Friday, December 23, 2011

CHERRIES & CHOCOLATE



GLUTEN FREE, NO BAKING, DECADENT


COMBINE ALL THIS IN A FOOD PROCESSOR
  • raw sunflower seeds - about 1 cup ground fine in magic bullet
  • coconut milk - about 3 tbsp, I kept adding it until the mixture was the right texture
  • coconut oil - about 1 tbsp.
  • almond butter - 1 tbsp
  • honey 1 or 2 tbsp -- see how sweet you want it
  • cocoa - I have dark powdered cocoa from Costco, its really good
Get it all the right texture, sample it lots to make sure you've got it right !
I put some dried unsweetened coconut on the plate first then kind of roll it around on that & flatten it out

TOPPING:
  • 1/2 cup soaked dried cherries - I buy pounds of these from Costco, yum !
  • coconut milk - I use canned stuff
  • bit of honey
  • and another tbsp of cocoa powder
BLEND IT ALL IN THE FOOD PROCESSOR & POUR ON TOP.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Oil of Oregano and assorted thoughts on immune system, candida, colds & flu

Oil of Oregano has anti-viral action, making it effective in combating viral ailments such as the common cold, flu, warts, shingles and herpes virus.

Properties and Usage

Immune system stimulant

Oregano oil has been proven in European studies to be a potent immune booster., Wild Oil of Oregano is effective in boosting the body's natural immunity. Use a couple of drops a day to rcharge your immune system and maintain good health.

For those interested in taking my Herbalist Classes by distance or locally, or taking part in my Herbal Forum, you will learn ways to make yourself forumlas for your immune system to keep yourself healthy all winter. And formulas for helping you get better from colds & flu. You'll learn how to make formulas for yourself, family, pets & clients, bases on a person's specific symptoms of their constitution (body type).

I've been using a lot more of our local plants in the last few months.

To help my immune system this fall & winter, I’ve been harvesting mostly from various trees & stuff that grows on trees and having great results. There’s still a lot to harvest out there even though it is winter.

I usually go through our rainy winters with a low grade feeling coming down with a cold. And holding classes in prevous winters has been hard, I seem to catch a cold from students who are even slightly sick.

Using local plants has really begun to change all that. Plus I have been choosing my herbs based on my constitution, so now I am choosing the right herbs for what is going on in my body. My new herbs courses will be based on this knowledge. For all my herbs students who didn't get to learn this (or others who already have a basis in herbal knowledge), I'll be offering this as distance learning on my herbal forum in Feb & March.

My herbal forum & reiki forum is here if you want to sign up & get to know how to use it:

http://dragonflyherbals.proboards.com/index.cgi 


ok, back to Oil of Oregano:




Anti-inflammatory and analgesic/anesthetic (Pain reliever)

Oil of Oregano can be used externally as an anti-inflammatory and and for its anesthetic action. Applied externally, the oil deeply penetrates tissues and in so doing, brings relief and speeds healing and reduces the pain of bruises, sprains, torn and sore muscles, tendonitis, cramps, carpal tunnel syndrome and other similar injuries. Arthritis responds well to this treatment. A topical rub can be made by mixing some Oil of Oregano with cocoa butter.

In the 2010 Herbalist Course we made an amazing liniment that is sprayed onto the skin for sore joint & muscles. It works amazing well. It is in a rubbing alcohol base & has quite a few herbs in it, some were harvested locally. I've used it a lot on sore joints & muscles, a fatty cyst (which decreased in size rapidly in a week, and the client had had this cyst for a year), also on a severely bruised toe to take down swelling, reduce pain & reduce bruising. I share this recipe in my Herbal Forum & during my Herbalist Courses.

and once again, back to OIl of Oregano:

Antifungal

Candida is a fungus that infects millions of people. Wild Oil of oregano contains powerful antifungal agents that eliminate candida effectively and safely. Take 1-3 drops 3 times daily. Continue the treatment for as long as necessary.

Nail fungus, which is particularly stubborn and hard to get rid of has a powerful enemy in Oregano oil. Wash and dry the nails. Soak them with the Wild Oil of Oregano twice daily. Take 1-3 drops of the Oil of Oregano 3 times daily. Some cases may need more aggressive treatment by filling a gel cap with the oil and taking that once a day with a meal. Continue treatment for 6 months.

Athlete's foot: Oregano oil's effectiveness in fighting fungal infections such as athlete's foot make it a must in the locker room. Apply the oil topically to the feet.

For any of these fungal conditions please look to your diet and cut out refined sugars especially. Take some Bio K or other pro-biotic and lots of raw garlic. Get on an anti candida diet.

For candida, I also recommend doing the Dr. Schulze bowel cleanse. I have his manual posted, and teach how to make his formulas during my Herbal Courses.

Antiparasitic

Head lice and scabies.: Parasites such as head lice and scabies are no match for Oregano oil's powerful antiparasitic properties. Add a few drops to a tablespoon of shampoo to wash hair and scalp. Add a couple of drops to a tablespoon of vegetable oil to apply to hair after shampoo or to other affected areas. Add a dropperfull to laundry soap to disinfect clothes.

Cryptosporidium, giardia etc.: Add a drop to water that may be unsafe to protect yourself from parasites such as cryptosporidium and giardia as well as bacterial infection. Take 1-3 drops up to 3 times a day to clear yourself of parasites. I also recommend doing the Dr. Schulze bowel cleanse. I have his manual posted, and teach how to make his formulas during my Herbal Courses.

ALL MY HERB STUDENTS & THOSE WHO TOOK MY CLEANSING WORKSHOPS WILL BE HAPPY TO KNOW THAT THE DR. SCHULZE MANUAL IS ON MY WEBSITE NOW, UNDER ARTICLES.

Antibiotic like action

Use it topically and internally for any kind of infection. If you dont' like the taste of it, get some empty capsules & just add a few drops to a capsule when you are ready to take it.

Teeth and Gums: Oregano oil gives effective relief to toothaches by killing the bacteria causing the pain. Apply the oil directly to the infected tooth. Gum disease can be halted by using Wild Oil of Oregano in the mouth. The oil may be applied to infected gums with a Q-tip or a drop can be placed on your toothbrush before brushing the teeth. Regular treatment will vastly improve oral health and hygiene.

I've been making a great tooth powder:

  • baking soda
  • salt
  • essential oils that help to stop plaque from forming & kill germs: oil of oregano, peppermint oil, tea tree oil, just a few drops of each



Food poisoning: Salmonella and E. coli have been found on meat, but also on vegetables as lettuce and sprouts, which can result in food poisoning. Restaurant foods may often be contaminated due to poor hygiene of employees or lack of proper washing of the produce. Use oil of oregano if you have been exposed to food poisoning.

Natural antibiotics like Oil of Oregano do not induce antibiotic resistance as do the patented antibiotic drugs. Use Oil of Oregano to boost your immune system and to kill off unfriendly bacteria. This natural remedy provides defense against biological toxins.




Antiviral

Colds, flu, shingles and herpes: At the first sign of a viral infection such as colds, flu, herpes, shingles etc., take the maximum internal dosage immediately. In the case of herpes or shingles it is best to apply the oil directly to the spot where tingling may be felt before an outbreak. This will often prevent the outbreak. Due to the heat sensation, oil of oregano should not be used on sensitive skin areas or mucous membranes. Do not use on sensitive tissue unless it is very well diluted by adding a drop or two of wild Oil of Oregano to a tablespoon of olive oil. Then test with a small amount first.

When treated at the first sign of symptoms, most viral conditions will be rendered harmless.

Warts can be treated by applying the Oil of Oregano directly to the wart with cotton wool. It is best to leave the soaked cotton on the wart as long as possible. Repeat this 2 or 3 times a day and take 3 drops under the tongue three times a day for a few months.

Warts also respond (slowly) to daily use of burdock as a tea of tincture.


Antivenom

Oregano oil is capable of neutralizing venomous bites, making it invaluable in the wilderness or when traveling abroad. It's an effective first aid treatment for venomous bites of all varieties including bees, snakes and spiders. Oregano oil is also useful for preventing infection from animal bites and other puncture wounds. It reduces inflammation and stops the pain associated with bites and stings. Apply directly to stings or bites. The oil will penetrate into the wound and neutralize toxins and pathogens. Take a few drops internally to amplify the effect.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Article on Chakras & Reiki

I have a new article on Chakras & Reiki on my website. You'll find it on the Articles page. And I've updated some of my articles on my site too.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Local plants & trees for the immune system



I've been using a lot more of our local plants in the last few months.

 To help my immune system this fall & winter, I’ve been harvesting mostly from various trees & stuff that grows on trees and having great results. There’s still a lot to harvest out there even though it is winter.


I usually go through our rainy winters with a low grade feeling coming down with a cold. And holding classes in prevous winters has been hard, I seem to catch a cold from students who are even slightly sick.

Using local plants has really begun to change all that. Plus I have been choosing my herbs based on my constitution, so now I am choosing the right herbs for what is going on in my body. My new herbs courses will be based on this knowledge. For all my herbs students who didn't get to learn this (or others who already have a basis in herbal knowledge), I'll be offering this as distance learning on my forum in Feb & March.

My forum is here if you want to sign up & get to know how to use it:


Anyway, I found that some of the local trees are a huge help with the immune system. When I've been going on walks I pick bits to dry & add to my morning tea, and have made a few tinctures.

I have been making my morning teas different as well. Instead of an infusion, I have been adding the herbs to a pot of water & simmering it gently for about 10 minutes, so a gentle decoction is more what it is. This extracts more constituents from the plants.
Also found some Reishi growing locally & made a wonderful elixir out of that. And I always wondered why the medicinal mushrooms hurt my stomach. I realized they have to be cooked first, so remedies made from medicinal mushrooms need a 2 part process.

The other thing I have noticed when choosing plants based on your constitution is that you need way less of the remedy. You only need to use a few drops of tincture to kind of wake your body up to do its own healing. So instead of taking a whole bunch of herb to counteract some ailment, you are choosing herbs based on several factors & using a tiny bit to get your body to heal itself.  This method also incorporates the taste of the plants & you feel like you are getting to know the plants better, by really tasting them.

That is part of what I teach my herb students:  getting to know the herbs on many levels. If you buy a capsule with powdered herbs inside you have no idea what the plant looks likes or tastes like. I believe it is important to your healing & to becoming knowledgeable about the plant and to experience them as much as possible. This includes seeing them growing in all seasons outside,  seeing what the plant looks like dried, and tasting the plant as an infusion.  What I want to instil in my students is a good basis of herbal knowledge from which to branch out & make herbalism your own. And a few ways to really deepen your knowledge with the plants & get to know your local plants.




Tuesday, December 6, 2011

HERBAL WORKSHOPS ON MY FORUM IN EARLY 2012

HERBAL WORKSHOPS BY DISTANCE 
ON THE FORUM IN THE NEW YEAR

These workshops are for anyone who has experience with herbs or has completed an herbal course with me.  Feel free to pass this along to anyone who already has herbal experience.

For those with no herbal background I have the 2012 Herbal Apprenticeship March – Oct. 2012, offered both locally at my home & by distance on the forum.  More info on my website.
The way this works is that you email me for a paypal link to pay (you don’t need an account with them, its really easy, I’ve used paypal for years). Or you can mail me a check if you want.

Once I have received payment from you, you can get onto the forum & make sure you know how to use it. You will get a password to access any sections/courses you have paid for. You can register with the forum at any time, here: http://dragonflyherbals.proboards.com/index.cgi

I will post the information in sections a few weeks apart on the forum.

The advantage to doing a course this way, is that you can get on the forum when you have time.

The forum will remain open for a month or 2 depending on which course, for discussions & questions, with me actively taking part in answering your questions & posting information.
After that time, the forum will remain there for you to access for another month or so.

Early JANUARY: HERBS FOR PAIN RELIEF  $20

A totally new way to look at this, some new herbs I hadn’t worked with before.

How to determine the right plants for your constitution. And with a specific formula you only need to take a couple drops of tincture at a time. You go through waaay less tinctures this way.

FEBRUARY & MARCH: UNDERSTANDING TISSUES STATES & CONSTITUTION   $60 

A totally new way (for me) to look at determining the right herb for the right person. We’ll discuss how to evaluate your own constitution & how to pick the right herbs for the person, NOT matching herb & ailment. Again, only several drops of a tincture are needed, and you are not using the bullet approach of tossing a whole bunch of herbs into a formula & hoping some of them work. This uses herbs to work with the body, no suppression.

MARCH: ‘NEW’ LOCAL PLANTS & TREES $20
6 locally found trees & some assorted plants we didn’t cover in my classes. I’ll cover medicinal uses, parts used, and we’ll do tinctures, oil, vinegars, and a syrup. The trees have been amazing for my immune system!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Dairy Free not quite raw Artichoke & Spinach Dip

I want to make some Artichoke Dip for Christmas, so I tried my own semi-raw dairy free recipe tonight, it tastes great!

Mashed avocado
minced garlic
lime (or lemon) juice
chopped marinated artichoke hearts
minced spinach or swiss chard

Scoop it up with raw crackers or raw veggies.

Raw crackers:

I make this all kinds of ways, today's was:

ground flax (about 2 cups)
then I blended a couple of tomatoes, & a few cloves of garlic
Mix it all together with a bit of water until its thick but spreadable.

Spread on a teflex sheet until its very thin. Dehydrate until you can flip it, then flip & dehydrate until its crispy.

My raw recipe book has more non-gluten carb type recipes.

Friday, November 25, 2011

JAN & FEB REIKI FORUM CLASSES FOR DISTANCE LEARNING

email me herbs.and.reiki@dragonflyherbals.com to sign up for the reiki distance learning forum. $10 per month, payment accepted through Paypal.


JANUARY REIKI OFFERINGS, included in your monthly fee

1. Energetic Hygiene Workshop

Your body as a spiritual habitat & psychic protection.
I know that some of us are having issues with some sorts of attachments, or at the very least unhealthy cords or stagnant aura.
We’ll discuss ways to keep your energy field clear.
We will do an exercise to clear your energy field in 3 ways.
We’ll do the cord clearing again, but slightly differently that it was done last month.
We’ll discuss stones to use to keep your energy field protected or cleared use stones to clear the aura during your session.


2. Root Chakra

We'll do a bit of the root chakra work that I teach in my Personal Healing Course. Discuss issues related to root chakra, some journal work, reiki work to do on your own, stones you could use for clearing the root chakra.


3. Distance Healing as a group

I will discuss how to set up some crystals or visualizations for doing distance healing & we can send distance healing as a group.


I will post #1 and #2 about 2 weeks apart. I would like for us all to do a lot of discussion on the forum about our experiences related to the Energetic Hygiene & the Root Chakra, and of course, anything else to do with reiki.

At the end of January, this section will be locked. Only those who paid for January will still have access to it. I will open a separate section for February.



FEBRUARY REIKI OFFERINGS, included in your monthly fee

1.Ancestral Healing 


We talk about this briefly in my level 2 Usui classes, but I’d like to look more deeply at repeated patterns that we are holding & reliving from our ancestral lineage, we can do a discussion of this, I have some notes – food for thought, journal work on specific things that need to be healing or cleared & clearing with group energy that will go back to heal our ancestral lineage.



2. Sacral Chakra

We'll do a bit of the sacral chakra work that I teach in my Personal Healing Course. Discuss issues related to root chakra, some journal work, reiki work to do on your own, stones you could use for clearing the root chakra.



3. Distance Healing as a group

I will discuss how to set up some crystals or visualizations for doing distance healing & we can send distance healing as a group.



I will post #1 and #2 about 2 weeks apart. I would like for us all to do a lot of discussion on the forum about our experiences related to the Energetic Hygiene & the Sacral Chakra, and of course, anything else to do with reiki.



Each month you can expect something along these lines, I will post them ahead of time. I am offering my guidance for $10 per month at this time while the forum gets going. After we have a fair number of students I will most likely increase the price, but on a sliding scale, so you can pay what you can afford. I am thinking $10-$25 per month.