Using Blueberries For First Aid

The camping season is now opening up, although we are still getting some mixed snow and rain in Calgary.  I see my neighbours pulling out their campers and equipment, and hosing down tarps.  Most campers carry a first aid kit.  However, the best first aid kit is the great outdoors, and all the wonderful plants in Mother Nature’s garden.

Let’s talk about blueberries. They are very common place in North America, whether in the east or the west, north or south.

 

 

from www.stargrazerperennials.com

 

 

 

We humans have a trait that wants to be a follower, and to adapt what ever the newest health fad is – Noni Juice, Acai Berry, or some other wonder berry.  The thing is, BLUEBERRY is our very own wonder berry.

1.  TREATS DIARRHEA - When camping, take fresh or dried blueberries with you. Two tablespoons of dried berries will cure diarrhea.  Studies have shown that a decoction of Blueberries will sterilize cultures of colon bacillus and of Ebert's bacillus in a 24 hour period.  The latter is the Typhoid bacillus.  Dried blueberries don't weigh much and are certainly worth carrying in a backpack.  Blueberries are a natural remedy for persistent diarrhea and acute enteritis (inflammation of the small intestine) caused by a virus or bacteria.

2. TREATS HERPES II – FLU -  Extract of Blueberry (available commercially under the name of  Bilberry, the "Old English" name for Blueberry) has been found to be an antiviral in cell culture for herpes simplex virus II, influenza  and vaccinia (cowpox) virus.

3.  KILLS BACTERIA - Extracts of blueberries have also been found to kill or inhibit growth of funguses, yeasts and bacteria, including Trichomonas vaginalis (an inflammation of the vagina that can be transmitted to males-causing itching and discharge in both sexes). 

4.  ARTHRITIS - STRENGTHEN ARTERIES - Blueberries benefit all capillaries, veins and the arteries and by doing so improve the circulation to the hands, feet, brain and heart. Blueberries are used to strengthen coronary arteries and varicose veins and help in reducing arteriosclerosis and plaque deposits. 

Blueberry belongs to a family called flavonoids.Although not true vitamins, flavonoids have been given the name of Vitamin "P". The P stands for permeability and is responsible forcollagen stabilization in the body. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body, consisting of veins, tendons, ligaments and cartilage. Collagen is destroyed during the inflammation of arthritis, gout, and periodontal disease as well as other conditions of inflammation involving the joints, connective tissues, bones and cartilage. Flavonoids not only aid in prevention of collagen destruction, but alsoadd to the strength of such tissue. Blueberries, because of theirhigh content of flavonoids, actually make the collagen stronger byadhesion and cross linking with the collagen. They improve circulation and feed the capillaries by altering the ability of fluids and nourishment to pass through, inhibiting free radical damage and improving the tone of the entire vascular system by strengthening all of the veins and the arteries.

5. ULCERS - Current research indicates that blueberries may be useful in the future in treatment and prevention of ulcers.  It is thought that this is due to the blueberry's empowering of the defensive barriers of the gastrointestinal mucous.

Will you pack blueberries with your gear this year?

Remember, this advice on using blueberries should not replace the advice of doctors or other medical professionals.  Check with your doctor if you are taking prescription medications to confirm that blueberries do not interfere with the drug(s).

Blessings,

Judy

Pheasant’s Wisdom

Picture of ring-necked pheasant from http://talkaboutwildlife.ca

 It was winter, and I was walking with my dog along the Bow River.  We could hear Pheasant crowing, but could not see him.  Then, as we walked down a gravel path, he jumped up on an old log and crowed at us.  My dog was frantic to chase him.  Generally, Pheasant is not that happy to show himself.  This was a treat for me.  I wondered why he would jump out that way.  I pondered his behaviour.  

Pheasant had called attention to himself by both being loud and by jumping up on the log.  He was acknowledging his truth, and telling me to acknowledge my truth.  By example, Pheasant was showing that one needs to get up and speak what they know, regardless of who is around and regardless of what they may think.  This action is one of leadership, of having credentials that speak of “walking your talk”.

Pheasants have a difficult time during the winter gathering food and sheltering from the cold.  Their diet during summer consists of insects and green plants.  In winter, their diet includes waste grain, weed seeds and fruit of such locally-growing shrubs as rose and buckbrush. By standing up so tall, Pheasant was saying that one needs to take the good with the bad, and to learn and to grow from the lessons.  When things are not going well (and we had a cold winter and lots of snow this year in Calgary), it is okay to lay low, and to be cautious.  One must act with discernment as they walk through life.  

Pheasant’s final message is about environment.  Even though we could hear him, we could not see him.  This is the message of “learn how to blend with your environment and use that environment to your advantage”.  Then, when we did see him, he was up off the ground.  He says that one must be grounded to walk in the world, however, at times, one must go up higher to see the bigger picture. 

Blessings,

Judy

How Can You Know Another?

How often has someone told you how you feel or think?  It happens to me all the time. People tell me that I am a healer when typically I think of myself as a Shaman.  

I am reminded of the story I read about an artist.  She said that she always introduced herself as an artist.  One day one of her friends said to her, “You can’t introduce yourself as an artist.  You are an art teacher.  You need to introduce yourself as an art teacher.”  The artist’s response was along the lines of, “what right do you have to tell me who I am or how I should introduce myself.  No one has the right to determine another’s life!”

Again, the Universe working in her mysterious manner, gave me the teaching to go with the story that I read.  I would like to share that story with you because it is so profound.

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Picture of a trout jumping for flies 

 

 

 

 

             

Knowing Fish – A Zen Teaching

One day Chuang Tzu and a friend were walking by a river. "Look at the fish swimming about," said Chuang Tzu, "They are really enjoying themselves."

"You are not a fish," replied the friend, "So you can't truly know that they are enjoying themselves."

"You are not me," said Chuang Tzu. "So how do you know that I do not know that the fish are enjoying themselves?"

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Blessings,

Judy