Breathing for Health

I enjoy this guy's explanation and description. The technique is simple but incredibly effective.

How To Eat Chrysanthemum or Drink Them or....

How To Eat Chrysanthemum or

Drink Chrysanthemum or just

Rub it on!

(Before you go any further ~ please know that there are several excellent formulas used with adults and children to ward off cold and fever using this herb that are primary use for this herb with other ingredients at our clinic)– safe, natural, and one of those God-thing flowers – Classical Chinese Medicine works)

I received a catalog from some great people Diana purchased our water purification system from (morethanalive.com) Since moving to Lynchburg from the mountains, it’s been so difficult to take the water because the chemicals are easy for us to taste. So we like clean water!

Anyway, I was reading about this herb called Calendula, when I realized they were talking about as Chrysanthemums (Marigold). It was a great article and since Chrysanthemums are a really cool herb (literally cooling) in Chinese Medicine, my interest was sparked and this blog came forth. Let me give you some particulars with the help of some borrowed paraphrased notes from books, web, etc...

Chrysanthium, or as the Chineses call it, “JU HUA” was used by Aztecs, Persians, Ancient Japanese, and Mediterraneans. Although Calendula is a big family most know it in the west as Marygold, the name given to it with respects to the Virgin Mary. ~ whatever ~

If I began to tell you all the great things it’s used for you’d run out and buy some today. Or maybe you’d just keep taking the same prescription or dealing with the same ailment and not have interest in self healing? So let’s see if we can get your interest up? Check this out:

Marigold P. E.
Latin Name: Tagetes erecta L
Botanical Source: Marigold
Part Used: Flower
Appearance: Reddish Orange Powder
Active Ingredient: Lutein
Specification: Lutein 5%-90%
Test Method: HPLC
Molecular Formula: C40H56O2
Molecular Weight: 568.85

Product Description: Marigold Extract
Lutein is a carotenoid found in vegetables and fruits. It acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells against the damaging effects of free radicals.

Suggested Applications:
1. Lutein as skin cancer inhibitor and care skin.
2. Lutein as inhibitor of LDL cholesterol Oxidizing.
3. Lutein as inhibitor of tumor and cancer.
4. Lutein and its oxidative metabolites in chemo-prevention of cancer.
5. Lutein as inhibitor of blood-vessel clogging.
6. Lutein delays lung aging. Lutein as inhibitor of arthritis.
7. Lutein as AMD inhibitor, Cataract inhibitor, and eyes benefitor.

Applicable Industries:
Medicine, Functional Food, Beverage & Food, Cosmetic

The flower heads of Aztec marigold are considered to have properties that dissipate heat (in fevers just like the Chinese use it), expel colds (just like the Chinese use it), and break up phlegm (yeah – just like the Chinese use it). They are used to treat whooping cough, coughs due to colds, convulsions in children, acute conjunctivitis, dizziness, mumps, and mastitis. The dried flower heads are taken as a decoction. Externally, the decoction is used to wash affected areas.

The Native Americans of the United States used it as a rinse for acne and eczema and it was a major medicine in the Civil War for amputee and severe wounds.

Scientists have found tagetes oil (the extract) to have various effects on experimental animals. These include sedative, anti-convulsive, hypotensive, bronchodilatory, and anti-inflammatory effects. Tagates oil also has insecticidal properties.

Here’s a (very small) list of benefits I’ve reproduced:

• For gastrointestinal uses – protects lining of stomach, digestive and circulatory benefits
• Inhibits inflammations – pectic ulcers, cancers, etc
• Fights fever, boils, abscesses, and vomiting
• EYE disease – used for conjunctivitis
• Hemorrhoids, vaginal itching, insect bites, diaper rash
• Fights infection (better, healing is faster and less painful)
• Varicose veins, chronic ulcers, and congestion

In the Chinese Herbal Materia

1. fever, headaches, dizziness, dry mouth, throat, yellow tongue

2. visual obstructions, blurred visions, hypertension

3. Vasodialative – increases blood perfusion and lowers pressure

4. Antibiotic – inhibits Staph, B-hemolytic strep, and others.

5. (And the list goes on)

GOOD News – it’s edible, can be taken on a salad, dried for tea, added to a rice soup or used from tincture ------------------ and I’ve just begun to scratch the surface.

So I was reading this little catalog and saw an article and said to myself “ I wish more people knew what good medicine God put in His Creation.” So this is my contribution. Blessings from BlueCrane!

*note ~ Chinese herbal formulas combine several herbs based on the condition of each patient. Rarely is one herb ever used exclusively and the formulas have hundreds of years of history to attest to their efficacy and ~ thank God ~ don’t need the FDA to understand them.

**note ~ BlueCrane Acupuncture wants our patients to learn how to assist in their own healing – with food, exercise, acupuncture and herbal medicine. Our goal is to heal and empower.

Yin Style Bagua

This is a really good presentation of a Yin Style Bagua and it's one of the more unique excercise methods of China. Not easy to understand and looks a bit strange but for those folks focused on the Ultimate Fighting Shows ~ the subtle will be missed. My first encounter with this style was in Europe in 1971. It was so different from anything I'd seen I was fairly taken back as a younger guy from West Virginia.

WHY HOLY BASIS

I cook a lot with basil. It's an incredible herb and I've found that there are qualities it has that move me even more to use it at least three times a week. Basil in Chinese is called the "nine-layered temple." It is a warm, acrid, and somewhat pungent herb and enters the stomach, liver, and kidney channels. It invigorates blood, dispels water and opens the channels so much it has gynecological properties. Now that's not a plus for me but here's the good part. It can alleviate stomach cramps, pain, disperse stagnation and helps children with poor appetite ~ not to mention it's just a great herb to cook with.

We like to take some egg whites and after putting just a bit of olive oil in the pan, place these under the broiler. When the whites begin to cook, we stop and put some fresh basil, mushrooms and even a bit of garlic and parsley. Now that is a "GREAT FRITTATA." It's not hard on your system, puts all these nice herbs in your body, and gives you a ton of energy for the morning. k.h. from BlueCrane

One Of Ken & Diana's Favorite Tea Boosters

I start with a Green Tea. Then add the following:

1. Cardamom
2. Cinnamon
3. Cloves

Each of these has properties that range from gastrointestinal to immuno-stimulant. They work with the body's natural metabolic system to keep it warm and functional. The herbs mostly affect the stomach and spleen, but also enters the liver and kidneys. They have qualities that dispel damp and are premier herbs easy to add to food and drink.

The cinnamon, called Gui Zhi, in Chinese, is a wonderful strengthening agent that moves the blood and energy of the system. Try just a pinch of each in a cup of green tea in the morning or just before meals. Green tea doesn't have the caffeine that coffee contains and it sure beats those "super energy drinks" being sold to the American public. Both the bark and the twigs are used in Chinese medicine. Like I said before, use just a pinch. Enjoy!!

Teas That Heal

ASTRA DIET TEA

Therapeutic Action

• Can reduce appetite and improve digestion
• Used as an invigorating energy tonic

Formula Rationale

Astra Diet Tea: is designed to be used with Astra 18 Diet as part of a weight loss program. The formula contains herbs that regulate the stomach function to restore the appetite to normal and assist in obtaining maximum nutrition from a limited diet.

• Loquat (pi pa ye) help settle stomach agitation
• Perilla (zi su ye) help settle stomach agitation
• Lopthatherum (dan shu ye) help settle stomach agitation
• Eleuthero Root (ci wu jia) promote digestion
• Mentha (bo he ) promote digestion
• Loquat (pi pa ye) help resolve phelgm - damp
• Ginger (gan jiang ) help resolve phelgm - damp

Chinese Therapeutic Effects

• Circulates Energy
• Tonifies Qi of the system (overall balance)
• Regulates stomach/spleen Jiao complex

Notes:

• Use in conjunction with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and moderate exercise
• Promotes sluggish digestion
• Does not contain tea or caffeine
• Can assist in nausea condition
• Can soothe colitis and Crohn’s disease symptoms.

(source: Health Concerns Clinical Handbook)