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Stuffing Down Emotions with Food - By Bobbie Miteva

1/15/2021

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In line with the Healthy Weight Awareness Month (January) I’d like to explore the psychology behind emotional eating and binge eating. As you read, I invite you to observe how the mind and body are connected along the gut-brain axis, which might give you an insight as to why a holistic approach to wellness could be much more beneficial to clients than relying entirely on one treatment modality. 

Both emotional and binge eating can lead to weight gain and potentially to obesity, but the former are not prerequisites for the latter, nor is obesity a certain end result. Binge eating occurs less often, as it is marked by psychological distress. On the other hand, it is safe to assume that most of us engage in emotional eating from time to time, that is to say using food to soothe certain emotions rather than to satisfy physiological hunger. Regardless of the type of type of eating we engage in, when we serve ourselves some food our bodies get into a rest and digest state – the parasympathetic nervous system gets activated, thus increasing digestion, making the heart rate slow down and leading to a feeling of relaxation (this is not the case if you are eating while stressed). Subsequently, as we continue to eat and digest the gut signals the brain to secrete endorphins (relaxing chemicals which act as pain relievers) and dopamine. The latter is part of the reward system, hence it makes us feel pleasure and satisfaction; unfortunately for our bodies, however, it is linked to eating junk food and other not so healthy products. In addition to endorphins and dopamine, serotonin (the “happy hormone”) may also come into the picture after eating foods containing the essential amino acid tryptophan (found in protein-based foods such as meats, dairy, seeds and raw cacao among others), or after eating foods with a high glycemic index (ex. ice cream, pizza and fries are examples of both categories). No wonder emotional eating is associated with reaching out for such comfort foods – the chemicals these consist of trigger the secretion of feel-good hormones in the brain! Chocolate deserves special mentioning here, because in addition to tryptophan, it consists of caffeine and theobromine (together these little guys give us an energy boost), as well as phenylethylalanine – a chemical secreted in the brain when we are in love!   

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Knowing how different food chemicals in the gut affect the neurotransmitters in the brain is important because it gives us an insight into the reasons behind emotional eating: when we experience pain, stress, anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, boredom or the need to reward ourselves, reaching out for comfort foods can give us a quick emotional fix – feelings of relaxation, pleasure, happiness and even love become predominant.

We can easily learn to associate feeling good with eating, which may become a problem if we rely on eating as the primary coping mechanism for emotional regulation. An additional red flag of emotional eating is when the latter turns into overeating (consuming more food than your body needs at a given time) and binge eating which is often followed by feelings of guilt and shame (hence the psychological distress mentioned earlier).

If you are someone who indulges in an occasional junk fiesta while stressed over a tight deadline I wouldn’t worry too much if I were you. However, if you notice regular use of food to cope with emotions, decreasing number of other coping mechanisms, and binge eating, you might want to consider taking action for your wellbeing at the earliest signs. The more binge eating occurs, the more guilt and shame people experience, which they tend to soothe with their primary coping mechanism for emotional regulation – (more) food, turning this into a vicious circle.

Although I won’t be focusing on eating disorders here, I quickly want to mention that some people might develop binge eating disorder (BED) characterized by recurring episodes (at least once a week for 3 or more months) of binge eating, which include 3 or more of the following:

1. Eating very quickly;
2. Eating regardless of hunger cues, even if one is already full;
3. Eating until uncomfortably or painfully full;
4. Eating alone due to embarrassment about the type and quantity of food ingested;
5. Feelings of self-disgust, guilt, and depression.

Among various effects that this mental illness could have on people’s psychological and physical health, it has been observed that that BED could lead to more frequent emotional overeating episodes compared to those without BED. 
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Before I turn to some tools which you may find helpful, I’d like to highlight that eating disorders are included as mental illnesses in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), some of which could be life-threatening and therefore require help from trained practitioners.  The suggestions that I offer here are meant at starting points for people who do not exhibit the corresponding symptoms (https://nedic.ca/eating-disorders-treatment/), but do engage in emotional and/or binge eating, the occurrence of which they hope to minimize. 

  1. Increase your self-awareness
Begin by asking yourself questions such as “How is this food I’m reaching out for comforting me?”, “What need (for love, calmness, safety, etc.) is it helping me meet and what other ways are there for me to meet this need”, “How (else) do I cope with unpleasant feelings and experiences?” You might want to try keeping a food journal for at least a month to examine your eating patterns and how those relate to your thoughts and emotions. If you decide to experiment with this activity it is important that you show when you notice such patterns, and that you use journaling as an opportunity to learn from mistakes and grow from your experiences. If journaling is not for you, it might be useful to experiment with other coping mechanisms for emotional regulation, drawing from self-care practices (deep breathing, getting a massage, counselling, setting healthy boundaries, quality-time interaction with someone you care about), healthy distractions (walk in nature, reorganizing the drawers, doing acts of kindness) and hobbies (craft-making, playing musical instruments, home decorating, expressive writing, reading books, learning something new). Take (mental) notes which ways of coping work for you and in what situations, and if you wish you may mark your “successes” on a calendar as visual reminders of your journey. However, it is key to maintain realistic expectations – the occasional soothing of your emotions with food is not a failure or something to be ashamed of – it happens to the best of us! There might be times when you just have to have your favorite chocolate bar and it’s ok to give your body what it craves for.  
As part of increasing your self-awareness I additionally invite you to think of ways to develop your . Research shows that disordered eating is linked to deficits in emotional processing such as understanding one’s own and others’ emotions, related physical sensations and facial expressions. Therefore, it is expected that improving your grip on the above may have positive influence on your eating patterns. You can start by observing people’s reactions, how those affect you and vice versa. Furthermore, use stressful situations as opportunities to examine how you tend to react: Where in your body do you feel anger or anxiety? What do you do after a frustrating event?
 
          2. Eat mindfully and intuitively
When I say mindful eating, I’m not suggesting that you should eat with your eyes closed while telling your brain not to think; to the contrary, mindfulness is about being present in the moment and when you eat this means simply savouring the food. Focus on your senses: Is you food colorful and aesthetically pleasing? Do you begin salivating at the sight of your meal? Do you feel your stomach getting excited? What is the texture of the food, and most importantly how much do you enjoy the taste of what you eat? If you want to get even more mindful, you may take a couple deep breaths before beginning your meal, and I highly recommend that you eat in a relaxing environment away from technology. That’s all – enjoy!

Intuitive eating is related to the savouring aspect of mindful eating, since at its core lies the idea of giving ourselves permission to enjoy the pleasure of eating without feeling guilt or shame. In order for this to happen we first have to make peace with food (without dividing it into good or bad categories) and thus get rid of the dieting mentality. Easier said than done – especially in a culture that constantly feeds us messages about diet norms and the .  Another foundational premise of intuitive eating is learning to recognize cues of physiological hunger and to notice what fullness feels like for each person individually. Intuitive eating also involves the process of respecting your body and honoring your feelings without using food, which in a sense is the opposite of emotional eating. Last but not least, this self-care approach to eating developed by two dieticians, incorporates suitable nutrition – you can explore what that means for your body and unique needs by reaching out to a trained dietician or nutritionist.  

      3. Healthy Diet
My guess is that this comes at no surprise. Although I’m passionate about gut health, I specialize in mental health, so here I’ll only briefly share some points for you to consider in the psychological struggle with emotional and/or binge eating. There are certain nutrients such as the long-chained omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium and a number of phytonutrients that influence the neuroplasticity of the brain, which is essential for the replacement of unhealthy coping mechanisms like emotional and/or binge eating with wellness practices. Some foods containing these nutrients also have moderation effects on depression, which as seen earlier is a contributing factor to emotional regulation through the use of food. Moreover, there is growing research data on the effects of the gut flora on people’s cognitive functions and mood. For instance, about 90% of the “happy hormone” serotonin, which is an important mood stabilizer, get produced in the gut (so called “second brain”). That is to say, feeding ourselves anti-inflammatory foods that help us maintain a healthy gut flora could moderate anxiety and have positive impact on our mood. Nourishing our bodies in such ways, combined with increased self-awareness, mindful and intuitive eating could thus facilitate emotional regulation without stuffing down our feelings with food.

I hope that this leaves you with enough food for thought (pun intended). I will be sharing a couple additional tools to help you minimize emotional and/or binge eating, along with other mental health information on Healing House’s social media, so be sure to follow us. 
Best wishes for the New Year – may you all find the strength in you to overcome your challenges and become proudly resilient! I am here to support you on your journey.

Warmly,
Bobbie Miteva

If you would like more information or to make an appointment with Bobbie, you can book with her directly by clicking here.

REFERENCES:
Evers, C., Marijn Stok, F., & de Ridder, D. T. (2010). Feeding your feelings: emotion regulation strategies and emotional eating. Personality & social psychology bulletin, 36(6), 792–804.
Jenkins, T. A., Nguyen, J. C., Polglaze, K. E., & Bertrand, P. P. (2016). Influence of Tryptophan and Serotonin on Mood and Cognition with a Possible Role of the Gut-Brain Axis. Nutrients, 8(1), 56.
Foye, U., Hazlett, D. E., & Irving, P. (2019). Exploring the role of emotional intelligence on disorder eating psychopathology. Eating and weight disorders: EWD, 24(2), 299–306.
Konttinen, H., van Strien, T., Männistö, S., Jousilahti, P., & Haukkala, A. (2019). Depression, emotional eating and long-term weight changes: a population-based prospective study. The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity, 16(1), 28.
LaChance, L. R., & Ramsey, D. (2018). Antidepressant foods: An evidence-based nutrient profiling system for depression. World journal of psychiatry, 8(3), 97–104.
Macht M. (2008). How emotions affect eating: a five-way model. Appetite, 50(1), 1–11.
Macht, M., & Dettmer, D. (2006). Everyday mood and emotions after eating a chocolate bar or an apple. Appetite, 46(3), 332–336.
Schnepper, R., Georgii, C., Eichin, K., Arend, A. K., Wilhelm, F. H., Vögele, C., Lutz, A., van Dyck, Z., & Blechert, J. (2020). Fight, Flight, - Or Grab a Bite! Trait Emotional and Restrained Eating Style Predicts Food Cue Responding Under Negative Emotions. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 14, 91.
Wiedemann, A. A., Ivezaj, V., & Barnes, R. D. (2018). Characterizing emotional overeating among patients with and without binge-eating disorder in primary care. General hospital psychiatry, 55, 38–43.

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Folic Acid Awareness!

1/5/2021

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Why should we care about vitamins?

Did you know that the tomato you eat today has drastically different nutritional values than a tomato thirty years ago?

Most of our foods are exceedingly vitamin and mineral deficient. The cause of this is oftentimes due to global soil degradation, the loss of plant variety, the large distance that food now travels, or due to man made chemical inputs, herbicides, and pesticides. Due to this, most individuals who eat a modern western diet, have nutritional deficiencies, and chronic nutritional deficiencies can have a huge impact on individual health.

Why Take Vitamins?
Supplements in our diet can be used as a preventative approach to maintaining or improving health and wellness. In some illnesses, vitamins are also used as a primary treatment method by trained practitioners for certain short-term and chronic illnesses.

Most often when we refer to vitamins we are not simply thinking about the most common types such as A, B, C, and D, but rather the more general idea of taking vitamins which alludes to minerals and other healthy nutritional choices as well.

This week is Folic Acid awareness week, and so we wanted to share with you the importance of this amazing water-soluble vitamin and discuss its impacts on health and wellness. Folic Acid is part of the B Vitamin complex, also known as B9. B complex vitamins are water soluble and are not stored very well in the body, however they are one of the most important vitamin complexes that our body needs as they are required daily for a variety of essential functions such as proper digestion and absorption, energy levels, sleep and wake cycles, proper brain function, and most importantly, our cellular metabolic functions.

This complex of vitamins works best together, and is also partially made in our native microbiome which is located in our small and large intestines.

B9 (Folic Acid) is considered to be one of the key water-soluble B vitamins. When it is consumed it is actively transported from our digestive tract into the blood where it acts as a coenzyme for a multitude of functions and often is converted to its active form, tetrahydrofolic acid (THEA), in the presence of niacin coenzyme (NADP) and vitamin C. Folic acid is stored in the liver, enough for 6 to 9 months of body use before deficiency symptoms might develop.

Most commonly folic acid is used to prevent anemia in pregnancy and is considered to relieve the symptoms of pernicious anemia.

The best source of folic acid is foliage from dark leafy greens, certainly something to consider when we realize that it is so commonly deficient in many culture's processed-food diets. Additionally, it is manufactured by our intestinal bacteria, so having a healthy microbiome is a key secondary component to healthy B vitamin levels.

What does Folic Acid Do?
Like many of the B vitamins, folic acid plays a key role in a large amount of key body processes, for example:

- It aids in red blood cell production by carrying the carbon molecule to the larger heme molecule, which is the iron-containing part of hemoglobin (the oxygen carrying molecule within red blood cells).

- Helps to breakdown and utilize dietary protein.

- Used in the formation of nucleic acids for RNA and DNA

- Has a fundamental role in the growth and reproduction of all cells.

- Allows for proper balancing of brain neurotransmitters that control mood, sleep and wake cycles, and maintained brain chemistry

If there is a deficiency of folic acid, there is decreased nucleic acid synthesis and cell division is hampered. This deficiency can play a large part in birth defects of a fetus and can lead to low birth weight or growth problems in infants. This is why folic acid is considered so key during pregnancy as it allows for proper balancing of brain neurotransmitter levels and development of an infants nervous system. In pregnancy women with a deficiency, the likelihood of neural tube defects in infants - including problems with anecephaly, encephalocele, and spinabifida is increased by folate deficiency.

Deficiency:
Despite our knowledge about folic acid, it is still considered to be one of the most common vitamin deficiencies. Most commonly it proves to be a problem in the elderly, in alcoholics, in psychiatric patients, in epileptics, in women on birth control pills, and with those taking such drug therapies as sulfa antibiotics and tetracyclines which deplete folic acid by killing off the bacteria in our microbiome which produce it. 

Those eating a standard North American Diet that is high in fats, meats, white flour, white sugar, and processed convenience foods may also develop folic acid deficiency.

When we consider the presentation of folic acid deficiency, it is good to know that it presents itself like many other B vitamin deficiencies, this being with anemia, fatigue, irritability, weight loss, headache, sore and inflamed tongue, diarrhea, heart palpitations, forgetfulness, hostility, and feelings of anxiety, depression, or often paranoia.

Because folic acid is so readily available in foods, this is a deficiency which can be easily remedied by implementing a more whole foods or seasonal diet.

Foods Rich in Folic Acid Include:
- Broccoli
- Brussels Sprouts
- Leafy Green Vegetables such as Cabbage, Kale, Spring Greens, and Spinach
- Peas
- Chickpeas and Kidney Beans
- Chard
- Asparagus
- Liver
- Nuts and seeds
- Avocado

Additionally, we have a variety of plant allies that can assist with folic acid deficiency as well, and can be taken cooked or raw as a food. 

Herbs that Contain Folic Acid
- Nettle (Urtica dioica)
- Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris)
- Plantain Leaf (Plantago majora), do not eat in excess during pregnancy
- Oats (Avena sativa)
- Wild Yam Root (Diascorea villosa), do not take during pregnancy unless under supervision

So the next time you consider your B vitamins, consider folic acid, what it does, how it helps our amazing bodies, and the variety of plants that offer it in abundance.

Want to know more about folic acid?
Have questions about vitamins and supplements?
Want to know more about good supplement choices?


Feel free to reach out directly by DM on our social media sites, email us, or contact the
office!

Healing House carries the full line of Genestra, Pure Encapsulations, Douglas Laboratories, Seroyal, and Wobenzym products.

We ship to the US and Canada (Shipping of Supplements within Canada is always free).

In Health and Wellness,
Petra 
​
References:
Staying Healthy with Nutrition The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine by Elson M. Haas, MD.  - Celestial Arts Publishing Berkeley California 2006
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The Plants of Christmas

12/24/2020

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As you snuggle in on this peaceful day of celebration, one has the opportunity to consider all of the other forms of celebration taking place around the world. December is a month packed with a great variety of holidays from many cultures and belief systems. From Christmas, to Yule, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Omisoka to name only a few. This is the month that celebrates the return of the light in the Northern Hemisphere, or in the case of Hanukkah a celebration of light in darkness. During this month, cultures celebrate the birth of Christ, the blessings of life and harvest, or the passing of the old year into the new.

In this short holiday article, I will share a bit on the history of Christmas, and offer a brief historical, symbolic, and medicinal synopsis of some of the plants that are so central and important to these well known celebrations. After all, human health and plant health are intertwined through food and medicine, it only makes sense that plants would also be central to the spiritual health and representation of a holiday.

What does Christmas Celebrate?

Christmas,  literally means "the mass for Christ" and is the central day in which Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. In truth we do not know when Christ was born, as this day was chosen by Pope Leo I, a bishop of Rome (440-461).

Prior to the Christmas we know, December 25th marked the day in which Romans celebrated Saturnalia where Saturn, the god of agriculture, was worshiped.  Lasting about a week, Saturnalia was characterized by feasting, drinking, and gift-giving. With Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity, many of these customs were later absorbed into Christmas celebrations.
 
Christmas is a wonderful combination of the old and the new as it holds its roots in the symbolism of the ancient pagan world. Christmas also holds old ties with Yule when we consider the adoption of the Christmas tree. As a small contrast, we have additional ties to the old world with the modern symbolism of  Santa Clause which has its roots in the story of Saint Nicholas.
 
What we know of Saint Nicholas is that he was a bishop from the city of Myra (now a part of modern Turkey). Saint Nicholas had a deep compassion for the poor and sought to help young children, orphans, and widows with donations of goods and money. The jolly Santa Claus we know and love today comes from our not-so-distant past. It was Coca-Cola who came up with the modernized image in the 1930s and used it as a targeted marketing campaign for their beverages.

What Herbal Allies are Central to Christmas?

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The symbolism behind the evergreen tree is one we all know and love, the Christmas tree. The evergreen of the tree often symbolizes the eternal symbol of Christ and that of life after death. In earlier legends it is said that a fir tree grew out of a fallen oak. That fir tree bearing life from the dead oak became the symbol of Christ – being triangle in shape it represents the trinity – and from there came the idea that the tree should be a symbol of new and eternal life.

The concept of the more modern Christmas tree emerged in western Germany during the 16th century as Christians brought trees into their homes and decorated them with gingerbread, nuts, and apples. The custom became fairly popular and continued to spread to the royal courts across Europe up until the early 19th century. Unlike now, prior to the early 19th century in places like the US, having a Christmas tree was often viewed as a foreign and pagan custom.

While the Christmas tree originated in Germany, it was Britain’s Queen Victoria and Prince Albert who popularized it in the 1840s and 1985s. The reason for this was due to Victoria’s mother, Princess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld who was German and thus grew up having a decorated tree at Christmas time. 

In addition to its symbolic representation at Christmas, pine has a long standing history in Northern and Western Herbalism as a medicinal plant. Cultures around the globe have used the needles, inner bark, and resin for a variety ailments. Internally, pine is a traditional remedy for coughs, colds, allergies, and urinary tract and sinus infections. Topically, pine is used to address skin infections and to lessen joint inflammation in arthritic conditions.
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The poinsettia is native to Central America, centralized to an area of southern Mexico known as Taxco del Alacon where they flower during the winter. The ancient Aztecs name for them is cuetlaxochitl. From the poinsettia came purple and red dye for clothing and cosmetics, and the milky white sap was used in traditional medicine to treat fevers.

The shape of the poinsettia flower and leaves are thought to represent the Star of Bethlehem which led the wise men to the infant Jesus. The red colored leaves are said to symbolize the blood of Christ, and the white leaves are considered a representation of his purity.
 
In more modern practices of herbalism, poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) has quite a few uses. Traditionally all parts of the plant are used. It is said to assist with the removal of warts, and used in the traditional treatment of skin wounds, ulcers, and skin diseases. Additionally, it is considered to assist with lactation (milk production) in new mothers. Some of its other properties include anti-inflammatory actions and as an external ease for bone breaks and contusions.

Please keep in mind that although it is beautiful, Poinsettia is considered a toxic botanical. Please do not self dose, consult an informed practitioner regarding use.
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Much like the Christmas tree, the beautiful evergreen of the holly is shown as the representation of eternal life. Christians have adopted the holly as the physical representation of Christmas. The tradition of this goes further back than the Christmas tree itself as early Christians and Pagans alike would bring its evergreen colors into the house during this time of year.

The sharp leaves are said to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Christ, while the berries represent his blood.

In earlier traditions, and before it was associated with the more modern concepts of Christmas, holly was seen as a sacred plant of the Druids. While other plants wilted in the harsh grasp of winter, holly remained green and strong, and its branches bore bright red fruits even in the harshest of conditions. It is said that the Druids regarded holly as a symbol of fertility and eternal life which plays very nicely into the ancient practices associated with the winter solstice, and the even older practices of Saturnalia when the god of agriculture was worshiped.

When we consider the medicinal values of Holly (Ilex aquifolium), its leaves were used as a traditional northern herbal remedy for the treatment of fevers, joint pains from rheumatism, swelling, water retention (edema), chest congestion, laxative, cardiovascular stimulant, and as a diuretic. The berries of the holly are toxic, and the leaves themselves are considered a toxic botanical as well. However, seeing the historical and traditional uses of some of our oldest winter symbols is always a treat.

Please keep in mind that although it is beautiful, Holly is considered a toxic botanical. Please do not self dose, consult an informed practitioner regarding use.
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Kissing under sprigs of mistletoe is a well-known holiday tradition, but this little plant’s history as a symbolic herb dates back thousands of years. The Greeks were known to use it as a cure for everything from menstrual cramps to spleen disorders, and the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder noted it could be used as a balm against epilepsy, ulcers and poisons. The plant’s romantic overtones most likely started with the Celtic Druids of the 1st century A.D. Because mistletoe could blossom even during the frozen winter, the Druids came to view it as a sacred symbol of vivacity, and they administered it to humans and animals alike in the hope of restoring fertility.

Another famous chapter in mistletoe folklore comes from Norse mythology. As the story goes, when the god Odin’s son Baldur was prophesied to die, his mother Frigg, the goddess of love, went to all the animals and plants of the natural world to secure an oath that they would not harm him. But Frigg neglected to consult with the unassuming mistletoe, so the scheming god Loki made an arrow from the plant and saw that it was used to kill the otherwise invincible Baldur. According to one sunnier version of the myth, the gods were able to resurrect Baldur from the dead. Delighted, Frigg then declared mistletoe a symbol of love and vowed to plant a kiss on all those who passed beneath it.

Like many of the evergreen plants, in modern Christmas tradition it is seen as the representation of eternal life. However, in modern herbalism there has been notice of its use in cardiovascular issues and cancer as it has powerful anti-tumor and anti-angiogenic qualities.

Please keep in mind that although it is beautiful, Mistletoe is considered a toxic botanical. Please do not self dose, consult an informed practitioner regarding use.
​I hope you have enjoyed this article and have found a bit more cheer on this special day.

In health, wellness, peace, and good tidings
Petra Sovcov - CHT

References:

  • https://theconversation.com/how-did-we-come-to-celebrate-christmas-66042#:~:text=Christmas%20is%20literally%20%E2%80%9Cthe%20mass,celebrate%20the%20birth%20of%20Jesus.&text=The%20western%20date%20for%20Jesus'%20birth%20is%20quite%20arbitrary.,worshipped%20Saturn%2C%20the%20sun%20god.
  • https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-rome/saturnalia
  • https://www.huffpost.com/entry/winter-solstice-pagan-yule_n_585970abe4b03904470af4c5?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAnmurldQ9RxfYeMCX3JBiNQ5plBD0yxwE_RgbK63rq2LLilMswFCa-SdaIbMJNMJdPQAhNznO2TDf8HeaW1FtNBiTDrlKUcS_ANxkz0-Ws812aNezoaGlwCGGdH_0kxvbxax4Z5r3Lw9q6x1GhZIS9ljhhQuywvEweZdbBowlk9
  • https://www.sacredearthjourneys.ca/blog/traditions-and-symbols-of-yule/
  • https://www.britannica.com/topic/Hanukkah
  • https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-12-19/the-history-of-the-christmas-tree/8106078#:~:text=Then%20legend%20has%20it%20that,life%2C%22%20Dr%20Wilson%20said.
  • https://chestnutherbs.com/the-medicine-of-pine/#:~:text=Cultures%20around%20the%20globe%20have,and%20resin%20for%20similar%20ailments.&text=Internally%2C%20pine%20is%20a%20traditional,joint%20inflammation%20in%20arthritic%20conditions.
  • https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/poinsettia.shtml#:~:text=The%20shape%20of%20the%20poinsettia,the%20national%20emblem%20of%20Madagascar.
  • https://www.botanical-online.com/en/medicinal-plants/poinsettia-toxicity
  • https://www.rxlist.com/holly/supplements.htm​
  • https://www.flowerkingdom.com/blog/the-symbolic-significance-of-holly/#:~:text=Today%2C%20Christians%20have%20adopted%20the,is%20metaphoric%20for%20eternal%20life.
  • https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/holly1.htm
  • https://www.history.com/news/why-do-we-kiss-under-the-mistletoe
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Hawthorn - Warmth in the Depth of Winter

12/16/2020

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" Hawthorn, white and odorous with blossom, framing the quiet fields, and swaying flowers and grasses, and the hum of bees." - F. S. Flint

Hawthorn was one of the first herbs that I learned about when I was going to school at Dominion. I remember thinking nothing of it, save for the fact that I  loved how bright and vibrant the berry was, and enjoyed the fact that it was an herb that changed its useful parts with the season. In spring one uses the flowers and leaves, and in early fall one harvests the berries. 

It was not until my third year of schooling when I was doing my clinical hours with our clinic director that I had my first real introduction to this amazing ally. I recall that we had a pretty intensive cardiovascular day. We were covering examinations, pathologies, anatomy, and reviewing appropriate herbs, dose, and methods of effect in the body. During this time our clinic director started having benign heart palpitations which she asked us to listen to. I remember clearly hearing the difference between a regular beat and the slight pause in her rhythm as she allowed all of the students to listen. I also recall the knowing smile on her face as she said "Now, let me take a dose of hawthorn, lets wait a few minutes and we will listen again".  It was perhaps fifteen minutes later that she invited us to listen to her heart again. Sure enough, it was the steady glug-glug of a regular heart beat.

I understand that this is a singular case situation and that this herb is not appropriate in all cases or all individuals, and that results are not always the same. However, the experience of it really offered me perspective on the beautiful relationship between human health and plants. Since then, this has been my go to herb for so many issues related to general cardiovascular health, including using it on myself.

Now that we are in the season of a new kind of Christmas, I feel that hawthorn again is an excellent herb to be thinking of  this time of year. Due to struggles with COVID, the inability to see family members, or to share in our usual traditions, can leave some of us feeling sick in our hearts, or in some cases even heart broken. This is of course not the same as a physical issue, but the bright red of the hawthorn berry, and the memory of its soft blossoms in spring reminds me that change is coming.

With that in mind, I welcome you to explore this beautiful herbal ally and to enjoy this materia medica printable.

Wishing you the very best over the holidays,
-Petra

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A Simpler Kind of Holiday - By Registered Therapeutic Counsellor Bobbie Miteva

12/8/2020

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With “the most wonderful time of the year” fast approaching many of us seem to wonder what this would be like with the COVID restrictions on a local, national and global level. People usually look forward to the holidays when they have days off work to travel, spend quality time with family and friends, and enjoy various festivities in their communities, but this holiday season will certainly be different. Those of us who enjoy the luxury of having close relationships with family and friends, sufficient resources for gifts and vacations, and a place to call home would undoubtedly experience some unpleasant emotions due to the perceived lack of freedom in the current circumstances. On the other hand, the resulting wider isolation and lower expectations for fun during the holidays allow for less significant differences among people, which otherwise could lead to unhealthy comparisons. As someone recently shared with me “there is something comforting about the restrictions.” 
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Those who have experienced a recent loss, don’t have family or friends close by with whom to spend the holidays, or are going through a relationship conflict, a financial hardship or a difficult life transition might get quite triggered during this time of the year, which we associate with togetherness, warmth and joy. The flooding of commercials and films constructing the image of a “perfect Christmas”, along with social media posts of static ideals often make us measure our happiness up to unrealistic expectations, and may further undermine the emotional stability of those who find themselves in vulnerable situations. Thus, it is no surprise that the holidays are also associated with increased rates of anxiety and depression, substance and alcohol abuse, as well as binge eating. But as mentioned earlier, the pandemic put us more or less in the same basket: for most of us there will be less worrying which side of the family to visit on Christmas or how to host the “perfect” holiday event, less time and resources invested in gift hunting, less bookings and other travel logistics to consider, etc. Holding high expectations from ourselves and from others is probably one of the most significant predictors of frustration, thus with the former out of the picture we should expect that fewer people would feel overwhelmed by stress during the holidays.

As counterintuitive as it may sound, it appears that this holiday season could present us with an opportunity to keep it simple – instead of feeling like we’re in a contest to obtain as many joyful “points” with as many people as possible we could slow down and enjoy some time for self-care. What physical sensations help soothe your body, and what activities help clear your mind? Are there any hobbies/projects you’ve been interested in, but haven’t had a chance to focus on? Are there ways for you to improve your health? For example, added sugar, found not only in common treats but also in “healthy” energy bars and dressings, is rather addictive and disrupts the so-called dopamine reward system; subsequently, attempts to lower the levels of sugar in the bloodstream may lead to abstinence-like effects like headache, depression and decreased energy. Without getting into details, as a holistic counsellor I’d like to remind you that good nutrition and physical exercise can have positive influences on your hormone balance, which is essential for both physical and mental health. Speaking of which, I would also recommend that you have an honest reflection about your holiday triggers and put an effort into avoiding them to the best of your abilities. 

Self-care practices, hobbies and other enjoyable activities that lie within your control are a few ways to fill up your free time during the upcoming COVID-restricted holiday season; in addition, some of my clients who struggle with the lack of control over the situation have considered cleaning and organizing their spaces, advance studying or creating meaningful rituals (ex. writing a daily wish for something to do/look forward to at the end of the pandemic). Nevertheless, I’ve become aware that there are other people who are not so concerned with having control or keeping busy, but find it quite difficult to meet their needs for connection and belonging. From my conversations with clients like these I’ve heard ideas such as working out, watching movies or playing board games simultaneously with family/friends, singing out loud or dancing (to connect with self), meditating or praying (to connect with a Higher Power), and making donations or (online) volunteering to support a cause or a social movement (feeling of belonging). I hope that you have found something that resonates with you. 

For additional suggestions that may be useful to you consider registering for the CMHA free virtual webinar (a few dates are available) entitled “The Holidays, Your Mental Health & COVID 19”

Take care,
Bobbie 
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Natural Support for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)

9/19/2020

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Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD is “any of several hereditary disorders in which cysts form in the kidneys and other organs, eventually damaging kidney tissue and function”.

PKD is considered a hereditary disorder with two types. The first is considered autosomal recessive when the disease appears in childhood, and the second is considered autosomal dominant when it appears in adulthood (commonly over the age of 30). In both cases, this systemic hereditary disorder is characterized by the formation of cysts in the cortex and medulla of both kidneys. Small cysts lined by tubular epithelium (which play an active role in renal inflammation) form and the surrounding normal kidney tissue is compressed and progressively damaged which leads to the eventual damaged/destruction of the tissue. In the case of PKD, the damaged tissue stimulates the body’s protective inflammatory response due to the renal injury, thus beginning the chronic inflammatory cycle.
 
Individuals with early PKD are often without symptoms until later in life but generally show evidence of high or elevated blood pressure from the approx. age of 20 and onward.
 
In adults, this hereditary disorder has a prevalence of approximately 1 in 1000 individuals.
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Causes:

This is a hereditary genetic disorder most often passed down in families. Rarely, a genetic mutation can occur spontaneously so that neither parent has a copy of the mutated gene.
 
Individuals with a strong positive family history of ADPKD and no cysts detected by imaging studies can undergo genetic linkage analysis for additional evaluation.

When your Doctor diagnosis PKD:
“A person is considered to have PKD if three or more cysts are noted in both kidneys and there is a positive family member with autosomal dominant polycystic disease (ADPKD)” – Ferri’s Atlas and Text of Clinical Medicine
 
The diagnosis is usually based on family history, clinical and laboratory findings, and ultrasound examination.

Symptoms of PKD:
  • Usually presents in the 30’s and 40’s
  • Pain (Abdominal, flank, or back)
  • Vague discomfort in loin or abdomen due to increasing mass of renal tissue
  • Renal colic
  • High or elevated blood pressure
  • Headache
  • Excessive urination at night (Nocturia)
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Presence of blood in urine when urinalysis takes place (Hematuria)
  • Kidney Stones (only in 20% of cases), also known as Nephrolithiasis

Laboratory Findings in PKD:      
  • Hemoglobin and hematocrit are elevated in blood because of increased secretion of erythropoietin (a hormone secreted by the kidneys that increases the rate of production of red blood cells in response to falling levels of oxygen in tissues) from functioning renal cysts.
  • Relatively mild anemia often found (lowered iron levels).
  • Electrolyte abnormalities may be present in blood.
  • BUN (Blood, Urea, Nitrogen) and Creatinine (a compound that is produced by metabolism of creatine and excreted in the urine) may be elevated.

​Complications of PKD:
  • High blood pressure
  • Reduction or eventual loss of kidney function (progressive)
  • In women, may lead to complications in pregnancy
  • Cysts may develop on the liver
  • Brain aneurysm
  • Heart valve abnormalities, cardiac regurgitation
  • Colon problems
  • Chronic pain

General Dietary and Lifestyle Suggestions for PKD:
  • Remove all processed foods from your diet.
  • Remove all processed and refined sugars from your diet.
  • Greatly reduce salt intake.
  • Remove all caffeine and soft drinks.
  • Remove gluten from your diet.
  • Remove or greatly reduce alcohol intake
  • Implement the anti-inflammatory diet.
  • Increase water intake, 6 glasses daily – steam distilled is greatly helpful, high quality water is important.
  • Take caution in contact sports.
  • Reduce your intake of potassium and phosphates if your levels are elevated
  • Consume a diet composed of 75% raw foods.
  • Include in your diet legumes, seeds, and organic soy beans. These foods contain the amino acid arginine, which is beneficial for the kidneys.
  • Reduce your intake of animal protein, or eliminate it altogether. A diet high in animal protein puts stress on the kidneys. Excessive accumulation of protein can result in uremia. Protein is easiest to utilize if it has been broken down into free form amino acids. Other good protein sources include beans, lentils, millet, peas, organic soy beans, and whole ancient grains.


General Supplement Suggestions for PKD:
This list is not a complete supplementation list
  • Probiotics – especially important if taking antibiotics for urinary tract infections
  • Coenzyme A – Acts as an antioxidant and removes harmful substances from the body
  • Vitamin B Complex, especially B6 – To reduce fluid retention in later or advanced PKD
  • Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids – Acidifies the urine, boosts immune function, and aids healing
  • Calcium and magnesium -  for proper mineral balancing
  • Amino acids L-arginine and L-methionine – for kidney disease and for improved kidney circulation
  • Vitamin A with Carotenoids – Important in healing the urinary tract lining and immune function. Use emulsion form for easier assimilation.
  • Vitamin E – Promotes immune function, important free radical destroyer, use d-alpha-tocopherol form.
  • Zinc – An immunostimulant necessary for healing and an important inhibitor of crystallization and crystal growth. Take with copper to balance.

Commonly used herbs in PDK:
Always consult your Clinical/Medical Herbalist before starting new herbs, do not self-dose. This is not a complete herbal list. If you take pharmaceuticals, please consult your physician.
  • Parsley Piert (Aphanes arvensis) - This herb is considered to be specific for the urinary tract as a whole and is cooling, demulcent, and a gentle diuretic. It is specific for renal calculi of various types and for general kidney and bladder problems. Also specific in issues when edema is caused by renal disfunction. There are no known contraindications with current medications, however, due to lack of research it is best to avoid in pregnancy and lactation. Additionally, it is best taken as an infusion (tea).

  • Couch Grass (Elymus repens) - This traditional herb is one that I would consider to be a specific when pairing with other herbs for PKD. It is considered to be anti-inflammatory, demulcent, anti-bacterial and anti-microbial which can help against the possibility of secondary infection within the kidney. It is also considered tonic to the urinary tract which means it can potentially assist with the balance of proper function. 

  • Nettle Seed (Urtica dioica) -  One of my first cases post graduation was a client in hospital with kidney failure who was not responding to conventional drugs. By request of the client, I was allowed to enter the hospital in order to give him herbs (this is not in any way the norm, and I think at the time there was a very frustrated physician) The client was given high doses of nettle seed, and though he did not make a full recovery, he was later stable enough to be discharged (due to lack of research, and this being a singular case, I cannot state with full certainty that this herb was the singular cause since other herbs, and pharmaceuticals were involved). Nettle seed is a powerful herbal ally when it comes to kidney function and bringing down inflammation in the kidney. It is considered to be a highly respected kidney trophorestorative herbs. In some initial clinical studies it has been shown to slow down renal failure, and increase kidney glomerular function and lowered serum creatine levels.  For a bit more commentary on Nettle Seed, please see the article attached here.  Clinical Research Article can also be found here
    ​
  • Marshmallow (Althea officinalis) - This is an herb that I would consider as a specific in any disorders of inflammation in the mucosal membrane of the body. From the gastrointestinal tract, to the full function of the urinary system, marshmallow is excellent as a soothing anti-inflammatory. It is also considered to be protective of the mucosal lining due to its mucilagenous properties, and is a key anti-irritant. It is a specific for inflammation within the kidney and bladder, and any sort of chronic irritation to the system as a whole.

Again, this is by no means an inclusive list, as depending on the individual case I would no doubt use  variety of far more powerful herbs. However, in my opinion these are good general usage herbs that can be paired with specifics for an individual formulation.

If you have further questions, or would like to have a one on one discussion about PKD or a chronic health or wellness issue, please feel free to contact me directly at the office.

In health and wellness,
Petra

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Understanding Herbs - Feverfew

8/13/2020

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Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) is such a tremendously helpful ally. It is one that I've known of and have even added to certain lectures over the past couple years, I even have it in the herbal dispensatory at Healing House. However, its not one that I've used a lot until recently. Most of the end of July and the beginning of August have been all about feverfew! Cases have reflected migraine headaches, tension headaches, and inflammatory arthritis, all of which feverfew is considered an herbal specific.

Since it seems to be visiting my materia medica over and over this summer, I thought maybe you'd like to learn more about this beautiful little leaf and flower as well!

Below you will find a monograph explaining its history, uses, and even its contraindications.

I hope you enjoy!
​Petra - Clinical Herbalist
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Free Printable - Blank Materia Medica Monograph

7/17/2020

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When I was going to school at Dominion Herbal College, the main focal point of my studies for the first two of my four years was Materia Medica. Materia Medica is in essence, knowing/memorizing the medicinal use of plants. Yet, it goes so much more beyond that. As a clinical herbalist you are required to know the individual herbs you are working with, you must known their medicinal actions, their chemical constituents, the various body systems they are best for, and also their pharmaceutical applications, dosage, contraindications, what herbs are not appropriate with prescription drugs, and what herb combinations are best for certain conditions. Putting this knowledge to practice was a challenge! What I found even more challenging was that there was no pre-determined way in which to learn the material beyond just taking notes from books and lectures.

I am a visual learner, and I learn best when things are organized and easy/appealing to look at. I also find that material is more easily memorized when I write things down versus typing things in a graph or on a paper. I imagine I am not the only one, and likely was not the only student often frustrated with how to learn hundreds of herbs.

Today I have students of my own, both in herbal medicine and in holistic nutrition. On both ends of the spectrum, they learn about herbs. Obviously those training to be clinical herbalists or master herbalists are studying many more plants and in far greater depth than those studying holistic nutrition, but I feel this printable can be used by professional or informational studies alike.

At the bottom of this field you will find two files. One of them is an example on how to fill in the form, and the other is the actual blank form. Both can be downloaded.

I hope you enjoy this little gift of learning, and hope you will utilize it in your studies!

With love of learning,
​Petra Sovcov - CHT
how_to_monograph_example.pdf
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herbal_monograph_printable.pdf
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Understanding Herbs - Marshmallow (Althea officinalis)

7/15/2020

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Indigenous to Asia minor and the greater part of Europe. Later naturalized on the east coast of the US in New England and New York – partial to salt marshes, damp meadows, by the sides of ditches, and by the sea and on the banks of tidal rivers.

The generic name Althea, is derived from the Greek, altho (to cure), from its healing properties. The name of the order, Malvaceae, is derived from the Greek malake (soft), from the special qualities of the Mallows in softening and healing.

Most of the Mallows have been used as food, and are mentioned by early classic writers. Mallow was a vegetable dish among the Romans and was considered a delicacy. In many other parts of the world it was used during times of famine.

Dioscorides extols it as a remedy, and in ancient days it was not only valued as a medicine, but was used, especially the Musk Mallow, to decorate the graves of friends.
Uses for Marshmallow have been documented for over 2,000 years.

Family: Malvaceae
 
Parts Used: Root (On a two to three year old plant) – Also the Leaves and occasionally the Flowers
Root is collected early in the spring or fall.
The leaves are picked in August, when the flowers are just coming into bloom. They should be stripped off singly and gathered only on a fine day, in the morning, after the dew has been dried off by the sun.
 
Other Common Names: Mallards, Mauls, Schloss Tea, Cheeses, Mortification Root, Guimauve tea, Malve, Malvavisco, Malvavisce, GulKhairu, K’uei, Sweet Weed, Wymote, Witte Malve
 
Misc:
  • Planetary Alignment – Venus (Culpepper)

Actions:
Emollient
Protective
Nutritive
Demulcent
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-Irritant
Alterative
Antitussive
Vulnerary
Diuretic
Moistening
Soothing

  • Marshmallow supplies an abundance of vegetable mucilage and easily assimilated calcium making it a powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant for the gastro-intestinal tract.
​
​Chemical Constituents:
Starch
Mucilage
Pectin
Sugars
Asparagin
Flavonoids
Tannins
Scopoletin
Salt
Phenolic acids
Acidic polysaccharides

What are its uses?

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:
  • Inflammation of the eyes (as a decoction/wash)
  • Gargle for sore throat (as a strong decoction)
  • Inflammation of the mouth or pharynx
  • Softens, and breaks up hard tissues and old scars
  • “A person wishing to clear his vision should look for dew on the mallow. He should smear his eyes and eyelids with this dew, which he will have found in the morning or at night, when the night is clear, pure, and calm. He should then sleep for a while.” – Hildegard von Bingen 12th century
 
Integumentary System (Skin):
  • Bruises
  • Sprains
  • Inflammation (topical/poultice)
  • Mortification (topical/poultice – mixed with slippery elm and applied hot/warm)
  • Boils
  • Abscesses
  • Ulcers
  • Old wounds
  • Topically for blood poisoning or gangrene, or septic wounds
  • Eczema (topical wash)
  • Psoriasis (topical wash)
  • Hoarseness
  • Varicose ulcers
  • Varicose veins
  • Scalds
  • Mature complexion
  • Dry complexion
  • Allergies
  • Insect bites/Bee or Wasp sting (Bruised leaves topically over bite)
  • Dandruff (As a rinse made with a heavy decoction of the root)

Mental Health:
  • “If melancholy, brought forth by various fevers, makes a person’s brain ail, one should crush mallow and twice as much sage in a mortar, and sprinkle it with olive oil. He should put this on his head, from the forehead, over the top, and to the back of the head, and tie it with a cloth. Repeat for three days, and for these three days refresh it at night with additional oil, or vinegar” – Hildegard von Bingen 12th century
Nervous System:
  • Nothing to Report
 
Respiratory System:
  • Any irritation to the upper respiratory tract
  • “Boiled in wine or milk, Marshmallow will relieve diseases of the chest, constituting a popular remedy for coughs, bronchitis, Whooping-cough, etc.” – Grieves
  • Catarrh/Congestion of the respiratory organs
  • Dry cough
  • Triggering reflex mechanisms that travel through the spinal nerves, its demulcent action is valuable for all lung ailments, respiratory catarrh, and coughs.  – James Green, Herbalist
  • Bronchitis (including chronic)
  • Asthma
  • Emphysema
  • Pneumonia

​Digestive System:
  • Any irritation to the alimentary canal
  • Dysentery (recommended to use the powdered root boiled in milk – traditional)
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Duodenal ulcers
  • Peptic Ulcer
  • Gastric Ulcer
  • Hiatus hernia
  • Slow digestion
  • Diarrhea
  • Crohn’s Disease
  • Colitis
  • Acidic stomach
  • GERD
  • Low digestive enzyme production (leaves) with gastric acidity (leaves and roots)
  • Constipation
  • Hemorrhoids (external)
  • Colic pains
  • Enteritis

​Urinary/Renal System:
  • Any irritation to the urinary tract
  • Painful complaints of the urinary organs
  • Hemorrhage from the urinary organs
  • Inflammation of the kidney’s and bladder
  • Cystitis
  • Kidney stones and gravel
  • Painful, scanty urination
  • Strangury
  • Hematuria
  • Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
  • Renal (Kidney) irritation
  • Strangury (pain in the urethra)
 
Endocrine System (Hormones):
  • Nothing to Report
 
Cardiovascular System:
  • High blood pressure with water retnetion
 
Circulatory System:
  • Nothing to Report
 
Immune/Lymphatic System:
  • Septic conditions of moderate severity
​
​Reproductive System:
  • Gonorrhea
  • The juice of the leaves drank in wine, or a decoction of root is said to help women to a speedy and easy delivery – Culpepper 1826
 
Musculoskeletal System:
  • Any ache in the muscles or sinew
  • Inflammation or irritation in the joints
  • Arthritis
  • Stiff/dry joints with cracking

​Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses/Bacteria:
  • Individuals who are dried out and over heated
  • Individuals who are giving up smoking
  • Helps regulate water and drive moisture into tissues
  • Individuals going through Chemotherapy (drink as a cold extraction, up to ½ gallon daily)
  • Thirst with copious urination or no thirst with systemic dryness
 
Combinations:
  • Pectoral Tea: Mixture of thinly cut marshmallow root 8 parts, peeled licorice root 3 parts, orris root 1 part, colt’s foot leaves 4 parts, mullein flowers and star anise each 2 parts. – National Dispensatory 1879
  • Pectoral Tea 2: Equal parts of the flowers of mallow, marshmallow, mouse-ear, colt’s foot, red poppy, violet, and mullein. Although composed of seven flowers, it is known in France as quatre-fleurs. – National Dispensatory 1879
  • With Comfrey and American Cranesbill for peptic ulcers
  • With White Horehound, Licorice Root, and Coltsfoot for pulmonary disease
  • With White Horehound and/or Lobelia for coughs
  • With parsley and hydrangea root as a tea for kidney stones and gravel
  • With St. John’s Wort and Calendula as a poultice or salve for soothing and healing skin inflammation and ulcers.
  • With Red Raspberry Leave as a soothing wash to soothe inflamed eyes.
  • With slipper elm for burns, scalds, sunburn, and as an ointment
  • With honey and garlic for sore throat or mouth sores

Pharmacy

Max Daily Dose:
  • 3 to 6ml of 1:5 Tincture (Root)
  • 3 to 6ml of 1:2 Liquid Extract (Leaf)

Max Weekly Dose:
  • 20 to 40ml of 1:5 Tincture (Root)
  • 20 to 40ml of 1:2 Liquid Extract (Leaf)

Applications

Infusion:
  • For an infusion of the leaf, pour boiling water onto 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried leaf and let infuse for 10 minutes. Drink 1 cup, three times daily.          
Decoction:
  • The decoction can be made by adding 5 pints of water to ¼ lb of dried root, boiling down to 3 pints and straining: it should not be made too thick and viscid.
  • Cold Decoction: Half to 1 teaspoon shredded root or powder to each cup of cold water. Stand overnight. Dose, half to 1 cup. Also used externally as a douche for inflamed eyes.
            Tincture:
  • 1:5 @ 25% Dose is 5 to 15ml
  • 1:5 @ 25% 1 to 4ml three times daily
            Liquid/Fluid Extract:
  • 1:1 @ 25%. Dose is 2 to 5ml
            Powder:
  • Average dose, 2-5 grams dried root three times daily. For best results plant should not be boiled
Syrup:
  • Syrup of Marshmallow is made by macerating on part of the cut root with twenty parts of cold distilled water for two hours, then straining through muslin without pressure, and dissolving in fifteen parts of the liquid twenty-four parts of sugar. It is of a yellowish color and has a mild agreeable odor. – The National Dispensatory 1879
  • Syrup is the best form for young children and infants. – Grieves
 
Misc:
  • Marshmallow Water (Grieves)
    Soak one ounces of marshmallow roots in a little cold water for half an hour; peel off the bark or skin, cut up the roots into small shavings, and put them into a jug to stand for a coupe of hours. The decoction must be drunk tepid and may be sweetened with honey or sugar-candy, and flavored with orange-flower water, or with orange-juice. Marshmallow water may be used with good effect in all cases of inveterate coughs and catarrhs.
  • For Gravel (Grieves)
    Put the flower and plant (all but the root) of Marsh mallows in a jug, pour boiling water, cover with a cloth, let it stand three hours to make strong. If used for gravel or irritation of the kidney, take ½ pint as a tea daily for four days, then stop a few days, then go on again. A teaspoon of gin may be added when there is no tendency to inflammation.
  • The leaves and/or root are used as a fomentation for treating all forms of swelling, pain, abscesses, and festering sores.
  • Cosmetically: Can be applied in lotions and creams for blemishes or sore skin, and in bath or facial steams.
  • The Root, boiled in a broth with parsley or fennel roots, do help to open the body, and are very convenient in hot agues, or other distempers of the body – Culpepper 1826
  • Apply the boiled leaves warm to the belly. Easeth the pains and torments of the belly coming thereby, and are therefore used in all clysters conducing to those purposes – Culpepper 1826
  • The decoction of the seed of any of the common mallows made in milk or wine, doth marvellously help excoriation, the phthisic, pleurisy, and other diseases of the chest and lungs, that proceed of hot causes, if it be continued taking for some time together – Culpepper 1826

Pharmacological Research

  • The results of an in vitro study suggest that the adhesive effects of certain plant-derived polysaccharides to mucous membranes may account, in part, for the therapeutic effects of mucilage-containing plants in treating irritated buccal membranes. Polysaccharides from marshmallow root demonstrated moderate bio-adhesion to epithelial tissue.

  • Cold macerate of marshmallow root inhibited esophageal mucociliary transport in vitro.

  • In an experimental model, oral administration of an extract of marshmallow root or the polysaccharide fraction demonstrated significant antitussive activity, depressing the cough resulting from both laryngopharyngeal and tracheobronchial stimulation. This study provides indirect evidence that a soothing action on the upper gastrointestinal mucosa causes reflex soothing of the respiratory tract, leading to bronchodilation and reduced tendency to cough.

  • Extracts of marshmallow root demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects in vitro, but lack of anti-inflammatory activity was observed after oral administration of marshmallow root in carrageenan-induced rat paw edema. The in vivo anti-inflammatory effect of an ointment containing both marshmallow root extract and dexamethasone was superior to that of the individual ingredients.

  • In Germany, the Commission E supports using marshmallow root and leaf to treat irritation of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa and associated dry cough and marshmallow root tea to treat mild inflammation of the gastric mucosa.

  • ESCOP recommends marshmallow root for treating dry cough and irritations of the oral, pharyngeal, or gastric mucosa.

Safety Concerns and Contraindications

  • Not to be used in states with profuse catarrh or congestion of mucous membranes in respiratory conditions since its mucilage serves to exaggerate the effect of mucosal discharge (Empirical evidence only).
  • The absorption of oral drugs taken simultaneously may be delayed due to its mucilaginous coating effect (Speculative only). It is best to take 2 to 4 hours away from prescription medications due to potential absorption issues.

References

  • Medicinal Herbs Quick Reference Guide – Revision 7 by Julieta Criollo DNM, CHT – Self Published 2017
  • Jeanne Rose Herbal Body Book by Jeanne Rose – Frog Ltd. Berkeley California 2000
  • Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions Third Edition by Francis Brinker ND – Eclectic Medical Publications Sandy Oregon 2001
  • The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine Third Edition – By Michael T. Murray ND and Joseph Pizzorno ND – Atria Publishing, New York, London, Toronto, Sydney, New Delhi 2012
  • Hildegard Von Bingen’s Physica – The Complete English Translation of Her Classic Work on Health and Healing – Translated from Latin by Priscilla Throop – Healing Arts Press Rochester VT 1998
  • A Modern Herbal by MRS. M. Grieve – Dover Publication NY 1971
  • The Earthwise Herbal A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants by Matthew Wood- North Atlantic Books Berkeley, California 2008
  • The US National Dispensatory – Yale Iowa 1879
  • Bartram’s Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine by Thomas Bartram – Robinson Publishing, London UK 1998
  • The Male Herbal Health Care for Men & Boys by James Green, Herbalist – The Crossing Press, Freedom California 1995
  • The Natural Guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants by Frantisek Stary – Tiger Books International  Twickerham, UK 1991
  • A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs by Kerry Bone – Chuchill Livingstone (Elsevier) St. Louis Missouri 2003
  • The New Holistic Herbal by David Hoffman – Element Press Shaftsbury, Dorset 1990
  • Herbs for Health and Healing by Kathi Keville – Rodale Press, Inc. Emmaus, Pennsylvania 1996
  • Culpeppers’ Complete Herbal and English Physician – Mr. Nicholas Culpepper – J. Gleave and Son Deansgate Manchester – 1826
  • Medical Herbalism, The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine by David Hoffman – Healing Arts Press Rochester, Vermont 2003 
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Understanding Herbs - Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa)

7/5/2020

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There is nothing that reminds me more of summer than the beautiful bright yellows and vibrant oranges of mid-summer flowers. Beautiful sunflowers, day lilies, and of course the radiant orange and almost red tones of Butterfly Milkweed (Asclepias tuberosa). Asclepias is one of those powerful herbal medicine allies that has been brushed off of the popular shelf of herbs, but 100+ years ago, this amazing herb was at the forefront of the standard materia medica an was a staple for indigenous groups and settlers across the prairies of North America.

I first learned about it a number of years ago when I was still studying herbal medicine at Dominion Herbal College and began reading Matthew Wood's book The Earthwise Herbal, A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants. I had seen this plant as an ornamental in yards and neighbourhoods from BC to West Virginia and was so pleased to read about its uses and colorful past. 

In an attempt to inspire individuals to learn more about herbal medicine, and to offer students, practitioners, gardeners, or those seeking healing  more complete information about medicinal plants, I am now so pleased to offer you this monograph.

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

In health and wellness,
​Petra Sovcov - Clinical Herbal Therapist

Intro

​This beautiful flowering herb is commonly known as Butterfly Weed, Swallow Wort, Wind Root, Tuber Root, , and Pleurisy Root. It is a perennial herb of the Asclepiadaceae family and is native to the United States and Canada.

Traditionally, Pleurisy Root is used for the condition it is named for, pleurisy. In its actions with pleurisy it is best known for its ability to mitigate associated pain and relieve the difficulty of breathing without being overly stimulating.

It is most beneficial to the respiratory system where it proves itself to be best used with issues such as bronchitis, pneumonia, and dry coughs with pain.

In the nineteenth century pleurisy root was one of the most popular moistening diaphoretics (sweat inducing) and was considered a very common herb by Materia Medica texts at the time.

Parts Used: Root

Actions:
Febrifuge           
Antispasmodic                 
Amphoteric                       
Expectorant                      
Diaphoretic
Carminative       
Anti-Rheumatic               
Tonic                                    
ANS Stimulant                  
Estrogenic
Anti-inflammatory                                          
Anti-pyretic                       
Aperient (mild)
  • Stimulates function of mucous and serous surfaces
  • Pleurisy root was regarded as a lung tonic and the best diaphoretic in the Eclectic Materia Medica.
  • Indigenous people have used pleurisy root both internally and externally for bronchial and pulmonary disorders.

Chemical Constituents:
  • Flavonoids (rutin, kaempferol, quercetin, isorhamnetin)
  • Sugars
  • Steroids
  • Cardiac Glycosides
  • Cardenolides (Asclepiadin, ascelpin)
  • Triterpenes (friedelin, alpha-and beta-amyrin, viburnitol, lupeol)
  • The cardenolides have positive inotropic and cardiotonic effects and have been suggested as possible anti-cancer agents.

What are its uses?

Head, Ears, Eyes, Nose, and Throat:
  • Irritation of the larynx
  • Hoarseness
  • Headache (especially if due to gastric issues)
  • Catarrhal
 
Integumentary System (Skin):
  • Equalizes circulation by opening up surface capillaries and promoting free blood flow.
  • Sedative or relaxing diaphoretic that opens the pores of the pleura and the skin to decongest water and heat.
  • Regulates pores of the skin via the autonomic nervous system
  • “ Pleurisy root, as a gestalt, tends to stimulate skin and mucosal circulation, sebaceous secretions, and sweat; therefore it can be used with great success in tonic formulas for both dry skin and hair, frequent nighttime urination, and generally poor adaptability to changes in heat and humidity” – Michael Moore, MH
  • Skin disorders when the skin is dry and scaly
  • Bruises, sores, and wounds (Topically – traditional Indigenous use)
  • Dry skin conditions
  • Eczema

  • Mental Health:
  • Nervous irritability

  • Nervous System:
  • Stimulant to the autonomic nervous system.
  • Neuralgia with suppressed secretions and pain in the ribs
  • General neuralgia

    ​Respiratory System:
  • Pleurisy (inflammation of the tissue layers lining the lungs and inner chest wall).
  • Painful respiration, especially at the base of the lungs.
  • Pneumonia (also in the early stages and with children)
  • Bronchitis
  • Dry Cough
  • Cough
  • Flu
  • Common Cold (particularly in children)
  • Inflammation of the lungs
  • Mucous/catarrhal affections
  • All bronchial congestions
  • It is par excellent the child’s remedy in chest affections.
  • Asthma with dryness, difficulty breathing and sense of constriction
  • Promotes expectoration and reduces inflammation
  • Painful breathing
  • Any disorders of the respiratory tract
  • Tuberculosis
  • Relieves respiratory pain and eases breathing

​Digestive/Gastrointestinal System:
  • Colic
  • Digestive disturbances
  • Dyspepsia
  • Mucous build up in the GIT
  • Gastritis
  • Flatulent colic
 
 
Excretory System:
  • Dysentery
  • Diarrhea

Cardiovascular System:
  • Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium; the fibrous sac surrounding the heart)
  • To slow a rapid pulse
  • Pulmonary congestion
 
Immune/Lymphatic System:
  • High “burning” fever
  • General fever
 
Reproductive System:
  • Uterine conditions and disorders (not typical)
 
Musculoskeletal System:
  • Acute Rheumatism
  • Sharp pain that may be made worse with movement (stitch in the side)
  • Gout
  • Acute Bursitis
  • Arthritic and rheumatic conditions

Specific Diseases/States/Infections/Viruses/Bacteria:
  • Moistens internal membranes
  • Decongests internal fluids that have become stuck or stagnant
  • Exanthematous diseases like rubella and measles
 
Combinations:
  • It is often combined with Angelica and Sassafras for producing perspiration in fever and pleurisy and for equalizing the circulation of the blood.


Safety Concerns and Contraindications

  • No adverse effects expected if taken within recommended doses
  • No documented contraindications known
  • Can be used in small doses in children as a dependable diaphoretic in fever (refer to your Herbalist before dosing)
  • Pregnancy – due to the uterine stimulant action (in vitro IV in rabbit, dog, and cat) and its estrogenic activity (in rats)
  • Due to the heart stimulating effects of the extract (in frogs) and the cardiac glycoside content of the root. The activity of digitaloid glycosides may be enhanced ( this is speculative only, no reports in human cases have been made)
  • Nontoxic, but probably should not be taken by people on digitalis or other cardiac glycosides
  • High doses may lead to nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea (high doses causing this reaction are not defined in claims)
  • Toxic to livestock

References

  • Thomas Bartram (1998). Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine. London: Robinson Publishing Ltd
  • Alma R. Hutchens (1991). Indian Herbalogy of North America. Boston and London: Shambhala Publications Inc
  • Francis Brinker, N.D. (2001). Herb Contraindications & Drug Interactions – Third Edition. USA: Eclectic Medical Publications
  • Matthew Wood (2009) The Earthwise Herbal A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants. Berkly, California: North Atlantic Books
  • Julieta Criollo DNM, CHT (2013) Medicinal Herbs Quick Reference Guide – Third Edition. Canada: Published by Julieta Criollo
  • Kerry Bone (2000) A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs – Published by Churchill Livingstone, An Imprint of Elsevier
  • Mrs. M. Grieves (1931) A Modern Herbal – Published by Random House Publishers Ltd.
  • Elizabeth M. Williamson (1998) – Potter’s Herbal Cyclopaedia – Saffron Walden The C.W. Daniel Company Limited
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