HUM, I WONDER ! What do you Think?

Many people hear the word melatonin and they are quick to associate it with thoughts of a good night’s sleep, but the majority of people do not understand that melatonin is a hormone which is produced by the pineal gland that does much more than help you sleep. Melatonin is responsible for influencing the onset of puberty; it also acts as a powerful antioxidant for the brain as well as other tissues and seems to play a major role in modulating the immune system. 
So where does melatonin come from? The pineal gland, which is located deep in the center of the brain, is the gland that is responsible for the production of melatonin. The pineal gland controls the bio-rhythms of the body and works in harmony with the hypothalamus gland to direct the body’s thirst, hunger, sexual desire and biological clock. It is the job of the pineal gland to regulate the action of the pituitary gland, it prevents premature sexual awakening and inhibits the immediate discharging of thoughts into action. Thus we have the ability to think through our anger and other emotions rather than merely reacting to them. 
On June 29, 2000, at the U.S. Senate Congressional Hearing on Arsenic, Radon, and Fluoride, held by the subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Water, J. William Hirzy, Ph.D. testified fluoride in public water supplies causes or contributes to the cause of cancer, genetic damage, intolerant reactions, chronic toxicity, dental fluorosis, bone pathology and neurological injury in humans, and that fluoride in public water supplies aggravates malnutrition, iodine deficiencies and other existing illnesses. 
This is created because the human body has very little ability to effectively use and pass off accumulated levels of fluoride. So the question must then be asked, what happens to all of the fluoride that is accumulated? 
Apparently fluoride builds up in the pineal gland calcifying it! Thus limiting or at the very least reducing the ability to create proper amounts of melatonin, regulate the actions of the pituitary gland and reduces our natural immunity to disease. 
Along with all of these is the added chemical interference with our spiritual and emotional awareness! Fluoride calcifies the pineal gland and turns it into a rock, because of the calcification our sense of direction becomes impaired, our sleep is disturbed and we have increased trouble controlling our emotions and thoughts. 
Next question, how do we help combat and change all of this? Eliminate all fluoride from the diet, especially hidden fluoride from water, medications and food additives then plan to spend at least 20 minutes of every day out of doors in the sunshine and fresh air. This will help stimulate the calcified pineal gland. 
Scientist know that the pineal gland is covered with very fine crystalline formations that are very similar to the crystals found deep in the inner ear. They have postulated that these crystals vibrate creating frequencies. Asking the question; is this how conscience or intuition is communicated? What happens when the lines of communication becomes petrified or broken? Do we as humans act without thinking about the consequences because the lines of communications have been broken? HUM!

Ginger and Truth

"The thought manifests as the word;
The word manifests as the deed;
The deed develops into habit; And habit hardens into character.
so watch the thought and its ways with care,
And let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings."  Buddha

Truth can be found in many places and on just as many levels!

Truth is that the earth and all of its bounty has been blessing the inhabitants of the earth for millions of years, feeding us with many layers and levels of energy to nourish the mind, body and spirit.  Ginger is one of those amazing members of plant life that feeds all three dimensions.  It sets into motion the immune system, sending out leukocytes in rapid numbers to protect and clean the body.  It strengthens the will and mind while promoting courage and confidence and most important of all it promotes and supports the ability to focus on the sincere desire of the heart and soul.

If you are planning on a journey of emotional self-discovery take Ginger, in any form, with you.  As you claim your capacity to manifest, Ginger will revive and uplift your thoughts and emotions in ways that might surprise you.

Ginger will gently help you prepare for the winter months ahead, when the days can seem long and endless.
Ginger can be the ray of sunshine on cold dreary days reminding you that spring will come again, as it warms your body and soul. Ginger is a quiet root that is warming and reviving, cleansing and uplifting.  Full of vitamins and nutrients, Ginger is known for its ability to fight cold and flus and in many cultures is considered a virtual "medicine chest" as it helps with digestion, fights joint pain, and even adds spice to your bedroom life.

Go ahead, experience the wonderful world of ginger and manifest first to yourself that you are worthy to love and be loved.  Then be quiet and let truth come to the front.

Cleanliness is More than Skin Deep

For those of you who are concerned about the dangers of repeated contact with harsh chemicals on the body's largest organ (YOUR SKIN) I have decided to to share some simple, effective ways to naturally clean and moisturize your most important protective covering.  Our skin is not just a barrier but is a very fine sieve that is designed to absorb, or breath fine particles as well as exhaling or excreting pollutants that would harm the organs it protects, it does this through sweat and cells that have died.  In  Eastbourne, Sussex, on 20th November 1968 studies were done that showed the quick and effective penetration of lipid-soluble substances and gases through the human skin.  If essential oils can be absorbed into the blood stream in as little as 5 to 20 minutes why is it so unreasonable to assume that harsh chemicals cannot do the same thing.

Generally the most popular soaps, body washes and shampoos clean with harsh chemicals, these chemicals are designed to clean by creating a corrosive action that destroys the delicate dermis, epidermis and hair follicles.   Over time, the use of these harsh chemicals can lead to a wide variety of health concerns such as diseases of the eyes, problems with headaches, skin irritations, and even bladder infections just to name a few.  

When we take the time to educate ourselves and our families about these dangers and then make some simple changes with every day foods, enhanced with essential oils we are then feeding, nourishing and protecting while we clean.  Education in my opinion should include the ability to reason it out in our minds and understand that just because our skin may not have broken or torn areas does not mean it has the ability to keep everything out like an exoskeleton might!

A great rule of thumb to use when making up natural recipes is that these types of products cannot sustain a long shelf life and even with refrigeration they must be used quickly.  Adding lemon or lime juice, or essential oil of rosemary or tea tree will help to act as a natural preservative.

Included in this blog is a great, gentle cleanser/toner for the face.  This will help to remove any traces of soap and quickly restore the skin's protective pH levels.  Always start with distilled water or at least purified spring water, this will further ensure your ability to clean and tone.

Mix 1 quart of water with one medium, organic cucumber, 1 ounce of pure witch hazel, 20 drops essential oil of Lemon, 10 drops each essential oil of Rosemary, Tea Tree and Lavender.
Combine all ingredients in a blender until the cucumber is liquefied.  Strain through a fine sieve or coffee filter.  Put in a dark glass bottle with a secure lid and store in the refrigerator.  This is applied to the face and neck after gently cleansing with warm soap and water.  If your soap is not the best, this mixture will remove any traces of the soap.

If you don't want to continue using harsh soap try using a simple mixture of ground oatmeal mixed with cornmeal.  Take about one tablespoon of the mixture in the palm of your hand and add enough warm water to form a paste.  GENTLY scrub your face and neck, then rinse with warm water.  No harsh chemicals!  You could even add a few drops of Helichrysum and Tangerine essential oil to gently glean and oxygenate your skin.

This type of cleaning and toning is very definitely more than skin deep, it is a nourishing meal that will leave your skin satisfied and happy.

P.S.  I bet you will find these simple tips a lot cheaper than commercially produced products even if purchased in bulk sizes.

Never Forget the Nerves

Very often we find it easier to reach for a "quick fix--bandaid" when we hurt instead of looking for a deeper meaning or cause.  Many people don't realize that all of the nerves in the body culminate on the soles of the feet and the palms of the hands.  These areas are the most likely to start feeling painful, tired, achy and over used.  Without proper attention the soles of our feet can develop into neuralgia symptoms that can interfere with our life styles.  In this blog I hope to give you some tips and suggestions to help clear and heal blocked or damaged nerve pathways.

Believe it or not, walking through the early morning dew stimulates blood flow in the feet.  For best results, regularly walk barefoot through the dewy grass for about 2 minutes or in winter walk for about one minute through the snow.  These and other types of foot exercises will dilate and strengthen blood vessels and improve circulation.  Try the following exercises several times daily:

1.         Take 10 steps each on tiptoe, on the heel and on the inner and outer edges of your feet in succession.  Repeat several times.

            2.         Try to use your toes to pick up a handkerchief or a pen from the floor.

3.         While seated, rotate each foot clockwise at the ankle joint 10-20 times; repeat counterclockwise.

4.         Stand, heels apart, with your big toes touching.  Rise up on the balls of your feet, and then slowly lower your heels back to the floor.  Repeat 10 times.

            5.         Using a rubber ball or a ball with bumps/spikes on the soles of your bare feet in circular motions, will encourage circulation as well as strengthen the muscles and stimulate the nerve connections

The B vitamins are essential for proper nutrition in healing and supporting the nerves, therefore assessing vitamin B deficiency should be one of the first lines of defense.  A poorly balanced diet or a history of frequent alcohol consumption will greatly enhance this deficiency.  A good, well balanced vitamin is “ALIVE” which is made with whole food factors.  This brand comes in capsules, tablets and liquid.  Eating foods that are rich in vitamin B is essential for helping to correct neuralgia.  These foods include whole grains, especially brown rice, beans, green vegetables, eggs and red potatoes.

Essential oil blend AMEND was created to help with damage to nerve pathways.  Using ¼ cup of unscented salts add 5-6 drops of oil, mix the salts until all of the oil is uniformly blended throughout them.  Add the salt mixture to 1 cup of pure apple cider vinegar; make sure the vinegar is unfiltered such as BRAGG’s.  Pour this mixture into a hot foot bath and soak for 15-20 minutes morning and night.  As the nerves begin to assert themselves and show signs of healing, small amounts of cayenne can sometimes be used in the water as well.  Cayenne is a blood stimulant.

A great herbal tea mixture to nourish the nerves is made from Licorice root, St. John’s Wort, Lemon Balm, Nettle and Chamomile.  Drinking a quart iced or hot will help to heal the nerves from the inside while you are working on repairing them from the outside.

Never ignore the nerves, I promise they won't let you forget them.  Nerves are great at getting our attention.

Hope these simple tips and exercises help.  Blessings Always Lily

Wow, Time Flies

Someone recently asked me about my blog to which I replied, "I haven't done anything with it for quite sometime."  That was an understatement!  It has been almost a year since I have written anything, imagine my surprise!  I will try to make an effort to be more up-to-date.

One thing that has been on my mind a lot is how effectively the human body is capable of healing its self, if given the opportunity and the right tools.  Wholesome foods, meaning foods in their entirety is a very important tool to use when trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle.  Nature is perfection, so a natural food product is created perfectly and design to perfectly feed your body, mind and spirit.

Take for instance the humble Dandelion.  This wonderful plant that has been relegated to the bottom of the food chain,  grows prolifically almost everywhere but who can remember anything about it?

The first recorded reference to dandelion use can be found in Chinese Medical Texts dating back to 600 BC where this wonderful food source was used to as the first "greens of spring" in salads and soups.

Dandelions contain a wide variety of acids, complex sugars and other nutrients which include Iron, Zinc, Boron, Calcium, Silicon, and especially Potassium.  Our humble dandelion also has concentrations of  vitamins A, B complex, C & D.  Extracts of dandelion have been shown to have antimicrobial and antibacterial effects with moderate anti=inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Even some recent test tube studies have shown a link of anti-tumor activity against liver, colon and melanoma cancer cell lines. Dandelion has long been respected as one of the best foods for building the blood and combating anemia.  Many cultures also you the juice of Dandelion root to treat diabetes.

The leaves of the Dandelion can be lightly steamed like spinach or endive, the roots can be dried and brewed into a coffee substitute or fermented into a beer, while the flowers are used to make wine.

The propagation of the Dandelion is not difficult, so it doesn't take much work to raise a healthy crop.  Leaves and flowers can be harvested as long as the plant is productive and then in the fall is when the roots should be harvested, as the plant is dying back.  The roots can be pressed for juice when fresh or dried for use in other preparations.

Remember that time can really fly by fast,  so even though the Dandelion is very prolific its growing season for leaves and blossoms can go by really quickly.

Kick'n The Kidneys

A kidney stone is made up of minerals and proteins that have broken down in the urine.  The most common type is made from calcium deposits but stones may also be made up of magnesium and ammonia, or they can be formed from uric acid.  Some of the symptoms can include;

Persistent, penetrating pain in the side generally felt down lower by the hips

There is generally a burning sensation during urination

There can be blood seen in the urine

And the urine is generally bad or strong smelling and appears cloudy

It is extremely important to drink plenty of water to help pass the stones and aid in dissolving them.

Clear, unsweetened cranberry juice is a good choice to aid in this process.    A Hot tea made from Corn Silk, Parsley and Slippery Elm Bark is also a good choice.  Using a mixture of Castor oil and mixed with a few drops of lavender, juniper and chamomile essential oils and then placed over the kidneys and covered with a hot water bottle or hot rice sock is also very beneficial.

A good essential oil recipe would be to mix the following ingredients together and take a minimum of 5 times.  Ingest the mixture upon rising, then with each meal, and before bed time daily to help dissolve and pass the stones.  Drink 4 to 6 ounces of the mixture each time.

Mix      the juice of 1 large whole lemon with

            1 Tablespoon of Raw Honey or black strap molasses

In         8 ounces of DISTILLED WATER add the following Essential Oils

10 drops of Helichrysum

            10 drops of Geranium

            10 drops of Juniper

            10 drops of Lemongrass

           

Remember Rosemary

The two functions that are unique to us as humans are our abilities for memory and recall.  Our brains have an almost infinite capacity, which is far beyond what we actually use and experts say that most of us use about only 5 percent of our brain power.  Slips of the memory and lost thoughts have been a human concern since man has existed.   How many times have you wished that you could tap into the human potential for enhanced memory and recall?

Medieval herbalists believed that a number of herbs were useful for enhancing the memory and early documents contain many references.  They provide modern day researchers with directional clues and studies conducted over the past twenty or so years have begun to link decreased mental function, especially which associated with aging, to a cascade of changes in the body leading to insufficiency in memory.  Today, we know that several herbs may indeed be great memory enhancers.

Rosemary, traditionally considered the herb of remembrance, is currently an important herbal subject of antioxidant research and may have a role in treating Alzheimer’s disease.   Long before Shakespeare’s Ophelia said “There’s rosemary, that’s for remembrance.”   The concept of rosemary for remembrance had persisted in records for at least five centuries previous.

Rosemary or Rosmarinus Officinalis contains more than a dozen antioxidant compounds, some of which are in high concentrations.  Researchers have linked oxidative stress to Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative process associated with devastating memory loss, personality changes and the loss of some motor functions.  Aging itself, according to the medicinal plant specialist James A. Duke, could simply be a lifetime’s worth of oxidation damage.  Antioxidant compounds including those found in rosemary may be an important key in combating memory loss.

Studies have shown that rosemary exerts its antioxidant activity by scavenging free radicals.  A growing body of literature points to the usefulness of controlling free radicals to prevent and possibly treat such conditions as heart disease, eye diseases, arthritic tissue damage, and stress produced immune system suppression, as well as to aid in retarding the aging process.   Reduced blood flow to the brain as a result of cardiovascular changes related to aging can lead to short term memory loss.   

Essential oil of Rosemary is obtained from the fresh stalks, leaves and flowers of the plant.  Rosemary is typically from Spain, France, Yugoslavia and Japan.   The fragrance is clear, strong, and stimulating, and is easily absorbed through the skin.  It stimulates the mind, body, adrenals, and memory.  Rosemary treats general weakness, mental fatigue, and sore muscles.  Rosemary oil is helpful for all diseases that result from a reduction of the functions of the nervous system.   It is a strong stimulant and will help to clear the mind of confusion or doubt.

It is a wonderful essential oil to use in your morning bath or shower because it is both physically and mentally stimulating helping to start the day out on a great note.  Long known for its wonderful addition to cooking recipes, Rosemary enhances everything from meat to vegetables.   Essential oil of Rosemary can be used in much the same way as the fresh or dried herb when cooking.

The jury is still out on just how beneficial Rosemary is in actually enhancing memory, but its confirmed antioxidant activity suggests a scientific basis for its role in history as the herb “for remembrance” For those of us who have used and loved Rosemary over the years, both in our cooking as well as medicinally, this information is not new but reaffirms our knowledge that Rosemary is a key herb for better health and longevity.