Articles by neverke

You are currently browsing neverke’s articles.

Maintain your health with herbal teas – Herbal Tea Calendar for April

11 April, 2013 in general by neverke | Permalink

I wanted to post this for some weeks now, but I haven’t had a chance to sit down and write until tonight.

I often meet people wondering about the beneficial herbs/herbal teas that may help maintain longevity and good health on the long run, how they should be combined, what’s a safe regimen etc. As far as I know, there is no such “herbal calendar” in the US yet, but I do know about a respected and experienced herbalist (Gyorgy Szabo) in Hungary who shared the list of herbs for health maintenance for every month. It is the very list that he used for himself for the past couple of decades and he is strong and in good health today, at 81. These are his recommendations for April:

Szabo Gyorgy, Hungarian Herbalist

1st of April, to prevent bacterial infections
Drink one cup of some mint tea. It may be spearmint, peppermint, or something else that you prefer from the mint family.

from 04.02 to 04.14, to calm and relieve generic nervous tension
The first week, drink one cup of St John’s Wort tea every second night before bed. The following week switch to drinking a cup of lemongrass tea in the same rythm.

on 04.15, to strenghten glandular system
One cup of Cleavers tea during the day

from 04.16 to 04.30, to cleanse the lungs and the airways
Drink a cup of tea of the following mixture every third day before dinner:
1 part Plantain, 1 part Coltsfoot, 1 part Lungwort, 1/2 part Mullein Flower mixed

For one cup of tea, use 3gr/1tsp of herbs in one cup of water.

I will add the recommendations for May in the next few weeks, stay tuned! If you have your own “calendar of herbal teas” for the different seasons, please share.

Any questions, please ask!

Growing organic Turkey Tail mushroom at home

11 March, 2013 in medicinal mushroom by neverke | No comments

I received my order of organic Turkey Tail mushrooms from Fungi Perfecti today. It took a couple of days for this package to get here, but after all -spending the weekend at the UPS warehouse- it looks healhty!

just got this organic Turkey Tail mushroom today

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Bastyr Magazine, Bastyr University, breast cancer, cancer, Cynthia Wenner, Fungi Perfecti, Growing Turkey Tail, immune system, LLC, Natural Killer Cells, NIH, PSK, Turkey Tail, Turkey Tail Mushroom, Underground Health Reporter, UPS

Herbal Gum and Tooth powder recipes

14 February, 2013 in oral health by neverke | 1 comment

My Favorite: Dr. Christopher’s Gum and Tooth Powder recipe

For severe cases place this powder combination between the lips and gums (up and lower) around entire tooth area and leave on all night, six nights a week (as well as brushing regularly) until improvement is evident. Then continue on with regular tooth brushing with this herbal food combination.

Ingredients:
3 parts oak bark
1 part oat straw
6 parts comfrey root
3 parts horsetail grass
one part lobelia
one part cloves
3 parts peppermint
(powdered stevia – optional)

Chose a measuring device like a tsp, tbs, tea cup, cup, bowl etc depending on how much herbs you have and how much formula you are making and combine them all into a bowl and then bottle it. I would buy cut and sifted herbs if you have a vitamix to powder them or maybe a mortar and pestle or hammer to crush them over powdered as the powdered lose the volatile herbs but you might want powdered. It is up to you I guess..then apply between gums and teeth and leave on overnight 6 days a week, one day off and then repeat. Also herbs work best if used 6 weeks on and one week off.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cinnamon, clove, comfrey, diy recipe, Echinacea Tincture, food, herbal tooth paste, herbal tooth powder, horsetail, inflammation, inflammed gums, Note Dropperful, Oak Gall, oral hygiene, recipe, tea, teeth, tooth, Tooth Gum Oil

Mouth ulcers and the toothpaste (SLS) connection

14 February, 2013 in oral health by neverke | No comments

Chronic Aphtosis and Sodium Lauryl Sulface

It is also called Aphta and Chronic aphtosis. Normally you should not experience a mouth ulcer very often, but if you do (like I did for a while), there may be something in your toothpaste triggering this unpleasant response in your body.

First I thought it was something with my teeth, throat, immune system or the food I am eating… But after being in a foreign country for a few weeks and returning to my old toothpaste back home, it flared up in an hour. So I realized the inevitable toothpaste-mouth ulcer connection right there and then. I started researching and surprisingly, I am not the only one affected. For most sensitive people Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is causing similar issues.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is a highly effective surfactant and is used in any task requiring the removal of oily stains and residues. For example, it is found in higher concentrations with industrial products including engine degreasers, floor cleaners, and car wash soaps. It is found in toothpastes, shampoos, shaving foams, and bubble bath formulations in part for its thickening effect and its ability to create a lather.

So what can you do?

Switch to a toothpaste that is free of SLS. I am currently using Herbal Tooth & Gum Powder from dr. Christopher and for me it is wonderful. You can also make your own toothpaste – more details in the following post.

Tags: cinnamon, detergent, Echinacea Tincture, food, Forever Aloe, horsetail, immune system, mouth ulcer, Note Dropperful, Oak Gall, recipe, SLS, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, tea, teeth, tooth, Tooth Gum Oil

Herbal Remedies for Ear Infections – Garlic Mullein Oil Recipe & the Hot Salt Mitten Trick

17 January, 2013 in general by neverke | No comments

Ear infections

Ear infections were the number one illness responsible for nearly 7% of all pediatric visits in 2007 between January and September. (1) In a recent clinical study researchers found that antibiotics are effective in most cases of ear infections caused by bacteria. But only 1 out of 5 children with ear infections needs antibiotics to clear an ear infection. In 4 out of 5 children, ear infections clear on their own.(2)

WebMD states that antibiotics will not be effective if the ear infection is caused by a virus. Waiting before starting an antibiotic can save your child from taking medicine that he or she doesn’t need. (3)

The American Academy of Pediatrics is also suggesting the watchful waiting approach – where the parent keeps an eye on the child in case of worsening while treating the illness at home.(4)

To read more about ear infections in general, visit the NIDCD site.

Herbal home remedies for ear infections

mullein

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: AOM, echinacea, flu, garlic, Garlic Mullein Oil, Herbal Conference, Hot Salt Mitten, infections, inflammation, Lavender Oil, Mimi Hernandez, MS, NIDCD, Pediatric News, Southeast Women, Traci Picard, Traci Picard Ear

Stomach flu – stop vomiting with raw honey

8 January, 2013 in digestive health by neverke | No comments

How to stop nasty vomiting when a child can’t even hold water down?

My 4 year old daughter became ill recently due to stomach flu. She could not hold anything down, not even water. After she emptied her stomach completely and the situation did not resolve itself (sometimes it does), I gave her a little teaspoonful of honey – I remembered Juliette talking about how honey soothes the upset stomach but I never tried it. I used raw organic honey and to my surprise, it worked like a charm… My daughter seemed to get better quickly and she took one more little teaspoonful of honey and 10 minutes later she was ready to drink some warm chamomile tea with honey and ground nutmeg. And it did not come back! For the slight diarrhea that followed I made her some Raspberry leaf tea (which is a great tasting astringent, even kids love it), Carob balls and Slippery Elm balls.

I always use organic, raw honey, hopefully you can buy something similar locally. Slippery Elm is available on amazon or from Mountain Rose Herbs.

hone

Foods to eat after diarrhea

Throughout my childhood the first food I got after recovering from stomach flu was baked (and salted) potatoes along with chamomile tea. Chamomile is a great anti-spasmodic and anti-inflammatory and the taste isn’t too bad either if you don’t make the tea too strong. Cooked carrots, mashed potatoes, white rice, bananas and cooked apples are also mild enough on your recovering digestive tract. If you feel up to eating solid foods, soups containing bland vegetables and/or chicken breast can add helpful nutrients and protein, which supports lean tissue repair and energy.

Tags: astringent, carob balls, diarrhea, digestive upset, flu, Mountain Rose Herbs, Slippery Elm, stomach, stomach flu, tea, vomiting

Get to know your Onions – They are powerful allies for the coming winter months against respiratory illnesses

9 October, 2012 in respiratory health, tea by neverke | 1 comment

Is it a myth or does it really work?

Onion (Allium cepa) possesses expectorant properties and has effective germicidal properties. On account of its content of a volatile oil, the onion is very useful in respiratory disorders. The onion dislodges mucus and prevents its fresh formation. It liquifies phlegm and prevents its further formation. It has been used as a food remedy for centuries in cold, cough, bronchitis and influenza. Onions relieve nasal and chest congestion. Onions also induce perspiration. Several anti-inflammatory agents in onion render them helpful in reducing the severity of symptoms of the respiratory congestion associated with the common cold. Onion contains compounds that inhibit lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase (the enzymes that generate inflammatory prostaglandins and thromboxanes), thus markedly reducing inflammation. Onions’ anti-inflammatory effects are due not only to their vitamin C and quercitin, but to other active components called isothiocyanates. These compounds work synergistically to spell relief from inflammation.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: cold, common cold, cough, expectorant, food, inflammation, Onion Allium, Onion Cough Syrup, Onion Poultice, Onion Tea, stomach, vitamin C

Hawthorn (Crataegus spp.) may help with various heart problems and high blood pressure

9 March, 2012 in fruits, herbs by neverke | 1 comment

I was reading Rosemary Gladstar’s great book, Family Herbal when I first “met” Hawthorn. She thinks every woman should feed Hawthorn jam to their husbands over 40 to keep their hearts healthy. This is a significant claim to make, and I appreciate Rosemary’s teachings so I started my research and dug deep in the books and other resources.

Hawthorn Berries for cardiac health

A little history

Hawthorn berries have been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800s, doctors used it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Traditionally, the berries were used to treat heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Today, besides the berries the leaves and flowers are used medicinally, and there is some research that suggests that hawthorn might be effective when used in the treatment of mild to moderate heart failure.

It has been regarded as the most important cardiac tonic in both Chinese and Western herbalism. A syrup of Hawthorn berries was used as a heart tonic by the private physician of King Henry IV of France.

The characteristics of the berries are similar to those of the leaf and flower. Upon administering orally an increase in myocardial contractility may be observed due to procyanids as well as an increased coronary blood flow.

Dosage

Hydroalcoholic Extracts: 2-2.5ml daily
Powdered Hawthorn Berries: 0.3-1g 3 times daily or as an infusion
Liquid extract (1:1 in 25% ethanol) 0.5-1 ml three times daily
Tincture (1:5 in 45% ethanol) 1-2 ml three times daily
Decoction: Simmer two teaspoons of dried berries in a cup of water for 15 mins and drink three times daily or see these decoction ideas

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: blood pressure, circulative disorders, collagen, congestive heart failure, flavonoids, heart disorders, palpitations, Rosemary Gladstar, rutin, tonic, vitamin C

Free Lunar Ovulation Calendar for 2013

9 January, 2012 in general by neverke | No comments

The word “menstruation” is etymologically related to “moon”. The terms “menstruation” and “menses” are derived from the Latin mensis (month), which in turn relates to the Greek mene (moon) and to the roots of the English words month and moon.

Some authors believe that, historically, women in traditional societies without nightlighting ovulated with the full moon and menstruated with the new moon. My cycle is quite regular and follows the 28-30 days pattern so for me being aware of the phases of the moon helps to remember where my hormonal cycle is at.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: Lunar Calendar, Printable Lunar Calendar

The many uses of Pumpkin Seed (Cucurbita Pepo): from Arthritis to Prostate Health

26 October, 2011 in seeds by neverke | 4 comments

Over a century ago, American farmers noted that when their livestock munched on pumpkin seeds, they seemed to urinate more often. They weren’t the first to notice the seeds’ effects. The Iroquois had long used pumpkin seed as a diuretic, and the Cherokee gave it to children to control bed-wetting, since it seemed to help empty the bladder before falling asleep.

The many uses of Pumpkin Seed (Cucurbita Pepo): from Arthritis to Prostate Health

More recently, Europeans began using the bright green oil from crushed pumpkin seeds for prostate health, and in Germany today, the oil is an approved over-the-counter treatment for enlarged prostate glands. In the U.S. too, the oil is one of the top ingredients in herbal blends for prostate health, says Mark Blumenthal, executive director of the American Botanical Council, a nonprofit group based in Austin, Texas, and backed by herbal supplement makers.

Subtly sweet and nutty with a malleable, chewy texture, the roasted seeds from inside your Halloween pumpkin are one of the most nutritious and flavorful seeds around. While pumpkin seeds are available year round, they are the freshest in the fall when pumpkins are in season.

Read the rest of this entry »

Tags: arthritis, bedwetting, Benign prostate enlargement, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, BPH, depression, Depression Treatment, expel intestinal worms, infections, prostate health, puminary ailments

« Older entries

Articles by neverke

Maintain your health with herbal teas – Herbal Tea Calendar for April

Growing organic Turkey Tail mushroom at home

Herbal Gum and Tooth powder recipes

My Favorite: Dr. Christopher’s Gum and Tooth Powder recipe

Mouth ulcers and the toothpaste (SLS) connection