vanessa – Page 7 – Herbs of Grace Healing Arts

April 7, 2015

5 Benefits of Stinging Nettle

1. Nettles is one of the best sources of digestible plant iron and is often used in anti-anemia formulas.

2. Nettles is very effective at reducing or even eliminating pollen allergies. A study using freeze dried nettle capsules found that 70% of the participants experienced significant improvements.

3. Nettle seed is an adrenal trophorestorative. This means that it has the capacity to not only nourish, but also rebuild the adrenals to restore optimum function.

4. Nettles are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D, K as well as calcium, potassium, phosphorus, silicon, iron, manganese, sulphur, molybdenum and vanadium.

5. Nettles in homeopathic form (Urtica urens) is an excellent remedy for sunburns, first degree burns and even second degree burns, as well as rashes and reactions from plant contact.

What do you use nettle for?

February 19, 2015January 24, 2025

Making Sauerkraut – How to Make Your Own Sauerkraut at home!

Traditionally fermented, home-made sauerkraut is not only a culinary delight, but a big boost for your health!

Most store-bought sauerkraut is not fermented the traditional way and does not contain the billions of probiotics that the real stuff does. So skip the store bought and do it yourself!

Making your own sauerkraut is simple and easy. Here is a quick tutorial for how to make your own sauerkraut at home:

For my favorite recipe, you will need 1 head of cabbage, a couple cloves of garlic and a tablespoon of sea salt

Finely chop, or shred, the entire head of cabbage.

As you shred, pack it into a glass canning jar, sprinkling a little sea salt and mixing it in as you go.

If you’d like, you can also mince some fresh garlic and add that to the mix. I usually use about 2 or 3 large cloves per head of cabbage.

Using a wooden spoon or pounder, pack the cabbage, salt and garlic down for about 10 minutes or until the juice starts to rise above the level of the vegetables. Make sure none of the vegetables are sticking up out of the juices.

Leave the lid slightly open to release the pressure from the build up of gasses as your sauerkraut ferments, or open every day to let it escape.

You can start taste testing after a few days. I like to ferment my cabbage for about 4-6 weeks, but some people prefer a milder ferment. Eat a bit with every meal – or at the very least once a day.

* Extra Tip –
Use organic cabbage and garlic to benefit the health of the planet as well as your own!

*Bonus Tip –
You can use almost any vegetable to make sauerkraut. One of my favorites is carrots with ginger!

Do you make your own sauerkraut? What is your favorite recipe?

Would you like support in creating a nutrient-dense, deeply nourishing approach to eating so you can feel fabulous and vibrant in the next chapter of your life? Schedule a no-cost Vibrant MidLife Breakthrough session with me here!

August 1, 2013

Herbal Allies Found the World Over

Having recently moved to India, I have been excited to learn about a whole new batch of herbs to use as food and medicine. In the meantime however, I have been struck by the pervasiveness of a few old herbal friends from home:

Dandelion: Where would we be without dear old Dandelion? It was one of the first plants I recognized when I arrived here in India. A Euro-Asian native now naturalized throughout the world as a common weed in disturbed soils, there are not many places it won’t grow!

The leaves of Dandelion make an extremely nutritious spring potherb and salad green. They are also a dependable diuretic without depleting potassium. The roots are an excellent bitter, stimulating digestion, with a particular affinity to the kidneys and liver. One of the best liver herbs there is! And the flowers make a wonderful infused oil that is used for inflammation and sore muscles. They also make delicious pancakes and fritters!

Yellow Dock: I was so happy to see Yellow Dock here in India! An Old World native, Yellow Dock is now naturalized throughout the world as a common weed in disturbed, poor soils. And how fortunate we are that it is!

Externally, Yellow dock is used as an antiseptic. In fact, The Academy of Minsk recommends it to be used in a poultice against burns, ulcers and infected wounds that are slow to heal. It is also one of the best topical remedies for nettle stings. Internally, it is used extensively in western herbalism for the treatment of chronic skin conditions. Yellow Dock is another one of those herbs described through the ages as a “blood cleanser”, with an affinity for the liver and gallbladder. It also aids in the digestion of fatty foods.

Plantain: My old friend Plaintain! The variety here in India is ever so slightly different in appearance than what we have back in the Pacific Northwest. I think it may be Plantago erosa….. Can you see it nestled in next to Dandelion below?

Plantain is also one of those Old World natives that has now made it’s home all over the world and seen mainly as a “weed”. One of Plantain’s most stellar topical uses is as a drawing agent to pull out splinters, dirt, pus and infection from wounds. Internally, it is a gentle expectorant and simultaneously a demulcent to soothe inflamed membranes while helping to expel phlegm, making it useful for coughs and bronchitis. It’s astringency makes it ideal for mouth ulcers and gum disease as well.

Recognizing these familiar plants so far from home makes me realize that wherever you are in the world, you have a medicine chest at your doorstep!

What herbs can you see as you step out your front door?

October 4, 2012

Blueberry Elixir

Blueberries and other berries from the Vaccinium family, such as Huckleberries, have many fantastic health benefits.Loaded with anti-oxidants, they are great for increasing circulation in the capillaries, especially in the eyes, as well as other veins and arteries. Blueberries have also been shown to be helpful, in studies, in treating cancer and slowing the growth of cervical, prostate, breast and colon cancers.

Living in the foothills of the Cascades, between Mt St Helens and Mt Rainier gives us the perfect environmental conditions for growing these delicious berries, so we love to take full advantage of this wonderful opportunity every year! One of the more difficult aspects is deciding what to do with the wonderful abundance of berries each summer!

This summer, I decided to try a new recipe – Blueberry Elixir! What a simple and delicious recipe:

Blueberries
Raw Honey
alcohol (brandy or vodka)
clean glass jar with tight fitting lid

Fill your jar with fresh berries. (You can add a few leaves too.)

Next, pour in enough honey to fill your jar 1/3 to 1/2 way.

Then fill the rest of the way with alcohol. I didn’t have brandy on hand, which would have been my first choice, so I used vodka.

Place the lid on tightly and label. Give your mixture a shake every now and then and your elixir will be ready to strain in 4-6 weeks!

What are your favorite blueberry recipes?

September 17, 2012

Homeoprophylaxis

Homeoprophylaxis

At last…a safe and effective method of protection from infectious disease and an alternative to vaccines! A program developed in Australia by Dr Isaac Golden, “HP” (homeoprophylaxis) has been subjected to a 15 year clinical trial. The results of this study, including the safety and efficacy of HP, are published in Dr. Golden’s recent publication Homeoprophylaxis- A Fifteen Year Clinical Study.

The goal of HP is to introduce into the human system safe, homeopathic versions of particular diseases in order to naturally stimulate the immune system. As a result, susceptibility to targeted diseases can be reduced.

With Dr Golden’s permission, Kate Birch, author of Vaccine Free, and Cilla Whatcott have adapted his program to reflect the needs of families internationally. Together Kate and Cilla have authored The Solution ~ Homeoprophylaxis The Vaccine Alternative ~ A Parent’s Guide to Educating Your Child’s Immune System.

In addition to protecting your children from infectious contagious disease, your participation and the data received by your participation, will be applied towards the general momentum for establishing HP internationally as a viable option for disease prevention.

Some research has demonstrated that after completion of programs like this, blood titers reflect antibody levels indicating immunity. Blood titers are not a required aspect of this program. However, if you are so inclined to determine your child’s immunity, they can be ordered under the care of your general practitioner.

The Program

•   Individualized 1 hour appointment to explain the program
•   Four years of HP remedies for the most commonly vaccinated diseases
•   Additional remedies for special needs (foreign travel, or disease outbreaks)
•   Four years of any necessary consultation during the program
•   Can be started at any time even if some vaccines have been given
•   No more needles
•   No toxic substances
•   No side effects

This program is suitable for:
•   Children who have not been vaccinated
•   partially vaccinated children
•   Children who have been fully vaccinated.

Overview of the Homeoprophylaxis Program

Supplied with the program are sufficient remedy doses for 1, 2, or 3 children to complete 4 years of Homeoprophylaxis (HP) to the most commonly vaccinated against diseases. Additional remedies may be added to the Main Program if there are special circumstances or needs. i.e., for foreign travel, special concerns, or disease outbreaks. Additional remedies may be purchased separately. The nosodes selected for the Main Program are based on current disease prevalence and or risk factors. If the incidence of any of the diseases not included in the Main Program increases, it is possible to add the pertinent additional remedies. (Hep A or B, Diphtheria, Chickenpox, Rotovirus and Influenza are not a part of the current program for various reasons.)

The goal of HP is to introduce into the human system the energetic components (nosodes) of particular diseases in order to stimulate the immune system to produce immunity. Homeopathic Nosodes, such as the remedies included in the kit provided, are potentized preparations of the relative disease germ or human discharges produced in relationship to that particular germ. Upon repetition of the particular remedy it is understood that some aspect of susceptibility to that disease has been fulfilled. Some research has demonstrated that after completion of programs like this blood titers demonstrate antibody levels indicating immunity. Antibody titers draws are not a required aspect of this program. However, if you are so inclined to determine your child’s immunity at any point during the program, they can be ordered under the care of your general practitioner. Please indicate on the questionnaire forms if you have had blood titers drawn and their results. For those who have been partially vaccinated blood titers may indicate if immunity was generated from vaccination. When this program is funded by a research institution antibody-titers will be included as a part of the program.

*The content of this website is not to be misconstrued as medical advice nor does it replace the consult of a physician or practitioner. Reader assumes the responsibility of investigating for themselves disease prevention and treatment methodologies that concur with their beliefs and understanding.

For more in-depth information or to set up and appointment, Contact Vanessa

June 27, 2012

5 Medicine Making Mediums

Oil – Oils like olive, almond and jojoba (which is not technically an oil, but a liquid wax) extract fat soluble constituents of medicinal herbs.

Alcohol – Various kinds of alcohol such as vodka and brandy are used to create high quality medicinal tinctures.

Vinegar – Vinegar also creates medicinal tinctures, especially suitable to herbs with high mineral content.

Honey – Raw honey makes marvelous herbal medicine, especially when using aromatic herbs.

Water – Teas are a very common way to create and take herbal medicine. Water is a wonderful way to extract many of the medicinal constituents of herbs.

June 19, 2012

5 Benefits of Garlic

1. Garlic is a powerful broad spectrum antibiotic.

2. Garlic contains high levels of Manganese, Selenium, Vitamin B6, Vitamin C and is helpful in boosting the immune system.

3. Garlic boosts our natural supply of hydrogen sulfide, which acts as an antioxidant and may help protect against various cancers, including breast, prostate and colon cancer.

4. Research suggests that garlic consumption may actually help to regulate the number of fat cells that get formed in our body.

5. Garlic is able to lower blood triglycerides and total cholesterol.

May 16, 2012