Tag: Health

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 5

Elder’s Meditation of the Day – November 5

“You could study the ancestors, but without a deep feeling of communication with them it would be surface learning and surface talking. Once you have gone into yourself and have learnt very deeply, appreciate it, and relate to it very well, everything will come very easily.”

 

–Ellen White, NANAIMO

Inside of every human being are our ancestors, and these ancestors still live. Today, the white man calls this DNA, but there is more than DNA. We have the ability to go inside of ourselves and learn from the ancestors. The ancestor teachings reside in the place of the center. The ancestors are waiting for us to come there so they can share the ancient teachings. It is said, “Be still and Know”.

Great Spirit, let me walk in the stillness.

Herb of the Day for November 5th – Hyssop

Herb of the Day

 

 

HYSSOP

(Hyssopus officinalis)

To Grow:
Perennial herb. Grows to 1 1/2-2 ft. high. Has narrow, dark green, pungent leaves and a profusion of dark blue flower spikes that appear July-November. There are also white and pink-flowered forms available. Plant in full sun or light shade. Fairly drought resistant.

Uses:
It is used in coughs, bronchitis, and chronic catarrh. It can be used for the
common cold due top its diaphoretic state. As a Nervine it may be used in
anxiety, hysteria, and petite mal (a form of epilepsy).

Part used:
Dried aerial parts. Collect the flowering tops in late summer.

Infusion:
Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1-2 tsp. of the dried herb and leave to infuse
for 10-15 minutes. Drink three times a day.

Tincture:
Take 1-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Today’s I Ching Hexagram for November 5th is 4: Youthful Folly

4: Youthful Folly

 

 

Be on guard for careless or rebellious attitudes characteristic of youthful inexperience. Just as a youth requires instruction, this is a good time to focus on learning your lessons from a patient teacher or life experience. Is there some circumstance in your life that you failed to comprehend, perhaps because you could not appreciate its inherent complexities? Be respectful of anything or anyone who has something to teach you right now.

In order to be prepared for challenges, let education be a part of your life. Continually develop the strong mind and will necessary to carry you through confusing times. The wise realize that experience is a powerful teacher, even though we cannot be forced to learn, even from experience. Be a good student, one who delights in learning, one who nourishes his or her expanding awareness, one who is paying attention!

Examine your attitude for factors that limit your openness. Observe how you deal with the mistakes of others. You must let people live their own lives and learn their own lessons. Offer others your wisdom or advice, but only if the other person is receptive (when in doubt, ask). Otherwise, give up trying to convince him or her that you are right, which is only exhausting and counter-productive. If people are not receptive, let them go their own way — even into difficulty or dangerous circumstances. It is the only way they can learn right now — and without learning, no one can achieve success. This does not mean that you should not care — just that taking care of someone too much can be harmful. Live and let learn.

Dangerous Plants

DANGEROUS PLANTS NEVER EAT OR INGEST ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

Avoid experimenting with ANY the following plants.
Some of them possess highly potent medical properties and should only be used by the truly experienced witch or herbalists. Many are poisonous in part or in whole and cause serious illness or death if not used properly.

Aconite

Bittersweet

Black nightshade

Blue flag

Burning bush

Calabar bean

Calico bush

Camphor

Castor oil plant (seeds)

Celandine

Christmas rose (root)

Cowbane

Daffodils

Deadly nightshade

Dog’s mercury

Elkweed

Ergot

Flag lily

Foxglove

Gelsemium

Hemlock

Hellebore

Henbane

Holly (seeds)

Honeysuckle (vine and fruits)

Horse balm

Impatiens pallida

Indian arrowroot

Inkberry

Jack-in-the-pulpit (root)

Jerusalem cherry

Jimsonweed

Laburnum (seeds)

Laurel (seeds)

Mandrake

Mayapple (roots, leaves, seeds)

Monkshood (fine as a rub – The smallest amount is deadly if used internally)

Mistletoe (seeds)

Poinsettia Poison

Dogwood

Flag

Hemlock

Ivy

Oak

Sumac

Poke root

Rosebay

Springier tree (seeds)

Spurge

Swallow wort

Thorn apple

Tobacco (Believe it! This IS a deadly poison if concentrated and eaten)

Wahoo

Wake-robin

Water dropwort

White hemlock

White bryony
Winter rose

Wood anemone (seeds)

Yellow jasmine

Yew (seeds and berries)

Vitamins in Herbs

Vitamins in Herbs

by Amber S.

Vitamin A -Vitamin A is good for the eyes. It helps night vision and is also useful for the proper function of skin cells and mucous membranes. Found in: alfalfa herb, annato seed, dandelion, lamb’s quarters, okra pods, paprika, parsley,herb, violets, watercress.

Vitamin B1 -(also called Thiamine) This vitamin is important for growth and also for maintaining a healthy appetite. Found in: bladderwrack, dulse, fenugreek, kelp, okra, wheat germ.

Vitamin B2 -(also called Riboflavin) Vitamin B2 is essential for growing children and is part of a nutritious diet for adults. Found in: bladderwrack, dulse, fenugreek, kelp, saffron.

Vitamin B12 -Essential for normal development of red blood cells. This vitamin is used in the production of red blood cells. It is also essential for growth in children and will put healthy weight on very thin children. Found in: alfalfa, bladderwrack, dulse, kelp.

Vitamin C -Vitamin C is one of the most important vitamins as it cannot be stored in the body and must be consumed daily. This vitamin is used for teeth and gums. It can be destroyed by heat, sunlight and oxygen, so it must be kept in a tightly sealed dark container. Found in: buffalo berry, burdock seed, capsicum, coltsfood, coriander, elder berries; marigold, oregano, paprika, parsley herb, rose hips, watercress.

Vitamin D -Vitamin D is essential for building strong teeth and bones. It also prevents the disease rickets. Found in: annato seed, watercress, wheat germ.

Vitamin E -Vitamin E is good for eyes and skin as well as healthy bones. Found in: alfalfa, avena sativa, bladderwrack, dandelion leaves, dulse, kelp, linseed, sesame, watercress, wheat germ.

Vitamin G –(B2) Vitamin G is an essential vitamin for a healthy diet. Found in: hydrocotyle asiatica.

Vitamin K -Vitamin K is used to help the blood clot. Found in: alfalfa herb, chestnut leaves, sheperd’s purse.

Vitamin P –(Rutin) Vitamin P is essential in the strengthening and production of the capillaries. Found in: buckwheat, german rue, paprika.

Niacin –(aB-complex vitamin) Niacin is essential to a healthy diet and prevents pellagra. Found in: alfalfa leaves, blueberry leaves, burdock seed, fenugreek, parsley herb, watercress.

Definitions of Medical Action

Definitions of Medical Action

 

 

Alterative  produces a healthful change without perception 
Anodyne  pain reliever 
Anthelmintic  expels worms 
Aperient  gentle laxative 
Aromatic  stimulant; spicy 
Astringent  Causes contractions; stops discharges 
Antibiliouse  relieves bile 
Antimetic  Stops vomiting 
Antileptic  relieves fits 
antiperiodic  arrests morbid periodic movements 
Anthilic  prevents forming of stones in the urinary organs 
Antirheumatic  cures rheumatism 
Antiscorbutic  cures and prevents scurvy 
Antiseptic  stops purification. 
Antispasmodic  relieves and prevents spasms 
Antisyphilitic  cures venereal diseases 
Carminative  expels gas 
Cathartic  expels from the bowels 
Cephalic  remedies used in diseases of the head 
Cholagogue  Increases the flow of bile 
Condiment  improves the flavor of food 
Demulcent  soothing, relieves inflammation 
Deobstruent  removes obstructions 
Depurative  blood purifier 
Detergent  Cleanses boils, ulcers, wounds, etc. 
Diaphoretic  produces perspiration 
Discutiend  heals tumors 
Diuretic  Increases secretion and flow of urine 
Emetic  promotes vomiting 
Emmenagogue  promotes menstruation 
Emollient  softens and soothes inflammation 
Esculent  edible as food 
Exanthematous  remedy for skin eruptions and diseases 
Expectorant  causes expectoration (coughing) 
Febrifuge  ends and reduces fevers. 
Hepatic  for liver diseases 
Herpatic  for skin diseases of all types 
Laxative  Promotes bowel action 
Lithontryptic  Dissolves calculi in the urinary organs. 
Naturating  ripens and brings boils to a head 
Mucilaginous  Soothing to inflammation 
Nauseant  produces vomiting 
Nervine  acts on the nervous system; stops nervous excitement 
Opthalmicum  for eye diseases. 
Parturient  induces and promotes labor at childbirth 
Pectoral  for chest affections 
Refrigerant  cooling 
Resolvent  destroys tumors and boils 
Rubifacient  increases circulation and produces red skin 
Sedative  a nerve tonic; promotes sleep 
Sialogogue  Increases secretion of saliva 
Stomatic  Strengthens the stomach. Relieves indigestion. 
Styptic  stops bleeding 
Sudorific  produces profuse perspiration 
Tonic  invigorating and strengthening. 
Vermifuge  expels worms from the system 

Herbs Listed by Medical Symptom

Herbs Listed by Medical Symptom

by AmberSkyfire


Please refer to the herbs in the list for dosages and instructions
before attempting to take the herb. Some herbs are poisonous!

Aches: rosemary
Acne: rosemary, thyme, witch-hazel
Allergies: nettle
Amenorrhea: chaste tree berry
Antibacterial: lemon, thyme
Antibiotic: calendula, comfrey, garlic, marigold, mullein, raspberry, sweet woodruff, thyme, tumeric
Antiseptic: lavender, lemon, marigold, mint, pine, sweet woodruff, thyme
Antiviral: thyme
Anxiety: valerian
Aphrodisiac: coriander, damiana, hibiscus, lavender
Arthritis: ash leaves, bladderwrack, buckbean, nettles, parsley, rosemary, yarrow
Asthma: coltsfoot, ephedra, ginseng, lobelia, mint, mullein, nettle, sage, wild yam
Astringent: raspberry, rosemary, yarrow
Back Pain: yarrow
Baldness: wild cherry
Bed Wetting: St. Johnswort
Bile: balmony
Bladder: basil, broom, buchu, cornsilk, elder, parsley, saw palmetto, sheep sorrel, shepherd’s purse
Blood: bee balm, burdock, cayenne, chervil, chives, garlic, ginger, ginseng, nettle, plantain, red clover, sheep sorrel, strawberry, valerian, yarrow
Bones: boneset
Breath: lemon
Bronchitis: bay, borage, fenugreek, ginseng, horehound, prickly lettuce, lobelia, peppermint, sage, wild yam
Bruises: burdock
Burns: aloe vera, burdock, lavender, marigold
Cancer: garlic, ginseng, parsley, sheep sorrel, violet
Catarrh: blackcurrant leaves, goldenseal, prickly lettuce, mullein, peppermint, sage
Cellulite: lemon, rosemary
Chapping: marigold
Chest: bay, borage, calendula, cayenne, coltsfoot, ephedra, hollyhock, Irish moss, prickly lettuce, lobelia, lungwort, mullein, pansy, peppermint, sage, solomon’s seal, thyme
Childbirth: raspberry
Chills: cayenne, lavender, lemon
Circulation: mint
Cold: basil, bay, black pepper, blue mallow, cayenne, coltsfoot, elder, hollyhock, Irish moss, lavender, mint, mullein, oregano, pansy, peppermint, pine, sage, slippery elm, thyme, yarrow
Colic: anise, dill, spearmint
Cough: agrimony, bee balm, blackcurrant leaves, blue mallow, boneset, ginseng, horehound, lungwort, mullein, rosemary, slippery elm, thyme
Cramps: basil, bee balm, birch, blackberry, black cohosh, black haw, chaste tree berry, cramp bark, ginger, parsley, pennyroyal, raspberry leaves
Dandruff: sage
Depression: borage, catclaw, cayenne, ginseng, lavender, rosemary, St. Johnswort
Detergent: balmony
Diabetes: ginseng, rosemary
Diarrhea: blackberry, cinnamon
Digestion: agrimony, allspice, anise, aven’s herb, balmony, caraway, cardamom, chervil, cloves, coriander, fennel, ginger, ground ivy, lemon, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, senna leaves, spearmint, thyme, tumeric
Diuretic: thyme
Dysentery: cinnamon
Earache: garlic
Eczema: marigold
Eliminate Toxins: apple, coltsfoot, shepherd’s purse
Exhaustion: catclaw, St. Johnswort, thyme, vitamin B12
Expectorant: bugloss, pine
External Bleeding: cayenne
Eyes: eyebright, greater celandine
Face: brewer’s yeast flower
Fatigue: ginseng, mint, nettle, rosemary
Female Problems: blackberry
Fever: balm, birch, blackcurrant leaves, boneset, borage, calendula, cleavers, elder, ginseng, lemon balm, lemon verbena, marigold, plantain, sage, thyme
Flu: basil, black pepper, boneset, calendula, cayenne, elder, lavender, marigold, mint, rosemary, sage
Gall Stones: broom, cleavers
Gas: bay, cinnamon, dill, ginseng, mint
Gastrointestinal Problems: chamomile
Gout: ash leaves, burdock, burr marigold, strawberry
Gravel: cleavers
Gums: myrrh
Hair: lemon, nettle, rosemary, sage, wild cherry
Headache: birch, cayenne, chamomile, ginger, lavender, lemon, lemon verbena, mint, rosemary, sage, skullcap, thyme, valerian
Heart: cayenne, ginseng, pansy
Heartburn: ginseng
Hemorrhage: shepherd’s purse
Hemorrhoids: witch hazel
Hiccoughs (hiccups): mint
Hot Flashes: black cohosh
Hypertension: lemon
Hysteria: chamomile, tansy
Immune System: ginseng, lavender
Impotence: ginseng
Induce Perspiration: angelica, balm, calendula, lemon balm
Infection: garlic, thyme, yarrow
Inflammation: bugloss, marigold, mint, tumeric
Insect Bites: lavender, lemon, parsley, plantain, witch hazel
Insect Repellent: chamomile, lavender flowers, myrrh, pennyroyal, thyme
Insomnia: lavender, valerian
Internal Bleeding: cayenne
Jaundice: balmony, greater celandine, marigold
Joints: garlic, St. Johnswort, yarrow
Kidneys: angelica, corn silk, elder, ground ivy, parsley, purslane, sheep sorrel, shepherd’s purse
Kidney Stones: birch
Lactation: blessed thistle,caraway, fennel
Laxative: boneset. garlic
Liver: bee balm, buckbean, costmary, goldenrod
Lungs: mint,shepherd’s purse
Menopause: black cohosh, black haw, chaste tree berry, licorice, wild yam
Menstruation: basil, bee balm, birch, blackberry, chaste tree berry, ginger, marigold, pennyroyal, raspberry leaves,tumeric, valerian
Memory: ginko bilboa, rosemary
Miscarriage: black haw
Morning Sickness: tansy
Mouth: blackberry, sage, thyme, witch hazel
Muscles: arnica, pine, rosemary, sage, St. Johnswort, witch hazel, yarrow
Mucus: coltsfoot, comfrey, fennel, fenugreek, prickly lettuce, mullein, pansy, peppermint, sage
Nausea: bee balm, cloves, ginger, rose
Nervousness: valerian
Nettle Rash: nettles
Nosebleed: lemon, nettle
Ovulation: chaste tree berry
Pain Reliever: capsaicin, ginger, ginseng, valerian, willow, yarrow
Parasites: garlic
Piles: lesser celandine, pilewort, witch hazel
PMS: chaste tree berry, valerian
Prolonged Life: ginseng
Prostate: saw palmetto
Rheumatism: birch, bladderwrack, ground ivy, marigold, mint, rosemary, thyme
Scours: purslane
Sedative: anise, black cohosh, celery, chamomile, chicory, lavender, lemon verbena, prickly lettuce, sage, skullcap, valerian, violet
Skin: buckbean, chicory, Irish moss, lemon, marigold, mint, red clover, rosemary, sage, slippery elm, witch hazel
Spleen: bee balm
Sprains: marigold, parsley, rosemary
Stiffness: ginger
Stimulant: angelica, ginseng, rosemary
Stomach: fennel, goldenrod, lemon verbena, mint, pennyroyal, shepherd’s purse
Strength: garlic
Stress: garlic, ginseng
Styptic: aven’s herb
Sunburn: comfrey
Swelling: burdock, pine, yarrow
Teeth: cloves, garlic
Throat: bee balm, blackberry, blackcurrant leaves, horehound, lemon, rose, sage, thyme
Tonics: agrimony, aven’s herb, balmony, black pepper, buckbean, bugloss, cleavers, dandelion, ginseng, rosemary, violet, yarrow
Toothache: cloves, mint
Uterus: basil, bee balm, birch, blackberry, black cohosh, black haw, chaste tree berry, cramp bark, ginger, pennyroyal, raspberry leaves, shepherd’s purse
Varicose Veins: marigold, mint
Vitamins: burdock, strawberry, violet
Warts: bananna peel, dandelion, garlic, lemon, thyme
Weakness: ginseng
Weight Loss: ephedra
Whooping Cough: mouse ear, thyme
Worms: balmony, pumpkin seed, tansy, thyme, wormwood
Wounds: aloe vera, calendula, comfrey, ginseng, Irish moss, lavender, rosemary, witch hazel
Wrinkles: lemon

Basic Breathing Meditation

Basic Breathing Meditation

 

Our minds are constantly active, always jumping from thought to thought,  emotion to emotion.  Getting in touch with the nonlocal intelligence, the  universal soul that lies within us and is part of us all, requires finding a way  past the fog of distracting thoughts that typically hide it from us.  We cannot  fight our way through a real fog.

If we are quiet, we encounter moments of pure silence, and through these gaps  we can glimpse the deeper level of the soul.  Each glimpse increases our  understanding, and eventually our consciousness becomes expanded.

Controlling the flood of thoughts is very difficult for most people.   Beginners can sometime become very frustrated, but frustration is just another  thought, another emotion that gets in the way.  The goal is to release all  thoughts, quietly, passively.

A common way to begin meditation is to gently focus on one thing so that it  becomes more difficult for stray thoughts to enter your mind.

To begin a breathing mediation, find a comfortable position.  Sit in a  comfortable chair, with your feet flat on the ground.  Place your hands in your  lap with the palms facing upward.  Close your eyes and begin witnessing your  breath.  Observe the inflow and outflow of your breath without attempting to  control it in any way.

You may find that your breathing spontaneously gets faster or slower, deeper  or shallower, and may even pause for a time.  Observe the changes without  resistance or anticipation.  Whenever your attention drifts away from your  breath to a sound in the environment, or a sensation in your body, or a thought  in your mind, gently return your awareness to your breathing.

Once a person becomes comfortable with simply sitting quietly and focusing on  breathing, I recommend adding a mantra, which creates a mental environment that  will allow you to expand your consciousness.

 

Adapted from The Spontaneous Fulfillment of Desire, by Deepak Chopra  (Three Rivers Press).