ÔEASING THE COMING TRANSITIONÕ
Despite the beauty weÕve been
experiencing these last days of summer, fall and the cooler weather is
approaching. The days are shorter, summerÕs bloom is ending and all of nature
is gearing up for a long deserved rest.
Our ancestors prepared for fall and winter rest by building large stores
of food, dried fish and meat, beans and roots in their winter quarters known as
long houses where the entire tribe would survive until the spring.
Our bodies too are shifting gears
preparing for colder days, less light and the ingestion of heavier foods that
will be required to stay warm. These integral shifts in metabolism require a
fair amount of energy, therefore if you are feeling tired, suffering canker
sores, aches and pains or other unexplained maladies it may be directly related
to this process.
You can ease the process and spare
your energy by following mother naturesÕ lead. Prepare your body by eating with
the seasons, utilizing more roots vegetables, squashes, pumpkins, apples and
other fruits and vegetables that are now coming ripe. Shift from cold drinks to
warming teas and plenty of water. Use hot cereals instead of cold and give up
the dairy until your energy is better.
Use the following herbs and foods to help smooth the transition.
Ginger- an all time favorite of every herbalist I know. Use ginger
for tea, in soups and in chicken and beef dishes. DonÕt throw the ginger tea
bags out. Toss them in your bath and soak away achy sore muscles and bones.
Dandelion- another wonderfully simple herb that can be utilized
in a variety of ways. If your yard is not chemicalized,
pick the entire plant root and all. Use the leaves in your green salad and chop
the root to make a tea. Dandelion cleanses the liver and kidneys of toxins,
boosts energy and strengthens immunity.
Concentrated Cherry Juice- This
wonderful semi tart drink helps cleanse the blood, boosts immunity, rids the
joints of toxins and is naturally high in melatonin, helping to produce restful
sleep.
Garlic-can be used in all kinds of dishes, soups, stews, baked
meats and salad dressings. This herb helps boost immunity, builds the blood,
rids the body of toxins including excess cholesterol and is good for the heart
and circulatory system.
Milk Thistle- used as a tincture cleanses the liver and is
particularly good for the symptoms of arthritis. It boosts digestion by
breaking down fats and increasing the production of bile.
Nettle-not to be handled with your bare hands can be dried and made
into a tea that is rich in vitamin C and iron. Nettle is particularly good to
relieve a stuffy nose, watery eyes and the other symptoms caused by hayfever.
Ginseng can be used to increase sagging energy levels and helps the
body adapt to stressful situations be they emotional or physical. DonÕt use
ginseng to continually push your body at a feverish physical pace.
These simple measures along with
some additional rest should be all that a healthy individual needs to make
their transition from summer to fall. Wise food choices will help insure that
when those cooler fall days do arrive the crispness of the air will entice and
invigorate. Till next time, Rebecca.
08/28/08