Migraine

Posted on March 22, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

Migraine is a one-sided throbbing headache caused by constriction and dilation of blood vessels in the brain. The pain is actually the dilation part. Often with referred eye pain. For a lot of us it’s a hereditary condition but it can develop without a family history. It can be triggered by fluctuations in light levels, noise levels and even temperature. Stress and hormonal fluxes precipitate it too. There are two types of migraine – common and classical. Nausea and vomiting can attend both.

Common – persists for a few hours to a few days. Movement and noise seem to intensify the experience.

Classical – can persist for days rather than hours, often preceded by an ‘aura’ – a visual precursor – a blurred vision, flashing lights, a bind spot, sensitivity to light. I find with my own migraines that the signal is olfactory – I smell a sulphurous odour that nobody else can detect.

Garden treatments – feverfew as the name suggests can help address fevers but it is also the standard herb for headaches of all hues – the phyto-constituents in its leaves are analgesic but especially beneficial for migraines they act to slowly relax blood vessels – and ease blood flow back more gently. The foliage can be taken in with a salad or sandwich or as tea or tincture. Meadow sweet is an analgesic and chamomile is calming. The anti-inflamatories and antispasmodics like fennel, hawthorn and passionflower are also remedial to migraine tension in head and neck muscles.

Aromatherapeutically lavender, lemon balm, rosemary and peppermint can be sniffed direct from the garden, utilized as steam baths or if of the essential sort used in massage blends. I personal find lavender most effective.

Kitchen support. There are foods that trigger migraine in some sufferers – they include any food with the amino acid tyrosine/tyramine – that includes cheese, eggs, bananas, oranges, tomatoes, spinach, soy sauce and – sit down for the next two –wine and chocolate. Tyrosine/tyramine regulates blood pressure, impacts upon constriction and dilation and signals the brain to release more norepinephrine which in itself can trigger a headache. Lessen their intake on a weekly basis and avoid altogether during episodes.

Of course there are foods that we can select to diminish migraine patterns, for example migraines are associated with decreased levels of serotonin – so to increase the production of serotonin we can avail of an amino acid 5-HTP which is produced naturally when we eat tryptophan rich foods such as potato, pumpkin flesh and seeds, sunflower seeds, dairy proteins and poultry such as turkey or chicken. Other serotonin boosters include kiwi fruit, bananas, sour cherries, pineapples and plums, tomatoes, turnip and dark veg greens and seaweed.

Lemon balm and feverfew tincture/ iced tea.

When life gives you lemons – make lemonade. When life or the garden gives you a headache reach for the lemon balm and also the feverfew

To make an iced tea – simply make as you would a hot tea – but on a jug rather than cup scale – use equal parts of chopped foliage of each plant and allow to cool on counter for 30minutes to fully extract plant phytochemicals, strain solids away and then chill liquid in fridge. Once chilled it can sipped throughout the day for duration of symptoms.

To make a Tincture – simply fill a jam or mason jar as much as you can (half way or to the top) with a ratio of equal parts chopped lemon balm to chopped feverfew – then fill jar with vodka to immerse the foliage . Lid, label and sit in a sunny place for 4 weeks. Give it a good shake every few days. Finally strain away solids and store in a dark glass bottle in a cool, dark place. Tinctures can last indefinitely but I generally review after three years. The dosage is as ½ teaspoon in some water, on the half hour for duration of symptoms

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how to transform a bunch of mother’s day roses into beauty treatments

Posted on March 14, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

Nothing says happy mother’s day like roses……. But there’s more to roses than pretty flowers in a vase.

Roses epitomise beauty and are tokens of affection but roses have a long history of use in the beautification of skin and are affectionately considered to impart a beauty glow to the receiver. Modern science validates that with analysis of roses revealing their makeup includes Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B6, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Vitamin H, nicotinic acid, folic acid, amylase, lipase enzyme, cholinesterase, aldolase, aminotransferase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase,21 different kinds of amino acids, including the eight essential amino acids and of course their wonderful and fragrant essential oils – prized in perfume and medicine. So giving a rose says a lot, but using a rose that might just say it all.

Rose water toner is a skin rejuvenator and soothing wash for all skin types. To make at home from the bunch you got this morning or if your garden yields – freshly picked petals – is really simple. There are two methods you can follow after washing the petals.

Steeping method (infused water): Harvest some flowers and place the petals into a saucepan. Add just enough distilled/spring water to cover the petals, or no more than twice their volume. Bring to a boil and then reduce to simmer – we want steam but not a rolling boil. Put the lid on and allow to sit until the petals leach their colour into the water. You may notice some rose oil floating on the surface. Strain to remove the solids and decant into a clean container. Keeps in the fridge for two weeks.

The second is by distillation- This method creates a pure distillate, similar to the witch hazel extract you can get from your pharmacy. Its concentration is stronger than that created by the steeping method. The process is more involved but it’s worth it. Firstly, make your makeshift still; you’ll need a large pot, a slightly smaller lid, a cup, a small bowl and a tallish glass. Invert the cup in the centre of the pot. Then add petals to the pot and enough water to cover them, or no more than double the volume. Balance the bowl on top of the cup and place the tall glass in the bowl. Place the lid on top of the glass. The steam will hit the lid and form condensation, which will drip down the side of the glass into the gathering bowl. Bring the water to a simmer and keep it steaming, without allowing it to boil hard, for long enough to gather a decent amount of distilled essence. When the petals lose their colour you can stop distilling. If balancing lids, bowls, cups and glasses gives you a panicky feeling, you can use cling film as a lid (weighted down with a stone in the centre). It will funnel the drips into the gathering bowl.

Essential rose and honey lip balm
Both the rose and the honey in this recipe are healing to chapped skin and the flavour they impart is exquisite.
Method – In a bain-marie, melt 2 teaspoons of grated beeswax into 3 tablespoons of sweet almond oil. Once the wax has dissolved, stir in 1 tablespoon of honey and remove from the heat. Add 10–20 drops of rose essential oil to boost fragrance and healing potential. Decant into small glass or metal storage containers. Stores well for months in the pocket of overalls, in the shed drawer or in your handbag.

Rose and calendula skin cream
Ingredients
• 150ml calendula oil
• 90g coconut oil
• 30g emulsifying wax
• 30g cocoa butter
• 150ml rose water
Method – Warm the oils in a bain-marie. Add the wax and butter and continue to heat until fully melted. Remove from the heat and slowly add the rose water, whisking as you go. Allow to cool for 20 minutes and then whisk again for silky texture.

Rosehip and sea buckthorn skin lotion
Topically applied vitamin C can protect the skin from UV and free-radical damage but it also plays a role in the synthesis of elastic fibres and collagen production to delay sagging and ageing skin. Two potent vitamin C sources from the garden are the berries of the sea buckhorn and rosehips.
Method – Simply blitz the hips and berries in equal quantities in a blender with enough buttermilk to cover. Strain through a muslin cloth and use the juice as a rub-in revitalising and photo-protective treatment.

plenty more like that in my second holistic gardener book
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mindful of spring agus Seachtain na Gaeilge 2015

Posted on March 5, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

An te chuireas, ‘se baineas – He that sows will reap.

This Irish language version of the old proverb is timely reminder of spring and gardening tasks ahead but today for me its all about cultivating positivity and attaining goals. My niece Miah Ni Nualláin is doing great work this week promoting the Irish language with her class mates – beir bua!! so for them – inspired by them – a chance to sow something other than flowers (but a bit of that too)..

sow to reap. It directly expresses the reward of positive action. Sow and you will reap. Do and you will get reward. It is a familiar concept – and we hear it quoted a lot – but do we hear it – it says get reward.

Sow and reap is biblical. It features heavily in the Christian faiths and maybe it has lost some of its power consequently in that context – certainly from my early life in a Christian brothers school it was more along the lines of ‘if you do bad you will get your comeuppance’ – as you sow so you shall reap – reap connoting with the grim reaper coming to get you for liking girls and bunking mass. Instant karma. But it is not that. It is gloriously not that – it is everything positive. It is just what you should be doing right now. While we must weed the negative, so too we must sow the positive – and succession sow too. Instant karma can be good karma.

Mindfulness is brilliant, it retrains the brain to positivity and it is so simple to practice/learn. With it you are sowing seeds of personal growth and psychological stability, you are growing your spirit and will ultimately harvest not just life skills but a life full – we often preoccupy ourselves with ‘life fills’ in lieu of a life full – those fills may be a soap opera you can’t miss, the Sunday crossword, a glass of wine after a long day, a weekend break, the July sales, a bet on the grand national, the ritual of a pedicure or if male the treat of towel shave – whatever the fill – these little diversions from the mundane everyday are what we think of as life rewards and yes it is good to reward ourselves and great to feel good about oneself so keep going with that but for most people these fills are mistaken for a full life – a full life is not accumulated moments – it is the continuation – it is being mindful, present, aware in the continuousness of your living experience. We don’t have to lurch or drag ourselves from one reward to the next, we don’t have to live for the weekend, sow in your heart the promise to live everyday – that does not mean more wine and more treats – to live every day is a much better reward than that. To live every day is to feel the full presence of life to be present in it – mindfulness brings that alive.
 
a simple Exercise – sowing some positive intent
Gather some wildflower seed into the palm of your hand and take up a comfortable meditation position, imagine all the actions/goals you want to achieve – see each in scenarios; smiling and pushing your grandkids on a swing, in the changing room of an expensive clothes store fitting into a smaller size, doing a selfie on top of the mountain you just climbed etc. Let the seed absorb those wishes, feel/picture a ball of energy in the palm of your hand energize those grains with your intent to bring those wishes to fruition – now go sow it. Get up go outside and sow them – on the wind or into soil. That Wildflower seed may just germinate and not only bring the symbolism a step further via living reminders but also ripple positivity via food for larval butterflies, nectar for bees, beauty to your locality.

Rice Version – you do the same exercise but with uncooked rice grains. With rice it is a wholly metaphorical sowing. It symbolises your intent to manifest a positive harvest. While it will not germinate it has the value of real seed in that what you are actually sowing in the exercise is your positivity. You will harvest from this type of sowing too. Intent is all. Think too of how we throw rice at weddings to wish luck and celebrate the new journey of marriage- rice throwing is a celebration – rice sowing is you celebrating your journey and providing future provisions for the path ahead.

 
The power of practice
The more you practice mindfulness the more it becomes how you are and what you just do naturally – you build a metaphysical muscle memory but it is not automatic on autopilot, it is precision movement with precise focus – take martial arts for example – it is not a dance, the thousands of hours of practice or refining movement and reflex makes it as exquisite as a dance but learning the steps is only the armature the true art – anticipation, concentration, reaction and response – a mind firing on all cylinders. Be a warrior in your world – that’s not aggression that’s assertion of yourself, that’s practice of your mindful skills. You don’t have to hunt or make the dinner with a sword – it’s about carrying the honour and the vigilance of the warrior into the day – that is also mindful living.

10000 hours is proficiency
The 10000hr rule/theory proposes that an approximation of 1000hrs of practice delivers mastery. Some advocate that anybody even with no innate talent in a particular discipline can complete 10,000 hours of deliberate practice in it and become expert. Others advocate that some talent helps. But all agree that continual dedicated practice over time hones skills and enables virtuosity.
You won’t have to sit following your breath for 10000hrs. It is the cumulative factor of repeat meditations that facilitate breath control and the mindful experience of the breath. But it is better to spend 10minutes meditating than it is to spend 10minutes feeling depressed, anxious, agitated. All those minutes add up, and you become the sum of it. So spend more time on the positive, become an expert in it and just be a very poor amateurs at negativity.

To explore further the power of practice and the theory of 10000hrs rule – read
• Charness, Neil; Feltovich, Paul J.; Hoffman, Robert R.; Ericsson, K. Anders, eds. (2006). The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance. Cambridge university press
• Gladwell, Malcolm (2008) Outliers: The Story of Success. Little, Brown and Company
• Colvin, Geoff (2010). Talent is Overrated: What Really Separates World-Class Performers from Everybody Else. Portfolio Trade.

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home cures for Varicose veins, Spider veins and rosy cheeks

Posted on March 1, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

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Be it a noticeable blue line vein gaining prominence or an outright bunch of grapes, varicose veins can be more than unsightly – a stress and a concern of circulatory health. Compression stockings work best but there is some good support too from the garden and kitchen. Spider veins are classified as a mild type of varicose veins  – they do manifest similarly – only closer to the surface. Rosy checks and Couperose  manifest in the same way – the blood return is slowed by weakened capillaries.  So all the remedies here tackle all three.

Garden spa – Gingko tea is great for all sorts of beneficial antioxidants but excels at improving peripheral circulation and venous health. Taken internally as a tincture, in jams or other culinary adventures the berries (minus seed) of Hawthorn strengthen capillaries. Internally and externally, Horse chestnuts do likewise. Horse chestnuts are rich in saponins – one in particular called escin is both anti-inflammatory and vasoprotective. Tinctures/extracts have a long history as oral medication to recirculate trapped deoxygenated blood from bruises, haemorrhages and notably varicose veins.  Escin actually is most beneficial in strengthening the walls of capillaries, veins and arteries – it effectively diminishes the presence of elastase and hyaluronidase – two enzymes that break down protein and contribute to venous insufficiency and those varicose veins.

Kitchen spa – while we can eat more Vitamin K (all those green veggies) we can also note its technical name phylloquinone, in some cosmetic creams. Vitamin k is utilized by the body to assist both calcium absorption and blood clotting – and it is the latter mechanism that can prevent continued spider vein formation. Once the damaged capillaries have been encouraged to clot, natural healing commences and the body eliminates the surface blood – so the blue lines and redness flush begin to fade.  You can try topical applications along with a dietary improvement. Blitz up a raw cabbage facial.

Treatment remedies

horse chestnut extract – to stimulate blood circulation and strengthen delicate blood vessels –

In autumn gather some nuts – remove each nut from its spiny green case. Crack the shell and remove the meal – place all the meal in a blender and cover completely with vodka. Blitz to a paste- add more vodka if consistency too thick.  Some herbalist like to let this extract sit for some weeks before syphoning of the liquid but I find the blend holds well (shake if needed) in a fridge or dark cupboard and grows in potency – especially for topical applications. Tinctures of horse chestnut for internal usage can be manufactured in the traditional tincture way or bought standardised from health shops.

Peony plaster – Chinese peony has a several thousand year history as a nervine, tonic and antispasmodic while official peony shares those qualities it is also prized as a sedative and pain easer – the peony flower heads are utilized in infusions and tincture form for varicose veins and capillary health- the heads can also be blitzed with a drop of witch hazel and some mint leaves to make a leg stimulating, vein shrinking plaster.

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Spice up your Valentines night

Posted on February 13, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

Spices can bring more than a spark to your meal; they can in fact delight your senses and ignite your libido. The magic lies in the phytochemicals they contain – some of which act as hormonal stimulators, others are circulatory boosters and even endorphin triggers. So combined together they won’t just work to put you in the mood but can contribute to physically facilitate some peak experiences. Most of these spices you will have right now on your spice rack and if you don’t you won’t have to track a million miles to pick up some. So why not stay in for valentine’s night and cook up something delightful and carry that kitchen heat over to the bedroom. If that piques your interest then here are 10 of my own personal favourites – tried and tested but I’ll have to hold back the testimonies for my autobiography.

1. Cinnamon – often called sinful cinnamon it stimulates the appetites, both gastric and sexual. A tincture of it known as Rou Gui or Gui Pi in traditional Chinese medicine is a potent tonic to cure impotence. Cinnamon can be a convulsive in high doses so all you need is a tablespoon to your apple pie or a teaspoon on your morning porridge – bearing in mind the added boost that porridge supplies – there is a reason they feed oats to stud stallions.
2. Cloves are pungent and sweet of flavour – harmonious with virility delivering fruits such as apples, oranges and plums but also great in a bouquet garni for rice or stews and of course on cold nights for mulled wine and punches. Utilized for centuries in eastern medicinal systems to tone sexual muscle and intensify any contractions – no wonder love is in its centre.
3. Ginger is a hot spice and considered aphrodisiacal through its stimulating effect on the circulatory system and its warming nature. So it gets blood to all the right places but it also stimulates the brain – perhaps even more importantly. Its perfume-like fragrance lends it to both sweet or savoury dishes and even baked deserts. Hot ginger syrup on homemade coconut or banana icecream can get you into all sorts of trouble.
4. Garlic compliments ginger in many dishes and bridges both eastern and western cuisine. Through its dilating action on blood vessels it is known to contribute to stronger erections and greater vaginal and clitoral sensitivity ~ intensifying sexual experience and offering stronger orgasms to both partners. So that’s garlic starter, main and dessert.
5. Parsley, while more a herb than a spice is very useful none the less as it helps neutralize the volatile oils in garlic that linger on the breathe without undermining its medicinal and ‘love life’ benefits. Better still parsley builds female libido and encourage hormones and neurotransmitters conducive to arousal and satisfaction responses.
6. Fennel is a vegetable with its seed more a herb than spice but it contains in all forms oestrogen-like substances which increases female libido but which also has a moderating effect on male orgasm response, benefiting ejaculation control and prolonging intercourse. Braised vegetable fennel is wonderful and fennel seed is amazing in homemade bread.
7. Cumin (ground or seed form) is a real spice, utilized in so many curry blends. In its own right it makes roasted carrots zing and baked tomatoes ping and may I note both those veg are longstanding aphrodisiacs. Cumin is versatile as a flavour but it is its ability to blasts away fatigue and boosts up libido that makes it into the top ten.
8. Coriander (as foliage herb, cooking seeds or powdered spice) has a strong phyto-estrogen content, making it a bona fide aphrodisiac. In China it is considered a conferrer of immortality and an inciter of sexual arousal. The brilliant thing about it is its culinary versatility from traditional spice mixtures including harissa and garam masala to more savoury favourites of pickled veg, chutneys and soups and its enhancement of stir-fries and casseroles.
9. Saffron is the world’s most expensive spice so adds a bit of decadence to the affair but it has a long history as a potent aphrodisiac – somewhat narcotic and definitely fatal in high doses – so just a pinch in some clotted cream ready for the dip of some sexy strawberries or to bejewel a bed of rice. It is said to vibrate at the frequency of joy so why not do likewise.
10. Last but not least if you think you haven’t a spice to your name then remember pepper is considered one and both black and white pepper contains the sexual stimulant myrystin – so all is not lost and pepper even perks up a bag of greasy chips –if your going all out on the romance tonight.

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resolve dark circles naturally

Posted on February 4, 2015 by The Holistic Gardener

Cosmetic creams containing phylloquinone (vitamin k) are often recommended as a treatment for dark circles but the effectiveness of vitamin K really depends upon the cause of the discoloration – if the causative factor is broken capillaries then it will certainly help. If the cause is excessive alcohol consumption then not so much. Sun exposure, tobacco use, lack of sleep, allergies and hereditary factors all play a role.

If the discoloration is bluish in tone then you are looking at broken or leaky capillaries – as oxygenated blood is bluish in colour – vitamin K promotes blood-clotting and will help heal/seal the leak. It can take six or so weeks for the leaked blood to be reabsorbed – so fade of dark circle will take a similar length.

Garden spa – In terms of environmental factors as trigger to dark circles (lack of sleep etc) – while you tackle the underlying cause you can make a poultice-mask of blitzed horse chestnuts and witch hazel to soothe and simultaneously reinvigorate – both ingredients will lighten dark circles via astringency and capillary strengthening properties but also by slightly thickening the skin and masking those underlying fragile capillaries while they heal. Any chilled mask will also work a treat. Avoid contact with eye itself and only apply to skin surrounding.

Butcher’s broom has a long herbal history as a vasoconstrictive remedy for varicose veins, hemorrhoids and spider veins – and in recent times has found its way in to cosmetic creams to address puffy eyes, black eyes and dark circle under the eyes too. The astringent foliage of the shrub also contains the anti-inflammatory “ruscogenin,” and it can be utilized in lotions, poultices or pulped foliage pastes.

Kitchen spa- Eating leafy greens full of vitamin K will help while a blitzed kale or broccoli poultice-mask is an inexpensive delivery of topical phylloquinone. Those slices ofcucumbers that can cool eye sockets and tired eyes also contain vitamin C and of vitamin K two powerful skin absorbed antioxidants that diminish dark circles under the eyes.

Treatment Potato poultice-Mask – Potatoes are packed with vitamin C and many trace elements that can help resolve the dark circle and address underlying factors by all means eat a few more this week but why not hold one back for a raw poultice-mask. You can simply peel and slice a few potato circles – much as you would cucumbers – and apply to eyes and cheeks or make a poultice mask by peeling and grating one half of a small raw potato, blitz up with 2 tablespoons of your favourite astringent (green tea, black tea, witch hazel) – apply direct and relax for 10minutes while it works its magic.

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diet and acne

Posted on August 28, 2014 by The Holistic Gardener

Skin health is strongly tied to diet and it is worth noting that all over the world those pockets of traditional indigenous cultures with low to no saturated fats and no refined sugars rarely experience acne or skin-impacting inflammatory conditions – but once they adopt a Western diet that all changes.

So saturated fats increase arachidonic acid levels that trigger inflammation and acne outbreak directly. Milk and dairy products contain hormones that do likewise, while sugar and sweet foods raises insulin levels that impacts upon inflammation and also can disrupt hormonal balance – particularly the production of testosterone in women. nutritional deficiencies in zinc, magnesium, selenium, omega-3 fats, chromium and the b-vitamin group slows the body’s natural anti-inflammatory responses – the same nutrients that have mood regulating properties to combat the psychological side of acne.

The gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) from borage oil not only inhibits the conversion of arachidonic acid but borage is considered a vibrational antidepressant – GLA also balances mood and hormones. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) from fish oil is also very effective for similar reasons.

Antioxidant levels and quantities of vitamins A and E are general found to be quite low in acne sufferers. Fruits and vegetables are a brilliant way to increase those stocks – but apart from antioxidants found in the pigments that colour bright fruit and veg, those same beetroots, bell peppers, red lettuce and carrots etc also contain anti-inflammatory compounds – so even less acne outbreak. The bonus of a little olive oil over the salad of bell peppers and carrots draws out their oil soluble nutrients, replenishes those good dietary fats and also tops up those a and e vitamins.

In terms of hormonal fluxes – diet does influences hormone levels particularly testosterone, estrogen and IGF-1 (insulin-like growth hormone) via foods that naturally promote their production and foods such as fats and dairy that mimic their action or introduce disruption – but perhaps the biggest factor affecting human hormones is the glycemic load of your daily diet – this entails just how quickly the food you ingest is released into the bloodstream as blood sugar and how that impacts on your insulin levels and there after that chain reaction to acne outbreak. I suggest you investigate a GI/GL-diet or take up more exercise to improve insulin function.

home treat-ment

Love not war bath salts (lavender and Epsom salts) – Acne can be an emotional journey, puberty and hormonal fluxes which contribute to acne can be an emotional rollercoaster ride and the two combined can be seriously stressful. The shocking thing- the catch 22 of it – is that stress aggravates acne flare-ups and acne flare-ups increase stress levels. Worry alone can trigger inflammation and oxidative stress, anxiety raising unhelpful cortisol in the blood stream while simultaneous depleting reserves of zinc, selenium and magnesium – the very minerals that help us fight acne. So loving yourself with a pampering lavender and Epsom salt bath can calm the stress levels and also introduce back some of those depleted minerals and other nutrients as well as phytochemicals to collectively calm outbreak too. Win Win!!

Ingredients:

• 2 cup Epsom salts
• 1 cup baking soda
• ½ cup sea salt
• ½ cup lavender flowers (supplement with extra essential oil if intended for use with wounds)
• 21 drops of essential oil of lavender

You will also need
• A zip-lock or re-sealable freezer bag
• A sheet of baking parchment / wax paper
• A mason jar or other container

Method: Add all dry ingredients into a bag – seal and shake well. Add 7 drops of essential oil, seal and shake – repeat 3 times. Spread the salts out onto wax paper/ baking sheet and allow to air dry for approximately 1 hour – stir about midway. Store in airtight containers. Utilize as required.

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herbal and kitchen cures for Lack lustre hair

Posted on August 5, 2014 by The Holistic Gardener

Dull hair – Environmental stresses (including air conditioning and air pollution) as well as some styling products can just deplete your natural oils and healthy sheen. OTC shampoos if not thoroughly rinsed can leave hair dull. Infusing kitchen oils with garden herbs can provide sheen boosting hot oil treatments and making herbal tea-infusions supply great rinses and make brilliant bases for shampoos and conditioning treatments to put some shine back. A flat beer spritz is beneficial (simply stir the carbonation out before decanting to sprayer).

Limp lifeless hair – fine hair falters to this more frequently, but all hair textures are susceptible – The trick is to boost hair health with nutrition and manage hair condition on a weekly basis. One quick solution is to add volume with natural product.

The other thing is that too much sebum or even added hair oil can make hair limp. Utilize astringent witch hazel extract as the base of your homemade shampoo and rinses (vinegar or straight infusions) with rosemary not only wakens up the follicles but degreases, cleanses and revives hair strands.

Residue-Ridden Hair – too much product is often what contributes to both of the above, but can be a condition in its own right. A pinch of brewer’s yeast in a ½ cup of beer will rinse out product and revitalize hair. A peppermint and Sodium bicarbonate rinse can strip out excess product while pepping up follicles (1/2 cup peppermint tea and 2table spoons of baking soda) massage through hair and scalp, leave for 3minutes and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water.

Garden spa- make your own witch hazel extract or rosemary vinegar (soak some sprigs in apple cider vinegar as a hair tonic rinse), calendula oil to add vitamin A to those follicles and hair shafts. Try infusing jasmine flowers into some sweet almond oil as a overnight conditioner. Grow and harvest hops for volume boosting hair rinses.

Kitchen spa – yeast plumps up volume – be that beer rinse or brewers yeast added to a conditioner. the Lactic acid in milk, cream and yoghurt helps strip away dirt and grime from hair in a gentle manner but the real bonus comes in the fact that dairy fats will moisturizes and replenish hair. Beer rinses improve shine and body. Some swear by egg masks and certainly The yolk of an egg while naturally moisturizing is quite rich in body/volume boosting fats and replenishing proteins while in terms of limpness through greasiness or sebum , egg whites contain enzymes that can remove excess oils.

Nutritionally – any deficiency in vitamin A can lead to dull, limp or lifeless hair – red and orange fruits and veg have Beta carotene which is converted to vitamin A in our body – include more carrots, butternut squash, Sweet potatoes, watermelon, tomatoes, red peppers, romaine lettuce etc

home Shampoo – nettle and rosemary beer brew shampoo– bring to a boil 1 cup of beer, ½ cup chopped nettles and 1 sprig of rosemary, turn off heat allow to cool. When cold, remove rosemary sprig and nettle solids. Add 1 tablespoon vegetable glycerine and 1 cup liquid castile soap. Stir well and decant to storage bottle.

home Conditioner – Greek yoghurt hair soak – yoghurt is packed with vitamin D which bolsters follicle health and also with ample content of vitamin B5 a hair-friendly protein you may recognize (plastered on the side of OTC conditioners) as pantothenic acid. Unadulterated as a hair mask or 20minute soak in conditioner. Rinse after with water or cooled herbal infusion beneficial to your hair colour.

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Essential Medicated lip balm

Posted on July 16, 2014 by The Holistic Gardener

for summer cold sores, winter chapped lips and year round care of sensitive lips try this simple remedy.

So while the veg butter is moisturizing, the calendula oil soothing and protective and the bees wax a natural anti-bacterial agent that also plumps lips. The addition of a few drops of essential oil boosts this recipe to a whole other level – as most essential oils have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.

Lip friendly essential oils include lavender, german chamomile, tea tree, lemon, lemon thyme, sandalwood, peppermint, rose and rose geranium.

Experiment to find a flavour or tingle that suits you.

Ingredients
 1 tablespoon shea butter or cocoa butter
 1 tablespoon calendula oil
 1 tablespoon grated beeswax
 6 shakes of your favourite essential oil

Method – in a banmarie (or jamjar resting in hot water), melt the shea butter/cocoa butter and beeswax into the calendula oil, once melted remove from heat, stir with a chop stick or swirl around, add essential oil at last minute , decant to a suitable container (small glass jar or tin – cover to retain volatile oils and allow to cool and set naturally. Store in a cool place and use as often as you need.

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Shrikhand sweet desert (utilizing the flowers of Trifolium spp)

Posted on June 20, 2014 by The Holistic Gardener

ingredients                       

400g (1lb) Bio/natural yogurt     

5 strands of saffron                   

1/4 tsp. ground cardamom          

25g (1oz) caster sugar               

2 tbsp dried clover flowers

2 tbsp milk                               

2 tsp. crushed almonds                                                          

fruits to suit the  season or your taste  

 

how to –

Pour the yogurt onto a very fine muslin cloth, tie up corners and suspend in a strainer, over a bowl, over night. ( If By day – allow 5 hours draining)

Next day- on a low heat, warm the milk and yogurt water  that has gathered in the bowl, together. Remove from heat and add the saffron and petals from the clover flowers, allow it to infuse for 10 minutes.

Untie the muslin bag and pour the strained yogurt into a bowl – To this bowl add the castor sugar and cardamom, fold in. Now add the saffron and clover flower  infusion and beat until smooth. Chill for at least one hour

Prepare a fruit salad of choice, cover with the Shrikhand yoghurt andgarnish with ground almonds

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