Still Waters Run Deep (Long Version)

The Beautiful Truth

dead prez - Happiness

Breathe Easy Naturally

Every now and again my sinuses will become congested. Pressure, headaches, irritability... I think I am allergic to prolonged periods in A/C.  I have had calls from clients, colleagues, & friends regarding sinus congestion, especially with expecting mothers who are very limited with what they can take regarding the safety of their unborn child to ease their discomfort.  Just about every time, they are in enclosed areas with recycled air (a/c or heated).  I would suggest opening a window, even just a bit and almost instantly there would be relief.  Keeping moisture in the air with a vaporizer or steam is good and remembering to change air filters in a timely fashion is also a benefit. 

Every household bathroom should have a neti pot on hand just for this very purpose.  A little salt and some reasonably warm water and stir.  Tilt your head to the side over a sink or basin and put the tip of the spout up one nostril and let the drainage out the other nostril and you are good.  Sometimes it is good to go for 2 rounds alternating sides. 

Hot water and lemons are a God-send but, nothing quite evacuates congested sinus cavities like my personal favrite, rosemary!  I make tea with a decoction of tender rosemary leaves and stems.  About a handful of rosemary does it for me.  2-3 cups of water to boil in a pot after the water has boiled long enough for the color to change (10-15 minutes).  Strain off herbs and cool to drinkable temperature.  Mix with lemon juice.  Sweeten with raw local honey for those who need to build up their tolerance regarding seasonal allergies.  Another option is stevia, agave, or raw sugar.  Rosemary tea makes a good blend with lemonade and is surprisingly tastey.  Very soon after consumption, you should notice that you are breathing with greater ease.

PS...Don't consume mucus binding substances such as dairy (includes cheeses and yogurt's, btw), refined sugars & starches, eggs, table salt, alcohol, fried foods, stress, etc...  Drink plenty of water.

Here is a link if you are interested in more information regarding a highly respected herbalist, Dr. Christopher who coined the term Mucusless Diet:http://articles.herballegacy.com/dr-christopher-and-the-mucusless-diet/

Herb 'N Herbalism: Wildcrafting Plantain

Plantain (Plantago major l., Plantago lanceolata l.)is a very common herb that is not only edible but, very useful.  The usefulness of this herb is such that every household should have some in some form on hand because surely a time will come when knowing how to identify it, prepare it for use and application will come in handy to greatly enhance the quality of life or even save a life.  I know it sounds like a lot and I know that you are thinking that I may even be talking of the banana-type plantain that many enjoy to eat, the world over.  However, this plantain that I am talking about is found amongst the grasses in nearly every yard that I visit and has two distinct types, both of which perform the same function. 

Plantago major L. is also known as the Broad leaf plantain.

Plantago lanceolata L. is also known as the Narrow leaf plantain.

I am certain if you casually survey the local landscape around your home, work, along your daily travels, you are likely to find this growing.  I like to harvest plantain mid-late spring in my area when the flowers have formed.  The cone-like structures on the tops of the central stems are the flowers (not very showy but, very fun to play with).  I remember playing with the flowers of this wonderful herb as a child.  We would pluck the flower from the base of the stem and wrap the stem around itself once and shoot the flower heads at each other.   I know I was not the only one to do these things.  I tend to find these growing in home lawns, sidewalks, fields and slightly wooded areas. 

I must discuss harvesting etiquette before we continue.  It is wise to introduce yourself to the inhabitants of the land before you proceed to collect Nature’s medicine for personal use.  Ask permission of those that we are able to see, and even those that we cannot see for their blessing on the stated purpose of coming and harvesting from the land.  I personally offer a prayer for safe entry, passage and return.  Also be mindful of the animal and plant life that is around.  I observe and communicate with them as they are my guides.  When you find what you are looking for, harvest from a healthy stand and take only what you need.  Stay clear of roadsides low-lying areas where chemical toxins and pollution tend to accumulate. Harvest from multiple plants and take only a portion.  We must be considerate of others and trust that more will be available the next time we are in need.  This particular plant doesn’t have any stingers or poisonous attributes so, it is not necessary to wear gloves.  Simply take your index finger and thumb to pinch off the leaves.  Voila!  The plant is ready for use! 

Plantain can be consumed internally and applied topically.  I use this plant to sooth irritated skin as a result of rashes, bites, stings, burns, etc… Used externally, it is a drawing agent to pull out the venom, toxins, stingers, splinters even.  Gather leaves, clean, chew, spit out & apply as a poultice. You may notice almost immediate relief.  I make a salve for year-round topical use.  I also drink as a tea to internally clear out the bloodstream as it is an antitoxin, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, expectorant,  calming coughs by soothing mucous membranes linked with upper respiratory tract infections.  Tis is also considered a diuretic, among many other good things.  I am sure there is something that I may not have included but, I am stating common uses.

Periodically, I will post images and information regarding wild edibles and beneficial herbs that are easily found and used .  Practice identifying a few plants at a time and get very familiar so that you may harvest with confidence and accuracy.  If you are in question or doubt, then leave where it is. 

Full Moon

I love celebrating the Moon Cycle!  Happy Full Moon, by-the-way.  I do much of my herbal preparation during the full and new moons.  I didn't do much gardening over the last week as usual, due to all of the rain.  Besides, my garden had passed the test of a sunny weekend off a few weeks ago with flying colors!  I noticed that my little green babies are becoming big green babies!  As they mature, they have to be able to stand on their own with my continued supervision of pest management and weeding.  I need to weed as soon as I get a good free day with sun.  I am thinking possibly tomorrow?  We will see the what the weather does.  My only concern truly is the crab grass that needs to be dealt with before it gets out of hand.  The few dandelions, shamrocks, violets and other edible wild herbs can stand to help maintain soil structure and be added to salads, wraps, and other dishes.  I am seeing wild foods as the "new" delicacy.  I see wild foods EVERYWHERE!  In people's yards, roadsides, fields, woodlands, sidewalks even.  There is an abundance of foods all around us!  No one should ever go hungry as long as we are able to properly id wild foods and herbs that are literally under our feet and within grasp.  These foods, I am sure are much more nutritive than much of the foods in the marketplace today.  It is a good idea to get acquainted with no more than a few at a time.  Take time to know what is growing right around you because that is what will serve you well in case there is a need. 

I am enjoying the heightened awareness of the abundance that is all around.  Plant foods and medicine wants to serve us, so they follow us wherever we go.  You may notice some if you pay attention.  I will go into this further the next time because, it is late into the night/early in the morning.  I will follow up with some visual images to serve as examples of some wild common edibles/herbs you my find along your path.  For me and my path, I find chickweed (which is on its way out due to the heat), dandelion, plantain, red clover, white clover, shamrocks, wild lettuce, poke weed, violet...Trust me, the list can go on.  I haven't even mentioned the trees, bushes, vines & such.  I DON'T DO MUSHROOMS!  Not yet, anyways.  I am not THAT brave yet.  I take care to stay in my lane.  Open your eyes.  What wonderful weeds/herbs are trying to get your attention?

Giving Thanks

I love waking up with a feeling of gratitude in my heart.  There are so many things to be grateful for as I have life, health, and plenty of inspiration from Spirit, nature, family, friends, and the many wonderful experiences that are created with each interaction.  Joy and gratitude has to be the NO.1 daily supplement that I would advise for anyone to take daily.  I know that life presents challenges, opportunities, stress, and dramas but, it is our response to life situations that present the opportunity to make the change that is necessary for us to life full and whole lives that we are meant to enjoy.  No matter the weather, this is a beauty full day because you are in it!  Do something positive about yourself and/or your space and you can only feel better.

Having a positive feeling is very important to living well.  I can suggest all sorts of recipes, detoxes, cleanses, diets, rituals, exercises, meditations, and such but, if you are not happy and joyful about the life that you are experiencing then what it the point?  Trust.  Laughter is GOOD medicine.  Don't wait for things to be a particular way before you decide that you can be happy.  Just decide to be happy. 

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