Herbs
Parsley Magic to Medicine
Parsley is Nature’s Top Rated Leafy Green
This garden herb was thought to possess magical properties. During the middle ages its uses ranged from healing snake bite, banishing freckles, as an aphrodisiac, and as an antidote for epilepsy. It is believed to have originated in Southern Europe with popularity spreading across the Middle East. There are over 30 varieties. Today we know it as a great source of antioxidant power. Let’s take a look at some awesome medicinal uses of parsley.
- A tea for women. Due to it’s high content of folate it helps ensure a healthy pregnancy. High in vegetable calcium, and chlorophyll a daily cup of parsley can help slow the aging process. It also contains plenty of iron for iron deficiency anemia. It works as a diuretic, sooths PMS, and benefits the facial complexion because of the beta-carotene content.
- Immune, cardiovascular, and cancer prevention. Parsley is full of four major antioxidants such as coumarins, flavonoids, monoterpene, and polyacetylene, which appear to block the synthesis of cancer-promoting prostaglandins. Plus, 10, 000 IU per 1/2 Cup of beta-carotene, and daily vitamin C.
- Eases joint pain, rheumatism, fatigue, kidney and urinary tract infections (UTI). The mineral content of potassium, calcium, phosphorous, and iodine explains these benefits.
Chinese Herbal Medicinal Properties of Parsley
It is thought to be warming, spicy, bitter, and salty in flavor. Dietary benefits are as follows:
- Improves digestion
- Detoxifies meats and fish
- Hastens recovery of measles
- Promotes urination, and dries watery mucoid conditions such as, obesity, bladder mucus, swollen glands, breasts, and stones in bladder, kidney, or gall bladder.
- Strengthens the adrenal glands, optic nerves, and benefits the brain.
- Useful for ear infections, ear ache, and deafness.
- Freshens the breath for halitosis, strengthens the teeth.
- It makes a beautiful garnish on the plate.
Caution: It dries up milk production, thus it is not to be used for lactating mothers.
How to Use:
- Drink 2-3 cups daily of fresh or dried parsley tea. Take 10 sprigs, gently bruise, and steep 1-2 minutes in hot water, strain, and enjoy.
- Or eat 1-2 ounces of fresh or lightly cooked parsley daily.
Five Amazing Reasons to use Oregano for Digestive Health
Did you know there are at least five amazing reasons to use oregano to support your digestive health?
Oregano is mainly known for imparting its flavor into our culinary dishes especially Mediterranean recipes.
For medicinal uses the fresh or dried leaves can be used as a tea, as a tincture, or as an essential oil.
Because the digestive system is linked to our immune system, and our ability to combat microbes such as viruses, bacteria, yeast, fungi, and parasites this is an herb that is essential to keep on hand when needed, or use as a protectant for ten days, then take ten days off switching to another favorite herb. This keeps your body from developing an aversion, or becoming too accustomed thus ignoring its effects.
Here are my reasons I love oregano!
- Antiviral and immune boosting properties. It is powerful in stimulating the body’s immune system to produce white blood cells, which defend us from viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
- Contains Vitamins A and C, and other antioxidant compounds known to help boost our immune system.
- Potent against yeast and fungi. It inhibits the growth of Candida from its Carvacrol and thymol compounds. You can use the tea as an external wash. Diluted oregano oil can be applied to toenails, and feet for athlete’s foot and toenail fungus, and on the skin for ringworm.
- Anti-inflammatory effects, and antioxidants benefit our skin. The skin and digestive are connected that when we have constipation, infection, or inflammation in our gut it affects the appearance of our skin with possible rashes, blemishes, wrinkles, dryness, or infections. People with inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel disease often have bumps, blemishes, rashes, or irritations on their skin. Make an herbal tea using the fresh leaves of oregano and drink daily for ten days. Then take ten days off, and repeat.
- Benefits the heart and cardiovascular system. Our heart and blood circulation is necessary to bring needed nutrients throughout our body including the digestive tract, and to remove waste products.
How to use oregano…
- Place some leaves in your tea cup and bruise with a spoon or use a mortar and pestle. You can use dried leaves, but the fresh leaves will have more essential oil intact. Pour boiling water over, let steep 2-5 minutes and enjoy!
- To use it as a wash, let the tea cool, and don’t add any honey, or sweetener. Apply to affected area.
- Using the essential oil of oregano: Be sure to dilute with a carrier oil like fractionated coconut oil, or almond oil. Add a few drops of oil to 1 teaspoon of the carrier oil. Apply to affected area avoided mucus membranes.
How have you used oregano?
Leave your reply or questions below.
The Qi (Chi) Life
The Qi (Chi) Life holds the key to abundant health!
Dr. Michele Arnold-Pirtle’s new book
“It is my personal mission to spread the potential health benefits of nature’s plant medicines. Food, Herbs, spices, and essential oils can be used to cultivate a wellness lifestyle to enjoy a healthier, happier life-longer!
This is a small book with a lot of impact! If you want an easy to follow guide with simple natural ways to stay healthy, then this book is for you!
This book includes
- Commonly used Acupressure points
- Chinese Medicine healthy food rules
- Harmonize the liver and gall bladder naturally
- Congee, an Asian rice porridge for detoxification or illness
- Natural blood thinners and pain relievers
- Information about using Cannabinoid (CBD) oil.
Learn about Chinese Herbal Teas for improved blood flow, and analgesia
The following is an excerpt:
We use herbs that are concentrated granules of raw herbal ingredients boiled in an aqueous solution. They are free from preservatives, additives, and colors. They are certified pharmaceutical grade using GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices). The powder is mixed with warm water and drunk as a medicinal tea.
They also come in other forms of administration such as honey pills, capsules, tablets, or alcohol or glycerin extracted tinctures.
Where to buy
Herbal Formulas can be prescribed and purchased from your local Acupuncturist.
Xue Fu Zhu Yu Tang (Drive out Stasis in the Mansion of Blood Decoction).
TCM Diagnosis: Blood stagnation, especially of the upper body, head and chest.
Action: Nourishes and moves blood, a natural analgesic alternative.
Indications: Pain Acute, Severe, after Trauma, aggravated by wrong movement, fixed localized pain, occasional stabbing pain aggravated by certain postures or movement, and pain is worse at night, a natural alternative to aspirin.
Bio-medical or common disease names: acute endometritis, retained placenta, pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis, cirrhosis of the liver, intestinal obstruction, coronary artery disease, angina pectoris, rheumatic valvular heart disease, hypertension, post-concussion syndrome, migraine, menopausal syndrome, urticaria, psychosis.
Ingredients: Dang Gui (Chinese Angelica), Chuan Xiong (Szechuan Lovage Root), Sheng Di Huang (Prepared Rehmannia), Chi Shao (Red Peony), Tao Ren (Peach Pit), Hong Hua (Safflower), Chuan Niu Xi (Cyathula Root), Jie Geng (Platycodon, Balloon Flower Root), Zhi Ke (Bitter Orange Peel), Chai Hu (Bupleurum, Thorowax Root), Gan Cao (Licorice Root). Plus add turmeric-curcumin (Yu Jin), cinnamon bark (Rou Gui), Bai Shao (White Peony), and Gan Cao (Licorice).
How to Take: Take Before meals. In severe cases can increases dosage 50-100%, then reduced as treatment takes effect.
Contraindications/Cautions:
Contraindicated in pregnancy, excessive menstrual bleeding, bleeding diathesis, or hemorrhagic disorder. For women, stop taking during your period unless otherwise directed. Caution in patients taking anti-coagulants.
*Women being treated for menstrual problems may notice heavier, more painful periods, expulsion of clots, for one or two cycles as the stagnation is moved, and they are encouraged to continue formula for several cycles.
Dr. Michele Arnold is a doctor of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (D.A.C.M.). She has been in private practice for over 18 years. She brings together both experience, and research for you to find out what to eat to stay healthy, how to use essential oils, herbs, and acupressure according to the balanced principles of Chinese Medicine.
Disclaimer: The products and information mentioned here have not been evaluated by the FDA. The products and methods recommended are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent illness or disease. It is not a substitute for medical advice.
Harmonize the liver and gall bladder
The first remedy is to eat less.
Foods to Avoid are those high in saturated fats, Lard, Mammal meats, Cream, Cheese, Eggs
Avoid Hydrogenated and poor-quality fats, Shortening, Margarine
Avoid Refined and rancid oils
Excess nuts and seeds. They should be unsalted, and lightly roasted. Raw nuts easily become rancid, and harbor parasites.
Chemicals in foods and water
Processed foods
All intoxicants
Eat foods or herbs that stimulate the flow of liver-Qi energy.
From my book, “The Qi Life: Live A Better Life Pain Free Naturally”.
Essential Oils may support liver and gall bladder health.
Use 3 – 5 drops of a detoxification essential oil blend applied to liver area daily. Note: A detoxification Blend you can purchase may include Clove, Geranium, Grapefruit and Rosemary, or in a roller ball combine 4 drops Geranium, 6 drops Rosemary, 6 drops Cilantro, 8 drops Juniper Berry, and fill remainder with FCO.
*Note: most liver conditions have developed over long periods of time and rebuilding will take consistent application with patience over weeks and months.
A famous Chinese Herbal remedy that moves stuck liver Qi-energy, lifts the mood, and aids digestion:
The Chinese Medicine herbal formula Xiao Yao Wan (Rambling Powder) moves and nourishes the liver energy, and emotional constraint.
Ingredients: Bupleurum (Chai Hu), Angelica Root (Dang Gui), White Peony (Bai Shao), White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu), Poria Mushroom (Fu Ling), Honey Baked Licorice (Zhi Gan Cao), Mint (Bo He), Fresh Ginger (Sheng Jiang). Citrus Peel (Chen Pi), Amomum Cardamom Seed (Sha Ren) can be added for a weak spleen-stomach.
Take twice daily before meals.
Contraindications: Do not take during an acute phase of colds and flu.
Caution: This formula has been modified to reduce likelihood of stomach bloating or loose stools with the additions of Chen Pi and Sha Ren. Should this occur with the additions, take with food, or discontinue.
If you have questions about more ways that Chinese Medicine can help you please don’t hesitate to ask.
Sincerely,
Dr. Michele Arnold
Alternative Treatment for IBS
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disease suffered by an estimated 25-45 million people in the United States. Symptoms include chronic abdominal pain, bloating, excess gas and irregular bowel movements. Symptoms can be brought on by a number of triggers including anxiety, insomnia and stress. Although there is no known cure to IBS, there are numerous alternative treatments to prescription medication that can help relieve symptoms. continue reading
