Hc Feb'16

The Better living with herbs and natural health

February, 2016

Herbal Aphrodisiacs Sensual Scents Heart Health Fennugreek for Pets Natural Health Fair

www.herbalcollective.ca

I

Healthy Hormones for Better Love

want to welcome you to the February issue of the Herbal CollecPublisher’s Note tive and the month of love.

Wherever you are reading this and on whatever device, I want you to know this issue has been carefully compiled with love, like all our issues, with articles by experts in their field.

The theme for this issue is on the heart with an herb of the month on hawthorn by expert Klaus Ferlow. You can also read about herbal aphrodisiacs and the essential oils that can make one more in the mood for better loving.

You can also read about an interesting Ayurvedic herb by expert Neelam Toprani called Shatavari that literally translates to “she who possesses a hundred husbands.” That’s because this herb is great for balancing female hormones which could maybe result in a woman attracting more men??

But the main thing is that it helps women be healthier and there is a also a drink you can try with Shatavari powder for hormone balancing.

It’s so important to have healthy hormonal balance, especially if you want to enjoy good lovemaking.

Let’s not forget our recipe section with chocolate as one of the favorite foods to enjoy and our gluten-free brownie to try. So many people are going gluten-free these days, so this recipe is delicious enough that even the bread lovers will enjoy it.

I’d like to welcome back our hypnotherapy expert Germana Rovinelli who has an article on hypnotherapy and stress. Yes, you can harness the power of your mind with hypnotherapy and it is another natural health tool that can be used along with herbs.

She also has skype sessions available for anyone who wants to experience it.

For those who want to take their herbal interests further, medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera is offering an herbalism training course on weekends for those who want to run a dispensary or see patients in a clinical setting.

Finally, you can learn about endocrine disrupters – chemicals in the environment that mess with our hormones and how to deal with these as they’re not going away.

Enjoy this issue and as always, your feedback is welcome. Email us at info@herbalcollective.ca

Your source for clean ingredient natural health products since 1993. Available at our new online store in early January, or from your natural health pracƟƟoner/reseller near you.

Toll-free 1-888-747-6287

If you haven’t heard of us, we specialize in clean personal care products made fresh in small batches—we don’t use any dubious ingredients such as propylene glycol, parabens, mineral oil, arƟficial colour/fragrances. Try some of our legendary neem products with relief for eczema/psoriasis. Rosa products for beauty, anƟ-wrinkle & dry skin. Something for the whole family. StarƟng January 2016 our products will be available in our brand new online store!

www.ferlowbotanicals.com

Contents The Theme: How to healthy hormones and better lovemaking

Columns and Departments

In the Kitchen African yam peanut soup................................11 Herbal aphrodisiacs..............................................4 Gluten-free brownies........................................11 Sensual scents........................................................5 Ayurvedic herb for female hormones............6 Herb of the Month Hawthorn for the heart....................................12 Pet Health Fenugreek soothes mucous.........................13

Features

The Herbal Collective published by Pro Write Publishing

Herbalism course teaches confidence...........7 Hypnotherapy resolves stress..........................8 The world’s healthiest foods...........................14

Publisher/Editor - Marilyn Zink Contact: 250-729-1593 info@herbalcollective.ca, www.herbalcollective.ca Contributors

Klaus Ferlow, Neelam Toprani, Germana Rovinelli, Chanchal Cabrera The Herbal Collective is published every month by Pro Write Publishing and distributed through social media, various platforms and the Herbal Collective blog and email list. Advertising deadline is around the 21 of every month. The opinions expressed by contributing writers are not necessarily those of the editor. Different viewpoints are welcome. All editorial material is copyrighted. Any medical advice is given solely for information purposes only and no responsibility is assumed on the publisher’s part.

Copyright © 2016

LIVE A BETTER LIFE WITH HYPNOTHERAPY Over 20 years experience

* Lose weight * Clear depression * Reduce and manage stress * Emotional Mental Health * Remove subconscious blocks to health, happiness and more

Skype sessions available-book now

g@germana.ca

www.germana.ca

250-591-5327 250-714-4369

Herbal Aphrodisiacs for the Month of Love A man sees a woman and his nostrils flare in anticipation.

The woman notices him and she is attracted too.

Their eyes narrow, senses become heightened and awareness is elevated.

The ancient science of herbal aphrodisiacs, scents and sensuality have drawn lovers together since ancient times.

Herbs and essential oils can evoke overwhelming sensual feelings, arouse desire, intensify pleasure, erotic feelings and stimulate libido.

Specific herbs can boost one’s health and transform your sex life at the same time.

Essential oils work on the limbic system and can swiftly change a person’s mental and emotional attitude from worrying about daily life to a relaxed mood for romantic pleasure.

Herbal aphrodisiacs depend on one’s overall well-being

but specific herbs like the adaptogenics help with that.

Herbal aphrodisiacs work in a wide variety of ways.

They increase the levels of feel good neurotransmitters in the brain to boost mood and sensual vitality.

Herbal adatopgens can also stimulate nerves in the genitals and support the adrenal glands.

Many people suffer from adrenal exhaustion so herbal adaptogens work by supporting the adrenal glands and helping the body better cope with stress.

These aphrodisiacs also boost the levels of nitric oxide in the body increasing blood flow to all your tissues.

This is especially beneficial for peri-menopausal and menopausal women.

Let’s start with the two herbal adaptogens best used for women, though men can take herb maca too. The next two herbs Chinese ginseng and Epimedium, aka Horny Goat Weed, have beeter effects with men.

Damiana This Latin American herb, Turnera aphrodisiaca, has potent effects on sexual benefits for women especially.

It has alkaloids that improve pelvic blood flow, increase genital sensitivity and has a stimulating effect similar to caffeine.

As Damiana has progesterone like effects, it can assist in balancing women’s hormones if they have estrogen dominance. It also relieves menstrual cramps, improves concentration and helps prevent urinary tract infections.

The herb can be drunk as a tea, although it’s bitter so it should be mixed with sweeter tasting herbs like lemon balm, oatstraw and chamomile.

Maca The root of this herb has been used for centuries in Peru to enhance sexual energy, strengthen the hormonal system and stimulate the production of estrogen and other hormones.

Maca’s effects on increasing and regulating hormones can have a positive effect on increasing a woman’s libido.

As this herb is an adaptogen it also relieves stress by supporting adrenal glands and promoting reduction of the stress hormone level. The recommended dose for women is 1,000 mg twice daily and is higher for men. No side effects have been reported.

4

Herbal Collective Feb,’16

Chinese Ginseng This herb is one of the best known herbal aphrodisiacs and is also known as Panax ginseng or Korean ginseng.

The herb is especially effective for men though it can also be used by women.

Chinese ginseng is a sexual tonic as it has a toning effect on one’s sexual chi and nervous system. As it is an adaptogen, it adapts to the body’s needs, increasing libido if one feels tired and relaxing the body if one is tense.

It also promotes circulation through the entire pelvic area and helps the body adapt to stress supporting the adrenal glands.

Chinese ginseng has ginsenosides, which are compounds that increase physical and mental efficiency. Without the effects of caffeine.

Epimedium, aka Horny Goat Weed This herb is known in Chinese medicine as Yin Yang Huo, which translates as ‘Horny Goat Weed,’ so called because legend has it that Chinese goat herders noticed their flock fornicating greatly after grazing on the herb.

This herb has a strong influence on the kidneys and liver meridians, which are important for sexual chi. It also increases yang energy and and ‘tonifies life’s gate,’ which means it strengthens the chi that allows new life to be created.

This means it treats impotence in men and infertility in women. The herb may also boost libido by supporting the adrenal glands, enhance mood, improve blood flow to the sexual organs, improve immunity and help lower blood pressure.

Since this herb has strong yang energy, women shouldn’t take it by itself though men can.

Sensual Scents Sensual scents bring to life the longings of lovers.

The ancient art of aromatherapy has been used for their aphrodisiac potential and many of these oils are also have healing benefits.

The oils mentioned here relax the body to be more sensual, erotic and in a relaxed mood for romance and pleasure. These are four of the most time tested oils.

Ylang-Ylang This oil has traditionally been used as a perfume as it has a rich, succulent aroma.

It has a reputation for creating sensual moods as well as erotic experiences. Some believe its compelling scent has narcotic-like effects. The oil nourishes sexual chi by acting on the adrenal glands, relaxing and uplifting at the same time.

Jasmine This herb known as Queen of

the Night has flowers that only bloom at night-time, making it a fitting essential oil for creating sexual desire. The essential oil has a musk like aroma that is both sweet and sensual bringing about a euphoric effect. Jasmine increases positive feelings and and creates a sensual ambience to arouse passion.

Sandalwood This ancient oil has a woody aroma that is pungent and enticing to both men and women.

Sandalwood has compounds that are similar to human pheromones that produce an erotic fragrance to focus sensual awareness.

Lemon Balm This herb known as Melissa has a sweet scent that is particularly beneficial for women as it soothes nerves, increases good mood, enhances libido and restores the body. Lemon balm is often used in a tea to calm mind and body from anxiety and restore emotions.

Herbal Collective, Feb,’16

5

Ayurveda Herb Shatavari...

By Neelam Toprani

S

hatavari (Asparagus racemosus) is an Ayurvedic climbing plant which grows in tropical and subtropical areas throughout India. Its medical usage has been reported in Indian & British Pharmacopeias and in traditional systems of medicine such as Ayurveda, Unani & Siddha.

Shatavari, literally means “she who possesses a hundred husbands” in Sanskrit, and is considered to be the most beneficial herb for balancing the female hormonal system.

Ancient literature of Ayurveda (Charaka Samhita) mentions the beneficial uses of Shatavari in correcting menstrual irregularities and sexual dysfunction.

Ayurvedic Properties Rasa (Taste): Sweet, Bitter Virya (Potency): Cold Vipaka (Post Digestive Effect): Sweet Effects on Doshas (Humors): Pacifies Vata (Air), Pitta (Fire) and Kapha (Water).

Shatavari is recommended in Ayurvedic texts for the prevention and treatment of gastric ulcers, dyspepsia and as a galactagogue. It has also been used successfully by some Ayurvedic practitioners for nervous disorders, inflammation, liver diseases and certain infectious diseases.

The genus Asparagus includes about 300 species around the world. The genus is considered to be medicinally important because of the presence of steroidal saponins and sapogenins in various parts of the plant. Out of the 22 species of Asparagus recorded in India; Asparagus racemosus is the one most commonly used in traditional medicine. The major active constituents of Asparagus Racemosus are steroidal saponins present in the roots.2 Due to the awareness of harmful side effects of the synthetic estrogens in hormone replacement therapy, there is a tremendous interest in the plant derived

6

Herbal Collective

Feb,’16

estrogen from Asparagus racemosus.

Phytoestrogens are defined as any plant compound structurally and/or functionally similar to ovarian and placental oestrogens and their active metabolites.

Phytoestrogens affect the regulation of ovarian cycles and oestrous in female mammals and the promotion of growth and physiological functions of the female genital tract, pituitary, breast and several other organs and tissues in both sexes.

Shatavari cleanses the blood and nourishes the female reproductive organs. It supports the natural fertility of the body, provides nourishment to the womb and ovum, supports the female organs in protecting the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy and is useful as a post-partum tonic.

Shatavari enhances estrogen hormone production, thereby helping to ward off many diseases while promoting milk production in lactating mothers. It also helps in healthy menstruation and reduction of pain at the time of menstruation. Shatavari supports menopausal women’s symptoms of hot flashes and vaginal dryness and soothes the systemic dryness

...Supports Female Hormones which is part of the natural aging process.

Shatavari is also useful for hyperacidity, stomach ulcers, and respiratory tract infections. Shatavari has been shown to have many other supportive properties like stress reduction, anti-diarrhoeal, is adaptogenic, anti-ulcerogenic, an antioxidant and cardio protective.

In Ayurveda, Shatavari has been described as absolutely safe for long term use, even during pregnancy and lactation. However, for its medical use, one should refer to their health care practitioner for possible adverse or allergic reactions.

Suggested dosage of Shatavari powder would be 10 gm twice a day with hot milk or water with honey and or ghee added is preferable.

Shatavari Drink

Here is a recipe for Shatavari Drink that could replace a hot cocoa or chai latte as a beverage.

One cup Purified water One cup Organic whole milk, almond milk or goat milk (no Soy milk) One teaspoon Organic Shatavari Powder ¼ tsp Cardamom Powder ½ tsp Cinnamon Powder Boil water with Sharavari powder, cardamom powder and cinnamon powder. One could also add Chai Masala (Indian chai spice mix) instead of individual spices. Let the powders steep for 5 minutes.

Add milk and let it steep again till the liquid comes to a soft boil.

Add raw sugar or honey if needed.

Neelam Toprani – CEO, Padmashri Naturals Inc. (Ayurvedic researcher and formulator Sewanti Ayurvedic Series) Learn more at www.sewanti.com

SALVESTROLS are “THE MOST

SIGNIFICANT BREAKTHROUGH IN NUTRITION SINCE THE DISCOVERY OF VITAMINS.”

“There has to be a significant change in the way that we approach food, in the way we grow food and the way that we see our diet.”

Anthony Daniels

Call 250483-3640

Get this groundbreaking book at Get this groundbreaking book at...

www.salvestrolbook.com www.salvestrolbook.com, 250-483-3640 Herbal Collective

Feb, ‘16

7

Herbalism Course Teaches Condence

I

f you want to be a herbal practitioner it is almost impossible to get hands on clinical training unless you are enrolled in a full time professional herbal medicine school.

Until now. A new program with 130 hours of botanical medicine clinical training practicum is starting to give budding herbalists the opportunity to learn how to be professionals.

If you have been studying herbs for a while and feel stuck with how to proceed to become a professional herbalist, if you want to start working with patients but don’t know how to make the leap from theory to practice, if you are looking to accrue practicum hours for professional designation, then this is the program you have been waiting for.

This 130 hour botanical medicine clinical training practicum will build on all your previous herbal studies to give you the practical tools and the clinical skills and confidence to practice safely and effectively.

This program is designed for intermediate / advanced herbal students wanting to learn the clinical component, and for people with medical background who want to hone their herbal prescribing skills.

It is taught by classroom lecture, dispensary practicum and by seeing real patients in a clinical setting.

Learn how to: • take a case history • conduct a wellness assessment including energetic / constitutional evaluations • interpret blood work and other medical tests • choose your herbs • run a herbal dispensary and much more.

Run by medical herbalist Chanchal Cabrera who has almost 30 years of clinical experience and assisted by two licensed naturopaths, you will learn practical clinical skills that will help you provide safe, effective and professional herbal care in your community.

This is not a certification to practice but will give you skills and tools to be a safe and effective community herbalist and will start you on the way to professional designation.

Scheduled on a Friday / Saturday each month for 10 months, with an opportunity to continue to attend student training clinics after the program is over, you can accrue training hours towards professional designation with the Canadian Herbalists Association of BC and with the American Herbalists Guild.

The program runs March – December. Spaces are limited to register soon and enjoy early bird savings.

Contact Chanchal at clinic@chanchalcabrera.com for

BOTANICAL MEDICINE Student Training Clinic WWW.INNISFREEFARM.CA Tel. 250-336-8768

with Chanchal Cabrera, medical herbalist

130 hours Supervised Clinical Practicum ~HANDS ON EXPERIENTAL LEARNING ~CLINICAL ASSESSMENT SKILLS ~ENERGETICS & PHARMACOLOGY OF HERBS ~FORMULATING & TREATMENT PLANNING ~DOSING, CONTRA-INDICATIONS AND SAFETY ~PHARMACY AND MEDICINE MAKING

Innisfree Farm, 3636 Trent Road, V9N 9R4

The Stress Syndrome

By Germana Rovinelli ow do you react to stress?

H

The types of stressors that we experience are universal. How we respond to these stressors can affect us in many very unusual ways. The purpose of this program is to give you tools at your computer to de-stress. I would ask you to gauge your awareness and scale it from one to ten One (no stress) 5 (moderate) 10 (very high)

Do you suffer from the Stress Syndrome?

Over the course of a few thousand years civilization has shaped us to live in disharmony with our own natural rhythms. When these rhythms are ignored over and over, we often develop serious stress related problems including * heart disease, * stroke and a variety of such psychosomatic symptoms as *headaches, * back pains, * high blood pressure, *ulcers, *asthma, *skin conditions, * depression, * anxiety, * insomnia, * obesity* addictions and *compulsive eating disorders.

Some experts believe that the accumulated stress, by suppressing the immune system, can even be a factor in cancer and AIDS. Understanding the signs and stages of stress are helpful only if that knowledge helps you manage and or avoid it. These questions can help you determine whether you may be suffering from The Stress Syndrome: • Do you suffer from stress related health problems such as backaches, tension headaches, stomach or digestive disorders, skin problems or high blood pressure?

Scale ___________ • Do you experience waves of depression, loss of self-confidence, and worry during periods of emotional fatigue throughout the day?

Scale _________ • Do you have problems with forgetting names or words, or forgetting where you put things when you are overtired?

Scale _________ •Do you experience transient emotional mood swings, irritability, impatience, fleeting bad moods, teariness, or even crying spells at certain times of the day? Scale_____________

• Do you have an out of control eatHypnotherapy ing problem? Do you

By Germana Rovinelli tend to overeat in the late afternoon or early evening, or sugar snack throughout the day?

Scale ____________ • Do you have addictive behaviours such as excess use of alcohol, cigarettes, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, or other potentially harmful substances to raise your mood or calm you down? Scale________ • Do you exhibit nervous problems such as nail biting, tics, or hair pulling?

Scale_________ • Do you regularly have trouble falling asleep, or wake up without feeling truly refreshed from a night’s sleep?

Scale_________ Stress is a natural part of our lives. When we take steps to reduce stress we avoid many predictable health problems. Learning what takes you out of the overstress response cycle is critical for mental and emotional health. With mind body tools such as selfhypnosis, you can expect to have more energy, Lose weight and see your symptoms diminish and in some cases disappear completely.

Germana can assist you in improving your quality of life. Learn how to tap into the vast resource of your subconscious mind by booking a session today. call: 250 591-5327 Email: germana@shaw.ca. Germana Rovinelli is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 20 years of experience in the field of hypnotherapy. She is registered with the Canadian Hypnotherapy Association.

Dr. Doug Kuramoto Naturopathic Physician

West Coast Naturopathic Medicine Ltd. 525 Pioneer Crescent Parksville, B.C. V9P 1V1 Tel: (250) 954-1955

Please note the Nanaimo office is now closed

Herbal Collective Feb,’16

9

Avoid Hormone Disrupting Chemicals Dear EarthTalk: What are endocrine disrupters, how do they make their way into my body and what can I do to avoid them?

-- Jo McGovern, Albany, NY The endocrine system controls the various functions of cells, tissues and organs in our bodies through the secretion of hormones. The major glands that regulate the flow of these hormones include the pituitary, thyroid, parathyroid, and adrenal glands, as well as the pancreas and reproductive glands (ovaries in women, testicles in men). A properly functioning system ensures optimum mood, growth, development, metabolism, sexual function and reproduction.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals that mimic or block the action of natural hormones. According to the Environmental Working Group (EWG), there is no end to the tricks that endocrine disruptors can play on our bodies. These chemicals can increase the production of certain hormones, decrease the production of others, turn one hormone into another, compete with essential nutrients and more.

Some 80 million pounds of atrazine, an herbicide named on EWG’s Dirty Dozen List of Endocrine Disruptors, are applied in the U.S. each year. A 2010 University of California (UC) Berkeley study found that atrazine-exposed male amphibians were feminized as a result.

Ten percent of those exposed developed into females that copulated with unexposed males and produced viable eggs. “Given the overwhelming evidence of unacceptable risk, I’m quite frankly surprised that atrazine is even still in use,” said Dr. Tyrone Hayes, professor of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley and the study’s lead author.

Monsanto’s Roundup, a trade name for glyphosate and the most widely used herbicide in the U.S. with 250 million pounds sprayed each year, was also recently found to have hormone disrupting capabilities. Studies released in 2015 determined that Roundup decreased levels of progesterone and corticosterone, a steroid hormone produced in the adrenal glands. An earlier study determined that even at lower, “non-toxic” exposure levels, Roundup reduced 10

Herbal Collective

Feb,’16

testosterone levels. Recently it was announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will analyze the impacts of atrazine and glyphosate on 1,500 endangered plants and animals under the terms of a settlement reached with the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD).

“This settlement is the first step to reining in the widespread use of dangerous pesticides that are harming both wildlife and people,” said Brett Hartl, CBD’s endangered species policy director.

Buying organic produce and drinking filtered water can reduce your exposure to hormone-disrupting herbicides and pesticides. Another good reason to install a water filter is to remove perchlorate, a chemical that is also named on EWG’s Dirty Dozen list.

A 2010 study found that, in pharmacologic doses, perchlorate inhibits iodine uptake, an element needed for the production of thyroid hormones. The findings were alarming as adequate iodine intake is essential for normal neurodevelopment in infancy and childhood. While further research is needed to determine the impacts of perchlorate in the environment, the American Thyroid Association recommends that women who are planning a pregnancy or who are pregnant ingest 150 mg of iodine daily to ensure adequate iodine nutrition and to overcome the potential adverse effects of perchlorate exposure.

While it may be frightening to think about all the potential exposures to endocrine disruptors around us today, purchasing environmentally-conscious, natural-based products for you, your family and your home; eating organic, fresh, unpackaged foods and drinking filtered water from a glass container are simple ways to help keep your hormones and endocrine system in balance.

EarthTalk® is produced by Doug Moss & Roddy Scheer and is a registered trademark of Earth Action Network Inc. View past columns at: www.earthtalk.org. e-mail questions: editor@earthtalk.org, earthtalk@emagazine.com

Got a Recipe to Contribute?

African Yam Peanut Soup

1 yam, peeled and chopped 1 carrot, peeled and chopped 1 28 can stewed tomatoes ¼ cup chopped, unsalted dry-roasted peanuts 2 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter 1 large onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp. dried or fresh minced ginger root 1 ½ tsp. ground cumin 1 ½-2 cups cashew milk 1 pinch ground cloves 1 pinch cayenne pepper Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium high heat.

Saute the onion 10 minutes until lightly browned.

Mix in the garlic, ginger, cumin, cinnamon and cloves. Stir in the tomatoes, yam, and continue to cook and stir for 25 minutes.

Remove soup mixture from heat. Blend the soup with cashew milk until almost smooth.

Whisk in the peanut butter and cooked until heated through. Serve topped with peanuts.

Email info@herbalcollective.ca

Gluten Free Brownies

1/2 cup gluten almond meal 1/4 cup rice flour 1 cup sugar (brown or white) 5 tablespoons cocoa 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup butter or margarine 2 eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 tsp. cinnamon Melt the butter or margarine in a glass bowl in a microwave., blend the dry ingredients separately, then stir in the rest of the ingredients.

Fold in 1/2 cup of nuts, etc., if desired. Spread in an 8x8-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 30 minutes. Cool. Cut. Wrap and freeze.

Serve with fresh strawberries for a Valentine dessert.

Herbal Collective

Feb,’16

13

Herb of the Month

Hawthorn for Better Heart Health

By Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA

Life of a Plant

I

would like to start the educational article with the explanation about the life of a plant.

Plants use a complex process called photosynthesis to extract energy from sunlight to create food. Studies on certain species revealed that they perform yet another feat – they calculate the optimum rate at which to absorb that food overnight.

By day, plants convert atmospheric carbon dioxide into starch and sugar. During the night, many species consume the starch stored during the day, thus avoiding starvation and maintaining plant productivity, including growth. Moreover, they process the stored starch at just the right rate, not too quickly and not too slowly, so that they use about 95 percent of it by dawn, when they start making more.

The findings were based on experiments on a plant of the mustard family called Arabidopsis thaliana. Researchers found that this plant carefully rations its food reserves according to the length of the night, no matter whether 8, 12, or 16 hours remained until dawn. Evidently, the plant divides the amount of starch available by the length of time remaining until dawn, thus determining the optimal rate of consumption.

How do plants ascertain their starch reserves? How do they measure time? And what mechanism enables them to do math? Further research may shed light on these questions. Did the mathematical ability of plants come by evolution or was it by design?

If you want to learn more about this subject I recommend reading the book “The Secrets of Plants” a fascinating account of the physical, emotional, and spiritual relations between plants and man, by Peter Tompkins & Christopher Baird, Harper Pereninal, 1973

Benefits of Hawthorn (Crataegus laevigata)

Herbalists regard hawthorn as the most important of all cardiovascular remedies, with the protective action on the heart and its function because hawthorn flowers, leaves and fruit hold benefits for the heart. It is prescribed for a range of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, angina (relieve chest pain), irregular heartbeat, relieve shortness of breath, fatigue and tiredness in those suffering from congestive heart failure.

Research shows that it improves blood flow to the heart itself, ensuring that muscle cells are well oxygenated.

12

Herbal Collective Feb,’16

Hawthorn further reducing buildup of fatty plaques in blood vessels, which can lead to atherosclerosis.

Other benefits are: antispasmodic, sedative, vasodilator, good for heart muscle weakened by age, for inflammation of the heart muscle, for atherosclerosis, and for nervous heart problems. Some of hawthorn's active constituents have potent antioxidant activity, and these compounds may be responsible for the herb's cholesterol lowering effects, helping to prevent oxidation of LDL-cholesterol (so called bad-cholesterol) and decreasing both production and absorption of cholesterol.

History of Hawthorn

It grows as shrub or tree with white or pink flowers and small berries are born in clusters in temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere, Europe, Asia and North America. In England it is widely grown as a hedge plant.

It trunk or stems have hard wood, smooth and ash-gray bark, and thorny branches. The small, shiny leaves are dark green on top and have three irregularly toothed lobes. Flowers blossom in May, June and the fruit has fleshy pome, scarlet on the outside, yellowish and pulpy on the inside.

How to use Hawthorn

Hawthorn is available in capsules, tinctures, standardized extract and also as dried leaves, flowers and berries.

Tea: steep 2 teaspoons hawthorn leaves and flowers in 12 ounces of water for 10 minutes, strain and drink 1 to 2 cups a day, can be sweetened with honey or stevia.

Tincture: generally take 5ml twice daily.

Decoction: use 1 tsp. crushed fruit and ½ cup cold water, let stand for 7 – 8 hours, then bring quickly to boil and strain, take 1 to ½ cups a day, a mouthful at a time, can be sweeten with honey or stevia.

PRECAUTIONS Hawthorn is very safe and well tolerated and is best used under the supervision of a professional health care practitioner for anyone who suffers from congestive heart failure or being treated for heart disease.

Words of Wisdom: Health is not everything but without health everything is nothing.Dr. Bernard Jensen, DC, PhD, Clinical Nutritionist It is not our intention to make any specific claims. Any attempt to diagnose and treat illness should come under the direction of your health care practitioner.

Klaus Ferlow is the founder of FerlowBotanicals and a master herbalist, author of many books and much more.

Fennugreek Soothes Mucous Membranes

F

enugreek is native to the Mediterranean region of Egypt, Southern Asia and in the Horn of Africa. Fenugreek is known as one of the oldest medicinal herbs, it has been enjoyed for its flavour and medicinal properties for thousands of years around the world.

The ancient Assyrians cultivated fenugreek seed for its medical and culinary properties, as far back as the seventh century B.C.E. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), fenugreek seed has been prescribed since before the eleventh century, and is written in ancient Chinese pharmacopeias.

TCM and Ayurvedic Medicine use foods such as animals, minerals and herbs, therapeutically. TCM acknowledges fenugreek as bitter in flavour, and warming in thermal energetics. Fenugreek helps strengthen digestion, and supports the lungs and kidneys. In western Herbalism, fenugreek seed is used for supporting digestion, and can be found in almost any health store.

Fenugreek was historically recommended for mothers having a hard time nursing to use fenugreek, and other bitters that aid in lactation. I used to sell a blend of fenugreek seed and blessed thistle in my herbal dispensary at Simple Remedies Herbal Solutions in Victoria B.C., to help nursing mothers lactate. Fenugreek seed is also known as helba, sometimes spelled halba in Morocco, it is called methi seed in India.

Many cultures today still use fenugreek seed in cooking and medically, internally and externally. In India, the entire plant is used; the fresh leaves are steamed like spinach, dried leaves are used in curry, and fenugreek toasted in hot oils is used to enhance flavour.

Externally powdering the seed, and making a paste is used for: hair health, hair growth, greying hair, skin health, prevention of acne, and to help clear skin blemishes. Do you know the powdered seed smells like maple and butterscotch and is used to add maple flavour to food, beverages, candies, tobacco, cosmetic and perfumes?

Fenugreek Trigonella foenum-graecum – Thermal Energetics: Warm Flavour: Bitter - bitters aid and strengthen digestion, are anti-inflammatory, prevent constipation, help rid the body of excessive parasites, Candida and yeast overgrowth and aid in the digestion of fats and proteins. Warm/ Pungent substances increase circulation, improve digestion,

Pet Health

function as a cardio tonic, clear and improve sluggish liver function, moisten the kidneys, which positively effects all the fluids, (keepPet Health ing us more supple) and,

By Carola Schleuss strengthens the nervous system. Fenugreek’s Constituents: 28% mucilage, fatty oil, saponins, choline, lecithin, phyosterols and an alkaloid, trgonelline.

Another excellent and essential in today's world is the warming bitter Turmeric, Curcuma longa.

•Fenugreek - lubricates, soothes, and protects internal mucous membranes, reduces fever, help with metabolic dysfunction, soften and dissolves hard masses of accumulated mucus, expels toxic waste through the lymphatic system, a tonic and expectorant.

•Fenugreek is - nutritive, lowers blood sugar, stimulates milk production in lactating mothers, rich in flavonoids vitamin A, B1, B2, B3, C and D, choline, and mineral including calcium and iron.

•Fenugreek is - antiseptic, carminative, stimulant, demulcent, alterative, expectorant, antipyretic, rejuvenate, known for its anti-diabetic and anticholesterolemic activities (restores blood sugar balance, regulates insulin in diabetes and reduces cholesterol).

•Fenugreek in Traditional Chinese Medicine nourishes the liver and kidneys and is used as a warming, nourishing energy tonic which helps build the body’s nutrient reserves and its systems.

•Fenugreek is used as a poultice for sores, ulcers and boils.

•Fenugreek is known to help with fat metabolism because it contains lecithin a lipotropic (fat dissolving) substance.

In TCM fenugreek is used for internal dampness, which means it breaks up and clears mucus, if we suffer from excess mucus it can cause us to create phlegm, causing upper respiratory, digestive and nervous system disorders. If you, or your animal friend, suffer from nervousness, digestive issues and/or upper respiratory problems, i.e. coughing, wheezing, etc., perhaps adding fenugreek to your, or your animal friends daily homemade meals will prove to be quite tasty, and very beneficial. I know how well it works for me and my animal friends! Nature heals.

Carola Schleuss, Certified Nutrition Consultant www.wayoflifematters.com Herbal Collective Feb,’16 13

The World’s Healthiest Foods

A

n award winning nutritional blockbuster, The World’s Healthiest Foods (GMF Publishing, 2015),

by George Mateljan has just been revised into a long-awaited second edition, and is hitting store bookshelves.

The definitive guidebook for a healthy lifestyle through eating and cooking the right foods, this encyclopedic guide spans more than a thousand pages.

Mateljan is a longtime leader in the revolution to healthy eating, and this latest edition is the culmination of years of wisdom.

The book focuses on the top 100 foods we all need to maximize our health, including fruits and vegetables, eggs and dairy, seafood, nuts and seeds, legumes, grains, fish, meats and flavorings.

There are foolproof tips on selection and storage, cooking to retain maximum nutrition, and how to combine foods for even

more health-boosting potency.

Hundreds of recipes (including 300 new ones) cover every meal including snacks.

Based on proven science and the latest research, this authoritative book goes far beyond meal planning.

It’s a tour de force for a healthy lifestyle, with comprehensive, updated information on nutritional benefits from vitamins to minerals, anti-inflammatories and anti-

oxidants. Countless misconceptions and myths are replaced with helpful, genuine expertise, including best way tips for handling every ingredient. Moreover, some 10,000 new scientific studies were consulted for this edition.

For readers who are just getting started on the road to transforming their own health, or avid healthy living aficionados looking for the ultimate reference, this is the ideal guide, sure to become a mainstay in the healthy kitchen.

George Mateljan is a renown expert on health-promoting foods and healthy cooking, and a pioneer in the organic food movement. The founder of Health Valley Foods, one of the largest health food companies in the world, he is the author of eight best-selling books. Learn more at whfoods.org, which has more than 40 million unique visitors per year.

Looking for an Herbal or Natural Health Product or Service?

Visit the

Natural Health Directory

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory

Contact us to get listed;info@herbalcollective.ca 14

Herbal Collective, Feb,’16

Natural Health Directory The Natural Health h Directory is a resource for ii d our readers who are looking ffor practitioners, products, education, herb farm or other herbal and natural health information.

Each listing links to a listing on the Herbal Collective website with links and contact information to that particular business.

Click on the link for each page to get more information on each particular business.

To Get Listed; http://www.herbalcollective.ca/directory_application.html or info@herbalcollective.ca or call 1-250-722-7108.

Health Food Stores

Natural Foods and Supplements

Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery.........................tel 250-748-4421 4-180 Central Ave, Duncan, www.lynnsvitamingallery.ca

Herbal Products

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-herbal-products.html AnneMarie Gianni Skin Care - natural, organic ingredi ents free of chemicals and preservatives Ferlow Botanicals, www.ferlowbotanicals.com, info@ferlowbotanicals.com.....................604-322-4080 Laughing Lichen Wildcrafted Herb & Tea www.laughinglichen.ca, l aughinglichen@gmail.com.................10778-884-2371 Triangle Healing Products, www.trianglehealing.com Wild Oil of Oregano, www.wildoiloforegano.com www.wildtamanuoil.com

Hypnotherapy

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-natural-foods.html# Bell Lifestyle Products Offers a wide selection of natural health products and nutritional supplements....................................905-695-0631 Canadian Bio Supplements Quality manufacturer of natural health products backed by over 5 years of clinical trials...................306-291-0871

Naturopathic Doctors

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-naturopathic-doctors.html

Pacific Holistic Center, Dr Doug Kuramoto.

In Parksville................................................ 250-753-0280

Reflexology

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-reflexology.html Pacific Institute of Reflexology Directory Chris Shirley, www.pacificreflexology.com....... ......................................604-875-8818 or 1-800-688-9748

Resorts/Spas

Germana Rovinelli - create a better life with hypnotherapy, g@germana.ca, www.germana.ca.........250-714-4369

www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-esthetics.html Honeymoon Bay Lodge and Retreat www.honeymoonbayretreat.com..............1-888-749-4252

Advertise Here for Pennies a Day! Email info@herbalcollective.ca

www.roadtomillionaireminds.com

The Herbal Collective

Visit the Herbal Collective Family Meet the Relatives!

Come Join Us for some Herbal Tea!

www.herbalcollective.ca www.herbalcollective.c a