Useful For: Metabolism and hemoglobin
Herbal Sources: Alfalfa, Burdock root, Catnip, Cayenne, Chickweed, Chicory, Dandelion, Dong Quai, Eyebright, Fennel, Fenugreek, Horsetail, Kelp, Lemongrass, Licorice, Milk Thistle, Mullein, Nettle, Oatstraw, Paprika, Parsley, Peppermint, Platain, Raspberry Leaf, Rose Hips, Sarsaparilla, Shepherd’s Purse, Uva Ursi, Yellow Dock
Food Sources: Molasses, Chocolate, Seaweeds
Herbs: Nettle, Oatstraw
Foods: Pumpkin Seeds, Brazil Nuts, Walnuts, leafy greens, beans, salmon, milk
Vitamins and Supplements:
Actions:
Aromatherapy:
Folk Remedies:
Things to Avoid:
Choose one of the nutritive herbs (nettle, oatstraw, red clover, linden flower, violet leaf, horsetail, passionflower, cleavers, chickweed, lemon balm, or mullein leaf). You may add a little of one of the mints or others for flavour, but choose one of the primary nutritives. Place one full ounce, by weight, into a quart jar. Canning jars work splendidly for this. Fill the jar to the top with boiling water. Stir and add until the herbs are saturated and the jar is as full as you can make it. Screw on a tight lid, and steep for four to twelve hours. Strain the liquid, and refrigerate. Drink at least one cup a day, up to four cups a day. Rotate the nutritive chosen every few weeks.
You can also do similar with another set of herbs, sometimes called “longevity” herbs. These also fall into the nutritive category, but the ways in which they improve the body directly effect the impact of aging on the body. They are: dandelion, nettle, burdock, and oats. Oddly enough, some of our most pernicious weeds are also some of our most potent allies in herbal medicine and nutrition.
Start the day with 2 o oz glasses of filtered water. End with one. Sometime over the course of the day, take an antioxidant, 25-50 mg B-complex, and 500-1000 mg Vitamin C. Supplement those 3 morning and evening glasses of water with 2-5 more during the day.
Pack your diet with good fats: fish, olives, nuts, seeds, and beans.
Filter wash water before using it. More of the harmful stuff is absorbed through the skin during a shower or bath or doing dishes than you absorb from drinking it.
A good sized serving of meat or fish should be 3-4 oz, generally about the size of a deck of cards.
Good ratio on a plate is 1/2 coloured vegetables, 1/4 protein, 1/4 carbohydrates.
Posting this as sort of a warning. My household has done some searches over time for homemade detergent recipes. A number of them included a suggested ingredient of “Fels Naptha Soap.” Looked into it because there are a lot of unhealthy ways to make soap, varying in degree. This particular soap contains a Benzene derivative. Definitely not on the list of things you want to absorb through the skin, or get into your clothes.
Formaldehyde: Aloe Vera, Elephant Ear Philodendron, ficus, golden pothos
benzene: English ivy, peace lily, corn plants
Carbon Monoxide: Golden pothos, Spider Plants
Get some sun every day. Ten to fifteen minutes of unprotected sun on the face and arms is enough to manufacture your needed Vitamin D. Use sunscreens or sunblocks that contain titanium or zinc oxide. Stay away from “nano” particles. Keep infants of six months or younger out of the sun, and don’t expose them to any sunscreen. Seek shade between 10 am and 2 pm. Use a broad brimmed hat, and lightweight, loose-fitting, long sleeves. Eat your carotenoids. (The way plants protect from the sun.)
Non-organic cotton – Many of the pesticides used on cotton plants are category 1 – which indicates extremely high toxicity. May not be eating it, but having it sit on your skin isn’t much better.
Acrylic, Nylon, polyester – often coated with a formaldehyde finish. Yeach.