Health Insights

Happy Holiday Herbs

Traditions and Medicinal Uses of Holiday Herbs

Written By: Steven Horne in: Nature’s Field Articles

There are many herbs associated with the Christmas season. For starters, there are the herbal gifts brought by the wise men to the infant Jesus, frankincense and myrrh. It’s interesting that these gifts of medicinal plants were placed along side gold as valuable gifts.

Then, there are the evergreens traditionally used to brighten the winter season. We have the evergreen trees (pine, spruce and fir) that are used as Christmas trees. Then there is the mistletoe (hung where you can’t see) to encourage a holiday kiss or two. And, don’t forget the holly and the ivy, either.

So, while you’re celebrating the holidays, take a moment to learn about the traditions and medicinal uses surrounding these famous holiday herbs.

Frankincense

This resin from a Middle Eastern tree has been traditionally used in perfumes, aromatherapy, medicine and religious rituals. It was part of the temple incense in Biblical times.

Research shows that the smoke from burning frankincense contains a psychoactive compound that relieves depression and anxiety.

Today we can use Frankincense as an essential oil (Stock #3885 & #3869) –

It can be diffused into the air, inhaled directly from the bottle or applied topically undiluted. It has antidepressant and sedative effects and can improve concentration and mental focus.

It’s also good for clearing the lungs. Put a few drops of the oil into boiling water and inhale the steam or rub into the chest for respiratory problems, such as asthma, bronchitis, colds, coughs, pneumonia or tuberculosis.

A great immune stimulant, frankincense has anticancer properties. It has been massaged into the breasts for breast lumps and can also be applied topically over any area of the body where there is cancer. It can also be used topically for skin infections and sores.

Myrrh

Myrrh gum is another resin gathered from a tree native to Africa. It has also been used in aromatherapy, medicine and in religious rituals. Myrrh is used both as an herb and as an essential oil in herbal medicine. The herb is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and acts as a bitter digestive tonic. I think it’s better than goldenseal for fighting infections.

The essential oil can be used like frankincense for respiratory problems and infections. It is also good to apply it topically to aid the healing of canker sores, skin ulcerations and skin infections. Myrrh diluted in water makes an excellent mouthwash and a gargle for sore throats. You can read more about myrrh (and it’s close cousin guggul) in this week’s featured herb article.

Pine

Evergreen trees are used in Christmas decorations such as wreaths and as Christmas trees. All of them have been used medicinally, but the one most commonly used is pine.

Like many of the other Christmas evergreens, pine is a wonderful expectorant and decongestant. The bark is a great remedy for coughs and congestion. It is an ingredient in the traditional cold and flu remedy HCP-X (Stock#1216). I also like to mix it with wild cherry bark for coughs.

The pine produces a gum or resin (like myrrh and frankincense) that is highly antiseptic and disinfectant. The pine gum can be applied directly to cuts and wounds to fight infection and speed healing. It also helps to pull pus and slivers, which is why it is an ingredient in Black Ointment (Stock#1696).

Pine essential oil is invigorating, disinfecting to lungs and helpful for lung infections and asthma. Diffuse it into the air during the holidays for a great holiday smell and to keep your family from getting sick during the cold winter months.

Pine is another one of the original Bach Flower remedies and an ingredient in the Find Strength (Stock#8781) flower essence blend. Pine flower essence helps to free one from undue guilt, self-criticism and shame. It helps a person forgive themselves and accept themselves.

Pine trees have many other uses, too. There are also the highly tasty and nutritious pine nuts, which are high in omega-3 essential fatty acids. There are also the pine nettles, which are high in vitamin C and were traditionally used as a tea in the winter to prevent scurvy. The pollen is a source of testosterone and can be used as a tonic for men, too.

Mistletoe

In ancient tradition, mistletoe was entrusted to the Norse god of love, which is why we have the tradition of kissing under the mistletoe. Mistletoe is a parasitic plant and stays green during the winter. Evergreens, like mistletoe, were cut and brought indoors to brighten homes during the long months of winter and remind people of the coming spring and summer.

Viscum album or European Mistletoe is commonly used in herbal medicine. It’s completely different than American Mistletoe, Phoradendron flavescent. Both varieties are poisonous in high doses, especially to children. Nonetheless, properly used, European mistletoe is a valuable herbal remedy for professional herbalists.

Mistletoe is a powerful nervine, antispasmodic, vasodilator and sedative. It lowers blood pressure and heart rate. I can personally attest to its value. I have successfully used it to relieve high blood pressure and tachycardia in an emergency case where the heart rate was over 240 and the systolic blood pressure was about 160.

Mistletoe also relieves anxiety and panic attacks, promotes sleep and has been used in the treatment of epilepsy. It contains anticancer compounds and extracts are used in Europe for this purpose. However, you have to be a professional herbalist to obtain it.

Holly

You’ve probably heard the Christmas song that goes, “the holly and the ivy, when they are both full grown, of all the trees that are in the wood, the holly bears the crown.” Holly is an evergreen shrub, native to Europe. It was traditionally collected at Christmas and used to decorate homes at the time of the winter solstice. The lyrics of this Christmas carol associate the thorns with the crown of thorns worn by Jesus at the crucifixion (hence, “the holly bears the crown”). The song also associates the bright red berries with Christ’s blood and the bitter bark with the bitter cup. Holly was believed to protect one against spells and witchcraft.

Although not used much as a medicine today, both the leaves and the berries have been used medicinally. The leaves are astringent, expectorant and diaphoretic and were traditionally used to treat persistent cough, asthma and bronchitis. The berries of some varieties contain caffeine and were used as a stimulant. The mildly toxic berries are also purgative (strongly laxative) and emetic.

Holly is one of the original Bach flower remedies and is an ingredient in the new Keep Cool(Stock#8784) flower essence blend. Holly flower essence is for people who feel they don’t get the love they need and deserve. They allow this feeling to fester in them and make them angry, envious, jealous and suspicious. Of course, this drives people away and interferes with them experiencing real love. Holly flower essence helps people open their heart to be more loving and compassionate with others. It also helps them to be more grateful for what they already have.

English Ivy

The other herb in the aforementioned song is ivy. The Latin name for ivy is Hedera helix and it is in the ginseng family. It is commonly used as an ornamental vine and climbs walls by means of aerial rootlets, which can cling to wood, brick or stone. When there is nothing to climb, it acts as a ground cover.

In A Modern Herbal, Maude Grieves, says that ivy was used anciently as the poet’s crown and the wreath of Bacchus. Greek priests presented ivy wreathes to newlyweds as a symbol of fidelity. Ms. Grieves says that old books recommended it to relieve the effects of drunkenness and “In former days, English taverns bore over their doors the sign of an Ivy bush, to indicate the excellence of the liquor supplied within…” She further says, “The custom of decorating houses and churches with Ivy at Christmas was forbidden by one of the early Councils of the Church, on account of its pagan associations, but the custom still remains.”

Ivy is a potentially toxic botanical, but modern herbalists have found it to have a drying quality, which makes it helpful for damp coughs and bronchitis. Plant extracts have been used in treating skin infections, itching and sunburn. Research also suggests it may have antifungal and antibacterial properties, too.

So, as you enjoy the holidays this year, notice how plants are part of the celebration. Think of the wonderful green gifts that have been provided for our health and enjoyment and be thankful for these free gifts of nature.

Selected References
Flower Essence Repertory by Patricia Kaminski
Flower Power by Anne McIntyre
Bach Flower Remedies Form and Function by Julian Bernard
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Andrew Chevallier

A Modern Herbal by Mrs M. Grieve
http://health-from-nature.net/Common_Ivy.html
http://www.planetherbs.com/specific-herbs/herbal-proving-english-ivy-hedera-helix.html

Emotions

Emotions can be toxic on a cellular level. For many people, emotions are the toxins that destroy health. I have seen this often with people suffering from chronic diseases. Their stories all start with an emotionally traumatic event ranging from anger to grief. And none of them have let the past go. They continue to experience the same emotional response 20, 30, or even 50 years later. These emotions have poisoned their bodies, controlled their lives, and defined their existence. This is the power of toxic emotions.

Research is beginning to show exactly how these emotions are impacting our bodies and creating disease. This is the nitty gritty of the mind-body connection. For instance, when stressed, we have a physical response. Our emotions cause our heart to race, our blood pressure to spike and the sweat to pour. This happens because our emotions cause changes in our neurotransmitters and hormones. And those neurotransmitters and hormones change how our cells and how our bodies function. And not in a good way.

And it isn’t just stress! We know that anger, resentment, anxiety, fear , and depression all impact how our body functions and how we physically feel.

The toxicity of emotions comes from our inability to process emotions. To feel anger is not toxic if we are able to feel it, express it and work through it. In that case, it would only have a fleeting impact on our body. But when we become stuck in these emotions, therein lies the danger. When we play out these emotions over and over again, they become toxic. They create lasting changes in our bodies, in our cells and in our health.

Our sincere thanks to Nature’s Sunshine Manager Inge Wetzel for allowing us to share this vital information with you.

Ways to Boost Your Mood Without Extra Calories

By: Madeline Holler -Jan 25, 2018

INFUSE PEPPERMINT OIL: Peppermint is a natural way to bring clarity and focus. A little peppermint oil—or deep breaths of fresh leaves—will improve concentration and alertness. A Wheeling Jesuit University study found that infusing peppermint into rugby players mouth guards even gave them a competitive advantage.

KEEP FRESH LAVENDER AROUND: You can also sniff lavender to feel good. In fact, using lavender oils or setting up dried lavender sprigs around your house can instantly lift your mood. Lavender lowers anxiety and aids in the calming process. One British study found that it helped dental patients face procedures with less tension.

How to Decrease Platelets

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Decrease-Platelets

Two Methods: 1. Through Diet and Lifestyle or 2. Through Medications and Procedures

Platelets are so tiny that they only make up a tiny fraction of total blood volume. The function of platelets is mainly to prevent bleeding by clotting the blood. However, in rare cases, some people develop a condition in which the bone marrow produces too many platelets.[1] This can lead to the formation of large blood clots which may cause health issues like strokes or heart problems. Start with Step 1 below for more information on how you can decrease the number of platelets in your blood through diet, lifestyle and medical means.

Method 1

1)Through Diet and Lifestyle
Eat raw garlic to decrease the number of platelets in your blood. Raw or crushed garlic contains a compound called “allicin” which affects the body’s ability to make platelets, therefore decreasing the number of platelets in the blood.

Your body responds to the lower platelet level by improving its immunity, which helps to protect the body from any foreign objects (such as viruses and bacteria) that enter the system.
The allicin content of garlic decreases rapidly with cooking, so try to eat it raw. Eating raw garlic causes stomach upset in some people, so be sure to eat the raw garlic with food.

2) Take Gingko Biloba to Reduce Blood Viscosity
Gingko biloba contains substances called “terpenoids” which reduce blood viscosity (making it thinner) and prevent the formation of clots.

Gingko biloba also help to improve blood circulation and increases your body’s production of warfarin, which helps to dissolve clots.
Gingko biloba is available as a supplement in liquid or capsule form. You can buy these supplements at the drug or health food store.
If you can get your hands on gingko biloba leaves, you can boil the leaves in water for 5 to 7 minutes, then drink the water as a tea.

3) Use Ginseng to Prevent Clot Formation
Ginseng contains “ginsenosides” that help to decrease platelet aggregation, and therefore prevent the formation of clots.

Ginseng is available in capsule form at drug and health food stores. It is often added to energy foods and drinks.
Ginseng causes insomnia and nausea in some people, so you will need to test it out for a trial period to see how it reacts with your body.

4) Eat Pomegranates for Their Anti-Platelet Effect
Pomegranates contain substances called polyphenols which have an an anti-platelet effect — this means that they reduce your body’s production of platelets and prevent existing platelets from clotting.

You can eat whole, fresh pomegranate fruits, drink pomegranate juice, or add pomegranate extract to your cooking.

5) Eat Seafood Rich in Omega-3 to Inhibit Platelet Production
Omega-3 fatty acids affect platelet activity, thinning the blood and reducing the chance of clotting.

Omega-3’s are abundant in seafood such as tuna, salmon, scallops, sardine, shellfish and herring.
Try to include 2 to 3 servings of these fish per week, to meet your recommended weekly allowance of omega-3s.
If you’re not fond of fish, you can boost your omega-3 intake by taking 3000 to 4000mg of fish oil supplements per day.

6) Drink Red Wine to Reduce the Chances of Clot Formation
Red wine contains flavonoids, which comes from the skin of red grapes during production. These flavonoids prevent the overproduction of cells in the lining of artery walls (a process caused by too many platelets in the blood). This reduces the chances of clot formation.

There is one unit of alcohol in half a standard glass of wine (about 175 ml). Men should not drink more than 21 units of alcohol per week, and no more than four per day. Women should not drink more than 14 units of alcohol per week, and no more than three per day. Both men and women should have at least two alcohol free days per week.[2]

7) Eat Fruit and Veg Containing “Salicylates” Which Help to Thin the Blood
Fruit and vegetables that contain “salicylates” help to thin the blood and prevet clotting. They also boost the body’s immunity and help to maintain normal platelet count.

Vegetables that contain salicylates include cucumber, mushrooms, zucchini, radish, and alfalfa.
Fruits that contain salicylates include all kinds of berries, cherries, raisins and oranges.

8) Add Cinnamon to Cooking to Reduce Platelet Aggregation
Cinnamon contains a compound called “cinnamaldehyde” which is known to reduce platelet aggregation and therefore blood clotting.

Add ground cinnamon to baked goods or stewed vegetables. You could also try boiling a cinnamon stick in tea or wine.

9) Quit Smoking to Prevent Blood Clots
Smoking puts you at increased risk of developing blood clots, due to several harmful compounds found in cigarettes (such as nicotine). Smoking causes the blood to become thicker and the platelets to clump together.

Serious health issues such as heart problems and strokes often occur as a result of clots forming in the blood. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to avoid these blood clots from forming in the first place.[3]
Quitting is difficult, and is not something that can be done overnight. See this article for some helpful advice on how to quit smoking.

10) Drink Coffee for Its Anti-Platelet Effect
Coffee contains an anti-platelet effect, which means that it reduces the number of platelets in the blood and prevents platelet aggregation.

The anti-platelet effect of coffee is not due to caffeine, but to phenolic acids. Therefore, you can still benefit from the anti-platelet effect by drinking decaffeinated coffee.[4]

Method 2

1) Take Blood Thinning Medication, as Prescribed by Your Doctor
Under certain circumstances, your doctor will prescribe blood thinning medications. These medications will prevent blood viscosity, platelet aggregation, and the formation of blood clots. Some of the most commonly prescribed medications include:

Aspirin
Hydroxyurea
Anagrelide
Interferon alfa
Busulfan
Pipobroman
Phosphorus – 32

2) Undergo a Procedure Known as Plateletpheresis
In emergency circumstances, your doctor may advise a treatment known as plateletpheresis, which rapidly decreases the number of platelets in the blood.

During plateletpheresis, an intravenous line is inserted into one of your blood vessels to remove blood from your body. This blood is then passed through a machine that removes platelets from the blood.
The platelet-free blood is then passed back into the body through a second intravenous line.

Consider these NSP Products for Method One Management of Platelets:

Stock #290 Garlic (100 caps)
Stock #1694 Garlic Oil (60 softgel caps)
Stock #292 Garlic High Potency, SynerPro (60 tabs)
Stock #898 Ginkgo Biloba Extract T/R (30 tabs)
Stock #660 Eleuthero (formerly Siberian Ginseng) (100 caps)
Stock #665 Korean Ginseng (100 caps)
Stock #1515 Super Omega-3 EPA (60 softgel caps)
Stock #21909 Super Omega-3 EPA (180 softgel caps)
Stock #1516 Krill Oil with K2 (60 softgel caps)
Stock #3162 Flax Seed Oil Liquid (8 fl. oz.)
Stock #1583 Flaxseed Oil w/Lignans (60 softgel caps)
Stock #22211 Cinnamon Balance (120 VegCaps)
Stock #520 Nattozimes Plus (60 caps)