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The magical powers of Elderberries

11/4/2016

There is evidence of the Black Elder being used since the stone ages. Folklore tells of Elder having magical powers of protection and longevity. It was also known as “the medicine chest of the country people”.

The berries of the elder plant are high in iron and vitamin C. They contain antioxidants and flavonoids as well as many other beneficial healing properties. The berries activate immunity by increasing cytokine production to prevent damage caused by free radicals, helping to keep the immune system healthy and strong. Elderberries antiviral, antimicrobial and anti-rheumatic properties have been scientifically shown to stop the symptoms of the cold and flu virus.

The flowers of Black Elder have decongestant and relaxing effects to ease cough and respiratory congestion. They are also antispasmodic to the gut which protects against irritation and inflammation.

One of the best ways to reap the many benefits of Black Elderberry is with delicious Elderberry Syrup. Most syrups are made with fresh or dried elderberries, elder flowers, warming herbs and spices and raw honey.

Every year I make up a batch of Elderberry Elixir, adding astragalus root and medicinal mushrooms to my Elderberry Syrup, for additional immune enhancing properties. It is my go-to remedy, taken at the onset of cold symptoms, and it is also useful to take daily, for prevention, during the cold and flu season. I like to add a healthy tablespoon to hot herbal tea or to make a cool drink by adding it to water or seltzer. Elderberry Syrup can be poured over yogurt or even ice cream for a healthy dose of immune boosting herbal joy!

At Maggie's Market we have many wonderful herbal companies that produce the most glorious Elderberry Syrups, teas and tinctures. We are always happy to assist you in making the best choices for the benefit of your health and for a healthy lifestyle.

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Tips On Preventing Lyme Disease: An Herbalists Perspective.

10/1/2016

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The varied sizes of the Deer Tick from Nymph to Adult.

The most common time to contract Lyme infections is in May and October, when the tick, the most famous carrier, is most active. Many people living in New Hampshire enjoy visiting the many beautiful lakes, parks and trails. So avoiding the out of doors is not an appealing option to those who live in this beautiful state.

The Best Thing is Prevention:

Wearing protective clothing long pants and long sleeves, while in the woods and wilds.
Vigorously checking your entire body for ticks with a few hours of being out of doors. Check base of scalp, behind the ears, in all creases within your body and be sure that boys/men check their scrotum.
Apply an effective tick repellant. There are many available and everyone seems to have their favorite: “Montana Farmacy” makes “Lyme Armor” an essential oil blend tick repellant that is proven as effective as Deet: Developed by Stephen Harrod Buhner and available to buy on their website: http://www.montanafarmacy.com/
I have personally had great success with the liberal application Rose Geranium essential oil.
Constantly supporting a healthy immune system, including sleep - which is vitally important. 1000 mg, per day, of Astragalus is an excellent way to support the immune system, making it more uninhabitable to a tick born disease.

Some Facts About Lyme Disease

It is a bacteria by the name “Borrelia burgdorferi”.
It affects 500,000 – 1,000,000 people world-wide each year, and that number it is only increasing.
Lyme disease is found everywhere: Germany, France, Africa, the Arctic… not just in parts of the United States.
Lyme Disease is often misdiagnosed because it can present as many different things in many different people. (Symptoms may resemble multiple sclerosis, chronic fatigue, arthritis and/or neuropathy – just to name a few.)
When bitten by an infected tick, (also mosquitoes, bees, beetles and fleas have been found to carry Lyme) only 18-20% of people may get a tell-tale “bulls-eye” rash, so visual diagnosis is difficult.
Those affected frequently develop co-infections such as: Bartonella, Babesia, Ehrlichia, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia, Rickettsia. (Read: Healing Lyme 2nd Ed. by Stephen Harrod Buhner)

If you suspect that you have been bitten by a deer tick:

See your health care practitioner as soon as possible: Specific testing is typically needed to determine if it is indeed Lyme disease. One of the tests mentioned that many feel is most consistent is called the “Western Blot”. (Although, it is widely known that testing can be inconsistent, due to the nature of the Lyme bacteria’s ability to “hide” in the body.)
“At first Bite -- Tick Kit”: http://www.montanafarmacy.com/shop From Stephen Buhner : Recommended Treatment of tick bite to prevent Lyme: “We have long recommended the use of Astragalus 1000 mg daily if you live in an endemic area; 3000 mg at tick bite. However we have added to that. Someone who used the protocol adapted it in quite a wonderful way (I don't remember who, sorry). At the removal of the tick she applied Andrographis tincture to the bite area, then covered with a green clay pack. It does work very well. We have been recommending it awhile now and it does work well for preventing infection.”

“Herbal medicines are tremendously sophisticated interventions for chronic conditions, such as Lyme disease and its co-infections”, Healing Lyme, 2nd Edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner

The information contained in this blog was collected from lectures from those who have been living with Lyme Disease and from books, mainly “Healing Lyme, 2nd Edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner”

Some Excellent Resources & Information for Herbal Treatment & Prevention of Lyme Disease:
http://buhnerhealinglyme.com/the-protocols/
http://www.gaianstudies.org/Stephen_Interview2.html
http://www.montanafarmacy.com/
http://www.woodlandessence.com/herbal.htm
“Healing Lyme: Second Edition by Stephen Harrod Buhner”

For More Information About Lyme Disease:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2015/07/29/lyme-disease-tick-epidemic.aspx#_edn12
http://www.region4b.org/Lyme_Disease.aspx

Herbalist Melissa Mustapha Maggie's Marketplace, Peterborough NH

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The magical powers of Elderberries

Tips On Preventing Lyme Disease: An Herbalists Perspective.

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