Midnight Sun Herbal Health
A Complimentary and Alternative Health Practice
CLEANSING (Takoma Voice, April 2006)
Cleansing is a way for the body, especially the liver, blood, lymph to rid themselves of toxins and other debris from body processes that need to be excreted through the various excretory organs. So, when people want to do a cleanse, they generally mean a liver, blood, lymph and colon cleanse.
Traditionally cleanses are particularly beneficial at the change of the seasons. The biggest cleanse in March/April when winter changes to spring and slightly smaller at the change of summer/fall and the smallest between spring/summer and fall/winter. All cleanses do not suit everyone. Someone with good health can withstand a more rigorous cleanse than a person whose health has been compromised. A pregnant woman should seek specific advice.
Water/Juice fasts, etc. in shorter or longer duration, are not strictly a cleanse, but a way for the digestive system to work lighter, rest and reset itself. If you choose this and have not fasted before, a one or two day fast is the way to start and you don’t have to do much. It is beneficial to eat a light vegetarian diet for 5-7 days before and after a fast, to allow the digestive tract time to slow down and speed up again afterwards. A fast is not appropriate for someone in fragile health or a pregnant woman.
A more traditional cleanse also benefits from a lighter diet during the cleanse and adds particular herbals to facilitate the cleansing process. While there are specific liver, blood and lymph cleanses available, the liver cleanses all the blood, including the lymph in the body and deliver the toxins and debris through the gall bladder to the digestive tract. There are a number of herbs that are traditionally used in cleanses. These include; red clover, dandelion, burdock root, yellow dock, nettle, turmeric, Oregon grape root, prickly ash, barberry, yarrow, and others. Some products include the Chinese herb, Bupleurum which aids the Liver function, as well as others. The products also often include milk thistle, which has a powerful regenerative effect on the liver.
Commonly a Colon Cleanse is added to the regiment to help the colon move the discarded stuff out. Colon cleanses include fibers (psyllium seed husk, bran, flax seed and others), triphala (three fruits combined) from India, and may also contain cascara sagrada, rhubarb root, etc, which are laxative. The amounts used should be appropriate to the person’s size and plenty of water must be consumed when using this, because of the fiber. There are many products on the market for both types. Check with someone who knows the products, so you can choose one of high quality and disregard glitzy advertising.
For people with fragile health, TCM uses rice fasts or a congee fast, (2 parts rice, 1 part split mung beans, either way cooked in plenty of water for 1 hour or more to ease digestion) and can be flavored with a small amounts of turmeric (1 p), cumin and coriander (each ½ p) heated to a fragrant state in a little olive oil. The mix can be eaten for several days for all meals and is tasty. Cooked vegetables; onions/garlic can also be added. Rice is nutritive and restorative, mung beans detoxifying.
To aid the kidneys staying healthy unsweetened cranberries or juice is a simple and good choice. To all of this one can add skin brushing (only natural bristles) and on dry skin and sweating which allows the skin to do its part, it is the largest excretory organ of our body. This is a short outline, for more specific advice on a fast for you talk to an herbalist or health professional. BACK TO TOP
SINUS & STRESS (Takoma Voice, January 2006)
SINUS INFECTIONS
You may want to have your doctor check that there are no physical blockages in the nasal passages, also deal with any allergies you have, there are excellent herbal and homeopathic remedies available or talk with an herbalist. Be aware that dental infections can also have an impact and definitely also support the immune system.
If the nasal discharge is clear, there probably is no infection. If you are prone to post nasal drip, avoid all mucus forming foods, such as dairy, sugar, excess carbs and salt, high fat foods, etc. Eating a lot of cold foods also has an impact. Drink ginger or chai teas and add some fresh ginger to your cooking, eat more cooked/steamed foods.
If the discharge is discolored there maybe an infection. Check with your doctor or an herbalist. Chinese Medicine has a formula just for this called Biyan Pian, it clears infection and clears breathing and can be paired with other anti microbial herbs such as Golden seal, Oregon Grape root, Olive leaf extract, fresh garlic. There is also a range of Chinese anatomic. If you end up taking an antibiotic or anti microbial herb, add Acidophilus to your regiment. Drink plenty of water and eat plenty of vegetables and fruits.
Use a Neti pot (a small ceramic teapot) to rinse out the nasal passages filled with salt water (1 tsp sea salt to 1 pint warm water). This will help loosen any congealed matter and allow it to be flushed out. If there is discolored discharge you can add 2-3 drops of grapefruit seed extract, Oregano oil or 1-2 drops tea tree oil, which will help kill the infection. You can also add 1 drop of peppermint essential oil, which will help clear the congestion. If you have an infection, do this AM and PM. It is better than a spray bottle. It is very important that you keep the Neti pot very clean.
If you are prone to dry nasal passages, apply a small amount of sesame or olive oil inside the nose to lubricate the tissue. You can make up a 1 oz bottle of oil and add 1-2 drops of Peppermint essential oil to ease breathing. If the congestion is causing earache because the Eustachian tubes are swollen, you can try 1 (one) drop of Peppermint essential oil and massage it into the tissue around the ear where it meets the scalp. It will take the pain away. BACK TO TOP
STRESS; How to cope
There are strategies you can employ to mitigate the effects of stress. The stress response was designed to be activated for short periods of time, to meet danger, fight/flight, but not to be constantly elevated. When it is, it will over time negatively impact the immune system, the cardiovascular system, digestive system, nervous system, the adrenals, in fact your whole body.
You want to fashion a multi pronged approach. There are excellent over the counter herbal strategies or consult with an herbalist who can find a combination that will work most effectively for you. Siberian Ginseng, Rhodeola, Shizandra berries, Astragalus, Aswaganda, among many, help the body deal with stress. There are also a range of nervous system herbs to choose from; Oats, Lemonbalm, skullcap, lavender, hops, passion flower, chamomile, to name just a few. Chinese herbs offer an additional range of excellent herbs. Supplements that can help are; for example B Complex, extra C and Calcium/Magnesium. Eat healthy, preferably organic foods, plenty of vegetables, all colors, no eating on the run or while driving, no junk or processed foods, limit caffeine and high sugar foods. Be sure to exercise regularly, practice deep breathing, get enough sleep, this is a big one, practice saying no, get regular body work; massage, acupuncture, polarity therapy, etc. and find an activity like meditation, Yoga, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, etc. If there are emotional issues, seek professional help. Seek help if you are sleeping poorly.
Finally, take time to laugh as much as possible, get/give hugs, be with friends, play with children/pets, take a break when you need it, etc. All of these things will help lower stress and help keep things in better perspective and on a more even keel. BACK TO TOP
USE OF ECHINACEA & upper respiratory infections and USES OF BLACK COHOSH (Takoma Voice October 2005)
Echinacea spp, angustifolia, palida and purpurea, also known as coneflower, was well known to the Native Americans. It still grows wild in many states in the West, although excessive harvesting is threatening the species. It is a relatively easy plant to grow also in our area and will fairly readily spread either by root growth or by seeding itself out.
Echinacea is extensively used as an immune activator, which means enhancing the action of the immune system. It enhances the action, phagocytosis, which means that the white blood cells gobble up the bad guys, and response time of white blood cells both for viral and bacterial infections. Because it is an immune activator it is thought to be contraindicated for people with autoimmune disorders and is contraindicated during immune suppressive therapy, also during pregnancy. Echinacea can be used internally and externally, a very limited number of individuals may exhibit a topical, allergic response to Echinacea. No drug interactions have been reported. All part of the plant can be used, though the root is considered the most potent.
Since Echinacea has antibiotic qualities, it is used very successfully with upper respiratory infection, sore throat, topical inflammations, cuts and sores well as a number of other type inflammations. It speeds tissue repair. As with other herbs, size of dose depends on body weight, age and type and severity of ailment.
Echinacea has been studied a great deal. Clinical reports from practicing herbalists , indicate that Echinacea is a potent and useful herb. However, an article in the Journal of American Medicine JAMA in 2004 reports that a study had failed to find Echinacea useful in Upper respiratory tract infections in children. It was however later found that the study had certain limitations (see article in JAHG, Journal of American Herbalist Guild, summer 2004). All in all Echinacea has been used safely for a long time, if you are in doubt; consult with an herbalist. BACK TO TOP
Black Cohosh, Cimicifuga racemosa, a North American herb, also used by the Native Americans, has more recently been promoted as a single remedy with excellent results for menopausal hot flashes. Traditionally it was and is used for a range of gynecological complaints among other things. Relieving symptoms of hot flushes comes from its normalizing effect on female sex hormones and has been widely studied. Black Cohosh needs to be taken in adequate doses for a long enough a period of time to achieve results.
In my practice however, it is not an herb that I use alone, because hot flushes are generally not the only issue a woman experiences when going through menopause and she may experience other health problems unrelated to this as well. I find its effectiveness increased when used in combination or conjunction with other herbs to address concurrent symptoms.
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective menopausal hot flushes are seen as a Yin Deficiency. With TCM one looks at the underlying issues and because there often are other health issues present that also need to be addressed, one can often do so within the same formula. BACK TO TOP
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