Astrology and Wellness

Had a fantastic time at Astrology Day 2011 in SF on this past Saturday. Foe more on that, go to my astrology blog.

One of the speakers, Stephanie Gailing, in addition to being an astrologer, is a wellness consultant. Her presentation, titled: "Uranus in Aries: Taking Charge of Our Well-Being", included suggestions for diet and exercise as well as the herbs and essences. Her book Planetary Apothecary is for sale on my sidebar.

In general, Uranus, the god of rapid change is going into the sign of Aries, ruled by Mars. Impulsive, with child-like energy, naivete and energy, Aries rules the head and is prone to accidents and injuries due to its tendency to act first and think later. Uranus which rules the nervous system, likes to shake things up. Hmmm sounds familiar doesn't it?

So with all that is going on in the world, stress and upset are highly available. We need to focus on calming down, slowing down and acting deliberately. Now after an extremely difficult and long winter, we are all yearning to burst out the door whenever the sun shines. We need to MOVE! True, we do. But let us do so in a manner that will serve our well-being. Stephanie suggests yoga, tai chi, qi gong, ecstatic dance, Sufi dancing - among other ways of moving, so that our energy is channeled in a positive way.

We need to remember to get enough rest and sleep too.

She suggests nutritive herbs, nervines (Skullcap and Valerian) and adaptogens (Ashwaganda and Eleuthro); to help relax, Lavendar and Chamomile essential oils in rubs or bath products; and last but not least, flower essences like Yarrow, Impatiens, and Rescue Remedy. Interestingly, just prior to her mentioning Rescue Remedy, I had just taken a couple of drops of Desert Crisis Formula by Desert Alchemy, which has a similar purpose and is my 'crisis formula of choice.' The energy in the room was challenging to someone who has been sick in bed for nearly two weeks. It helped immediately. I enjoyed the conference immensely, but it was a huge energetic change for me.

Which, by the way, is how we might experience Uranus in Aries. After being in the doldrums for months, even years due to Pluto's ingress into Capricorn and the collapse of the economy, we are going to get a blast of energy that may throw us off kilter for awhile. Our challenge is to not lose our footing while setting our sails so that these winds of change move us forward, not aground.

In addition to the herbs Stephanie mentioned, I suggest Passionflower as a mildly relaxing herb. I make a blend of tinctures called Take It Easy, which is a combination of Nettle, Ashwaganda, Fennel Seed, Motherwort, Vervain, Skullcap, Passionflower, Damiana, Chamomile, Melissa, St.John's Wort, Schizandra, Cleavers, Linden Flower and Red Clover. Honey and Pomegranate Syrup make it taste good. A two ounce bottle is $28.00. For shipping in the U.S.add another 4.95 for a total of $32.95. Pay through the Paypal Keep the Essences Flowing Donation button in the sidebar with the message 'tonic' and send me your shipping address.

Meditation, contemplation and prayer can help settle your mind and give you focus for the energy that will be inside and outside you. I suggested at the conference that sometimes we take flower and gem essences because 'other people' are driving us nuts. We cannot control others, but we CAN take care of ourselves, our emotional states and our responses/reactions. During this time flower essences and especially gem elixirs are useful. Those which address the need to stay grounded, give clarity and help you relax are most helpful.

What Can We Do to Protect Ourselves from Radiation

There's a lot of talk about what's going on in Japan right now. They are truly going through Hell. I am praying for them. As we are finding out all the time, we are all connected. We all live on the planet Earth and the radiation that is coming from the failing nuclear reactors will move towards the west coast of the U.S. eventually.

Is there anything we can do to protect ourselves from its effects? I listened to a show on KPFA today that spoke about the value of Iodine to help protect the thyroid and other glands. I suggest you investigate the proper sources and amounts so that you don't harm yourself.

I found this blog post very good in regards to food and supplements.

http://www.annlouise.com/blog/2011/03/15/radiation-coming-our-way/

Gary Young of Young Living Essential Oils has created a special kit called

QuadShield (#4559). QuadShield combines four potent Young Living products: Super C, Melrose, Longevity, and Thyromin.

He suggests that you use the following Young Living products to protect your home and environment

Longevity: 1–2 capsules twice daily
Melrose: 6–20 drops per capsule or in yogurt 1–3 times a day
Super C: 1–2 tablets daily
Thyromin: 1 capsule three times a day
ICP: 1 to 2 teaspoons in the morning
JuvaPower: 1–2 teaspoons at night
Endoflex and Digize: 1–2 capsules daily
NingXia Red: 4–6 oz. daily
Detoxyme: 3–5 capsules at night
Allerzyme: 1–2 capsules three times a day
Essentialzyme: 1 capsule three times a day
Drink three liters of water daily

Gary Young suggests that essential oils have the ability to both purify the air (and should be diffused in your home) and can protect DNA from damage caused by radiation. He suggests alternating between Purification, Melrose and Frankincense oils. Also, burning frankincense resin will help purify the air.

You can purchase all the Young Living products via my Young Living website.

The flower essence blend by FES, Yarrow Environmental Solution has been recommended for use in these circumstances.  Go to the FES site to purchase or get at your local herb shop or health food store.

More on Horseradish - Herb of the Year

Most of us know horseradish as a culinary plant used as a seasoning, but it does have medicinal properties.

Horseradish is a source of vitamin C, iron, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium and zinc. It is a circulatory and digestive stimulant and has antidepressant, antibacterial, anti-cancer, antioxidant, detoxifying and expectorant qualities.

Avoid horseradish if you have an underactive thyroid.

The stimulating and antibiotic properties are due to the fact that horseradish contains mustard oil, which also makes it effective for lung and urinary tract infections. You may have heard of the old-time remedy for lung infections known as a 'mustard plaster'. Horseradish is also a strong diuretic.

One of the first remedies I learned to make in herb school, introduced by Rosemary Gladstar, was Fire Cider.

Here's a recipe for Fire Cider. It can be used in many ways, including as a salad dressing.

Fire Cider

Ingredients:

1 quart Organic Apple Cider Vinegar
1/2 cup Horseradish root grated
1/8 cup of Garlic chopped
1/2 cup of Onion chopped
1/2 cup of Ginger grated
1 tsp Cayenne pepper

Directions:

Place all ingredients in a quart jar and cover with Apple Cider Vinegar.

Cover tightly.
Steep for 8 weeks.
Strain into clean jar.

How to Use Your Fire Cider

~ Rub into sore muscles and aching joints.
~ Soak a clean cloth in Fire Cider to place on a congested chest.
~ Drink it straight or diluted in a bit of water or tomato juice.Start out with a tsp or so to test your tolerance level.
~ Mix with a bit of honey to ease a cough.

Culinary Recipe

Mashed Potatoes and Horseradish

Add grated or prepared horseradish to your regular mashed potato recipe. You can also add to garlic mashed potatoes.

Use 3-4 Tablespoons to 3 pounds potatoes. A little goes a long way.

July has been designated as National Horseradish Month and there will be many festivals and events during the year. To learn more about it go to The Horseradish Festival website.
Read more about horseradish and other herbs at The Herb Companion website.



Starting Off the New Year

Horseradish - 2011 Herb of the Year

Every year the International Herb Association chooses an Herb of the Year. This year it is horseradish. I suggest you go to the following websites to read about horseradish.

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve

The Herb Society

Wikipedia

Herb of the Year

I love it with roast beef, but I also use mustard/horseradish in toasted cheese sandwiches to spice them up.

At the Master Gardeners Christmas Potluck this year, someone brought the most delicious cranberry salsa and I want to share the recipe with you. I made it for Christmas and it was a hit, even with teenagers! Fresh cranberries and cilantro make it a great source of vitamins and anti-oxidants as well. I used a little fresh orange juice to sweeten instead of sugar. Experiment and Enjoy!

CRANBERRY SALSA

1bag fresh cranberries, rinsed and chopped (best in food processor)

Half bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Scallions, chopped
2 tsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 -- 3/4 C sugar
Pinch dried hot pepper flakes
1/4 tsp. ground cumin

Combine the above the day before you serve to 'marry' the flavors. Keeps well in the refrigerator.

Herbal Jellies - Yum!

Wondering what to do with the culinary herbs you grow? Here's an idea... make herbal jellies. Great as gifts. Make up a gift basket with jellies, vinegars and flavored olive oils. Who can resist?


Here's a recipe I recently received and have not had a chance to try yet. Go to Lemon Verbena Lady's blog for more...

I think you could use other culinary herbs as well as basils. Experiment with your favorites.
Scented Basil Jellies

Makes four 8-ounce jars

• 1½ cups packed fresh anise, cinnamon, opal or lemon basil
• 2 cups water
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• Pinch of salt
• 3½ cups sugar
• 3 ounces liquid pectin

1. Wash and dry the basil in paper towels, then coarsely chop it. Put the basil in a large saucepan and crush the leaves, using the bottom of a glass. Add the water, bring slowly to a boil and boil for 10 seconds. Remove the saucepan from the heat; cover and let sit for 15 minutes to steep.

2. Strain 1½ cups of liquid from the saucepan and pour through a fine strainer into another saucepan. Add the vinegar, salt and sugar and bring to a hard boil, stirring. When the boil can't be stirred down, add the pectin. Return the portion that can't be stirred down to a hard boil and boil for exactly 1 minute; remove saucepan from heat.

3. Skim off the foam and pour the hot jelly into four hot, sterilized (sterilized in boiling water for 10 minutes) half-pint jelly jars. Leave ½-inch (or less) headspace and seal at once with sterilized 2-piece lids. I just leave my lids in hot water not boiling until you need them. Can the jars in a boiling water bath for 5 minutes.


Recipe from Recipes from a Kitchen Garden by Renee Shepherd & Fran Raboff, Berkeley (Ten Speed Press, 1993).

My Favorite Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils - Young Living

For therapeutic use, I have been using Young Living essential oils for over 12 years. I especially like their blends which I use all the time as perfumes or to affect my mood.

They also make some incredible personal care products and supplements. I love their deodorant and toothpaste, which I use every day.

Young living oils have a depth and complexity you never find in any other oils. I have been to their farm in Utah and seen how they distill their oils. Their Lavender oil is like a vintage wine, multi-layered and evocative.

Gary Young is the only person in the essential oil industry who personally goes to every location where the plants are grown and where oils are distilled. More and more, they are growing and distilling so as to ensure the supply and the quality.

Essential oils are like other commodities traded in the world. They are subject to political, economic and climate conditions just like food items and other raw materials. By growing their own plants and producting their own oils, Young Living is better able to control how plants are grown and processed, which makes all the difference in the final product.

Check out my personal Young Living website. Sign up for the essential rewards program where you get credits for everything you buy which you can redeem for free products. By becoming a member, you can get in on special promotions.

You can make money selling Young Living products. As a distributor, you get a percentage on all sales by people you sign up.

I also like Young Living for its ongoing training and customer support. They want you to know about their products and how to use them.

To start out, I recommend the Essential Seven kit. These oils are like a first-aid kit with so many uses, you'll wonder what you ever did without them. I have made a mini-set to take with me when I travel.

One summer, I went on a four day camel trip into the Sahara desert in Morocco. Obviously, you can't take much baggage on such a trip. I made a set of a dozen or so mini bottles of oils which I carried in a fanny pack. I passed around the Peppermint when people got headaches or nausea, Lavender for wounds, and stress.

That was the 'trial by fire' - my test as to whether oils work or not. I can truly say they are the first choice in treatment, no matter what the issue. I even use oils for preventing the usual ailment travelers get.... I take a drop of Frankincense oil with every meal. It works for me. I never have to run to the bathroom.

Announcing: New Pluto Through the Houses Essences and Aroma-essence Spray

Launched at the recent Evolutionary Astrology Conference in Denver, my latest creation: a set of 12 Pluto Through the Houses Essences. Each one is a blend of flower, gem, and environmental essences intuitively selected to work with the issues related to Pluto in a particular house.
You may work with your natal house placement of Pluto, or where Pluto is currently transiting, or both.
A specially formulated Aroma-essence Spray contains essential oils and the Pluto blend.
See my astrology blog for more info. You can order here or there. Remember to specify which house you want.
To make the medicine go down easier, each essence contains Hazelnut and Pomegranate liqueurs. Yum! Transformation never tasted so good!
Each essence is 2 ounces. The aroma-essence spray is 4 ounces.