The secret of health for both mind and body is to not mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly.” -Buddha
I hope that everyone had a beautiful holiday in whatever way you chose to celebrate, and that the new year brings you an abundance of joy, peace, and well-being. May we also be reminded that new beginnings do not only happen after the last page of our calendar year has been turned, but that we have the opportunity for rebirth with each and every moment, each and every breath. Life is a series of lessons, and a gift of continual growth and reawakening.
Mike and I have been making it our tradition this time of year to choose a place away from home to spend Christmas. We personally embrace the season more than the holiday, and our only gift to each other is to simply be with one another.
These sojourns help us to escape the normal stresses that the Christmas holiday inevitably brings in tow. We enjoy arriving in places as strangers to find empty streets and closed storefronts. With minimal busying and distractions we embrace the divine offering of the present moment.
Originally we thought that we would be doing some winter camping in Tennessee with friends, however that didn’t work out as planned, so instead we chose Grand Haven. Although the city was quieted, and greenness replaced with snow and ice, the pulse of nature was strong and we quickly found our rhythm within it.
Our stay in Grand Haven was filled with walks along the shoreline where I was mesmerized by the way that the tide and the sand, like a paintbrush and paint, embellished the snow, a once empty canvas, with abstract images resembling sunbursts and works by Jackson Pollock, even mandalas at times. We walked the South Pier to the lighthouse, which stood red and proud, the wind getting stronger with each step as we moved farther along. Foxtail and other grasses were browned but still very much alive, and the White Pines at Rosy Mound stood majestic as usual.
We spent three days in Grand Haven with a quick stop in Grand Rapids on the drive back to Detroit to visit Mike’s parents. Upon returning home we found Luka and Japhy Ryder in good spirits and good health, our dear friend Welby always takes such good care of them when we leave town to travel. I found my gardens covered with snow, but I know that despite appearances there is life still pulsating underneath the frozen ground. Nothing is truly dead, just in transition. Though I anticipate spring’s arrival I will respect and appreciate this time of rest for the earth, for it is with the help of rest that there is renewal, for all life.
Though much of plant life this time of year is in the midst of its transition and appears lifeless to the human eye (but not the human spirit), my kinship with nature does not lie dormant. I have been thinking of the many plants that have become symbolic of winter. I thought that it would be interesting to share those that come to mind when I think of winter and celebrate their beauty, as well as their extraordinary medicinal purposes.
I have great faith in food as our medicine, and that the earth provides us with all we need to sustain us, and I live my life accordingly. I would like to suggest, however, before incorporating any medicines- natural or synthetic- that you do your own additional research to rule out any personal contraindications that might be. Also, adhere to recommended doses gathered either through your own education or that of a homeopathic practitioner, herbalist, or other persons you trust in the field of natural healing. The plant world is extremely beneficial to us, and though much of our work with it is intuitive, it is always wisest to add the support of the bounty of wisdom from others that is readily available to us.
Pine needles are very high in Vitamin C. All pines have the same medicinal properties but Scotch and White Pines have the highest concentrations. Both Scotch and White Pines grow in Michigan, however the Eastern White Pine is a Michigan native. To reap the benefits you can simply chew on pine needles or make a tea. It is best to use green needles. For tea, take ¼ cup of pine needles and steep in boiling water for about ten minutes. One cup of tea offers more than the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. Pycnogenol, which is a substance extracted from the bark, is very high in antioxidants and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Pine nuts also contain high levels of antioxidants, protein, fiber, niacin, Vitamins E and K, and have been known to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Although Holly berries are poisonous the leaves of the Holly plant, as well as its bark, have several healing properties. The leaves, which can be made into a tea, act as a diuretic as well as a febrifuge (fever eliminator). The bark steeped in cold water for at least twelve hours then consumed will cleanse the bowels, and will also provide a tranquilizing effect.
It is widely believed that if you kiss your lover under a swag of Mistletoe that you will remain in love forever. What many may not know is that Mistletoe has many medicinal properties. Mistletoe is actually a hemi-parasitic plant that attaches itself to deciduous trees. Large doses of Mistletoe can have harmful effects and, like Holly, the berries of Mistletoe are very toxic, so use with caution and knowledge. Mistletoe has been used to increase circulation, relax tight muscles, and as a remedy for stress and anxiety. It has very positive influences on the nervous system, and is also used to relieve headaches and asthma. Some believe that you will receive restful sleep and beautiful dreams when Mistletoe is laid near a bedroom door, hung on a headboard, or placed underneath your pillow.
Myrrh’s healing properties are found in the resin from a genus of trees and shrubs called Commiphora. The resin has been discovered to stimulate the production of white blood cells, thus making it an excellent aid in fighting infections. It is an analgesic, and has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has been used to treat respiratory infections, sore throats, digestive disorders, arthritis, and diabetes. Myrrh is also excellent for keeping gums healthy. Mike and I add a few drops of the extract to our toothbrushes whenever we brush our teeth.
Frankincense is extracted from Boswellia trees (there are 25 different species) and, like Myrrh, it’s the resin that is used. Frankincense can be used as an astringent, an antiseptic, and again, like Myrrh, it is also beneficial in tooth and gum health. It is helpful in relieving morning sickness, arthritis, sore muscles, and promotes healthy skin. Frankincense is also used to treat depression and to relieve respiratory disorders. In Chinese Medicine it is used to free the flow of the meridians. Frankincense has a very warm and earthy scent to it and used in aromatherapy it stimulates the mind, connects us to the spirit, has a grounding effect, and rids us of negativity.
Ginger- ah, beautiful ginger! Most of us know of ginger as a remedy for stomach ailments and digestive disorders. The reason that Ginger in so beneficial for our digestive systems is that it stimulates the pancreas and as a result increases the production of certain enzymes that aid in digestion. Ginger is also antibacterial and contains many antioxidants. It is very beneficial in protecting the liver, improves blood circulation, and is a good friend to the respiratory system thereby alleviating colds, asthma, sore throats, and sinusitis. In addition to taking ginger internally you can also use it externally. You can infuse a hand full of ginger root with a little water and add it to compresses to relieve arthritis inflammation, as well as apply it directly to gums and teeth to relieve the pain caused by infection and decay.
When using Wintergreen the leaves are the parts mostly used, however the berries are edible as well. Wintergreen is anti-inflammatory and can be used topically to relieve muscle and joint pain. Native Americans used to chew on wintergreen leaves to increase lung capacity and stamina. Internally it is used to alleviate rheumatism, bladder inflammation, and urinary tract infections. It is also known to prevent tooth decay. Wintergreen contains four different phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are plant based antioxidants which protect our cells from oxidative wear.
Nutmeg is an anti-inflammatory, a powerful stimulant, and like ginger has many benefits to our digestive system. It is an astringent and is helpful in treating rheumatism, eczema, toothaches, urinary incontinence, and sciatica. While most people know Nutmeg to be a popular ingredient in baked goods it should be used with care and in small doses. Large doses are extremely toxic and will act as a psychotropic. The psychotropic effect actually comes from Nutmeg poisoning. Use with care.
Clove oil is powerful in stabilizing our blood circulation and regulating our body’s temperature. Cloves aid in digestion, relieve colds and asthma, and when applied directly to an aching tooth it will relieve the pain almost instantly. As a child I used to tuck cloves in between my gums and cheeks to relieve the pain of toothaches, a rediscovery that came in very handy for myself only recently. Cloves sautéed in a little sesame or olive oil then applied by drops into the ear can relieve an earache. You can also use poultices made from clove oil and apply topically to alleviate muscle cramps and headaches. Three to five drops of clove oil mixed with a little honey, and a crushed clove of garlic then taken internally will relieve spasmodic coughing.
Bayberry is very popular as a candle scent this time of year (and my favorite of all candle scents no matter what season). American Bayberry grows along the shores of the Great Lakes-especially Lake Erie, so Michiganders have the added benefit of it being a native plant. American Bayberry is the species most used by herbalists, and it is the leaves, bark, and berries that are utilized. Bayberry taken internally helps relieve respiratory disorders, colic, diarrhea, uterine hemorrhaging, influenzas, digestive disorders, and rids the body of parasites. It is antibacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, an expectorant, and stimulates the circulatory system. You can chew on Bayberry bark to relieve toothaches, gargle infusions for a sore throat, and apply in poultice form to relieve varicose veins. Bayberry also helps to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Wishing you all good health in body-mind-spirit in 2010 and always!
With
Love
and
Light,
-t.l.c.
I hope that everyone had a beautiful holiday in whatever way you chose to celebrate, and that the new year brings you an abundance of joy, peace, and well-being. May we also be reminded that new beginnings do not only happen after the last page of our calendar year has been turned, but that we have the opportunity for rebirth with each and every moment, each and every breath. Life is a series of lessons, and a gift of continual growth and reawakening.
Mike and I have been making it our tradition this time of year to choose a place away from home to spend Christmas. We personally embrace the season more than the holiday, and our only gift to each other is to simply be with one another.
These sojourns help us to escape the normal stresses that the Christmas holiday inevitably brings in tow. We enjoy arriving in places as strangers to find empty streets and closed storefronts. With minimal busying and distractions we embrace the divine offering of the present moment.
Originally we thought that we would be doing some winter camping in Tennessee with friends, however that didn’t work out as planned, so instead we chose Grand Haven. Although the city was quieted, and greenness replaced with snow and ice, the pulse of nature was strong and we quickly found our rhythm within it.
Our stay in Grand Haven was filled with walks along the shoreline where I was mesmerized by the way that the tide and the sand, like a paintbrush and paint, embellished the snow, a once empty canvas, with abstract images resembling sunbursts and works by Jackson Pollock, even mandalas at times. We walked the South Pier to the lighthouse, which stood red and proud, the wind getting stronger with each step as we moved farther along. Foxtail and other grasses were browned but still very much alive, and the White Pines at Rosy Mound stood majestic as usual.
We spent three days in Grand Haven with a quick stop in Grand Rapids on the drive back to Detroit to visit Mike’s parents. Upon returning home we found Luka and Japhy Ryder in good spirits and good health, our dear friend Welby always takes such good care of them when we leave town to travel. I found my gardens covered with snow, but I know that despite appearances there is life still pulsating underneath the frozen ground. Nothing is truly dead, just in transition. Though I anticipate spring’s arrival I will respect and appreciate this time of rest for the earth, for it is with the help of rest that there is renewal, for all life.
Though much of plant life this time of year is in the midst of its transition and appears lifeless to the human eye (but not the human spirit), my kinship with nature does not lie dormant. I have been thinking of the many plants that have become symbolic of winter. I thought that it would be interesting to share those that come to mind when I think of winter and celebrate their beauty, as well as their extraordinary medicinal purposes.
I have great faith in food as our medicine, and that the earth provides us with all we need to sustain us, and I live my life accordingly. I would like to suggest, however, before incorporating any medicines- natural or synthetic- that you do your own additional research to rule out any personal contraindications that might be. Also, adhere to recommended doses gathered either through your own education or that of a homeopathic practitioner, herbalist, or other persons you trust in the field of natural healing. The plant world is extremely beneficial to us, and though much of our work with it is intuitive, it is always wisest to add the support of the bounty of wisdom from others that is readily available to us.
Pine needles are very high in Vitamin C. All pines have the same medicinal properties but Scotch and White Pines have the highest concentrations. Both Scotch and White Pines grow in Michigan, however the Eastern White Pine is a Michigan native. To reap the benefits you can simply chew on pine needles or make a tea. It is best to use green needles. For tea, take ¼ cup of pine needles and steep in boiling water for about ten minutes. One cup of tea offers more than the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin C. Pycnogenol, which is a substance extracted from the bark, is very high in antioxidants and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Pine nuts also contain high levels of antioxidants, protein, fiber, niacin, Vitamins E and K, and have been known to lower blood cholesterol levels.
Although Holly berries are poisonous the leaves of the Holly plant, as well as its bark, have several healing properties. The leaves, which can be made into a tea, act as a diuretic as well as a febrifuge (fever eliminator). The bark steeped in cold water for at least twelve hours then consumed will cleanse the bowels, and will also provide a tranquilizing effect.
It is widely believed that if you kiss your lover under a swag of Mistletoe that you will remain in love forever. What many may not know is that Mistletoe has many medicinal properties. Mistletoe is actually a hemi-parasitic plant that attaches itself to deciduous trees. Large doses of Mistletoe can have harmful effects and, like Holly, the berries of Mistletoe are very toxic, so use with caution and knowledge. Mistletoe has been used to increase circulation, relax tight muscles, and as a remedy for stress and anxiety. It has very positive influences on the nervous system, and is also used to relieve headaches and asthma. Some believe that you will receive restful sleep and beautiful dreams when Mistletoe is laid near a bedroom door, hung on a headboard, or placed underneath your pillow.
Myrrh’s healing properties are found in the resin from a genus of trees and shrubs called Commiphora. The resin has been discovered to stimulate the production of white blood cells, thus making it an excellent aid in fighting infections. It is an analgesic, and has antibacterial and anti-fungal properties. It has been used to treat respiratory infections, sore throats, digestive disorders, arthritis, and diabetes. Myrrh is also excellent for keeping gums healthy. Mike and I add a few drops of the extract to our toothbrushes whenever we brush our teeth.
Frankincense is extracted from Boswellia trees (there are 25 different species) and, like Myrrh, it’s the resin that is used. Frankincense can be used as an astringent, an antiseptic, and again, like Myrrh, it is also beneficial in tooth and gum health. It is helpful in relieving morning sickness, arthritis, sore muscles, and promotes healthy skin. Frankincense is also used to treat depression and to relieve respiratory disorders. In Chinese Medicine it is used to free the flow of the meridians. Frankincense has a very warm and earthy scent to it and used in aromatherapy it stimulates the mind, connects us to the spirit, has a grounding effect, and rids us of negativity.
Ginger- ah, beautiful ginger! Most of us know of ginger as a remedy for stomach ailments and digestive disorders. The reason that Ginger in so beneficial for our digestive systems is that it stimulates the pancreas and as a result increases the production of certain enzymes that aid in digestion. Ginger is also antibacterial and contains many antioxidants. It is very beneficial in protecting the liver, improves blood circulation, and is a good friend to the respiratory system thereby alleviating colds, asthma, sore throats, and sinusitis. In addition to taking ginger internally you can also use it externally. You can infuse a hand full of ginger root with a little water and add it to compresses to relieve arthritis inflammation, as well as apply it directly to gums and teeth to relieve the pain caused by infection and decay.
When using Wintergreen the leaves are the parts mostly used, however the berries are edible as well. Wintergreen is anti-inflammatory and can be used topically to relieve muscle and joint pain. Native Americans used to chew on wintergreen leaves to increase lung capacity and stamina. Internally it is used to alleviate rheumatism, bladder inflammation, and urinary tract infections. It is also known to prevent tooth decay. Wintergreen contains four different phytochemicals. Phytochemicals are plant based antioxidants which protect our cells from oxidative wear.
Nutmeg is an anti-inflammatory, a powerful stimulant, and like ginger has many benefits to our digestive system. It is an astringent and is helpful in treating rheumatism, eczema, toothaches, urinary incontinence, and sciatica. While most people know Nutmeg to be a popular ingredient in baked goods it should be used with care and in small doses. Large doses are extremely toxic and will act as a psychotropic. The psychotropic effect actually comes from Nutmeg poisoning. Use with care.
Clove oil is powerful in stabilizing our blood circulation and regulating our body’s temperature. Cloves aid in digestion, relieve colds and asthma, and when applied directly to an aching tooth it will relieve the pain almost instantly. As a child I used to tuck cloves in between my gums and cheeks to relieve the pain of toothaches, a rediscovery that came in very handy for myself only recently. Cloves sautéed in a little sesame or olive oil then applied by drops into the ear can relieve an earache. You can also use poultices made from clove oil and apply topically to alleviate muscle cramps and headaches. Three to five drops of clove oil mixed with a little honey, and a crushed clove of garlic then taken internally will relieve spasmodic coughing.
Bayberry is very popular as a candle scent this time of year (and my favorite of all candle scents no matter what season). American Bayberry grows along the shores of the Great Lakes-especially Lake Erie, so Michiganders have the added benefit of it being a native plant. American Bayberry is the species most used by herbalists, and it is the leaves, bark, and berries that are utilized. Bayberry taken internally helps relieve respiratory disorders, colic, diarrhea, uterine hemorrhaging, influenzas, digestive disorders, and rids the body of parasites. It is antibacterial, antispasmodic, astringent, an expectorant, and stimulates the circulatory system. You can chew on Bayberry bark to relieve toothaches, gargle infusions for a sore throat, and apply in poultice form to relieve varicose veins. Bayberry also helps to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
Wishing you all good health in body-mind-spirit in 2010 and always!
With
Love
and
Light,
-t.l.c.
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