Journal
Easy Falafel
Falafel is a traditional Middle Eastern food usually served in a wrap. A very easy recipe to whip up with minimal ingredients. Highly nutritious and rich in fibre and plant protein. Ingredients 1 tin or carton of organic chickpeas drained (380g drained) 1 small red onion roughly chopped 2 cloves of garlic roughly chopped 1 teaspoon of ground cumin 1 teaspoon of ground coriander small handful of chopped coriander leaves half a teaspoon of sea salt good grind of black pepper 1/4 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda 1 tablespoon of organic plain flour 2 tablespoons of olive oil Make Add all the ingredients to a mini chopper and gently blitz until a course paste is formed. Divide into 7 or 8 balls and gently flatten. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry for about 3 minutes on each side until crispy and golden. Serve with a big rocket salad, sundried tomatoes, cucumber and crumbled feta cheese and a wedge of lemon.
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Herbs to Support Our Innate Immunity Through a Pandemic
According to Ed Yong in his best-selling book, I contain multitudes: ‘All of us are constantly seeding the world with our microbes every time we touch an object, we leave a microbial imprint upon it. Every time we walk, talk, scratch, shuffle, or sneeze, we cast a personalised cloud of microbes into space. Every person aerosolises around 37 million bacteria per hour.’ Yet we survive. And it is due to our awesome immune system! I find it quite astonishing that in all the talk and advice concerning the viral pandemic, virtually nothing has been said about our innate immunity. I wonder why? Setting aside any conspiracy theories, let’s concentrate on the practical issue of boosting immunity. Normally I would give advice during the autumnal part of the year but these are not times of normality so we need to prepare right now. There are threats of a second wave and fear is in the air and therefore there is every reason to build our defences. Whilst we respect the law on masks, one fact is clear, the colossal amount of bacteria aerosolised per hour needs to be expelled and not re-breathed. Also, masks lower oxygen intake and raise stress hormones which lower immunity. As with so much in life, there is a trade-off between benefit and risk and we hope the ‘powers that be’ will act in our best interests. So what can we do to strengthen our natural defences? With a healthy lifestyle in place, certain supplements are paramount. Vitamin C and the hormone-vitamin D are foundational even in these summer months. Herbal remedies occupy a unique niche in a defence strategy. How is this? Plants create chemical complexes known as phytonutrients — plant nutrients — which have specific benefits or actions. Phytonutrients differ from other supplements such as minerals and vitamins. Echinacea is my favourite herb that up-regulates immunity. It is safe and effective and well tolerated across the entire age range. From drop doses for young children to a maintenance dose for adults, echinacea has a very wide spectrum of action but it is essential to use a top quality product. A liquid blend of the two species: Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea has been found to be most effective. Please call the shop/clinic for this proprietary blend. Over recent years, Elderberry has gained a reputation as a potent antiviral — thanks to the work of world-renowned Israeli virologist Dr. Madeleine Mumcuoglu. Elderberry is available as a liquid extract suitable for children and adults and a glycerin, alcohol-free extract for the very young. Elderberry lozenges, ‘Sambucol’, are valuable too, especially when travelling. However, resistance to pathogens extends beyond a direct boosting of the immune system — overall body system health is vital. Dr Robert Lustig Professor emeritus at the University of California, advises: ‘protect the liver and feed the gut’ as foundational for health. Milk Thistle seed extract has a profound influence on the liver in its major role as our prime organ of detoxification. Studies also show that milk thistle benefits the entire digestive system including the microbiome. Let us rise above immune-lowering anxiety and attend to our awesome innate immune system and have every faith that it will protect us during these difficult times. Brian Lamb, Medical Herbalist
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Elderflower Delight
T h e E l d e r – M e d i c i n e C h e s t o f t h e P e o p l e The Elderflower always brings back childhood memories for me. We would collect it in the local village, using it fresh or drying it over our red AGA, filling the house with this most beautiful soothing scent. I remember as a child having elderflower tea as a diaphoretic (to induce a sweat) if I had a fever. I can still smell it now, in a steaming cup with some other herbs to help ease me out of the flu. It is also a useful relaxant, for colic, upper respiratory tract congestion and depression. Every season brings its treasures to us, the elder gifting us with the fragrant flowers, followed by the berries in Autumn. In the year 800 CE Charlemagne decreed that an Elder be planted in every yard in his realm, to be a “medicine cabinet” for immediate use. How wise these people were. recipe ~ elderflower delight You need: to go for a nice walk and find an Elder Pick 10 generous flower heads, shake out any insects Also: 4 flat tbsp of gelatin granules – buy here 350g granulated sugar 70ml + 150ml + 50ml of water 1 lemon juiced 1 heaped tbsp of cornflour + another 60g 1 heaped tbsp of icing sugar Then Place the gelatin in a small bowl, add the 70ml of water, stir and leave to bloom for about 15 minutes. It will swell and look a little like frog spawn. Put the sugar, lemon juice and 150ml of water in to a smallish saucepan and heat gently. Stir from time to time to ensure all the granules have dissolved. Turn off the heat and move aside. Line a small dish, about 10cm by 10 cm with parchment paper. Sift the icing sugar with the 1 tablespoon of cornflour generously over the base of the dish. Save the rest until later to dust the delight. Remove most of the stems from the elderflower and place the blossoms in a piece of muslin making a small pouch, and tie with a piece of cotton. Stir the 60g of cornflour into the 50ml of water making a smooth paste. Put the sugar syrup back on to a low heat and when warm whisk in the gelatin and cornflour paste. Make sure the gelatin has completely dissolved. Slowly bring the mix to the boil and pop in your elderflower bag. Simmer for around 20 minutes, stirring all time, squeezing and kneading the bag with whatever you stir with, to release the flavours. I used a whisk which worked quite well. It will bubble a bit. I simmered it on a low heat. Then pour the thick, syrupy liquid in to your dish. Scrape the bag so not to waste anything. The whisk was really useful at getting the mixture off the bag. You want the mix to reach about 1 inch up your dish and if it doesn’t you could use something smaller. Cool at room temperature and then place in the fridge over night. In the morning liberally dust a board with the remain cornflour and icing sugar. Peel off the parchment and tip out on to the board. Slice in to about 1 inch cubes, turning the delight over in the powder. Enjoy.
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Toxic Mucus – Guest Post by Brian Lamb Medical Herbalist
Part 4Toxic mucus We are told that the Covid-19 virus, first of all infects the nose before travelling to the lungs. This explains why some victims experience a loss of smell and taste. However, as stated before, if your immune system is strong AND your diet and lifestyle opposes inflammation, the virus will not seriously bother you. With that assurance, added insurance comes by understanding the role of Toxic Mucus.New Scientist magazine of January 8th 20201 extolled the virtue of breathing through the nose and said this: ”Beyond your visible nose lies the nasal cavity, a cavernous space the size of a gaping mouth. This is lined with folded membranes designed to warm or cool the air to body temperature, add moisture and trap pathogens in yet more mucus. Your sinuses – air-filled spaces that connect to the nasal cavity – swirl the air around more and add nitric oxide, which kills bacteria and viruses and relaxes the blood vessels in the respiratory tract, allowing more oxygen to pass into the blood”. This huge cavity is the source of Toxic Mucus which can provide fertile breeding for a secondary, and potential deadly bacterial infection. What is toxic mucus and how can we avoid it? To answer this we must go back to the Spanish flu’ pandemic of 1918 and a visit to the Pueblo Indian community at Albuquerque, New Mexico by a remarkable physician, D. A. Richardson, MD, where he found the inhabitants in a terrible state: “The following day the deplorable condition at Isleta presented itself in the death of ten Indians. The Pueblo itself, situated in its better portion northward, was in marked contrast to the southerly portion of the Pueblo which older and presented a mere mass of low ceilinged adobes, small doors, virtually no windows, one pigeon hole leading into another, sometimes in long sections, and in all these it was absolutely impossible for the sun to shine. In these rooms, were, in all stages of the Flu, Indians lying dead or dying or advancing well to the conditions which followed the Flu.” It is well worth reading his typewritten account2. Dr Richardson was clearly a very competent and caring physician who instructed the poor Indians on how to survive the flu’. He noted that those who stayed in bed, drinking abundantly of hot water, taking only liquid food and maintained an ‘open toilet’ (regularity), mostly survived whereas those who got up and ate solid food, mostly died. In his words: “Throughout all the pueblos the same cause of death appears and it is due to the ingestion during the progress of this disease of solid food or of sitting up in an erect posture at times, producing thereby hypostatic congestions or exhaustion.” How is it possible that eating solid food can cause death? I was reminded of this during my journey in 2013 to the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp in Poland. On the way, Jan, my Polish friend, introduced me to Ignacy, a remarkable survivor of a ‘death train’ to Dachau extermination camp in early 1945. When I met Ignacy he was 84, tall, upright and still powerfully built, but when he arrived at Dachau in 1945, under a pile of dead bodies he weighed just 39 kg. A few days after his arrival, the Americans liberated Dachau on April 29th and distributed beef steaks to the starving prisoners. In Ignacy’s own words: “The next day, 2,000 died — they could not digest the meat — I ate a little bread and survived”. One can hardly imagine the agony suffered by the Dachau prisoners, so close to liberation but killed by food offered in kindness but of the wrong sort. So let’s connect this to Dr Richardson and his “hypostatic congestion”. In modern medical terms, he was relating this to pneumonia caused by eating solid food —which could not be digested — plus the exhaustion of getting up too soon. It is not commonly understood — except by naturopathic practitioners — that when food cannot be digested it puts an enormous strain on the body. Digestion is a demanding process which takes up about 45% of available energy. Undigested food produces inflammation and a fraction of this is admitted to the bloodstream and ejected by the mucous-secreting cells of the nasal cavity. Such toxic mucus can then progress to the lungs to provide an ideal feeding and breeding ground for a pneumonia bacteria. This is exactly what Dr Richardson found. Bringing this up to the present and relating it to the fact that most deaths from the flu’/covid virus are due to bacterial pneumonia, how can we avoid creating toxic mucus? Since the digestive tract is the source of toxic mucus we do well to give attention to what we eat, when we eat and how much we eat. By all means try to avoid going to bed with a ‘full stomach’, eat lightly and major on vegetables and fruit and be aware of mucus-forming foods such as excess dairy, bread and ‘empty starches’ such as pasta. Also avoid cooking in seed oils — which are highly inflammatory — using only coconut and olive oils. In conclusion, at the first sign of excess or toxic mucus take note and an avoiding strategy. A ‘heroic’ infusion of dried Dandelion leaf tea (available at the clinic) can abort an incoming virus if caught early enough and will quench toxic mucus as it cleanses the digestive system, liver and kidneys. A short fast coupled with a dandelion infusion can make all the difference. Read more: https://www.newscientist.com/article/mg24532640-600-how-to-breathe-your-way-to-better-memory-and-sleep/#ixzz6Lx1jVu1Xhttps://www.archives.gov/exhibits/influenza-epidemic/records/visiting-doctor-letter.pdf
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My 10 Lockdown Essentials
What a word! At the beginning of the year how would we ever have foreseen the situation we now all face. But here we are, and some things are supporting me and making my life richer. These are staples and items I appreciate/use/do daily. 1. Flowers – “are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty out values all the utilities in the world.” Ralph Waldo Emerson. Picking wild flowers raises the spirits. 2. A good breakfast – this morning it was a smoothie of a handful each of raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, 100ml coconut milk, blackcurrant powder (2 teaspoons), 1 tablespoon of desiccated coconut and raw honey. Rich in polyphenols, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. 3. Ashwagandha – my go to adaptogen and right now we are all adapting. Studies show it has wide ranging health benefits – supporting adrenal glands, reducing stress and anxiety. Taken in the morning it provides energy and stamina, with a second evening dose aiding sleep and lowering stress hormones. It is immune boosting and anti-inflammatory and stabilizes blood sugar. The perfect remedy for worry, insomnia, low energy and fatigue. 4. Walking – every day I ensure we have a family walk. Inhaling fresh air, taking in our surroundings and topping up our vitamin D. Exercise has many benefits including detoxification, increased blood flow, improved digestion and a general sense of improved well-being. 5. Gallinée Foaming Facial Cleanser – this award winning cleanser refreshes and revitalises my complexion with its unique patented infusion of prebiotics, and lactic acid. Smoothing and brightening with a lovely fragrance. Skin feels softer. 6. Purifying Neem & Tea Tree Hand Wash – Protecting and gentle on the skin, this botanical blend contains antibacterial Neem and Tea Tree and is fragranced with lemon to leave the skin feeling fresh, clean and beautifully soft. 7. Books – Hedgerow Medicine is a great book to buy just now. Learn about all the amazing medicinal plants growing all around you. Harvest and make your own remedies. 8. Pukka Mushroom Gold – A powerful immune system protection and rejuvenation. Anti-viral and anti-inflammatory. An organic synergistic blend of full-spectrum Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake mushrooms. These mushrooms are often used in the treatment of chronic viruses. I take them as a preventative. 9. Appreciation – every day for our family, health, work, our village and all the people working to keep us afloat. The day begins well when we consider our blessings. 10. Magnesium – I have taken ReMag almost consistently now for 6 or so years. It can be life-changing for anxiety, palpitations, restless legs, migraines, hot flushes, muscle pain, energy and sleep. It is a whole mind and body mineral, reduces inflammation, supports the thyroid and is a great support if you feel overwhelmed.
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Weakening the Crown (Corona) with a Supreme Herbal Remedy
Guest post by Medical Herbalist Brian Lamb The word ‘virus’ has instilled worldwide fear but of all biological forms, viruses are the most abundant and ubiquitous. They are essential to life. However, some cause disease. Corona viruses includes the common cold. But what about the novel Covid-19, how can we lessen its effect, if we catch it? In essence we need to weaken it — and we can — with an extract of Sweet Chestnut leaf. All parts of this magnificent naturalised tree have distinct therapeutic and nutritional properties — flower, leaf, bark, seed shell burrs, nuts (seeds) and even the brown shells. We are all familiar with the nets of chestnuts which appear in the stores for Christmas. Sweet chestnuts are a nutritional powerhouse: gluten-free, delicious and packed with minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. Rich in folates and therefore of benefit to expectant mothers and good source of fatty acids to balance cholesterol. They are available all year round prepared roasted in small packs. But the leaf extract is special for a time such as this as a defence against a possible secondary infection to the Covid-19 virus. Unfortunately, people die as a result of catching the flu’ (50,000 excess deaths during the 2017/2018 UK flu’ season)! However, the reality is that deaths are mostly due to a secondary infection or sequel to the virus. A secondary infection is caused by an inhaled microbe such as a pneumonia bacteria. If a bacterial infection is diagnosed, a physician will prescribe an antibiotic which mostly resolves the issue if the drug is taken soon enough and the patient is relatively strong and most importantly does not suffer from any other serious diseases — known as ‘co-morbidities’ (99% of those who died in Italy had co-mobilities). There is an interesting connection between COVID-19 and whooping cough. Whilst COVID-19 is a virus, whooping cough is a bacteria (Bordetella pertussis) , both target the cilia cells of the lungs. These are the cells with hair like projections that waft debris upwards and away in the mucus stream. Traditionally, the leaves of Sweet Chestnut (Castanea sativa) were given in cases of whooping cough — long before any vaccine was available. This once vaunted remedy is the spotlight of this report. Scientific work published in 20151 indicates that Sweet Chestnut leaf is a potent antibacterial agent. Dr Cassandra Quave and colleagues working in the labs at Emory State University says regarding the leaf extract: “We’ve demonstrated in the lab that our extract disarms even the hyper-virulent MRSA strains capable of causing serious infections in healthy athletes,” The investigators were able to show that the extract inhibited the ability of staph bacteria to communicate with each other—a process known as quorum sensing. MRSA uses this quorum sensing signalling system to manufacture toxins and ramp up its virulence. “It’s easy to dismiss traditional remedies as old wives’ tales, just because they don’t attack and kill pathogens,” Dr. Quave said. “But there are many more ways to help cure infections, and we need to focus on them in the era of drug-resistant bacteria.” Further research shows that Sweet Chestnut disarms several other bacteria, apart from MRSA, including one that causes pneumonia. Traditional use shows that Sweet Chestnut also neutralises the whooping cough bacteria. Interestingly, the way in which Sweet Chestnut disarms bacteria — by means of quorum sensing — may be likened to the police breaking up an unruly mob. Individuals can be taken out, one-at-a-time or the mob dispersed so they can no longer communicate. Sweet Chestnut leaf extract prevents the bacteria communicating. Regarding COVID-19, an extract of Sweet Chestnut can be used both as a fortifier and during a possible secondary bacterial infection. Of added value is the fact that the extract does not disrupt the intestinal microbiome but on the contrary acts favourably against the tendency towards diarrhoea. There is also the added benefit of a widespread anti-inflammatory action. Carmel Herbals has a Sweet Chestnut elixir and a syrup suitable for all ages and tastes. Of special interest, drops of the elixir may be added to a steam inhaler to directly target the lungs. 1.The findings from this study were published recently in PLOS ONE through an article entitled “Castanea sativa (European Chestnut) Leaf Extracts Rich in Ursene and Oleanene Derivatives Block Staphylococcus aureus Virulence and Pathogenesis without Detectable Resistance.”
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Lilac Syrup
The common Lilac shrub blooms in late spring with heavily scented blossoms hanging densely on the branches. During Victorian times widows could be seen wearing the flower, a reminder of an old love. They symbolize the coming of spring and renewal. One of the earliest blooms to be seen, it gives us a feeling of hope and of new beginnings. L I L A C S Y R U P GATHER About 6 lilac stems 350g sugar 500ml water 2 slices of unwaxed lemon MAKE Remove the little florets (not keeping the green parts) from the stems and place in a bowl. You should have about 2 cup measurements full. Place the sugar in a saucepan, add the water and place on a low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and allow to simmer for a few minutes. Place the florets in a heat resistant glass jug or bottle and pour over the hot sugar water. Add the lemon slices. Stir, cover with a lid and leave overnight. Stir a few times the next day and every day, for as long as you infuse the flowers. Ideally you want to infuse them for at least 24 hours, but better 3 or 4 days as the syrup will get pinker the longer the flowers infuse and the flavour more pronounced. When you are happy with how it tastes and looks strain out the flowers and lemon and pour in to a sterilised bottle. Use as a cordial, in desserts or for cocktails. It will keep for a week or two in the fridge.
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Dandelion Honey
“Forgive me if I never visit. I am from the fields, you know, and while quite at home with the dandelions, make a sorry figure in a drawing room.”― Emily Dickinson In it’s lifetime a bee will produce a precious 1/12th of a teaspoon of honey. And they love the humble dandelion. The dandelions are in full bloom and shine like stars in fields and hedgerows. They cheer the heart. Not only are they glorious to behold but have far reaching health benefits, even though they are viewed as a pesky weed. Herbalists will use the whole plant; root, stem, leaf and flower each having different medicinal actions. It is a wonderful anti-viral and the flowers have a particular positive effect on the heart. The bitter leaves supportive of the liver and gallbladder, a few can be added to a salad or juiced with apple, celery and ginger. As you warm up the dandelions in the water you will detect a honey fragrance. Enjoy making use of this wonderful herb. “Dandelion is the ideal spring cleanser, spring bitters, and spring tonic.’ Dr. Swinburne Clymer R E C I P E 100 dandelions * 1.5 cups organic sugar (around 315g) * Half a small unwaxed lemon sliced 2 or 3 times Pick around 100 dandelion heads. Ideally away from roads and pollution. You can include a bit of the stalk at the top. Only wash if you concerned about pollution as you want to retain the pollen that may come off through washing. Leave them on a cloth for about 15 minutes or so to allow any insects to crawl out. Place the heads in to a saucepan with half a small lemon cut in to slices and 1.5 cups water (around 350ml). Place the lid on and simmer for 15 minutes. Take off the heat and cool. Infuse overnight. Place a muslin cloth over a sieve on top of a bowl and strain out the liquid, giving the cloth a tight squeeze to release all the liquid. Put the dandelion liquid in to a pan and add the sugar. Ideally you want to weigh the liquid and then add the same amount of sugar, so it may differ slightly from the amount in the recipe. Stir on a low heat until the sugar has dissolved and then simmer from 15 to 30 minutes until your have the desired consistency. Test by dropping a bit on a cold plate and see how set it looks. The honey will turn a darker caramel colour. You want a runny honey consistency. Remember it will thicken as it cools. Pour while still hot in to a sterilised jar. Be careful as it will be very hot. Use as you would honey or take off the spoon.
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Covid-19 and Dandelions – Part 2 by Brian Lamb
It is likely that everyone will catch the ubiquitous COVID-19 virus. Most will never know they contracted it. Despite this, fear is rampant and destructive, and it can be seen on every street and it is perpetrated by the media. What is seldom mentioned is our awesome immune system. The integrity of our immune system is the deciding factor between being relatively free from symptoms and developing a severe illness and it pays when we know what to do to boost immunity. There is indeed much we can do. Our first pillar of health is sleep and it insures strong immunity. Our second pillar of health is food and drink — diet. Certain foods boost immunity but many lower it. The key foods to boost immunity are fruit and vegetables, nuts, seeds, black and green tea, Asian spices and curry and thank goodness, dark chocolate! These key foods are rich in polyphenols. However, there is a spring time herb now coming into bloom that will provide a tonic to the immune system and that herb is the glorious Dandelion. Many see this plant as a weed-pest and spray it to oblivion. Those who are wise will use it as a potent weapon against COVID-19. All parts of the Dandelion have been used in traditional medicine in various ways but mostly to strengthen the liver. In this short article I would like to discuss its use as an anti-viral and anti-inflammatory herbal infusion. The flower head and latex-containing stalk possess the following remarkable properties: 1. a rich source of polyphenols to protect the lining cells of hollow organs in our body including the lungs. 2. anti-inflammatory. 3. anti-oxidant to protect us against hydroxyl radicals. 4. a chemo-preventive agent. 5. last but not least an anti-viral action. Here is a suggested use: take three large flower heads including as much stalk as you can. Infuse them in a cup of boiling water, cover and strain when cold. This drink may be taken twice daily to great advantage during this time of a viral pandemic.
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