Relaxation Tea

RELAXATION TEA

                Our crew works hard and with diligence to produce beautiful and potent herbs.  In addition to processing various quantitiesof herbs, we sell two tea blends; A Rejuvenation blend and the Green MountainTulsi.  Both teas highlight wonderfulmedicinal qualities of the herbs they contain and are delicious beverages.  We are now working on a third tea blend, arelaxation tea that may attain the same success as the two existing teas.  Many members of society today suffer from thesame ills and reach for a “quick fix” to amend them.  The list of big hitters such as insomnia,stress, digestive issues, anxiety and depression goes on and on.  Perhaps writing to the few who are readingthis is preaching to the choir about adjusting diet and lifestyle to alleviatethese issues, but it can’t hurt… right?

                Now don’tget me wrong, the relaxation blend is not on course to put Celestial SeasoningsSleepytime tea (and the well known bear in a rocking chair) out of business;  but it is tasty and who knows, maybe we willgive him a run for his money.  The blendof meadowsweet, lemonbalm, roses, and oats is relaxing and is a lovelyafter-meal drink.  A friend of mineprepared himself a glass after the first day of classes at UVM, he relayed tome that he prepared the tea feeling stressed and uptight after a long day ofclasses, transitioning from summer-mode into school and work mode.  After drinking the tea (which no-joke heasked for more of) he felt relaxed, happy, and much more at ease about hissituation.

                Sofriends, keep your eyes out for a new tea blend! As we perfect the formula, youtoo can add a new flavor to your tea collection.

(above: relaxation tea blend photographed with some local honey! mmm)

Garlic! Allium Sativum

       Our Hardneck German White garlic has been harvested, cured, cleaned, and is ready for sale.  this precocious plant is a force to be reckoned with, not just as a culinary ally.  Cooking with the beautiful bulb ads robust flavor to many meals, yet is also a health booster.  Garlic has been used orally as an antioxidant; to reduce cholesterol and triglycerides; to reduce hardening of the arteries and blood clotting; to reduce blood pressure; to prevent cancer; to protect the liver; as an antibiotic, antiviral, and antifungal; to increase the effects of the immune system; to reduce blood sugar levels; and to reduce menstrual pain. Garlic has also been used topically (on the skin) to treat corns, warts, calluses, ear infections, muscle pain, nerve pain, arthritis, and sciatica.

     Garlic contains many active constituents, including volatile oil with sulphur-containing compounds (allicin, alliin, and ajoene), enzymes (allinase, peroxidase and myrosinase), glucokinins, B group vitamins,vitamin C and flavonoids, citral, geraniol, linalool, aphellandrene and B phellandrene. Garlic also contains a wide range of trace minerals. These include copper, iron, zinc, magnesium, germanium, andselenium. The key therapeutic ingredient in garlic is alliin. Alliin is an odorless sulfur-containing chemical derived from the amino acid cysteine. Allicin is formed when alliin, a sulfur-containing amino acid, comes into contact with the enzyme alliinase when raw garlic is chopped, crushed, or chewed. Allicin is what gives garlic its antibiotic properties and is responsible for its strong odor. Allicin is said to be stronger than penicillin and tetracycline, and microbes do not mutate when repeatedly exposed to garlic. Allicin is further broken down to a compound called ajoene. Ajoene contributes to the anticoagulant action of garlic. It may be the substance that inhibits blockage in blood vessels from clots and atherosclerosis.

      

     When taking garlic, the fresh clove is the most effective way to ingest high levels of Allicin, Alliin, and Ajoene.  There are however other ways to take in the product such as by capsule, tincture or oil.  Yet with all options beware, large intakes of garlic may result in stinky garlic sweats.

Ahh summer is flying by!  Last weekend's uPs benefit at Sage mountain was a beautiful event with even more beautiful people in attendance.  Right now as I type a class from Sterling College is here on a tour with the lovely Kate, our office manager and the crew is out in the field harvesting more Tulsi.  The air is filled with sweet aromas and the buzz of insects and birds.  In efforts to not fall too far behind in news, here are some crops that have been harvested recently here at Zack Woods.

-More nettles!

-Raspberry Lf

-Catnip

-Milky Oats

-Calendula

-Comfrey

-Lemonbalm

-Yarrow

Calendula:

Calendula officinalis

                This lovely, sticky annual, the 2008 herb of the year has such a giving spirit.  Each blossom is so vastly different from its neighbor.  One plant of the same species can look like a compeletely different plant, yet they hold the same constituents.  The bright orange and yellow color shining from the plant comes from beta-carotene, also found in carrots, like carrots, calendula is rich in vitamin A.   As flowers are picked off the mid-height plants, they continue to bloom all summer long, creating an endless harvest.

                Calendula is used both externally and internally.  Externally the plant is used for its antiseptic and healing properties, being applied to cuts, scrapes, bruises, and burns. Calendula extracts are anti- inflammatory, antiviral, support healthy gastrointestinal function, and stimulate the immune system. Triterpenoids in calendula have recently been linked to its anti-inflammatory activity. In addition, calendula increases granulation at the site of a wound, promoting metabolism of proteins and collagen-in other words, helping grow new healthy cells. Topical calendula preparations are widely accepted in Europe for treating inflammation of the skin and mucous membranes, slow to-heal wounds, mild burns, and sunburn.

In use:

·           a store of calendula tea can be kept in the refrigerator to be used directly on the skin to help clear up acne, hemorrhoids, or other areas where the skin is inflamed

·         The tea or the tincture in water can be swished and swallowed in order to help heal oral lesions, sore throat, or gastric ulcer

·         Calendula flowers can be used as an inexpensive substitute for saffron

·         The dried flowers can be used to dye wool

·         The plants emenogouge properties can help with menstrual cramps when prepared as a tea

·         And many more!!

Oh so Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet:

Filipendula ulmaria

            One of three sacred herbs renowned by the Druids, along with Vervain and water-mint, Meadowsweet’s aroma can be overwhelming.  The vigorous rhizomes of the herb can grow wildly over moist grasslands and marshy areas.  The leaves have a crinkled texture and are dark green on top and much lighter, almost white below.  The attractive leaves and reddish stalks as well as the strong aroma make Meadowsweet a popular plant in many gardens, apart from its medicinal and household uses.

Meadowsweet is an astringent, bitter, and sweet member of the rose family rich in flavonoids and essential oils.  The plant contains some level of salicylate and benzyl alcohol which all contribute to its uses as a diaphoretic, diuretic, astringent, anti-inflamatory, and anti-bacterial.  Meadowsweet has been used traditionally as a remedy for various aches and fever, such as colds, flu, chronic gastritis, migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammation of the nerves, muscles and skin.  With all these wonderful applications, it’s a shame that this beautifully spirited plant can so easily be passed over.

Contraindications:  This herb may cause allergic reaction in people sensitive to salicyates.

In use:

·         dry clusters of tiny white florets and place them on the floor and in cabinets to mask unpleasant odors

·         as an infusion, Meadowsweet’s anti-inflamatory and mucilaginous qualities cause for an effective remedy in the treatment of gastric ulcers.

·         flowers can be used to flavor beers and wines, or in soups to add flavor

·         Meadowsweet can be used as a facial toner similar to rose water due to its astringent properties

·         The flowers can be used as a natural sweetener for teas, food, etc

Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry lf:

Rubus idaeus/ Rubus strigosus

                The tasty tart berry that is a summer staple in fruit salads, pies, tarts, and on their own is more than just a treat.  The leaf of the plant is a well known and widely used herbal remedy.  

Raspberry leaf, native to North America and Canada is a bitter, aromatic, astringent herb holds cooling tendencies.  It has long been known as a “woman’s herb” for its ability to aid in normalizing periods and many aids during pregnancy and labor.   Red Raspberry leaf has many therapeutic uses aiding in the relief of digestive disorders, treating diarrhea, fever, mouth sores (as a mouthwash) and support for a healthy heart, and is rich in vitamisn A, B, C and E.  The plant is also rich in anti-oxidants, and selenium.

            Raspberry leaf’s uses as a woman’s herb date back centuries.  It is used as a uterine tonic during childbirth and during menstruation, as well as during labor.  It's toning effects on the uterus makes child birth easier reducing stress on the uterus and is used overall for uterine health. Red Raspberry leaf is also helpful during the postpartum period by increasing milk production and reducing cramping. Use during menstruation can reduce cramps and normalize periods.

            Raspberry is also indicated for use in some eye disorders, it is known to be helpful for cataracts, retinal blood vessel damage and diabetes.

In use:

          

·         During pregnancy, a strong tea can be made into ice cubes and given as ice chips to women during labor.  It will aid with post-partum hemorrhage.

·         Red Raspberry Tea Recipe (How to use): Steep 1-2 tsps. Red Raspberry Leaf in 1 cup boiling water for 10-15 minutes.Drink up to 2-4 cups daily after the first trimester for aid in childbirth. Use this same tea recipe for a mouthwash gargle to rid mouth sores, or for other astringent uses in body function i.e. to fight symptoms of diarrhea or other digestive issues.

·         In case of leucorrhea (mucous discharge from genitals), raspberry leaf douche is made by simmering 1 tablespoon of leaves in 1 pint of water for 10 minutes, covered, cooled, strained, and used at room temperature.

Knotweed Knowhow

            Japanese Knotweed has such a terrible reputation; sure it’s extremely invasive, and it promotes soil erosion, but what about the positives?  The young shoots of the plant are edible, and our friends at Green Dragon Botanicals are making use of the roots to aid Lyme disease sufferers. Japanese Knotweed root is the world’s richest source of reservatrol.  Reservatrol is a phenol, an acidic organic compound also found in grapes, and has been gaining popularity for use in Lyme treatment over the past decade.  It can boost mental and physical energy reduces appetite and cravings, can lower blood sugar, and prevents oxidative damage from free-radicals and contains anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties.  With this in mind, we can take another look at Knotweed as not so bad.