asthma

Thyme for Respiratory Infections

2:49 AM



Thyme originates from the Mediterranean.  Its name comes from the word thymus which means fumigate.

As a kitchen herb, it is used to flavor tomato sauces and is a great stuffing for meat, lamb and chicken.

As a herbal tea, it induces sweat and eases colds and bronchitis. It even helps heal indigestion. This is also effective for asthma since it relaxes the spasm in the airways.  It has a moistening effect that causes one to expectorate. Thyme sterilizes the lungs which makes it a front liner for respiratory infection.  Known for its bacterial and anti-fungal properties, it is an ingredient of Vicks and Listerine.

As a herbal bath, this herbs eases rheumatism and muscular aches and pains.

Thyme likes light soil and full sun for best aroma.  It needs watering every other day or when soi is already partly dry. It requires organic fertilizer monthly. (Visit Plant Care for more information.)

Get your Thyme at www.herbalandherbs.wordpress.com!


 EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener

Sources:

Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to the healing power of herbs. Bath: Parragon Publishing

Cammarata, J. A guide to herbal remedies: Safe and effective remedies for achieving and maintaining health. New Delhi: Goodwill Publishing House

Benefits

Rosemary for Stress and Headaches

2:38 AM



Rosemary is a tall, woody evergreen shrub that can grow up to 3 meters.  Its scientific name is Rosmarinus officinalis. During the ancient times, rosemary was used as incense.

As a kitchen herb, it flavors chicken, lamb and red meat well.

For wellness, rosemary-infused teas help heal headaches and relieve stress. It should be taken only thrice a day like any tea. Rosemary tea should only be taken for a week maximum. It also should not taken by pregnant women.

It is a good tonic for the hair and scalp.  The tea can be mixed with shampoo. (Visit Hair Products: Shampoo, Conditioners, Dye and Green Tips.)

Rosemary needs full sun, watering every other day (or when partly dry) and organic fertilizer monthly. (Visit Plant Care for more information.)

Get your Rosemary at www.herbalandherbs.wordpress.com!


EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener

Source:

Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to the healing power of herbs. Bath: Parragon Publishing

Benefits

Coriander for Metal Detox

2:25 AM



Coriander is mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus dated around 1550 BC. This is also one of the oldest spices mentioned in the Egyptian documents 1000 years ago.  Its scientific name is Coriandrum Sativum. It is also called Cilantro, Coriander, or Wansoy (Chinese parsley).

 As a kitchen herb, it can be used as a dip for fried, broiled or steamed fish or meat by its mixing leaves with onion, tomato and vinegar. It can also flavor noodles, salads, curry and Indian dishes.

For wellness, it is effective for flatulence, and nervous tension. The seeds act as digestive stimulant by increasing gastric juices. It is good for the kidney. It is a good metal detoxifier and is also referred as the “Poor Man’s Chelation” which removes aluminum, lead, mercury contamination trapped inside the body. (Visit Metals: Home Appliances and Heavy Metal Contaminationfrom Fish, Aluminum Cookers and Pans, and Coriander Detox.)

Coriander needs well-drained soil, full sun, watering every other day (or when partly dry) and organic fertilizer every month.  Its leaves also make effective pesticides. (Visit How to Care for your Herbal and Herbs for more information.)

EM-EM TINASAS, MBA
The Gardener

Source:


Harding, J. (2002). Holistic herbs: An introductory guide to the healing power of herbs. Bath: Parragon Publishing

green tips

It's Twice or More Polluted Inside Homes: The Handy Guide to Your Green Homelife

6:35 PM



Our home is our comfort zone.  But according to the Environmental Protection Agency of the United States of America, indoor air is two (2) to ten (10) times more hazardous than outdoor air.

Also, the Philippine Department of Health conducted a study of houses in different Barangays of Metro Manila through its agency Environmental and Occupational Office. Findings showed that the homes has the presence of:

1. Lead – An ingredient found in insecticides, agricultural pesticides (in fruits and vegetables), pipes, paints, toys;

2. Nitrogen Dioxide - Produced by cigarette and tobacco smoking;

3. Sulfur Dioxide (The base of Sulfuric Acid) - An ingredient found in fertilizers, pigments, dye, drugs, 
explosive, detergent, preservatives especially dried fruits;

4. Benzene – An ingredient in detergents, plastics;

5.  Carbon Monoxide - Produced from cooking, processing of chemical products and from exhausting gases out of engines of vehicles and machineries.  

Aside from those mentioned above, The Eco-Living Handbook by Sarah Callard and Diane Millis showed that the electrical equipment that we enjoy at home also produce pollution from electromagnetic frequencies, ionizations, and statics.

I invite you to journey with me as I uncover how pollution invade our homes. Awareness is the first step. Let us resolve to improve air through a green and friendly environment together!

And as we go through our day-to-day routine, we have what we call necessity. But there are those that, which are not.

I.                     Cooking.    Burning of natural gas, oil, kerosene, coal, firewood, which release carbon monoxide. But we need to cook to survive.

Here are our Green Tips while cooking:
 
A.   Have good ventilation in the kitchen

1.           Open kitchen windows and the kitchen door while cooking to allow natural air to circulate;
2.            Use exhaust gadgets in the kitchen on stoves, walls, etc.  to help drive out the smell of combustion and cooking of food  faster;

B.     Stove fire should be bluish in color. Chefs say that slow fire is the best way of cooking.

C.    Do not use charcoal indoor.

II.                   Tobacco Smoking.  It is common knowledge that smoking cigars, cigarettes and pipes is detrimental to the lungs of the smoker and the second- hand smokers. Nitrogen dioxide cause lung cancer.

The best solution is to stop smoking.  But if one cannot help but smoke, it is suggested that it is done in open space away from the family and second-hand smokers.  

Our Green Tips to strengthen and cleanse the respiratory system are:
1.      Food for the Lungs

      According to Dr. Bernard Jensen in his book Food that Heals; garlic, onion, grapes, honey, pineapple, and green leafy vegetables are good for the lungs.  Celery/ papaya juice and carrot juice are also helpful. Organic products are most beneficial because they are chemical-free and pesticide-free. It may be costlier but hospital bills and medicines cost much more.

      2.         Herbals for Cancer, Tumour, and Respiratory Diseases

      Among these Herbals are Green Tea, Ashitaba, Damong Maria, Dokudami, Guaybano, Holy Basil, Lagundi, Neem, Peppermint, and Serpentina. (For uses and recommended intake of these Herbals, check out https://herbalandherbs.wordpress.com/.

       Cancer affects the patient and the family because it drains emotionally and financially.   We experienced this with my father. How I wish no family would experience such trial again.

       3.       Deep breathing exercise also clears the lungs of bad air.  It is most beneficial when done in front of plants or under trees.

      Deep breathing is the process practiced while singing, where air is inhaled to fill up the stomach, then exhaled little by little.  Deep breathing is done in any exercise like Taichi, Pilates, gym workout and Pinoy Laughter Yoga.

All these remedies come from Mother Nature.  Thus, let nurturing the ecology be a challenge to us all. 

 Get the complete eBook at Amazon! Check out the Table of Contents and the eBook's first THREE chapters for FREE!

Ashitaba

Eat Your Herbal and Herbs Fresh!

8:41 PM


Fresh herbals mean more enzymes, minerals and vitamins. These strengthen the body so the body can heal itself.

Ashitaba/Tomorrow Leaf 



Two (2) dark leaves a day followed by drinking water little by little maintains good health. To maximize the benefits, do not drink coffee, tea or anything with caffeine within 4 hours. This will help in regular bowel movement which will clean the colon.

This herbal helps normalize cholesterol levels, normalize high or low blood pressure, diabetes, cancer, asthma, kidney, diarrhea, vomiting, fertility problem, rheumatism, hemorrhoids among others. Ashitaba contains Vitamin B12 that promotes the immune system so as to fight off serious disorders like cancer. So if there are health concerns, 2 leaves in the morning and 2 leaves at night is advisable.

Two cancer patients shared with me that Ashitaba is a big help to maintain their normal blood platelets. Also, one dengue victim with low platelet increased her platelet and got cured one hour after eating 2 dark green leaves.

Ashitaba came from Hachijo Island, Japan. Ashitaba is also called Gynura because it has a genus originating from Indonesia and Malaysia. It is also called Tomorrow Leaf because once you get a leaf, a small bud appears the next day. You can also mix it in your food as a vegetable.

Customers relieved of ailments would buy again and give Ashitaba as gifts. One customer was so happy to share to me that he gave an 86-year old with a ashen leg due to diabetes. After eating the fresh leaves (4 leaves for healing), his leg went back to normal.

Get your Ashitaba at Php60-80/seedling bag. 



Basil



Fresh basil helps loosen stuffy nose due to allergic rhinitis or sinusitis. It relieves cough as well. I put it in my toast.

Get your Basil at Php60/seedling bag. 



Gotu Kola



The traditional name here in the Philippines for Gotu Kola is Takip Kohol because its leaf’s size is enough to cover a small edible shell called kohol. As soon as I wake up, I eat seven (7) leaves of this together with two (2) Ashitaba leaves and drink water sip by sip to improve absorption. (Healing Powers of Water by Dr. Ramaiah).

This is good for the memory and youthfulness, the heart, psoriasis, the prostate, cellulite and varicose veins and many more.

Get your Gotu Kola at Php60/seedling bag. 


Java Mint/Spear Mint



Mint helps loosen mucus and relieves cough. This can be eaten for fresh breath or even flavor chocolate, candies, ice cream and even cookies.


Lettuce 



This is a leafy vegetable popularly used for salad or in sandwiches. The Romaine, a dark green variety, and Lolla Rossa, the red and green variety, is rich in Pro-vitamin A and Vitamin C, silicon, sulfur, chlorine and Vitamin B complex. Sulfur and chlorine are called lung cleansers.

This is a product of hydroponics. My husband, Romy, planted the lettuce in a small makeshift pot with organic soil over another makeshift pot with water. As the lettuce grows, some of the roots protrude out of the soil and go to the water, maintaining its hydration.


Peppermint



Fresh leaves can be eaten as relief for cough, colds, headache. And yes, it freshens breath.

Get your Peppermint at Php60/seedling bag. 


Serpentina



This is a bitter plant effective for diabetes and stomach ache. Find out more about Serpentina HERE.

Get your Serpentina at Php60/seedling bag. 


Sources:

Healing Power of Water by Dr. Savitri Ramaiah c 2009. Sterling Publishers Pvt,Ltd, New Delhi
Healthy Healing An Alternative Healing Reference by Linda Rector-Page c 1992 by Linda Rector Page Published by Healthy Healing Publication 9th Edition
Herbal Plants and Remedies Philippine Copyright 2004 by Amos Books, Inc. 2007 Edition
The Juiceman’s Power of Juicing by Jay Kordick c 1992 by Jay Kordich
Encyclopedia Britannica 15th Edition