Journal
Gluten free Banana Loaf
This easy gluten free banana loaf recipe is perfect served slightly warm with a spread of butter and a cup of tea. Ingredients 5 organic smallish ripe bananas 250g Doves Farm gluten free flour 140g light muscovado sugar 75g organic butter (I like salted), melted 2 large free range eggs 2.5 teaspoons of bicarbonate of soda I lemon Method Pre-heat oven to 180ºC, fan 160ºC . Grease and line a loaf tin. In a mixing bowl mash 4 of the bananas, then add the sugar, melted butter and eggs. Beat together using an electric whisk. Sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda and gently fold in. Pour the mixture into the loaf tin. Slice the fifth banana in half length ways, rubbing the cut side of the banana with half a lemon. Then arrange on the top of the mix. ( I then squeeze the lemon and add to water, to quench the thirst). Bake in the oven for 50 minutes. Check it is cooked by inserting a skewer ensuring it comes out clean. Leave in the tin for 10 minutes before turning out on to a wire rack to cool down. Slice and serve warm with butter.
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Cleansing With Cleavers
Cleavers grows abundantly in our hedgerows and springs up in waste places and fields. It is a traditional spring tonic and in 1652 Nicholas Culpepper wrote, “it is a good remedy in the Spring, eaten (being first chopped small, and boiled well) in water-gruel, to cleanse the blood, and strengthen the liver, thereby to keep the body in health, and fitting it for that change of season that is coming. Cleavers is a plant referred to by herbalists as an ‘alterative’. These herbs help the body become more vital by improving the body’s ability to eliminate waste through the kidneys, liver, lungs, or skin. Botanically known as Galium aparine, we always called it Sticky willy (we didn’t make that up by the way). It’s also known as Goose grass, referring to the fact that geese love this plant, or Everlasting Friendship. I wonder is this because it clings to you and never lets go! When you look closely you can see that the stalks and leaves are covered in little hooked bristles. Many of the plant’s popular names are associated with the clinging nature of the plant. Some of its local names have a very old origin harking back to the Anglo Saxon word ‘hedge-rife’ meaning robber or tax-gatherer, due to their habit of stealing sheep as they passed by a hedge. The plant is inodorous but has a bitter astringent taste. The roots will dye red and if they are eaten by birds it will tinge their bones. Medicinal Uses In old herbals Cleavers was extolled as a purifier of the blood and modern day herbalists still value this herb in the treatment of skin diseases including acne, psoriosis and boils. Cleavers is primarily used for lymphatic congestion and is very useful where the glands are inflamed. We find it very healing for tonsillitis and glandular fever. It also has strong affinities to the kidneys and is used for the suppression of urine, non specific cystitis, urethritis and cloudy urine. Although most herbalists use it for the lymphatic system it has been shown to be remarkable for neurological conditions where the nerves are over-sensitive or inflamed. It is also specific in the treatment of Morton’s neuroma and Dupuytren’s contracture where the tendons tighten up under the toes or middle fingers. In females it is indicated in fibrocystic breast disease, where there are many cysts and the tissue is fibrous. Preparation and Uses Cleavers Cleansing Juice Two big handfuls of cleavers, roughly chopped 2 organic apples 2 sticks organic celery Thumb sized piece of peeled ginger Put everything through a juicer and drink on rising Cleavers Spring Smoothie One cup of cleavers roughly chopped One cup of chopped pineapple One cup of chopped cucumber One cup of mango Apple juice to loosen or cold green tea Blend everything until smooth Cleavers Cold Infusion Cleavers was traditionally decocted in cold water to preserve its virtues. Add a handful of washed (if necessary) freshly chopped cleavers herb to a clean jar or jug. Cover in fresh filtered water and leave for 8 – 12 hours. Strain and sweeten with honey to taste. Buy Cleavers capsules here.
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The Chaga Mushroom and the Cancer Ward
Chaga in History The Chaga mushroom (Inonotus obliquus) doesn’t look like a regular mushroom. It is a parasitic fungus. Black, lumpy and charred-like, Chaga is found growing on the trunk of the birch tree in forests of northern Europe, Asia and North America. Very few westerners had even heard of this strange looking mushroom until Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn introduced us to it in his 1968 semi-autobiographical novel, The Cancer Ward. In the chapter entitled “The Cancer in the Birch Tree” Solzhenitsyn describes the character Oleg Kostoglotov, a political prisoner, having been released from a prison camp only to find he has developed cancer. Assigned to a clinic to receive high dose radiation, he tells his fellow patients that he wishes he could have been given a more simple “peasant’s” cure. “He could not imagine any greater joy than to go away into the woods for months on end, to break off this chaga, crumble it, boil it up on a campfire, drink it and get well like an animal.”~Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, Cancer Ward (1968) Chaga, The Peasant’s Tea Sergey N. Maslennikov, was a Russian doctor born in June 1887, and remembered by his friends and patients as being a kind and gentle man. During this particular period in history medical literature was increasingly writing about cancer, but Maslennikov noted that he didn’t have any cancer patients among the peasants that he treated. This lead him to study this phenomena further. He discovered that the peasants would save money on buying tea, instead cutting down and brewing up the birch mushroom. He believed that unknowingly they had been preventing and treating cancer for centuries. As he began to experiment with Chaga he considered should it be be boiled and at what temperature, how many doses should be given and which tumour’s responded etc. And so he began to treat his patients with the Chaga mushroom. He took on the responsibility to administer just this alone without the addition of other more conventional means. His notebooks record the results of his treatment of cancer with Chaga, many patients making a full recovery. The Life of Chaga The Chaga mushroom doesn’t have an easy time. It has an intense struggle for survival in freezing forests in the winter and hot conditions in the summer. Critically they are in constant competition with dangerous bacteria, worms and fungus. Chaga is rich in biologically active chemicals, arming it to face the environmental threats all around. Most significantly some of these chemicals are biologically active in humans. Chaga in Health There is a growing interest in medicinal mushrooms and their effect on numerous health conditions. Consumed by indigenous Siberians for hundreds of years the health benefits of the Chaga mushroom have been known for a long time. Dating back to the 16th century ancient Russian texts describe the use of Chaga to treat gastritis, ulcers, cancer and tuberculosis. The most important components of the mushroom are derived from the bark of the tree on which it grows and chief among these are a substantial number of butulinic acid derivatives and melano-glucan complexes. “Betulinic acid has been shown to induce mitochondrial apoptosis (cell death) in different cancer cell lines and inhibit the enzyme topoisomerase, which is essential for the unwinding and winding of the DNA strands in cell replication. Additionally it possesses anti-retroviral, anti-parasitic and anti-inflammatory properties.” Excerpt: Medicinal Mushrooms, A Clinical Guide by Martin Powell. Main Health Benefits of Chaga Cancer In Vitro studies on betulinic acid have shown Chaga to be highly effective against a wide variety of cancer cells; leukemia, melanoma, malignant brain tumours, ovarian cancer and malignant head and neck squamous cell cancers. A 2010 study showed that Chaga could slow the growth of breast, lung and cervical cancer cells in a petri dish. Psoriosis Anecdotal evidence reports the benefit of Chaga for psoriosis supported by a 1973 Russian study on 50 patients. Thirty-eight of those taking part reported a cure rate, with improvement in 8. Only 4 patients did not respond to treatment. It took 9 – 12 weeks for improvement to become apparent. Supports Immunity This study on mice suggests that Chaga may help regulate the production of cytokines, supporting the immune system by helping cell communication. Inflammation Due to Chaga’s role in regulating cytokine production it is worthy of consideration as a treatment for autoimmune conditions and other chronic diseases, considering Inflammation is at the root of many chronic health conditions we face today. Blood Sugar and Diabetes A 2006 study on genetically modified rats showed that after eating Chaga for 8 weeks their blood sugar was lower. Nutrient Dense The Chaga mushroom is abundant in a wide variety of vitamins, minerals and nutrients including: Vitamin D B vitamins Potassium Copper Selenium Iron Zinc Magnesium Calcium Manganese Fibre Amino acids Rubidium Cesium
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The Freedom of Unbecoming
“Maybe the journey isn’t so much about becoming anything. Maybe it’s about unbecoming everything that isn’t really you, so you can be who you were meant to be in the first place” – Unknown I wonder how many of us haven’t been our true authentic selves. But have been a version that is acceptable and one that the world has told us to be. Perhaps you have conformed all your life, followed a family tradition, or swallowed down your aspirations and dreams to fit in to an ideal. As a child there is this sense of freedom and realness. Life is exciting and we have amazing dreams and joy comes so easily because we love what we love. Very soon the opinions of others can quell the spirit and shave away at our passion. We become someone that is perhaps just easier because being what we really want to be just won’t do. Unbecoming is the invitation to unravel and undo, pare back and scratch below the surface. It is an interesting journey. Challenging and heartening, freeing and empowering and sometimes the realisation can come in a flash. Why have I been doing, saying, believing, feeling, something all my life that actually wasn’t true for me. Perhaps there is another path for you to tread that you haven’t dared to take. The freedom that unbecoming brings allows inspiration and joy to find their rightful place. Perhaps it begins with a question. Is this really me? If the answer is no or you aren’t sure. Dig deep. The answer is there.
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Authenticity – Letting Go of What We Should Be
“Write hard and clear about what hurts”- Ernest Hemmingway Being authentic can be freeing physically, emotionally and spiritually. How often in life, growing up or even right at this moment, have you felt unable or powerless to be the real you. Afraid of not fitting in or being the odd one out. From an early age we start wearing the cloak of what we think we ‘should’ be or what is perceived by our peer group to be ‘normal’ and acceptable and in doing so we lose ourselves. Our true self. Authenticity is such a wonderful word and when you meet someone authentic it is something to behold. With authenticity comes freedom, inner peace, joy and release. You get to know your real self. Vulnerability goes hand-in-hand with authenticity and this is where we get scared. “If I am vulnerable I’m weak”. It is not the case. You will know when it is okay to share and when not to as you become more aware of your true being. It is much better to say “I have been better”, than to say “I am fine” if you really aren’t fine! Stop People Pleasing Letting others have their way when you really want to tell the truth doesn’t make you a kind person it makes you a resentful one. You have to get comfortable about feeling uncomfortable! For so long you may have felt bad about saying no and agreed to so many things that you know just weren’t right for you. You can stop now with the conviction that it is okay to say no, yes, maybe and not have to explain any of them. Write it down Begin by putting pen to paper and writing it down. Anything in your life that you have kept down, suppressed, locked away and hidden because its just too frightening to let it out. Be clear and true. As Earnest Hemmingway said, “write hard and clear about what hurts”. Throughout life stuff happens It may be the smallest memory; as a child your sibling got something and you didn’t or a comment a friend made or something you did that you can’t quite forgive yourself for. You may tell yourself that the hurt was small and insignificant, but it wasn’t because you still feel it. Write it down. Be honest, raw, vulnerable and scribble until you have got it all off your chest. However small it seems or how long ago it was. It’s not insignificant. Let go. The art of journaling is a healthy and healing practice. In fact every night before you go to sleep it is helpful to put pen to paper any worries, fears or troubles you have felt during the day. Show yourself some compassion If we aren’t real with people then how can we truly connect? With authenticity comes compassion to yourself and to others. Perversely the world of social media and television tries to show us the real deal through posts, pictures and reality TV but really it couldn’t be less authentic if it tried. Lets get back to the truth and unburden the world. Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another: ‘What! You Too? I thought I was the only one.’ C.S. Lewis
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Five Reasons Why You are Always Bloated
If you suffer from bloating you know it can be a horrible feeling. The belly is distended and feels tight and full. It feels like you can’t breathe, move properly or comfortably go about the day. Suffering from bloating can also affect mental health and lead to depression and brain fog. This is because the gut and the brain talk to each other through the vagus nerve, sending messages up and down. Bloating is a common complaint but there are ways to alleviate this problem. Five Reasons Why You are Always Bloated #1. You are consuming too much gluten Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash Wheat today is processed differently and is genetically and biologically different. It often lacks nutrients and can be hard to digest. Modern wheat has been shown to increase inflammatory markers with many people complaining of brain fog, depression, aches and pains. Many people report feeling lethargic and generally run-down after consuming wheat products. TIP: Cut wheat out of your diet for 2 weeks and note the difference in well-being, sleep quality and energy levels. #2. You are not digesting your food properly Undigested food will cause excess gas and bloating and unfortunately the modern diet is lacking in enzymes and friendly bacteria to aid the digestive process. Without enzymes you cannot digest and absorb nutrients efficiently. This can leave you depleted in the vitamins and minerals required to help prevent disease. TIP: A digestive enzyme taken between 10 minutes and half an hour before each meal can often alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms as food starts to properly digest. #3. You feel stressed Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash When a person feels stressed their breathing becomes short and shallow and it feels feel like they are just breathing in the chest area. Stress causes the body to move in to ‘fight or flight’ mode, shutting down digestion and making it difficult for the body to absorb food. Stress can cause the gut to either ‘hold’ (constipation) or ‘release’ (diarrhoea). This is caused by the effect that the nervous system has on peristalsis, the movement of food through the gut. Stress hormones like adrenaline are produced when we feel anxious or stressed and in turn affect the digestive process. TIP: Practice deep abdominal breathing. Breathe in for the count of 7 and breathe out for the count of 11. Try and do this at regular intervals if your tummy is feeling tight and anxious. #4. You are constipated Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash Constipation creates a build up of toxic waste. This not only obviously causes extra bulk but this waste ferments causing excess gas. More gas means more bloating. TIP: Consume a raw grated carrot daily. Try and drink about 1.5 litres of warm water a day. Take Triphala, an effective Ayurvedic formulation to cleanse and detoxify the system by regulating the bowels. #5. You have LOW stomach acid Stomach acid is necessary for digestion. It is a common myth that it is always excess stomach acid that causes acid reflux, indigestion and belching, but this is often not the case. Low stomach acid commonly shares the same symptoms as too much stomach acid including the above, but with low stomach acid you may also suffer from bloating. If there is insufficient stomach acid food cannot be broken down properly. Bacteria which is present in the digestive tract then attacks the undigested food leading to fermentation which causes gas. TIP: There is a simple and useful test you can do to determine if you have low stomach acid, it is not absolute and so you should have this diagnosed by your health provider – in the morning on an empty stomach dissolve a quarter of a teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda in to a little water. After drinking this you should experience belching within 5 – 10 minutes. The Bicarbonate of soda becomes neutralised and will turn in to gas when there are sufficient levels of stomach acid. If you experience no belching this suggests an insufficiency of stomach acid. Another useful indicator is to take a tablespoon of lemon juice when experiencing pain. If this makes you feel better it is an indicator of low stomach acid, if not and in fact you feel worse you may in fact have too much stomach acid. If you discover you don’t have enough stomach acid you may want to try the Viridian Digestive Aid which contains betaine hydrochloric acid. Other Bloating Culprits The digestive system is complex and other factors can cause bloating such as eating too quickly or consuming too much red meat. Consuming food when upset and hormonal imbalances can also cause a distended tummy. It can be useful to have a stool sample tested and to check for any parasites or bacteria. In occasional cases feeling bloated can have a serious root cause and so report any concerns to your doctor.
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Low Thyroid Symptoms – Steps to Support Your Thyroid Health
Could you be suffering from an undiagnosed thyroid condition? Perhaps you have visited your GP with common low thyroid symptoms and a blood test revealed that all was “normal”, or maybe you are already taking prescription thyroid medication but still don’t feel as well as expected. One in five women will develop a thyroid condition during their lifetime, but the majority of these women will remain undiagnosed. The test says no, but the symptoms persist. “Over a period of several years, I never saw a person whose TSH was over 2 microIU/ml who was comfortably healthy, and I formed the impression that the normal, or healthy, quantity was probably something less than 1.0.” Ray Peat Ph.D in Biology There is an epidemic of thyroid disease in this country and many women are suffering unnecessarily. Hypothyroidism is also frequently accompanied by cardiac dysfunction and high blood pressure. In fact I know of one woman who after years of trying to get to the bottom of her obvious symptoms of low thyroid, eventually needed a pacemaker. Studies show that Treatment of hypothyroidism may lead to normalisation of blood pressure. What is The Thyroid and Why Is It So Important The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the base of the throat, just below the Adam’s apple. Sometimes you can feel it or the neck may appear puffy. Thyroid hormone is one of the hormones that regulate metabolism and weight; hence why many women although not eating a huge amount of food and regularly exercising, just can’t shift extra weight. Healthy thyroid function is vital for the overall well-being of the body. It plays a huge role in the functioning of the heart, brain, liver, kidneys and skin and without the correct nutritional fuel the thyroid is unable to function properly and so symptoms appear. The thyroid influences every tissue in the body and to do this it utilises multiple hormones, including T4, T3, T2 and T1. Perhaps the most important, and frequently discussed hormones are thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). Common Low Thyroid Symptoms You may have a few or many of the low thyroid symptoms below although this list is not exhaustive – Low body temperature Cold hands and feet Cold bottom Feeling sluggish Constipation Dry skin, hair and nails Thinning hair Poor circulation Inflammation Depression Anxiety Exhausted easily Hormonal imbalance Fertility issues Inability to lose weight Poor digestion Puffiness The “Gold Standard” TSH Blood Test You might have visited your GP with some of the symptoms above and routinely you will be offered the TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone) blood test. This lab test was developed in the 1970’s using about 200 volunteers to establish a “normal” range. They didn’t really know at the time if these people were already becoming hypothyroid. Many people are informed their results are “normal” when symptoms persist. This can go on for years and years until the TSH test finally comes back as above-range. “Measuring the amount of thyroid in the blood isn’t a good way to evaluate adequacy of thyroid function, since the response of tissues to the hormone can be suppressed (for example, by unsaturated fats).” Ray Peat Not Relying on a Blood Test In Canada Dr David Derry was practicing medicine when the TSH test was introduced –“The consensus of thyroidologists decided in 1973 that the TSH (lab) was the blood test they had been looking for all through the years. This was about two years after I started practice. Having been taught how to diagnose hypothyroid conditions clinically, I was in a position to watch to see what the relation of the TSH was to the onset of hypothyroidism. What I found was many people would develop classic signs and symptoms of hypothyroidism but the TSH was ever so slow to become abnormal, rise and confirm the clinical diagnosis. Sometimes it never did. Finally I began treating patients with hypothyroid in the normal manner I was taught. I could not see why I had to wait for the TSH to rise for me to be able to treat them.” So in other words he treated a patient the old-fashioned way, according to their symptoms. Factors That Inhibit Thyroid Function Stress is a major factor inhibiting thyroid function but there are others – Stress Auto immune diseases like Coeliac Fluoride which is an antagonist to iodine Infections and trauma Pesticides and heavy metals like mercury and lead Sluggish liver Poor gut health Nutrients That Contribute to Proper Production of Thyroid Hormones The thyroid requires specific nutrients to function well, many that are lacking in the modern diet – Selenium Zinc Magnesium Vitamin C Vitamin B2, B3 and B6 Vitamin D Iodine Levothyroxine (T4) Only Medication Thyroxine is the medication of choice and has become the standard treatment for thyroid conditions because it influences the TSH levels. But this isn’t getting to the crux of the matter. As I have mentioned above the TSH test is not a good method to gauge thyroid health. It doesn’t consider vital factors such as thyroid hormone conversion and transport or the patients nutritional status. By improving a patients T4 levels, doctors can normalise TSH levels without ever dealing with the actual true cause of thyroid dysfunction. Steps To Support Your Thyroid Eliminate unsaturated fats (margarine, vegetable oils) Replace with pro-thyroid fats like butter and coconut oil (consume 2 teaspoons of coconut oil daily) Eliminate processed foods Add nutrient rich carbohydrates such as root vegetables and fruits Ensure your diet includes adequate protein Make a raw grated salad daily with a dressing of coconut oil and apple cider vinegar Reduce or eliminate wheat Eliminate soy products Address any issues of a sluggish liver, insomnia and constipation Reduce stress (so important!) Consume meat on the bone and from organic sources Support The Body With Supplements Nutrient deficiencies can be prevalent due to the modern diet but are vital for healthy thyroid function. Zinc and selenium are essential for the conversion of the storage thyroid hormone T4 to T3 the active thyroid hormone. Iodine is essential for the production of thyroid hormone and when used alongside selenium it can play an instrumental role in healing. The adaptogenic herb Ashwagandha has been shown to have thyroid enhancing properties, can relieve fatigue and combat stress and anxiety. Viridian Thyroid Complex or Dr Dean’s ReMyte (both of these products contain the necessary supportive nutrients) Ashwagandha I love this liquid Vitamin B Thyroid Complex by Forefront Health. For more advice on this complex subject please contact us at Botanica Health.
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Black Beauty Elderberry Elixir
This Black Beauty Elderberry Elixir is not only easy to make but the aroma filling the air as it steeps and simmers is divine. A step up from The Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe (check out the amazing benefits of elderberry at the link) this adds another layer of protection with spices to keep away winter-ills. Star anise – antiviral properties, key ingredient in flu-fighting drug Tamiflu Cinnamon – warming and antimicrobial Cloves – warming and antimicrobial Fresh ginger – warming and anti-inflammatory Recipe 1.5 cups of fresh elderberries 1.5 cups of Billington’s molasses sugar 6 cloves 4 star anise 2 cinnamon sticks 30g ginger (or large thumb size) peeled and sliced Add all the ingredients with 1 cup of water (you can leave out the water if you would prefer a thick syrup) to a saucepan. Bring to the boil and simmer with the lid on for half an hour, allowing all the spices to infuse. Push through a fine sieve and decant to sterilised jars. Take one teaspoon a day as a preventative measure and more if necessary.
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Cracks at the Corner of the Mouth
If you have suffered from cracks at the corner of the mouth you will know that simply smiling or eating can be painful. Often this inflammatory condition will clear up on its own but sometimes it can become a chronic issue. Causes Medically known as angular cheilitis this condition can be due to – Nutritional deficiencies (especially B vitamins, iron, zinc) SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth) – causing malabsorption of nutrients Bacterial, fungal or yeast (candida) infections Anaemia Habitual licking of mouth A variety of other factors can contribute to Angular Cheilitis. Elderly people can suffer from this condition due to poor nutritional status from hypochlorhydria, which means to have LOW stomach acid, common in aging which in turn leads to poor nutritional absorption. People with a dry mouth are more likely to develop cracks at the corner of the mouth. This can develop due to dehydration or uncontrolled diabetes. Autoimmune conditions like Crohn’s disease, lupus and ulcerative colitis can also make you more susceptible. Treatment options Fix the gut and Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth. “SIBO may be accompanied by both maldigestion and malabsorption. “Bacteria in SIBO might significantly interfere with enzymatic, absorptive and metabolic actions of a macro-organism”. Eliminate aggravating foods and consider taking Cat’s claw Uncaria tomentosa. Take a methylated B vitamin like this one. Take zinc to support immunity. Get tested for anaemia (before taking iron supplements). If suffering from hypochlorhydria consider taking betaine-HCL and digestive enzymes. Eliminate candida Make an anti-fungal balm – Mix 2 tablespoons of coconut oil with 2 drops of oregano oil (or tea tree) and 2 drops of lavender oil. Store in the fridge to keep firm. Keep hydrated With the correct treatment plan you can smile once again without the dread of cracking open that oh so small, but oh so painful little crack:-)
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