Natural Aphrodisiacs

For centuries herbs have been used for healing and medicinal properties. Some herbs are used as aphrodisiacs to set the mood and enhance sexual energy. The herb lavender is a great herb to "set the mood". Lavender can be added to your bath water for a relaxing bath and it's essential oil is great for massage.
Another great herb is epimedium aka "horny goat weed" this is the best herb to increase sex drive. Epidmedium stimulates sexual activity and is great for impotence also. Impotence is related to circulatory dysfunction. Therefore herbs that stimulate circulation are useful also. A great circulatory herbs is cayenne. This herb's warming energy make it great for circulation. Ginseng, of course is another favorite. It's most commonly used by men over age 40 but is a great herb for women. Ginseng is perfect for low libido and erectile dysfunction.
Also, did you know that certain organs play a vital role in your different body systems? For example, your kidneys are crucial to your reproductive and sexual health. Many sexual dysfunctions are directly related to kidney health. Such dysfunctions include impotence, low libido, infertility, weak sexual activity, and even excessive sexual desire. Holistic and herbal therapies are great for primary and supportive therapies for sexual dysfunctions. If you are experiencing vaginal dryness pay attention to your hydration (kidneys). You must drink plenty of water. Water is crucial for all body functions, even reproduction/sexual health. Your goal should be to drink half your body weight in ounces ( if you weigh 140lbs drink 70oz of water). Supplementing with vitamin E is great for vaginal dryness as is the herb solomon's seal. Essential Fatty Acids play a key role in dryness also. Great sources of EFA is borage oil, evening primrose oil, and of course flaxseed oil. To find out more info on herbal aphrodisiacs check my internet radio show.
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Echinacea-Herb of the Week

Echinacea- Echinacea spp;Asteraceae

These are those pretty purple coneflowers that bring an abundance of beauty to any garden....But the medicinal properties of this herb is amazing!


Echinacea is an incredible antibiotic, one of natures best! It activates leukocytes (white blood cells, our body's infection soldiers). It increases your bodies immune level and is a heavy hitter to bacteria infections and inflammations. How? Why?
So glad you asked! Echinacea inhibits hyaluronidase enzyme. This is the enzyme that causes the spread of bacteria. Echinacea is also a blood purifier.
Now my favorite property of Echinacea is it's ability to fight cold and flus. This herb is most effective at the very first sign of cold/flu. I keep this herb in my herbal pantry. It even helped to break my 2 year old's fever last night. I've never had the flu shot and my children don't get the shot either. Nature is medicine cabinet. So the next sign of cold/flu try Echinacea. Keep this herb in your herbal medicine chest.

Raspberry Leaves-Herb of the Week

Raspberry Leaves (Rubus idaeus)
Parts used –Leaves
Properties-Hemostatic, astringent, mild alterative, parturient
• Useful as a uterine tonic
• Good for excessive menstruation
• Increases milk flow
• Pregnancy tonic

This herb has been used to aide in childbirth for centuries by indigenous people around the world. It is just in the last 60 years that it became recognized in the Unites States.
This is the herb of all herbs for pregnant women and nursing moms! But it is an overall great herb for women in general. It is high in calcium and iron and is great during menstruation. Great for healthy bones and teeth. Effective treatment for fevers and even lowers blood sugar.

Herb of the Week-Nettles

Each week I will highlight an herb. I'll give you information on some uses and properties of each herb. This week we will discuss Nettles

Nettles- Urtica diocia
Parts used-mostly the leaf


Nettles helps reduce water retention, is excellent for PMS symptoms, great source of digestible plant iron ( good for anemia) and is rich in calcium, vitamin A and chlorophyll.
Known to many as Stinging Nettle- for centuries the sting of fresh nettle leaves were used to flog ( to hit with the the leaves or stalk of the plant) arthrithic patients in the areas of inflammation. There is formic acid in the the tiny hairs found on nettle leaves. (Formic acid is also found in the sting of bees and ants.) These stinging hairs agitate the skin instantly upon contact, but the counter effect produced from the plant alleviates the pain and any blockage. I experienced this personally at an herbal seminar in California this past spring. I took an herb walk and there was nettle growing in the garden. My neck was killing me! I asked a fellow seminar attendee to flog my neck with the nettle…..It stung horribly…but afterwards my neck felt great!

Fresh Nettle leaves can also be lightly steamed and served with olive oil, lemon juice, and seasoned to taste.

When I am experiencing any kind of urinary related discomfort such as lower back pain ( kidney), I always make a cup of nettles tea.
So try nettles. Great as a daily tea because of it’s high mineral content.

Nettles or any other loose herbs you purchase should be organically grown or at the least wild-harvested. Don’t settle for any substitutes, exception, or excuses. You don’t want herbs sprayed with chemicals and poisons because they will lose their medicinal value.If you would like to purchase organic nettle or other organically grown herbs please contact me. info@edenspathway.com

Eat Responsibly

,Holidays are coming and that means Food, Food, Food. It's so easy to overeat during this time of year. It's even easier when we are vulnerable emotionally. During times of economic hardship and the holiday blues that some experience, many often turn to food as comfort. I've outlined how to eat holistically, responsibly, and without regrets.
First, optimal digestion is key. Good Digestion is very dependent on what you eat and how you eat it. (Read my blog on Food Combining).
Start your day off with apple cider vinegar (2 tsp in a warm cup of water) and end your day with it.It has so many wonderful attributes. Ph balancing, weight loss, removes toxins, rich in potassium and enzymes and improves digestion and elimination.

Drink plenty of water daily( 1/2 your body weight in ounces is ideal.(if you weigh 150 lbs drink 750z water)I always add lemon slices to my water. Slice them the night before and add to water bottle in the morning. Lemon has amazing anti-bacterial benefits. It's a mucous buster and also a toxin sludger!

Supplement with digestive enzymes and probiotics. We are a nation of processed food eaters,microwave warming up, fast food, salt and sugar loving people. (By the way sugar is the number 1 drug in america. I'll save that for another discussion). Our body was not made to work so hard and digest so much junk. When you eat dead, de-vitalized food. You knock years off your life. Therefore supplementing with digestive enzymes and probiotics will greatly benefit you. Enzymes help to break down the food. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that help with digestion.

Don't eat until you bust. Avoid the urge to pile it on! Especially if you will be making multiple stops. Pay attention to your emotions as you eat. Are you eating because everyone else is? Are you sad? Are you bored? or Are you genuinely hungry?

Follow these tips and you will make it to 2009 without all the extra.

Health and Blessing

P.S.
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Vitamin Truth

What's really in that multi-vitamin? If you want to know the truth continue reading. For years the "natural" health industry has marketed thousands of vitamin supplements. Did you know that most vitamins are made or processed with petrolatum derivatives or hydrogenated sugars. Yes even the vitamins labeled "natural". Yes even the ones in your local health food stores.

Some vitamins are labeled vegetarian because they are not derived from animal ingredients not because they are from plants.(Food source vitamins will list the names of the plants the vitamins are derived from on the label.)

Check your Vitamin's Label for these synthetic ingredients:
Magnesium Stearate
Stearic Acid
Sodium Benzoate
Potassium Sorbate
Flavors or Natural Flavors
Silicon Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide
Colors
Lactose
Cellulose
Gelatin Sodium Glycolate
Talc
Sucrose
Calcium Stearate
Palmitate
Hydroxy Propyl Methylcellulose
Ethylcellulose
Glaze
Shellac
Starch

Magnesium Stearate (aka Stearic Acid): Poisonous Flowing Agents
Over 90% of the vitamin/mineral products consumed today contain magnesium stearate, also known as Stearic Acid.



"Stearic Acid inhibits T-cell dependent immune responses. Plasma membrane integrity is significantly impaired, leading to a loss of membrane potential and ultimately cell function and viability."


Sodium Benzoate: A Poisonous Preservative
Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate are used as preservatives in most of the liquid vitamin products sold in health food stores or by multi-level-marketing distributors. Usually these juice products have claims that they are the secret of peoples in a far away place who live to be 150 years old! These people did not live to be 150 drinking juices that have sodium benzoate in them!

What does a preservative do? It kills everything alive in the product so it can sit on a shelf in a warehouse or store for weeks or months without spoiling. If the preservative kills everything alive in the product, what do you think it does in your body?



Synthetic vitamins wered developed because they cost less.Food source vitamins are smaller in size for better bioavailability, in chemical forms that the body recognizes.

Look for vitamins that are 100% FOOD. The term “natural” does not mean pure food. Some companies try to confuse the consumer by using the term "food based". "Food Based" vitamins are almost always USP vitamins mixed with a small amount of food that does not change the chemical form of the vitamin.

The truth is that only supplements composed of 100% FOOD can be counted on to perform the necessary functions in the body.

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Menopause-Holistic Support with Healing Foods & Herbs

Menopause is the natural termination of the menstrual cycle and reproductive years between the ages of 42-52. Often times this transformation is not harmonious. There can be a various of symptoms; hot flashes, headaches, irritability, depression, insomnia, nervousness, leg cramps, night sweats, nose bleeds, vaginal dryness, varicose veins, etc.
Thankfully with good nutrition, diet changes, and herbs women can comfortably transition through this life passage.
First- Eat an appropriate amount of protein for your body’s needs; whole grains and legumes. Eat lots of cooked vegetables, dark leafy greens and some fruit in season.
Add in seaweed, flaxseeds and other phytoestrogen and calcium rich foods and herbs.
Regulate blood sugar. It is important because it stabilizes the body. This reduces hot flashes and other symptoms.

Avoid: Spicy Foods Red Meat, Refined Flour, Junk Food, Alcohol, Caffeine, Sugar

Smoking-Aggravates hot flashes, increases calcium loss, increases heart disease, respiratory problems, cancer and osteoporosis risks

Some Beneficial Herbs-
•Black Cohosh-Hot Flashes, insomnia, irritability, vaginal dryness
•Vitex-water retention, depression, uterine fibroid, breast lumps, menstrual flooding
•Dang Gui-hot flashers, vaginal dryness
•Asparagus Root-strengthens female hormones
•Epimedium-hot flashes, night sweats, headaches dizziness

Some Beneficial Supplements-
•Vitamin E- reduces hot flashes, vaginal dryness, breast tenderness, and risk of heart disease
•Calcium/Magnesium-Calcium loss is greatest during first five years of menopause
•B-vitamins-energy, mood swings, irritability

This is general information for common menopause symptoms. If you would like an individual custom assessment, contact me to set up a wellness consultation. Consultation can be done by phone or in person. Visit www.edenspathway.com for details or to purchase any herbs or supplements.