Houses of Healing

Instant Herbal Remedy for Bug Bites and Stings

In the spring and summer your kids – and you too- are more likely to be running around outside barefoot or rolling and playing in the grass. Getting a bug bite or sting can put an end to these happy times. This bug bite and sting herbal remedy never fails to work and to get the kids quickly ready for more outdoor adventures. 

To squelch a bug bite or sting: Quickly find a broad leaf plantain leaf - easily found as they are in almost all grassy areas. It is low growing, dark green and broad, with “ribs” on the leaf – please look it up in a plant identification book if you are not sure.  

Chew up the leaf – the action of salvia activates its sting stopping powers. (If you are afraid to chew it up then bite on it and mix it with some of your salvia.) Place the chewed up plantain leaf on the bug bite or sting. Almost immediately the stinging will stop. You or your child can hold the plantain mass in place while you go inside and get the rest of the remedy. 

Find your comfrey tincture (you do have a good herbal first aid kit, right?), a big Band-Aid (my kids preferred using a gauze pad and first aid tape - so much more dramatic). Leaving the plantain mass in place, secure it with the Band-Aid or gauze and first aid tape. Once secured, dribble some comfrey tincture under the dressing and on the sting. The comfrey is soothing and cool and takes away any lingering pain, stinging or discomfort. Leave on until it falls off later that day or the next morning. If it is a particularly bad bite or sting, you may need to put a fresh plantain/comfrey dressing on the next day. 

This remedy has never failed and prevents infections from the bite or sting. The best thing is how much it seems to empower the children (and adults too!). If someone around them gets a bug bite or sting the kids are the first ones to find the plantain (so be sure you teach them to be able to accurately identify it) and they show up beaming and full of compassion – “Don’t worry. It’s OK --we have the plantain!”

Sleep your way to better memory

"I am teaching my law students a class on preparing to take exams. I have all the usual exam preparation information but is there any new slant on things you can offer to facilitate their performance?"

Our #1 Study Tip

The best advice you can offer your students is for them to “sleep on it.” Research shows that getting a good night’s sleep facilitates memory consolidation. Sleep appears to help the brain commit new information to memory. Without a good night’s sleep your students mental processing time will slow down and they are more likely to make poor decisions plus their thinking will be foggy and they will have poorer concentration. If your students don’t get enough sleep their memory will be impaired and their ability to think and process information will be impaired. 

Throughout the day there is an important sleep chemical called adenosine that builds up in the brain. The more you use the brain (e.g. study) the more adenosine builds up. As adenosine builds up it slows down the rate of nerve firing in the brain and you get sleepy. Adenosine also increases blood flow to the brain, which helps the brain restore itself more efficiently during the night. While you sleep, your brain recycles adenosine to use the next day. If you don’t sleep long enough to reprocess your brain’s supply of adenosine you will stay sleepy until you do sleep long enough to clear the residual adenosine. The more your students are using their brain the day before the exam (i.e. by studying) the more sleep they may need the night before the exam to avoid that sleepy state created by unprocessed adenosine. 

Also, the quality of their sleep is important for improving their cognitive functioning. Good quality sleep is composed of five distinct stages during which the brain’s activity changes.

In stage I, you drift toward sleep and the brain’s electrical activity slows. Stage II is a light sleep in which your body prepares for deep sleep by lowering body temperature and relaxing muscles.  In stages III and IV you enter slow wave sleep. REM (intense dreaming) sleep occurs in Stage V. 

Your body is restored during slow wave sleep in stages III and IV. In Stage V – REM sleep-  your mind is restored. It is during Stage V sleep that the neural connections are made that support the retention and organization of information and space is created to learn new information and tasks. All of these five stages together compose one sleep cycle.  

Each sleep cycle lasts 90-120 minutes. For improved cognitive performance it is important that you cycle through these five stages of sleep for a full five to six cycles a night. If you are not going through the full five stages of sleep and descending down into REM sleep your ability to retain information, organize your memories, and prepare to learn something new will be compromised. Also, the longer you are in REM sleep the more aggressively your brain will recycle adenosine and the more refreshed you will feel when you wake up. 

Some research even suggests that if you are an early riser and miss that late stage of sleep that your performance on learning certain tasks may decrease by 20%. It appears that during sleep your brain organizes all information you learned that day, sends some information to long term storage, other information gets deleted, and some is slated for retention and redesignation in the next sleep cycle. The brain uses a good night’s sleep to consolidate memories and skills learned during the day.

If your students will be taking their exam later in the day you can advise them to become good nappers. Research shows that frustration and poorer performance on mental tasks sets in as the day goes on. Scores on some mental tasks appear to worsen over the course of a day. But taking a 30 minute nap prevents this deterioration and a one hour nap actually boosts later day performance to morning levels. If your students can nap long enough (50-60 minutes) and thus cycle through their slow wave deep sleep their learning may be fostered. Even a 20 minute power nap can be helpful.

The average need for good quality sleep is between 7 and 8 hours a night with some of us needing up to 10 hours and a few needing 6 hours. So helping your students learn and find ways to get the amount of sleep they need can go a long way in helping them to perform better with less struggle. Hope that helps!

Are you at risk because of a Vitamin D Deficiency?

Worried about:

Cancer

Diabetes

Depression

Osteoporosis

Chronic pain

These and a host of other common health problems are all are associated with a lack of Vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiencies are very common, particularly in northern climates. Lack of sunshine, wearing clothing, and use of sunscreens inhibits the natural creation of Vitamin D in the skin.

Having optimal Vitamin D levels is a simple and inexpensive health change that can affect a:

78% reduction in type1 diabetes in children

33% reduction in type 2 diabetes

72% reduction in number of falls in the elderly

42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women

And those without adequate Vitamin D levels are at risk for:

200% increase in type 1 diabetes in children

30-50% more cancers

Optimal levels of Vitamin D result in a 77% reduction in cancer incidence.

Life Extension Foundation research shows that achieving adequate Vitamin D levels in the US population could prevent as many as ¾ of all cancers in as little as four years.

Research also reveals that 275,00 American lives could be saved each year if a nationwide program to get adequate vitamin D levels was implemented.

Low levels of Vitamin D have been identified as a “health crisis emergency”. Everything should be done to ensure that everyone achieves optimal Vitamin D status.

“Because of convincing evidence of benefit and the strong evidence of safety, we urge those who have the ability to support public health – the media, vitamin manufacturers, and policy makers  - to undertake new initiatives that will have a realistic chance of making a difference in terms of vitamin D nutrition.”
--American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

A review article in the July 19, 2007 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine documents that those with less than optimal Vitamin D levels have increase incidence of:

Autoimmune diseases

Osteoarthritis

Depression

Hypertension

Pulmonary disorders

Schizophrenia

Cardiovascular diseases

In addition, low levels of Vitamin D have been related to:

Osteoporosis

Muscle weakness

Hypothyroidism

Non-specific musculoskeletal pain

Chronic low back pain

Fibromyalgia

Stroke

Between 40-100% of elderly people in the US and Europe have insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D. Even children and young adults who supplement with 400 IU of Vitamin D and consume Vitamin D rich foods can be low in Vitamin D.

And don’t count on sunlight exposure to increase your vitamin D levels.

Vitamin D levels can remain low in some people despite abundant exposure to sunlight. 51% of individuals who had a mean of 11.1 hours per week of total body skin exposure with no sunscreen used still remained low in Vitamin D levels. Tanned skin loses its ability to manufacture Vitamin D and as we age our ability to convert vitamin D in the skin becomes further diminished.

Your Vitamin D status can be assessed by having your blood tested. Vitamin D testing identifies Vitamin D deficiency as a potential cause of numerous health problems. Further testing monitors Vitamin D levels during supplementation to ensure adequate levels are achieved and protects against possible overdosing and toxicity.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that the “minimum Vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce disease risk is 30 ng/mL” and that it is rare for members of the US population to achieve this.

To account for the significant individual dose response variability, an optimal strategy is to achieve a serum Vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) level of around 60 ng/mL. Depending on your current Vitamin D levels you may need to take up to 5,000 IU or more of Vitamin D to achieve this optimal disease prevention level.

The good news is that Vitamin D is inexpensive. That's why testing for Vitamin D will never be popularized by the media - because there is no expensive drug to push.

But it is important to remember that it is the amount of Vitamin D in the blood that determines disease risk – not the amount of Vitamin D consumed. Excess fat in the body can lock up Vitamin D and prevent utilization.

State of the Art Vitamin D Testing

Until recently, a test for Vitamin D levels meant a trip to the doctor and a blood draw. But now, a few drops of blood from a quick and almost painless prick of the finger with a few spots of blood placed on special collection paper are all that is needed. This can be done at home. It’s convenient, quick and suitable for all populations from pediatric to the elderly.

Your blood spot sample is sent to an independent laboratory for analysis. You’ll have accurate results in just a few days.

Blood spot testing ensures that you achieve optimal levels of Vitamin D and avoid the multiple risks associated with low Vitamin D levels.

The fee for the test is only $135. To order the Vitamin D Blood Spot Assay

Your Vitamin D Blood Spot Assay and complete instructions will be mailed to you. When the results are in, you’ll get an exclusive session by phone with me to help you interpret and integrate the results of your Vitamin D Bloodspot Assay at no additional charge.

I will give you your top 3 strategies for addressing the test results. You will get specific recommendations based on your test information and options for further treatment.

Our secure servers use "bullet-proof encryption" to take your order, so your information is safe. But, if you prefer, you can phone in your order to 434-263-4996.

More Functional Health Tests

Herbal Remedies for Spring Allergies

As spring bursts onto the scene with all of its lovely color, vibrancy, light, and new growth you may- unfortunately - experience an array of discomforting symptoms. Your eyes may tear, you may have a scratchy or draining throat, your nose may be constantly itchy and you may be always be on the verge of a sneeze or experience repeated sneezing – welcome to spring allergies.

Seasonal allergies are usually accompanied by “stuffiness”, sneezing, watery eyes, excess drainage, runny nose, excess mucus. These symptoms are the body’s attempts to flush out an offending allergen. For those with seasonal allergies these symptoms can get out of hand and result in feeling miserable.

Herbs can be added to your medicine chest of remedies to help make your change of season more comfortable and enjoyable. Before deciding which herbs to include as part of your spring allergy relief program, it is wise to check with a practitioner familiar with herbal health care.

Bioflavonoids to the Rescue

Bioflavonoids are an important constituent found in many flowers, leaves, and fruits that help bring relief for seasonal allergy symptoms.

Bioflavonoids help prevent the formation of histamine. Histamine is one of the substances released by the body in an attempt to get rid of the offending foreign particle - the allergen. It is a hormone that causes tearing eyes and runny noses as the body attempts to flush out the offending allergen. Histamine prompts the body to quickly get rid of the allergen by activating the common allergy symptoms such as itchy and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and sinuses, and swelling and inflammation.

Increasing your intake of bioflavonoids helps prevent the formation of histamine (as opposed to commonly used over the counter anti-histamines which interfere with histamine’s action after it has been produced). Herbs that help alleviate sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses contain substances that prevent the formation of histamine. Without histamine, your seasonal allergy symptoms can be significantly reduced. Many bioflavonoids are also anti-inflammatories, which decrease the swelling of tissues caused by reacting to an allergen.

Anti-allergenic and bioflavonoid rich herbs include German chamomile, lemon balm, Baical skullcap, mints, anise, ginger, peppermint, spearmint, feverfew, milk thistle, and yarrow.

Hawthorn is an anti-histamine herb that blocks the release of histidine decaroxylase needed to convert histamine in the body. Licorice, ginkgo, cinnamon, cardamom, rosemary, many mints and the essential oils of orange, tangerine, lemon are antihistamine and anti-allergenic and help relax the nasal passages and airways. German chamomile may slow allergic reactions by increasing the adrenal glands’ production of cortisone, which reduces lung inflammation and makes breathing easier. These herbs can be taken as teas or in tincture form.

Herbal Baths and Teas Help Soothe Irritation

Essential oils of chamomile, clove, caraway, and lemon balm contain natural antihistamines that can be useful for soothing itchy hives. Mix a few drops of the essential oil with an ounce of carrier oil such as almond or olive and apply to hives. Never apply the essential oils directly to skin as they can be caustic. Never take essential oils internally unless directed by a health care practitioner.

Itchy hives can also be relieved by taking an herbal bath. Dried antihistamine herbs such as thyme, German chamomile, basil, fennel, and tarragon can be mixed together and made into a soothing bath for allergy relief for skin reactions. To make an effective herbal bath use a quart glass jar and fill the jar one-third way of the dried herb mixture. Pour in boiling water to fill the jar. Put a cap on the jar and let it sit for at least one hour. If you want a stronger bath, you can let the mixture sit four to six hours. Strain out the herbs and pour the remaining herbal liquid into the bath. Soak and relax.

These same bath herbs can be used to make an anti- allergy tea to help relieve those worrisome symptoms. To make a tea use one teaspoon of the herbs to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes. Drink one to three cups a day.

More Herbal Allergy Helpers

An allergic response can cause tissue lining the sinuses to swell, which can block the outlets of the sinuses to the nose. When this happens mucus build up in the sinuses can cause headaches and mucus draining from the back of the nose into the throat (the common postnasal drip). Using an over-the-counter anti-histamine with these symptoms can thicken the mucus even more so that it can not drain. It is better to help dilate the sinus passages and thin and liquefy the mucus so that it can drain easily. Hot chili peppers are very effective at draining thick, congested mucus and relieving these symptoms. Herbs such as ginger, yarrow, lemongrass, chickweed, red clover, fenugreek can be effective decongestants that thin and liquefy the congested mucus.

To help relieve the scratchy, sore throat that accompanies seasonal allergies herbs that soothe and coat the mucus membranes - demulcents- can be effective. Demulcent herbs include: marshmallow, malva, slippery elm, and violet. If a cough accompanies the sore throat, you can try plantain, wild cherry bark, or horehound all of which act as excellent cough relievers. Plantain also supports the adrenals, acts as an anti-spasmodic and helps expel mucus.

Nettles helps to prevent the excessive release of inflammatory substances such as leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are one of the natural body substances released when an allergen enters the body resulting in an inflammatory response. This leads to irritated and swollen mucus membranes that secrete excessive mucus. Nettles is also anti-allergen, enhances the immune system and increases the body’s ability to handle stress.

The herb ginkgo contains ginkgolides that interfere with the chain of events that results in allergic reactions. Phytochemicals found in ginkgo biloba block the action of platelet-activating factor that activates immune cells responsible for inflammation. Several studies suggest that ginkgo improves the ability to tolerate allergens. Follow label directions on the bottle as far as dosage is concerned. Avoid taking in excess as excessive ginkgo can lead to diarrhea, irritability, and insomnia.

Another helpful herb to use to increase the body’s ability to resist reacting to allergens is milk thistle. Milk thistle protects the liver and improves its ability to clear antigens from the body and strengthens mucus membrane integrity while providing bioflavanoids.

Herbs can be a definite benefit in helping you enjoy the early days of spring and move energetically and free from allergy symptoms into the warm days of summer.

Before taking any herbs always learn about the herb you are taking to be sure it is compatible with you and check with a knowledgeable herbal health care provider. Enjoy!

Check out my Catalog of Organic and Wildcrafted Herbal Products.

Healing with Forgiveness

Our cells are constantly eavesdropping on our thoughts and being changed by them. A bout of depression can wreak havoc with the immune system; falling in love can boost it. Despair and helplessness raise the risk of heart attacks and cancer, thereby shortening life. Joy and fulfillment keep us healthy and extend life. This means that the line between biology and psychology can't really be drawn with any certainty. A remembered stress, which is only a wisp of thought, releases the same flood of destructive hormones as the stress itself. --Deepak Chopra

For true healing to occur - and not merely just a shift in symptoms-, you have to be attentive to your mind, your emotions, your psychology, your environments, your relationships, and your spirit.

Practicing forgiveness can enhance your feelings of well being and improve your health. This is especially true with regards to being forgiving to those close to you. Research shows that adults who practice forgiveness experienced less anger, less stress, more optimism, and better general health.

Negative memories may induce bitterness and negative thoughts about the past. When these negative memories predominate, the emotions of contentment, satisfaction, serenity and peace are not experienced and that sense of happiness about the past is not available.

To help ensure survival, negative emotions tend to get our attention and predominate in our focus until we undo them with some positive emotion. When negative memories about the past are fostering negative emotions, the way out is to rewrite the negative memories.

Although the direct relationship between forgiveness and improved health is still not well established, holding onto bitterness, resentment and hurt from the past can seriously dampen the energy you have available for creating an upward spiral of positive energy. Forgiveness undoes the bitterness, resentment, and hurt about past transgressions that block or reduce the feelings of happiness about the past. Forgiveness is a simple (if not always easy) choice for rewriting memories of past upsetting events and opening the door to the emotions of contentment, satisfaction, serenity, and peace – and improved wellbeing.

If you are stuck in an unforgiving mode we can talk about tools, techniques and programs that can help you find your way to forgiveness and increased health and well being. You can give me a call at 434-263-4996 or email me at maryann@evenstaronline.com