Berries - for a healthy immune system

Berries, not only delicious but packed with immunity boosting antioxidants.  

strawberries, blueberries, blackberries

Antioxidants work at protecting and repairing the cells from cellular damage - thus strengthening the immune system.

What causes cellular damage? 

Poor nutrition = Lack of fruits and vegetables in our daily diets. 

The chemicals in our food sources;  artificial colors and flavors, nitrates and monosodium glutamate, aka - M.S.G. Reference

Smoking - According to the lung association there are 600 ingredients in cigarettes, and when burned that cigarette creates over 7000 chemicals. Wow. 😲

Mental and emotional stress, excessive worrying. If you stop and think about it, what positive change does stressing and or worrying create? All it does is create more experiences for you to stress and worry about. It's like a vicious cycle that only worsens any situation.

Lack of sleep - weakens your immune system's defenses against viruses like those that cause the common cold and flu. You are more likely to get sick when exposed to these germs. Reference

All these factors, and there are more, contribute to the weakening of our inner cellular structure - resulting in illness and at times, disease.

Isn't it amazing how something so simple as eating berries can assist in creating and maintaining a healthy balance within our bodies? Of course eliminating as many of the root causes of  cellular breakdown is important for maintaining that healthy balance. 👌

Other antioxidant rich foods, spices and herbs; 

dark chocolate

blueberry, mulberry, pineapple, banana smoothie

pecans
elderberries
mulberries
cranberries
pomegranates
pineapple
cilantro
kale
kidney beans
artichokes
broccoli
squash
tomatoes
carrots
sweet potatoes
clove
allspice
cinnamon
oregano
peppermint
sage
rosemary
garlic
ginger
turmeric

Elderberry - Sambucus

Ahhhh, behold, the elderberry. Packed full with anti-viral, anti- inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it's no wonder this plant is such a wonderful immunity booster.

As a child, growing up in Pennsylvania, I remember seeing these bushes growing in the wild, they would be covered with the most beautiful shade of deep purple berries. I didn't know what they were at that time or how in the years to come how much that beautiful berry would become a medicinal mainstay in my household. It seems that nature was actually instilling the love and curiosity of her medicinal bounty as I was growing up. That is just so amazing to me. And chances are, if you're here reading this now, nature has instilled that love and curiosity in you too. 💓 

In my experience with elderberry, nothing matches it's abilities when it comes to boosting the immunity and or aiding the body in healing from colds, flu and bronchitis. When taken on a schedule during an illness, (10 drops of elderberry tincture in 1/8 cup of water 3 times a day for 10 days works wonders for me.) it not only shortens the duration of symptoms but also lessens the severity of symptoms too. 

* A study published in the Journal of International Medical Research shows that when the extract is used within the first 48 hours of the onset of flu symptoms, it can shorten the duration of flu symptoms by an average of four days.

If it's that time of year for the cold and flu and you're starting to feel run down or have been around someone that is sick, one can start taking elderberry on a daily schedule to boost your immunity. That doesn't mean you won't get sick, but if you do, like I mentioned above, it will shorten the duration of symptoms and lesson the severity of symptoms too. Just remember, everyone's body is different. The dosage that works for you may not be the same dosage that works for someone else. This doesn't necessarily have to do with age or weight, it's just that everyone's body chemistry handles medicine differently, whether it's herbal or pharmaceutical.  

What I have learned over the years is that the smaller the dose the better. If that smaller dose does not seem to be helping then you can always increase it the next dosage time. If you do your research, you will find that you can take up to 30 drops in one dose. So, starting with say 7, that gives you some room to find what works the best for you.

Parts used - berries and flowers

Both berries and flowers offer antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
  
Antiviral - inhibits the development of a virus. Gives your immune system a boost which helps your body to fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and also reduces the severity of symptoms.

Anti-inflammatory - helps with a sore inflamed throat and sinus inflammation that comes with a head cold. Reduces the inflammation in the bronchial tubes, which leads to less coughing.

Antioxidants - work by protecting and repairing the cells from cellular damage - strengthening the immune system. 

* A 2016 study published in Nutrients showed that elderberry supplementation was able to reduce cold duration and symptoms in air travelers. Travelers using this herb from 10 days before travel until four to five days after arrival overseas experienced, on average, a two-day shorter duration of their colds as well as a noticeable reduction in cold symptoms.


The flowers, being a nervine, help to relax the nerves and anxiety by supporting the nervous system through stressful periods.  

Those beautiful white flowers are also great for skin care. They carry within their flowers diaphoretic properties. Although these particular properties in elderflowers are most commonly used for  fevers by aiding the body in sweating the toxins out, the flowers can also be used as a warm facial wash. In doing so this is said to aide in opening the pores thus allowing the skin to "purge" toxins. I make a small warm tea and apply with a cotton ball all over my face. I love it! It smells amazing.

I make an infused oil with the fresh flowers and carrier oil such as raw coconut oil or grapeseed oil. That is then used to make body butters and herbal salves. The salves are used for sunburns and skin rashes, the body butter is used in place of skin lotion. 
  
You can also make a flower essence from the fresh blossoms. Many have found that elderflower calls to them in the way of aiding in the opening of their crown chakra.  
Located at the top of the head, the crown chakra gives us access to higher states of consciousness. However, that is not to say with elderflower essence that is the only path in which she assists. 

Over the years I have come to learn that one particular flower may heal and or assist another person in a completely different way, and given the opportunity, the flower can and will seek one out for a particular healing. That is why in my teachings on flower essences I promote learning how to tap into your intuition, so you are able to hear for yourself the call from a particular flower in regards to a healing. 💓    

To learn more about flower essences, click here 
To learn about making elderflower infused oil, click here
To learn about making tinctures and other herbal preparations with elderberry and elderflower, click here.

    

Blueberries for Good Health

I just love these beautiful, vibrant, sweet tasting little berries! Used to be a time when food was just something to fill me up when I was hungry. I didn't really think of food in the sense of how it actually helps in healing our body when it's out of balance and how what we choose to eat on a daily basis is so instrumental in our overall health. Take the blueberry for example;  


Did you know this berry is one of the most antioxidant rich fruits in the world? In brief, antioxidants work by protecting and repairing our cells from cellular damage. What causes this type of damage? Diets that lack fruits and vegetables, consuming too many unhealthy fats, the artificial colors, flavorings and other chemicals  in our foods, drinking water, bath and beauty products. Also, air pollution, smoking, stress, lack of sleep. All these factors are what contribute to the weakening of, and damage to, our inner cellular structure. Over time this leads to an imbalance in our bodies, which can then lead to the manifestation of illnesses and diseases - like heart disease, cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure, auto-immune disease and skin issues. So eating foods that contain antioxidants is pretty important for our overall health.

Urinary Tract Infections 

These berries contain a compound called proanthocyanidins. What they do is prevent infectious bacteria from attaching to the walls of the urinary tract and bladder. With no place to attach to, the bacteria is flushed out with your urine. Bye bye UTI. 😉    


Where do they get that beautiful blue color ?

From a natural plant pigment called anthocyanin. This is also where other fruits, veggies, leaves, stems, roots and flowers get their red, blue and purple coloring. There are many health benefits and medicinal properties associated with anthocyanins as well. 

anti-cancer - inhibits the growth of cancer cells by reducing inflammation within the body.  

anti-viral - inhibits the development of a virus. Giving your immune system a boost which helps your body fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and reduces the severity of symptoms. 

anti-inflammatory - food allergies, consuming foods high in sugar, unhealthy fats, smoking, lack of exercise, carrying excess weight, emotional and mental stress, all contribute to creating chronic inflammation in the body. When your body reaches this point, you leave yourself open for heart disease, stroke, cancers, diabetes, arthritis and autoimmune disease. Eating foods with anti-inflammatory properties reduces inflammation in the body. However, if a change in lifestyle is not introduced, there is no way any anti-inflammatory is going to be able to help heal the body from any illness brought on from chronic inflammation.  

 
 Regarding chronic inflammation - Resources

The best way to get the health benefits from blueberries is by eating them in their natural form. Raw. You can freeze them, although some feel this does hinder some of the health benefits and medicinal properties and then again, some feel that it does not. I don't know whether it does or not. I do know that I love eating them frozen as well as fresh. I especially like adding the frozen berries to my oatmeal. Yum.  

The leaves of the plant have the same health benefits and medicinal properties as the berries. Sipping on a warm cup of tea made from either fresh or dried leaves will give your immunity a boost and also help in the recovery of colds and or the flu.  

I could go on and on here about the benefits these sweet little berries have to offer health wise, but then this post would end up being waaay too long. Be sure to do some more research and incorporate them into your daily diet. Your body will thank you with healthier skin and hair, stronger bones, healthier digestive system, enhanced brain health.         

Purple Coneflower - Echinacea purpurea

Purple Coneflower Root ~ Echinacea purpurea 

It is said that it's best to harvest echinacea roots when the plant is over 3 years old as the medicine is stronger. I feel too that whenever she is calling out to you to make medicine, that is the perfect time to harvest. If you practice listening to the plants, they will communicate to you in their own way. Really is amazing. 🥰

These roots here are from 4 year old plants. This is the first year I have been called to harvest the roots from them. This was also the first year this particular patch of echinacea had doubled in size and was covered with the most magnificent purple blossoms I had ever seen. No doubt this is going to be some really good medicine this year.

This beauty carries within her roots strong medicinal properties;

Anti-inflammatory ~ works by reducing chronic inflammation within the body. Chronic inflammation can create disease and illnesses such as;

diabetes
heart disease
kidney disease
cancers
stroke
autoimmune disease
colitis
inflammatory bowel
arthritis


Antiviral - Inhibits the development of a virus. Gives your immune system a boost which helps your body to fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and also reduces the severity of symptoms.

Sialgogue ~ increasing saliva production thus improving digestion. Go ahead and chew on a small piece of root for a few minutes to experience this. Your mouth and tongue will begin to tingle right before it produces a mouthful of saliva. Tasting the plants is an important part of developing that connection with them. That connection is an important part of medicine making. 💓

For instructions on making tinctures click here → Herbal Preparations

There may be some risk in using for those with auto immune disease and liver issues. So be sure to check into that if you’re considering using. 👌

Ginger - Zingiber officinale

Ginger glycerite

I love the warm spicy nature of fresh ginger. 
If I have the chills from either having a cold or from it being a cold winters day, I'll sip a cup of warm tea made with either fresh root or a ginger herbal. 
Those warming properties open up the blood vessels allowing for better blood circulation, which warms a body up in no time. 😊  

This herb has quite an extensive list of medicinal properties. Be sure to read up on all it has to offer. In brief, ginger works on the gastrointestinal system to relieve gas, bloating, colic, nausea, morning sickness, diarrhea, motion sickness and stomach flu. You can utilize the benefits of ginger from teas, essential oils, herbals, and by incorporating in your everyday cooking.      

Diluting a few drops of ginger essential oil in a carrier oil can be used to massage into the back of the neck for tension headaches. Also works as a massage oil for backaches and muscle pain. Applying the oil or a poultice made from fresh ginger over the lower abdomen can also be helpful in relieving menstrual cramps. 

One of the chemical compounds in ginger is an oily resin called gingerol. Gingerol is a potent anti-inflammatory. It works by reducing chronic inflammation in the body, which leads to reduced pain and swelling associated with illnesses such as; colitis and inflammatory bowel disease. Also improves mobility by decreasing inflammation and pain in arthritic joints. If left unchecked chronic inflammation can cause other illnesses too -  

diabetes

heart disease 
kidney disease 
cancers
stroke
autoimmune disease

I encourage you to reflect on your current health. Do some research on the benefits of ginger and chronic inflammation. Also, check out turmeric as it also has potent anti-inflammatory properties. If you find that you have an illness caused by inflammation be sure to talk with your health care provider about incorporating ginger in your daily diet. Also, as you are doing your research, be sure to take note on the types of  foods that cause chronic inflammation. As if one does not change their diet by eliminating the root causes the body will have a difficult time healing.   💗

Monarda fistulosa - Bee balm

I'm fortunate to have several chemical free areas close to where I live to harvest wild flowers. This plant here, Bee Balm, she is one of the most beautiful plants to see growing in the wild. It grows quite abundantly in my area, in large tall clumps. ( up to 5 feet ) Bees, butterflies and humming birds are attracted to this beauty, making it somewhat of a challenge to harvest, but sooo worth the time and patience. 



Medicinal Properties

Antibacterial - healing topical wounds and infections. I have found that applying a healing salve or a cloth soaked in a strong bee balm tea clears up wounds and topical infections quite well. A tincture or tea can be used as a mouth wash to treat mouth ulcers and gingivitis. Also makes a good mouth wash to freshen the breath.  😁

Anti-inflammatory - applied topically, a healing salve or tea soak helps with the swelling and pain associated with wounds and infections. A tincture or drinking a cup of bee balm tea helps with the burning and inflammation that comes with a yeast infection and the inflammation associated with digestive issues.  

Anti-fungal - yeast infections, ringworm, athletes feet. A healing salve, oil or tea soaked cloth can be applied topically for athletes feet. Although treating from the inside out does seem to be more effective. In that case a tincture can be taken in addition to the tea soak. If caught in the early stages, a tincture or tea can be taken for a yeast infection. I have found, for me, that the tincture works better. However, that doesn't mean the tea won't work better for someone else. Everyone's body is different.     


Bee balm is also good for cold and flu season. An herbal and or sipping on a warm cup of tea made with the leaves and flowers or honey infused bee balm can be taken on the onset of a cold, flu or sore throat. Also helps with digestive issues such as gas, bloating, cramps, colic, nausea and vomiting.     
There is so much more medicinal information out there on bee balm. You really should do some more research and see what else it has to offer.  








     

Elderberry Glycerite - Tea

At the time I wrote this post I had a doozy of a head cold and a sore throat from all that sinus drainage. This tea.. the sweetness from the berries, flowers and vegetable glycerin, really make this a delicious and soothing tea for colds and sore throats.💓
   

I made this particular glycerite with fresh elderberries, fresh blackberries and fresh elder flowers. If you don't have access to fresh berries and flowers, you can use dried or frozen berries or dried elder flowers. 

Okay, let's talk about the herbs I used for this delicious glycerite. I chose the elderberries, blackberries and elder flowers for their antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. 

Antiviral properties inhibit the development of a virus. Gives your immune system a boost which helps your body to fight off and shorten the duration of a virus and also reduces the severity of symptoms.  

Anti-inflammatory properties help with a sore inflamed throat and the sinus inflammation that comes with a head cold. Also reduces inflammation in the bronchial tubes, which leads to less coughing. 

Antioxidants work by protecting and repairing the cells from cellular damage - Damage caused from a poor diet, chemicals in our food, water, bath and beauty products. Air pollution, pesticides, smoking, mental stress, emotional stress, lack of sleep. All these factors contribute to the weakening of our inner cellular structure - resulting in illness and at times, disease. 

Elder flowers

Because this herbal preparation is concentrated, I only added 10 drops to a cup of hot water and sipped three times a day.    

 If you don't have your herbal glycerite prepared, you can still get the same medicinal benefits by making a tea with fresh or frozen berries and fresh or dried elder flowers.   😊

Bee balm Honey

Fill a glass jar with fresh bee balm flowers, slowly add raw honey. Be sure to use raw honey as raw is unprocessed unlike pure or natural honey. Keep poking and gently stirring with a knife until the flowers are submerged in honey. Cover with a lid and let infuse in a cool dark place for 2-4 weeks. The longer it infuses the stronger the honey will taste of the bee balm. 


You may have to keep turning the jar on it's side during the process as the flowers do have a tendency to float to the top of the jar. After infusing you can leave the flowers in the honey and use as is or strain the honey through a sieve. If you choose to strain the flowers out it makes it easier to warm the honey first. Keeping in mind to "gently" warm the honey. Too much heat will kill the medicinal properties in the honey. The used flowers added to a warm cup of water alone or with a little honey makes a delicious tea. 

Besides tasting amazing, honey is loaded with antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties which makes it great for minor burns, wounds and pressure / bed sores. When used for wound care, the medicinal properties promote healing and new tissue growth. It also creates a protective barrier which helps to prevent infections while the skin is healing. You can either place the honey directly on the skin, or apply the honey to a bandage and place that over the area. If using on burns, be sure to cool the area off first before applying honey. You can do this by running cool water, not cold, over the area for 10-15 minutes, then apply the honey.

Bee balm also has those anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties as well as pain relieving properties which can help soothe sore throats and coughs. So when infused with the honey you're getting even more healing benefits. I've found that taking a teaspoon of the honey 3 times a day really does speed up the healing of my sore throats. Also taste good in a cup of warm tea.