Edible Wild Salads

Saturday, June 30, 2012 0 comments

Years ago a friend lost his job as an engineer. Rather than seeking employment in the corporate world, he decided to farm. Not growing up on a farm, it took several years of poverty for them to see the fruits of their labor.

Why am I telling you this? One day his wife confided in me that the only fresh salads they got were from the weeds in the backyard. Unbelievable? Not really. The herbs growing in our backyards contain many more nutrients than the bags of iceberg lettuce in the produce section of the grocery that most of us call a salad. Let me introduce you to a wild salad—one of highly nutritious herbs—growing in my yard.

The chief of salad greens, dandelion (Taraxaum officinale) cleanses your liver and kidneys and promotes digestion. It also delivers boron, calcium, and silicon; making it an excellent choice for preventing osteoporosis and other bone and muscle conditions.

“Young dandelion leaves make delicious sandwiches, the tender leaves being laid between slices of bread and butter and sprinkled with salt. The addition of a little lemon juice and pepper varies the flavor,” states the classic book on herbs A Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. Grieve.

Grieve also says that when boiled, the young leaves of chickweed (Stellaria media) “can hardly be distinguished from spring spinach, and are equally wholesome.” A crawling perennial, this wholesome herb grows about six inches tall. It has hairy stems, ovate leaves, and star-shaped white flowers (from which the name stellaria comes). Chickweed is native to Asia and Europe, but you can now find it in most parts of the world. It is a wonderful addition to skin products and also contains compounds that aid digestion; making it the perfect salad green. “Apart from its medicinal uses,” says Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH in his Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, “chickweed is a tasty and nutritious vegetable.”

Another ideal addition to your salad is lamb’s quarters (Chenopodium album). Amazingly, this European relative of spinach actually tastes like spinach. It branches like a tree and unchecked, can reach up to six feet tall. However, for your salad, you would want the young, tender leaves. Diamond shaped, they appear to have white powder on the undersides. High in beta-carotene, calcium, potassium, and iron, lamb’s quarters provides more nutritional punch than its cultivated cousin. Some folks even harvest it from their field before plowing and can or freeze it just as they would spinach.

Now that we have the foundation for our salad, with what shall we top it? I could add a few red clover blossoms, a cup of wild berries, some sprigs of mint, or even some chopped green onions—all from the backyard.

But this only begins our produce foraging experience. My backyard, and probably yours as well, also has herbs for health, ones for tea, and fruit for dessert. What have you eaten from your backyard lately? I’d love to hear about your experiences in the comments.

References:

 Modern Herbal by Mrs. M. GrieveEncyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier, FNIMH

Disclaimer:

If you are not familiar with foraging, please use a field guide for proper identification or have an experienced forager accompany you before eating wild foods.

Photo by Chiot’s Run


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Different Types of Vitamins and Their Uses

Thursday, June 28, 2012 0 comments

Vitamins are essential to us in order to help our bodies function efficiently and to keep us in good health. Vitamins are found in various foods, in addition to being naturally manufactured by our bodies. However, sometimes we need some help in the form of vitamin supplements; it can be difficult knowing which vitamin supplement to choose unless you know the purpose and function of each one. This article summarizes some of the uses and functions of the most common vitamins.

Vitamin A is associated with eye disorders, such as night blindness, and skin disorders, such as acne. It is also needed for immunity and maintenance of the skin. It helps with bone formation and acts as an antioxidant. (source: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, James F. Balch, Phyllis A. Balch). However, a deficiency in vitamin A is uncommon, with the exception of developing countries (source).

Vitamin A can be found in green and yellow fruit and vegetables such as asparagus, apricots, carrots and yellow squash, in addition to fish liver oils. Some plants and herbs, such as fennel seed, lemongrass, rose hips, sage and hops also contain vitamin A. Vitamin A is a fat soluble vitamin.

There are several types of vitamin B; these include vitamin B1, B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12. Vitamin B is a water soluble vitamin. The function of the B vitamins include:

brain function (vitamin B1)nerve health (vitamin B5 & B6)skin health (vitamin B3)eye health (vitamin B2)formation of red blood cells (vitamin B12).

Vitamin B also helps with the functioning of various other functions in the body. Sources of Vitamin B include:

brown riceegg yolksfishmeatmilknutsasparaguspotatoescarrotssea vegetables (vitamin B12) (source).

Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant and is important in protecting the body against infection, colds, flu, tissue growth and repair, promotes wound healing and increases the absorption of iron. A lack of vitamin C might be caused by smoking, alcohol consumption and the taking of drugs such as anti-depressants and analgesics (source: Prescription for Nutritional Healing, James F. Balch, Phyllis A. Balch).

Vitamin C is found in fruit and vegetables such as oranges, tomatoes, cabbage, green peppers and grapefruit, in addition to cranberries, blueberries and lemons (source). Vitamin C is also a water soluble vitamin.

Vitamin D is needed by the body for a number of functions such as the absorption of calcium, healthy bones and teeth, thyroid function and blood clotting. The reason that many people become deficient in vitamin D during the winter months is that they do not receive enough Vitamin D from sunlight, a natural source of vitamin D, that enables the body to keep and convert enough vitamin D in the body.

You can find vitamin D in dairy products, eggs and fish liver oils. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin.

Vitamin E is another anti-oxidant and is a fat soluble vitamin. Anti-oxidants such as vitamin E help to protect against cardiovascular disease. In addition, vitamin E helps to protect against cell damage and in the manufacture of red blood cells. Vitamin E also helps the body utilize vitamin K and vitamin A.

Vitamin E exists in eight different molecule formats within two groups known as tocopherols and tocotrienols. Sources of vitamin E include sunflower seeds, eggs, mayonnaise, liver, nuts, spinach, beet, asparagus, legumes and cold pressed vegetable oils (source).

Vitamin K is important to the role of blood clotting in that it is needed to produce prothrombin. It also helps to promote healthy liver function. Vitamin K is found in asparagus, safflower oil, green leafy vegetables, egg yolks and liver (source). Vitamin K is a fat soluble vitamin.

Most vitamins can be found in similar foods such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products and fish; vitamins exist in different levels within these foods but if you maintain a healthy diet, you should be absorbing adequate vitamins. However, sometimes the body needs a helping hand if you have a specific disease or problem. If you are unsure about taking vitamin supplements (and how and which ones to take), consult your medical practitioner for advice before using them.

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How Dirt Acts as an Anti-Depressant

Wednesday, June 27, 2012 1 comments

Perhaps you’ve had a diagnosis and prescription from a doctor that you thought a bit odd. But if you go in complaining of depression and the doc tells you to take up gardening, hear him out. Research has shown a direct correlation between Mycobacterium vaccae (a bacterium found in soil) and the serotonin levels in the brain.

In a 2007 study, Dr. Christopher Lowry and colleagues at the University of Bristol, England, injected mice with a specially prepared solution of M. vaccae. In the control group, “they found that serotonin-producing neurons in…the dorsal raphe nucleus (region of the brain)…were more active in the treated mice….They also found increases in serotonin itself in the prefrontal cortex.” In a study with a second group of mice, Lowry stated that the bacteria “had the exact same effect as antidepressant drugs.”

But that is not all. Researchers continue to study the effects that this species of the Mycobacteriaceae family of bacteria might have on allergic asthma, cancer, depression, tuberculosis and various skin conditions—including leprosy. Naturally occurring in the soil, this bacterium is also the basis for a vaccine used to treat tuberculosis.

How does this work? Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the gastro-intestinal tract, platelets, and central nervous system of humans. About 90% of a person’s serotonin is found in the gut and regulates intestinal movement. The remainder is used by the CNS to regulate mood, appetite, and sleep. It also plays an important role in memory and learning. According to scientists from the Georgetown University Medical Center and a Canadian research institute, “serotonin is passed between key cells in the immune system, and that the chemical is specifically used to activate an immune response.” So, if exposure to M. vaccae through the soil increases serotonin levels in the brain, it stands to reason that the body’s immune system is boosted as well. And, if our body’s immune system is strengthened, than its ability to fight or ward off these other illnesses is strengthened.

So, does gardening, working in the yard, or merely taking a walk relieve the symptoms of depression or some of these other ailments? Lowry’s study shows that simply inhaling or ingesting M. vaccae can boost one’s mood. This finding suggests that simply mowing the lawn or walking a dusty road could expose one to a dose of this mood boosting bacteria. However unlike pharmaceuticals, a person cannot overdose on too much of the great outdoors.

Simon N. Young, Editor-in-chief, Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, and Department of Psychiatry, McGill University, MontrĂ©al, Quebec, reports in “How to Increase Serotonin in the Human Brain without Drugs” that exposure to sunlight and exercise can both help to elevate the mood in depressed individuals. In this article, Young states that in addition to the decrease in human exposure to bright light, “there has been a large change in the level of vigorous physical exercise experienced since humans were…engaged primarily in agriculture…and that the decline in vigorous physical exercise…may contribute to the high level of depression in today’s society.”

In light of these findings, if you couple the effects of M. vaccae on a person’s serotonin levels with that of the sun and exercise, gardening would be the activity of choice for those suffering from depression.

References:


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Essential Oils Used in Thieves Blend

Monday, June 25, 2012 0 comments

There are various recipes and blends for Thieves oil in circulation today. In addition, the origins of the original Four Thieves Vinegar (or blend) vary wildly. However, the common consensus today is that the essential oils of rosemary, lemon, eucalyptus, clove and cinnamon are the basis of any Thieves blend recipes. All of these essential oils possess the antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties that make the blend popular for use against cold, germs and any other nasty diseases that might be lurking in you home.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) belongs to the Lamiaceae botanical family. It is an evergreen bush or shrub that has pale blue flowers and silver-gray leaves shaped like needles. It flowers in the spring.

Rosemary has been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. In Medieval times, sprigs on rosemary were hung in doorways and carried for protection against the Plague, a devastating epidemic that wiped out millions of lives.

Rosemary essential oil is used for its anti-microbial, antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties, amongst others. Rosemary was effectively used in a blend with pine, thyme, peppermint, lavender, clove and cinnamon oils to purify the air and reduce the existence of pre-existing microorganisms in a laboratory test (Valnet 1980) (source: Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Shirley Price, Len Price).

Lemon (Citrus limon) belongs to the Rutaceae plant family. The lemon tree is native to Asia but is now found in many different places, such as the Mediterranean region, South America and some states of North America.

Lemon has traditionally been used in Europe to treat many types of infectious diseases. It has been used for malaria, typhoid and to treat scurvy on English ships (source: The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Julia Lawless). Franchomme and Penoel, 1990, state that lemon essential oil has anti-viral properties (source: Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Shirley Price, Len Price).

There are various species of eucalyptus essential oil which are used in aromatherapy practice; Eucalyptus radiata and Eucalyptus smithii are two of the most common species used. Eucalyptus is native to Australia and belongs to the Myrtaceae plant family.

Eucalyptus oil is predominately used for its antiseptic, anti-viral and and anti-bacterial properties in aromatherapy practice. According to Valerie Ann Worwood, in The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, the disinfectant properties of eucalyptus oil actually improve with age.

Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) also belongs to the Myrtaceae botanical family. The clove tree is cultivated in tropical places such as the Philippines and Indonesia. Common as a spice, clove has traditionally been used as a tincture for skin and digestive problems, in addition for the treatment of intestinal parasites.

Clove essential oil is a potent essential oil and should be used with care in aromatherapy practice; use in low dilution and be aware that it might cause skin and mucous membrane irritation in some individuals.

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) is a member of the Lauraceae plant family; it is tropical tree which is native to Sri Lanka, southern India and Indochina. Just like clove, cinnamon has traditionally been used as a spice. However, it has also been used medicinally since ancient times in the treatment of colds, flu and digestive problems.

Cinnamon essential oil is also a potentially toxic oil if not used correctly and in moderation. However, it has strong antiseptic and anti- microbial properties. The essential oil is extracted from both the bark and the leaf of the plant, with a difference in the percentage of chemical components.

The majority of essential oils possess antiseptic and anti-bacterial properties and therefore there are several other essential oils that can also be used effectively in an anti-bacterial blend such as that of Thieves. However, the above essential oils are commonly used for this particular blend. Consult a qualified aromatherapist for advice on how to use Thieves blend for a particular problem.

Photo by CocteauBoy


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Making Homemade Dog Food

Saturday, June 23, 2012 0 comments

Bella-MaltipooImagine, if you will, buying a complete meal in a bag. No thawing from the freezer, no chopping or dicing, not even cooking required. Just pop the pieces straight from the bag into your mouth, potato chip style, and you have all your required daily allowances of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals. Sound great? No, I didn’t think so. Well, how do you think your dog feels about his kibbles?

Why do we strive to buy organic, fresh, and local and yet give our constant companions factory food? Since this is National Pets are Wonderful Month, I’d like to look at what would be involved in making your own dog food.

Raw meat from grass-fed, free-ranged animals is the healthiest choice. Why raw? Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, in his book Natural Health for Dogs and Cats recommends raw meat “on the basis of research, clinical practice and the natural habits of predators since the beginning of time.” If you are concerned about pathogens or parasites in the meat, freeze it before serving.

Since wheat and corn are common allergens, I like to use brown rice. But if your dog has no issues with the wheat and corn, by all means add them to your recipe. Millet is a grain high in protein. Oats are relatively inexpensive if you are feeding a large dog. Remember, a variety will give you a nutritional advantage.

Eggs are a complete protein and a wonderful source of vitamin A. Dogs love them. For added benefit, blend the eggs shell and all in a blender until the shells are finely ground. Serve raw mixed with other ingredients.

My miniature pinscher begs for pieces of carrot, raw green beans, or other vegies when I’m preparing them for supper. Once, while canning peaches, we caught him nibbling on them through the sides of the bushel basket. Don’t hesitate to add raw or steamed vegetables to your dog’s food recipe. They add needed vitamins, minerals, and roughage to the diet.

Garlic, essential fatty acids, greens, apple cider vinegar, and vitamin e are a few of the necessary supplements you will want to add to your raw dog food recipe. Adding these things assures your canine companion is getting all that he needs.

Personally, I feed my miniature pinscher a raw meatball with rice and raw vegies once per day. The rest of the time, I keep an all-natural kibble available. For this article, I asked a friend to share her complete raw food recipe. Since I hesitate to share just one recipe, a few links that follow Dr. Billinghurst’s Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) Diet follow.

Mix in large bowl:

2-3 cups frozen greens2 cups vegetables2 cups fresh or frozen fruit2 cups organ meats10-12 cups ground meat (chicken with bones, beef, lamb, rabbit with bones, or turkey with neck bones)4 cups cooked grains

Blend in blender:

¼ cup ground flax seed8 well-beaten eggs with shells2 cups yogurt, kefir, or whey3 Tbsp cod liver oil1600 IU vitamin E3 Tbsp apple cider vinegar5000 mg vitamin C with bioflavonoid¼ cup kelp¼ cup alfalfa powder or other green powderBonemeal (if bone not included with meat)1/4 cup brewers yeastSmall amount of Garlic

Combine two mixtures.

References:

Natural Health for Dogs and Cats by Richard H. Pitcairn, DVM, PhD & Susan Hubble Pitcairn

http://www.barfworld.com/

http://www.drianbillinghurst.com/index.php


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