Archive | May, 2014

Are You Getting Enough D…

Vitamin D also known as the Sunshine Vitamin is an essential vitamin for our health.

It is processed by our bodies from sunlight as well from a few foods such as egg yolks, some fish, and fish liver oils.

Vitamin D assists in calcium absorption as well as iron, magnesium, phosphate, and zinc.

Low D levels can increase our risk of cancer and may have an impact on diabetes as well as our brain health.

Many people take additional Vitamin D during the winter dark months.

What a lot people do not realize that even in the spring and summer when sunlight is plentiful we may not be getting enough Vitamin D and still would need supplementation.

It are the UVB rays from the sun that supply the body with the components needed for Vitamin D.

UVB rays are very weak during the winter months but are also weakest in the morning and late afternoon summer sun.

The highest UVB rays during the summer are at the peak of the day when many of us avoid being out in the Sun.

Even if you spend time outdoors you may still not be getting a sufficient supply of Vitamin D.

The general recommendation is 4,000 – 5,000IU/day during the winter and 1,000-3,000IU/day during the spring and summer months.

Something to take into consideration is that even if we are out during the peak UVB times, if we swim or shower we would be washing off the pre-vitamin D that is on the skin.

Sunscreen limits the available Vitamin D even more.

Our body oils react with the pre-vitamin D before it gets absorbed and becomes an active and useable form of Vitamin D in our livers and kidneys.

So do not put that bottle of Vitamin D away for the summer but keep it out and adjust the dose to fit your sun exposure.

I love the fact this simple vitamin connects us to the plant world and our being nourished by the Sun.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy

Got Lymph?

thelymphguy@gmail.com

 Bowing To Life’s Journey…

This being Human is a guest house,
Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture.

Still treat each guest honorably,
They may be clearing you out
for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at the door laughing,
and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.

The Persian poet Rumi spoke of life’s challenges in this way*.

Great strength is needed for this journey of consciousness.

Also deep faith, discipline, courage, and a knowing that we are not alone.

Stay close to that which is your source of Light.

And Know That:

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy

Got Lymph?

thelymphguy@gmail.com

9 of Wands Tarot Card by Ciro Marchetti

After writing this newsletter I went over to visit with my good friend Gardenia Gardener and can you guess what tarot card she had pulled that morning?  9 of Wands!

*I found this poem in a wonderful book by Jack Kornfield, After The Ectasy the Laundry.

  Are You Loving Infusions…

Hopefully this week you had a chance to make an Infusion and experience for yourself the nourishing and healing force that each cup is infused with.

This week I wanted to talk about one of the most healing of all plants especially as an infusion.

Nettles, also called Stinging Nettles!

Anyone who has touched the live plant knows how it got its name.

Nettles is one of those plants that is so rich in nutrients, we could actually live off this plant all by itself.

The benefits of Nettles are due to the plants very high levels of minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, manganese, silica, iodine, silicon, sodium, and sulfur.  It is also provides chorophyll and tannin, as well as being a good source of vitamin C, beta-carotene, and the B vitamins.

Nettles also has very high levels of easily absorbable amino acids providing 10% more protein than any other vegetable.

Nettles is recommended when ever the constitution is so low that very powerful help is needed in the healing process.

Through out history Nettles has healed many people whom otherwise may not have recovered.

We have recorded use of Nettles as far back as the Bronze Age.

Nettles helps build energy and stamina as well as relieves anxiety and nourishes the kidneys, liver, colon, and adrenal glands*.

It also supports and improves the immune system.

In fact, one of the most famous
Tibetan Yogi’s and Poets, Milarepa survived for years only eating Nettles during his long retreat
in his cave.

He is actually depicted as being green in many paintings having eaten so much Nettles.

Nettles can be strong tasting by itself so many times it is best to combine it with other more pleasant tasting herbs like Oatstraw and Red Clover.

Another possible infusion combination is Nettles, Red Raspberry, and Lemon Balm.

It does take some time to sense the right proportions for your personal taste.  In the above recipe you might begin with 2 parts Nettles, 1 part Red Raspberry, and 1/2 part Lemon Balm.

Red Raspberry is wonderful for both female and male reproductive organs.  It is rich in vitamins and minerals especially C, E, and a highly absorbable form of calcium and iron.

Lemon Balm, also known as Mellissa is a wonderfully supportive herb.  It helps heal pains of the Heart.  It helps to heal grief, heartache, nervous tension, and anxiety.  It also helps to reduce body aches.

Lemon Balm has been shown to help heal herpes when used internally as an infusion and externally on the wounds themselves.

Today my own infusion is 2 parts Oatstraw, 1 part Nettles, and 1 part Red Clover.  I like to add a little Lemon Balm just because my heart can always use a hug.

For anyone needing acute healing support, Nettles is one herb to have on the top of your list.

You can also use Nettles in tea form and it will still be very beneficial.

But for the deepest healing:

Infuse…Infuse…Infuse!

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy

Got Lymph?

thelymphguy@gmail.com

*Nettles is also used for asthma, mucous conditions of the lungs, coughs, colds, and flus as well as for poor circulation.  It has been shown to help balance glandular functions.

Drinking Nettles Infusion is also wonderful for the hair and skin.

Externally the infusion can be applied to wounds, cuts, and burns for its cleansing and antiseptic properties.

Freeze dried Nettles is being used for hayfever and a root extract is being used for prostate cancer.

The list of how Nettles is being used medicinally is much longer than I can possibly address here.

Is there anything Nettles is not good for?

Milarepa would probably smile and just glow green!

We Love Infusions…

If you were to ask me what would be the one thing to add to your health program after organic food, fresh clean water & air, and exercise what would that one thing be?

That would be easy, Infusions*.

Infusions are like tea only much more potent.  Instead of brewing for minutes you let them sit for hours.

Far more nutrients including the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and healing properties of the herbs are extracted with infusions.

Having a cup of infusion daily is like taking a multi-vitamin only far more easily absorbable by our bodies.

What You Will Need:
Quart Mason Jar
3/4 – 1oz. of Herb
Strainer
I am going to start by giving you a basic recipe using Oatstraw & Red Clover.  Later I will give you other possibilities, as they are truly infinite.

Have a pot of boiled water ready.  Measure out an equal amount of Oatstraw and Red Clover.  Place your herbs in the mason jar and fill the jar with the boiled water.  Stir with a chopstick as you are pouring and fill the jar to the brim.  Cover and let sit for a minimum of 4hrs and up to 10hrs.

Strain out the herb and save the liquid.  You can store this jar in the refrigerator for a few days.

You can drink the infusion either hot or cold.  You can add honey and/or lemon.

I always have a cup of infusion every evening and sometimes more often.

Great in the summer with lemon and ice as a refreshing drink also.  Maybe even some fresh mint for fun.

Oatstraw is a gentle herb that strengthens the nervous system and can help reduce anxiety.  It nourishes the heart, liver, and pancreas as well as improves digestion.  It contains a high amount of calcium, B vitamins and protein.

Red Clover is rich in protein as well as
minerals and vitamins.  It is believed to have cancer preventative properties.  Not to mention I love harvesting Red Clover on my land in the spring.

This is just one of many possible infusion combinations.

In the next newsletter we will talk about Nettles.  An amazing plant with super healing properties that makes a wonderful & potent infusion.

Together Our Hands Are Joined To Heal One Another…

Alexander Gardener
The Lymph Guy

Got Lymph?

thelymphguy@gmail.com

* I am so fortunate to have as my colleague and mentor, Gardenia Gardener who studied the Wise Woman Tradition of Healing and has generously passed on many healing tools and gifts to me, infusions being one of them.