How to use Hawthorn - Natures Heart Healer

Poor heart/circulatory health is a reality for many people and Hawthorn is natures answer - although it has been used for centuries, we seem to have lost our connection to these simple herbal remedies.

Hawthorn is a common hedgerow shrub/tree which often lines fields and paths in the UK.  Many people can identify it, but less of us know how healing it may be.  Hawthorn has been found to be a heart and circulatory tonic, improving blood circulation around the body.  It has also been linked to emotional support by calming and reducing anxiety.

The flowers (which blossom in spring), the leaves and berries (autumn) all have healing benefits and these can be used to simply make tinctures, syrups and berry leather.

'The great value of hawthorn is that, although is can have profound healing effects, it achieves these in a gentle and supportive way' Conway (2001)

Collecting and using hedgerow herbs/plants is becoming a lost art and discovering these plants again can be a lovely pastime.

http://shamanaflora.com/category/hawthorn/

Hawthorn Tincture Recipe (Julie Bruton-Seal)

The best tincture is made in 2 parts using the flowers and leaves in Spring and adding the berries in Autumn but can be done with either in isolation.

1. Gather the flowers and pack into a jar, covering with vodka.
2. Leave in jar for 1 month until leaves have lost colour and then strain and bottle.

for a mixed tincture...

3. In autumn but the berries in a blender with the hawthorn flower tincture and pour into wide mouthed jars.
4. Leave for 1 month then squeeze the liquid out using a jelly bag.
5. Bottle and label (this keeps for several years!)
 (1 tsp a day as a general tonic, 1-3tsp or as advised for circulatory problems)

Notes: This is not intended as medical advise. Always check with your doctor before using any herb.

References:

Hedgerow Medicine: Harvest and make your own herbal remedies. Julie Bruton -Seal and Mathew Seal

Hawthorn Affects on Atherosclerosis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24126122

Is colonic irrigation good for you?

Some people may find the idea of colon cleansing off putting and I can understand why it may seem strange, but the benefits of this healing tool are long documented.  Most people are interested by the idea but are not sure what it really involves or if it is necessary...

Want to know more?

There are a range of terms for colon cleansing which is done using water or coffee or other cleansing potions to clean the large intestine.  For the sake of this blog I shall use the term 'Enema' and describe 'water' as the liquid for the process.  


Colinic Irrigation: This normally refers to a Nurse/colonic therapist administered pressure system.  She puts the tube in, she is in charge, you watch the waste go through a clear tube. 

Colema/Enema: Self administered system using gravity to let the water flow in.  You are in charge, you call the shots.  You are alone in the bathroom.  Some use a 1.5 litre bottle, some use a 10 litre bucket.  Both are effective.


All methods do the same thing, which is to allow water to gently enter the body through the rectum and around the colon (aka large intestine/bowel) cleaning inside and carrying waste naturally out of your bottom.  I understand that it may seem very strange, but I can assure you the results are amazing.


Besides, this is nothing new, it was practised for thousands of years in ancient Egyptian, Greek, Chinese and Indian civilisations, and referred to in the gospel of Angels (The Essene Gospel of Peace) (regimes.http://www.solarhealth.co.uk). It has existed as a natural cleansing treatment for centuries, the health benefits of this treatment are long documented.

Compacted fecal matter that gathers as a result of our low fibre, high simple carbohydrate diet becomes sticky and clings to the wall of the colon, creating blockages and a toxic overload on the liver.  Our poor liver which has so much to do already.  The blood which circulates to the liver from our small intestines and colons can be extremely toxic if our digestive tract is clogged with old rubbish and our livers take the toll, leaving us tired and sluggish.  Perhaps even ill.


The large intestine has a one way valve where it meets the small intestine so the water will never go further than the colon.  The pressure of the water feels like the urgency of needing to go to the toilet RIGHT THIS MINUTE and with practice you can retain the water and allow it to flow further into the colon to cleanse even deeper. 


I can understand that it repels people, but done correctly by cleansing the small intestine first with a cleansing high fibre diet/supplementation, twinned with good bacteria/probiotic supplements post-enema, there really is no space for anything but magical healing power.


So, this is a simple introduction to give you an idea of what this process involves and how it can be beneficial to the body.  Ultimately enemas can cleanse your blood, your liver, your skin and leave you feeling energised and radiant as well as relieving or abolishing many illnesses.  They are contraindicated for certain conditions so do your research first.




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Which teas are good for you?

I am a tea lover.  Actually, I am a tea worshipper.  There is never a bad time for tea.  Can you tell I am English?

But, I am a Brit with a difference, because I am not going to be talking about a milk and two sugars cup.  I want to suggest you try some herbal teas, speciality teas and herbal infusions in your day.

I totally understand that herbal tea can feel boring at first, especially when you first make the transition and are used to a sweet, milky brew. However, as you drink more of it and allow your body to adjust to this new tea experience, you may find that it is better than you think.  Occasionally I will have a normal English Breakfast tea at a friends house when there is nothing else around and I still enjoy it (and it would be rude not to).  But, if I am at home I always have a wonderful selection of infusions that make a decision hard and every teatime different.

We are all told caffeine makes tea bad and this is true if you drink too much of it, because it mimics the stress response and unsettles our day and night.  However, small amounts in green tea and other varieties is ok and some caffeine free teas and herbal infusions are so fantastically good for you that we should drink them in abundance.

I am not suggesting you never have your normal tea, that would upset too many people.  But I do encourage you to mix and match your tea throughout the day so you get a variety of healing benefits and calming, cleansing reactions.

Here are my top five Teas/Infusions

1. Tulsi Tea: Holy Basil Tea

2. Yogi Tea/Bright Mood Tea

3. Fresh Peppermint from the Garden

4. Fennel from the Garden

5. Dr Stuarts/Detox Tea

Try some new teas today and eventually you will find a herbal tea that makes you go, mmmmm.  Or, if you think it all tastes like pond water, try fresh ginger in hot water.

Enjoy!

Josie.

 

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How to fight the flu season...

The seasons are changing in most places around the globe in November, some transitions being more extreme than others.  Here in Samui the monsoons have hit hard this last month.  Although we are still in shorts and t-shirts here in Thailand, it is the equivalent of winter and everyone is falling ill with colds and flu. 

Whatever your climate, a change in the season hits us all with pressure changes in the air, the temperature shifting and perhaps a rain shower here and there.  This is a time where we have to pay attention to our diet more than ever, our bodies are so susceptible to illness and we are more likely to be huddled in dark places together, with the windows pulled tightly shut (a breeding ground for colds and flu).

So, how do we boost our immune systems in times of change?

We all think of orange juice immediately and load up on Vitamin C tablets, which is a great start.  However, there are loads of other brilliant ways of getting our immune systems impenetrable.  The best one is prevention of your immune system getting low in the first place. The best thing to do is start to get your body strong as you go along. If you were working too hard or partying too long as the winter approaches you are not in a good position to fight back.

Keep Strong As You Go Along - The Tips To Keep You Topped Up.

1. Here comes the green smoothie again, try and get one in every day of the year and your body will always be in a position of strength nutritionally.

2. Super foods.  Spirulina, goji berries...the list goes on. An immune BOOST INJECTION as you approach the cold.

3. Sleep.  We need healing sleep, under no circumstances miss out.  

4. Nourishing grains. Quinoa, brown rice, lentils.  Mix in with soups, dahl, stews and broths. Power food.

5. FRESH FRUIT and VEGGIES in all shapes and forms, some raw, some steamed. 

6. Supplements.  If you work too hard and your diet is lacking, then there is a place for supplementation.  

7. Laughter.  Keep it light, don't let winter blues get you down.  Feeling low is also the immune system's enemy.

8. Stay wrapped up.  I know this sounds obvious, but your Mum was right, keep that neck covered up.  This is maintenance for all seasons, hot then cold is never good, whatever the weather.  Air-con, central heating, it's all playing havoc with our bodies as we go in and out.

9. Balance.  We need an equal balance of work, play, rest, relaxation and spirituality in our lives.  If this is out of whack...good health is hard to achieve

10. Set boundaries at work.  Try to keep your work life balanced - over working is a recipe for a weakened immune system.

Josie