Swedish bitters

I'd been drinking this as a tea today, I totally and completely and utterly think it's...bitter to say the least ! And I'm being kind.
This is not funny especially I am not a tea fan, I only drink if obliged. I know it has fantastic benefits but I am just not that into drinking tea...
The only two times I drank tea like serious, medical need mode was few years back as a detox, 2l a day of a special plant mixture and now, this swedish bitter tea, given  by my homeopathic doctor.
All in all, as I like to know as much as possible, always hungry for information and knowledge, I googled after reading the pack and hmm, I like what I found out so I dare say, let's remember all of us about swedish bitters and learn some more about it !

The Swedish bitters original formula is believed to go back to ancient Babylon and Egypt, but was first attributed to Paracelsus, a Swiss Renaissance physician, botanist, alchemist, astrologer and general occultist.
The recipe then circulated throughout the Middle Ages until the 18th Century, when Jonathan Samst a Swedish doctor blended the mixture of herbs that we now know as Swedish Bitters.
The recipe was subsequently abandoned until the 20th century, when the Austrian botanist Maria Treben reintroduced it.

Ingredients of Swedish bitters (  alcoholic / non-alcoholic):

• angelica root ( the most important)
• carline thistle root
• camphor
• manna
• myrrh
• rhubarb root
• saffron
• senna leaves
• theriac venetian
• zedoary root

Extended upto 22 ingredients : 

• archangelica, aloe barbadensis, lycopodiaceae, pimpinella, carlina acaulis, veronicae herba, althaea, gentian lutea, acorus calamus, cinnnamonm amphora, kandis, viscum album, commiphora, juglandaceae, rhei radix, carthamus tinctorius, sennae folium, ginkgo biloba, theriaca, potentilla erecta, artemisia absinthium, zedoariae rhizoma.

And if you managed not to get bored in the middle and skip altogether the names of the plants  let me congratulate you on your fine latin !  Ok! No need to feel regrets and go and read them again.  :D

So, bitter substances have almost been completely eliminated from the modern diet and this elimination has caused some disturbance with our bodies digestive system. Bitter substances have the ability to improve kidney and liver function, improve bile, reduce bloating and flatulence, improve metabolism and prevent acidification of the body.

This herb mixture has a wonderful healing power. Benefits :

• promotes biliary, pancreatic and gastric secretion
• disinfects intestinal tract
• soothes digestive tract
• relieves bloating, flatulence, gas, cramps and nausea
• promotes appetite
• restores natural acid balance in the stomach
• stimulates liver function
• gentle laxative
• anti-anemic
• treats rheumatic pains. Drops taken morning and evening and moistened cloth applied to the aching parts
• general detox
• helps in recovery after illnesses
• helps in normal functioning of respiratory system
• maintains normal concentration of cholesterol and fats in the blood
• stops the early aging 
• reduces exhaustion
• promotes vitality
• tonifies and regenerates
• when used externally alleviates inflammations of all kinds if applied on spots, wounds, cuts, bruises, scars and contusions

Caution : is very bitter, yes, if taste is unbearable, you can try and dilute in a warm infusion or with fruit juice, but ideally, it's best taken alone.

Side effects : keeping strictly to the recommended dose is unlikely to produce any side effects. Not recommended for pregnant women or children under 12 and in the case of ulcer. Do not use if you experience abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, or if you have developed diarrhoea.

Internal : dilution can be done with hot or cold tea, juice or water to avoid irritation of the stomach, one tablespoon per cup of tea or warm water. For optimum results you should drink it 30 minutes before meals. For well being drink one cup morning, one in the evening.

External : moisten a cotton ball and apply to designated area. Keep compression overnight if possible.

I'm going to list here the ingredients of my bitter swedish tea for anyone interested or curious : angelica, milk thistle, burdock, cardamom, caraway, thyme , coriander, clove, fennel, European ash, bay laurel, English marigold, stemless gentian, spiny cocklebur, lemongrass, juniper, marjoram, chamomile, rosemary, senna, Bethlehem, birdweed, european centaury, common nettle and ginger. 

I'm wishing you now a nice evening or day wherever you are and a "let's get bitter"  !

Health is attained step by step. With mindfulness. 

Vitis Vinifera - the old remedy

The grape ( Vitis Vinifera ) is a climbing plant with well developed tendrils, woody trunk twisted, which can reach up to 35 meters long, depending on species. 
There are over 8,000 species of grapes, whereby parts used are : leaves, fruits and seed
 ( oil).

By 1980, it was  accepted  the possible correlation between grape juice and wine consumption to human health and was verified by scientific studies. Since then Vitis Vinifera  has been studied worldwide, and the wine joined the list of so-called "functional", consumed in order to prevent disease and maintain health.

In homeopathy, Vitis vinifera is one of those "minor" homeopathic remedies which has been somewhat under-used in the shadow of much better-known remedies with a larger sphere of action.
Although it may be considered a complementary remedy, on its own it can break up immunological chain reactions. 


Vitis Vinifera, excellent for  :

• osteoarthritis
• anemia
• arthritis
  
  
• Crohn's disease
• rheumatism
• atherosclerosis

•  gout
• uterine haemorrhage in menopause
• as antioxidant
• as antitumor

• lipid lowering
• anti viral
• vasoprotective

• astringent, diuretic
• reduces arrhythmias
• improves  renal function

• decreases the platelet aggregation, preventing thrombus formation and reducing the incidence of stroke and heart attack
• increases HDL cholesterol and decrease total and low density LDL
• varicose veins and venous insufficiency 

The Vitis Vinifera  tea cools the intestines, relaxes the nerves and tones the heart. It has antidiarrheal action, hemostatic, antianemic ( rich in iron and stimulates the production of red blood cells), purifying and tonic.

The leaves are indicated as astringent, diuretic and vasoprotective.

The fruit has antioxidants, vitamins and is restorative, acts on the liver, kidneys and intestines due to the presence of potassium salts, pectic substances with detoxifying effects.

The natural grape juice is indicated for fatigue, in convalescence, anemia, detox, vitamin C deficiency and mineral deficiency.

Bud extract : Vitis Vinifera MG-D1 has action on the reticuloendothelial system*  and osteoarticular system, its indicated in acute rheumatism, improves evolution of diseases and prevents complications.

Actions of berries : fortifying, blood tonic, nourishing, stimulates kidney and liver function and thus works in elimination and cleansing, gentle laxative.




 A method and quite a popular one of cleansing the body of toxins is to do a grape fast. Its an old household remedy to cleanse and gently tonify the body.
2 kg of grapes should be eaten during the course of the day, every day, for two weeks with little to no other food. Best is to slowly diminish intake of other foods and then embark on this cure. I would suggest you eat other small quantities of veggies and just few days stay totally on grapes.
This method will release the water from the tissues, reduce fat, tonify the kidneys, purify the blood and cleanse the skin, will reduce rheumatic pains, heartburn and stomach burn.
Its fantastic for people with disturbed metabolism, water retention and circulatory complaints. Grapes are a restorative, nourishing food good for anemia and debilitating conditions. The dried grapes are nutritive and slightly laxative. 

You can take : 

• grape seed extract, 150 to 300 mg per day
• vine leaf extract - 360 to 720 mg a day
• Gemmotherapy, extract from buds: adults and kids after 7 years of age 2 ml in water, 2-3 times a day, before food. Children between 2 and 7 of age, 1 ml in water, 2-3 times a day, before food. If administered with other extracts, to be taken once a day. The duration should be between 1 to 3 months.

Complementary action : for the osteoarticular system : Bud extract from Blackcurrant - Ribes Nigrum & Buds of Pinus Montana.
For tonsils, pharynx problems : with bud extract from  walnut - Juglans regia 

I have not taken Vitis vinifera as gemmotherapy but I love grapes. My parents do annually in september several weeks of the grape diet. My parents are in their late 70's and had no side effects from it. Myself, I did try this diet just after my chemotherapy finished, I was on steroids, pretty chunky, I had edema and I couldn't tolerate eating just grapes, my "steroid hunger" didn't approve the idea so I can't really give you a feedback on it. 
I had friends with lupus that had the ambition to do it for two weeks and they had results and were pretty happy about it and they were doing it each year.
As always, in everything, I believe in good measure, don't overdo anything and I wouldn't, personally, just eat  grapes more than few days, I'd be mixing it with vegetarian light meals and I'd be listening to what my body is telling me every moment and act accordingly.

	Please always take advice from  your homeopathic doctor.

*Reticuloendothelial system, also called macrophage system, class of cells that occur in widely separated parts of the human body and that take up particular substances. These cells are part of the body's defense mechanism. An important function of these cells is destruction of worn-out or abnormal cells and tissues. The reticulum cells of the spleen play a major role in the destruction of worn-out red blood cells and the recycling of hemoglobin, the oxygen carrying pigment of the red blood cells. Disorders include anemia, malignant tumors or sarcoma in lymph nodes.  

Health is attained step by step. With mindfulness.

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Gemmotherapy: Blackcurrant the natural cortisone.

Recommended in the 18th century as an "Elixir of life", Blackcurrant  is one of the most widely applicable of the extracts known in gemmotherapy.
It is a very effective and potent tonic, it has been shown to have a salutary effect throughout the human body and acts like an "adaptogen", enhancing the effect of other plants with which it may be associated.
Ribes Nigrum belongs to the family of the Glossulariaceae and originates from Central and Eastern Europe plus parts of Asia.

The plant produces multiseeded black berries up to 1 cm in size, which ripen in July and August. In the 18th century, the abbot Bailly from Montaren, who was a professor at the University of Paris ( La Sorbonne ) described Ribes Nigrum as the "bush of a thousand virtues".

In the Second World War, the consumption of blackcurrants was recommended by the British government because of the high levels of vitamin C. Blackcurrant syrup was given out freely, especially to children, to make up for the lack of vitamin C from other fruit.

The primary effect is on the adrenal cortex, it has a cortisone-like effect because it directly stimulates the secretion of the adrenal cortex hormones; it is also a fast-acting anti-inflammatory substance, with no iatrogenic consequences.
Ribes nigrum mainly acts on the primary inflammatory phase of inflammation, but is effective in all stages of inflammation of the mucous membranes, such as in the airways, in the digestive tract and in the urinary tract. Ribes nigrum boosts the anti-inflammatory effects of the gemmotherapy agent Sequoia gigantea.

Some scientific research has been performed on the buds of RN at the faculty of Pharmacy at Lyon, where the anti-inflammatory properties of the buds were investigated. The buds significantly reduced the number of inflammatory cells in rats, which demonstrates the anti-inflammatory properties.
Another test perfomed in Lyon using the buds was the arthritis test. Administration of the buds normalized the elevated alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein and gamma globulin within 7 and 10 days respectively. Alpha-1-acid-glycoprotein is an acute-phase protein, the plasma concentrations of which rise significantly in the event of inflammation.

Some active ingredients in Blackcurrant :

• enzymes
• vitamin C ( 100 mg/g in fresh buds)
• amino-acids
• flavonoids
• fibers
• minerals
• phenolic acids
• anthocyanins
• carotenoids etc

Blackcurrant is a true natural concentrate :

• effective against allergies, migraines of allergic origin, urticaria, hay fever, eczema
• effect comparable to cortisone
• effective with diseases of the liver
• bud macerate is an anti rheumatic and a powerful anti-inflammatory. Remedy of arthrosis, gout, ligaments and tendons pains, painful joints. 
• stimulant of suprarenal glands, kidneys, pancreas, liver
• acts effectively at respiratory level in asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, allergic rhinitis
• recommended to to tired people, lacking enthusiasm, combats drowsiness
• remedy for prostrate, osteoporosis, gastritis, lack of appetite
• recommended in hypo-tension
• acts efficiently by internal way against the after effects of insect bite ( anaphylactic shock).Few drops applied to the bite will reduce the sensation of pain
• chronic fatigue
• has antioxidant properties, better than bilberries, raspberries, redcurrants and cranberries.
• antiviral properties, active against herpes simplex. Active against type A and B influenza viruses as shown by a Japanese study.
• reduces oxidative stress on exertion
• stimulates lactation
• improves visual acuity. Carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin are known antioxidants for the retina, the bioflavonoids and thocyanins and vitamin C protect the small blood vessels and increase the blood flow in the eye. Oral intake of RN improves the blood flow in the optic nerve head and the retina.
• is a promising supplement to anti-glaucoma drugs
• reduces muscle stiffness. Oral intake of RN at a dose of 7.7mg/kg can combat muscle stiffness.
• good for general drainage therapy
• helps in recovery following illness

Black currant should not be taken if you are on a prednisolone course ! 

Personally I have been using gemotherapy and specially blackcurrant for past 5 years with great success; it has brought me successfully off prednisolone and kept me at a bay from it. I dislike prednisolone and its horrible side effects and I do not wish to ever be in position to take it, for any issue whatsoever.
Blackcurrant has helped me find balance during my period of lupus and helped me keep balance after.
If you are not right now on prednisolone do discuss with a homeopathic doctor and your rheumy and proceed in taking blackcurrant even if you are in a remission. I believe in acting well in advance, detoxifying the body and keeping it healthy and in good balance.

You can take blackcurrant in any form you find fit and you homeopathic doctor approves, I have personally only used gemmotherapy as this was prescribed by my doctor.
You can go on courses of 3 months ( 50 drops in little water, 3 times a day, on empty stomach) or 4ml a day in combination with rosemary and/ or birch gemmotherapy. Right now, as I write this, I am on such a course for a duration of three months, in month number two.

Please do not interrupt your prednisolone unless otherwise medically indicated.



Health is attained step by step. With mindfulness.

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Dr Bach and The Flower Bach Remedies

Dr Bach studied medicine at the University College Hospital, London and obtained a Diploma in Public Health at Cambridge, he was a house surgeon and a casualty medical officer at University College Hospital.
He worked at the National Temperance Hospital and practiced for over twenty years in London as a Harley Street consultant and bacteriologist. After research in immunology, he developed an interest in homeopathy, and joined the laboratories of the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in 1919.

He believed that illness is the effect of disharmony between body and mind and symptoms of an illness are the external expression of negative emotional states; in 1928 he began work on his own remedies made from plants. He was sure a new system of medicine could be found in nature so he left to work in Wales and the English countryside.
By 1932 he had discovered the first of his 12  remedies, in 1933 he began making the second group of remedies the 7 helpers; in 1934 he found the remaining 19 remedies that he needed to complete the series. All these were used on many patients who came to him for free treatment.

Dr Bach created a system of Flower Remedies, a system of 38 flower remedies to help mankind achieve joy and happiness. remedies that correct emotional imbalances where negative emotions are replaced with positive.



The Bach Flower Remedies is a simple system of healing that  can work in conjunction with herbs, homeopathy and medications and are safe for everyone including children, pregnant women, pets, the elderly and even plants.

Talking about myself, I had the luck to come into contact few years back with people that used the Bach Remedies, most likely, if my memory doesn't fail me, in 2010, through both my homeopathic doctor and my Healing touch/ Cranio sacral  therapist and friend. 
Both gave me small bottles of flower remedies more times than I can count and my God, this works, this works so delicate and efficient, so powerful and so intelligently! As I write this, I have on my bedstand two bottles, one almost finished and one to start, both with flower remedies. 
Both full of magic that helped me change  my emotional state, my subconscious programs, fears, anxieties, intolerance, pain, possessive nature and many more that may arise from this thing we call life and interaction with others and ourselves.

I can say wholeheartedly  that Bach Flower Remedies have been a true friend on my road to recovery, health and a different, more evolved, spiritual and most importantly balanced me.

Below I will list the 38 remedies with few words on each, for more info check the link at the end of the post and search for a practitioner that can help choose the right Remedies for you.

 In approximately two weeks ( the time to finish one bottle) up to 6 different Remedies in one small bottle mixed with water, 4-5 drops a day/ 5 times a day you can change and a lot !

 You just need a good practitioner to start with. ;)

The 38 flower remedies are :


Agrimony

Keywords: Addiction, unhappy, anxiety, insomnia
Human Indication: Mental torment behind a brave face. Appear care-free and humorous in order to                                     mask anxieties and unhappiness.Aspen
Keywords: Fear, worries, unknown fears
Human Indication:  Fears and worries of unknown origin.

Beech
Keywords: Intolerance, critical, lack of compassion
Human 
Indication:  When you need more tolerance toward other people.

Centaury
Keywords: Weak-willed,  bullied, unable to say no, imposed on, lack energy, tired, timid, passive, quiet

Human indication:  When you have a hard time saying NO and therefore easily get imposed on.

Cerato
Keywords: Confirmation, seeking advice, do not trust own wisdom or judgment
Human indication:  When you do not trust your own judgment in decision-making.

Cherry Plum
Keywords: Fear of losing control, temper tantrum, breakdown, abusive, rage, explode

Human indication:  When you are in deep despair and feel like you are going to “lose it.

Chestnut Bud
Keywords: Learning, repeating mistakes
Human indication:  Keeps repeating the same mistake, doesn’t learn from past mistakes

Chicory
Keywords: Possessive, over-protective, self-centered, critical, nagging, self-pity, easily offended, manipulating, demanding
Human indication:  When you find yourself manipulating and controlling your loved ones.

Clematis
Keywords: Daydreaming, dreaminess, withdrawing, lack of concentration
Human indication: When you have a tendency to live in your own dream world with little interest in the real world, accident prone, daydreaming.

Crab Apple
Keywords: Cleansing, poor self image, sense of not being clean, obsessive, poor self image
Human indication:  When you feel unclean or have a hard time accepting your own self image.
Cleansing: Use externally on ringworm, rashes and warts.

Elm
Keywords: Depression overwhelmed by responsibilities, despondent, exhausted
Human indication:  Feeling overwhelmed and depressed, there is too much to do and you don’t feel that you can do it all.

Gentian
Keywords: Discouraged, depressed
Human indication:  When you easily get discouraged when faced with difficulties.

Gorse
Keywords: Hopelessness, despair, pessimism
Human indication:  When you have the feeling of extreme hopelessness and despair.

Heather
Keywords: Talkative, demand attention, dislike being alone, lonely
Human indication:  Helps when you are preoccupied with own ailments and problems.

Holly
Keyword: Envy, jealousy, hate, insecurity, suspicious, aggressive, needs compassion
Human indication:  When you need to overcome the feeling of hate, envy and jealousy.

Honeysuckle
Keyword: Homesickness, nostalgia, bereavement
Human indication:  For over-attachment to past memories good or bad, can’t let go of the past, homesickness.

Hornbeam
Keyword: Weariness, bores, tired, needs strength, overworked, procrastination, doubting own abilities

Human indication: For weariness, mental rather that physical, the “Monday morning” feeling with a sense of staleness and lack of variety in life.

Impatiens
Keyword: Impatience, irritated, nervy, frustration, fidgety, accident-prone, hasty
Human indication: Suitable for people who are easily irritated and impatient. They speak and think quickly, and are energetic, but tense.

Larch
Keyword: Lack of confidence, depressed, discouraged, feeling of inferiority
Human indication:  When you need more self-confidence.

Mimulus
Keyword: Fear, blushing, stammering, shyness, timid, sensitive, lack of courage
Human indication:  Fear of known things such as fear of being alone, fear of spiders, fear of flying or fear of the dark.  Shyness is also a known fear.

Mustard
Keyword: Depression, deep gloom for no reason
Human indication:  When you feel depressed for no reason. Like a dark cloud that destroys normal cheerfulness.

Oak
Keyword: Exhaustion, overwork, workaholic, fatigued, over-achiever
Human Indication:  When you are exhausted, but keep struggling on.

Olive
Keyword: Lack of energy, fatigue, convalescence
Human indication:  When you are exhausted with no reserves of strength or energy.

Pine
Keywords: Guilt, self-reproach, humble, apologetic, shame, unworthy, undeserving
Human indication:  When you feel guilt and self-reproach, not necessarily based on any actual wrong-doing but destroys the possibility of joy in living.

Red Chestnut
Keywords: Worried, over-concern, fear
Human indication:  When you feel over-concerned and worried for others.

Rock Rose
Keywords: Frozen fear, terror
Human indication: When you feel terror, or after a nightmare. The feeling that you cannot react or move.

Rock Water
Keywords: Self repression, self denial, self perfection, overwork, self-sacrificing, opinionated
Human indication: Is indicated when you are too strict and set too-high standards for yourself, to the point of self-domination and self-martyrdom

Scleranthus
Keyword: Indecision, imbalance, uncertainty, dizziness
Human indication:  When you suffer from indecision, particularly when faced with two choices.

Star of Bethleem
Keywords: Trauma, after effect of shock, post traumatic stress
Human indication: For after effects of trauma or traumatic experience.

Sweet Chestnut
Keywords: Extreme mental anguish, hopeless despair, intense sorrow
Human indication:  When you feel hopeless despair, and you feel an intense sorrow and feel destroyed by it.

Vervain 
Keywords: Over-enthusiasm, hyper-active, fanatical, highly strung
Human indication:  For people who are strong-willed and highly strung with minds that race ahead of events.

Vine
Keywords: Domineering, inflexible, very capable, gifted, bullying, aggressive
Human indication:  For those who dominate others. They know better than everyone else and put others down.

Walnut
Keywords: Change, link breaker, menopause, puberty, moving, let go of the past, protection
Human indication:  Protection from outside influences and energies. Helps you adjust to major changes.

Water Violet
Keywords: Proud, aloof, lonely, anti-social, disdainful, condescending, self-reliant, private
Human indication:  People who feel lonely because they have a tendency to appear proud and anti-social.

White Chestnut
Keywords:  Repeated unwanted thoughts, mental arguments, concentration, sleeplessness, insomnia.
Human Indication:  When you mind is cluttered with thoughts or mental arguments. You may be unable to sleep because of the thoughts.

Wild Oat
Keywords: Cross-road in life, decision making, lack of clarity, drifting in life
Human indication:  When you are uncertain of correct path in life.  Helpful when you need to make important decisions.

Wild Rose
Keywords: Apathy, resignation, lost motivation, lack of ambition
Human indication:  For anyone who is resigned to an unpleasant situation whether illness, a monotonous life or uncongenial work.

Willow

Keywords: Self pity, resentment, short-changed, poor me, sulky, irritable, grumbling, bitterness, blame, complain
Human indication:  When you feel resentment, self-pity and bitterness.  You would like to regain a sense of humor and proportion.

Rescue Remedy


More info at : http://bachflower.com/original-bach-flower-remedies




Health is attained step by step. With mindfulness. 

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