The Better living with herbs and natural health
July, 2016
Herbal Remedies for Summer Healthy Vacations 5 Tips for Summer Skin Tamanu Oil for Beautiful Skin The Tree that Changes Lives Elderberry for Summer Colds
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How to Use Herbs in Summer
Publisher’s Note
It’s summer and likely hot where you are. While we love summer, (who doesn’t), it comes with its own set of chal-
lenges. Insect bites, sunburn, poison ivy, bumps and bruises, sprains and strains from too much fun in the sun can have a damper on your activities. That’s why having a summer herbal first aid kit is ideal to have on hand when these things happen. You can learn what to put in this kit and how it works in the article on page 4 of this issue. If you struggle with your immune system or have a summer cold, then check out the article about Elderberry on page 8. Get dirty in the garden with heat loving herbs on page 14. Having a ready supply of fresh herbs on hand through the summer is great, but you don’t want them wilting. Learn the best herbs to grow for the heat and how to have a fresh supply all summer long.
When you want to cool down, grab some fresh herbs to make a mint iced tea with raspberries, - see page 11 for recipes. You will also discover a yummy way to use up that prolific zucchini. Summer is the best time to get up close and personal with herbs to learn more about how these wonderful plants can improve our lives. If you’re not into gardening, be sure to add some fresh herbs to your summer meals. It really creates an awareness of how the flavours enhance food as well as adding to your health. We’d also like to share other resources with our readers through the Natural Health Directory. This is a great way to connect people with the products and services they are looking for. If there is something particular you are looking for, feel free to reach out to us by contacting us via email – info@herbalcollective.ca or herbalcollectivemagazine@gmail.com.
Proteolytic Probiotic-Most Powerful & Effective “Probiotics Will Be the Key to Health in the 21st Century” Dr. Michael McCann
Symptoms of Low Friendly Bacteria: * Low immunity * Chronic yeast infections and/or urinary tract infections * Overgrowth of Candida * Sinus infection * Post surgical infection * Poor digestion * Bloating * Gas * Toxic waste build-up * Diarrhea * Constipation * Crohn’s Disease * Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) * Colitis * Diverticulitis * Abnormal intestinal pH * Stomach ulcers *Inability to produce vitamins (especially vitamins B & K * Nutritional deficiencies such as vitamin B12 * Parasitic infection, fungi and mold overgrowth
More info, go to ...
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Herbal Collective July,’16
Listen to the podcasts..
www.IdealHealth4Life.info
Contents The Theme: Herbs, skin care tips, and healthy vacations for a stress free summer.
Columns and Departments In the Kitchen Raspberry Mint Tea, Zucchini brownies......11
Herbal remedies for summer............................4 Did You Know? Did You Know?.......................................................5 Ashwagandha for calming................................5 5 tips for natural summer skin..........................8 Tamanu oil for beautiful skin..........................12 Herb Gardening Heat loving herbs...............................................14 Features How to prevent summer colds and flu..........8 Combating stress with mushrooms...............9 How one tree is changing lives......................15 Hazards of underwater noise pollution......16
The Herbal Collective published by Pro Write Publishing Publisher/Editor - Marilyn Zink Contact: 250-729-1593 info@herbalcollective.ca, www.herbalcollective.ca Contributors
Klaus Ferlow,Tawnya Ritco, Scentuals, Roger Baird, 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
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Herbal Remedies for Summer By Marilyn Zink
Ahh, summer time! For many people, it’s the best time of year – relaxing, stress free, fun. But wait – sometimes there are things that can make summer disconcerting, uncomfortable even. Those insect bites and stings – that can be painful and cause distress for adults and children. Skin gets more exposed in the summer leading to sunburn from too much time in the sun, rashes or inflammation from poison ivy or other incidents. Having an Herbal Summer First Aid Kit on hand can make it easy to deal with these concerns and make life a lot easier for humans and pets combined. Here are some top herbs and remedies to use; tea tree oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, Neem tree cream or oil, Rescue Remedy. Other options include homeopathic remedies for bruises and sprains, Hibiscus tea which is high in Vitamin C to keep the immune system strong.
(such as sweet almond oil), unless it’s already diluted. Check for instructions on the bottle. The oil should be applied immediately after an insect bite occurs and reapplied as necessary to cool the skin and prevent redness and swelling. It’s also great diluted in a cream or base oil to cool redness and inflammation from sunburn. Peppermint is also great for soothing and rejuvenating sore feet. Use only 3-4 drops at a time diluted in a cream, oil or bath.
Neem Tree – this herb is excellent for soothing skin issues such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and acne. It works over time applied on a daily basis. See page 15 for more information on Neem.
Rescue Remedy
soothing sunburns and stings from insect bites. Lavender is also calming so it can be helpful for calming the body to prepare for sleep and is helpful for children. The essential oil can be massaged directly onto the skin without being diluted. Or add a few drops to a sleep pillow or a child’s favorite teddy to help calm them after a busy summer day.
This is a Bach Flower Remedy that uses five different flower remedies that assist with emotional distress and trauma. It helps people and pets too get relaxed, calm down and focus. Rescue Remedy can help in cases of grief, uncontrollable crying spells, extreme anxiety and other cases of emotional distress. It is actually composed of five different flower remedies. These include Impatiens (for those who have no patience), Star of Bethlehem (for cases of extreme shock or trauma), Cherry plum – for those who fear losing control of thoughts and actions, Rock Rose – for panic or terror and Clematis – for those who are unhappy and withdraw into their fantasy world. Rescue Remedy can be used as a spray, tincture, pastilles (candy), added to liquid and drunk as needed.
Peppermint – this essential oil is particularly
Lemongrass/Lemon Balm – These herbs
useful for calming inflammed and itchy skin. It’s great for sunburns, heat rashes and inflammation from insect bites. The essential oil needs to be diluted in a base oil
have a number of effective uses in the summer. These herbs help dilate pores so heat can be released. They both taste great as a hot or iced tea.
Tea Tree Oil – this herb is particularly good for skin as it is an antibiotic and antifungal. It helps with acne, rosacea, psoriasis, eczema as well as athlete’s foot, canker sores, cold sores and boils. It stops burning, itching and inflammation.
Lavender – the oil is particularly useful for
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Herbal Collective July,’16
Did You Know? Ashwagandha for Calming This is a new section being introduced for the Herbal Collective to enlighten and entertain our readers. If you have a question or contribution for this section, please email herbalcollectivemagazine@gmail.com This issue’s contribution is from Purica, which provides herbal products such as medicinal mushrooms. See www.purica.com for more information.
LemonGrass Lemongrass is useful as an insect repellent and helps keep pets clean of fleas, ticks and lice. The essential oil is useful for skin conditions such as acne, athlete’s foot, infections Lemongrass tea is useful for stomach upset, stomaches, fever, flu, headaches. Simply boil 10 leaves of lemon grass in 2 cups of water for 10-15 minutes, strain, add a sweetener like stevia and a slice of ginger to taste. Drink 3-4 times a day.
Lemon Balm (Melissa) This herb has traditionally been used as a calming tea to soothe frayed nerves and is great for hyper children. Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is an anti-viral and can help ease the itch of an insect bite. A chewed leaf can be placed on the bite or the essential oil can be used. Please check directions for dilution of therapeutic oils and uses. The herb is also used topically for skin eruptions and internally for nausea, flatulence, fevers and flu. Having these remedies on hand as essential oils or used in another form such as a tea can make all the difference to easing through summer or suffering from summer activities that happen to us.
Did You Know? Ashwagandha is Good for Calming The powerful herb Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is known for its calming properties and restorative benefits and helps reduce symptoms of stress such as sleeplessness, fatigue, irritability and inability to concentrate. Studies show Sensoril®-optimized Ashwagandha significantly reduces levels of the stress hormone cortisol (by almost 30 percent) and increases DHEA levels, which helps restore the body to balance following a stress reaction. Japanese research has found that Ashwagandha has a regenerating effect on the brain’s neurons (nerve cells), suggesting it could be helpful in the prevention and treatment of dementia, Alzheimer’s and brain injury. In Ayurvedic healing, Ashwagandha – which actually belongs to the same family as the tomato and is native to dry regions in India, northern Africa and the Middle East and is today also grown in countries such as the United States -- has been used to help people strengthen their immune system after an illness. Herbal Collective, July,’16
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Healthy Vacations Inspire Mind/Body
W
hat if you could travel to a place where you can not only truly relax but also improve your health and well-being at the same time? This is where healthy vacations at a health and wellness retreat, a specialty bed and breakfast or healthy resort come in handy. These specially focused destinations offer guests the ultimate experience in relaxation and rejuvenation. You get to eat healthy, delicious food, fit some exercise like yoga into your visit and enjoy services like healthy massages, reiki, reflexology. There are different types of healthy vacations to take. One type is a healthy weight loss trip or retreat. Instead of just chilling on the beach, one of the biggest trends is to shed some weight, learn good nutrition and perhaps have some spa time. Throw in some hiking, yoga and stretch classes and you’ll really get fit. At other resorts tennis and golf might be par for the course. Some of these resorts and retreats can get a little pricey, so perhaps you want something that is more budget conscious yet still give you a choice of hikes, fitness classes and bike rides.
If you’re already an active individual, you may not need a ‘kickin-the-pants’ fitness vacation, while others are looking for a way to jump start a healthier life and appreciate the motivation. A healthy vacation can give a person just what they need to get on track to getting fit and healthy while enjoying themselves and their surroundings as well. They also get tips on nutrition and may also get a plan they can take home with them to stay motivated for a healthy fit lifestyle. When beach lounging and reading a book while snacking can get boring and pile on the pounds, a healthy fit vacation can have you heading back to work more refreshed and rejuvenated.
The spontaneous person might not appreciate a strict schedule.
Before planning a healthy vacation, think about what you want
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Herbal Collective July,’16
and narrow down your options for what you want to do, where to stay and how much you want to spend. Here are some other factors to consider. ~Do you want spa treatments included and what type of treatment (massage, reflexology, facials) ~ Do you want food and drinks included or choose your own? ~ If meals are included, do you want nutrition counselling included? ~ How many hours a day do you want to spend exercising?| ~ What types of exercise appeal most to you? ~ Do you want a single form of exercise or a mix of activities and classes? To plan your healthy vacation, http://herbalcollective.ca/naturalhealth-directory/spasresorts
5 Tips for Natural Summer Skin
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ow that we're well into the summer months it's time to stop thinking about keeping that summer glow healthy and fresh and start actively rejuvenating and nurturing our skin! Here are 5 vital ingredients that all everyday skin care routines should include to protect your skin. Let's keep that beautiful complexion healthy and radiant all summer long.
Aloe: This classic summer use
ingredient contains important nutrients such as B complex and vitamin C, which help to repair skin damage. As a player in your daily skin care routine you're definitely going to notice it hard at work. And as an additional summer time bonus it is effective on bug bites! But, while it is a wonderful healing ingredient taking precautions to avoid initial skin damage from the sun is still a very crucial step in overall skin health. Aloe as a band-aid product, to solve the "I've burnt myself to a crisp in the sun, hopefully this helps" predicament is not the ideal approach to take. Aloe is best used in product as a daily restorative aid. Use sun protection!
Witch Hazel: Is an amazing
natural cleanser and contains high levels of active healing ingredients that reduce inflammation, cell damage and swelling. Witch Hazel also has antioxidants and can play an important role in tightening skin, addressing discoloration,
minimizing the look of pores, stopping the development of blackheads and taming dry skin. Coconut Oil: Prevents destructive free-radical formation, which in turn rejuvenates and revitalizes. Coconut oil not only keeps skin smooth to the touch, it also retains the moisture content of the skin and eliminates moisture loss through pores. It contains vitamin E which is great for the repair of wear and tear on the skin, protecting against cracking and preventing premature aging and wrinkles. And as an added bonus, it also protects from microbial infections.
Shea Butter: Tried, tested
and true. Shea butter soothes, hydrates and balances skin while providing UV protection. It has properties to treat sunburns, bug bites and skin allergies and also contains vitamin E which is an anti-free radical agent which protects from harmful environmental skin aggressors. The positive biochemical and physiological effect that shea butter has on skin makes it ideal for healing.
Vegetable Glycerin: A.K.A. The moisture lock. Glycerin acts as a seal to keep in all the goodness that other ingredients in products bring to the table. It's easily absorbed into the skin, making active ingredients in product easier for the skin to absorb as well. All of this boils down to vegetable glycerin not being just another additive, in fact, it not only aids all those other wonderfully helpful ingredients, it actually helps your body attract moisture while taking in other healthy nourishing ingredients. Look for these ingredients in daily use products as a fantastic start to kick off a healthy daily summer skin routine the best way. Bonus Tip - because skin needs some extra love and attention as the lovely summer sun and heat descend upon us: Always (and we mean always) all year round (but especially in the summer). . .Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate drinking water is a huge factor in overall general health, but also does wonders for your skin. Contributed by Scentuals -http:// herbalcollective.ca/natural-healthdirectory/skin-care/
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How to Prevent Summer Colds and Flu By Klaus Ferlow For centuries the berries and flowers of the Elderberry have been popular which dates back to Ancient Egypt and the father of Medicine Hippocrates has mentioned that the plant as medicine chest. Te Elder used to be classified in the honeysuckle family, however recent genetic evidence has led botanist to reclassify it into the muskroot family. Many names are used: black elder, blue elderberry, bore tree, hourtree, common elder, elderberry, ellhorn, sweet elder, sureau noir (French) sambuco ((Italian), sauco (Spanish). The ripe fruit, commonly known as berry, as well as the flower are parts used in herbal medicine. Finally, there is now solid evidence to back up the folklore, thanks to Israel researcher Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu, PhD., of Hadassah-Hebrew University Medicinal Center. In 1980 Dr. Mumcuoglu, intrigued by elderberries reputation as a cure and or prevention for colds & flu, did her thesis on the antiviral effects of elderberry She patented a procedure to isolate the potent disease fighting compounds from elderberry, then tested her extract Sambucol on patients of the flu outbreak at Kibbutz Aza in Israel. Twenty percent of the flu sufferers who used it showed significant relief from fever, muscle aches,sore throat, inflammation, coughing and other symptoms with in 24 hours, and another73 percent felt better after the second day and in three day over 90 percent reported completed cured! Internal it can be also used for sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, eczema, boils, dermatitis, chronic nasal catarrh and spasmodic croup. Clogged ears due to cold respond well to the flowers and both have anti-inflammatory properties to fight arthritis and rheumatic pains. It is also used as an ointment for tumors, burns, cuts, chapping, skin eruptions. Furthermore for night sweats, dropsy and syphilis. Elderberry wine as an olde tradition in Europe and elderberry is purifying the lungs and skin, promotes perspiration to lower fevers, soothes the nerves and works as a laxative. In a similar group that received a placebo only 16 percent improved in two days, and it took most of them six or more days to fell well again. 8 Herbal Collective July,’16
How does Elderberry Fight Colds & Flu? Compounds in elderberry bind viruses before they can penetrate the walls of cells, thereby inhibiting their ability to spread. Since elderberry is nontoxic when cooked, it is also even safe for children. The hot tea from the flowers and or juice from the berries promotes sweating, preferable adding on lemon juice on honey and is also soothing for the upper respiratory infections, also considered to be anti-rheumatic, and detoxifying. In Canada a quality elderberry syrup from the elder flowers from Sweden is available IKEA. A elderberry juice, Sambuguard from Flora Distributors also contains Vitamin C and Echinacea. available in health food stores. We have a large elderberry bush in our garden and have to watch for black bears who also like them and make each year our own elderberry juice which is mainly used in the fall and winter as prevention. Elderberry soup, adding on lemon juice, sliced apples and dumplings are one of our favorite menus. In ancient times, elderberry were believed to have special mystical properties, and it was considered good luck to plant it near your house to protect against disease and evil spirits. Elderberries are also a good source of Vitamin A, B, C, cooked berries can be used in pies and jams, as a lemonade. Applied externally as a poultice, useful for burns, rashes and minor skin problems. Sambucol stimulates the immune system and has shown activity in preliminary trials against other viruses, such as Epstein-bar, herpes and even HIV. American Native Indians use the leaves and flowers in antiseptic wash for skin diseases and the berries to dye their hair black and dye the strands of grass they use in the basket designs. The leaves for pain relief and to promote healing of injuries. Others have used the teas of the leaves as diaphoretic, the inner bark as c cathartic, the flowers simmered in oil for sunburn, and steeped in water
with Elderberry, Sambucus Nigra as a compress for headache. The flowers contain an oil that is used in perfume and cosmetics. Elderflower water can be used as wash for dry skin or as a cooling wash for the eyes. According to ancient recipe, washing your face with elderflower water in the morning and at night, and leaving it there to dry, will remove freckles and morphew (hardened) skin. Don't you agree that this is almost a miracle herb?
My Own Personal Experience with Elderberry While growing up as a child country style in Northern Germany I was most of my time year round outside and had many times fever especially in the fall and winter. My mother used her own made pure elderberry juice from the black ripe berries, added lemon juice and honey to it, heated it up and I had to drink 1 -2 cups before going to bed. Sometimes she put also a wet poultice around my neck, chest and legs. As a result I sweated it all out overnight and the next morning the fever was gone and therefore I never missed a day in school! The elderberry juice enhanced and boosted my immune system as well as the healing power of my body and I felt great and healthy again. In our family we used the same system and it always worked and never fail! MOTHER NATURE AT WORK!
The Legend of the Elderberries The elder tree – bush was reputed toe be the favorite of witches, who supposedly reside in it branches. In the Middle Ages, nearly everyone knew that cutting down an elder would incur the wrath of the witches who called it home. There are many tales of angry witches taking vengeance on babies who unwitting parents put them in a cradle of elder wood.
Conclusion - Six Ways Elderberry Works These are the six ways that elder fruit (berry) and flower contribute to health: • Elder acts as antiviral agent • Elder offers immunostimulant properties • Elder shortens influenza infections • Elder reduces fever • Elder strengthens the cardiovascular system • Elder stops gum inflammation
Words of Wisdom When you settle a share of land first plant an Elder tree, then make your home there. T. Elder Sachs
References: Petite Irving, The Elderberry Tree,Doubleday & co., 1964, Petite Jean Wolverton, The Elderberry Tree, Garden City 1964, International Herb Association, Elder, International Herb Association 2012, Creasy Rosalind, The Gardeners Handbook of Edible Plants, Sierra Club ooks, 1986, Hopman, Ellen Everts, Tree Medixine, Tree Magic, Phoenix Puiblishing, 1991 Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA, author, innovator, lecturer, researcher, writer, founder of Ferlow Botanicals and NEEM RESEARCH, Honorary Master Herbalist, Professional Herbal Advocate, board member of Health Action Network Society, member of the Neem Foundation, Bombay, India, National Health Federation, International Herb Association, Unite Plan Savers, co-author of the book “7stepstodentalhealth,” author of the book “Naeem: Nature's Healing Gift to Humanity.” Copyright @2010, revised, upgraded 2016, all rights reserved.neemresearc1@gmail.com, www.neemresearch. ca, www.ferlowbotanicals.com The information is offered for its educational value only and should not be used in the diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevention of disease. Contact your health care practitioner.
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 July,’16
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Combating Stress with Medicinal Mushrooms By Tawnya Ritco, RHN n modern day living we are often inundated with daily stress and pathogens. A useful analogy can be to think of our body as a castle. The walls of the castle - our skin, bone and connective tissue - keep things out. Our mucosal membranes, genital urinary tract and eyes function like a moat. Inside our body is an army of cells, millions of loyal soldiers maintaining the fortress and multitasking as a self-defense system made up of archers, sentries, intelligence agents, communicators and armed guards.
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With daily attacks from bacteria, viruses and parasites, imagine how taxing it is for the protectors of our human castle to keep our immune system strong and active. An underactive immune system makes us more prone to colds, flu, disease and infection. On the other hand, if our immune system is overactive, we are subject to allergies and it can potentially trigger an autoimmune response. As in our castle analogy, an optimal immune system is a balanced one.
Reducing Toxic Load In order to keep our defenses strong, it is more important than ever to support our immune system. We can start by reducing our toxic load, maintaining a well-balanced diet and by incorporating positive lifestyle solutions to reduce and mitigate stress. The skin – our largest organ - is exposed daily to chemicals through skincare, cosmetics and household products, this is why it is important to always read the labels and opt for products that are parabenfree. Choosing organic foods free from pesticides is another important action, particularly in light of research suggesting that over the long term these chemicals have adverse effects on the immune system . Ensuring a well-balanced antioxidant-rich diet by incorporating fruits and vegetables provides vitamins and minerals, as well as fiber. Fiber promotes the removal of toxins and supports healthy digestive function. 10
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Positive Lifestyles A second sphere of action relates to positive lifestyle strategies that reduce the impacts of chronic stress ; including activities such as physical exercise, walking in nature, meditation and connecting with others. Another important area is rest and restorative sleep, ideally aiming for seven to nine hours per night.
Strengthening your Defenses We can also strengthen our castle defenses through natural supplementation, including the use of medicinal mushrooms such as agaricus , cordyceps , coriolus , reishi , maitake, shiitake and others. These mushrooms work as immunomodulators , which are substances that bring balance or calm and activate the immune system, as needed. Medicinal mushrooms also share the remarkable qualities of adaptogens, which protect our bodies from all forms of stress (physical, biological, emotional and environmental). They literally help our cells adapt to stressors; unique in their capacity to support both the mind and the body in combating the effects of chronic stress. The bottom line is that a well-balanced immune system – supported by a three-part action plan of good nutrition and hydration, natural supplements and positive lifestyles – acts as a strong fortress in protecting us from the effects of chronic stress and intrusions from toxic invaders. For more information on medicinal mushrooms visit: purica.com
Got a Recipe to Contribute? Email info@herbalcollective.ca
Raspberry Mint Tea
Zucchini Brownies 1/4 cup applesauce ½ cup butter or almond butter 1 egg 1 small or medium bananas mashed 1 ½ tsp of liquid Stevia 2 tsp vanilla extract ½ cup cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp. cinnamon ½ tsp salt 2 cups finely shredded zucchini 2 cups coconut flour, rice, whole wheat or blend ½ cup walnut pieces (optional)
4 cups cold water (divided) 1 tsp – 1 ½ tsp. Stevia or to taste I large handful fresh peppermint or 1-2 tsp. dried 1 1/2 cups fresh raspberries, 3 lemon slices, cut in half, for garnish Method: Place 3 cups of the water in a pot. Bring to a boil, then add freshly washed mint leaves or dried mint. Steep for five minutes. Place the raspberries and remaining 1 cup of water in another pot. Bring to a boil and boil 1 minute. Strain the liquid through a fine sieve into the pot with the tea mixture. Press the raspberries with the back of a ladle to extract as much juice out of the berries as you can. Add stevia and stir to blend well. Cool to room temperature. Transfer to a serving jug and store in the fridge until needed. Pour tea, drop in a few whole raspberries; garnish the rim of the glass with a 1/2 lemon slice and or mint sprig. Options: Make blackberry iced tea by replacing the raspberries with an equal amount of blackberries. Try a different type of mint such as spearmint, apple mint, chocolate mint or lemon balm.
Instructions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, mix together the applesauce, mashed bananas, egg and Stevia. Add vanilla, cocoa and mix together with baking powder, salt and flour. Then add zucchini and mix together. Fold in walnut pieces. Spread evenly into a prepared pan. Bake for 25 minutes until brownies spring back when gently touched.
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Tamanu Oil for Beautiful Skin and more....
T
amanu oil came to the attention of European doctors and scientists over 80 years ago. However it wasn't until a recent introduction of the oil by Dr. Oz on the Oprah show that a larger number of people became aware of it. Tamanu oil has been used for centuries in the South Pacific Islands, South East Asia and Madagascar as a health aid and skin beautifier. In the 1920's Sister Marie-Suzanne, a nun stationed in Fiji working with leprosy patients, found that the topically applied oil worked well to reduce nerve pain. She sent the oil back to France where doctors found that Tamanu oil had properties which promoted rapid skin growth. It was also found to be useful against infection. Doctors tried it on a woman with a gangrenous leg who was scheduled for amputation. To their astonishment, regular applications of the Tamanu oil saved the leg, leaving a smooth scar where the infected wound had been. Note that this predated penicillin and even modern antibiotics are uselass against gangrene. Researchers have since discovered that Tamanu oil has strong antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Of course, this was not news to the South Pacific Islanders who had used it traditionally to treat scrapes, cuts, burns, insect bites and stings, acne and acne scars, psoriasis, diabetic sores, anal fissures, sunburn, dry or scaly skin, blisters, eczema, 12
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diaper rash, herpes sores, boils, open sores and wounds, joint pains, arthritis, bruises, chapped lips, sciatica, rheumatism and ulcers. They also used it as a deodorant. It has also been used effectively for sunburn, nerve pain from shingles, sciatica and other conditions, bladder infections, wound infections, septicemia, bed sores, abscesses, boils, pneumonia, conjunctivitis, burns from chemicals, boiling water and x-rays, urinary tract infections, jock itch, ringworm, athlete's foot, sunburn, bug bites, dry and cracked skin on heels, and fragile and broken capillaries. Try it for any and all skin conditions and to speed healing. People with allergies to nuts should test a small area of their skin for 24 hours. Don’t use if skin turns red.
Tamanu oil may not be a magic potion but it comes close in its ability to quickly repair and rejuvenate skin. For teenagers it works effectively on pimples. Whether you're a teenager or a great grandparent, Tamanu oil has something to offer. Tamanu oil penetrates all three layers of skin and starts working its magic from the deepest layer up to the top layer of skin. It transforms injured or aged skin by prompting the skin to rapidly produce new cells. Scientists have not figured out why it has this effect but the effect is proven and well documented. Dry, brittle and damaged hair responds well to Tamanu oil. It is also wonderful for the scalp and will help alleviate scalp problems. Try leaving it on overnight and wash out in the morning.
A scientific study on Tamanu oil by BioScience Laboratories has revealed that it measurably reduces even old scar tissue. This study was conducted over the short time period of nine weeks with measurable improvements within 6 weeks. Stretch marks dramatically fade with regular application of Tamanu oil.
New! Fresh Face
Tamanu oil is a luxurious rich and thick oil. It ranges from an opaque dark olive green colour to a dark chocolate brown. In its unrefined state it works best. The more refined oil is translucent and lighter in colour. The odor is woody/spicey curry. Tamanu oil is applied straight to the skin and is absorbed easily without leaving a greasy appearance. It is for external use only. For faster results, apply to the skin multiple times daily. Dilute 1 part Tamanu oil to 4 parts coconut oil for best results, especially as a moisturizer and hair and scalp conditioner.
100% Plant-based Facial Creme With Tamanu and Sea Buckthorn Berry Repairs and Rejuvenates your Skin
Enjoy the results you will get from Tamanu oil, an ecologically sustainable, wild crafted, cold pressed kernel oil. Tamanu oil is another of nature's marvels to be used wisely and effectively for all your skin's needs. Copyright Roger Baird 2016 Roger Baird is an alternative health researcher and advocate. He lives on Denman Island, BC.
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Heat Loving Herbs
I
t’s hot, you’re hot but the herbs are happy. Some herbs thrive on hot summer days. It’s important to know which herbs do the best in the heat so you don’t have to deal with wilting, sad looking plants. While you may think it’s too late to plant these heat loving herbs, it’s actually a great time as the herbs will grow faster now. The herbs that respond best to this are basil, cilantro and oregano and calendula. Herbs that also do well in the heat but grow better transplanted from seedlings or full plants are rosemary, sage, thyme and summer savory. Basil – this herb needs six to 8 hours of full sun daily in moist, well drained soil. Plants should grow 12-24 inches high. Pinch flowers heads to encourage new growth and pick the leaves regularly. Pinch off the centre shoot after six weeks to prevent early flowering. Basil is most pungent when it’s fresh. Freezing is the best method to store basil as it prevents it from losing flavor. Quick freeze whole sprigs of basil and package them in airtight bags. 14
Herbal Collective, July’16
coriander. You may wish to keep the coriander or replant for more cilantro.
Calendula-this herb with the sunny yellow flower loves full sun, though some shade is useful during the hottest part of the day. Known as pot marigold, the flowers have been used to color and flavor broths, butter and cheese. They are also used to flavor vegetable dishes, egg salad, custards and puddings. Dried petals have been used as a saffron substitute. Dry the petals individually by pulling them away from the center of the flower. Lay them on a baking sheet in an unheated oven with the door almost closed so air can circulate. Store in a dark brown bottle away from heat and light. Cilantro – Everyone’s favorite Mexican herb grows easily in the garden or in pots. It does best in well drained moist soil similar to basil. It grows best from seed and grows quickly. Sow every two to three weeks to have plenty of foliage. Pinch it back to encourage fuller, busier plants. The plant can tend to bolt in hot weather and turn to seed, which becomes
Oregano (Greek)– loves full sun and grows to a height of 12-24 inches. Pinch back flowers to encourage new growth. It grows easily from seed and makes a good companion plant for any vegetable. It doesn’t need as much water as basil or cilantro, just water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Harvest leaves just before use, hang upside down to dry them or freeze them for better flavor. Rosemary – this herb is a favorite and loves full sun with slightly moist soil. It does like protection from wind so it grows well against a south wall or fence. Pinch leaves to encourage growth and harvest just before flowering. The piney leaves can be used fresh, dried or frozen in ice cube trays with water or olive oil. Sage- it can be planted from seed but does best as a cutting or new plant. Sage grows well in full sun and should be watered occasionally when the soil is dry to the touch. Prune heavier, woody stems every spring. Replace 4-5 years. Leaves can be harvested fresh, dried or also frozen in ice cube trays similar to rosemary. Continued next page
Book Review
The Story of How One Tree is Changing Lives
By Marilyn Zink
D
esperate for a solution to a psoriasis condition that plagued him since childhood, master herbalist Klaus Ferlow became inspired to try a cream from the Neem tree. That cream was the exact solution he was looking for and it inspired him to write the book Neem, Nature’s Healing Gift to Humanity. The book is easy to read starting with a chronological journey of Ferlow’s background, how he started Ferlow Botanicals and on the Neem trail and how the tree is seen and used worldwide. The next section goes into Neem’s wide use as an Klaus Ferlow, HMH, HA is happy to announce that his book, “Neem: Nature’s Healing Gift to Humanity” about the miraculous medicinal versatile Neem tree from India, is now available for consumers through 11 different amazon websites & countries. The tree offers better plant health, human health, animal health, and environmental health, , see www.neemresearch.ca/shop. Note: Commercial companies and institutions are invited to contact Klaus for more information. NEEM RESEARCH, Mission, B.C., V2V 4J4, 604-820-1777, eemresearch1@gmail.com
Heat Loving Herbs, from page 14 Thyme- this herb is a small perennial shrub with a light aromatic pungent flavor. It grows well in full sun but should be watered normally. Prune in the spring and summer to contain the growth. The harvested herb is great fresh, dries well and can be frozen. Summer Savory – this is an annual herb (unlike winter savory), which grows fast with sweet flavored needle shaped leaves. Summer Savory prefers a rich, well drained soil. Once established it can be kept on the dry side. It grows so quickly it may need staking to prevent becoming top heavy, so regular harvesting is important. Harvest for fresh leaves or prune just before flowering to dry them. The herb can be used with corn, bean salad, fish, meats, butters and cheeses.
effective herb on many skin conditions as well as its use for dental care, diabetes, diarrhea, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, Malaria and liver function. Readers are also guided to find a practitioner knowledgeable in Neem. The third section of the book goes through the science of Neem, the politics, history and future as well as a study of the Neem tree, Neem resources and organizations. The science of Neem goes into an in-depth breakdown of the nutritional composition, anti-oxidant compounds and how the tree stacks up on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, ORAC scale. The bark alone comes in at 476 compared to cranberry which is 94 on the ORAC scale. The next chapter is devoted to the Neem oil which is derived from pressing the seed kernels. As one goes through the book, the reader will see that each chapter leads to a deeper understanding of this miraculous tree. Nowhere is this more apparent than the chapter on the politics of Neem, where multi-nationals have determined to get patents on Neem while equally determined individuals and groups fought to restrict them. This leads to the chapter on the history and future of Neem, where Klaus states “over the centuries , the Neem tree has gone from serving as the village pharmacy to being the world’s panacea.” Millions of Neem trees have been planted as the answer to developing world’s many crisis of overpopulation, unsustainable use of natural resources, poverty, unemployment and pollution. In the Neem tree study, the tree extends to many countries; Australia and the South Pacific, Southeast Asia and South China, South Asia, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas. The huge listing of Neem resources and organizations as well as extensive references show how thorough Ferlow has been in providing accurate information on Neem. This book is one that the lay person and experienced practitioner will both treasure. Herbal Collective July’16
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Hazards of Underwater Noise Pollution Dear EarthTalk: Why is underwater noise pollution such a big deal and what are we doing to prevent it? -- Phil Ziegler, New York, NY For us land-dwellers, underwater noise rarely reaches our ears. However, marine organisms can be very sensitive to undersea sounds, particularly unnatural noise. Human activity—from explosives to underwater construction to ship traffic to oceanographic research—creates intense noise that threatens the health of ocean wildlife. Direct effects include hearing loss, habitat displacement, and even brain hemorrhages. The noise impedes the senses that enable many marine species to coordinate their movements and find food, and can also interfere with breeding cycles and migration patterns. This cacophony of underwater noise pollution puts additional stresses on marine ecosystems already on the ropes due to overfishing, pollution and myriad other human threats. Of particular concern lately to environmentalists is underwater noise pollution from seismic testing, where resource extraction industries use air guns to map the seafloor to look for potential oil and gas reservoirs. “From the water’s surface, the gun generates a blast of sound that penetrates the ocean floor then bounces back up to a receiver, relaying data about the layers of sediment, rocks, and potential fuel deposits below,” reports the Pew Charitable Trusts. “There is concern that the intensity of seismic sounds and their large spatial coverage may lead to injury, disturbance or displacement of marine animals or a masking of their communication.” While the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Law of the Sea forbids pollution that can damage marine wildlife, a lack of enforcement abilities means corporations and the military can continue to carry out many noisy undersea operations. The non-profit Ocean Mammal Institute would like the UN to endorse a “precautionary approach” limiting all sources of intense underwater anthropogenic sound and requiring individual nations to follow suit accordingly. “The precautionary principle should be applied 16
Herbal Collective July,’16
Dolphins are susceptible to underwater pollution
publicly and transparently to noise generated for military, commercial and scientific purposes,” reports OMI. “In many cases, there are alternatives and realistic mitigation scenarios for reducing and eliminating very loud human-generated noise from the marine environment, including employing improved passive sonar devices, using reduced noise energy, mechanical and operational designs that minimize noise, alternative energy sources, etc.” Given the Convention on the Law of the Sea’s lack of “teeth” on monitoring and enforcement on the issue, the United States has started taking matters into its own hands to address underwater noise pollution in its own territorial waters and beyond. The Obama administration recently called for more scientific research to fully understand the ecological impact of underwater noise, and directed the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to step up efforts to track and monitor volume levels below the surface. NOAA is also working on tools that the public, corporations and military can use to assess and help mitigate noise-making activities, and has initiated a campaign to raise public awareness on the issue. While ocean wildlife activists say much more needs to be done to start solving this insidious problem, at least the U.S. is taking steps in the right direction even if the rest of the world continues to ignore the noisy threats lurking below the depths.
Contacts: Ocean Mammal Institute, www.oceanmammalinst.org; Pew Charitable Trusts,www.pewtrusts.org. EarthTalk® is produced by Roddy Scheer & Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of the nonprofit Earth Action Network. To donate, visit www.earthtalk.org. Send questions to: question@earthtalk.org.
Natural Health Directory The Natural Health h Directory is a resource for our readers who are looking for practitioners, products,
Click on the link for each page to get more information on each particular business. To Get Listed; http://www. http://herbalcollective.ca/order or info@ herbalcollective.ca or call 1-250-7291593.
Health Food Stores
Health Food Stores
4-180 Central Ave, Duncan, www.lynnsvitamingallery.ca
Hypnotherapy
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.
Lynn’s Vitamin Gallery....................tel 250-748-4421
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, laughinglichen@gmail.com..............1-778-884-2371 Find medicinal mushrooms at www.Purica.com Wild Oil of Oregano, www.wildoiloforegano.com www.wildtamanuoil.com
Flower Remedies
Sarah Brune, Bach foundation registered practitioner, author, educator....www.bachflowerscanada.com.. .......................................................250-331-3228
Nanaimo Hpnotherapy Center......250-739-4609 www.nanaimohypnotherapycenter.com
Natural Foods and Supplements
www.herbalcollective.ca/directory-natural-foods.html# 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................................................ 250-954-1955
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
Advertise Here for Pennies a Day! Email info@herbalcollective.ca
www.roadtomillionaireminds.com Herbal Collective July,’16
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