Tag Archive | herbs

California Poppies

Jul10

I’ve just returned home after spending nearly 2 months in California. Oh how I love that state! The people, the mountains, the sunshine, and of course the bright and bountiful flowers found everywhere.

Here I am standing in wildflowers along a sidewalk in Oakland, CA.

There are many things that impress me about California, and San Francisco in particular. One of those things is how at every street corner, at nearly every shop, or even alley way,  beauty, spirit and activism seems to be remarkably woven together.
Take the Women’s Centre building for instance:

To get an idea of the scale of these murals, notice the two people standing in front of the building. Not only are the paintings gorgeous in their bright colour, they are rich with meaning. The sign held by one of the characters reads, “More funds for women’s health research”.

What I love most about the murals on this building is the effort to illustrate diverse representation within women’s health. In the paintings we have a woman in what looks like a doctor or nurse uniform with her tools of technology behind her. Next, a woman with a placard fighting for more funding; then a woman performing energy healing.

When not awe-struck by all the art my eyes, as usual, settle on what weeds are bursting through the sidewalk cracks. Here it was loud and clear:

California poppies (Eschscholzia californica) were abundant everywhere! This beautiful plant also grows wildy all over Salt Spring Island. It somehow made sense to see so much of this beautiful flower that is also a sedative and helpful for insomnia. San Francisco is so stimulating, it was easy to never sleep with all the great people, food, music, and creative city life.  Of course the flower would be plentiful on every corner generously offering itself to the human aid. Plants are amazing that way–they grow where they are most needed.

Unlike it’s cousin the Opium poppy, California poppy is not a narcotic nor addictive.  In fact, it normalizes the nervous system, making it a safe choice for sleeplessness, anxiety and nervousness, even in small children. I have mostly used it in cases of irritability, heat congestion in the liver coupled by insomnia or restless sleep. I have used it in a small handful of cases for sciatica and other sharp shooting pains and it has worked very well.
I’ve made a fresh tincture with it, and also brewed it as a tea. If you have it growing around you, harvest the entire plant (flower, stem, leaves and all), chop it, and dry it for tea. Beware, it is VERY bitter! I combine it with mint, or some other palate-pleasing herb to buffer the intense flavour.

Speaking of, it’s beautiful outside, and I’m eager to be back on the island. I’m off to walk the garden before night falls, and plan next weeks post.

Have you tried California poppy? Let me know if you do. Write comments & questions below. I look forward to hearing from you.

Green Blessings,
Jamie Capranos

More on the Bounty of Nettle

Apr14

I woke early this morning to set out and harvest nettle root from my small but healthy patch of nettles (urtica dioica)

The peak time to harvest roots are early spring while the energy is still residing in the root and pushing upwards for new growth; autumn while the vital energies are pulling back towards the earth to rest over winter; and early morning or late afternoon & evening.

While most of us are familiar with all the benefits of nettle leaf, few pay attention to the remarkable root. Like all mineral rich plants or plant parts, next to eating them or drinking them in an infusion, I like my vinegars. That’s because vinegar (and I mean raw, unpasturized organic apple cider vinegar) is one of the absolute best extraction solvents available.  If you are new to making medicinal vinegars, you can read my herbal vinegar post with instructions on “how to” at the bottom of that post here.  Alcohol tinctures do not do a good job at extracting these minerals at all, however alcohol does do a good job at extracting many other constituents. Vinegar is also an inexpensive and healthy preservative. I will write an entire post dedicated to the health benefits of vinegar at a later date. Now back to nettle root.

Nettle root nourishes the spleen, thereby powerfully enhancing the immune system and “feeding” the blood. For reasons that have yet to be identified, it decreases inflammation from the body, and is now catching on as a popular new treatment for all issues to do with the prostate. That is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), prostatitis, and even prostate cancer. The root has a powerful affinity to men’s health, and a company has even patented it for male patterned baldness (!).

Once I bring my nettle roots home (and remember to collect at most 1/4 of a plant community so to leave lots to thrive) I wash them well – not peel them – and chop them like carrots, filling a clean glass jar about 1/2 – 1/3 full of roots.  There’s no rule around proportion. You can fill your jar to the brim with roots. It’s really a matter of how much root you have, and how intense you want the taste. I do it both ways depending on how much root I collect.

Next I cover with apple cider vinegar. It’s inexpensive to buy, and incredibly easy to make yourself. When I write my post dedicated to apple cider vinegar I’ll go into more detail around how to make it. Basically, you leave juice in a wide mouthed vessel to stand until it turns to vinegar. Seriously that’s it!

Here’s my earthenware crock with vinegar in it. As you can see I go through a lot of it as I like my medicinal vinegars – such practical medicine!

Next cover your herbs with the vinegar

and don’t forget to label your medicines! It’s good practice to include the latin name. Date and location are also important.

Store away from direct light and shake daily for a week. Also important is to admire its beauty, reflect on the miracle of nature, and each time you shake it infuse it with good energy and intention for how you’d like it to help you and your family - that’s the magical art of herbal medicine!
Enjoy!

p.s. please feel free to share this post with friends, family & neighbours or “share” below via facebook.  Instead of emailing me, please leave your questions / comments below where it says “leave a comment/reply”. Thank you!

Green Blessings,
~ Jamie

Spring!

Mar25

I love the month of March. In particular,  I love the dramatic intensity of the weather this time of year brings:  the sudden rain followed by the sudden break of sunshine; the cleansing wild winds followed by stillness; the noticable lengthening of daylight past Equinox; the cheerful twittering of birds; lambs and calves peppering the newly green fields where I live, and of course the nettles!

Every part of the nettle plant is edible: root, leaf, stalk, and seed.

Spring nettles are nutritionally dense. All the vitality of the plant is pushing upwards

towards the sun, grasping for the rich nutrients of sunlight that are then metabolized in the plant offering those who eat it a broad spectrum of every mineral and vitamin one would ever need. In particular the plant is rich in iron, calcium, vitamin A, and trace minerals. Nettle is an herb that powerfully supports the kidney’s and adrenals, but really improves function for every organ and gland in the body. As it’s an effective (yet gentle) diuretic, be careful to not drink too much close to bedtime, or else you’ll be up several times to take a trip to the bathroom!
In addition to the phenomenal benefits to the kidney’s & adrenals, nettle promotes lactation for nursing women (and other animals), is used in the treatment of eczema, hives, allergies, hayfever, tonifies the gallbladder, liver, soothes intestinal ulcers, asthma, inflammatory conditions of any nature, and balances blood sugar levels (I use it for this).
For deep nourishment, drink 2 cups of fresh nettle tea (of leaf and stalk) every day. Many comment on a noticable improvment to the quality and shine of skin, hair, eyes and general energy level. This is a reflection of the rich treasure trove of minerals and vitamins. Next to my grandmother, I learned much of what I know about nettle from beloved herbalist Susun Weed and later Tammy Ryan, herbalist and beekeeper.

Fresh nettle can be used in cooking just about anywhere you’d otherwise use spinach. Yes, that means spanokopita, lasagna, stirfries, soup and steam like any other green vegetable! The little “stinging” hairs are eliminated once cooked. You can also make pesto with it – fresh not steamed or cooked!! – then freeze it to enjoy all winter! When its put into a blender, the stinging hairs vanish.

One of my all-time favourite ways to use nettle is as a gomasio (Japanese seasoning) of equal parts dried nettle leaf, dulse flakes, and sesame seeds. Here’s a photo of the one I have in my kitchen

 Just sprinkle on veggies, rice, etc. It’s really delicious!

You can also harvest some to dry thereby enjoy all year. Nettle infusion (that is make a strong tea and steep it covered for 20 minutes or more) is far more nutritive then ANY vitamin you’d ever purchase. Here’s how to harvest nettle to dry:  

1. With sharp kitchen scissors, snip several inches of nettle tops into a basket or brown paper bag. You may wish to wear gloves, as the nettles do sting! This is the formic acid (which by the way is a natural medicine unto itself and not exactly toxic).
Do not take the entire plant unless there are plenty left behind. This is out of respect to the natural world and plant communities.
When you snip portions of a plant, ensure you’ve left behind the remaining stalk with green leaves which will allow the plant to continue to be nourished by the sun, and continue to grow.

2.  When I bring home my nettle harvest, I lay out large sheets of newspaper, or large flat drying baskets, and snip the nettle (stalks and leaves) in small pieces on to the paper/baskets. I spread them out so there’s plenty of room for air to circulate. I do this in a dry room avoiding direct sunlight on the plant material. I shake them daily, and when they are nice and dry and crispy, they are ready to put into a jar, and are stored in my kitchen cupboard. This affords a delicious, mineral rich tea year round! Don’t forget to label your medicine with the full name, date, and where you harvested.

Simply boil some water in a kettle, and pour 2 cups of that water over a good handful of fresh or dried nettles. Cover. Steep for at least 20 minutes and enjoy!
P.S. your compost will love the exhausted nettles post-tea, and any left over liquid your house  plants will love to drink! Nettles have long since been used in organic gardening to re-mineralize soil just like they do to our bodies….

Grounding in light of Japan

Mar18
The inconceivable tragedy in Japan has left the world in shock; and coupled with it is the fear of what will result in the face of a nuclear event.
 
The buzz word right now is potassium iodide, a stable salt of iodine that blocks radioactive iodine (released in the air following a nuclear disaster). The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention recommend potassium iodide in their emergency preparedness material (www.bt.cdc.gov) because it blocks radioactive iodine from being taken into the thyroid gland, thus preventing possible injury to this gland.
 
Potassium iodide does not require a prescription from your doctor. The pharmacy can compound this for you. The health food store also sells liquid drops of potassium iodide.
According to the Centre for Disease Control when a state of emergency is announced adults (including breastfeeding women & youth who are 150 lbs or more) are recommended to take 130mg in one 24 hour period.
Children between the ages of 3-18 years old should take 65mg. Infants and children up to the age of 3 years old should take 32mg.
Newborns from birth to 1 month should be given 16 mg of potassium iodide.
 
There are some considerations with this recommendation:
- Potassium Iodide should not be taken at these doses on an on-going basis. These are toxic doses and are only supposed to be taken for 1, 2 or 3 days only at the recommendation of emergency management teams (public health).
- Adults over 40 years of age are most at risk of having an allergic reaction to potassium iodide
- 130mg is one hundred times stronger than the average recommended dose that is necessary to maintain health. Again high-lighting how toxic this dose is when taken beyond the emergency protocol. That said, in the face of a nuclear event the benefits (protecting the thyroid from radioactive iodine) outweighs the risks.
- It is important to consider that potassium iodide does not prevent radioactive iodine from entering the body, nor does it protect the entire body. It is specific for protecting the thyroid. It does not reverse damage caused by radioactive iodine.
 
Past research in Japan has shown that populations surrounding Hiroshima that consumed fish, shellfish, miso and seaweed regularly had the lowest amounts of radioactive iodine in their bodies. Incidentally these foods are natural sources rich in potassium iodide. While the amounts of naturally occurring potassium iodide in these foods are low compared to the CDC recommendations, they are still protective.
 
Seaweed, nettle, cilantro (fresh), chaparrel and yellowdock root are all powerful natural sources that are known to remove toxic elements from the body. Having your body already in a healthy state allows one to weather challenges more successfully. Having a thyroid consistently being nourished by natural foods rich in iodine leaves less room for radioactive iodine to take hold should the event occur.
 
In times like these it’s important to find your grounding and protect yourself from the “fear virus”. While it is important to be informed, beware of becoming infected with panic and frenzy, rarely can we make sound decisions from this place. Sometimes we can exhaust our energy resources by planning for an impending doom and then not have the energy stores to respond wisely should we need to take quick action.
 
If you find yourself in a state of shock, panic, or experiencing anxiety attacks you can take one dose of Aconite at most two times a day, a maximum of three days.
 
To counter the effects of global panic, shock and over-excitement, find time in your day to experience deep quiet through meditation where you can send Japan – and other places and people in the world – love, peace, and healing. We are all connected, and the Earth and her beings are really one organism; these little acts can have significant impact.
 
Blessings to each of you,
Warmly,
Jamie Capranos

Herbal Vinegars

Feb23

 There is something special about spring that plants a flutter in my heart. It’s more than just the inching forward of longer days, the warm sun, and varied shades of green. This season speaks of the great potential that births a bright future. The possibility of all the exciting things I can plan and anticipate. Seeds to germinate; life to watch grow and thrive, greens to harvest, and fresh herbal medicines to make.

In one of my recentAlchemy of Herbal Medicine classesI was sharing my love of trees with my wonderful class of 14 students. Along with being majestic, trees function as the respiratory system for planet earth and are therefore essential for our every breath of life; plus they provide food, shelter, and warmth through firewood — and offer exceptional medicine for the treatment of coughs, colds, aches pains and healing wounds.

Since the age of 17 I’ve been appreciating the virtues of trees as medicine, especially those that are a member of my favourite family, the Pine Trees (pineaceae). Now a transplant to this coast and still a lover of the pine family I’m using what is abundant and in my very backyard, that is Douglas Fir (pseudtostuga spp.).

It’s medicinal uses are many.

The leaves (“needles”) can be chewed to soothe sore throats; brewed into tea for coughs, colds, sore throats; stomach pain from indigestion; arthritic joints; bladder infections; and an antiseptic mouthwash. That “pine-like” fragrance is due to those powerful essential oils that work as an anti bacterial, an anti fungal, and a general well rounded anti microbial. It’s particularly high in Vitamin C, giving it another lovely boost for immune support.

My favourite way to use this tree medicine is as a medicinalvinegar. Vinegars excel at extracting vitamins and minerals. They are also great for those wishing to avoid alcohol, perfect for children, elders, and are generally user friendly. Splash some on your salad, rice, veggies. You can also use fir vinegar as a hair rinse for dandruff, as a disinfectant for skin wounds, and use it as your daily vitamin C dose every morning in some water. Enjoy the bounty of this land.

Here’s how to make your own Douglas Fir medicinal vinegar (or any medicinal vinegar):

With sharp scissors, cut a few small branches of Douglas Fir, needles, tender small branches and all, into a wide-mouthed mason jar.
Fill this jar with raw organic apple cider vinegar. Cover with a tight fitting lid. Vinegar can rust metal lids. I line my jars with wax paper to avoid this.
Label your vinegar including the name of your plant, the fact that its vinegar, the date, and even the latin name.
Shake your vinegar every day, for a week. After one week allow your vinegar to sit for 5 more weeks (six in total). Your vinegar does not need to be refrigerated, just let it sit in a cupboard or on a shelf for the 6 weeks.
Once the 6 weeks are up, separate the plant matter from the vinegar, strained through a cheesecloth or strainer, and store in a new bottle.
Compost the exhausted plant material.
Now you have your very own medicinal vinegar! Rewarding isn’t it?
Don’t forget to label your vinegar, I suggest using the latin name as well as the common name, it’s good practice. Remember to include the date, common name, and the fact that it’s vinegar.
Use: Pour it over steamed veggies to taste for improved mineral uptake; use it as a base for salad dressings; take a tsp or tbsp for a sore tummy and to ease digestion; splash some on a mild sunburn or steam burn; a splash on your face as a toner (this is what our great grandparents did before the commerical stuff….The famous Queen of Hungary Waters were herbal vinegars); and use it in food anywhere vinegar is called for.

Questions? Comments? Please contact me through leaving a comment below.

Green Blessings & Enjoy!

Welcome!

Feb21

Welcome to my blog, a place to discover, discuss, share and love all things to do with natural health and healing. Please feel free to leave comments, questions, and complements! I would love to hear from you.
For more information about me you can visit my website http://www.jamiecapranos.com/.
Sincerely,
Jamie Capranos