What’s in Your Backpack? 

Back to School Suggestions

 

Jo Francks MH

Whether you’re going back to school or on an afternoon hike, it’s always good to be prepared to face any small emergency that might come up. A few simple remedies in your backpack will bring comfort and healing when a situation arises. Here are some suggestions on what you will want to have in your backpack this fall. 

Cayenne:

First of all, for many emergencies, you’ll want to have cayenne. This will stop bleeding and has been used to stop heart attacks. It is used to prevent shock, hypothermia, and to give you a quick energy boost. It stimulates and equalizes circulation helping with lethargy and brain fog. In your backpack you can pack either cayenne powder to mix in water when needed, or an extract to use either in water or straight in the mouth in an emergency. 

Healing Ointment:

Never leave home without some kind of healing ointment. This can be Dr. Christopher’s Complete Tissue and Bone ointment or something else of your choice. This comes in handy for those awful paper cuts. You’ve all had one and healing ointment feels better than lemon juice. The ointment can be carried in a small jar or even in a lip balm tube. Why not use it on your lips? Many high schoolers are very concerned about the condition of their lips.

I like to use an ointment containing comfrey and calendula for healing, pain relief and for itching. You can add other herbs you like to it. Here’s a short video on how to make a calendula ointment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iOLyNGKLSro

Rescue Remedy:

This is a Bach Flower remedy to use when you're faced with a stressful situation. Is it pop quiz time? Did you forget to do your math assignment? It’s the end of the quarter and you’re failing chemistry? Do you have a newsletter due? Well, Rescue Remedy to the rescue. This will help you stay calm and not freak out. This comes in many different forms including drops, gummies, and a spray.

Immune Support:

It’s important to keep your immune system strong to prevent picking up the latest virus or bacterial infection going around. 

Echinacea is used if you have been around a sick person. Start taking it 3 times a day or every hour if you have symptoms. This will help kick the immune system into gear to help fight off infections, sore throats, colds, flu, and runny noses. 

Red Raspberry Leaves can be used every day and will help build the immune system. It will also be helpful for girls who have symptoms of PMS or menstrual cramps.

Other herbs to use to help with immunity are garlic as a natural antibiotic, calendula, lemon balm, cat's claw, and elderberries. 

The wonderful thing about herbs is that many of them have similar properties so if one isn’t available you can choose another that does many of the same things.

Pack a few of these items on your backpack and you will be ready for a lot of things you might face on the playground, in the classroom, or on the trail.  

Energy Bars

These make a great after school snack

1 ½  cups chopped pitted dates

1 ½ cups rolled oats

2 tbsp coconut flakes

2 tbsp chia seeds

½ cup nuts (walnuts, macadamias, brazil nuts, etc.)

⅓ cup natural peanut butter

¼ tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

Add the above ingredients to a food processor and pulse until the mixture is finely chopped and sticky. 

Line an 8X8 baking dish with parchment paper. Pour the mixture from the food processor into the pan. Add ¼ cup dark chocolate chips and mix into the dough. Spread the mixture evenly in the pan. Remove from the pan by holding the parchment paper and lifting out of the pan. Cut into bars. 

Elecampane

 Elecampane

Inula helenium

Jo Francks MH

When looking for an effective herb to treat lung problems, consider elecampane. It has a long history of treating various illnesses in the pulmonary system including asthma, bronchitis, tuberculosis, and whooping cough. It can be used alone or in combination with other herbs for the lungs such as horehound, mullein or wild cherry bark. It’s a good herb to use at the first sign of a cough, runny nose, sore throat or sinus infection.

Elecampane’s medicinal properties are in the root and rhizome and it can contain up to 40% of inulin, a substance that will feed the friendly bacteria in the colon. Elecampane helps with all pulmonary and catarrhal problems. Its sodium phosphate cleans the liver and digestive organs, the potassium chloride dissolves the fibrinous exudations and mucoid matter, and its calcium chlorine supports, feeds and tones the heart muscles. 

It is a stimulant, a relaxant, and a tonic to the mucous membrane, a warming strengthening cleansing and toning agent to the intestinal tract and pulmonary membranes. Because of its powerful healing action and efficient expectoration of pulmonary mucus, some herbalists have considered it a specific remedy for consumption and pulmonary disorders. It promptly clears up old chronic diseases of the lungs and chest.

Elecampane has antimicrobial properties making it effective against viral, fungal or bacterial infections.

Elecampane is often used for digestive problems, especially since it has such a high level of inulin. This makes it helpful when trying to balance gut bacteria. It will help slow down absorption of sugar to prevent sudden changes in blood sugar levels. It also helps to decrease inflammation in the intestines, lungs, and elsewhere in the body. 

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.