Quality Oils Are Important

 Acupuncture
Aug 042019
 

Essential oils have been used for centuries for perfumes, cosmetics, natural flavoring, religious ceremonies and much more.  However, today the power of the healing aspects of essentials is greatly being realized by health practitioners and the general public alike. Hospitals throughout the U.S. are combing essential oils with post-surgical treatment to:

  • Speed up recovery times
  • Promote better sleep
  • Reduce nausea and digestive discomfort from drug side effects
  • Promote relaxation and better overall mood

Why is Quality Important?

Not all oils are created alike. As an Essential Oils Acupuncturist©, it is important to discuss the difference between commercial versus artisan oils and what you should expect your practitioner to be using in a treatment or what you want in your natural tool box at home.

95% of oils on the market are chemically industrialized which means they have been adulterated somehow.  This can mean that fatty oils or alcohol has been added to reduce the purity and potency of oil but increase the crop yield for sale. Only 5% of the oil has to be pure to be labelled such and organic by definition is only 85% and most often the last 15% is a synthetic. 

More commonly, many times essential oils are blended with an inferior oil or another species to increase yield. For example, most lavender is cross produced with lavandin or spike lavender so they are not true to the name.  Why this is important is that each oil has its own unique therapeutic use and blending with other species or synthetic voids these properties. Bottom line: there is a difference between artisan and commercial essential oils and if they are going to be used clinically or applied to your families, they must be artisan.

doTerra: Tried and True

As a healthcare practitioner, the health and safety of my patients are my responsibility and all the supplements, herbs and products I recommend in my clinic, I use on myself and my family daily including oils and oil-based products. I choose the doTerra line for multiple reasons

  1. They work! I have used other artisan oils in my clinic over the years, but I saw the greatest therapeutic effects in the clinic and with patients’ usage at home to choose doTerra. The reality is to make pure and highest potency oils, you need money and doTerra has grown by leaps and bounds since its inception in 2008 largely due to word of mouth through its users. 85% of doTerra participants are simply consumers with a 65% retention rate.
  2. doTerra uses a Co-Impact Sourcing model, which means they are partner with farmers in the oils’ native countries to increase potency. doTerra invests in many countries riffed with polluted waters, poor education and healthcare options as well as, struggling economies leaving many without jobs to improve the well-being of their residents.
  3. doTerra gives back. doTerra is grateful for its success and gives back to our communities through the Healing Hands organization, the Operation Underground Railroad project to reduce sex trafficking and most recently has opened the Prime Meridian Health Clinic to improve accessibility, outcomes and emphasize holistic care.

All new patients of Natural Family Acupuncture and ANY former Acupuncture by Devon patients receive a free 20-minute introduction to essential oils session with me! Just call 510-998-8027 to schedule.

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Goldenrod Tea: An Herbal Blend for Urinary Tract Infections

 Uncategorized
Jul 302019
 

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

Goldenrod Tea An Herbal Blend for Urinary Tract Infections

Need to get your urinary tract back on track? This tea blend is helpful for addressing the symptoms and the root cause (primarily, bacterial infection) of urinary tract infections (UTIs). The herbs in this formula soothe inflamed urinary mucosal membranes through their demulcent, astringent, and anti-inflammatory actions. They are also antimicrobial as well as diuretic—they help flush out bacteria by promoting urination.

It’s important that the tea be drunk at room temperature, which augments the herbs’ diuretic effect. It is also prudent to take an immune-stimulating tincture—along with the tea—to enhance the body’s innate immune efforts in combating the bacterial infection. Good immune-stimulating medicinals for UTIs include echinacea (Echinacea purpurea), spilanthes (Acmella oleracea), and usnea (Usnea spp.) Additionally, you can drink unsweetened cranberry and blueberry juice along with the tea. Avoid sugar and natural sweeteners until the infection clears.

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Admiring a golden friend (Goldenrod - Solidago spp.) in the wild

Admiring a golden friend (Solidago spp.) in the wild

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If the infection worsens or fails to clear up after three days, consult your health care provider—antibiotics may be necessary. If you develop a fever, lower back pain, or feel really sick and achy, you may have a kidney infection; seek immediate medical attention, as kidney infections have the potential to irreparably damage the kidneys and are best resolved by antibiotics, not herbs. 

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria found in the vagina or genitourinary tract (much rarer) but sometimes they are caused by a sexually transmitted infection (STI). If you have had unprotected sex, or your partner has potentially had unprotected sex, you’ll want to rule out an STI as the cause of infection.

  • 1 Tablespoon goldenrod flower and leaf (Solidago spp.)
  • 1 Tablespoon marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
  • 2 Tablespoons corn silk (Zea mays)
  • 1½ Tablespoons uva-ursi leaf (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

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If the uva-ursi leaf is whole, crush it with a mortar and pestle or grind in a coffee grinder. Add the uva-ursi and marshmallow root to 32 ounces (1 L) of water in a small pot. Simmer covered for twenty minutes. Turn off the heat and add the corn silk and goldenrod. Infuse covered until the tea cools to room temperature and strain. Adults may drink up to 4 cups (32 ounces or 1 L) a day for up to one week.

The measurements in this blend are for dried cut and sifted herbs (store-bought). If you’re using homegrown or wildcrafted herbs—or fresh herbs—use larger quantities. See below for important precautions regarding uva-ursi.

Safety and Contraindications: Goldenrod can be overly drying as a beverage or tonic tea for people with a dry constitution, as it is diuretic, astringent, and decongestant. Short-term usage shouldn’t be a problem. Do not use in pregnancy. Although rare, goldenrod has caused allergic contact dermatitis after both handling and oral administration.1 Those with Asteraceae allergies should exercise caution with goldenrod. If you are harvesting your own goldenrod, be sure to gather only true Solidago species because there are deadly look-alikes (please see my in-depth article on goldenrod for details).

Herbs for UTIs (Urinary Tract Infections):
Co-Starring Herbal Featurettes

A bee pollinating goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

A bee pollinating goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)

Goldenrod has a wonderful affinity for the urinary tract and is beneficial as a diuretic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory herb to soothe urinary tract infections. The diuretic property of goldenrod is also helpful in addressing edema, gout, and kidney stones.

You can find information on goldenrod’s Safety and Contraindications above, and please take a peek at my article on goldenrod's medicinal uses for even more information.

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Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)

Marshmallow’s demulcent roots and leaves have been used for medicine since ancient times. This perennial wildflower and garden herb is well-loved by herbalists for its soothing, demulcent properties, especially for addressing issues with the urinary, digestive, and respiratory tracts.

Marshmallow can be taken internally as a warm or cold infusion (tea), powder, or food herb (add to salads, smoothies, or just have a nibble).

Safety and Contraindications: Marshmallow has no known adverse side effects but some herbalists still caution about its use during pregnancy, as there are no studies confirming its safety.

Corn Silk (Zea Mays)

Corn Silk (Zea mays)

Corn Silk (Zea mays)

When shucking corn over the summer, save your corn silk, as it’s valuable medicine. Corn silk is one of my most treasured remedies for the urinary tract with its soothing, cooling, diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps to relieve urinary tract infections and also eases general urethral irritation, as in interstitial cystitis. It is better as a tea than a tincture, as its demulcent properties are not alcohol-soluble; plus, the extra fluid inherent in tea is helpful when working with urinary problems.

Safety and Contraindications: Only use the silk from organically-grown corn. No other known precautions.

Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva-Ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

Uva-ursi, also known as bearberry or kinnikinnick, is a native North American evergreen herb related to cranberry. In my experience, it’s the most useful antimicrobial and astringent remedy for UTIs. Of any herb, it’s the most likely to effectively throw off the bacteria causing an infection.

Safety and Contraindications: Contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding.1 Due to its high levels of tannins, it should only be used on a short-term basis and is contraindicated in constipation, iron deficiency anemia, and malnutrition. GI irritation is possible due to tannins as well. Use cautiously in the presence of ulcers and inflammatory digestive conditions.1

Want to know even more about goldenrod? We share all about identifying, growing, gathering, and using this native wildflower here.

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References

  1. Mills, S., and Bone, K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety (Elsevier Health Sciences, 2005).

Meet the Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea:

Juliet Blankespoor

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

-

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Acupuncture for Plantar Fasciitis, Plantar Fasciosis and Bunions

 Acupuncture
Jul 292019
 

Patients frequently come to us with diagnoses of plantar fasciitis and, less commonly, plantar fasciosis, while many other patients come in simply complaining of pain in their heels and/or arches of their feet without any medical diagnosis or with pain related to bunions. In all of these cases acupuncture is often helpful at relieving pain and improving function (i.e. the ability to walk and stand more comfortably), but we realize there are often underlying causes that are likely causing these conditions that could be addressed to prevent further pain and foot damage.

We recently came across this informative video about plantar fasciosis, plantar fasciitis and bunions. If you suffer from heel or foot pain and/or have been diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, plantar fasciosis or bunions, we recommend this video for some tips that you may find helpful.

Note: we have no connection with the company, Correct Toes, that produced this video, but we think the approach is worthy of consideration so we have decided to share it with you in hopes that you may find it to be helpful.

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Suffering from Tanning? 20 Quick Homemade Solutions for Skin Brightening

 Ayurvedic
Jul 282019
 

by Rashmi Arora

July 28, 2019

Topics: Ayurveda

Are you suffering from tanning or dark skin? Do dark skin makes you feel and look awkward in front of peoples and your friends? Then this post is very helpful for you. In this post you would know about easy homemade solutions for your dark skin and to increase skin brightening. The very first thing you need to do is to believe that your worries will go. Second thing is to read this post.

Start using lemons –

Lemon is enriched with citric acid and vitamin C. Both of these nutrients help in whitening of skin. Vitamin C helps in reduction of dark spots appearance and other types of sun damage. Citric acid acts as a chemical exfoliant and helps in removing acne and the dead cells which makes skin toned lighter. To do this extract lemon juice and mix ½ tbsp normal distilled water and apply to face by using cotton. This is because adding normal distilled water will provide cooling effect for skin by reducing the acidity of  citric acid in lemon.

Using papaya will help you getting bright skin –

Papaya consists of a chemical enzyme which helps in dissolving protein which is a natural acne fighter. It helps in skin renewal and lightening of skin and provides glowing skin also. It also acts as an exfoliator, skin softener and moisturizer. It is suitable for all skin types. To use it make a paste of papaya pulp and apply on affected areas for 20 minutes and then wash it with normal water. Use on daily basis to get better and faster results.

Start using turmeric –

Turmeric consists of vitamin C which helps lightening the dark spots and patches maintains the skin firmness and tautness by building up collagen. Turmeric can be used by all skin types. Having anti inflammatory and anti bacterial properties, it helps reducing redness from blemishes and helps in calming skin conditions like eczema and rosacea. Being natural antiseptic it helps to keep bacteria from spreading all  over the skin and body. It becomes more powerful when combined with apple cider vinegar which has astringent properties.

Start using aloe vera gel –

Aloe vera gel consists of vitamins A, C and E and some anti oxidants. Anti oxidants protects the skin by reducing the production of free radicals which are responsible for damaging skin cells. It also helps in reducing aging signs and helps lightening dark spots or blemishes. Try to use natural aloe vera gel as it is free from any side effects. To use it combine 1 tbsp of aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp of lemon juice and apply for 30 minutes and wash it. Use on daily basis to get desired results.

You can go for ayurvedic skin brightening creams –

There are lots of best ayurvedic brightening skin care products which increases the natural brightening of skin. These brightening night creams are made from 100 percent ayurvedic herbs like vetiver, lotus flower, mulaithi and saffron and are totally safe to use. Skin brightening Night Cream for Men is considered as the best herbal fairness cream for daily use. It helps to brighten skin, deeply moisturizes and repairing visible aging signs.

Yoghurt –

Yoghurt consists of lactic acid which helps in gently lightening of skin whether it’s a pigmentation, pimples, scars, blemishes or simply uneven skin tone. Combine 1 tbsp of yoghurt with half tbsp of turmeric to get lightning skin. Apply for 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water. you can also use only yoghurt for removing tanning of sun, acne marks and other blemishes. Use on a daily basis to get desired results.

Combination of Gram flour and Rose water –

Combination of gram flour and rose water is very strong and full of nutrients. Gram flour has antimicrobial properties which helps in protecting from infections. Rose water or yoghurt helps in revitalizing and skin moisturizing and provides a refresher look. To use it, make the paste by combining these two along with normal and oily skin and apply for 20 – 30 minutes and wash them with warm water. You use it for 3 days a week before going to bed.

Carrot juice –

Carrots consists of alpha and beta carotene along with carotenoids which helps in fighting with free radicals. Anti oxidants present in it destroys free radicals responsible for damaging of skin cells and prevents from premature aging signs. Vitamin C in carrot is responsible for skin nourishing and hydration of skin. These also helps in improving skin tone and protects the skin also.

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Thyroid Nodules & Its Ayurvedic Treatment | Ayushakti Ayurveda

 Ayurvedic
Jul 182019
 

A lump in the thyroid, the butterfly-shaped gland at the base of the neck. Thyroid nodules are solid or fluid-filled lumps that form within your thyroid, a small gland located at the base of your neck, just above your breastbone.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Thyroid Nodules

Symptoms :

The most common of these symptoms is a lump in the neck followed by a sense of mass while swallowing. Very rarely, nodules may cause pain or discomfort. Occasionally, however, some nodules become so large that they can-

  • Be felt
  • Be seen, often as a swelling at the base of your neck
  • Press on your windpipe or esophagus, causing shortness of breath or difficulty swallowing

In some cases, thyroid nodules produce additional thyroxine, a hormone secreted by your thyroid gland. The extra thyroxine can cause symptoms of hyperthyroidism such as-

  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Increased perspiration
  • Tremor
  • Nervousness
  • Rapid or irregular heartbeat

Ayushakti’s approach is to improve the metabolism and balance the immune system which creates thyroid hormone balance naturally and reduces anti thyroid antibody. The diet, lifestyle, herbs and detox therapies help relieve all the hypothyroid symptoms like panic, exhaustion, bloating of the body, indigestion, nervousness and anxiety, dryness of skin and hair etc.  

Ayushakti’s Detox Treatment is a combination of therapies that helps to improve the metabolism faster, balancing hormones, reduces inflammation and improve overall energy levels. After taking the treatment you will feel no weakness, balanced and stable state of mind and improved sleep quality. Further continuing with the herbs helps maintain normal thyroid functions and overall health for long term even after discontinuing the treatments.

Herbal Medicines Recommended By Ayushakti’s Doctors For Thyroid Ayurvedic Treatment:

  • Ojas
  • Granthihar
  • Suhruday

To balance Thyroid function naturally, Ayushakti recommends detox treatment with customized diet plan. Ayushakti Ayurved has 30 years of excellence in providing proven health services worldwide with 100% Safe and Effective Ayurvedic Products.

To know more about Ayushakti’s Thyroid Treatment, click on http://www.ayushakti.com or you can also book your appointments by contacting us on our toll-free numbers 18002663001 (India); 18002800906 (Global). You can also email us your queries on info@ayushakti.com

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3 AcuPoints for Anxiety

 Acupuncture
Jul 152019
 
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One of the most wonderful things about being an acupuncturist is the ability to stimulate points on my own body when I need to. If I get a headache, or feel a cold coming on, I can always hop up on my table for a quick tune-up with some needles. Even when I’m not at the office, the magic of acupuncture can still work for me – as long as I know where the points are and what they do, I can press on them and get results.

So, what points do acupuncturists use when they need to chill out? There are so many points on the body that help to calm the mind and bring us down from our stresses and anxieties. My top three, however, are pericardium 6, liver 3, and stomach 6.

Liver 3 is a point located between the first and second toes. If you slide your finger between the toes up until you hit the junction of the two bones, you will find a very tender spot. This is a great point for so many things: irritability, headaches, TMJ, anxiety…the list goes on. If you think about these four issues, they all have one thing in common: they result from the energy in the body rising upward. Liver 3 is a very grounding point. It channels the energy downward. When we are in a state of anxiety, it’s so hard to get out of our heads, but this point will help.

Pericardium 6 is a point that is commonly used for stress and nausea. You have probably seen the bands some pregnant women use around their wrist for morning sickness. These are designed to put pressure on this point, quelling the queasiness. The point is located between the two tendons on your wrist, two fingers up from the wrist crease. Pressing on it is immediately calming. It helps to open the chest, as well, so if your anxiety comes with a side of chest tightness or shallow breathing, this is your point.

Stomach 6 isn’t typically on the top 10 list of acupuncture points for stress, but it is my favorite. If you clench your teeth, you can find it by going one finger width anterior and superior to the angle of the mandible at the belly of the masseter muscle. Like many people, I hold a lot of tension in my face and jaw. Massaging this point creates an instant release for me. Once I feel the muscles in my face release, it brings a sense of relaxation into my entire body. Try it for yourself, it feels great!

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Topical Benefits of Calendula: Making a Calendula Poultice

 Uncategorized
Jul 152019
 

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

How to Make a Soothing Calendula Poultice

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Herbal poultices are simple, traditional remedies used topically on the skin to relieve pain, infection, and swelling. They are water-based, which makes them especially choice when oil-based remedies (that hold in moisture and heat) are contraindicated. Herbal oils and salves shouldn’t be applied to weepy skin conditions or bacterial and fungal skin infections because they can hold in moisture and reduce airflow. Additionally, I find that herbal poultices are often more effective topical remedies than oil-based herbal preparations, simply because poultices are more concentrated, as they contain plenty of fresh herbal material.

In general, herbal poultices are beneficial for poison ivy rashes, weepy eczema, hives, insect bites, psoriasis, pimples, boils, fresh sunburns, and fungal and bacterial skin infections. The specific herbs used affect the exact medicinal properties of each poultice.

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Ingredients for a soothing herbal poultice: calendula flowers, plantain, violet leaves, clay, water, and essential oils

Ingredients for a soothing herbal poultice: calendula flowers, plantain, violet leaves, clay, water, and essential oils

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Poultices are prepared by blending therapeutic plants (fresh or dried) into a green slurry or paste, after which they are applied directly to an afflicted area. The slurry is then covered with a clean, dry cloth or bandaging material, depending on the size of the area being treated. Adding a binder such as clay makes the poultice easier to apply and helps it stay put. Clay has its own skin-healing benefits as well and is especially helpful for drying weepy skin conditions such as poison ivy.

As you might surmise, poultices can be a messy business. A tamer version involves wrapping the moistened herbal material into a loose-weave, permeable cloth and placing it on the area to be treated. The most primitive version of a poultice is the aptly named chew and spit poultice, which is applied, as you might imagine, solely on one’s own body.

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Place poultice ingredients in a food processor or blender

Herbal poultice ingredients are placed in a food processor and blended until the mixture has a pesto-like consistency

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Below, you’ll find one of my favorite poultice recipes. Take note that this recipe uses fresh herbs. If you’re working with dried herbs, bring a small amount of water to a boil, turn off the heat, and add a sufficient amount of the dried herbs until the herbs rehydrate and forms into a thick paste. Stir and let cool for comfort of application.

Soothing herbal poultice-

Soothing Herbal Poultice Recipe

This cooling and moistening poultice is helpful for dry, irritated skin conditions such as psoriasis, rashes, chicken pox, and chafed skin. It can also be used to soothe insect bites, mild abrasions, cuts, and scrapes. The combination of herbs provides a soothing blend of healing properties that are demulcent, anti-inflammatory, and vulnerary (wound-healing).

  • 1 handful fresh calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)
  • 1 heaping handful fresh violet leaves (Viola sororia and V. odorata)
  • 1 heaping handful fresh plantain leaves (Plantago spp.)
  • 4 to 6 ounces very hot water (not boiling hot)
  • 2 Tablespoons powdered clay
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil (Lavandula angustifolia), optional

Yield: About 2 cups

Using a food processor or a blender, combine four ounces of hot water with all other ingredients until the poultice is smooth, with the consistency of pesto. You may need to add more herbs, clay, or water to achieve the desired consistency. Refrigerate for up to three days, and apply as needed. If using dried herbs, substitute ¼ cup (60 ml) of the dried herb for one handful of fresh herb.

Meet the Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea:

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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Herbal Digestive Calendula Tea: A Remedy for Heartburn and Peptic Ulcers

 Uncategorized
Jul 102019
 

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

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If you’re looking for an herb to soothe and repair digestive issues, the cheery flowers of calendula (Calendula officinalis) will be one of your primary allies. Calendula tea is commonly used to help remedy peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It supports the healing of gastric and intestinal inflammation from infection or irritation through its vulnerary (wound healing), anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial actions.

Calendula can be combined with licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), slippery elm (Ulmus rubra), marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis), and meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) as a natural remedy for GERD, which commonly affects people with the symptoms of heartburn. In the case of peptic ulcers, calendula can be taken concurrently with antibiotic therapy (to address the presence of the bacterial infection of H. pylori or Helicobacter pylori), and then continued for two weeks after finishing treatment. See the notes below for important contraindications.

For a more detailed guide to calendula’s expansive medicinal benefits, visit my article on Growing and Using Calendula.

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Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) harvest

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria) harvest

Safety and Contraindications: Do not use calendula internally during pregnancy since it has traditionally been used to bring on menses. As calendula is in the aster family, it may cause a reaction for people who are highly sensitive to plants like ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita); this possibility is rare, but sensitive individuals should proceed with caution when using calendula for the first time. Rare incidences of allergic contact dermatitis have occurred with the topical use of calendula.

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Digestive Calendula Tea

This tasty tea blend is helpful for acid reflux and helps to reduce heartburn through the anti-inflammatory, astringent, and demulcent actions of the herbs. This tea is also helpful for soothing sore throats, peptic ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It can be sipped on as needed or taken daily to help reduce the symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). See below for contraindications for the herbs in this formula.

  • 2 parts meadowsweet leaves and flowers (Filipendula ulmaria)
  • 1 part marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis)
  • 1 part calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)
  • 2 parts licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra or G. uralensis)

For every 8 ounces (240 ml) of water, use 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of the herb blend. Place the desired amount of herbal blend and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Simmer for twenty minutes and take off the heat.

Strain and sweeten with honey or maple syrup if desired. Drink one to three cups a day.

Because this tea is best taken tonically (daily), I find it’s helpful to pre-mix a jarful of the dried herbs (in the proportions given above) to store in your cabinet and dip into whenever you’re brewing a batch. Along these lines, I prefer to infuse one to two days’ worth of tea at a time (stored in the fridge). Dosage is up to three cups per day.

Safety and Contraindications: This formula should not be taken internally during pregnancy because of the calendula and licorice (instead use slippery elm alone). The use of meadowsweet is cautioned in people who have aspirin sensitivity (or sensitivity to other salicylate-containing drugs). Meadowsweet may thin the blood; therefore, monitor coagulation values with people who are taking pharmaceutical blood thinners (the evidence for meadowsweet’s effect on coagulation is inconclusive). Marshmallow has no known adverse effects.

Licorice is contraindicated in pregnancy, water retention (edema), heart conditions, and high blood pressure. If licorice is not advisable, omit the licorice from the tea blend, and use a DGL licorice (deglycyrrhizinated licorice) preparation instead. Use the same proportions for the remaining herbs in the formula if you’re omitting the licorice.

See the notes above for contraindications pertaining to calendula.

Meet the Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea:

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

-

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Ayurvedic Treatment For Hyperthyroidism | Ayushakti Ayurveda

 Ayurvedic
Jul 082019
 

Hyperthyroidism is a metabolic disorder, characterized by the excessive production of thyroxin by the thyroid gland. The increased metabolism causes loss of weight and symptoms such as trembling and sweating of hands.

Hyperthyroidism | Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid

SOME COMMON CAUSES SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM

  • Graves’ Disease

Graves Disease | Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid

The most common cause of hyperthyroidism is Graves’ disease. The thyroid gland itself over-produces thyroid hormone and is no longer able to respond to the pituitary and hypothalamus. Graves’ disease is five times more common in women and runs in families. Risk factors for Graves’ disease include smoking, viral illnesses, radiation to the neck, and medications. The condition is associated with an eye disease called Graves’ ophthalmopathy and skin lesions called dermopathy. Diagnosis of Graves’ disease is made by blood tests, and a nuclear medicine thyroid scan.

  • Functioning adenoma (“hot nodule”) and Toxic Multinodular Goiter (TMNG)

Functioning Adenoma & Toxic Multinodular Goiter

When the thyroid gland tissue overgrows, either in individual nodules (the functioning adenoma) or in multiple clusters (multinodular goiter), it is generally termed “goiter.” Goiters appear as large, swollen areas in the front of the neck near the Adam’s apple. These goiters may over-produce thyroid hormone, causing symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

  • Excessive intake of thyroid hormones

Excessive intake of thyroid medicines | Causes of Thyroid

Hyperthyroidism may be caused by the intake of too much thyroid medication. Supplemental thyroid medication is given to patients who have low thyroid hormone, or hypothyroidism. If the dose is not correct or the patient takes too much of the medication, hypothyroidism may occur. Some people may abuse thyroid hormone medications in an attempt to lose weight. Taking thyroid hormones, the body does not need may result in hyperthyroidism.

  • Abnormal secretion of TSH

Abnormal secretion of TSH | Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is secreted by the pituitary gland and causes the thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormone. A tumor or problem with the pituitary gland can cause and excess of TSH to affect the thyroid and can result in hyperthyroidism.

  • Thyroiditis (inflammation of the thyroid gland)

Inflammation of the thyroid gland | Symptoms of Thyroid

Thyroiditis is inflammation of the thyroid. It is usually caused by a viral illness. The patient may have generalized neck pain, sore throat, fever, chills, and a tender thyroid. The inflammation of the thyroid causes an increased amount of thyroid hormone to be secreted into the body, causing hyperthyroidism. After pregnancy, some women – up to 8% – may develop a condition called lymphocytic thyroiditis where white blood cells called lymphocytes accumulate in the glandular tissue. Thyroiditis can be diagnosed with blood tests and a thyroid scan.

  • Excessive iodine intake

Excessive iodine intake | Causes of Thyroid

An important component of thyroid hormone is iodine. If an excess of iodine is ingested the thyroid may over-produce thyroid hormone and cause hyperthyroidism. Some medications such as such as the anti-arrhythmic drug amiodarone (Cordarone) contain large amounts of iodine and can induce thyroid dysfunction.

Ayushakti’s ayurvedic treatment for hyperthyroidism aims to control its symptoms and prevent them from getting severe. Ayurveda strives to cure the root cause or pathology of hyperthyroidism i.e. Grave’s disease. Stress, smoking, exposure of neck to radiation, certain medications and persistent viral infections can precipitate Grave’s disease.

Some common symptoms of hyperthyroidism is a rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). The feeling of a racing heart and/or palpitations can be distressing to patients.

SYMPTOMS OF HYPERTHYROIDISM

  • Excessive hunger
  • Frequent bowel movements
  • Nervousness
  • Intolerance towards heat
  • Difficulty to concentrate
  • Scanty or irregular menstruation
  • Fatigue
  • Weight loss
  • Sleeplessness
  • Excessive sweating
  • Tremors in extremities

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR HYPERTHYROIDISM

According to Ayurveda, impaired digestion of food leads to blockage of the minute channels in the body causing an imbalance in the function of the thyroid gland. Hyperthyroidism reflects profound derangement of Vata and Pitta Doshas. The two vitiated Doshas overstimulate the gastric fire which leads to excessive hunger. Vayu has dynamic, light and unstable properties. Escalation of dynamic and unstable characteristics causes tremors in the extremities, sleeplessness, nervousness and difficulty to concentrate the mind. It is also marked by frequent bowel movement and irregular menstruation. The increased lightness of Vayu makes the body lighter (because of weight loss). Since Pitta is basically hot, the patient has excessive sweating and intolerance towards heat.

DIET & LIFESTYLE ADVICE TO FOLLOW

  • Include enough quantity of milk, pure ghee and milk products in food.
  • Eat fresh fruits like banana and melons, and dry fruits like dates and walnuts, which reduce aggravated Vata and Pitta.
  • Yoga, Pranayama and meditation also help in reigning over aggravated Vata and Pitta.

Ayushakti’s approach is to improve the metabolism and balance the immune system which creates thyroid hormone balance naturally and reduces anti thyroid antibody.  The diet, lifestyle, herbs and detox therapies help relieve all the hypothyroid symptoms like panic, exhaustion, bloating of the body, indigestion, nervousness and anxiety, dryness of skin and hair etc.

To balance thyroid function naturally, Ayushakti recommends Detox Panchakarma Treatment with customized, balanced diet. Ayushakti Ayurved has 30 years of excellence in providing proven health services worldwide with 100% safe and effective ayurvedic products. You can book an appointment with us by calling on our toll-free numbers 1800 266 3001 (India) and 1800 280 0906 (Global) or by emailing us at info@ayushakti.com

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Online Naturopathic Consultations

 Naturopathy
Jul 012019
 

Naturopathic medicine combines traditional medicine and evidence-based sciences to prevent and treat a wide array of health concerns. Naturopathy aims to educate, empower and motivate you to stimulate your own innate healing ability so that total well-being can be achieved.

Online naturopathic consultations combine the detailed and personalised treatment protocols of a clinical consultation, with the convenience of having your consultation at a time and place that suits your best.

There is no compromise on the depth and quality of health care that you receive via an online naturopathic consultation compare to a face-to-face consultation.

In my naturopathic practice, I strive to work with the principles of healing through whole foods and traditional naturopathic principles. Food before supplements is essential to envoke a long term healing response.

My passion is to help women heal through whole food principles and naturopathic traditions. I have an extensive background in recipe creation and meal plan development, so good food is a major part of my treatment protocols.

ONLINE NATUROPATHIC CONSULTATIONS

Initial online naturopathic consultations include a detailed health appraisal and an individualised comprehensive treatment program.  If required, comprehensive pathology testing can be utilised to delve deeper into the state of your health. Practitioner quality nutritional and herbal supplements may be prescribed if indicated, and these can be purchased via an online prescription.

  • In-depth online consultation at a time that suits you
  • Personalised treatment protocols
  • Targeted nutritional and lifestyle advice
  • Personalised menu plans
  • Practitioner-only supplements and compounded herbal formulas
  • Functional medicine pathology testing is carried out when indicated.

AS A NATUROPATH, I GO BEYOND TREATING THE PRESENTING CONDITION BY EXPLORING THE UNDERLYING CAUSE AND WORK TO TREAT THIS CAUSE.

For new clients, online consultations come in a package of three appointments. The initial consultation goes for 45 minutes, with two follow-up appointments of 20 minutes each. These follow-up appointments are scheduled accordingly after your initial consultation.

From 10 years in clinical practice, I have seen amazing results from clients who commit to their health and see the healing journey through, from start to finish. Naturopathic medicine is not a quick fix as we are targeting the root cause. Most clients that I see have had health concerns present for quite some time, all which requires time to heal.

Once you have had your initial three consultations, you can schedule follow-up consultations as required one by one.

NATUROPATHIC SUPPORT FOR – 

  • Female hormone concerns – PMS, PCOS, endometriosis, fibroids, menopause
  • Fertility support – infertility, pre-conception, pregnancy, post-partum
  • Digestive complaints
  • Skin conditions
  • Fatigue, stress, anxiety
  • Immune support, chronic infections
  • Sustainable weight loss

In addition to the above commonly treated health concerns, many clients have consultations for general health and wellbeing. This is great for those who are in good health, but just want to check in for some professional advice to see if they are on the right path.

“PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN THE CURE”

I hold a Bachelor of Health Science (Naturopathy), Dip. Nutrition, Dip. Herbal Medicine and Cert4 Remedial Massage. I have post-graduate training in fertility management through the Baby Maker Network.

I have professional recognition with and I am a member of the Australian Traditional Medical Society.

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If you are still not sure in naturopathic medicine is right for you, why don’t you book in a free 15-minute discovery call so we can chat about your concerns a little further.

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Seven Ways to Set and Achieve Your Goals

 Acupuncture
Jul 012019
 
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No matter what you’re trying to accomplish, setting goals is one way to help you get there. Often, when people have no goals, they lack motivation, focus and direction.  Setting goals also provides a benchmark to determine whether or not you are succeeding. But how do you set goals if you’ve never done so before? Or what if you have set goals in the past, but you didn’t achieve them? Do you just give up and tell yourself that goal setting doesn’t work? That’s one option, but let’s put things into perspective.

1.  Set goals that motivate you. The goals you set for yourself should be important to you, making you feel there is value in achieving them. Make sure you’re able to identify why each goal matters to you, otherwise it will be hard to take action.

2.  Break the larger goals down into smaller, more specific goals. For instance, if your goal is to lose 60 pounds over the next year, break that down into smaller more achievable goals. For example, set a goal of losing five pounds per month for the next 12 months. This makes the larger goal more feasible and accessible.

3.  Write down your goals. The physical act of writing down a goal makes it tangible and real and adds a sense of accountability to the goals. Pay attention t the wording you use. In place of “I would like to” use “I will” to give your goals more power.

4.  Make an action plan to achieve your goals. In other words, don’t just focus on the end result. Spend time working on the steps it will take to get you to your ultimate goal.

5.  Adjust your goals periodically. Goals may change as you age or as you start to change. Your goals should be adjusted accordingly, allowing for flexibility and growth.

6.  Tell someone close to you what your goal is. Like writing your goals down, saying them outloud to someone makes them feel more real and helps to hold you accountable for achieving them.

7.  Don’t give up. Many times, when we are faced with failure, we tend to give up on our goals. Some of the most successful people in history failed numerous times before they got it right. And they all had to stop, adjust and reevaluate their goals as they went along, but they ultimately succeeded because they stayed the course.

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Calendula’s Benefits for the Skin: How to Prepare Calendula Oil and Salve

 Uncategorized
Jun 262019
 

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

Calendula’s sunny blooms are an external remedy for practically every manner of skin complaint. The flowers are used topically as a wound healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory herb. For optimal strength, be sure you’re using the whole flower—including the green flower base—instead of the “petals” only (the herb is sometimes sold this way). Calendula-infused oils and salves are some of my favorite topical applications for soothing and repairing the skin—see my recipes below.

Calendula is also an edible flower, a cheerful garden medicinal, and an internal remedy for the digestive and lymphatic systems. Take a peek at our article on Growing and Using Calendula for more on this plant’s floral intrigue. It’s incredibly easy to grow your own calendula, and it’s one of the most beautiful medicinals for the garden.

A fresh bouquet of calendula (Calendula officinalis)

A fresh bouquet of calendula (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula’s Skin-Healing Benefits:

  • Rashes
  • Stings
  • Wounds
  • Burns
  • Sunburns
  • Abrasions
  • Swellings
  • Eczema
  • Acne
  • Insect bites
  • Scrapes
  • Bruises
  • Chicken pox
  • Cold sores
  • Cracked nipples from nursing
  • Bacterial vaginosis (douche)
  • Yeast infections (douche)
  • Cervical dysplasia (douche)
  • Postpartum perineal tears (sitz bath)

Calendula’s Herbal Actions:

  • Vulnerary (wound-healing)
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antimicrobial
  • Antifungal

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Safety and Contraindications: Do not use calendula internally during pregnancy since it has traditionally been used to bring on menses. As calendula is in the aster family, it may cause a reaction for people who are highly sensitive to plants like ragweed (Ambrosia spp.) and chamomile (Matricaria recutita); this possibility is rare, but sensitive individuals should proceed with caution when using calendula for the first time. Rare incidences of allergic contact dermatitis have occurred with the topical use of calendula.

How to Make Herbal-Infused Oils

Herbal oils are made by infusing plants into high-quality oils that have a long shelf life and readily dissolve into the skin. I typically use extra-virgin olive oil. If your oil is for massage or broad application, consider using sesame, sunflower, coconut, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. Look for oils that are unrefined and cold-pressed or expeller-pressed. Preparing herbal oils is quite easy, especially if you follow a few basic guidelines (see our recipe below).

After preparing an herbal-infused oil, you may then use it as a stand-alone oil or transform it into an herbal salve by adding beeswax or carnauba wax (a vegan alternative), and other optional amendments like essential oils and vitamin E.

In general, herbal salves are beneficial for soothing skin irritations, dryness, and inflammation. We share our recipe for Calendula Salve below.

As mentioned previously, take care that you use the whole dried flowers when making oils and salves, as calendula’s medicinal resinous oils are found mostly in the involucres (green bases of the flower heads). Sometimes calendula is sold as “petals” only; this is a weaker medicine for topical use.

When to Use Water-Based Applications Versus Infused Oils and Salves:

In certain situations, the application of herbal oils and salves is not recommended. Oils and salves hold in moisture and heat and are thus contraindicated in weepy skin conditions, infections, and fresh burns.

Avoid the use of oils and salves on poison ivy rashes, weepy eczema, pimples, boils, fresh sunburn, and fungal and bacterial skin infections. Another contraindication includes deep wounds and cuts. Instead of oil-based preparations, use water-based applications such as herbal compresses, soaks, baths, and poultices. Also note that if oils are used as a sexual lubricant, they can degrade and break most condoms.

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Infused Calendula Oil

This is a wonderful all-purpose herbal oil. It can be used as a base for salves or prepared into a cream or lotion. Combine it with other skin-healing herbs for a soothing anti-inflammatory and wound-healing remedy. I keep calendula oil stocked in my refrigerator, as it’s a handy stand-alone remedy. I like to combine the flowers with plantain (Plantago spp.), chickweed (Stellaria media), Saint John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum), and violet (Viola sororia and others), but calendula oil can just as easily stand on its own as a versatile skin-healing preparation.

  • 1 cup whole dried calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis), or combination of herbs mentioned above (equaling to 1 cup)
  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil (or substitute jojoba or almond oil)

Yield: ¾ cup (360 ml)

Note: You can double or triple this recipe by following the same proportions outlined above: 1 part herb (or combination of herbs) by volume to 1 part oil by volume.

Preparation:

Step 1: Dry your herbs. If you're using homegrown or gathered herbs, gather your plant material and dry thoroughly. If purchasing dried herbs, make sure they are fresh and high quality. It’s important to remember that oil can ferment or mold in the presence of water. If you are new to preparing medicinal oils, I recommend using dried herbs rather than fresh herbs. You’ll also want to make sure all your tools are completely clean and dry.

Step 1: Gather and dry your herbs

Step 1: Gather and dry your herbs

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Step 2: Combine the whole dried flowers with your oil of choice in a blender, food processor, or Vitamix and aim for a thick, pesto-like consistency (see the photo in Step 3 for an idea of the desired texture). This increases the surface area of the herb(s), leading to a stronger oil (concentrated). 

Step 2: Measure out your herb(s) and add to blender or food processor

Step 2: Measure out your herb(s) and add to blender or food processor

Step 2: Add your oil to the herb(s)

Step 2: Add your oil to the herb(s)

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Step 3: Heat the herb/oil mixture in a double boiler for four to eight hours. You can improvise a double boiler by nesting two pots together or placing mason jar bands upside down in a saucepan filled with water. The trick is to nest one pan (for your herbs and oil) inside the other (filled with water) without the bottoms touching. Heat slowly and keep on low heat for four to eight hours. Try not to let the oil get hotter than 110°F, or 43.3°C (a little warmer than bath water). Watch closely to make sure the water does not completely evaporate and the oil does not get too hot. You do not want deep-fried herbs!

Step 3: Add your herbal slurry to a double boiler

Step 3: Add your herbal slurry to a double boiler

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Step 4: Strain your oil. After your oil has infused for four to eight hours, strain it into a glass jar or measuring cup using a muslin cloth, fine-weave cloth or cheesecloth. If the oil is slightly warm, it will be easier to strain. Place the cloth in a stainless-steel or ceramic strainer and pour in the oil/herb slurry. After the oil ceases to run through the cloth, wring out the herbal material with clean, dry hands or press with a potato ricer.

Step 4: After the herbal material has infused, strain and wring with a cloth

Step 4: After the herbal material has infused, strain and wring with a cloth

Step 4: After the herbal material has infused, strain and wring with a cloth

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Step 5: Label and store. Make a label and cap your oil when it cools to room temperature (this prevents condensation from developing inside the jar). Herbal-infused oils will typically last two to three years when refrigerated and one year unrefrigerated, depending on the stability of the oil used.

Notes on preparing herbal oils with the stovetop method

I’ve found that in the case of infused oils, it’s beneficial to use a little bit of heat to extract medicine from herbs. This is because oil isn’t the strongest solvent and makes for weaker medicine than other solvents like water, vinegar, or alcohol. Heat is especially helpful for melting and extracting resin into oils.

As mentioned earlier, much of calendula’s healing properties come from the resin, which is concentrated in the undersides of the flowerheads. To prepare the strongest possible oil, you’ll want to optimally extract the resin with heat. Thus, I recommend using a stovetop method for preparing your infused oil.

How to Make an Herbal Salve with Calendula

I always keep a healing salve on hand in my apothecary. Thicker than an infused oil, this remedy has extra staying power that’s amplified by the moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties of beeswax.

  • 4 oz infused calendula oil (Calendula officinalis) by volume
  • 1 oz grated or beaded beeswax (substitute carnauba wax for a vegan salve) by volume
  • Vitamin E oil, optional (For every 5 ounces of salve, add 1 capsule of vitamin E oil, or a ¼ teaspoon of liquid vitamin E oil.)
  • Salve jars (enough for 5 ounces total)

Yield: 5 oz

Preparation: 

Step 1: Measure out your oil, and then bring it slowly up to 110°F (43.3°C) in a double boiler (see notes in the Infused Oil Recipe above on fashioning an improvised double boiler).

Step 1: Measure out the herbal infused oil and add it to a double boiler

Step 1: Measure out the herbal infused oil and add it to a double boiler

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Step 2: For every 4 fluid ounces of oil, add 1 ounce of grated or beaded beeswax, by volume. (Beeswax beads are also sold as beeswax pellets or pastilles.) Depending on the size of your beeswax shavings or beads, these proportions will yield a salve with a soft consistency. It’s easy enough to adjust the texture by adding more beeswax or more oil. Keep in mind that harder salves will be less likely to melt in a hot car or bag but will be more difficult to apply.

Step 2: Add the grated beeswax to the warm oil

Step 2: Add the grated beeswax to the warm oil

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Step 3: Completely dissolve the beeswax into the oil. To test the consistency of your salve, place a spoonful of the mixture in the freezer for two minutes, pull it out, let it come to room temperature, and test its hardness. If it’s too soft, add more beeswax. If it’s too hard, add a little more of the infused oil.

Step 4: Label and store. Vitamin E is often added to salve (right before it’s poured into jars) as an antioxidant to prevent rancidity as well as for its own skin-healing attributes. This is also when you would add any essential oils at the proper dilution rate. While your salve is still warm, pour it into jars, label the contents, and allow it to cool before capping. Salves typically last one to three years unrefrigerated. Refrigeration is not necessary but prolongs the shelf life.

Step 4: Pour the salve into jars

Step 4: Pour the salve into jars

Meet the Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea:

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herb cultivation?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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How Acupuncture Works

 Acupuncture
Jun 182019
 

People are often curious to know how acupuncture works. Many scientific studies have been done to understand the mechanisms behind acupuncture. Here we’d like to share with you links to several articles that explain the way acupuncture works in detail:

What Is Acupuncture? (and how acupuncture is said to work) from Live Science

Chinese Medicine Demystified (Part V): A Closer Look at How Acupuncture Relieves Pain by Chris Kresser

Acupuncture: Why It Works from Mercola

Does Acupuncture Work By Re-Mapping the Brain? from AEON

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The Healing Benefits of Gotu Kola: An Edible and Medicinal Herb

 Uncategorized
Jun 172019
 

Written and Photographed by Juliet Blankespoor

This article was originally written for Mother Earth Living magazine and is published here with permission from the publisher. Mother Earth Living is an American bimonthly magazine about sustainable homes and lifestyle.

The Healing Benefits of Gotu Kola: An Edible and Medicinal Herb

Gotu kola (Centella asiatica, Apiaceae) has been a legendary herb in India and China for over two thousand years, where it’s considered to be one of the best herbs for promoting clarity, focus, and a peaceful, calm nature.

Gotu kola is both a medicinal herb and a food plant. I’m especially fond of the botanicals that are food-herbs for several reasons: one, they’re generally the safest remedies, and two, there are countless ways you can ingest them. You can take gotu kola as a tea, a tincture, or in capsules, and if you’re a culinary creative, try sneaking the herb into broths, vinegars, smoothies, and vegetable juices.

Also called brahmi, gotu kola is one of the easiest tonic herbs to grow, in the garden or in containers. Take note that there is another plant called brahmi: Bacopa monnieri is a low-growing wetland herb in the plantain family (Plantaginaceae), which also goes by the name water hyssop; it has some overlapping uses with gotu kola. This has resulted in copious confusion in the scientific and herbal literature and in commerce. Herbalists debate how their uses differ and overlap. Both are used to increase focus and mental clarity.

If you purchase gotu kola, be sure to double check the scientific name—you’re looking for Centella asiatica.

Gotu kola growing in a broad, shallow pot

Gotu kola growing in a broad, shallow pot

Medicinal Benefits of Gotu Kola

Parts Used:  Leaves; may include small amounts of stem, flower, and fruit

Medicinal Preparations: Tea, tincture, infused oil, garnish, infused ghee, broth, green smoothie, fresh juice, compress, poultice

Tincture ratios and dosage: Fresh leaves 1:2 95%; dried leaves 1:5 50%. Both preparations 2–5 ml (½ to 1 teaspoon) three times a day

Infusion ratios and dosage: 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 ml) of the cut and sifted dried leaves infused in 1 cup (240 ml) of boiling water three times a day

Herbal Actions:

  • Nervine
  • Antianxiety
  • Secondary adaptogen
  • Antioxidant
  • Alterative
  • Vulnerary (promotes wound healing)
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Diuretic

Medicinal Uses: This low-growing member of the carrot family, also known as brahmi or mandukaparni (Sanskrit), is a tonic remedy for assuaging memory loss, stress, worry, and foggy thinking.1In Ayurvedic medicine—the ancient healing system of India—gotu kola is used to increase memory, concentration, and comprehension. In the Himalayas, yogis use gotu kola as an aid for meditation.

Folklore tells us that daily ingestion of gotu kola keeps the mind fresh and promotes longevity and vitality. In Southeast Asia, gotu kola has long been credited as the source of elephants’ long life spans and exceptional memories.

In addition to its effects on the brain, contemporary herbalists use gotu kola as a wound healer, diuretic, antioxidant, nerve tonic, and antibacterial remedy.

Close-up of gotu kola leaves

Close-up of gotu kola leaves

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An Herb to Promote Relaxation and Alertness

Natural healers and researchers debate whether gotu kola is a true adaptogen (a tonic herb that helps balance the body by supporting its ability to deal with physical and emotional stress). Tonic herbs are traditionally taken on a daily basis over a long period of time, as opposed to herbs that are only used on an as-needed basis. In any case, gotu kola has a long tradition of use as a tonic herb for promoting longevity, vitality, and equanimity. I find it to be one of the most useful herbs to help people feel energized, alert, and relaxed. Gotu kola is one of the safest remedies for easing stress and anxiety. See the accompanying tea recipe for inspiration on combining gotu kola with similar tonic herbs.

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A Traditional Remedy for Wounds and Injuries

Gotu kola has long been used to heal wounds, both internally and topically. Once famous for its use in treating leprosy in India, gotu kola is used today by herbalists to treat burns, minimize scarring, heal wounds, and promote tissue repair after injury or surgery. It appears to promote wound healing through its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antibacterial qualities, in addition to stimulating keratinization (an integral process of nail and hair growth) and epidermal repair (the epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin).2

One in vitro study which used an isolated constituent, asiaticoside, demonstrated the proliferation of fibroblasts, which are specialized cells responsible for producing and maintaining the structure of connective tissue. Fibroblasts are integral to wound healing.3

In my herbal practice, I use gotu kola to promote tissue repair after surgery or injury, such as sprains, bone breaks, bruising, burns, and wounds. In fact, it’s the primary herb I recommend for this purpose! Gotu kola has another benefit in this healing arena: its adaptogen-like qualities help with the emotional and physiological stress of physical trauma. Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is an herb that I frequently pair with gotu kola. Calendula flowers also promote tissue repair and support the lymphatic system in fighting infection.

In addition to its internal use in healing injuries, gotu kola is used topically, in the form of poultices, compresses, soaks, and infused oils (don’t use infused oils on fresh burns). A compress is the simplest preparation: prepare a concentrated tea, strain it, and soak a clean washcloth in the tea when it’s still warm. Apply the cloth to the affected area several times per day. The proportions of tea to water aren’t essential for this herb—simply make the tea about three times as strong as you would make a tea to drink.

Along with gotu kola’s wound-healing properties, it’s also applied topically to mollify a variety of skin conditions, including insect bites, seborrheic dermatitis, cold sores, eczema, psoriasis, and dry, irritated skin. I like to infuse the dry herb into sesame or coconut oil, which can be rubbed into the scalp to calm the mind, deepen sleep, and promote hair growth.4

Safety and Contraindications: Avoid gotu kola in pregnancy or when trying to conceive.5 A small number of people react to the topical use of the herb with dermatitis.6 Be sure to check with your health care provider before ingesting any new herb, paying special attention to any possible contraindications with medications.

Harvesting gotu kola with the hair-cut method

Harvesting gotu kola with the hair-cut method

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Eating and Preparing Gotu Kola

Gotu kola is grown in southern Asia as a medicinal potherb and salad green. The fresh leaves are added to green drinks, which are sold as a health and energy tonic on the streets in many tropical Asian countries. The parsley-like flavor of juiced gotu kola pairs nicely with vegetable juices containing apples, ginger, lemon, and kale. Substitute concentrated gotu kola tea for the juice if you don’t have it growing fresh. An innovative way to incorporate gotu kola into the diet is to infuse the dried herb into herbal broths (see the accompanying herbal broth recipe).

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Relaxation & Clarity Gotu Kola Tea Recipe

This blend is helpful for promoting relaxation throughout the day, as the herbs aren’t sedating and, instead, typically increase alertness. Tulsi, gotu kola, and milky oats are classic nerve tonics for assuaging anxiety, stress, and forgetfulness. Lemon verbena adds a splash of citrusy flavor and is a traditional remedy for imparting calm.

  •   3 Tablespoons dried milky oat tops (Avena sativa)*
  •   1½ Tablespoons tulsi, flowering herb (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
  •   1½ Tablespoons gotu kola, herb (Centella asiatica)
  •   2 teaspoons lemon verbena, herb (Aloysia citriodora)

Yield: 32 ounces (1 L)

Bring 32 ounces (1 L) of water to boil. Turn off the heat, add all the herbs, and cover for thirty minutes. Strain and enjoy warm or at room temperature. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup if desired. Drink 1 to 3 cups a day. The measurements in this blend are for dried, cut and sifted herbs (store-bought). If you’re using homegrown herbs, or fresh herbs, use larger quantities.

*If you can’t find milky oat tops, substitute oatstraw, which is simply a different part of the same plant.

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Healing Herbal Broth Recipe

I help keep my family’s immune systems in tip-top shape by adding dried gotu kola to my herbal broths. This broth is high in minerals due to the seaweed and stinging nettles—fold it into chili and stews to add some of the nutritional benefits of leafy greens into the diets of picky eaters. The flavor of this broth is mild enough that you won’t notice the flavor of the herbs, especially if you add other classic stew ingredients, such as carrots, celery, or onion peels. The broth can also be used as a medicinal base for healing soups and stews when recuperating from injury, childbirth, or surgery. Since this broth is an all-day affair, start early in the morning on a day you’ll be at home, or use a slow cooker set to simmer.

  •   ½ cup gotu kola, herb (Centella asiatica)
  •   ½ cup calendula flowers (Calendula officinalis)
  •   ¼ cup astragalus root, cut and sifted (Astragalus propinquus)
  •   1 cup shiitake mushrooms, whole dried (Lentinula edodes)
  •   1 cup stinging nettles, herb (Urtica dioica)
  •   1 cup seaweed pieces, such as kombu, wakame, kelp, or alaria  

Yield: 1 gallon (4 L)

Add 1½ gallons (6 L) of water to a large stew pot. Add the astragalus, seaweed, nettles, and shiitake. If you’d like, add your classic stock ingredients at this time (see above). For those of you who prepare bone broth, go ahead and add the bones into the pot, alongside the herbs. Bring to a boil and simmer for four to six hours. Turn off the heat and add the calendula and gotu kola. Let steep for a half hour with the lid on and then strain, pressing out the plant material with a spoon and fine-meshed colander.

Use the stock as a base for soups, stews, chili, and marinades. Freeze any unused portions into large ice cubes, which are handy for adding a quick herbal boost to most any dish. The measurements in this blend are for dried, cut and sifted herbs (store-bought). If you’re using homegrown herbs, or fresh herbs, use larger quantities.

Gotu kola makes a lovely herbal houseplant

Gotu kola makes a lovely herbal houseplant

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How to Grow Your Own Gotu Kola

I find that gotu kola is one of the most luscious herbal houseplants, and I enjoy its presence in my library, where it keeps me company throughout the winter as I write. When the afternoon doldrums seize my creativity, I nibble on a leaf or two for renewed inspiration.  It’s surprisingly easy to grow, both as a garden herb and as a potted plant. In zones 7b and warmer, gotu kola can be grown outdoors as a perennial ground cover, and in colder climates it can be grown as a frost-tender annual.

Gotu kola prefers moist soils with good drainage. If your soil is compacted or clayey, add finished compost, coarse sand, or pine bark fines. In milder climates, you can grow gotu kola in full sun, as long as the soil stays relatively moist, either through irrigation or by choosing a moist garden site.

In hotter climates, plant gotu kola in part shade; preferably with morning sun and afternoon shade. In my garden, I play the herbal matchmaker by pairing gotu kola with passionflower vine (Passiflora incarnata). Passionflower is trained up a tipi-type trellis, providing shade and holding in moisture for its creeping companion, who, in turn, suppresses weeds.

As a container plant, gotu kola prefers a shallow, broad pot with a saucer underneath to help keep it moist. You may need to water your plants every few days—they’ll readily wilt when they’re thirsty. In the summer, I grow potted gotu kola on my front porch, which receives full morning sun and afternoon shade. Before the first frost, I bring the plants inside, placing them in front of an east-facing window.

Whether your plants are in the garden or a container, harvest gotu kola with the “haircut method,” using kitchen scissors to trim most of its leaves. It quickly grows a new batch, offering a few cuttings per growing season.

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Suppliers

For a list of suppliers where you can purchase gotu kola seeds and plants, please see our article on Herbal Seed Suppliers and Nurseries. To find out where to purchase dried herbs and seaweed for the accompanying recipe, see the supplies section of our links page.

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References

  1.  Khalsa, K. P. S. , and Tierra, M. The Way of Ayurvedic Herbs: The Most Complete Guide to Natural Healing and Health with Traditional Ayurvedic Herbalism (Lotus Press, 2008).
  2. Morisset, R., Côté, N. G., Panisset, J. C., Jemni, L., Camirand, P., and Brodeur, A. "Evaluation of the Healing Activity of Hydrocotyle Tincture in the Treatment of Wounds," Phytotherapy Research 1, no. 3 (1987): 117–121. doi:10.1002/ptr.2650010305.
  3. Lu, L., Ying, K., Wei, S., et al. "Asiaticoside Induction for Cell-Cycle Progression, Proliferation and Collagen Synthesis in Human Dermal Fibroblasts." International Journal of Dermatology 43, no. 11 (2004): 801–807. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2004.02047.x.
  4. McIntyre, A. The Complete Herbal Tutor: The Ideal Companion for Study and Practice (Octopus Books, 2010).
  5. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook, 2nd ed. (CRC Press, 2013).
  6. Mills, S., and Bone, K. The Essential Guide to Herbal Safety (Elsevier Health Sciences, 2005).

Meet the Green Mastermind Behind Blog Castanea:

JULIET BLANKESPOOR founded the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine in 2007 and serves as the school’s primary instructor and Creative Director. She's been a professional plant-human matchmaker for close to three decades. Juliet caught the plant bug when she was nineteen and went on to earn a degree in Botany. She's owned just about every type of herbal business you can imagine: an herbal nursery, a medicinal products business, a clinical practice, and now, an herbal school.

These days, she channels her botanical obsession with her writing and photography in her online programs and here on her personal blog, Castanea. She's writing her first book: Cultivating Medicinal Herbs: Grow, Harvest, and Prepare Handcrafted Remedies from Your Home Garden. Juliet and her houseplants share a home with her family and herb books in Asheville, North Carolina.

Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herb cultivation?

Our 1,000-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.

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Don’t have a garden?

Porches, patios, and sunny windowsills are all prime time real estate for the herb gardener. Take a wink at our Container Gardening Hub for a collection of resources that will have you growing potted plants like a pro.

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4 Tips for an Energizing, Joyful Summer

 Acupuncture
Jun 172019
 
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In Traditional Chinese Medicine, each season is associated with one of the elements: wood, fire, earth, metal and water. Perhaps unsurprisingly, summertime is associated with the element fire. Fire represents maximum activity. In nature, everything is at its peak growth during the summer, so TCM sees our energy as its most active and exuberant. Summer is the time of year with the most yang energy, which is all about excitement and assertiveness.

Summertime is also associated with the heart and small intestine, according to TCM. When the fire element is in balance, the heart is effectively circulating blood and ensuring the beginning of the digestive process in the small intestine is working. From an emotional standpoint, a balanced fire element looks like confident self expression, gentle sensitivity and a strong heart and mind connection.

TCM suggests that summer is the time when our fire and yang energies are most likely to be in balance, because of what is happening in nature. However, it’s also really easy to get overextended, quite literally overheated and energetically burn out by September. Summer can be a very busy season, full of outdoor adventures, vacations and social commitments on top of our regular obligations.

Here are 4 tips to maintain balance in your fire element this summer.

Adjust your sleep schedule. TCM suggests realigning your sleep schedule as the season changes will help you have the most energy throughout your day. In the summer, take advantage of the long days by getting up early, going to sleep later and taking a rest in the middle, hottest part of the day.

Be conscious of your priorities. At the beginning of summer, write down your four top priorities for this summer, so you can come back to them all season long as you find yourself pulled in many directions. These might be reading, spending time with family, swimming and cooking. Or something totally different. Whatever they are for you, mindfully choosing four priorities is a great way to stay grounded through all the activity.

Balance your exercise with breath. Summer is the highest energy, highest movement time of year, including in terms of moving your body. TCM suggests getting a lot of exercise during the summertime. Along with running, biking, swimming, hiking or whatever your summer activity of choice is, incorporate some slower, more mindful movement to stay strong and healthy. Practicing yin or restorative yoga or choosing to meditate in stillness outside can be great for staying in tune with your bodies needs and cultivating mindfulness in all your activities.

Stay hydrated. The opposing element to fire is water, and addressing its implications is an important part of staying balanced during summer. Especially if you live somewhere very hot in the summer, it is very important to drink plenty of water each day. Whether the climate is humid or dry, drinking enough water is very important. Staying hydrated helps your energy levels and assists in digestion. TCM also recommends watermelon juice for cooling the body and cleansing the system.

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The Importance of Gut Health

 Naturopathy
Jun 172019
 

The human gut is much more complex than previously thought and has a huge impact on whole-body health. A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, heart health, brain health, improved mood, healthy sleep, and effective digestion.

The health of our digestive system is reflected in just about every other system in the body. It’s not just its ability to extract the nutrients that are required for our bodies to operate optimally, but for its ability to produce substances such as nutrients, hormones and neurotransmitters. Without all these essential ingredients that the gut provides, we would simply cease to exist.

For these reasons alone, ensuring optimal gut health is vital to your very being.

When we talk about holistic gut health, we include everything from the mouth the anus. We don’t break it down into compartments, as an imbalance in one area will result in imbalances in another area.

Naturopathically, we look at how we are chewing our food, how our stomach is beginning to digest the food, how our small intestines are absorbing nutrients and how efficient our bowel is excreting the remains. We also assess our relationship with food as the mind-gut connection can have a dramatic effect on how we digest and absorb our food (1). The mind-gut connection is a huge topic that we will get into another day.

At the forefront of gut health, today is the role of our microbiome and its effect on our entire health. The term microbiome refers to the bacteria that resides within us. This bacteria can have both beneficial and detrimental effects on our health, and getting it into balance is key to complete health. In the past few decades, science has really put a spotlight on how vital it is to have a microbiome that is thriving within us.(2)

So where are we going so wrong?

Despite all of our new found knowledge into gut health, we are seeing digestive disturbances in epic proportions. In the clinic, digestive health would have to be the number one health complaint that I see and treat.

People are diagnosed with so many digestive issues. Ranging from the more simple conditions such as indigestion, IBS and food intolerances to life-altering conditions such as Crohn’s disease, Inflammatory bowel disease and autoimmune diseases.

Almost all digestive disorders share one or more of the following underlying mechanisms:

▪ An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine (SIBO)

▪ An imbalance between “good” and “bad” microbes in the gut

▪ A permeable gut barrier (leaky gut)

▪ Chronic bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infections (such as H. pylori, Blastocystis hominis, Candida albicans)

▪ Low stomach acid or digestive enzyme production

▪ Sensitivity, allergy, or intolerance to certain foods

▪ Impaired communication between the gut and the brain

The main cause of these underlying mechanisms can be put down to a few simple things –

  • Poor diet
  • Overuse of medications and antibiotics
  • Stress
  • Poor sleep

So how do we heal our gut?

Firstly we want to start with healthy digestion. We want to ensure that we have adequate digestive enzymes and stomach acids to break down our food. If you don’t produce enough digestive enzymes, you can’t break down or absorb protein, fat, or carbohydrates properly. It’s not hard to imagine that this could lead to digestive problems. Poor enzyme production is caused by low stomach acid, stress, micronutrient deficiency, advancing age, and a diet the is high in processed foods.

Next, we want to move onto how well we absorb our nutrients. This occurs in the lining of the small intestines. The gut is first and foremost a barrier designed to keep certain things (like pathogens and toxins) out and let other things (like beneficial bacteria and nutrients) in. When the intestinal barrier becomes permeable (leaky), substances that should not escape the gut—such as large, undigested protein molecules and bacterial toxins—pass into the bloodstream, where they trigger an immune reaction and provoke inflammation. Leaky gut is very common in most digestive disorders, so it’s a good idea to take steps to restore healthy gut barrier function.

Healing the gut barrier can be easily done with –

Nutrients (vitamin A, D, zinc, MSM, L-glutamine, N-acetyl-glucosamine)

Herbal medicine (slippery elm, marshmallow, liquorice, turmeric and chamomile)

Probiotics (certain strains are specific or certain conditions. Sorry, but Yakult, won’t cut it.

Prebiotics – this is the food for your beneficial bacteria. Good sources of probiotics include soluble fibre such as sweet potato, inulin, chicory root, raw asparagus, onion, garlic, leek, green bananas and dandelion greens. Getting adequate amounts of these foods will encourage your gut bacteria to thrive.

Dietary Changes – removing processed foods from the diet, eating lots of fermented foods, soluble fibre and identifying foods that might be triggering your symptoms. You may be prescribed a diet such as the FODMAP, Ancestral, Elimination or 30 Day Reset Plan.

Please don’t run to the health food shop and self-prescribe yourself a gut health protocol. Consult with a qualified health practitioner who can determine what nutrients and dietary advice that is right for you.

Many digestive disorders originate from a short list of underlying imbalances in the gut. Often adjusting the diet, addressing maldigestion, healing the gut lining, replenishing the gut microflora, and managing stress bring most patients significant relief from gut symptoms. If symptoms still continue then it can be worth running a few diagnostic tests to determine if there are parasites, imbalances in gut flora or inflammatory based conditions.

Maintaining good gut health is critical to our ongoing health. Don’t continue to ignore your symptoms, or attempt to self-diagnose. Get the professional help that you need so that you can heal your gut once and for all.

(1) http://www.health.harvard.edu/healthbeat/the-gut-brain-connection

(2) http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0925443914001513

12 Tips for a Healthy Gut

Are you ready to take charge of your gut health? Get started with this free guide

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Ayurveda perspective on Hypothyroidism and it’s treatment | Thyroid Treatments in Ayurveda

 Ayurvedic
Jun 102019
 

These days, symptoms like fatigue, unexpected weight gain, intolerance to cold, muscle aches and cramps, poor appetite or Goiter (enlarged thyroid gland) are very common among men and women. If you are having any of these symptoms, there are high chances that you might be suffering from Hypothyroidism, commonly known as ‘Thyroid.’ According to Ayurveda, the thyroid is located in the 6th tissue level or Majjadhatu and butterfly gland is controlled by Pitta Dosha. Pitta is responsible for all of the metabolic actions carried out by the thyroid gland.

Thyroid Hormones | Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid

Thyroid hormones control most metabolic processes in the body. They are produced by the thyroid gland located in the anterior (front) part of the neck. These hormones affect many organs and biochemical systems in your body.


Hypothyroidism | Thyroid Hormones | Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid

In Allopathy, Hypothyroidism is explained as Hashimoto’s disease which is an auto immune condition where your immune system attacks your thyroid. The thyroid gland is a part of your endocrine system, which produces hormones that coordinate many of your body’s functions.

As per Ayurveda, blockage in the Rasavaha Srotas as pituitary and thyroid and any other functions are part of Rasavaha system. Aama and Kapha blockage with Ojas imbalance creates under-active thyroid.

Initially, when TSH is higher but T3 T4 is good, doctor would always follow wait and watch approach. If you start Ayushakti’s ayurvedic treatment for thyroid at this stage, you can keep the thyroid function active, so that you will not need take any thyroid medication.

Some of the common symptoms of hypothyroidism & Hashimoto include:

  • Fatigue and sluggishness
  • Increased sensitivity to cold
  • Constipation
  • Pale, dry skin
  • A puffy face
  • Brittle nails
  • Hair loss
  • Enlargement of the tongue
  • Unexplained weight gain
  • Muscle aches, tenderness and stiffness
  • Joint pain and stiffness
  • Muscle weakness, Excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia)
  • Depression, Memory lapses

AYURVEDIC TREATMENT FOR THYROID

Ayushakti’s approach to treat thyroid naturally is to improve the metabolism and balance the immune system which makes thyroid hormone balance naturally and reduces anti-thyroid antibody. The diet, life style, herbs and detox therapies help relieve all the hypothyroid symptoms like panic, exhaustion, bloating of the body, indigestion, nervousness and anxiety, dryness of skin and hair etc.

Ayurvedic Treatment For Hypothyroidism | Ayurvedic Treatment For Thyroid

To balance thyroid function naturally, Ayushakti recommends detox treatment with customized diet. In general, your food proportion should be 60% Vegetables, 30% protein and 10% carbohydrates. Food items like dairy products, red meat and wheat, sour and fermented foods should be completed stopped and you should include more of green vegetables and mung in your diet.

HOME REMEDIES TO CONTROL THYROID

One can also try the below mentioned home remedy to treat thyroid naturally.

  1. Make one glass juice from Carrot, beetroot, pomegranate or apple juice.
  2. Add one table spoon fresh turmeric juice or one teaspoon of turmeric powder with ¼ teaspoon of black pepper powder in it
  3. Drink this daily every morning on an empty stomach.

If you are suffering from severe thyroid, Ayushakti’s recommend herbs like Suhruday, Ojas, Niramay and Granthihar, which helps to balance thyroid.

Ojas (for immune balancing)- Contain extracts of herbs like Haldi, Guduchi, Yashtimadhu and Shatavari

Ayushakti Ojas | Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid | Ayushakti Herbal Medicines

Suhruday (for metabolic balance)- Contain herbs like Pushkarmool, Guggul, Amlavetas, Chitrak, Chavya, Arjun, Karchur and Jaharmohra Pisti

Ayushakti Suhruday | Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid | Ayushakti Herbal Medicines

Niramay (anti-oxidant)- Contain extracts of herbs like Brahmi, Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Amlaki and Shunti

Ayushakti Niramay | Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid | Ayushakti Herbal Medicines

Granthihar (If there is inflammation and nodules)- Contain herbs like Shuddha Guggul, Kulinjan, Bharangi, Shunti, Punarnava, Kanchanar, Triphala and Trikatu

Ayushakti Granthihar | Ayurvedic Medicine For Thyroid | Ayushakti Herbal Medicines

These herbs as a combination helps to calm down and balance the immune system by improving Rasavaha Strotas functions as thyroid functions are part of Rasavaha channel. In just couple of months, most people experience reduction in swelling, good digestion, stable emotions. Within couple of years, they see positive change in their thyroid functions.

Ayushakti Ayurved has 30 years of excellence in providing proven health services worldwide with 100% safe and effective ayurvedic products.

Visit http://bit.ly/2X6XcD1 to know more about Ayushakti’s ayurvedic treatment for thyroid. You can book an appointment with us by calling on our toll-free numbers 1800 266 3001 (India) and 1800 280 0906 (Global) or by emailing us at info@ayushakti.com

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The best foods for gut health

 Naturopathy
Jun 072019
 

Traditional naturopathic healing principles have always been based around ‘heal the gut first’. This is the first thing we learn in our education and it is something that we evaluate in every patient that we see. Here we will explore the best foods for gut health.

‘All disease beings in the gut’ – Hippocrates

This famous statement was said over 2000 years ago, yet it is only in the past few decades that science has caught up and the enormity of this statement is being fully understood.

We now know that gut health not only determines the quality and efficiency of our digestion and metabolism, but it is also critical to our overall health. Poor digestive health, and most importantly a poor gut microbiome (the ecosystem of bacteria that lives within our gut) contributes to a wide range of diseases such as mental health issues, obesity, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, autism spectrum disorder, chronic fatigue, skin disorders and poor immune health.

When it comes to optimal gut health, it is a necessity that we look at the diet first and foremost. What we eat reflects everything in regards to the health of our gut and our entire health.

When we eat well then all the influencing factors of good gut health fall into balance.

This includes – 

  • Good level of digestive enzymes to break down the food that we eat
  • A robust and healthy gut lining to promote nutrient absorption
  • Optimal gut-brain connection to stimulate the movement of digestion
  • A healthy liver to process our food and detoxify toxins
  • Minimal inflammation
  • A diverse colony of good bacteria

Sounds complex, but when we address all these areas our health thrives.

So what are the best foods for gut health?

Foods to heal the gut lining

The lining of the gut is a tight network of cells that selectively lets certain sized molecules into the circulatory system. When this becomes damaged and ‘leaky’ then we set ourselves up for a whole host of health complaints.

Support your gut lining with these foods – bone broth (rich in nutrients that heal the gut lining), grass-fed butter (contains butyrate which is a preferred fuel source for these cells), slippery elm and aloe vera.

Digestive Support

Your digestive enzymes start the whole process of digestion, if it goes wrong at the beginning then your body will struggle to continue the process of digestion.

Enhance your digestive enzymes with these simple foods – apple cider vinegar, kiwi, pineapple, lemon and papaya

Liver Support

The liver has a central role in digestion is the process the nutrients that are absorbed in the small intestine.

Try to include these foods in your diet – dandelion coffee, globe artichoke, garlic, onions, turmeric, leafy greens and beetroot.

Microbiome Support 

A healthy balance of good bacteria can be achieved by including fermented foods in your diet daily. These will always offer a more diverse range of bacteria that can survive the digestive process than any probiotic will.

These foods include anything fermented such as sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha, miso, kimchi. These foods will provide the right bacteria but we also need foods that feed these bacteria within the gut so that they can colonise and get to work. Prebiotics are the foods required for this and they include coconut oil, fermentable fibres (sweet potato, onion, garlic, dandelion greens, leek, chicory, cabbage, banana, oats, lentils)

Anti Inflammatory Foods

Inflammation is at the root of all damage to our cells and therefore it is a direct influencer of our level of health and quality of ageing. Consuming anti-inflammatory foods will not only support your digestive health, but the health of your whole body.

Anti-inflammatory foods include – turmeric (this is one exception as it is best taken in supplement form for a therapeutic benefit), coconut oil, aloe vera, wild caught oily fish, green leafy vegetables, beetroot, walnuts, berries, ginger, chia seeds, flaxseeds and pineapple.

Anti Microbial Foods 

Just as we want to encourage the colonisation of healthy bacteria we want to get rid of the bad bacteria that is destroying our digestive system. We will naturally be exposed to bad bacteria in the foods that we eat, and when our digestion is not the best then we will be at more risk of these strains of bacteria from taking over. Including regular amounts of naturally anti-microbial foods will help to kill off these bad bacteria. Don’t worry about them killing off the good bacteria, mother nature and our bodies are much smarter than us and will selectively kill off the bad bacteria only.

Try to include – coconut oil, garlic, onion, fermented foods (see above), honey, turmeric, horseradish and pineapple.

Just as important as what we do eat, is what we don’t eat. You most probably know the drill here –

1 – Avoid processed and packaged foods

2 – Limit sugar intake

3 – Eat a diet in fresh whole foods in their natural forms

4 – Avoid factory raised animal products

5 – Reduce stress

6 – Only take antibiotics if they are absolutely necessary.

So if you are ready to take charge of your gut health get your free copy of

12 Tips for a Healthy Gut.

12 Tips for a Healthy Gut

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Healthy Eating from Early to Late Summer

 Acupuncture
Jun 032019
 
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Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM is all about balance. In this ancient system, the key to health is to move through the world in such a way that our bodies can remain in homeostasis, in balance. This idea connects to sleep patterns, what we eat and ultimately the flow of Qi, or energy, throughout the body. For that reason, healthy eating in summertime, according to TCM, is all about using cooling foods to balance out how hot it is outside. In other words, we can find homeostasis from the inside out.

With that in mind, here are a few suggestions for healthy foods to keep you cool and active all summer long.

Fresh fruits like watermelons, strawberries, tomatoes and pear are cooling and have strong yin energy. Summer meals should be predominately fresh fruits or vegetables, according to TCM. These food groups have the strongest yin energy, balancing out the fierce yang and fire energies of summer.

Fresh vegetables that are in season in your region are also a great choice, especially cooling vegetables like cucumbers, spinach, lettuce, peppers, celery, radish, carrots and cauliflower. Vegetables have the second highest yin energy, according to TCM.

Summer herbs like basil, cilantro, parsley and mint are a great, healthy addition to most recipes. These herbs are also natural diuretics and heavy-metal detoxifiers, which flush excess waste from the body.

The best foods to eat vary with geography. If you live in a place where summer days are long, but not very hot and the nights get really cool, incorporate more neutral or even warming fruits and vegetables into your summer smorgasbord. These fruits and vegetables can include most varieties of squash, especially pumpkin, butternut and acorn squash, lentils and legumes, whole grains like brown rice and root vegetables like beets, potatoes and parsnips.

In places with cooler summers, or during late summer, the fifth season according to TCM, diet is about prioritizing self-nourishment so it can be utilized as energy. Late summer is the time to choose smart sugars that won’t clog up the spleen pathway, including apples, carrots, dates, figs, grapes, peaches, pears, sweet potatoes and squash. These smart sugars also regulate the body’s blood sugar, which decreases the strain on the pancreas.

For those whose summer climate is hot, here is a recipe for a cooling, detoxifying water you can drink all summer long to keep yourself in balance.

Cooling detox water:

  • 1 lemon
  • 1 lime
  • ½ cucumber
  • 16oz. Water
  • Bunch of fresh mint

Slice the lemon, lime and cucumber and add to the water. Stir in the mint. Let it sit in the fridge overnight and enjoy chilled.

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Acupuncture for Migraines and Headaches

 Acupuncture
May 302019
 

June is National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. In honor of this occasion and in order to help more people who suffer from migraines and headaches, we’d like to share some information with you about how acupuncture can help these conditions.

We treat people with migraines and headaches frequently, often with good success. Many of our patients come to us for the treatment of migraines and headaches at the recommendation of their neurologists or primary care physicians. The American Migraine Foundation recommends that people who suffer from migraines try acupuncture. A meta-analysis of twenty‐two clinical trials including 4985 participants in total showed acupuncture to be effective in reducing the frequency of episodic migraines. Another study showed acupuncture to be helpful for frequent episodic or chronic tension-type headaches.

In our experience we find that acupuncture often reduces the frequency and severity of migraines and headaches. Of course we cannot guarantee it will work for every single patient who comes into our office, just like a specific medication can’t be guaranteed to help every patient who has a particular health condition. Overall, however, we feel confident in acupuncture for these conditions as we’ve had a lot of success helping our patients who suffer from headaches and migraines.

This post was written by Justine Myers, Lic. Ac.

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