Sunday, December 1, 2013

A Recipe for Turmeric Juice: A Powerful Healing Beverage


A Recipe for Turmeric Juice: A Powerful Healing Beverage
When I lived in Bali, I fell in love with the Balinese-style turmeric juice, Jamu Kunyit. 

Turmeric is known to be one of the most powerful healing herbs. It is great for bones and joints as it has anti-inflammatory properties. It prevents metastases from occurring in many different forms of cancer. 

Turmeric's also a natural liver detoxifier and a kidney cleanser, and it speeds metabolism and aids in weight management. Plus it heals and alleviates conditions of depression, psoriasis, damaged skin, arthritis and more. 

For these reasons, turmeric is ubiquitous both in Ayurveda and Chinese Medicine.

Here's what you'll need to get started: 
  • 5-7 inches turmeric 
  • 5-7 tamarind
  • 2 lemons
  • raw honey
  • water
  • blender
  • strainer
  • bowl
  • mason jar(s) or other glass jar with lid
1. Peel turmeric. Your fingers will turn yellow. Don’t worry! All-natural dish soap gets it right out. If your cutting board or countertop get stained, slather on dish soap and rub it in. Let it soak in for 5 min or longer, then scrub with water and sponge. The turmeric stain will vanish!

2. Crack and open tamarind. Make sure you get all the inner roots off, too. We’re only going to use the inner fruit.

3. Fill a big pot with water, put peeled tumeric in and let it boil for at least 20 minutes until the water becomes a rich and vibrant marigold color.

4. While the tumeric water is boiling, get a pan and pour 1 inch of water in with the peeled tamarind. Move the fruit around with a wooden utensil, mix it in with the water so it can melt and dissolve into a jam like texture. More water shouldn’t be needed, but if it’s lookin’ a bit dry, pour water in as needed.

By this time, you should be able to see the little seeds coming out. When the texture looks soft, turn heat off and let it cool down.

5. Go back to the tumeric water. By now, the color should look ready. Pour a little bit of cold water to lower the temperature. Take the turmeric water and pour it into the blender with the tumeric. We boiled it so the root could soften and have more flavor, now it’s ready to buzz in the blender for even more flavor and richness! Blend, blend, blend. The color now should look like an extra extra fiery marigold.

6. Go back to the tamarind in the pan. Pour substance into the strainer that is placed on top of a small bowl to catch the tamarind. Swish the jam like substance around in the strainer with the wooden utensil-- we only want to use the soft bits of the fruit. No seeds, no seed peels.

7. Pour the tamarind that has been caught in the bowl into the blender with the tumeric water. Buzz it around again.

8. We’re almost done. Squeeze your lemons into the blender. Now take the blender and pour your yummy juice into your mason jar(s). Add honey to taste, close with lid, shake it up to mix.

9. Store in fridge up to 3-4 days and drink daily! 

Enjoy!

5 herbs to heal broken heart


5 Herbs to Heal a Broken Heart
There are many reasons a heart can break. It could be a literal break, as in a heart attack or a cardiovascular illness. Or, it could be a metaphorical break—at the end of a relationship, or after the death of a loved one or pet. No matter if these partings are amicable, tragic, distressing, or unpleasant, they all leave the heart in a vulnerable position.

When you experience a loss, physical pain in the chest can follow. This pain, though perhaps not as dangerous, is just as real as the pain experienced during a physical crisis of the heart and needs just as much time, energy, and healing. 

Herbs can help heal the heart and lift the spirit; depression, anger, loss, and loneliness can result from emotional or physical heartbreak. Try the following herbs and take some time to be good to yourself—relax, breathe, and give your heart a much-needed break.

Note: if you take any medications for cardiovascular health, please consult your physician before taking any alternative remedies.

1. Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.):

Hawthorn is an all-around heart tonic, serving to strengthen and tone the cardiovascular system, lower cholesterol levels, and manage blood pressure. On an emotional level, the idea of a stronger, more resilient heart may allow us to spring back from heartbreak and venture forward on a new path without so much fear and heartsickness.

Typically with hawthorn preparations, we use the berries of the tree, but the flowers and leaves can be included, too. When I create blends for emotional upset, I prefer to use the flowers (something about the metaphor of the flower opening and turning to the sun) and save the berries for physical disruptions. But really, any part of the herb can work.

Try a hawthorn tincture and drop a dose into warm water or tea. Warm beverages are especially soothing for nervous complaints. Or, if you can find dried berries, steep a half teaspoon of crushed berries in a cup of hot water. Wait 10 minutes, sweeten, and sip quietly.

2. Rose Petals (Rosa rugosa):

The rose has long been identified with love and matters of the heart. Just as the red rose can be the symbol of love’s beginning, the white rose can signify the end of a life. Any flower with such range over the emotional spectrum is a necessary addition to a home heart-repair kit.

Rose petals can calm the nerves, relieve insomnia and mild depression, drive away mental and physical fatigue, and soothe feelings of anger or resentment. Roses can open the heart and lift the spirit; they can be used to overcome grief, or to ready the heart for a new beginning.

Try rose petal tea. Steep a tablespoon of rose petals in a cup of water for five minutes. Add a light-flavored honey, so as not to mask the delicate flavor of the rose.

3. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis):

Lemon balm is a wonderful herb for treating insomnia that stems from worry and heartbreak, nervous tension, stomach upset due to stress, and even skin outbreaks (including rashes) resulting from stress and tension.

Try lemon balm tea. Steep two teaspoons of dried lemon balm per cup of water. Add sweetener and a splash of lemon juice for flavor. You can also try combining lemon balm and rose petals for a warm and sweet tea with a bit of lemony zing.

4. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca):

This is an excellent remedy for a racing heart caused by stress, tension, and general emotional upset. A soothing herb for the nerves as well, motherwort can settle a racing mind and bring back the restorative balm of untroubled sleep.

Try a motherwort tincture and squeeze a half teaspoon or so into a cup of hot water or tea. 

Important note: Avoid motherwort while pregnant.

5. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis):

One of Ophelia’s most famous lines from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, is, “There’s Rosemary. That’s for remembrance.” 

Traditionally, rosemary was believed (and still is!) to strengthen the memory. As such, it became a symbol of fidelity for lovers.
 
Even if fidelity is a painful subject at the moment, and even if your heartbreak was so painful that you welcome the idea of forgetting, it might behoove you to lean a little on this herb. 

Keep the memories that serve you and learn from those that don’t. Memories are long and potent and can poison over time. Allow rosemary to sweeten your memories and guide you gently to a place of forgiveness.

Physically, rosemary strengthens the circulatory system, inviting us to warm up and get up. Its woodsy scent reminds us that there is life beyond our pajamas. Rosemary inspires action and motion—perfect therapies for a broken heart.

Try a mild rosemary tea. Steep a few teaspoons in a cup of water for about five minutes. Add sweetener and a bit of non-dairy milk, if you like. Also try combining with rose petals for a light and complex flavor.

***

No matter what makes your heartache, just taking time for yourself, holding onto a warm cup of tea, and either sitting quietly or feeding your soul with nurturing company—be it in the form of books, friends, or films, are the first steps toward healing your heart center.

 

 

Essiac Tea Benefits Are Numerous--
Essiac Helps Build The Immune System and Purify the Body of Toxins

Essiac tea is a versatile herbal supplement with many benefits. Essiac tea benefits include a boost to the immune system and detoxification of the body. Essiac tea is used by people all over the world for many different health problems as well as for general health and well-being. Essiac tea benefits the entire body in a holistic fashion.

When the body is treated holistically, treatment occurs from the inside out. Because essiac tea addresses the i>root of the problem for many illnesses and diseases, long-term, permanent healing becomes possible. This is contrary to the action of most medicines, which simply mask symptoms. Many medicines are just a "band-aid" to cover up the symptom, but the underlying problem still exists. This is where the essiac tea benefits of full-body healing and detoxification really shine. Click here to read the list of health problems for which essiac may be of benefit: Health Problems and Essiac.



Essiac Tea Benefits: Primary Actions


Essiac tea's primary actions are to remove heavy metals, detoxify the body, restore energy levels, and rebuild the immune system. After this occurs, the body is restored to a level to where it is able to better defeat an illness or disease state using it's own resources.

Everyone comes in contact with viruses and bacteria all the time, and everyone is susceptible to developing health problems. People only get sick because their body's immune system FAILS to fight off the illness or infection. Therefore if the immune system is boosted, many illnesses and diseases can be irradicated WITH NO DRUGS. Essiac tea benefits the immune system more than any other substance we know of.

Here are some essiac tea benefits that have been reported to us and observed in research performed by Rene Caisse and Dr. Charles Brusch at the Brusch Medical Research Center.

Essiac Tea...


1. Prevents the buildup of excess fatty deposits in artery walls, heart, kidney and liver.

2. Regulates cholesterol levels by transforming sugar and fat into energy.

3. Destroys parasites in the digestive system and throughout the body.

4. Counteracts the effects of aluminum, lead and mercury poisoning.

5. Strengthens and improves the functioning of muscles, organs and tissues.

6. Makes bones, joints, ligaments, lungs, and membranes strong and flexible, and therefore less vulnerable to stress or stress injuries.

7. Nourishes and stimulates the brain and nervous system.

8. Promotes the absorption of fluids in the tissues.

9. Removes toxic accumulations in the fat, lymph, bone marrow, bladder, and alimentary canals.

10. Neutralizes acids, absorbs toxins in the bowel, and eliminates both.

11. Clears the respiratory channels by dissolving and expelling mucus.

12. Relieves the liver of its burden of detoxification by converting fatty toxins into water-soluble substances that can then be easily eliminated through the kidneys.

13. Assists the liver to produce lecithin, which forms part of the myelin sheath, a white fatty material that encloses nerve fibers.

14. Reduces, perhaps eliminates, heavy metal deposits in tissues (especially those surrounding the joints) to reduce inflammation and stiffness.

15. Improves the functions of the pancreas and spleen by increasing the effectiveness of insulin.

16. Purifies the blood.

17. Increases red cell production, and keeps them from rupturing.

18. Increases the body's ability to utilize oxygen by raising the oxygen level in the tissue cells.

19. Maintains the balance between potassium and sodium within the body so that the fluid inside and outside each cell is regulated; in this way, cells are nourished with nutrients and are also cleansed properly.

20. Converts calcium and potassium oxalates into a harmless form by making them solvent in the urine. Regulates the amount of oxalic acid delivered to the kidneys, thus reducing the risk of stone formation in the gall bladder, kidneys, or urinary tract.

21. Protects against toxins entering the brain.

22. Protects the body against radiation and X-rays.

23. Relieves pain.

24. Speeds up wound healing by regenerating the damaged area.

25. Increases the production of antibodies like lymphocytes and T-cells in the thymus gland, which is the defender of our immune system.

26. Protects the cells against free radicals.

27. Increases the appetite for healthful foods.

28. Decreases sugar cravings due to better blood sugar control.

29. Increases energy available.

30. Boosts mood and leads to an improved sense of well being.

http://www.discount-essiac-tea.com/essiac-tea-benefits.html

http://www.cancer.org/treatment/treatmentsandsideeffects/complementaryandalternativemedicine/herbsvitaminsandminerals/essiac-tea

enhanced recipe~
Burdock Root 52 parts
Sheep Sorrel 16 parts
Slippery Elm Bark 4 parts
Turkey Rhubarb Root 1 part
Kelp 2 parts
Red Clover 1 part
Blessed Thistle 1 part
Watercress .4 part