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Ive really enjoyed the last few weeks in Ireland, tge land of my ancestirs in my Dads side. So many Magical places. Stone circles, wild seas, fairy forests and tge stiney mountains of the Burren. It feels like home here. Herbal friebds greeting me wherever I go. My friends here in Ostra, a little village in Italy, have organised an Ayurvedic Presentation for me this Saturday morning. It will be translated, so if any of you are in the area please come. Including those of you from the Yoga training groups... should be fun.   I had a request this month to write about simple home remedies so I asked the team of naturopaths at Mullum Herbals for their favourites and added them to mine for this list:
Herbs – can be used as teas or in foods fresh from your garden or dried from us, or other organic herb suppliers. Can also be used as liquid tinctures, glycetracts (which are sweeter so can be easier for the kids to take), capsules or tablets. Peppermint – aids digestion, can lift energy levels, soothes tummy after rich foods Chamomile – reduces stress, can help sleep, and soothe colic and digestion Fennel Seed – aids digestion, reduces spasms and gas, reduces congestion and phlegm Licorice (herb not the lolly!) – balances blood sugars, lifts tiredness and supports adrenals Comfrey – the root heals bones and tissues, powerful tonic for lungs and respiratory system - the leaves are anti-inflammatory and astringent, highly nutritious (try in soup) Rosemary – helps memory and mind, soothes headaches, also great for skin and hair Lavender – Reduces stress, calms and soothes, aids sleep, soothes burns and bites Lemon Balm – reduces stress and anxiety, soothes the nervous system, calms the heart Tumeric – never use raw as its too hard on the liver, add to cooking or simmer and then add to other things when cool. Reduces inflammation, is a great anti-oxidant and general healer Nettle – a good digestible source of iron, calcium, copper and vitamin A. Heals burns and stings, and also benefits the skin, liver, and hair. (Easy to grow but watch the sting!) Cinnamon – aids circulation, promotes digestion, strengthens, warms the kidneys Slippery Elm – healing and soothing for the whole gastro-intestinal tract. Mix with a yummy tasting liquid like apple juice. Great for stomach pain, gas, constipation, nausea Triphala (Three ayurvedic fruits so not in your garden but is so amazing I had to include it) - heals all sorts of digestive problems and helps in absorbing. Best taken before meals and/or supplements, helps the liver so great after a big night out, high in vitamin C, great anti-oxidant, helps us absorb iron and B vitamins from our food Oregano – reduces worms and parasites, helps dizziness, tonic for hair, scalp and cramps Gotu Kola – aids memory, tissue rejuvenator, heals joints, reduces arthritis Cumin seeds – aids digestion, reduces flatulence For more info or questions contact Jacinta. Ive started writing small articles in our local Northern Rivers magazine. This is an informative and connecting community mag and I love being able to share some health tips here.
Check out this link for my latest article on health and wellbeing in this Spring season.  Ayurvedic Medicine advises us all to regularly cleanse our body and mind of toxins. This is a primary way of gaining and maintaining good health. In Ayurveda we understand the inseperable link between body, mind and spirit and traditionally this age old system of health was used to restore balance even before disease manifested physically. Therefore it is advisable to cleanse at least once a year for preventative health care, and more often if treating imbalances which have already caused or manifested as diseases.
The best time to cleanse is at the change of seasons as at this time we shed toxins more easily. A key element in Ayurvedic Medicine is the concept of Ama. Ama are the toxins which accumulate when we lose contact with nature's rhythms. They may arise from eating unsuitable foods, like over processed or chemical laden foods as well as consumption of alcohol, tobacco, excessive meat, coffee or white sugar. Toxins can also enter the body via the skin when we expose ourselves to to the chemicals in some skin care products, cleaning products, and hair dyes. Additionally these days ama comes from over use of screens like computers and from excessive mobile phone use. For many of us we are exposed to toxins on a daily basis - thus the importance of cleansing. Toxins can also result from not digesting our food properly. If our digestive fire (or agni) is not functioning well, we are not able to absorb the nutrients and minerals so end up becoming depleted and under- nourished. The power of digestion is one of the most important determinants of good health and longevity. Cleansing removes the ama which is undermining good digestive function, and vastly improves it. The toxic effects of negative life experiences, stress, trauma, negative thoughts and addictions are also a form of ama. When the body-mind is chronically bathed in the biochemistry of anger, hate, envy, resentment, fear etc we experience the cellular dysfunction which accompanies such mental or emotional ama. My teaching companion Leanne and I regularly offer Ayurvedic Cleanses. The next one is to be held at the Byron Yoga centre in November 6th to 8th 2015. Over the weekend we guide you to begin your cleanse, and then if you wish to continue for a few more days at home you are empowered to do so... |
Jacinta McEwenHave a look in the workshops section here, as I have upgraded the workshops I now offer. Please contact me if you would like me to come to your area to share with you and your friends or students. Archives
June 2018
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