Emotional Well Being

 Emotional Well Being

Jo Francks, MH

I recently received a call from someone who was considering ending his life. He thought he was calling a hotline for help with his issues but somehow got my number. In this situation, I had to think fast to help him change his thinking and help him realize that his life mattered and that he was of great worth on earth. He was surprised at the things I said to him as if I knew him. I know what I said to him came from a higher source and it was no coincidence that he got my number. When we finished our conversation he was in a much better place emotionally. Unfortunately, there are many people silently suffering from emotional and mental issues that don’t know where to turn for help. I will be sharing some sources that people can use to help with emotional issues.

Number one is proper nutrition and herbs. We want to get the nervous system and the endocrine system working optimally. First eliminate toxins that are disruptive to the nervous system which can create an imbalance in the body's chemical system. These include sugar, artificial colors or sweeteners, MSG or “Natural Flavorings”, and anything that is added to food as a preservative. Eat food from the produce section, organic as much as possible, and nuts and seeds. Avoid gluten if you are sensitive to it. The nervous system requires calcium and B vitamins to work properly. The Relax-Eze formula is a wonderful supplement for the nervous system. Individual nervine herbs of valerian, skullcap, chamomile, or kava kava can be very helpful for rebuilding the nerves. Another help would be the Herbal Calcium formula to provide the building blocks for calcium the body can use. 

There are many herbs that can help with mental well being. I always recommend the MindTrac formula. Herbs to strengthen the endocrine system are always helpful because this is where hormones are made in the body. When the glands are functioning properly the hormones will come into balance. Adaptogens are helpful for this. Ashwagandha, rhodiola, holy basil, schizandra, and ginseng are some examples of adaptogens that can help with the endocrine system. The Glandular System formula and the formulas specific to glandular weakness should be considered such as the Adrenal formula, the Thyroid Maintenance formula, or the Hormonal Changease formula. 

There are also some self help tools available online and in books to help overcome negative thinking and negative emotional states. 

Feelings Buried Alive Never Die by Karol Truman is a book that has tools to help overcome negative thinking and to help release negative thoughts. One of the first things the author suggests working on is the thought pattern of not liking yourself. She has you work on this belief before anything else. Can you guess why?

EFT is another tool you can use on your own to release negative thoughts and behaviors. Gary Craig originated this technique. It stands for Emotional Freedom Technique and is often called tapping. Gary Craig and Nick Ortner both have resources online that can be accessed easily. There are many instructional YouTube videos teaching this technique for free. 

The Emotion Code by Dr. Bradley Nelson is a tool to release trapped emotions in the body which can cause physical symptoms. You can learn it on your own or find a practitioner that is efficient in the technique who can help. 

These are a few tools and modalities that are very helpful for emotional and mental issues that can be done on your own or with the help of a qualified practitioner. 

Compassion for others is lacking in our world today. A wise man that once walked the earth taught us to love others and that peace begins with you. Let us always remember that there are people out there that need a cup of kindness and that is free to give to anyone. 

Herb Walk

 I was able to get out and do an herb walk with a group of local youth. I sure enjoyed their excitement to learn and their interest in herbs. The rain didn't stop them a bit. 

The echinacea is still in bloom displaying its beautiful flowers.

Violet

 Violet

 

The International Herb Association has chosen Violet, Viola spp. as the herb of the year for 2022. Violet is also known as Pansy, Heartsease, Johnny Jump-Up, and other common names. I think this is one of the funnest flowers in all the flower gardens I see because it is so colorful and unique. What makes it even better is that it has such wonderful medicinal properties. 

 

Violets are early blooming flowers and often follow the melting snow. You can see the leaves popping up from the soil in early spring. The heart-shaped leaves and the flowers are used as a pulmonary aid and are used for rheumatism and skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. There is evidence that this herb has been used to treat cancer. Its medicinal properties include mucilage, laxative, emetic (root), alterative, and antiseptic.

 

We love it for its beauty, but if you want to harvest the plant for medicinal use, cut the stems about a third of the way up just before the blooms open or just after. Dry all the parts to use for making tea, or it can be made into a tincture, extract, oil, or ointment. The roots are not used since they could cause vomiting but the plant parts above ground are very safe. 

 

Violet has been used as an herbal aid for centuries. To treat insomnia Askham’s Herbal recommends making a tea of the herb and soaking the feet in it. Then bind the herb to the temples when going to bed.

 

When Napoleon went to Elba His last message to his adherents was that he should return with Violets. Hence he was alluded to and toasted by them in secret as Caporal Violette, and the Violet was adopted as the emblem of the imperial Napoleonic party. (A Modern Herbal, Volume 2, pg 835)

 

The older writers had great faith in Syrup of Violets: ague, epilepsy, inflammation of the eyes, sleeplessness, pleurisy, jaundice and quinsy are only a few of the ailments for which it was held potent. Gerard says: ‘It has power to ease inflammation, roughness of the throat and comforteth the heart, asuageth the pains of the head and causeth sleep.’ (Ibid)

 

‘Sirrup of Violets

(As it appears in A Modern Herbal Volume 2, pg 835)

‘Take a quantity of Blew Violets, clip off the whites and pound them well in a stone morter; then take as much fair running water as will sufficiently moisten them and mix with the Violets; strain them all; and  to every halfe pint of the liquor put one pound of the best loafe sugar; set it on the fire, putting the sugar in as it melts, still stirring it; let it boyle but once or twice att the most; then take it from the fire, and keep it to your use. This is a dainty sirrup of Violets.’

 

 

Yams with Apples and Candied Pecans

3 Medium Yams sliced thick or chunked

2 Granny Smith apples peeled cored and sliced

¼ cup coconut oil ½ tsp salt

1 ½ Tbs cornstarch 1 cup water

½ cup maple syrup 1 Tbs lemon juice

Parboil the yams for about 15 minutes. Cool. Melt coconut oil in a saucepan. Add cornstarch, maple syrup, and salt and mix well. Add water; cook and stir until it has thickened. In an oiled casserole dish alternate yam slices with apple slices. Add lemon juice to the sauce and pour the sauce over the yams and apples. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Sprinkle the pecans over the yams and apples for the last 15 minutes of baking.

Candied Pecans

1 tsp cinnamon

1 Tbs maple syrup

1 ⅓ cup pecans

Mix cinnamon and maple syrup in a large bowl. Add the nuts and mix until the nuts are well coated.

 Echinacea

Jo Francks

This time of year is the time to reflect and show appreciation and give thanks for the great blessings in our lives. One of those blessings for me is the knowledge that I have of herbs and the herbs themselves that have blessed me and my family for so many years. 

Echinacea was one of the first herbs we used and found that it was a true blessing for healing from colds and flu. It seemed to never let us down when we needed its virtues.  Whenever we felt sick we would reach for the echinacea extract bottle and most times it was what we grew and made ourselves. It helped to stimulate our immune system and stop the cold from progressing and we’d feel better in no time. Echinacea is an herb I wouldn’t want to be without. 

Echinacea has many different species. The most common are Echinacea angustifolia, Echinacea pallida, and Echinacea purpurea commonly known as purple coneflower. All parts of the plant can be used but the root is most often what is sold for medicinal purposes. The leaves and flowers have many of the same benefits as the root and can be picked and dried for making infusions or extracts. 

Echinacea flowers have purple ray petals and bristly cones in the center, They are on a long erect stalk with lance-shaped toothed leaves. The properties of echinacea are to stimulate the immune system by increasing the white blood cells making it effective for fighting infection in the body. It is a powerful blood purifier and is known as a remedy for snake bites and spider bites. Echinacea can be taken frequently at the first sign of an illness and is effective for about 5 days then take a couple of days off and start again. Topically echinacea can be applied to any wound and it will help prevent infection and encourage healing. 

Echinacea has been used by Native Americans throughout history. It is native to North America but caution should be used in gathering plants in their natural habitat because of over-harvesting. We want to keep this plant around forever. It is a very nice plant to grow in any herb garden and adds color and beauty as well as medicinal benefits. It can be cultivated by seed or root transplants. 

If you don’t have echinacea growing in your herb garden, consider adding it this next growing season. It will provide beauty and medicine when needed and will be something you will be grateful for. 

Things I love About Calendula

 Things I love About Calendula

Jo Francks MH

Calendula is a plant that is easy to grow. It is an annual plant but it will come back year after year from seed. Just let a few seeds remain on the plant at the end of the season for another good crop the next year. It flowers mid to late summer and the flowers are what I use for medicine. Just a few plants will produce plenty of flowers for you and your family.

Calendula Officinalis is also called pot marigold and sometimes marigold but don’t confuse it with common marigold whose Latin name is Tagetes. Calendula is a very versatile plant and it has many different uses. It is very good at strengthening the immune system. It helps with viruses, infections and fungal infections. It helps clear out the lungs and sinuses. Its demulcent and vulnerary properties make it wonderful for the skin and it is used in many topical creams, salves and ointments. It helps heal wounds, prevent infection, reduce pain, and relieve itching.

When calendula flowers are made into an ointment, the ointment turns out a nice yellow color. We always had yellow ointment around and that became its name. Any time there was a need for a bandage yellow ointment was placed on the bandage first before it was applied to the skin. It always relieved pain or itching and helped wounds heal quickly. We used it for sunburns, insect bites, scrapes, cuts, scratches, hangnails, athletes foot, eczema, varicose veins, chapped lips,  and all skin problems.

Internally calendula was used as a tea or extract alone or combined with other herbs for colds, flu, sore throats, headaches, fevers, coughs, yeast infections, muscle pain and cramping. The effects were felt almost immediately when drinking a warm cup of calendula tea at the first sign of a cough or sore throat. The flower petals can be added to soup and will give it a nice warm yellow color. They can also be added to salads either fresh or dried.

Calendula also is beneficial in the garden. It helps improve the soil and repel insects. Its bright yellow and orange flowers brighten my day. I would not want to be without calendula because I use it in so many ways. 

Recipe for Immunity

 Recipe for Immunity

1 cup fresh echinacea root chopped (or ½ cup dried)

1 TBS dried elderberries

3 small sprigs fresh chocolate mint leaves (or any mint) chopped

2 small sprigs fresh thyme leaves chopped

¼ cup distilled water (approximately)

Vegetable glycerin

Dropper bottle

In a pint jar add all the herbs. Add water so it comes up about an inch. Add vegetable glycerin to fill the jar to the top so all herbs are covered. Secure the lid tightly. Shake daily for 2 weeks. 

Strain and save the liquid and compost the herbs. Fill a dropper bottle with the glycerite and use 1 or 2 droppers 3 times a day for the prevention of illness. If you have symptoms of an illness, take more often. 

Recipe by Jo Francks