Newsletter 3 :: 12/02/2011

HOLISTIC NOTE

Looks like the holiday season is once again upon us. Out with the old and in with the new, or so they say. Along with all the festivities, this time of year also brings cold and flu. I would like to share a wonderful article I found on a few  simple homeopathic remedies  to ad to your rescue kit for this time of year.

 I would also like to take this time  to thank all of our loyal customers for your continued support. Hard to believe it has been two years since we opened the doors. Wow ! Talk about time flying by.

In the spirit of the holiday season Merry Christmas to All  and  a Healthy Happy & Prosperous New Year

Best wishes

Brygete

Homeopathy:

Safe, Natural and effective relief from the common cold

By Stephenie Farrell

Catching a cold is a inevitable, but it's not the end of the world. Right? Well the constant sneezing, dripping nose, sore throat and tickling cough are uncomfortable but they're healthy reactions to the invading virus. Does this knowledge make having a cold more pleasant? I didn't think so.

IF your cold symptoms have got you down, give homeopathy a try. Homeopathy delivers safe, natural and effective relief for the symptoms associated with the common cold.

Stock up for the Season

The following remedies are must haves for this cold season.

                If you suffer with violent sneezing fits a dull headache and a tickling cough made worse from cold air, try Allium Cepa  . Nasal discharge irritates your nostrils and your eyes tear profusely.

                When you're highly sensitive to external impressions, such as light and noise and you may need Hepar Sulph. If you need this remedy you'll also be extremely sensitive to touch. Now that's sensitive. For instance, if you have a sore throat, it's so sore that you can't even touch it.

                Use Phosphorus if you experience coughs and colds that always seem to descend into your chest. Phosphorus is also an important remedy to consider when you have a sore throat, particularly when talking causes violent tickling in your throat and results in coughing.

                Try using when your nasal discharge is thick, yellow or greenish and bland. Your nasal congestion is worse at night, after you lie down, and the blockage alternates sides. All your symptoms feel worse in a warm room and better in open air. You have a dry mouth, yet are not thirsty and feel better with gently, continuous motion. If you need Pulsatilla you could be emotional, sensitive, and cling to your loved ones looking for attention and sympathy.

                Ipecacuanha is a great remedy for you if your cough is dry, spasmodic and ends in choking and gagging.

                If you are suffering with dry, harsh barking cough due to cold, Spongia Tosta could be your remedy. The tickling irritation you feel in your chest or throat is relieved by eating or drinking.

                Antimonium Tartaricum  is useful if you have a loose rattling and unproductive cough. This is  a good remedy to consider if your cough comes on after exposure to a damp basement or cellar. If you need Antimonium, you're likely to be irresistibly sleepy and suffer with cold sweats.

              Think of Hydrastis Canadensis for increased mucus production. Its useful when you produce plenty of thick, white or yellow, tenacious nasal discharge. You may need Hydrastis if you're always sneezing on waking and if your nose feels sore when breathing. A loose, rattling cough that's caused by ticking in the larynx is also characteristic of this remedy.

Taking Your Remedy Properly

For best results, it is important that you follow these guidelines when taking your homeopathic cold remedy.

                Dissolve the remedy under your tongue. Making sure you wait at least 30 minutes before or after eating or drinking.

                Avoid strong flavors such as coffee or mint while taking homeopathic remedies.

The higher the potency, the more specific you have to be about matching your symptoms, so choose a low potency such as 30X or 30C

                Take one dose of the remedy every hour for up to three doses. When you feel 50 percent better, stop taking the remedy and let your body do the rest. If you've taken three doses and don't feel improvement, stop taking the remedy, as it is probably not the correct one for you.

                If your symptoms persist or worse, seek the advice of your primary health care provider. Make sure you get lots of rest, hydrate yourself properly and nourish your body with good whole foods. Slow down and be good to yourself. Often getting acute illness such as a cold is our body's way of telling us we need to slow down.

 
Miso Soup
Description

Miso soup is the Japanese version of chicken soup - a combination soul food and comfort food. It is traditionally eaten at breakfast in Japan as a daily staple. Miso is a paste made from fermented soybeans, and is full of antioxidants like vitamin E, as well as protective fatty acids. It's healthful and delicious, and the Japanese say that the linoleic acid in miso promotes soft skin. The soybeans miso is made from also contain isoflavones and other elements that provide protection against some forms of cancer. To preserve these properties, miso should not be boiled. Add it to a soup after it has been removed from direct heat.

Food as Medicine
Miso is a particularly valuable food for vegans. The bacteria in miso synthesize vitamin B12, a difficult nutrient to obtain from diets that contain no animal products. Miso is a concentrated protein source, with just one tablespoon containing a full two grams. Miso and other fermented soy foods may also help lower the risk of breast cancer; a team of researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham found that laboratory animals whose diets were enhanced with miso had a lower incidence of breast cancer and a slower growth rate of cancer cells. Cabbage, in addition to being high in vitamins K and C, is also high in cholesterol-lowering fiber - the four cups in this recipe provide almost 15 grams of fiber - making this soup a heart-healthy choice.
Ingredients

2 teaspoons expeller-pressed canola oil
3 slices fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
1 large onion, thinly sliced
2 carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, thinly sliced
4 cups coarsely chopped cabbage
5 cups water
4 tablespoons miso (dark or light, available at natural-food stores)
2 green onions, chopped
1 teaspoon roasted sesame oil
Instructions

1. Heat canola oil in large pot. Add ginger and onion. Sauté over medium heat for 5 minutes and add carrots, celery and cabbage. Stir well.

2. Add water, bring to a boil over high heat, then lower heat and simmer covered till carrots are tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat.

3. Place miso in a bowl, add a little of the broth from the soup, and stir into a smooth paste. Add more broth to thin the mixture, then add the miso to the soup. Let rest for a few minutes.

4. Serve in bowls with chopped raw scallions and a few drops of roasted sesame oil. You may wish to remove the sliced ginger before serving.

Serves 4

Nutrients Per Serving
Calories: 107.6
Protein: 3.2 grams
Fat: 5.4 grams
Saturated Fat: 0.7 grams
Monounsat Fat: 2.3 grams
Polyunsat Fat: 2.1 grams
Carbohydrate: 12.9 grams
Fiber: 3.3 grams
Cholesterol: 0.0 mg
Vitamin A: 8,180.3 IU
Vitamin E: 0.8 mg/IU
Vitamin C: 6.5 mg
Calcium: 46.3 mg
Magnesium: 19.8 mg