Winter Spices with a Summer Flare

Spices are warming but they are also supportive to our overall health and well-being.  And, winter is our time to realish the warming and healthful spices and herbs of Cayenne, Ginger, Horseradish and Garlic. Herbs can soften the bite while adding vitamins and minerals with every shake. It's fun to use them and invent mixes through the seasons.

So how can we use them in winter that reminds us of our summer fun with food? We think of grilling as something we do in the summer, so why not use the wonderful spices that make up a blackened Chicken or Tuna for a winter meal? The heat is welcoming while the herbs nourish us and remind us of when we have had our fresh garden grown vegetables at hand.

Here's a little Herbal Rub with a little Heat that would enliven any meal. Sprinkle on fish, chicken or roasted root vegetables.
We used it on Tuna Steaks.

HERBAL RUB
1 tsp Cayenne Pepper
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Thyme
1 tsp Cilantro
1 tsp Dried Mustard
1 tsp Basil
1/2 tsp Garlic Granules
1/2 tsp Black Pepper

Combine all ingredients and mix in a small bowl. Store in a closed glass jar.

What about Kava?

(This is a reproduction of an article from www.herbalgram.org. Please forgive the misalignment. Visit www.herbalgram.org for the best updated information on Kava. This is a fabulous website with great information!!)   Laura Bystrom, PhD Mariann Garner-Wizard Shari Henson Amy Keller, PhD Heather S Oliff, PhD Risa Schulman, PhD Executive Editor Mark Blumenthal Managing Editor Lori Glenn Consulting Editors Dennis Awang, PhD, Thomas Brendler, Francis Brinker, ND, Allison McCutcheon, PhD, Risa Schulman, PhD Assistant Editor Tamarind Reaves PDF[?] (Download) Anxiety Kava (Piper methysiticum) Date: February 15, 2004 HC# 042115-OLO Re:Kava - A Brief Review Pepping J. Kava: Piper methysticum American Journal of Health-Systems Pharmacy. 1996;56:957-960. Use of kava kava (Piper methysticum) predates written history in the islands of the South Pacific. Offered as a beverage during social occasions or ceremonies, the pulverized underground portions of the kava plant are often mixed with coconut milk. The beverage has played a role in greeting visitors, securing marriages, and settling disputes. For at least the past twelve years, scientific investigation into the warm and sociable effects this plant induces has led to medicinal use for modern day anxiety. Today, extracts standardized to 30-70% kavalactones are used for reducing daily stress and anxiety in general populations, as well as for treating patients with anxiety of psychosomatic, neurotic, or nonpsychotic origins. Research also shows that kava's anxiolytic effects may extend to women entering into their menopausal years. In this article, Pepping states that only a few small studies have assessed kava for anxiety; however, there have been at least six double-blind placebo-controlled randomized (DBPCR) studies on 335 participants which have found significant anxiolytic activity, with a meta-analysis confirming those results. In addition to these, at least half a dozen clinical trials have examined kava. Many pharmaceutical sedative-hypnotics act by binding to gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. The author writes that kavalactones may have a unique mechanism, as binding studies to these receptors in vivo are conflicting. Kava appears to act on the amygdala complex within the limbic system, the emotional center, of the brain. Studies have shown that kava decreases levels of the excitatory neurotransmitter, glutamate, increases daydreaming waves, and decreases concentrating brain wave activity. Kavalactones relax skeletal muscle, and have mild anticonvulsant properties. Sleep quality is enhanced, with an increase in deep sleep without affect on rapid-eye-movement. Kava should not be used by pregnant or nursing women, however, or consumed with alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, other anxiolytics, or psychopharmacological drugs. Case reports suggest that kava may reduce the effectiveness of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease. Kava offers an alternative to pharmaceutical anxiolytics. The author advises people to proceed with caution. 'Higher doses can affect motor function, and long-term use could lead to psychological dependence,' he states. However, Pepping fails to cite any reference for this last statement; and there is no strong evidence linking continual kava use with dependence according to ethnobotanical data citing traditional use or modern case reports where kava is frequently used in modern European clinical medicine. In fact, one 25-week long study showed no signs of withdrawal. It is not recommended to use kava for more than three months without medical supervision, a caution based on the relatively conservative safety assessments of the German Commission E. Reports of liver toxicity associated with prolonged use of kava at very high doses have been cited (Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. 2nd Ed.) as well as the exacerbation of hepatitis in patients with a history of recurrent hepatitis, even with short-term use. -Carolyn Williams Orlando, MA

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American Botanical Council, 6200 Manor Rd, Austin, TX 78723 Phone: 512-926-4900 | Fax: 512-926-2345 | Email: abc@herbalgram.org The information on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified healthcare professional. The American Botanical Council does not endorse or test products, nor does it verify the content or claims made, either implicit or explicit. ABC does not accept responsibility for the consequences of the use of this information or its most up-to-date accuracy. ABC is an independent, nonprofit, tax-exempt research and education organization under IRS section 501(c)(3). All text, images and content Copyright © 2013 American Botanical Council, unless otherwise noted.

Recovery Tea; a compliment to antibiotic therapy following illness.

This flu season has significantly impacted families this winter. It seems that there have been so many families who have been sick with upper respiratory illnesses. Some of these illnesses have been coupled with abdominal symptoms or high fevers or lingering sinus infection and congestion.

It is no wonder that you may find yourself run down, exhausted and depleted in the process of your recovery. Antibiotics fight "biotics"- your body's biology. While these drugs are effective in eradicating harmful bacteria they do ravage on all bacteria beneficial and harmful. In the meanwhile, your doctor will not address how to "recover" from your illness other than to take plenty of fluids and get lots of rest. This advise is virtuous but there is more that we can do.

One simple addition is to drink an immune building and nourishing tea. There are so many wonderful herbs that have this ability. This tea combines the more common and well known herbs that have a proven record to enhance our immune system and nourish our bodies through their nutrient rich contents:

RECOVERY TEA

2 parts Calendula Flowers

2 parts Echinacea

1 part Eleuthrococcus

1 part Red Clover Blossoms

1 part Peppermint

1 part Nettles

1 part Cleavers

1 part Rosehips

1 part Hibiscus flowers

1 part Orange Peel

Take one tablespoon and add to one cup of boiled water and steep for 10-20 minutes.
Drink 3 to 4 cups per day.



Make your own, or order this tea which will be freshly mixed to order.

Place your order :
Send $16.00 for 2 ounces of loose tea. I will gladly mix a fresh bag of tea for you. Price includes shipping.

Rachel J. Ross
30 Wahlstrom Ln.
Jefferson, Ma. 01522
508-847-8615
rjrcnm@gmail.com