At the Garden's Gate

An Inspiring Quote for the Day

Pin It


“No matter how long the room has been dark, an hour or a million years, the moment the lamp of awareness is lit the entire room becomes luminous. You are that luminosity. You are that clear light.” 

-Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

I have been away teaching in New England for most of April. It feels good to be back. I enjoy the process: the students, the learning and watching the growth that occurs from first class to the last class. For me it is a joy and a passion. We talked about holistic health models, modalities and the interconnection of all of us. Since my focus is nutrition we talked about food, what and how we grow our food and the contamination of our food systems. What choices can we make in our daily lives that when added up make a difference?

I hope the above quote brings a bit of inspiration to you today.  I came across this quote this morning from a lovely meditation/mantra site. 

The mantra and meditation are free for 21 days. I am on day six and it is lovely and great way to begin a day, end a day or to have a break in our day.

Enjoy. Judith

The Journey Towards Oneness: Video

Pin It


So many folks are following their hearts and their dreams and taking action to contribute to the solutions needed. My previous posts on the 3 Health Benefits of Herbal Teas encompassed three broad concepts: Homeostasis, Synergy, and Holism. As more of us connect the dots of  ”We are One” and seek to work together, we can problem solve more efficiently and contribute for the good of the whole while valuing our individual contributions. We are not separate from the whole of our experience.

The article highlighted and video shows how others are sharing information on a mind, body, spirit level.

Enjoy. Judith

3 Health Benefits of Herbal Teas

Pin It

 

Most of us are fascinated with rainbows, are we not? Thunder, lightning, swirling storms clean the air. When condition are right a rainbow forms giving us a spectacular show of color that can simply be enchanting even magical. Of course legends abound about the significance of this phenomena perhaps a gift from the gods. Beautiful and  majestic a rainbow feels like a gift.

In the field of nutrition and herbs rainbows have an interesting place. The rainbow is an arc of light whose colors are sunlight refracted by water molecules. When we look at the world of herbs, keeping with this theme , we see the same colors reflected in the edibles and medicinals in nature. We know from nutrition studies that each color in foods signifies a variety of nutrients but especially an array of anti- oxidants. From purple to red and all colors in between we have a compliment of  substances that have a unique property of scooping up harmful byproducts which leads to a healthier environment within our cells, our biology. These oxidants contribute to the aging process. Whether flowers, leaves or roots we see antioxidant vitamins such as vitamin A, C, E represented, sometimes in trace amounts sometimes in significant amounts. For example, dandelion leaves, 1 cup chopped, has 112% RDA of Vitamin A not to mention 19 mg of Vitamin C.

It also has a wide variety of B vitamins and minerals. This compliment of nutrients is recognized by our biology and though dandelion may have an affinity for the liver, gallbladder and kidney systems it does contribute its nutrients and support the whole body.

When we eat a variety of foods from the color spectrum we support foundational health and vitality. When we choose different herbs varying our choices the same thing happens: we ingest a variety of nutrients in various amounts that supports our biology. Homeostasis is maintained, synergy occurs in a holistic way.  Holism, the third concept I wish to highlight, is a concept I will repeat over and over in that we are a part of the whole. The macrocosm, the universe, is in the microcosm, the individual,  and all that that implies.  A holistic approach to health means we choose those modalities that support us on a mind, body , spirit level. In the not so distant past, herbalists chose some herbs for their effect on the psyche, to enhance romance and chase away the blues. With our mechanization of the herbal industry we take away some of the spirit, the energy of  the plant that goes beyond the science. My teachers have taught me to give thanks for everything I pick, harvest and use, my food and my medicine. It is said that when we acknowledge this plant kingdom in this way they can work more holistically within us. Holism is about relationship.

Homeostasis, synergy, holism, three broad concepts incredibly relevant in the understanding and application of herbs in our healing and in our kitchens.

My Native American elders often referred to the merging of cultures here in North America as the place of the rainbow people. Isn’t fitting that science is meeting the legends and confirming that when we eat a rainbow of colors we are supported on all levels of our being. As above so below, comes to mind.

Maybe rainbows are the gift of the gods.

Spring is here. The plants are beginning their blossoming time. Soon our eyes will feast on the vast array of colors in the natural around us. I ask yo to give thanks today for the food and medicines you need.

Enjoy your day. Judith

 

 

 

Spring Equinox

Pin It

 

“unknowingly, we plough the dust of stars,

blown around us by the wind, and drink the

universe in a glass of rain.” (Ihab Hassan)

 

 

 

Winter is over. Spring begins. Our wheel of seasons turn, an endless cycle of birth, growth, harvest, death and rebirth. Gardens are clean, some have begun planting all in anticipation of the gifts to come.

My Native American elders taught me to give thanks this day for the blessings of winter that is ended. What gifts came in this season? Did I utilize the quiet time to mend, repair, tell and enjoy the stories? Like the bear I feel the waking up time of stretching into the sun, feeling springs breath upon my cheek, hearing the mating sounds of the birds. Daffodils and crocus bloom here before the trees dress themselves in new leaves. The wind still blows in from the northwest and contains a chill but the air is fresh and for that I am grateful.

Spring blessings to all of you.

Judith

3 Health Benefits of Herbal Teas

Pin It

The second concept I would like to highlight in this series is synergy.

Synergy is defined as:  the interaction of elements that when combined produce a total effect that is greater than the sum of the individual elements …

Some of you may remember in Euell Gibbons book , Stalking the Healthful Herbs, the list of nutrients found in many common “weeds” including dandelion.  Once ingested in the right way the plant constituents work synergistically in our biology to assist our body, mind, spirit in healing. By “in the right way”, our elders, those who have come before us have used these plants in many ways and for many purposes. Some plants are better as teas some are better as decoctions. Some assist liver gall bladder function and others seem to support specific immune system markers. Euell Gibbons and others highlight their favorite recipes and therefore many can be used as food. He also notes the nutrients found in common weeds. These nutrients work in a synergistic way in our body to promote health and healing. I drink herbal teas simply because they are nourishing.

Plants are here for us. With the advent of allopathic medicine and the business partnership with pharmacy we have forgotten that the roots of medicine began in exploring the benefits of the plants that grow around us. Plants such as dandelion greens have two purposes:  food as well as medicine.

One cup of dandelion greens chopped contains many nutrients in a form our body can digest and recognize as helpful. Wild strawberry leaves are one o f the richest sources of vitamin C but also contain trace vitamins and minerals.  Plants vary in their concentrations of nutrients. Choosing or varying your tea choice is beneficial. I often blend three or four such as red clover, echinacea root and nettles with spearmint. As David Hoffman says in The Holistic Herbal,  herbs ” do function through biochemical interactions and specific applications, but they do so in a way that augments the vital processes of the body.” Synergistic effects of herbs contribute to homeostasis.

Synergy, one plus two is more than three. Isn’t nature amazing? Right beneath our feet we have many common “weeds” packed with nutrition that  not only nourish the body but contribute to foundational health in a holistic way.

Enjoy a cup of tea with gratitude today.

Judith

 

 

 

3 Health Benefits of Herb Teas

Pin It


 

Today I would like to begin a discussion on the health benefits of using herb teas in everyday life. If we can grow them ourselves or know how to forage mindfully and with respect to the environment all the better.  In general, I find my garden choices or foraged choices more potent.

Homeostasis: this is the quality or state of being where our body constantly strives for a steady internal environment.  Our body’s internal regulating mechanisms are complex and ever functioning in its minute adjustments to our blood pressure, blood sugar, temperature regulation all for the purpose of our efficient functioning in daily life. Herbs, plants wild or cultivated that are edible from our external world help us maintain the internal world of our biology. Our society seems intent on instant this or that including healing. The use of herbs in a tea form can provide us with nourishing brews that contain some of the plants key components.  Chamomile, for example, can sooth us after a hectic day. Chamomile not only soothes the spirit but soothes the digestion.  However, in general, the key components in herbs provide nourishment to key systems in our bodies that in turn keeps us going in a good way. Subtle, yet healing non the less, herbs help to keep all systems go, contributes to the homeostatic function of our bodies, psyches and our spirit. If chamomile soothes our digestion we relax. If chamomile soothes our spirit we relax more easily. We know from breath work studies and meditation studies that turning down the hecticness of a day turns down the chemical contributors to stress which hastens the aging process and causes wear and tear in the long run.

Chamomile contains an oil, blue in color thought to  contain  ingredients that reduce swelling and may limit the growth of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Many of these microscopic species live in our body. When foreign or populations naturally found within our body get out of balance, this herb in particular may be helpful in restoring balance. The oil is found in the crushed flowers and is used in aromatherapy often to help with skin issues and as an anti-inflammatory.

Chamomile is an annual and a favorite in cottage type gardens. Seeds of Change carries organic seed.

Subtle? Yes. contributor to homeostasis? Yes. Winter persists here in the the mid Atlantic region. Yet on warmer days spring clean up is under way. Do you have chamomile?  Chamomile tea, soft and pleasant brew is a wonderful addition to the kitchen supply of teas. Small white daisy like flowers can fill a pot or fill a spot with color and scent.

 

Inspiring Story: Taking Care of the Water

Pin It

 

When I discuss the metaphor of what is outside us is in us with my students I often point to the local stream in town or at least make reference to it. I then ask them would you drink that water? Garbage clutters the river sides and it is polluted. Usually I hear ughs and loud choruses of, “of course not!”

So many of our waterways are polluted. When I drive by the countryside here I see garbage everywhere which includes the small streams nearby. Why? Why are we so disrespectful to this land or at the very least so unmindful of our actions? The waterways  of the earth are like the veins and waterways of our body. We continually pollute ourselves with fake foods which we know creates an acid environment and biologically an acid environment can open the door to disease. We throw our factory waste and our package waste with little thought to the consequences for ourselves and our future .

Water is one of the four key elements every ancient culture respected. As we pollute and expand without consideration for the elements of this place we call home we diminish an incredibly valuable resource. Without water we can perish in as short as three to four days.

Did you know women can heal the water? I am sending you an article ( Women Walk to Heal the River.pdf) today on Ojibwe women who started a water walk to bring healing to the rivers in the center of our country. Historically, at least in the Native American culture, many support the notion that women take care of the water.  Folks can join them along the way too.

We can make a difference one step at a time. This story is so inspirational and  relevant to the power we carry as an individual and when we join together.

Dear Readers, I hope you will give thanks today for our water.

In gratitude,  Judith

The East: Roots

Pin It

Roots, a part of nature, a part of us.

Roots anchor a plant into the earth in the best way possible for that plant. We looked at the many examples of root structures. Each one is designed to provide support, nourishment, water and creates a foundational beginning and under the right circumstances provides an environment that sustains growth not just for itself but for others. From these seemingly simple structures we have food, clothing, shelter and the list of products alone from trees is amazing. The Idaho Forest Products Commission has an interesting list of products made from our trees, titled “Wood You Believe”.

Roots anchor and our families, our roots, do the same thing. We are born into a specific family group and under the right circumstances we thrive. Some of us had to be scrappy, develop resilience much like the  weeds that grow in sidewalk cracks. Some of us were tended and even pampered like the rose. Most of us fall somewhere in between needing our families to get started for nourishment and growth and then when the time is right blossom.

Genealogy helps us uncover our roots, shows us the depths of our family in all its color and flavors. As we seem to travel all over the globe and become uprooted from our family and friends we begin again much like the plants the early colonists brought here  that provided new medicines and foods. With care and attention we root ourselves anew in new locations, even new countries were climates may be different and we have to learn to adapt. For me I had to know something of my Native American ancestry. It became a quest to find something about this culture who lives in my DNA.

Root cellars were important for early settlers to protect and prolong storage time so families could make it through the East Coast North American winters. Now we are seeing a resurgence of interest in root cellars for a few important reasons: they can help reduce expenses and provide storage for food during these turbulent economic times and our recent damages due to unusual storms. It is believed that root cellars began over 40,000 years ago with the Australians. Other cultures like the Chinese used pickling, salting and spices. Egyptians were experts in drying. There is a knack for storing fruits and vegetables because of their particular properties. There are many books written on the subject for those of you interested in planning a root cellar for your family. The site highlighted above is a good place to start.

Roots whether plant or human we have a lot in common. Do you have a root cellar? any stories? Do you have a family member who is deeply rooted into your life, your DNA? I would love to hear your stories about roots and what it invokes for you.

Thanks and enjoy your day. Judith

#6: Corms

Pin It

 

The last of the root structures that I wish to highlight is the Corm:

Corm: a bulb like stem which unlike a true bulb, is solid and sends down a root when the new growing season begins; its the actual base for the flower stem and has a solid texture; its also a storage organ to allow the plant to survive through winter or summer drought.

Many of our garden beauties have corms for root structure such as Crocus, Iris, Liatris and Gladiola.

Jack-in-the-Pulpit is a wild edible whose corm can be eaten. From what I read though the corm when pulled from the ground and washed needs to be sliced thin and let to dry for up to a year. Any sooner and it seems to leave  a really burning taste on the palate due to its chemical constituent,calcium oxalate crystals. Air, heat and a long time to dry help these crystals to dissipate. In Roots, by D.B. Elliot recommends that one taste these thin slices carefully after a long period of drying. If no hot, acrid or prickly sensation on tongue or back of the mouth occurs they can be” roasted, salted and served like potato chips.” I have seen Jack- in- the- Pulpit many times in the woods behind the home where I lived when raising my children. I had not come across it ‘s edible quality back then. If you have tried drying this plant I would like to hear about your experience in drying and the end result.

I would like to end the discussion of various types of root structures with a poem. I came across a charming one  with Jack in the Pulpit featured by Clara Smith, a delightful walk in the woods and the garden. Enjoy. Judith