Monthly Archives: October 2013

Natural Remedy for Dry Skin

20131016-205739.jpg

This week we have been focusing on the skin which is controlled by the lung/large intestine system in Chinese Medicine and is associated with Fall. The pathogen of fall is also dryness and you might have noticed your skin getting dry as well. Our natural remedy for the week is Epsom Salts. It seems I’ve been recommending Epsom salts quite a bit lately so I wanted you to know why and how to use them.

Epsom salt baths have many benefits including:
* Easing stress and relaxing the body (massage in a tub)
* Relieving pain and muscle cramping
* Assisting proper muscle and nerve functions
* Helping prevent hardening of arteries and blood clots
* Improving insulin function to prevent diabetes
* Relieving constipation
* Eliminating toxins from the body
* Reliving dry skin
* Volumizing hair
Baths are a great way to receive the benefits of these salts. Many people do not enjoy baths, don’t have a tub or don’t fit comfortably in a tub. Your skin is a porous organ and absorbs what is put on it into the body. Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate which is a natural muscle relaxant. Because of the skin’s ability to absorb you don’t have to immerse your entire body into a tub of water to receive the benefits. A foot soak is just as effective. Grab a basin or dish tub and fill with water and pour your salts in with the water. This is also a great way to improve circulation if you have cold feet or numbness in the feet.
An epsom salt bath weekly has many preventative benefits as well especially for insomnia, period cramps, cysts, and after workout soreness.
How to use:
Pour 1 cup (or more depending on your preference) to bath water and soak for 10-20 minutes.
There are several types of salts i.e. dead sea salts, Himalayan sea salts, grey clay etc. Each of these salts contains additional minerals that are beneficial to the body. Depending on the effect you desire.
Detox bath (great for tired, sore or crampy muscles)
1/2 cup epsom salts
1/2 cup sea salt
1/2 cup baking soda
For dry skin take a hand full of epsom salts and massage into skin first before entering bath or shower
I have made a custom bath salt blend for the fall available in the office or I can ship them to you. This blend contains Epsom salts, dead sea salts and Himalayan sea salts with therapeutic grade essential oils of lavender, roman chamomile, and geranium for a perfect fall treat to keep your skin soft and the body relaxed and warm! Leave me a message and I will reserve a Fall Blend just for you!

 

 

20131016-205824.jpg

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

The Yogi Cure All Meditation

 

There is a yoga posture that has often been called the “yogi cure all” and can be used for just about any ailment. The best part is that it is simple and easy to do. For anyone who held the excuse that they aren’t flexible and could never do any yoga this posture is a great place to start.

Vaprita Karani or Legs Up the Wall Pose is pretty self explanatory. (see picture above)

Here are a couple of tips: 

* Sitting next to the wall, bring your hips as close to the wall as you can.

* Protect your back by laying on your side and then gently swing your legs up against the wall. It it not imperative that your legs be at a 90 angle against the wall, only that your legs are straight. If the back of your legs feel tight, scoot your hips away from the wall until you find a place of comfort and ease in your body.

* You might also place a pillow under your hips or lengthwise along your spine for more comfort and higher elevation.

* Your arms can rest at your sides, out into a “t” or up over your head.

* This pose can also be done using a chair or ball to rest your legs on for more comfort.
The ancient yogis believed that “legs up the wall” pose was a cure-all. They believed that once the feet were up over the head in a resting posture a secret serum was released from the heels and would gently trickle down to wherever the ailment was and could especially assist with headaches, low back pain, varicose veins, anti-aging and metabolism. These ancient yogis were such fans of “legs up the wall” they felt it had just as much benefit on the body if held for 10 minutes a day as a full yoga class does.This pose is doing many things physiologically.
>> helping to traction the spine, alleviating pressure through the low back>> reversing the direction of circulation giving the veins of the legs a break from gravity which also helps slow the aging process and nourish circulation.>> bringing fresh circulation to the head>> assisting the blood pressure to decrease

To release from this pose gently walk your feet down the wall and bring your knees into your chest. You might enjoy rocking from side to side. To protect your back roll on to your side (you might prefer to rest on your side for a moment) and slowly push yourself back to a seated posture.

While holding this posture close your eyes and practice some deep breathing. Imagine a balloon in your abdomen. With your inhale imagine filling this balloon up with any stress or tension and with your exhale imagine your balloon slowly deflating letting your stress or tension out. Focus on slow, long exhales to promote further relaxation in your body. You might be aware of a tingling sensation in your legs or even feel your back naturally start to loosen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

Medicine Cabinet Essential: Rose Ointment

Rose ointment has become my new favorite go to. Especially as we move into the colder, dryer months this ointment can keep dry, cracked hands at bay. I love putting it on before bed over cracked knuckles. Rose Ointment contains several great essential oils.

Here’s what they do:

 

Rosewood: antibacterial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, stimulant, improves skin elasticity. Great for fungal infections/candida, skin conditions like eczema/psoriasis

Palmarosa: antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, supports heart and nervous system, stimulates new skin cell growth, regulates sebum production in skin. Can be used for fungal infections/candida, cardiovascular/circulatory diseases, digestive problems, skin problems like acne, eczema

Patchouli: relaxant, digestive aid that combats nausea, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, prevents wrinkles and chapped skin, relieves itching. Assists hypertension, skin conditions like eczema and acne, fluid retention, Listeria infection.

Myrrh: powerful antioxidant, antitumoral, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antiparasitic, analgesic/anesthetic. Helps diabetes, cancer, hepatitis, fungal infections like Candida, ringworm, eczema, tooth/gum infections, skin conditions like chapped, cracked skin, wrinkles, stretch marks.

Carrot seed: antiparastic, antiseptic, depurative diuretic, vasodilatory. Good for skin conditions like eczema, oily skin, psoriasis, wrinkles, water retention, liver problems

Melaleuca: powerful antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory action. Great for fungal infections like Candida, ringworm, sinus/lung infections, tooth/gum disease, water retention/hypertension, skin conditions like acne and sores.

Rose: antiinflammatory, relaxant, reduces scarring, antiulcer. Helps with hypertension, anxiety, viral infections (herpes simplex), skin conditions (scarring, wrinkles), ulcers

File:HK TST 朗廷酒店 Langham Hotel ladder roses 02.JPG

 

Here’s what you can use Rose Ointment for:

Diaper rash

Dry skin

Eczema

Psoriasis

Fungal infections

Chicken pox/shingles

Wrinkles

Stretch marks

Burns (not initially but to help heal any scabbing)

Where to get it:

You can order Rose Ointment here or if you need help head over to the contact me page and leave me a message and I can walk you through it!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

Healthy Fall Dessert: Caramel Apple Crisp with Nuts

I came across this recipe for caramel and knew it had to be used in some way. In Chinese Medicine as we move into the colder months it is recommended to eat fruits cooked because of fruit’s cooling nature when raw. This is a great way to do just that, especially if you’ve recently gone apple picking. 🙂 I’ve made this Apple Crisp as healthy as possible. 🙂

      

 

What you need: (apple crisp)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup sugar

1 cup rolled oats

1/2 cup flour (i used whole wheat)

1/2 cup almond meal (you could use 1 cup of almond meal or flour instead of the combo depending on your preferences/allergies etc)

1/2 cup melted coconut oil 3 cups apples (peeled, cored and chopped)

2 teaspoons cinnamon

     

(salted caramel)

1 cup soft Medjool dates, pitted (appx 11 dates)

1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt, or more to taste

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup almond milk, plus extra for desired texture

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 Tablespoon coconut oil

optional: 1 cup soaked cashews or almonds ( i didn’t use the nuts this time)

     

 Directions:  

Preheat oven to 350F Lightly grease 8 inch square pan In large bowl, combine sugars, oats, flour, almond meal, and coconut oil. Mix until crumbly. Spread half into pan. Spread apples evening over crumb mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a little extra sugar if you prefer. In blender, mix your caramel ingredients and blend until smooth to your desired consistency. I added extra almond milk to mine until it was creamy. When its to your liking spread over apples. Layer with remaining crumb mixture and bake until bubbly and brown. Appx 40 minutes.

     

2 last thoughts on Garlic

I came across these articles and wanted to share them with you as we close out our week on garlic. The first article is titled How Garlic Can Save Your Life from greenmedinfo blog. Here is the opening paragraph.

Research on garlic indicates that it may provide an ideal low-cost and safe alternative to drugs and vaccines in reducing the three most common causes of death in the world.

In a world mesmerized by the false promises of pharmaceutical industry marketing copy, as well as inundated with aggressively marketed dietary supplements, many of which are manufactured by the same companies making a killing off patented chemicals (Bayer owns One A Day, Pfizer owns Centrum), it is reassuring to know that the kitchen pantry will never fail us…

The second article from whydontyoutrythis.com is on a delicious sounding soup made with 52 cloves of garlic! I haven’t made it yet but if you get to it before I do please let me know how it is! Here is the opening paragraph…

Forget the flu shot. A soup based on more than 50 cloves of garlic, onions, thyme and lemon will destroy almost any virus that enters its path including colds, flu and even norovirus.

As we sneeze and cough our way through these dark months of contagious nasties, garlic is being hailed for its powers to halt viruses in their tracks. It has gained its reputation as a virus buster thanks to one of its chemical constituents, allicin.

A recent and significant finding from Washington State University shows that garlic is 100 times more effective than two popular antibiotics at fighting disease causing bacteria commonly responsible for foodborne illness. Read More on…

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers

This past Sunday the Algonquin Chapter of Breastfeeding USA had a walk in support of the fundraising efforts for Best for Babes and Breastfeeding USA. In honor of National Breastfeeding Month and this year’s World Breastfeeding Week theme—“Breastfeeding Support: Close to Mothers”.  This is the first nationwide personal fitness challenge to get America behind breastfeeding and get families and mothers the support they need . It was a perfect day at Cuba Marsh in Lake Zurich on Sunday to do just that.

Breastfeeding USA, Inc. provides evidence-based information and support, and promotes breastfeeding as the biological and cultural norm. We accomplish this through a network of accredited breastfeeding counselors and comprehensive resources for the benefit of mothers and babies, families, and communities.

The mission of Best for Babes is to change the cultural perception of breastfeeding and Beat the Breastfeeding Booby Traps®–the cultural, institutional and legal barriers that prevent parents from making informed feeding decisions and that prevent moms from achieving their personal breastfeeding goals (whether that’s 2 days, 2 months or 2 years) without judgment, pressure or guilt.

Studies show that women are most successful with a breastfeeding relationship when they have a good support system. I would argue that motherhood in general is more rewarding for this same reason. 🙂 If you would like to donate to this great cause feel free to do so here. Donations will continue to be accepted until the end of October. 

The Algonquin Breastfeeding USA meeting is the 2nd Tuesday of each month and meets at Radiant Heart Yoga (1130 Main St) from 10a-12p. These meetings are lead by an amazing breastfeeding counselor Aimee and lactation consultant Beth. Meetings are always free and no one cares if you show up late, still in your pajamas or unshowered. 🙂 Meetings are welcome to pregnant mothers to be as well.

Natural Remedy for Cough and Congestion

Here’s an easy way to break up congestion from a cough that won’t seem to go away.

What you will need:

1 small onion diced
1 teaspoon of fresh garlic minced
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:

Place diced onion in an oiled glass baking dish and heat in oven set to 350 for about 20 minutes or until onion becomes translucent and slimy. Remove from oven and pour onion in a clean bowl. Mix garlic and olive oil with the onion and allow to cool. Mixture should be warm but not hot. Place mixture on chest and cover with a warm, wet wash cloth. Cover with a dry wash cloth or towel. If you are putting on your children I would massage the oil over the chest and upper back and put on an old t-shirt that you don’t care about getting stained. (you can massage the onion/garlic mixture into skin and remove after oil has started to set in if you prefer) Keep poultice on for up to 2 hours, then remove.  Repeat as needed. We are using it today for my little one and alternating with hyssop and eucalyptus blue and local honey.

image

Did it help? Don’t forget to let me know! 🙂

Sarah Canga

Sarah Canga

 

If congestion persists don’t forget that cupping over the upper/mid back can be very effective at releasing congestion, cough and clearing up a cold.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

Meditation for Grief

This week’s meditation comes with a restorative yoga pose called fish pose. The Fall is the time of the lung/large intestine system in Chinese Medicine and is associated with the emotion of grief. All emotions are necessary and healthy when expressed appropriately. The emotion of grief is fitting for the fall when we watch the abundance of summer start to slowly go inward. The same is happening within our bodies as well. Use this meditation as a way to reflect on letting go of what is no longer serving you especially during times of transition and patiently wait for what will appear in the spring in this new space you have created.

 

Natural Medicine Cabinet Essentials: Medicinal Pickled Garlic

I came across this recipe several weeks ago and can’t stop talking about it! This is super easy to make and its delicious. Garlic is the perfect food for the Fall, lung/large intestine time of year.

What you need:

a mason jar, any size you like

enough cloves of garlic to fill your mason jar

apple cider vinegar (bragg’s is best, whatever you choose make sure it has the “mother” in it)

local raw honey

***If you hate peeling garlic as much as I do give this Garlic peeling trick a try, it really works!

Fill your mason jar with cloves of garlic and fill with apple cider vinegar to cover. Place in a warm place for 3 weeks. (if you place your jar in a sunny place the cloves of garlic may turn blue or green. This is normal and the garlic is perfectly fine. I had a batch that turned blue and then turned white again)

After your 3 weeks is up take half of the apple cider vinegar and set aside. You can use this for marinades or salad dressings. I’ve done both. I made a delicious pork tenderloin with this garlic infused apple cider vinegar and it was amazing. I also have used it as an oil and vinegar dressing for salad which was equally wonderful. Yesterday I used some to cook chicken with for a stir fry and the smell was mouth watering yum.  Its worth trying this just for the garlic infused marinade!

The other half of your vinegar you can place in a pan and add equal parts local raw honey. Heat just until the honey has blended with the vinegar so as not to kill all the good stuff in your mixture and pour back over your garlic. Set your jar in a dry cool place for another 3-4 weeks and then use as you wish. This should keep for up to 1 year.

The pickling process makes the garlic very easy to eat straight and with less of an intense “garlic breath” after effect. There is also an interesting phenomenon where when you eat one you will crave another. (the same is true for the marinade) Eat one clove a day for your health or 3 cloves a day to ward off a cold.

Let me know what you think!

Sarah Canga

p.s. If garlic breath is scaring you away from all the great benefits try 1 or 2 tablespoons of fresh parsley after eating garlic or chew on 2 teaspoons of fennel or cardamom seeds.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
TERMS OF USE:
Medical & Health Information

Any information on this website is not meant to diagnose, prescribe, cure, or treat any illness or disease: it has not been evaluated by the FDA. Neither are the products mentioned on this website meant to do the same: they have been evaluated by the FDA. Information here is strictly for informational and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please seek a qualified health professional of your choice when making health choices for yourself or any member of your family – pets included. By proceeding to read articles / posts, look at pictures, watch videos, contact Sarah Canga, and listen to audios you agree and accept these terms.

Minestrone Soup Recipe

I had lots of garden goodness to process so I made a big batch of soup. Its the perfect day for soup today isn’t it? Do you make your own broth? Its super easy to do. I was scared of it until I started reading all the benefits of “bone soup”. Last year we joined our first CSA for meat and eggs and it really opened my eyes on how we eat. Before then we almost never had any bones in our meat. I learned how super simple it is to get several meals out of one piece of meat when you use everything. (as a side note we all lost some weight and feel better 🙂

For this recipe I had recently cooked a whole chicken in the crock pot (I used the chicken for a coconut stir fry with lots of veggies and enchiladas verdes with homemade tomatillo sauce straight from the garden). I took the bones and the juices and kept them in the crock pot and added whatever I had on hand: garlic, celery, carrots, scraps of veggies etc and 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar (that helps extract the marrow out of the bones into the soup where all the good stuff is) and let it slow cook for 12 hours or so then strained everything out.

All veggies for this soup are a mix of my garden and the store. We started with leeks, garlic, eggplant, carrots, celery, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, brocoli, and mushrooms.

leeks, garlic, mushrooms, white beans (lung/large intestine)

carrots, yellow and orange peppers, yellow tomatoes (spleen/stomach)

zucchini, celery, and brocoli (liver/gall bladder)

home-made broth (kidney/urinary bladder)

 

Start with a few pieces of nitrate free bacon. We got ours from farmer Nick. Cook that up with some leeks and garlic until brown then add the rest of your veggies. We like a hardy soup so I usually fill up 2 or 3 cereal bowls of cut veggies. Cook the veggies for a few minutes then add some tomato paste or homemade canned/stewed tomatoes and 6 cups or so of chicken broth. Add whatever seasoning you like or have on hand; I used thyme, oregano, parsley and some garlic salt. We also added in a cup of white kidney beans and a cup of dry brown rice pasta to make it a meal. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 30 minutes.  Enjoy!