Healer in the making

Red Clover, Dittany of Crete and Feverfew...oh my!

Sat, 21 Jul 2007 01:48:17 GMT

More herbie work today. I planted my Dittany of Crete and Feverfew today, both in pots. Dittany of Crete (Origanum dictamnus) is related to Marjoram and Oregano and can be used in cooking. It's not used much anymore, but it used to be used for digestive problems and to heal wounds. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is a nervine herb good for headaches, especially migraines. It's said if you eat a leaf of Feverfew a day you won't get any more migraines.

I'm about to put up a Red Clover tincture. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) can be used as a cleansing herb for skin complaints and for coughs, bronchitis and whooping cough. Also as an anticancer remedy for breast, ovarian and lymphatic cancer sufferers.

budding herbalist

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 20:29:25 GMT

I'm trying to learn herbalism and have taken an herbal intensive course from Ellen Zimmermann at EZHerbs (www.ezherbs.net). So, the following is a log of what I'm doing with herbs. I'm hoping typing the info here will help me to remember it. There's so much to learn!

I planted Basil, Gotu Kola and Peppermint today. I know it's a little late, but since we had rain last night and have rain fore-casted for the next fews days, I figure the newly planted won't get the full brunt of July weather for about 5 days. Hopefully they'll acclimate by then. I also put up tinctures of Gotu Kola and Nettles today. Nettles being high in nutrients: Vitamins C, K, A, Iron, Calcium and Chlorophyll. Also, being a good blood purifier (alterative) and helps eliminate uric acid and reduces water retention. Nettles is also good for allergies. Gotu Kola improves memory. I have a tincture that I've made before (and soon need to make again) called a brain tonic that has Gotu Kola, Ginkgo Biloba, Peppermint, Sage and Rosemary. Gotu Kola and Ginkgo work together synergistically to prevent memory loss, improve circulation to the brain and help alleviate mental confusion. Rosemary is useful in treating headaches, also improves memory and is a good digestive herb. Sage is helpful in relieving emotional swings, depression and headaches and Peppermint is also good for the digestive track. I really like the tincture and do think it helps me concentrate and remember things better.

I plan to infuse some massage oils soon. I have Grapeseed Oil and Jojoba Oil and I want to infuse one with Lavender and one with Chamomile (don't know which with which yet).

I need to do things like this much more often. I feel so much more centered and happy when I work with herbs/plants.

I get it....to an extent

Fri, 05 Jan 2007 06:48:09 GMT

I get it. I'm supposed to put up with men my age flirting with my daughter, but ignoring me. I get it that I'm supposed to accept what I am for what age I am. Too bad, most men my age don't get it. Fuck that. If you're interested in my daughter, truly interested in her, and you're over 35, fuck you. You're not good enough for me.

Day 4

Thu, 14 Dec 2006 04:10:49 GMT

Much better night. The night before was the only night that I had abdominal cramping from the tea. It wasn't severe, but between that and my caffeine withdrawal I was miserable for a little while there. I tried the salt water today. I think I like it better. Gets the majority of the eliminations over with in an hour instead of over several. I'm starting to get some raised red areas on my skin, but just a few. I'm hoping the withdrawal headache will be gone tomorrow and then I can start telling if I feel better or not. Weight this morning 168.5

Day 3 of Master Cleanse

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:16:13 GMT

Stats: weight 170, ph 6.0

Ok. I had a bad night, but if that's the worst night I have thru this, it'll still be worth it. I still have a caffeine withdrawal headache, but it's dulling compared to yesterday. I'll write more about the night later.

More on day 2

Tue, 12 Dec 2006 03:46:17 GMT

Caffeine withdrawal headache bad....ok

Day 2 of the Master Cleanse

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 18:09:55 GMT

Morning stats: weight 172 - didn't get the ph. Slept ok. Took the tea last night and this morning. Still have a little headache, but overall feel good.

Day 1 of the Master Cleanse

Mon, 11 Dec 2006 04:16:55 GMT

I drank a cup of smooth move tea last night as suggested. No "results" after I woke up and I was not brave enough to try the salt water, so I had another cup of the tea. About 30 minutes later I had some of the lemon juice concoction and then things started moving quite well. It says to drink 6 - 12 glasses a day of the "lemonade" and I've had 5 and it's almost time for bed. I just haven't felt hungry. I have missed chewing however, I may have to get some gum or something to get me past that part. No pain with all the digestive action. I have a slight headache, but I think that's due to my caffiene addiction and withdrawal. I haven't exactly felt energetic today, but I've been burning the candle at both ends between work and jewelry biz stuff and had earned the right to be exhausted. So, I don't think the lack of energy had anything to do with this cleanse, but time will tell. I'm a little nervous about trying to sleep without my herbs to help me, but you're not supposed to take anything else with this, so I'll give it a try. I never noticed how many food commercials there were until this! It's a little scarey!
Stats when I woke up:
weight 174
ph 5.5

If 36-24-36 is a brick house, then I must be....

Sun, 10 Dec 2006 04:21:06 GMT

...a mansion. Sing it with me She's a man----sion
The lady's stacked and that's a fact,
ain't holding nothing back.

In preparation for this cleanse I took my measurements so I can track my progress better. 45-35-43 That's right, folks. Man, that's an eye opener for me.

That's ok. The main purpose of this cleanse is to get healthier - to detox. And I'm not saying that the measurements above are bad. I just don't think they are healthy for me, specifically. I'm 5'8" and weighed 110 when I graduated high school. Gained 10 when I got married. Gained 30 when pregnant with my daughter and then went back to 110 (one of the benefits of having a child when you're young). So, I'm not big boned and this much weight on a small bone structure means I'm more likely to have poor bone density. I carry the majority of this weight around my middle, which puts me at even more health risks. So, I need to get some of the weight off for my health and I need to do it soon. This cleanse is the start. Here's to new starts! To healthier lives! If I end up looking more like a brick house then a mansion afterwards - that's just a bonus. If I still look like a mansion, well, it's luxury living at it's best :-)

Master Cleanse

Thu, 07 Dec 2006 04:47:24 GMT

I'll be starting the Master Cleanse on the evening of Sat, Dec. 9th. I'll try to write as often as possible as to how well it's going. Wish me luck...I'm going to need it.

Is my idea of a relationship a dream, not reality?

Fri, 13 Oct 2006 05:09:29 GMT

I think that thought is probably true. If I stick to my guns, for a relationship to be the way I think it should be....I very well may end up alone. Some might find that thought depressing. I think it might be a little sad, but I'd rather be alone then settle for something that eventually wears me down. And who knows. Maybe the relationship I want is right around the corner. If so, great. If not, great. I will be me. I will live my life. While I may have bouts of loneliness, in the end, I will have lived life the way that's right for me.

question

Fri, 29 Sep 2006 04:57:37 GMT

At the end of the day, do you want someone who has things in common with you to discuss things with or do you want someone totally different from yourself?

dragonfly wings

Tue, 12 Sep 2006 03:08:21 GMT

See me fly with dragonfly wings
See me reach the heights I know I can
See me be beautiful
See me sing
See me create jewelry that makes your eyes sparkle
See me help ease your pain
See me

Mon, 11 Sep 2006 04:04:10 GMT

I said I was sorry. We've been through so much. I had one night where I slipped and not only let my poor self-esteem show, I let it plummet to lows I haven't seen in years. Yet, you've seen me worse off and you won't forgive me for this?

Can't go back to sleep again

Tue, 05 Sep 2006 10:32:30 GMT

I've been having so much trouble going to sleep lately and now I can't go back to sleep after Ken left for work....again. Tonight I'm trying a glass of wine to get sleepy again. Even if it doesn't work, I'll be enjoying this time awake more.

Inexperience

Mon, 04 Sep 2006 04:56:41 GMT

The other night I was a little impaired because of alcohol consumption and could not figure out how to get back into LJ to save my life. Well, that's almost true. I had reached a very low moment in my life and was really needing to vent. My pain stemmed from a combination of lack of self-confidence and caring too much what others think of me. I'm ok now and I'm not sure I want to dig all of that emotional stuff again at this point. But, maybe if I write more often, I can figure out how to get in the next time I need to. Here's hoping.

in search of numb

Mon, 17 Jul 2006 04:45:37 GMT

If we had a choice to be numb, would we?
To not feel great joy or great pain?
To be ambivalant to feelings?
Ultimately, no I wouldn't.
But, just for today, I would.