Welcome to my blog!!! I have been an herbalist & an aromatherapist for over 20 years!! My blog is over 10 years old & there are over 100 informative blogs here. Not only do I have hopes of teaching the masses, I too, have learned a lot during my research on different topics! There's always new & updated information in the herbal & essential oil worlds. There are blogs on herbs, essential oils, nutrition, supplements, different modalities of healing and just a little bit of everything!! Maybe in reading my blogs, just one person will come away with a bit of knowledge that they might be able to help themselves or another human being, I would consider that to be a great blessing.....

Over the years I have had several businesses. It seems I can't get away from seeing if a certain herb or essential oil can help a fellow human and that's usually how it starts. I am now in Arizona and I was asked again if I would be interested in starting another herbal business!! We now have Herbs 4 Health!! Providing numerous herbs....herbal blends....single essential oils...essential oil blends....minerals....tinctures all to help the body to heal itself.

The information in these blogs is not meant in any way shape or form to plagiarize, for I have never said this is all MY work. It is a compilation of reputable informative websites, my 'go to' books I have always depended upon & my own knowledge. I gather & put together information to help people learn & this way they can come back here to help remind themselves of said information instead of 'where oh where did I find that on the world wide web'. Seems to me it's just better & easier.

DISCLAIMER: All the information in these blogs do not diagnose, treat or heal any type illness or disease.

























Monday, July 27, 2020

The Ins & Outs of Canola Oil




Are you on the fence as to weather canola oil is full of the healthful benefits they are saying?? Some say it's poison & contains the same substance as the warfare agent mustard gas, is responsible for most maladies from mad cow to blindness. Then again, some say it's one of the healthiest foods around as it contains high levels of omega 3's, low in saturated fat & excellent source of oleic acid.
It's the 3rd most produced vegetable oil. Canola meal is one of the most common protein meals on the planet, 2nd only to soy.

First off, there's no such thing as canola meal. The canola plant doesn't actually exist! It's derived from the rapeseed plant which is a member of the mustard family. Researchers found out how to chemically engineer it to meet the FDA standards for human consumption. Rapeseed has significant health risks due to high levels of erucic acid, a monosaturated omega 9. It's found in soaps, lipstick, lip gloss, printer ink, biofuels, insecticides and more!

When it's finally broken down, it's one of the largest contributors to the omega 3 & omega 6 imbalances. The ration of omega 6 to omega 3 should actually be like a 20:1 ratio. That imbalance can cause inflammation, chronic diseases & auto-immune diseases.

It's a GMO & a Canadian invention backed by the Canadian government. It's cheap to produce. Many packaged or process foods contain it. In 1998 the most disease & drought resistant canola variety to date was developed using genetic modification.

A type of vegetable oil, the canola plant was derived from the rapeseed's seeds in order to produce a food grade oil with lower erucic acids. End result is a high omega 6 fat content. Eurcic acid has been linked to heart damage and found in rapeseed & mustard oils. The oil is made by refining, bleaching & deoderizing. A solvent called hexane chemically extracts the oil from seeds.

Over 90% is grown in the U.S. & is genetically modified. It's the 2nd largest oil crop in the world. Aside from small amounts of Vit. E & K, it's devoid of vitamins & minerals. They use high amounts of it to make canola butter which the public thinks is more healthy than regular butter, but it isn't.

Health hazards include increased inflammation, impact on memory & heart health. It's just not a healthy oil to be consuming. There are many other healthy oils out there such as avocado, coconut, olive, ghee, butter, flaxseed, hemp seed & red palm (certified sustainable). 







Echinacea Facts!



So it was bound to happen eventually where I do a blog on the infamous echinacea. There are many more herbs like it out there to help with the same issues....why do people consistantly go to this one herb??? In my research I found there was much more to it than I ever suspected.

Echinacea belongs to the daisy family. There are 9 species of it, but only 3 are used herbally. It's commonly known as the purple coneflower. It has been widely used in natural medicine for over 400 years & widely used by the  medical community. It lost most of it's usefulness after antibiotics caused a massive shift in the medical world.

Several of echinacea's chemical constituents include essential oils, Vit. C, inulin, flavanoids & polysaccharides (which trigger immune functions). Research has found that the above ground parts contains most of the plant's health benefits. The German government approved the plant's above ground parts for treatment in upper respiratory infections, colds, UTI's & slow healing wounds.

High in antioxidants such as cichoric acid & rosmarinic acid which help to defend against oxidative stress that can lead to disease.

Benefits of Echinacea:
*Boosts immune system
*Combats viruses
*Fights infections including malaria, typhoid & syphilis
*Supports upper respiratory issues such as TB, whooping cough, strep, croup, colds, diptheria
*Aids in mental health, taken in small doses
*Relieves pain -- headaches, toothache, sore throats & more
*Fights inflammation
*Great for stomach & overall gut health
*Helps to treat skin issues
*Cancer fighter, according to a report from NIH

Now, according to research, echinacea works better once symptoms have appeared & it's not to be taken as a preventative. One should only take it up to 10 days, then take a break from it before continuing. Be careful of imitations as there are many out there, unfortunately. Apparently there are products out there that say they contain echinacea & they don't contain any!! The extracts you see everywhere are essentially tinctures, so don't let that fool you either. It's safe & well tolerated for short term use. Use caution against taking too much. Do not use it for seasonal allergies. Use extreme caution against injecting it!

As I've been saying all along, do not take it on a consistent basis. I was not aware though about all the imitations & trickery involved. Again, do your research, ask questions, be aware!!!










Monday, July 13, 2020

CBD vs THC




Despite their similare molecular structures, the 2 main compounds in marijuana, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) & cannabidiol (CBD) have very different effects on the human body. THC is an active ingredient in marijuana that makes you high. It binds to CB1 receptors in the brain to create a euphoric effect.

CBD on the other hand is non-psychoactive which means it won't give you a high. It has little affinity for binding with the CB1 or CB2 receptors & can actually hinder THC's effects when combined. Instead, CBD can activate other receptors such as serotonin & is more often sought out for its potential medicinal benefits, such as pain & anxiety.

Not all studies are created equal, but many have found that cannabinoids can help with specific disorders & diseases. Here are some health issues that CBD & THC can be help.

*AIDS: THC increases appetite and helps with weight gain.
*Alzheimers type Dementia: Studies show THC helps with behavior symptoms.
*Anxiety & Panic Disorders: CBD reduces symptoms.
*Cancer: THC & CBD combination reduces chemo-related nausea and vomiting, manages pain and stimulates appetite.
*Digestion Complications: THC helps improve symptoms of IBS.
*Epilepsy: CBD reduces convulsions.
*Heart Function: THC & CBD combination relaxes some arteries.
*Immune System Complications: THC & CBD combination can alter the growth & function of certain immune cells.
*Inflammation: All of the most common cannabinoids relieve swelling.
*Multiple Sclerosis: THC alleviates MS-related pain. THC & CBD combination reduces muscle spasms.
*Pain: Most of the common cannabinoids relieve pain.
*Parkinson's Disease: CBD alleviates psychotic symptoms and some issues with motor control.
*Schizophrenia: CBD can reduce psychotic symptoms.
*Sleep Disorders: THC improves sleep quality & quantity for some. CBD can increase alertness in some.

Information taken from discoverymagazine.com