary use is for irritated throat, dry cough, and bronchitis. We can use this herb as a green in cooking, tea, tincture.
Farm to Bath| Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
My Garden Journal: A How To Garden Book For Kids| Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Music
A special thank you to Gene Tullio for writing and producing this music. He has given me special permission to use this song for the show.
Gene's music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Social Media Links
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Living and Lovin Herbs Website: https://livingandlovinherbs.com/ Instagram: @livingandlovinherbspodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livingandlovinherbspodcast/?modal=admin_todo_tour Twitter: @Livingandlovin6 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuuHD-5N2tPYDbWwI4wzIJA Thompson Street Farm LLC: https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/ Brenda J. Sullivan Books: https://brendajsullivanbooks.com/
Today I’m talking about the COVID-19 and some precautions you can do to hopefully prevent getting sick.
Just remember, I’m not a doctor and if you have specific health questions please consult a licensed medical professional. The information I share is for informational and educational purposes only and not meant to treat anyone.
I do have some professional medical experience. I am a
former EMT (Emergency Medical Technician). I hold a CT State license as a
Nursing Assistant and have worked in a healthcare facility for several years
and did homecare for a home health agency.
For the last 23 years, I’ve been home, caring for my daughter who suffered a stroke before she was born and has a long list of serious chronic medical conditions.
My home is sort of a mini-clinic and I’ve been trained to provide some skilled nursing care for my daughter if homecare nursing is not available. My daughter’s care requires 24/7 nursing just to keep her stable. We mainly focus on preventing infections and any kind of viral illness, by boosting her immune system in a variety of different ways one of which is social distancing.
I realize life may seem impossible at the moment, especially when you go to the grocery store. But its spring and the growing season in the northeast hasn’t really begun yet. Food supplies will be replenished soon.
During the show, I’ll mention some easy recipes you can have on hand just in case. – And, in the coming week, I’ll publish a free ebook with all this information including recipes mentioned in this show.
As we learn about what herbs work better in minimizing mild symptoms of COVID-19 the ebook updated with primary references. So make sure you check back to the website for the latest version.
Disasters I've Lived Through:
Major floods…it seemed like every season we lived through some devastating natural disaster. Watching my parents manage every challenging disaster in our area was my training ground for adulthood. From major floods…
Fires and earthquakes…I can't count how many brush fires we had to deal with.
During one particular flood, it was so bad, I remember my mother holding her large canning pot under the end of the rain gutter collecting the runoff from the roof because the water supply had been cut off.
But my parents took it in stride. They were prepared for anything. We had shelves full of my mother’s canned peaches, pears, and pickles. They had a huge freezer full of meat and frozen milk. It was camping inside our house.
The disasters I lived through were tangible – you could see the damage and understand the problems. You knew what needed to be fixed.
But this?
This virus – it's invisible. We can’t see it, smell it, or touch it? You don’t know what direction it's coming from or how to stop it other than literally isolating yourself from others.
All I’ve been able to do is watch is the daily numbers and which towns are the hotspots. How close are they to me? It’s just crazy.
The one thing I learned living through several natural disasters is to always have little extra supplies just in case of the unexpected – because you just never know. Things can change in a split second.
Since living here in Connecticut for the last 35 years, I’ve experienced a few more disasters. Things like blizzards with high accumulation rates, ice storms, hurricanes, and tornadoes. These kinds of disasters I can deal with. I can see them coming long before they get here. I can plan for whatever comes.
Plan A Garden Now:
So now that we're in this pandemic and no one knows when it will be over with. Its the perfect time to plan for a now and for the next few months out.
Its early spring, time to get those seedlings started for the garden. This year, growing most of our own food will be a priority this year and thankfully, I had already ordered my seeds for the season.
I suggest if you can garden, start planning right now.
You can still grow things even if you live in an apartment.
On March 10th, I just published my latest book, My Garden Journal and it has many gardening ideas on how to create a garden. Big or small. I even have instructions to build a worm farm to make your own nutrient-rich compost.
It doesn’t matter if you live in an apartment or house. You can build a worm farm for your garden, or for someone else's garden.
So in the event, this international crisis lasts longer than a month – what are you going to do?
Do you have a plan?
It's important as the virus works its way through your community, we continue to practice prevention continue to build our immune system.
Number 1 Goal – Prevention:
Protection:
For those needing masks because you're sick or you’re taking care of someone who is sick. – I’m putting some links in the show notes on some websites offering some instructions on how to make medical masks.
The World Health Organization and CDC have instructions on the types of materials they think are acceptable in the event you can’t get proper masks.
What I found interesting is researchers around the world have been testing different common household materials that would block viruses like H1N1.
Their conclusion was the top household item was a vacuum cleaner bag – it blocked 86% compared to a surgical mask – which only blocks 89% of the virus’. Tea towels came in at 73%.
Whether any of these items will protect you against Covid-19 – don't know – so keep that in mind. If you're sick, something is better than nothing.
The CDC offers free downloadable posters on how to wash your hands for various age groups properly. They have superheroes and princesses for children – which are pretty cute.
Here is a great video from Lab Muffin who happens to have a PhD in Chemistry. She reviews many online homemade sanitizer recipes and explains why they are ineffective. She then reviews the World Health Organization's Handrub cleaner as a good alternative.
She created a free alcohol content calculator for those wanted to test the effectiveness of their recipe.
I’m not a certified aromatherapist – but I do have some
training in using essential oils for my bath and body business and in my herbal
studies.
I’m seeing a lot of misinformation out there about how
to use essential oils and their effectiveness.
Just because it's natural doesn’t mean its safe.
Essential oils should never be used directly on the skin and should always be
diluted in a carrier oil such as almond oil, olive oil, etc.
Essential oils should never be ingested unless they are prescribed by a licensed professional who has specific training in ingesting oils as a treatment.
There are countless cases reported of 2nd and
3rd-degree burns and toxic shock, sometimes resulting in death reported to the
FDA.
Some oils – but not all, can be used in diffusers. Adding oils to water for inhalation treatments can be safe – but do your research on sites such as the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy for information on aromatherapists and classes on proper usage of essential oils.
And finally, any company that claims their essential oils
cure anything, especially Covid-19 are committing fraud and will be cited by
the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and FTC (Federal Trade Commission).
Please remember there are no cures to most viral infections – and especially Covid – 19. The only thing we can do is manage the symptoms, allow the virus to run its course at the same time, boost our body's immune system in a variety of different ways.
Eat A Healthy Diet:
Drink plenty of water and or warm fluids such as nutrient-filled soups, and herbal teas during an illness. Staying hydrated helps your body fight off infection and keeps all systems running smoothly.
Eat Plenty Of Fermented Foods:
Eating fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, pickles, kombucha, kimchi, and kefir is good for optimal health.
Lifestyle Considerations:
Yes, this is a stressful time. But getting outside and breathing fresh air and getting some Vitamin D is good for your mind. Check out Episode 04| Managing Your Stress. I have a section on ideas on walking even if you cant get outside.
Understanding How Herbs Work:
Part of a preparedness plan is to have supplies on hand, so in the event, your family gets hit by any illness, there is no delay in starting supportive homecare.
Understand that there is no cure for this virus. The goal should be to minimize the symptoms at the same time boost your immune system using readily available foods and herbs. Food is medicine.
Thankfully, some well-known herbalists such as Mathew Wood from the Institute of Herbalism published information on some conclusions from practitioners in China about what they learned treating Covid-19 patients.
Steven Buhner author of Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections – has also weighed in on the controversy /discussion about Elderberry and if you should be taking it if you become sick.
Bottom line is to do your research and make the best decision you can. Nobody knows for certain if a class of herbs will minimize the symptoms of Covid – 19 or not. We know they work for general colds and flu. But Covid 19 is different.
There are so many unknowns – we are all going to have to make the best-educated guess on how to treat ourselves as we can.
Be aware, some of these herbs have safety precautions
if used in a concentrated form such as a tincture, teas, or syrups.
Check for safety issues such as allergies, or medication interactions, and proper dosages before you start taking something. Just because it's natural doesn’t mean it can’t be dangerous in concentrated forms.
The general consensus I’m hearing from clinical herbalists, if you are sick or have minor symptoms, focus on taking herbs that are considered warming.
What I mean by this is herbs that have energetics that produce certain actions within the body. Herbs can be dry, warming, moist, cooling or a combination of several.
For example, dry and warming.
These energetics are also matched to a person underlying constitution or body type. And there are a lot of body types.
For example: if a person’s underlying constitution is
“deficient” they may be pale with cold hands and feet, feel tired or weak, and
prone to certain conditions.
An herbalist might suggest herbs that are warming and
maybe drying to get the circulation moving.
Yes, this is an extreme oversimplification of how herbal
energetics work in our bodies – And I don’t want to confuse you.
My point is, well respected clinical herbalists are suggesting to work with more warming herbs than cooling herbs for COVID-19.
Although using a combination of cooling and warming may
be acceptable. You want herbs that will
focus on opening up the chest – so you can breathe deep.
Herbs that can thin mucus so it can pass out of the body and not clog the airways. From what I’m reading and hearing from doctors on the front lines, this virus seems to clog up the bronchioles in the lungs. That's why the news is filled with requests for ventilators. The lungs are full of fluid and mucus.
So what herbs are considered warming and what herbs are considered cooling?
Fresh Garlic – Warming
Local Honey – Helps fight infections and perfect to mix with bitter-tasting herbs.
Fresh Ginger – Warming and drying
Thyme – Warming and drying
Echinacea – Cooling
Peppermint – Cooling and drying
Elderberries and or Flowers – Cooling
Fermented Foods – Probiotics are important to boost the immune system
Organic Fresh fruits and vegetables – Natural vitamins and minerals to boost the immune system.
Organic Apple Cider vinegar with Mother – Mixed with other vegetables and honey helps keep your electrolytes up.
Combine all ingredients except sweetener in a large
saucepan and slowly bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for
an additional 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, sweeten to taste and serve hot.
According to Steven Buhner’s book. Ginger is an antiviral herb to take when sick. I recommend you juice your ginger and freeze it in ice cube trays to extend its shelf life. Save those fibers and freeze them for tea later.
If you don’t have a juicer – then grate it the ginger and add it to just-off-boil water.
This recipe calls for an herb called astragalus – I’ve never found it at my local grocery store. If there is a health food store near you, then call them and ask. Otherwise, you’ll have to order it online if it’s still available.
Dr. Weil’s recipe calls for fresh – but adding it dried
is just fine.
Ingredients
1 1/2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, mashed
1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger
4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stemmed and thinly
sliced
Also, making old Fashioned chicken soup is also
great.
As a last resort, if making a pot of soup is to overwhelming – order wonton soup from your local Chinese Restaurant. I’ve discovered the broth has enough vitamins minerals and salts to help boost your electrolytes.
Several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary or 2 tbsp of dried rosemary leaves
1 tbsp organic turmeric powder or 2 fresh roots chopped
1/4 tsp organic cayenne powder
1 – 3 – 32 oz bottles of organic apple cider vinegar – the amount needed will depend on the volume of material stacked in jar. (Re Brand: I use “Braggs” but there are other unfiltered organic apple cider brands out there.)
¼ cup Raw local honey to taste (add after the 6 weeks of fermenting is done)
* See the list of herbal variations that I’ve added to my recipe. These are not necessary, but the * indicates the ingredients that I’ve used in the past.
Directions
Chop and slice all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a large jar. (I use a gallon jar with a lid – bought on Amazon.) Fill jar with the apple cider vinegar until everything is covered. You may have squish material down to cover with vinegar.
Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid will work. Shake well. Store in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks and remember to shake daily.
After 6 weeks, use cheesecloth to strain out the raw fermented ingredients. Discard the vegetables and pour the fermented vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the vegetables while straining.
Next…comes the honey. Add 1/4 cup of honey (or more if still too strong) and stir until incorporated. Store at room temperature in a dark cupboard or refrigerator.
Herbal Ingredient Variations
These organic herbs and spices would make a wonderful addition to your Fire Cider creations. You can find them all and more in our shop!
Thyme
Horseradish Root Powder
Rose Hips*
Star Anise
Schisandra Berries
Astragalus
Parsley
Burdock root*
Oregano, Peppercorns*
Beet Root Powder
Habanero Powder
Echinacea root (fresh or dried) *
Echinacea flowers (can use contents of 3 tea bags) *
1 package of Cutting Edge Cultures or 1/2 cup kefir whey
– less culture if you’re making less.
1 cup of filtered water –
1/2 small cabbage, shredded into very small pieces
1 medium sweet apple – such as Honey Crisp
1/4 cup dried Cranberries
1 medium orange, juiced with all the pulp
1/2 tablespoon coarse sea salt
Enough filtered water to cover vegetables
Step 1: If using a starter culture, dissolve culture
packet in 1 cup water. If using kefir whey – set aside until the end.
Step 2: Shred all your vegetables except cranberries and put in a large bowl.
Step 3: Add salt and mix well.
Step 4: Add the juice of the orange with pulp. Mix well.
Step 5: Fill 1/2 gallon mason jar with vegetables. Squish down to compact vegetables. If too much start another jar.
Step 6: Add dissolved culture or kefir whey. If you have
more than one jar divide up the culture among your jars.
Step 7: Fill jar(s) up with filtered water to cover vegetables leaving. Slide a long knife along edges and down the center to get any bubbles out. Drop in weight and fill the remaining jar to 1/2 inch from the top with filtered water.
Step 8: Place airlock lid on jar and follow the instructions from Easy Fermenter Kit on maintaining your jars during the fermenting process. I like to ferment this recipe for about 10 days. But if you like a real tang to your sauerkraut let it ferment longer.
The Herbal Academy’s Quick and Simple Elderberry Cold Syrup:
The Herbal Academy has another recipe called Decongesting Herbal Steam. I have some jars for sale on Farm to Bath website starting April 1st.
However, if you want to make a simple stream using a
variety of herbs or combinations, here is a list of herbs that may help.
Thyme
Thyme and Rosemary
Mint
Mint and lavender.
Bring 4-6 cups of water to a boil. To a large bowl, add
1 Tbsp. of herbs.
Pour boiling water over the herbs and cover the bowl.
Let steep for 5-10 minutes.
Cover your head with a towel, then position your face
over the bowl, using the towel as a tent to hold the steam in.
With your eyes closed and face 5-10 inches away from the hot water, breathe in the herbal goodness for no more than 10 minutes at a time.
Until Next Time…
In the next episode, we will be talking about starting a garden.
My Garden Journal would be the perfect workbook to get things started. It has cool garden themes like growing a Popsicle Garden, a Pollinator Garden, or a Garden For Kitty.
It has a section on books and themes, such as The Secret Garden or a Harry Potter Garden.
Instructions on how to build a worm farm to make your own compost. A season's worth of journal pages for tracking how your garden did through the growing season. Plus so much more!
Remember, we are all in this together and we will get through it!
The music used in this show is used with permission and is created and produced by Gene Tullio.
Gene’s music can be downloaded from Amazon, iTunes, and Spotify. For more information about his music, please contact him at dreamshipmusic@gmail.com
Album: The Dreamship| The Forge Of Life| Copyright 2018
Shows Sponsors:
Farm to Bath
Our philosophy is to live a locally focused naturally beautiful life, a lifestyle choice that is infused into the products we make. The ingredients are locally grown and/or acquired and are as basic and pure as nature itself. Each bar is full of fragrant aromatics that provide a rich moisturizing lather with no artificial colors or preservatives added – naturally beautiful!
Gardening is a learned skill – everyone has to start somewhere, and a journal provides the best way to improve your gardening skills to ensure more successes and fewer failures.
The intent of this journal is to simultaneously teach basic gardening techniques while providing a place to record your journey with important information about the “how, when, and where” to grow food and flowers.
There are suggestions on themed gardens such as “A Harry Potter Garden”, “A Young Chef's Garden”, or a “Monarch Butterfly Superhero Garden” for budding Naturalists and places to either sketch or photograph your plants to remember their appearance for the next growing season.
You'll be amazed at how much you will learn by journaling about your garden!
Books available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, libraries and other retail stores. Just ask them to order the book.
Social Media Links:
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We would love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Please follow us on all our social media outlets. We’d love to hear if you tried the recipe(s) from these podcasts.
Today I’m talking about a vinegar tonic that boosts the immune system.
It has roots in a centuries-old recipe and was updated and modernized in the 20th Century and given a new name.
Since then, it's been adapted many times and is now a staple recipe in any budding herbalists recipe book. Its called, Fire Cider
By the end of this show, you’ll learn about the history of how infused vinegars got started and why they are so popular today. I’ll even share my own recipe so you can make a batch for yourself and family.
My disclaimer so we are clear…
I’m not a doctor, and if you have questions about your health, please consult a licensed medical professional. The information discussed in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only.
Several sprigs of fresh organic rosemary or 2 tbsp of dried
rosemary leaves
1 tbsp organic turmeric powder or 2 fresh roots chopped
1/4 tsp organic cayenne powder
1 – 3 – 32 oz bottles
of organic apple cider vinegar – the amount needed will depend on the volume of
material stacked in jar. (Re Brand: I
use “Braggs” but there are other unfiltered organic apple cider brands out
there.)
¼ cup Raw local honey to taste (add after the 6 weeks of
fermenting is done)
* See list of herbal
variations that I’ve added to my recipe. These are not necessary, but the *
indicates the ingredients that I’ve used in the past.
Directions
Chop and slice all of your roots, fruits, and herbs and
place them in a large jar. (I use a gallon jar with a lid – bought on Amazon.) Fill jar with the apple cider vinegar until
everything is covered. You may have
squish material down to cover with vinegar.
Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep
the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid will work. Shake well.
Store in a dark, cool place for 6 weeks and remember to shake daily.
After 6 weeks, use cheesecloth to strain out the raw
fermented ingredients. Discard the vegetables and pour the fermented vinegar
into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidly goodness as you
can from the vegetables while straining.
Next…comes the honey. Add 1/4 cup of honey (or more if still
too strong) and stir until incorporated.
Store at room temperature in dark cupboard or refrigerator.
Herbal Ingredient
Variations
These organic herbs and spices would make a wonderful
addition to your Fire Cider creations. You can find them all and more in our
shop!
Thyme
Horseradish Root Powder
Rose Hips*
Star Anise
Schisandra Berries
Astragalus
Parsley
Burdock root*
Oregano, Peppercorns*
Beet Root Powder
Habanero Powder
Echinacea root (fresh or dried) *
Echinacea flowers (can use contents of 3 tea
bags) *
Whole Chili Peppers*
Orange slices*
Grapefruit,
Lime slices*
Ghost peppers*
Cinnamon Sticks*
Dried Turkey Tail Mushrooms*
Drinking
Instructions:
1 – 3 shot glasses per day when you feel cold or flu
symptoms coming on. Repeat until symptoms go away.
Please remember, I am not a doctor, if you continue to feel bad or get worse – go see a licensed medical professional. This recipe is for educational purposes only and not meant to treat or diagnose anyone.
Recipe Ingredient Herbal Actions List
General Herbal Actions Document Download(please note this list is not a complete list)
Primary Source Links
Primary Source Links For The Health Benefits Of Apple Cider Vinegar