Eat Breakfast!

Starting your day with a healthy breakfast prevents the crash and snack mid morning, but it does something else.  When we go long periods without eating, our body automatically stores everything.  Breaking the fast in the morning tells the body it is not starving, and allows us to burn the fuel.

Get up, Get Moving!  When you do your exercise early in the day (even a short walk) then the body gets the message that there are needs to fulfill.  Burn that fuel, because we are using it!

Eat Clean – Cut the Junk!  Treats are occasional, not daily!  When you eat whole unprocessed foods, your body gets the nutrients it needs.  With poor quality food, you may get the calories you need, but not the nutrients – so you crave more.  Supplementing with herbs or vitamins may be necessary for a time to get your stores up, but then you should be able access your nutrients from good quality food.   Herbs can help with trouble digestion.  Each person is different, it is best to ask a professional.

Spice it up!  Spicy foods can help raise the BMR.  If you cannot tolerate spicy meals, a few dashes of Cayenne in some water before you eat can do the trick, or as a supplement.

Need help with healthy weight loss?  Call 705-775-0255 to book your appointment.

I just wanted to let you know that I have made my first batch of summer spray for the season – a natural bug repellent.  It does a great job of deterring those pesky biters, but is pleasant to use.  If you are interested in purchasing, then send a message to info@elderberryherbals.ca, or call the clinic at 705-775-0255.

Asthma has many possible triggers. Most commonly: allergies (pollen, dust, animal fur, milk products, wheat, eggs, oranges, artificial colouring, flavouring and preservatives,) irritation (smoke, moist atmosphere or chemicals,) infection, emotional factors (disharmony at home or school or anxiety from having asthma attacks,) inherited disposition or digestive disturbances, which can can irritate the vagus nerve feeding both the stomach and the bronchial tubes leading to constricted chest muscles.

It may take some detective work to root out the cause(s) of your child’s asthma.  Reducing their exposure is key.  The medications that your son is on are important to helping him to breath when he is having an attack – do not discontinue use, as it can be life threatening.  However, until the root problem is discovered, it may be difficult to resolve the asthma.

Treatment of asthma should have a varied approach.  It is important to use herbs that boost the immune system (chamomile, garlic, licorice, wild yam, yarrow), with herbs that relax the bronchi and expel mucous (elecampane, hyssop, mullein, thyme) and herbs that are soothing to the lungs (borage, comfrey, marshmallow, mullein, plantain).  Herbs that support the nervous system are also important (chamomile, hops, linden, skullcap.)

Foods which are an important part of the daily diet are:  High in inulin (unrefined sunflower oil, garlic, onions, leeks, artichokes, bananas, honey), High in Vit. A (carrots, spinach, peas, beets, fish liver oils, watercress, apricots,)  High in calcium (green vegetables, nuts, seeds, dried fruits, beans, bony fish) and High in Vit. C.  It can help to have warm drinks of lemon (or 1 tsp apple cider vinegar), honey and water to clear mucous.  Avoid excess dairy, wheat, sugar and foods with additives.

Asthma is a serious condition.  There are ways to support a child with this illness, however, professional help is advised.

Marianne Beacon, RH, Registered Clinical Herbalist
For Appointment, call 705-775-0255 or  info@elderberryherbals.ca

Then there are xenoestrogens.  They are chemical constituents found in common pollutants (such as gasoline, plastics, pesticides) that we ingest through our foods, water or breath in through our air.  Xenoestrogens can bind to the same receptor sites as estrogen and phytoestrogens.  Unfortunately, they do not benefit us in any way.  Some studies have shown that any given xenoestrogen may not adversely affect us on its own, however, it has also been shown that two or more in combination can have 1000 times the effect.  These chemicals are unpredictable, and all the possible results of coming into contact with them are not fully known.  We simply have not had the time to fully study the question.

We are not able to completely avoid these contaminants, which is another good reason to use phytoestrogens.  Again, phytoestrogens will use up receptor sites, which in turn, diminishes the effects of xenoestrogens.  Some foods and simple herbs to turn to when looking for phytoestrogens are as follows:

Phytoestrogenic foods are the basis for a healthy diet and a long life. The first food listed is the highest in phytoestrogens. The best diet contains not just one but many choices from each list:

Whole grains (rye, oats, barley, millet, rice, wheat, corn)
Edible seeds (buckwheat, sesame, sunflower, pumpkin, amaranth, quinoa)
Beans (yellow split peas, black turtle, baby limas, Anasazi beans, red kidney beans, red lentils, soy beans)
Leafy greens and seaweed (parsley, nettle, kelp, cabbage, broccoli, kale, collards, lamb’s quarter)
Fruits (olives, cherries, grapes, apples, pears, peaches, plums, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries, salmon berries, apricots, crab apples, quinces, rosehips, blueberries)
Olive oil and seed oils
Garlic, onions and their relatives leeks, chives, scallions, ramps, shallot

French beans, rice, apple seeds, licorice, and pomegranate seeds contain the “weak” estrogen called estrone.

Phytoestrogenic food-like herbs are generally considered longevity tonics. For optimum effect, use only one from the list below and to stick with it for at least three months.
Citrus peel, dandelion leaves and/or roots, fenugreek seeds, flax seeds, green tea, hops, red clover, red wine.

Phytoestrogenic herbs are quite powerful for long-term use. It is best to consult with a professional when using these herbs medicinally to alter your hormonal balance.
Agave root, black cohosh root, black currant, black haw, chasteberries, cramp bark, dong quai root, devil’s club root, false unicorn root (which is endangered), ginseng root, groundsel herb, licorice, liferoot herb, motherwort herb, peony root, raspberry leaves, rose family plants (most parts), sage leaves, sarsaparilla root, saw palmetto berries, wild yam root, yarrow blossoms.

Marianne

I have found a water system that I am impressed with, though. It is an 8 stage tabletop filter which filters tap water. It removes all rust, sediments, bacteria, germs, parasites, cholorine, herbacides, pesticides, pharmaceuticals, industrial/organic/household chemicals, heavy metals, odor, colour and particulates. It also raises the pH to me more alkaline, which helps reduce acidity in the body. Importantly, it re-mineralizes the water with desired minerals. The filter is able to clean 20L per day! To read more about this filter, go to www.santevia.com.

The filter unit itself costs $180. Some of the filters components need to be replaced at various intervals. It breaks down like this. The first year, the cost spread out weekly is slightly over $5, a little more than buying one jug of spring water. The second year, the cost goes down to less than $2 per week. Less than buying one jug of Reverse Osmosis water. If your family uses more than one jug of water per week for drinking and cooking, you are instantly saving.

To place my first order, I need to find 8-10 people who would like to buy this system. I am available to answer any questions, by emailing, or calling 775-0255.

Often, I am asked why I named my business Elderberry Herbals. In a nutshell, Elderberry is a fantastic plant; lush with lore and has good food and medicinal value. I hope that my practice will come to share some of the virtues that Elderberry embodies.
Once respected as the “Elder Mother”, Elder was considered protector of all other herbs. Most gardens would have had an Elder growing as “overseer.” Nicknamed “The Medicine Chest”, Elder can be effective for many complaints, and long ago, most parts of the Black Elder were used. Currently, we mostly use the flowers and berries. The flowers are diaphoretic – which opens the pores and encourages sweating; this helps to reduce a fever. The berries are also helpful during flus and colds. They are high in Vit. A and C and iron.
Depending on your location, Elderberries are ready to harvest between August and late September. They can be dried, frozen or made into jelly, pies or even wine. The deep purple-black berries are easily made into a syrup. Cover the berries in water and simmer slowly (without boiling) until they are soft, and the colour has infused into the water. Crush the berries to get the juice out. Strain and use your favourite sweetener (honey or maple syrup work) as a preservative. This keeps well in the fridge, giving a lovely alternative to maple syrup for pancakes or as a topping for other desserts. Add more water, and it becomes a yummy juice or tea. What a great way to treat, or even prevent winter ailments.
When growing Elderberries, make sure to choose the black variety, as the Red Elderberries are toxic to humans. Also, they require cross pollination, so plant two or more to ensure fertilization. Elders are great food/medicine to have around, and beautiful in the garden, too.