Neonicotinoids are among the most widely used class of pesticides in the world, and are known to be a potent neurotoxin. Though they are considered more of a harm to insects (rather than vertebrates) in the short-term, the effects of chronic exposure have not been extensively studied. A few projects have tied some neonicotinoids to development and neurological concerns, as well as inflammation of the liver and central nervous system, but there have been no attempts to curtail use. Some of the most incriminating evidence against neonicotinoids is their speculated role in declining pollinator populations; other research has also accused neonicotinoids of harming non-target species in aquatic ecosystems.

As evidenced by the harmful consequences for ecosystems and environment, part of the problem with neonicotinoids is their prevalence (they are especially common in surface waters), and their persistence in the environment. According to the USGS study, “at least one neonicotinoid compound was detected in 63% of the 48 streams measured.”

Moreover, as the USGS study demonstrated, treatment systems do not have the means of effectively removing neonicotinoids from water. The USGS reported “conventional water treatment results in no measurable removal” of two specific types of neonicotinoids.

While the USGS study was limited to the area surrounding the University of Iowa, the scientists noted that neonicotinoids were “likely present in other drinking water systems across the United States,” due to their widespread use. The researchers also cautioned that their XX did not even produce the full picture; one type of neonicotinoids has been show to react with chlorine and “may undergo at least partial transformation during chlorination”– meaning the neonicotinoids may, during water treatment, be transformed into other toxic compounds, or may produce toxic byproducts.

Fortunately, the researchers did have good news to buffer their alarming results. Their study measured the efficacy of granular activated carbon (GAC) and found it “rapidly and nearly completely removed all three neonicotinoids” they were studying. The presence of  pesticides is mostly a concern in highly agricultural areas, like the Midwest, and the scientists recommended investing in GAC filtration in those areas, as GAC is far more economical than reverse osmosis or advanced oxidation processes filtration systems.

Concerned for your own home? Check out Minnesota Department of Health’s guide to at-home GAC filtration.

Looking for more ways to cut down on harsh chemicals in the home and garden? Check out our all-natural lavender sage cleaner or bee-friendly pesticides.

The post Pesticides in Water Are More Widespread Than You Think appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

The black-legged tick, small like the tip of a ballpoint pen, is not just prevalent in Massachusetts– with the advent of Climate Change, the historic territories of the deer tick most often associated with the disease are shifting (Lyme Disease is on the rise in the Mid-Atlantic, and diagnosis has become increasingly prevalent in Southern California).

Still, despite this nascent epidemic, “official” diagnosis for Lyme Disease is notoriously complicated; many victims go undiagnosed and untreated every year– especially those who like to spend their time outdoors, in wooded or grassy areas like those surrounding hiking trails or gardens that abut “wilder” ecosystems.

“Nature’s Dirty Needle”

As a result of this pernicious risk, Sunny Raleigh, DO the Medical Director of Restoration Healthcare (an optimal health program that implements osteopathic medicine, IV therapy, and functional medicine into their treatments)– refers to the transmitter of Lyme Disease as “nature’s dirty needle”.

When a tick finds a host, it takes only minutes for it to transmit a myriad of infections– up to 91 different species of co-infections, to be exact. Dr. Raleigh tells me this while explaining why she moved from the plush wildlife surrounds of Maine to Orange County, California.

After four members of her immediate family were diagnosed with the disease– Dr. Raleigh included– she knew it was time to make the move to a place that has a far lower percentage of infected ticks. Little did she know that a flood of patients with the same disease would soon be seeking her counsel.

Some of these patients had experienced a tell-tale bulls-eye rash, which has the shape of a coiled up shell and is clearly red in color, indicating infection. For those that flocked to the emergency room, they were given the standard protocol– a 200 mg dose of Doxycycline.

“This is what the CDC recommends,” Dr. Raleigh explained, much to her dismay. “But with one dose, you turn off the body’s immune response.” (As the immune system shuts down, the body becomes a breeding ground for infections when it could be executing its most effective work.)

A staggering 50 percent of those infected with Lyme, that typically go undiagnosed longer, never experience any sort of rash– most of them never even remember encountering a tick at all. “This is one of the reasons that makes the diagnosis so challenging,” Dr. Raleigh points out.

“When a tick finds a host, it takes only minutes for it to transmit a myriad of infections– up to 91 different species of co-infections, to be exact.”

Her solution? To throw the 15-minute patient-doctor visit out the window and spend upwards of an hour investigating a patient’s medical history. This interview processes begins a dialogue that enables her to diagnose patients who have been suffering from lifelong chronic illness. There is often a moment in a patient’s health history where they notice a sharp decline.

Treatment

If Dr. Raleigh suspects Lyme Disease, or co-infections, as the culprit, she will immediately order an ELISA and Western blot. Another laboratory blood test that Dr. Raleigh will order is C4a, which is an inflammation marker. (Because a Lyme vaccine was released in the ‘90s and soon-thereafter removed from the market, bands 31 and 34 have been removed from standardized testing.) “They were worried that if a patient received the vaccine, did a Western blot, and tested positive, that they would be falsely positive. So instead of empowering the physicians to ask appropriately, they removed it all together.

Now we’re not looking for two proteins that are so specific to Lyme. Instead, we look to specialty labs like IGeneX or Stony Brook for results,” she laments. (According to our research these are the only labs in the U.S. that are testing for bands 31 and 34.)

More so than Syphilis, the great imitator which cleverly masks itself within the body, Lyme Disease can infiltrate a patient’s system without them testing positive for it on a blood test, because it has a cloak, which starts with the tick itself. Ticks use animals as their vectors so that they can cover a long distance.

This can be a bird, a gecko, a white-footed mouse, a deer, etc. Then, when the tick goes to bite someone, it releases a numbing solution so that the host doesn’t feel the bite. Come removal, if the tick is squeezed too hard with tweezers it will regurgitate the infections to its host– a disturbing (and medically important) fact that most hasty victims fail to consider during the removal process. Many tick removals are botched because the tick is so difficult to remove.

“Once the antibiotics enter the bloodstream, it morphs into a different shape and curls up with a biofilm around itself. With this [shield] nothing can penetrate it,” Dr. Raleigh points out. “Herbals help dissolve the biofilm so that when you do take antibiotics, it can penetrate the bacteria,” she adds.

Concerned parties will continue to read about Borrelia burgdorferi, the most common species of bacteria for Lyme Disease, that is rampant along the Eastern seaboard. It’s also possible to learn of new strains as they are identified– like mayonii, a strain of Borrelia, which is found in North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.

But even with this information, infected patients will still fall through the cracks. “There is significant need for more accurate testing, although the CDC says you do not diagnose based on laboratory data, you diagnose based on clinical symptoms,” Dr. Raleigh explains.

Natural Alternatives In The Mix

Aside from the need to employ more effective strategies to identify the disease, research suggests that the most effective way to treat Lyme is with a marriage of plant-based medicine and pharmaceuticals. Cowden, Buhner, and Byron White Formulas are all plant-based Lyme formulations that are tailored to a patient’s specific needs.

There are additional herbs that address viruses like HHV-6, Epstein-Barr, Candida, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Chlamydophila pneumoniae— common co-infections of Lyme Disease. “Again, it’s going back to that overburdening of the immune system,” Raleigh explains. “When you start checking chronically-ill individuals, all of them have a milieu of multiple layers of infection.

When you tailor herbals, you uncover different layers of each infection. And once you treat one layer of infection, you may expose another that is dormant. It’s the peeling of the onion when you start delving into the treatment,” Dr. Raleigh stresses. Look to nature for peace while still being mindful of what lurks within.

Through education we empower those in need of solution, but it’s only through an integrated approach to medicine that we make headway in our attempts to fight chronic illness– especially those diseases that are rooted in nature, in the places we’d least expect.

The post What You Should Know About Lyme Disease appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Recent studies have shown that CBD oil can also reverse neurological diseases and shrink tumors— and with a mounting public awareness of its calming, balancing, and anti-inflammatory benefits, the beauty industry and health world have responded by producing a series of increasingly trendy products that use CBD oil in new, innovative ways.

The benefits of CBD oil can be experienced when taken orally, sublingually, through inhalation, and topically. (Unless otherwise stated, CBD products do not typically contain tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC– the oil component of marijuana that gets you high.)

Below, we spotlight 10 editor-approved cannabis products that are reconceptualizing CBD oil– and incorporating it in creative, exciting ways.

Vertly CBD-Infused Lip Balm

Vertly’s CBD-infused lip balm is made using ethically-sourced, organic ingredients like kokum seed butter, beeswax, and cannabis sativa seed (hemp) oil, which is an excellent moisturizer. It’s also rich in the antioxidants omega 3 and omega 6, which help remedy sun damage, and glides on smooth for a soft, natural finish.

For those wary of diving straight into supplemental CBD or intense topical treatments, this balm is a great way to slowly and subtly introduce the product to your skin– especially if you, like us, also use lip balm to soften your cuticles at night. (One product can always do double duty, after all.)

Mary’s Nutritionals CBD Patch and Elite Compound

Mary’s Nutritionals is reinventing IcyHot and Biofreeze for a new generation. The company’s anti-inflammatory topical pain management salve and healing patches function much the same way as IcyHot, without the harsh chemicals.

Powered by 100 mg Cannabidoil Complex, it can be rubbed onto any strains, sprains, or tension points to reduce aches, swelling, and pain.

Endoca CBD Chewing Gum

Chewing gum increasing the bioavailability of CBD, and Endoca’s CBD gum is made with chicle gum ethically sourced from the rainforest and sunflower lechitin that supports brain function. Flavored with wild peppermint and mint essential oils, each piece of gum contains 15 mg of CBD oil which helps relax and calm the chewer.

Most importantly, the gum is biodegradable (according to several studies, chewing gum is the world’s second most common form of litter after cigarette butts) and is perfect for first time CBD users who may dislike the taste of CBD oil but still want to experience its health benefits.

Plus, chewing gum is a more passive experience than taking a supplement, and the potency of all Endoca extracts are tested by a third party laboratory.

Ugly by Nature Raw Whipped Canna Mint Toothpaste

Charcoal has been something of a rage in the natural toothpaste scene for a few years now, but Ugly by Nature’s Raw Whipped CannaMint Toothpaste pairs it with organic hemp-derived CBD oil for an experience that keeps your mouth clean and your sink dirty.

This fluoride-free toothpaste is also free of artificial colors, foaming agents, stabilizers, thickening agents, parabens, artificial sweeteners (a pernicious undesirable that shows up in more toothpastes than you might think!) and GMOs.

Made From Dirt Sleep Balm

Made From Dirt Sleep Balm is a great gentle aid to calm a racing, anxious mind at night. Formulated with 100 mg of CBD, this chamomile, cedarwood, and lavender salve can be applied to the wrists, on the temples, and under the nose for maximum results.

Made From Dirt also offers a Peppermint Salve for Pain, a Stretch Mark Salve, and Sunflower Salve to soothe broken, damaged, or aging skin. (Sunflowers are known to have anti-inflammatory properties along with a host of other environmental benefits.)

CBD Living Water (and Sleep Aid)

CBD Living Water is a pH neutral bottled water infused with nano particles of CBD to maximize absorption. According to the brand, nano sizing the CBD into water clusters makes it more bioavailable and easier for our cells to process, which can help nourish cells, the heart, the immune system, and the nervous system.

For added benefit, they add d-Ribase (which improves exercise performance by boosting muscular energy), electrolytes K+ and MG2+, Methyl B12, and Coenzyme Q10. The brand also makes a Sleep Aid tonic (like cough syrup for sleep) in cherry and grape flavors (CBD helps calm anxiety and quell racing thoughts, which can both keep people up at night).

Half Lit’s Moon Lozenges

Half Lit’s mini moon shaped lozenges come in an array of delicious flavors, including: Lunar Lavender, Hot Mama Mango, Lit Lemonade, Watermelon Wonderland, Calming Caramel Açaí, and Pineapple Paradise.

Each lozenge contains 25 MG of CBD, which is said to be the best daily dose for millennial women. Plus: the colors are beautiful and we love that this brand is free of artificial colors and chemicals (something you really have to watch out for in all colorful candy– medicinal or otherwise).

Image via Foria

Foria’s (Now Infamous) “Weed” Tampons

I know– crazy, right? Foria’s patented “weed” tampons are enhanced with THC and CBD to help relieve muscle pain and other tension-related period problems. Because THC is a topical pain reliever, these tampons will not get you high, but they will provide instant, direct-to-the-source cramp relief and muscle relaxation.

Foria is currently only available to California residents with a valid physician’s recommendation letter, and you must become a member of the brand’s medical marijuana group, “The Aphrodite Collective,” to purchase them. Sound complicated?

Don’t worry– with legislation surrounding the accessibility of medical marijuana moving at a rapid pace, we’re sure these tampons will be more widely available in no time. (Or, you can have your friends in California buy them for you… but you didn’t hear that from us.)

Kush Queens’ Bath Bombs

Despite the somewhat salacious name, Kush Queens‘ amazing bath bombs are both aesthetically intriguing and they perform like a high-end luxury product, with cool, clinical-looking packaging that produces a gorgeous, colorful bath.

Different bath bombs serve different purposes– the green one is for pain, the blue one is for relaxation, and the purple one is for sleep, for example– and each are formulated with 100% Organic essential oil blends, lab-tested C02 cannabis oil, and CBD isolate.

Kush Queen Sleep bath bombs are all blended with a gorgeous variety of botanics, like organic citrus reticulata, origanum majorana, and lavender essential oils (the ‘Sleep’ bomb) and lavender, chamomile, and frankincense essential oils blended for mood enhancement (the ‘Relax’ bomb).

While the colors are bold an delightful, the brand doesn’t use any artificial dyes or preservatives– the coloring is food grade, so it will never stain your tub and is safe for absorption. Wins all around, y’all.

Read more about the health benefits of CBD oil here. 

The post 10 CBD Oil Products That Are Reimagining Cannabis appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Still, there are other health benefits associated with eating fresh fruit and whole grains when they are consumed in moderation (there isn’t much science to support any benefits of straight sugar, though).

What that means is that you can have your cake and eat it too– just be sure to maintain a well-balanced diet, especially if you are at risk for diabetes. For those looking to control their blood sugar levels using integrative nutrition, these six herbs, spices, and other nourishing foods can help.

Cinnamon

According to one study profiled in WebMd, when participants in a study ate 1 to 6 grams of cinnamon for 40 days, (one gram of ground cinnamon is about half a teaspoon) the researchers found that cinnamon cut their blood sugar levels by 24%. A chemical found in cinnamon called cinnamaldehyde also has been shown to trigger fat cells to generate heat, while also boosting the activity of certain genes that control enzymes important to lipid metabolism (according to research explained in Episode 1102 of NPR’s The People’s Pharmacy). While it’s too soon to tell if cinnamon can help you lose weight, evidence suggests a sprinkle of it on your oatmeal, in a smoothie, or on fruit will help stabilize blood sugar.

Prickly Pear

Prickly Pear, also known as nopal, is the edible fruit of the nopal cactus that is most famous for its anti-aging benefits. But according to Mayo Clinic, some preliminary evidence suggests that prickly pear cactus can decrease blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. Prickly pear is rich in Vitamin C and also contains betalains, a rare class of antioxidants that is responsible for the rich color of beets and red Swiss chard. Prominent integrative medicine doctors like Tieraona Low Dog, M.D., and Dr. Weil often recommend prickly pear as a supplement, a pulp-rich juice, or as a raw or cooked whole food. (But our research suggests that it is best always to eat your nutrients, rather than to swallow them.)

Leafy Greens

Of course, you already knew this. Leafy greens are pretty much the cure-all for every ailment (anxiety and insomnia chief among them) but they are also an excellent low-calorie filler food that can be cooked in butter or doused in dressing beneath a protein like wild fish or grass-fed meat. Soluble fiber from the pulp of plants, such as beans, carrots, and leafy greens, swells like a sponge in your intestines and traps starch and sugar in the gaps between its molecules. Add a handful of nuts and some fresh avocado and you’ve got yourself a delicious, filling salad that doesn’t feel like a sacrifice.

Wholesome Fats

Olive oil, avocados, fatty fish, nuts, and high-protein dairy (ideally organic and grass-fed) is key to combatting the blood sugar spike that happens when you consume a large amount of sugar or carbohydrates. 50 years ago, the sugar industry quietly paid researchers to blame fat, rather than carbohydrates, for their role in the growing heart disease and obesity epidemic, even though Harvard researchers had published New England Journal of Medicine accredited research suggesting a link between sugar and heart disease.

Today, we know better, and further research suggests that consuming fat (which is not as bad as we previously thought– in fact, it’s very good for you!) can help control and moderate the uptake of sugar, slowing the digestive process so that when you consume it with fat, it doesn’t tank your blood glucose.

Berries or Melon

Of all the fruits, berries and melon are the best, highest-nutrient, and lowest carb options for people looking to satisfy their fruit cravings without the sugar spike that comes with eating mango, papaya, apples, or other supersweet fruits like bananas or persimmons. Blueberries, sea buckthorn, and cranberries in particular are rich in antioxidants and bioactive nutrients.

A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2010 found that a daily dose of blueberries increases sensitivity to insulin (this is a good thing, despite the paradoxical wording) and may reduce the likelihood, in at-risk individuals, of developing diabetes.

Bitter melon, also known as bitter gourd or karela (often used in Indian cuisine) has also been shown to lower glucose levels, though more research is required. In general, though, it seems that bitter, wild foods have positive, inverse reactions to the effects of sugar.

Vinegar

Looking for a functional salad dressing? Vinegar increases insulin sensitivity, and is high in acetic acid, which deactivates amylase– the enzyme that turns starch into sugar. Because amylase acts on starch only, it has no effect on the absorption of refined sugar, which makes it great for use in the same meal with bread or pasta, but not candy. (Which is great considering most people eat salads with bread or pasta. Perhaps the Italians were on to something.) Those looking for a twist on the classic should also try pomegranate vinegar— it’s great with grilled fruit!

For best results, consume your vinegar towards the beginning of the meal (e.g. on a salad) or sprinkle a few teaspoons on meat or vegetables for a nice, tangy bite.

Cool, right? Vinegar is full of surprises these days.

The post 6 Foods That Help Stabilize Blood Sugar appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Not that we are excited to have an excuse to drink more Margaritas or anything, but the research, which looked at the effects of tequila on blood glucose levels found that agavins–sugars found in the agave plant that ferments to make tequila– are non digestible. As a result, unlike agave syrup (which does indeed spike your blood sugar), agavins won’t raise your blood sugar– unlike the naturally occurring (but occasionally beneficial) sugars found in wine, beer, or other spirits.

Photo: Jubilo Haku/Flickr

Photo: @carlos/AdobeStock

Photo: Sergio Niebla/Flickr

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Says Delish:

“During the study, researchers found that mice who’d been given a standard diet, and then drank water with agavins added, ended up eating less overall and had lower blood sugar levels than the others who hadn’t consumed agavins.

What’s more, the mice consuming agavins also produced a hormone called GLP-1, which keeps the stomach full longer and produces insulin, leading researchers to believe that agavins could be beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes or [those] struggling with weight-loss issues.”

If you didn’t already need a reason to have a tequila sunrise on your next tropical vacation, now you have one!

Want more updates from the realm of nutritional bio-chemistry? Get this: new studies suggest that high fructose corn syrup may be linked to Opioid addiction. 

The post Drinking Tequila Can Help You Lose Weight, Scientists Say appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Used both internally and externally, it can lift heavy metals out of the body (when taken internally) while also dissolving impurities on the skin’s surface (when applied externally). As such, charcoal is an excellent beauty-booster, capable of cleansing the body from the inside and out.

Below, we spotlight some of our favorite charcoal beauty products for the holidays– these are great for cleansing the skin and restoring a youthful, vibrant glow.

For a more internal cleanse, however, we recommend trying a DIY charcoal cleanse. (You can purchase activated charcoal online or at your local health foods store.) Below, check out GC’s recipe for Detoxing Charcoal Lemonade– the perfect vehicle for cleansing after too many holiday cookies.

Charcoal Lemonade

• 1 half lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp honey
• 1/4 cup coconut water
• 1 tsp activated charcoal
• 1 (6 oz) glass of water

Mix all ingredients thoroughly and drink in the morning for best results!

The post The Best Charcoal Beauty Products appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Infused honeys are a special breed of superfood infused syrups that can be used in place of normal honey for added nutritional benefit (often with a medicinal twist). For centuries, infused honeys have been used as palliative supplements– sweet-tasting ambrosia that helps the medicine go down, never mind “a spoonful of sugar.”

Below, we spotlight six commercially available infused honeys with which to stock your pantry (and your medicine cabinet).

Beekeeper’s Naturals Superfood Cacao Honey

Like Nutella? Looking for a high-nutrient alternative? Beekeeper’s Naturals combines raw, sustainably sourced honey with organic Ecuadorian cacao into an infused honey that reminds us of everyone’s favorite hazelnut spread. Cacao is full of antioxidants and trace minerals like iron, magnesium, copper, and manganese while honey provides clean-burning energy that also helps mitigate seasonal allergies.

As a natural sweetener, this rich cacao honey works well on oatmeal, yogurt, apples, bananas, or anywhere else you might be looking to slather a little love. For those who tolerate caffeine, this superfood honey works well for a pre-workout energy boost.

Philosophie’s Green Bee Honey

A honey infused with greens? We thought you’d never ask. This raw, unfiltered honey from Philosophie features energy-boosting Green Dream powder, which is the brand’s own bespoke blend of organic spirulina, organic maca, organic mesquite, organic hemp powder, organic chia seeds, and organic vanilla. Try it as a substitute for sweet n’ sour sauce or combine this honey with citrus juice, oil and/or vinegar for a sweet, tangy salad dressing. Spirulina helps expedite the removal of heavy metals from the body, and some studies show that its consumption may help ward off cancer and diabetes.

Naturopathica’s Stress Resistance Fortified Honey

Wildflower honey, a staple of the 19th century herbal medicine chest, has long been regarded as a healing tonic. Here, Naturopathica infuses their Stress Resistance Fortified Honey with Siberian ginseng, ginger root, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, and ginkgo to restore strength and vitality. Add 1 Tbsp to warm (not boiling hot) tea, oatmeal, toast, yogurt, or other beverage of choice for an added boost of calm. Siberian ginseng is known for its energizing qualities while cinnamon, ginger, clove, and cardamom have all historically been used in Ayurveda to destimulate the nervous system.

Phoenicia Honey Co’s First Aid Honey

While honey has been shown to expedite the healing of wounds, this medicinal honey was designed to heal from the inside out. Phoenicia’s First Aid Honey is infused with ginger, cinnamon, lemon balm, elder berries, echinacea, mullien leaf, comfrey root, burdock root, garlic, lemon peel and turmeric, which imbue it with the appropriate properties to be used as a healing tonic for allergies, sore throat, congestion, upset stomach, insomnia, and as a general nerve tonic that helps bolster the immune system during cold weather (just be sure to wait until your tea is no longer scalding hot before mixing it in, otherwise you’ll cook the most beneficial enzymes in the honey).

Boulder Colorado Highland Honey

Highland Bees 100% raw nervous relief creamed honey contains a proprietary blend of unfiltered honey, catnip, chamomile, lavender, pink rose, linden, pollen, and super healing propolis (a resinous mixture created by bees that is thought to help fight infection). This herbal honey is slightly more concentrated but gives off a warm, earthy flavor that works well spread on baked goods, in smoothies, and blended into sweet dips. (Creamed honey has been processed to control crystallization, so it has a smooth, spreadable consistency.)

Read more about the incredible health benefits of manuka honey.

The post Infused Honeys are Having a Moment appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Petter’s Herbs For Winter Immunity workshop will take place at the Center For Remembering and Sharing NYC and is sponsored by Firefly Healing Arts. In the course of the event, Petter will teach how to strengthen immunity in preparation for the cold and flu season while sharing traditional recipes and offering tastings and explanations of each of the herbs and herbal actions discussed.

Echinacea

Photo: Andrew Dennes/Flickr

Elderberry

Photo: Andy Rogers/Flickr

Shiitake mushroom

Photo: Joel Hensley/Flickr

Boneset

Photo: Pedrick/Flickr

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Echinacea

Elderberry

Shiitake mushroom

Boneset

Participants in the Herbs For Winter Immunity workshop can expect to learn:

• How to make an immune-boosting decoction of astragalus and shiitake (which is naturally high in Vitamin D)
• How to make herbal oxymel using elderberries
• How to make fire cider, a traditional healing tincture popularized by renowned herbalist Rosemary Gladstar
• How to make anti-microbial, medicinal honey
• How to make overnight, medicinal onlon syrup, as well as learning about Echinacea and boneset

The Center for Remembering and Sharing NYC is located at 123 4th Avenue #2 in New York, NY 10003.

 For more information or to register for this workshop, go here. 

The post Event We Love: Herbs For Winter Immunity appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Nutritional deficiencies and dietary patterns can have a big impact on how smoothly your brain computes and how hearty your nervous system functions, especially under the onslaught of regular, daily stress. It turns out that food can be your delicious fix to help flip the vitality switch in your brain and boost neurotransmitters, like serotonin, that safeguard a shaky nervous system.

Eating overall can be a very soulful experience, but when your nerves are on edge, don’t turn to your standard unhealthy comfort foods that might soothe in the moment but greatly increase stress levels shortly after, if they contain processed sugar, caffeine, and inflammatory fats.

Instead, dig into tasty foods that can comfort your nerves, soothe your brain long-term, and get you into the “chill zone” more regularly.

Nuts and Seeds for Increased Serotonin

Feeling stressed because you have low energy? Low energy that may also manifest as brain fog can in fact be a symptom of low serotonin, a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, keeps depression at bay, and allows your nerve cells to communicate efficiently.

Most of this important compound (which also controls hormones like insulin) lives in the gut and helps you to “chillax” when you need it most, like unwinding at the end of a long day and getting a good night’s sleep. Nosh on nuts and seeds, as they contain tryptophan, an amino acid that can help trigger serotonin. Munching on a handful of nuts a day is wise advice in general since they can help boost heart health, they contain healthy fats that keep you feeling full, and they satisfy that salt craving the healthy way. They are also a good source of fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Mixed Nut Pesto
(Serves 4)

Ingredients

• 1 cup assorted nuts such as walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts or hazel nuts, toasted
• 2 tablespoons thyme leaves
• 2 tablespoons rosemary
• 2 garlic cloves, peeled, quartered
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2cup olive oil, plus 1 tablespoon
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Method

1. Place the nuts, thyme, rosemary, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Pulse 10 to 15 minutes until the walnuts are finely chopped. Add the 1/2 cup olive oil and pulse 2 to 3 minutes more until a thick sauce forms. Stir in the Parmesan.
3. Toss with 1 pound of your favorite pasta or “zoodles”.

Greens for Folate

Lavish your nervous system with one of the most important stabilizing nutrients it needs: folate. Folate, a B vitamin, helps to prevent neurological disorders and you may recognize it in supplement form as folic acid. But taking it as a supplement can be risky, so instead fill up on foods that contain folate like superfood leafy greens, including spinach, kale, and asparagus, which are better for your bod and an easy way to fill your dinner plate.

Grilled Lemon Asparagus with Spinach and Feta
(Serves 4)

Ingredients

• 2 pounds asparagus, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground
• 2 lemons, sliced into 1/2-inch thick rounds
• 1 pound baby spinach leaves
• 4 ounces crumbled feta

Method

1. Place the asparagus on a tray and drizzle with the olive oil, paprika, salt and pepper.
2. Heat a grill over high heat and grill the asparagus and lemon rounds 2 to 3 minutes per side, until charred and tender.
3. Arrange the spinach on a large platter and top with the asparagus and lemons. Sprinkle with the feta and serve immediately.

Prebiotic and Probiotic Foods

Since serotonin primarily inhabits your gut, snack on plenty of prebiotic foods like carrot sticks, apple wedges with nut butter, and cooked plain breakfast oats with berries as well as probiotic foods, like pickles, kimchee, and olives to keep gut flora healthy and well feed. Gut flora rule the health of your immune system and have a big impact on anxiety levels. Studies show there is a “gut brain axis” where fear signals are shared between your gut and brain, and poor diet along with stress can make anxiety signals rage out of control. But fear not, healing prebiotic and probiotic foods are the best way to keep good gut bugs from sounding the alarm.

Herbs

Lavender has been use for centuries as a nervine, and no wonder, it has a such a soothing scent and is rich in antibacterial compounds. Enjoy it in both edible form (such as in bitters) and use it topically in essential oil form for bedtime, bath, and even at your office. Place a drop on a sleep mask or directly on your temples for a great way to wind down after a busy day. And mix the bitters with sparkling water for a booze swap that still allows you to celebrate with friends or have a mocktail at home.

Lavender Blackberry Sparkler
(Serves 2)

Ingredients

• 2 shots flavored gourmet syrup, such as black berry or grenadine
• 2 cups sparkling water
• 4 drops lavender bitters

Method

1. Fill a pitcher with ice.
2. Pour all ingredients over ice and stir.
3. Divide between two glasses and serve.

Need a complete body relaxation? Try this calming fall meditation or consider getting out and forest bathing. 

The post Foods That Calm Anxiety (and Some Recipes for How to Integrate Them) appeared first on Garden Collage Magazine.

Ammonium nitrate works by first dissolving in water (the action initiated by breaking inner packet to “activate” a standard cold compress) which in turn makes it capable of absorbing heat, which makes the compress cold. However, ammonium nitrate is toxic and can be harmful to the body if it leaks from the cold pack (and it eventually ends up in a landfill).

These DIY cold compresses use anti-inflammatory pine oil to achieve the same effect as commercial-grade cold packs. Pine oil is smells amazing and is good for soothing injuries and headaches while easing muscle pains. Juniper oil also decreases inflammation, which makes it ideally suited for soothing joint pain and achy muscles.

Materials

• Pine oil
• Juniper oil (optional)
• Cloth strips, cut into roughly 4-inch by 8-inch rectangles
• Mixing bowl

Method

Fill bowl with a heaping teaspoon of pine oil and disperse with hand. If desired, add a few drops of juniper oil. Dip 3-4 cotton clothes into water and wring out. Flatten, fold in half, and place each cloth into separate plastic bags. Place in freezer. Apply cold cloth to effected areas as needed.

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