A few days ago I watched Sean Penn’s 2007 movie about Chris McCandless, Into The Wild. A true story that I was already familiar with, the film is about an idealistic 24-year-old college graduate from a wealthy family who gave away his life savings and hiked alone into the Alaskan wilderness, where he starved to death after about 112 days. The film gave a shocking look at the deterioration of the human body and mind as the actor apparently lost weight, taking in his belt by cutting new notches several times. Eventually he was totally emaciated and mentally disoriented.

Other symptoms of starvation are anemia, decreased ability to digest food, swelling under the skin, and shrinking vital organs such as the heart and lungs as they lose their ability to function. Mentally it causes irritability and an inability to concentrate. It takes only two to three months of severe malnutrition to die of starvation.

I’m writing about starvation because I’ve been shocked by the specter of high food prices and lack of availability of certain staples. In Asia people have been rioting because they can’t buy rice. Here in America some large stores are restricting the amount of rice people can buy. In Mexico people rioted because they couldn’t afford the new high price of corn tortillas. And in Africa, the wheat crop is ruined by Ug99, the fungus that threatens to destroy wheat crops around the world. I wrote about that a few days ago in Ug99, the Destruction of Wheat Crops, and Prices In Our Local Supermarkets.

Scientists predict that millions will starve because of Ug99.

So, out of concern for my fellow human beings I am asking you to consider the issue of food storage. I believe most Americans are so accustomed to having our needs provided for, we’re not prepared for the fact that everything could change overnight. If gasoline becomes unavailable, which could happen, trucking companies will not be able to supply supermarkets and our food supplies will be cut off. My significant other, who is pretty good at analyzing news and predicting the future based on what he reads, believes this could happen very quickly if war is declared against Iran.

There’s a way to prepare your family. Food storage. This means buying as much food as you can afford to, and keeping your cabinets fully stocked at all times. Of course when you prepare meals you should use the oldest foods first, and rotate the supplies you store. Food, even canned food, loses some of it’s nutritive value after a while.

I’d like to explore this idea further and will prepare some lists of things that should be stored for an emergency. I don’t want to sound paranoid or fatalistic, but I truly believe this American nation is going through hard times and that things are likely to get worse before they get better. I don’t want to see people starving. I hope with passion that my words will touch someone’s heart so that they’ll get a good supply of food stored and save themselves and their babies from hunger.

All the best to all of you…

Eczema hit me during my first pregnancy. I went from having wonderful, clear skin to having dry scaly itchy patches all over my arms and legs. My obstetrician told me, “Pregnancy brings on all sorts of unexpected changes.” Fortunately this dreadful skin condition went away and didn’t return again until my next pregnancy, six years later. After that, it never quite went away completely until recently.

I believe my recovery is mainly due to taking high quality multi-vitamins and a hair and skin supplement. This is a great start toward better skin health, but in the meantime an essential oil blend may help ease the discomfort of itchy, dry skin.

To make an essential oil blend for eczema skin care start with a nourishing carrier oil such as:

Avocado Oil

Evening Primrose Oil

Hazelnut Oil

Jojoba Oil

Wheatgerm Oil

If these aren’t available, you could try Almond Oil, or even Olive Oil.

The carrier oil should be 97% of the solution, at least.

Add a few drops of one of the oils listed below. You may have to experiment to see what works well for you.

Balsam Oil

*Bergamot Oil

Cade Oil

Carrot Seed Oil

Cedarwood Oil

*Chamomile Oil (German Chamomile or Roman Chamomile)

Geranium Oil

*Helichrysum Oil

Hyssop Oil

Juniper Oil

*Lavender Oil

Lavandin Oil

Marigold Oil

Myrrh Oil

*Patchouli Oil

*Rose Oil (Damask Rose or Cabbage Rose)

Rosemary Oil

Spanish Sage Oil

Thyme Oil

Violet Oil

White Birch Oil

Yarrow Oil

*considered most effective

…

Sources:

Personal experience with this problem.

Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to The Use of Aromatic Oils In Aromatherapy, Herbalism, Health and Well Being by Julia Lawless

Aromatherapy For Women by Maggie Tisserand

[Note: There are creams that doctors can prescribe to alleviate eczema symptoms. Nothing in this article is meant to discourage treatment by a qualified medical doctor. I am not a doctor - I'm a self-trained herbal practitioner.]

Herbs have been an important part of my life for a long time. When I lived in California’s Central Valley, in Tulare, I had my first herb garden in my backyard. Everything grew abundantly and easily, and the variety of plants thrilled me. Perhaps I was spoiled because I had the best soil possible, and everywhere I’ve lived since then has been progressively worse for my herb growing hobby.

Now I live in a remote mountain river valley where my home is built on a hill made from the tailings of an old gold mine. The ground is very inhospitable to many types of plants and it seems I can’t grow anything without imported dirt. Still I’ve had a bit of success with a few herbs, especially sage.

Fortunately there are herbs that grow abundantly in the wild near here such as Klamath Weed - a pretty plant with yellow flowers, better known as St. John’s Wort. The scientific name is Hypericum Perforatum. Other names it is known by are Tipton Weed, Johnswort, St. Johnswort, Amber, and Goatweed.

“Wort” is an Anglo Saxon word meaning “plant” or “herb”.

St. John’ s Wort is said to be:

Analgesic: Used to reduce pain. (3)

Antispasmodic: Used to relieve spasms and cramps. (1)

Astringent: Used to contract tissues, reducing discharges and secretions. (1)

Diuretic: Causing increased secretion of urine. (1)

Expectorant: Used to expel mucus from the respiratory system. (1)

Nervine: Used to soothe the nerves. (1)

Vermifuge: Used to expel and destroy intestinal worms. (1)

Vulnerary: Used topically to heal wounds. (1)

To make an oil extract, put fresh St. John’ s Wort leaves and flowers in a jar and cover with olive oil. Close the jar and leave it in a sunny place for six weeks, shaking it often. The oil will turn red. Strain the oil with a cloth. If the oil develops a watery layer, siphon it off. The oil should keep for two years in a dark container. This oil can be applied to bruises, swellings, and wounds. (1, 2)

To make an infusion: Steep 1/2 teaspoon St. John’ s Wort leaf in 1/2 cup water for five minutes, covered. Take warm, 1/2 cup before breakfast, and 1/2 cup before bedtime. (1)

For anemia: Mix St. John’ s Wort and European Centaury in equal parts. Steep 1 teaspoonful in 1/2 cup boiled water, and sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon honey. Drink 1 cup to 1 +1/2 cups daily, by mouthfuls. (1)

To improve general energy and vitality, mix Balm with St. John’ s Wort in equal amounts. Steep 1 teaspoonful in 1/2 cup boiled water, and sweeten with 1/2 teaspoon honey. Drink 1 cup to 1 +1/2 cups daily, by mouthfuls. Continue to use daily for an extended period of time. (1)

For insomnia: Mix 1 part Fragrant Valerian, 2 parts St. John’ s Wort, 3 parts Hops, 5 parts Lavender flowers, 10 parts Primrose flowers. Steep 1+1/2 teaspoon in 1/2 cup of boiled water for ten minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon honey and drink before going to bed. (1)

For insomnia: Mix Fragrant Valerian root, St. John’ s Wort, Primrose flowers and Lavender flowers in equal parts. Steep 1 heaping tablespoonful in 1/2 cup of boiled water and drink before bedtime, a mouthful at a time. (1)

For menstrual cramps: Mix St. John’ s Wort with European mistletoe (NOT American mistletoe!) in equal parts. Parboil 1 teaspoon in 1/2 cup water, then steep, covered, for five minutes. Take by teaspoonfuls. (1)

You can use the yellow flowers of St. John’ s Wort to dye wool; set with alum as a mordant. (1)

During the middle ages, St. John’ s Wort was one of several herbs traditionally added to fires on St. John’s Eve (June 23) to eliminate evil spirits. This tradition may have originated with the ancient Gauls. These fires were lit on hills and other high places to protect people living in the area, their animals, and their crops. Other herbs used include Mugwort, Ivy, Milfoil, Vervain, Elder, Figwort, Fennel, Melilot, Camomile, Plantain, Hawthorne, Lavender, and Male Fern. (1)

Hang the plant in your window on St. John’s Day (June 24) to keep away ghosts, spirits, and familiars all year long. (2)

To dream of your future husband, pick the plant on St. John’s Day Eve and hang it on your bedroom wall. (2)

A bit more about St. John’s Wort and St. John the Baptist: St. John’s Wort was believed to be most potent if harvested on St. John’s Day, that it is the day it first blooms, and it was said that the flowers bleed red on the day St. John the Baptist was beheaded in August. (3) I can tell you, around here St. John’s Wort blooms in June, but not necessarily starting on St. John’s Day. I do agree, however, that June 23-24 is an ideal time to harvest St. John’s Wort.

To control vomiting and spitting of blood, combine St. John’s Wort with Knot Grass. (2)

St. John’ s Wort has been smoked (burned, to create smoke, not inhaled) inside a home, and in copying this ancient tradition we could add it to smudge sticks. (1)

St. John’ s Wort was also carried or hung around the neck as an amulet to ward off evil spirits. (1)

St. John’ s Wort has been added to brandy and wine, and drunk to alleviate insanity or melancholy. (2)

Of course, these days it is common for people to use St. John’s Wort for depression. The main known side effect is an increased sensitivity to light.

For coughs, clearing lungs: A decoction can be made of the entire plant. To make a decoction boil 1 part plant to 20 parts water for twenty minutes in a closed, enamel container. Add roots first as they take the longest to extract medicinal value from. (2)

Welsh health test: At one time sprigs of St. John’s Wort were hung overnight by Welsh families from the rafters, after naming a sprig for each family member. The degree to which each sprig shriveled by morning was believed to be indicative of the health of that family member. (3)

The scientific name, “Hypericaceae” means “above an icon” - and in the past, St. John’s Wort was placed above icons and pictures to ward off evil. (3)

When pinched the yellow flower petals bleed red. (3)

According to John Cole, a 17th century herbalist who believed in the Doctrine of Signatures, the fact that the plant has pores means that it is good for all types of skin problems. The Doctrine of Signatures says that a plant’s appearance indicates its uses. (3)

One herbal states that St. John’s Wort has been used for bedwetting and urinary complaints. (3) It makes no sense that a plant that is a diuretic would be used for bedwetting, since that would increase it, not decrease the problem. The only way that I could see this as a possible solution is if the tea were given in the morning to induce elimination of fluids before night comes.

Diuretics are prescribed for control of high blood pressure, or for alleviating swelling of the feet and lower legs.

Other maladies cited as helped by St. John’s Wort: digestive upsets, ulcers, gastritis, diarrhea, nausea, bruises, hemorrhoids, nerve damage, trauma. (3)

If you’re at all interested in using St. John’s Wort, please read this St. John’s Wort Information which discusses contraindications and types of prescribed drugs it should not be used with.

Sources:

(1) The Herb Book by John Lust

(2) Herbs and Things by Jeanne Rose

(3) Rodale’s Illustrated Encyclopedia of Herbs

…

Submitted to the Carnival of Healing.

My kids have been drinking SoBe beverages for years, but I rarely did - until lately. Since I started working again, I’ve gotten into the habit of drinking SoBe Green Tea.

This comes after a year when I pretty much abstained from all caffeine containing products, and all herb teas. I drank mainly water - either spring water or distilled.

Being at work, I needed an occasional pick-me-up kind of drink, and I shy away from the soda machine and am not much of a fan of the iced tea, which we make with Lipton tea bags. The SoBe Green Tea is practically the only drink in the place that I really like.

I usually take a bottle of water with me to work, then I see the green tea, and put my water bottle in the fridge. The herbs in the tea are exactly what I need. It contains ginseng, guarana, ginko biloba, and echinacea.

Let’s take a look at what each of these herbs do:

Ginseng is known for stimulating brain activity and energizing the entire body.

Guarana grows in Brazil and Venezuela. The seeds are crushed and dried, then used to make a stimulating drink containing three times as much caffeine as coffee. Besides all the usual and well-known effects of caffeine, the herb reduces the appetite. It has been used for hangovers and for menstrual headaches.

Ginko Biloba promotes a healthy memory and mental functioning.

Echinacea is a blood purifier and aids digestion. It is also good for skin conditions and for chasing away the common cold.

Even the green tea itself is beneficial for its disease preventing antioxidants.

I believe this drink is just about perfect for staying awake, alert, and useful at work. Lately I’ve noticed my supervisor is also drinking it, and getting as much from it as I am.

One problem: our supply is running low and there are no more deliveries scheduled in the near future!

[Note: As always, I am not being paid for this recommendation. I don't do pay-per-post postings.]

Clary Sage is the common name for salvia sclarea. I’ve used it to relieve depression and stress.

It can be used as a scent in soap or put in bath water. Other ways to use it would be to put a droplet of the oil on the edge of a pillowcase before resting, or on a small strip of cloth to fasten to the front of your fan during the summertime.

Clary Sage essential oil is created by steam distillation of the leaves and flowering tops.

Other possible uses are for high blood pressure, muscular aches and pains, skin inflammations including acne, dandruff and hair loss, labor pains, cramps, and asthma.