Did You Know: Herbal Remedies Through History
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
As fun as it is to look back in time it is also difficult. Nature has a way of reclaiming what we have carved out when we stop fighting it off. It is only through advanced technology and a good idea of where to look do we find any real snapshots of our past.
There is a collection of cave paintings which are scattered about western Europe. I see many different dates so it's hard to know exactly when, we'll say over 41,00 years old, that show a degree of sophistication and intelligence. They created more than just art but show us they had an understanding of nature and their place in it. When we examine the bones of the people who made this art we find their understanding of nature was much more than just artistic.
Dental records and DNA evidence shows that they understood the medical properties of the world around them as well. We can see they could cultivate penicillin and knew what plants would aid in pain relief. I think it is fascinating that even after 41,000 mankind still uses Yarrow to help with digestive issues, or roman chamomile as an anti-inflammatory.
I think what I find most fascinating about this connection we have with plants is how people we think of now as being barely intelligent where able to get it so right. Today with our almost magical understanding of science we still always go back to the plant for healing.
As we evolved so did our understanding of the plants around us. As we grew in sophistication so did our use and understanding of medicinal herbs. When we think of sophisticated civilizations from antiquity we think of Egypt. Ramesses the 2nd was renowned throughout the ancient world for his healers. Their use of plants extended beyond just the preservation of their dead but the preservation of their life as well. If only they tried as hard with the preservation of their knowledge. Though I have heard reference to recipes as far back as 6000 years ago I can only find an example written on the walls of Edfu temple. By this time the priest had realized that their method of papyrus writing might not withstand the test of time, or the fires of Rome. Though I know the recipe known as Kyphi has been around for a very long time it is hard to pin down its exact use. Its abundant use in religious ceremonies and inclusion in the pharos burial suggests that it had a Godly significances to it. Though the Greeks at the time seemed to think that it was an antidote and a cure for the asthmatic. The recipe is still in use today though primarily as a fragrance or in ceremonial use.
The Egyptians were kind enough to tell us what their recipe was but not kind enough to tell us what it is used for. The Chinese on the other hand wrote a manual to withstand the test of time.
I have to admit that Chinese history is the foggiest to me. I know a little about some of the biggest names and most popular stories but as far as the meat of their history I know little. Still I know that if I went looking for the history of medicine it would take me right through China and I found the yellow emperor's book of internal medicine. I would like to say I read it but that would be a lie. I did read about it though and there is a lot to be said about it.
As far as I can tell around 4,500 years ago in China they realized that people who are sick are not just possessed by demons or displeasing some god, they realized something is off with the body and there is a way to bring it back in line. Though it is older than most civilizations there are still those who practice what is written in that book.
About the same time another civilization in India were writing down their religious text and again it was full with medical information. When you look to the Vedic text we find a rich description of the knowledge of local plants and their medical uses. The plants and herbs in this text did more than cure poisons and heal wounds but it was also thought to heal the soul. It is another classic example of humans using the healing power of plants that still to this day help guide our understanding of our connection with the nature around us.
As we look back through history we find that every culture that that took the time to write something down had something to say about the plants in the world and the way they used them. Whether they ate them whole or processed them in to an oil we have been relying on the healing power of plants to help us extend our lives.
Thank you for reading, until next time be well,
Robert
6 all natural oral health alternatives
Monday, March 12, 2018
Over the years I have brought you many posts on all natural dental hygiene. I thought it would be neat to do a roundup of my favorite pearly white recipes, and remedies.
1. Remineralizing toothpaste. This recipe includes ingredients that actually help improve your teeth and gums. If you do not like the flavor of peppermint try wild orange essential oil instead!
2. Hemp Paste. This toothpaste recipe is more smooth than the remineralizing recipe. However, the hemp which contains many healthy fats is great for nourishing your gums. Again, with this recipe you can add in wild orange if you dislike the flavor of peppermint.
3. Oil Pulling: This is an age-old Ayurvedic technique. For this you will need either coconut oil or hemp oil. Other people have had success with Avacado oil or even olive oil. I personally find the taste of all oils a little displeasing other than the hemp and coconut oils. Put a tablespoon of this oil in your mouth and swish it back and forth for as long as you can manage. The recommended amount of time is at least 10-15 minutes. If you can do 20 you are a pro! Make sure to spit the oil out when you are done. The oil will absorb the toxins and bacteria in your mouth as you swish. Do not swallow.
4. Activated charcoal for whitening: This is not the same thing that you use on your grill. It is carbon that has been activated to increase its adsorption.
Adsorption, to explain simply, is the process of one substance attracting/ catching another substance (in this case a toxin) to remove it from a given surface. When you apply activated charcoal to your teeth and let it sit for a few minutes you will see a huge difference in the color of your teeth. Follow the link to learn the process and see my results.
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| Cloves. Use clove oil to numb extreme tooth pain until you can make it to the dentist. |
5. Clove oil: Having extreme tooth pain and have to wait to get to the dentist? Apply a drop of clove oil to your tooth/surrounding gum and the clove will numb your tooth. Clove is also really beneficial for overall oral health. WARNING: the clove oil that is for sale at the pharmacy has a huge label that says: Not for internal use. Please follow this guideline. If you would like a clove oil that is safe for internal use send me an email.
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| Peppermint oil is perfect for oral health and great breath! |
6. Peppermint oil: Not only will peppermint make your breath smell fabulous it is also packed with benefits for oral health. Based on preliminary studies peppermint has helped to reverse tooth and gum disorders/decay. It is also a great preventative to use daily.
While this is not the complete list of herbal oral health it is a great place to start. Which herbal remedies do you use for oral health? Let me know in the comments below.
I hope this was helpful! Thank you for reading and until next time - Be well!
What is an essential oil?
Saturday, March 10, 2018
Essential oils are a huge part of mine and Robert's life. We have so many bottles and use them for so many things from health and wellness to cleaning. I always carry several bottles with me and love engaging in conversation with others who know the benefits. I am a self admitted oil-head. ;)
I'm sure you have heard about them, there are so many companies out there marketing their brand and saturating the market with them. More and more people are becoming interested in the power of these natural oils. I would like to give you a brief overview of what they are, what you would use them for, and how to have success when using them.
What is an essential oil? (My view)
Essential oils are the life essence of a plant. Each plant has its own defense system against the environment allowing it to thrive. It also has many healing properties - so many in fact that for most plants all of the healing properties have not yet been identified. I like to call this the soul essence of a plant. Essential oils are a result of distilling this essence and bottling it.
Okay Google: What is an essential oil?
es·sen·tial oil
əˈsen(t)SHəl oil/
noun
- a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic fragrance of the plant or other source from which it is extracted.
 |
| Essential oils used in personal wellness recipes. |
How to use essential oils:
There are three ways that we can benefit from essential oils:
- Internally
- Topically
- Aromatically
Internally: In my home we cook with essential oils. Because the oils are so volatile (meaning to change state quickly) we are careful to add them in at the right time. See Recipes with Rob for examples. We also add one drop - trust me two drops can be too much - in the bottom of a glass or stainless steel cup and then fill with water. We enjoy all of the citrus oils this way and I will use Frankincense this way from time to time. Internal use of essential oils should be done carefully. Meaning, if you are going to take an essential oil internally please verify that the oil is pure and not intended to be used as a scent. If the bottle says not intended for internal use - don't test it. Not all oils are created equal and I only use oils internally that I know are safe.
Topically: This is the application of oils on the skin. There are many ways to do this. Including: Creating your own wellness products which contain essential oils, creating a roller blend to roll on, adding essential oils to unscented lotion or a carrier oil, or applying neat (meaning no dilution) when appropriate.* When you apply oils topically it only takes around thirty seconds for the healing properties to enter your blood stream.
Aromatically: This consists of diffusing oils. You do not need a fancy diffuser to benefit from diffusing. I have even applied oils to the ends of my hair or on felt strips to enjoy the aromatic benefits of essential oils. You can purchase diffuser jewelry as well. If you are using a diffuser typically you will fill the diffuser with water and add in 3-6 drops of oils; Whether you are using a single oil or a combination of oils will determine the number of drops you would use. I use no more than three drops of any one oil. They are super potent (meaning having great affect) and the scent will be powerful even at three drops. Diffusing breaks up the oil in to tiny aromatic compounds dispersing the oil into the air helping to purify the air and any surfaces it may touch.
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| Blending oils for personal needs is a very powerful way to benefit from them. |
- Make sure your oils are pure. (If you are lost in the great sea of essential oil companies email me and I'll tell you about my favorite brand.)
- Store your oils outside of direct sunlight. A bag, box, or cabinet will do.
- Educate yourself. There are so many helpful references out there. I have an amazing Facebook group dedicated to education and essential oil community. Ask me to join!
- Trust your instinct. While there is an immense amount of science behind why the oils are so beneficial your body knows what it needs to heal. I cannot count the number of times that I was really attracted to an oil and began using it as a perfume - just to find out later that an issue I was dealing with was directly related to the properties of the oil I had been using.
- Less is more. Most times I only need one drop. If I am making a 4 oz recipe I may use 10 drops.
I hope this post was helpful. Please reach out if you have any questions about what I have written or about where I get my essential oils.
Thanks for reading and be well!
*Most pure essential oils may be applied neat. Please research your oils before applying without dilution. Some, such as oregano, must be diluted.
*Most pure essential oils may be applied neat. Please research your oils before applying without dilution. Some, such as oregano, must be diluted.
What is Keto?
Saturday, March 3, 2018
There
are always new fad diets out there. What makes the ketogenic diet any
different? This is my story...
This
post contains my understanding of the Ketogenic diet, my experiences thus far,
and a quick view of what I eat on a weekly basis.
First I want to let
you know that while this diet is super powerful I have to use my internal power
to stick with it or else I will not lose weight! Over the last 15 months I have
lost 100 pounds, 80 pounds of which I lost in the last 9 months. I have also
been unable to exercise due to medical issues with my left knee. Nonetheless, I
was super determined to lose weight whether or not I was able to exercise. This
diet came highly recommended by my endocrinologist. My first thought was to let
it slip in one ear and out of the other but her words were you can basically
lose weight without exercising or taking weight loss pills and do so at an
incredible rate. This is when I became interested!
What is Keto?
Normal
Diet: Whether you are on the low carb diet, the paleo diet, the vegan diet, or
the junk food diet (not a real thing) your body is fueled by glucose. On the
Ketogenic Diet your body is fueled by Ketones.
Okay Google: What is Glucose:
Okay Google: What is Ketosis?
In order to get your
body into ketosis you have to adjust your diet so that you are eating the
proper macronutrient (aka Macro) ratio of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.
Each person will be slightly different. You can purchase keto strips to test
the amount of ketones in your blood or urine but I have never done that. At
first I couldn't afford to spend the extra for the testing strips and now I
pretty much know when my body is in ketosis based on what I have eaten. I used to use the My Fitness Pal app by Underarmor daily, for the first 8 months. Now, because I eat the same things daily I will refer to the app when I have a question about the macro's in a particular food/recipe. Below
is a chart representing the daily macro's I strive for.
 |
| Kayla's daily macro goal. |
Perks of being in ketosis:
Rapid weight loss.
Faster, clearer
thinking.
Ability to focus.
Wake up and fall
asleep easier.
Feel like I have
abundant energy, most days.
The ONLY downside is:
Not eating all the
delicious carbohydrate laden foods. Seriously when walking down the bread aisle
at the store I can smell the carbs through the plastic. During those first five
months, sorry if this is TMI, and on the first two days of my period are the
only times that the sight or smell of carbs really bothers me. Usually I have
snacks prepped and special deserts that are totally keto friendly. As long as I
am prepared I can go to any get together and have friends over who *gasp* eat
pizza and cake right in front of me!!
My experience
If any, or all, of
this seems overwhelming don't worry. I totally feel you! When I first started
with this diet 15 months ago I thought: Oh I'll
just focus on eating less than 50 carbs per day. With that I lost some
weight, but I also felt super groggy and had a hard managing cravings.
 |
| Photo on the left taken just before PCOS diagnosis. Photo on the right taken around 80 lbs lost |
During that time I
also did research into cyclical keto, basically a medically recommended diet
where someone will go into ketosis for a few days and then out for a few days.
Each case of cyclical was different but I thought: hmm I'll cycle keto on the weekends.
Little did I know
that every time I went out of ketosis in order to get back into ketosis I had
to go through the keto-flu again. So every Monday when I got back to work and I
was back on my diet I felt terrible; Dizzy, fatigued, totally unable to focus,
and just out of it. After six months into the diet when I had managed to lose
about 20 pounds I felt like I had to really buckle down and stick to it.
Over the last nine
months I have lost 80 pounds. I stick to my diet, with one exception which I
will explain later, and can totally tell if I am the slightest bit out of
ketosis.
Learning when to eat
throughout the day, what to eat throughout the day, and which recipes kept me
from feeling like I was missing out on something was the only way I was able to
kick-start this diet.
The effect of
cheating on this diet, for me, is unlike cheating on any other diet. Because
the Keto diet helps me to regulate my anxiety cheating means anxiety attacks.
On Christmas of 2017 I decided to eat an apple fritter and pizza. Less than an
hour later I was slathering on calming essential oils and trying not to go
into full force panic attack. It took going through the keto flu for several
days to get my anxious feelings under control again.
When my cabinets are
stocked with keto friendly options and I use essential oils to help manage
cravings I am able to make it through any day that I would rather have a donut
than cheese cubes.
My routine
I use my keto
snacks, recipes, and essential oils in combination to succeed on this diet.
Essential oils:
Grounding blend: I
use this daily, as soon as I wake up on the bottom of my feet and throughout
the day when I feel frazzled. The right state of being is super important to
help manage cravings.
Citrus blend:
I add one drop of
citrus blend to the bottom of a glass or stainless steel canister then fill
with water. While I drink a lot of water anyways the citrus blend makes the
water taste like an orange-vanilla ice-cream pop and is a great way to kick
sweet cravings.
Frankincense:
I apply one drop of
this under my tongue each morning for general overall health.
Cellular vitality
blend:
I apply this to the
small of my back and behind my knees to support cellular repair. I have noticed
a huge decrease in muscle/bone pain since I began using this daily. Damaged
cells are the most common source of pain.
Soothing rub:
I use this blend on
achy muscles. Being unable to exercise leaves my muscles feeling tense. This
rub is also helpful for those of you who are able to exercise when you feel the
burn! I am excited to be in that group again!
Favorite recipes:
I plan to share some
of my favorite recipes on ApotheKayla.
 |
| Keto Frappe |
Sweets: Keto Frappe,
Keto Freezer Fudge, tic-tacs (.5 carbs per tic tac great for strong sweet
craving control on the go), whipped cream ice cream (higher in carbs but eaten
in moderation its fine).
 |
| Keto Freezer Fudge |
Snacks:
Nights/weekends. Beef snack bites, turkey snack bites, pecans, sunflower seeds,
pickles, cheese.
 |
| Bacon wrapped chicken |
Dinners: Most of my
carb intake happens at dinner. Some of my favorites are: Bacon wrapped chicken,
stir fry (without the rice), tacos, zoodles with spaghetti sauce and meatballs,
breakfast, pork chops and green beans, stuffed peppers (without the rice),
carne asada taco salad (wihout the tortilla bowl), and chicken salad.
Again I plan to share some of these recipes on the blog and will add links to the name of the recipe here when I do!
Again I plan to share some of these recipes on the blog and will add links to the name of the recipe here when I do!
Daily meals: This
may not work for everyone but Monday through Friday I eat the exact same things
for breakfast, snacks, and lunch. I space out my eating by about three hours to
make sure I am never feeling hungry. I have two Jack-link beef sticks for breakfast,
then pepper jack cheese cubes for a snack, lunch consists of turkey, cheese,
and olive oil mayo rolled/cut into bite sized pieces - without the bread. This
combo satisfies my hunger and with it I have only had around 4 carbs by the
time I leave work.
For me taking the
complication out of the daily meal prep helps me to focus on other things. It
makes my grocery list super simple and I always know that what I take in my
lunch bag will keep me feeling satisfied. To be completely honest with you all
I would totally rather have a mostly plant based diet, however plants have a
lot of carbs and my main health priority right now is to loose as much weight
as possible.
Closing thoughts:
If you are thinking
about starting this diet I say go for it. It is recommended by doctors for
several conditions such at PCOS, Epilepsy, and diabetes. I offer keto coaching
where we can phone/video chat about setting up your daily routine, shopping
list, and finding recipes, and I will be there to help you set goals, message
with you on days that you’re feeling a little weak, and cheer you on during
days of success!
My goals:
I have another 100
pounds to loose. I am ready to get back to yoga, hiking, bicycle riding, and
strength training.
I am also building a
community around this diet so that we may all support each other. Join my
Facebook group Keto with ApotheKayla to
take part in this community!
Thank you all for
reading - join the Facebook group or post your comments below if you have
questions or inspiration to share.
For Keto coaching: Click here
For information on where I get my essential oils: kayla@healing-salve.com
For Keto coaching: Click here
For information on where I get my essential oils: kayla@healing-salve.com
Be well,
Kayla
Those who
know me know I have a love of history. From my fascination with 70's pop
culture to the first cave drawings created by the earliest of men; Anything
that acts as a window in time is of interest of me.
In all those windows I have opened, throughout time spanning back before writing and in all corners of the earth, we see a connection with man and plants. I have read of cultures who do not engage in war. I have seen those who will not eat meat. Some without writing and others without anything we would recognize as society.
All humans - from
those who first stood upright to those who stood on the moon have all been
connected with plants. We eat them, we build with them, and we heal with them.
No matter how hard we seem to try as a species to separate ourselves from
nature none of us could live without our life giving symbiosis with plants.
I
have taken a particular interest in seeing how they were used in healing and
ritual over the years. Some you may know by name like Frankincense and can think
of examples from history. Others are more obscure like silphium who's use was
so popular they drove it to extinction.
We can also find other uses for popular
plants and oils. Take, for example, our old friend Myrrh. Today we may use it
commonly for a cut or get rid of unwanted bacteria, Tiberius though used it as an aphrodisiac.
Who knows what forgotten uses we may find for our favorite plants as we look
back. Like how quickly we have forgotten that the settlers brought dandelions
over to the Americas as medicine and a food.
The Did you know series will be my attempt to share interesting and useful information I have found while poking around in the
past that I hope you find as interesting as I do.
Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for cool did you know facts and check back on the blog next weekend for the 1st installment of the series.
Be well!
Robert
What is a carrier oil?
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
Carrier Oils 101
- Grape Seed oil
- Hemp oil
- Almond oil
- Avocado oil
- Sunflower oil
- Sesame oil
- Coconut oil
 |
| Dandelion Oil, AKA Dandy Oil. Recipe Here: Dandy Oil |
My favorite carrier oils are:
- Fractionated coconut oil
- Rosehip oil
- Dandelion Oil
Quick Tip: Have friends or children who like to browse through and use your oils? Have a few roller bottles specifically prepared and labeled for their consumption. This way you never have to worry about them using too much of your favorite essential oil or spilling them during the mixing process. If they ask you for an oil to use, direct them to the sharable stash! ;)
I so hope this post was helpful. Still have questions about carrier oils? Send me an email: kayla@healing-salve.com
Thanks for reading and be well!
What is PCOS?
Sunday, February 18, 2018
Warning: Personal story ahead.
This was me, two years ago after trusting my instinct and getting a second opinion. I was in constant pain because I had a pinched nerve in my back and the doctors refused to believe that the pain I had was being caused by anything other than my weight.
My new doctor treated my back for a pinched nerve but felt something was going on that was more serious than a pinched nerve. During that second opinion visit I shared my daily food log with my physician. I was only eating 1,200 calories a day and still gaining weight. She immediately referred me to an Endochronologist. Based on my medical history of endometriosis, irregular or no menstraul cycle, an inability to loose weight, super high testosterone levels, terrible anxiety, and growth of hair on my chin- the Endocrinologist diagnosed me with PCOS. Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome was the root cause of all of my biggest health concerns.
The doctor wanted to prescribe me diabetic medication because part of PCOS is an issue with your insulin receptors. Basically from my non-Physichian interpretation of insulin receptor issues combined with high testosterone levels: My body would not process sugar normally and stored almost 100% of the sugar because the elevated testosterone put my body into survival / scarcity mode.
I asked my primary care physician to monitor my testosterone levels because I wanted to try a holistic supplement before taking medication. I did an immense amount of research and found Asana by: Ladies Balance. The customer reviews sold me on the product with SO many stories just like mine. I have now been on a daily regimine of Asana for two years. My blood-work has been great.
The Endocrinologist also recommended a diet I had never heard of called the Ketogenic Diet. I felt like it was pretty extreme and figured I would just cut back on my Carbohydrates to 100g per day. Before the PCOS diagnosis I had gained so much weight, even when eating a 1200 calorie/organic/Non-GMO diet that the doctor's scale wouldn't weigh me. This meant I weighed more than 450 pounds.
After a about five months of 100 carbs per day I was able to weigh in. Each of the three months before trying the Keto Diet I was losing around 2lbs. per month. Because the pinched nerve, and dealing with a crazy knee issue (will write more on that later) I was unable to exercise. My doctor was pleased with my progress but told me simply: "Your blood pressure and blood tests are amazingly normal. If you want them to stay that way you either need to take weight loss medication or choose a more aggressive diet".
This is when I sat down and really researched the diet. I found that it is recommended by many physicians and nutritionalists for patients with PCOS. On the Keto diet your body transitions from burning glucose as fuel to burning ketones.
This diet has not been easy but it has helped me to loose an average of 8-9 lbs per month without exercising. I should be able to exercise again within the next month when I have my knee attended to. It has also helped with my anxiety issues. When I have suffered from moments of weakness and had a carbohydrate heavy day, the carbs are always accompanied by heightened anxiety-in some cases I would have severe panic attacks on those days as well. My last cheat day was on Christmas.
PCOS cannot be cured. However, with positive daily action it can be managed.
Thanks for hanging in here with me during this long personal story. I will be sharing info on Apothekayla and hosting a Q & A session on Keto via Facebook live tomorrow @ 2 PM PST. Hopefully we can chat then!
Thanks and be well.
-Kayla
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