Posts from — January 2007

These powerful plants provide holistic healing for body, mind and spirit.

Throughout history, herbs and herbal remedies have been used to treat and heal the sick.  Many “conventional,” Western medicines we use daily were synthesized from compounds found in naturally occurring herbs:

As early as the fifth century, herbs were noted for their medicinal values. Aspirin, for instance, was synthesized from the bark of the willow tree and Hippocrates wrote that willow bark could relive pain and fever; during the 10th century Arab physicians claimed that sage could increase life expectancy; in medieval European hospitals, rosemary was burned as an antiseptic; a glove-maker in 14th century France scented his leathers with lavender to repel fleas and ward off the Black Death, and Native Americans used Echinacea to treat snakebites and toothaches, among other ailments. But then, slowly over time, the wisdom of folk remedies was forgotten.

Herbal Renaissance
As time marched on and advances in modern medicine became widely available, herbal remedies lost their place among the healers who turned to commercially produced treatments, often using synthetic chemical compounds.

Today, however, the pendulum is swinging back as modern consumers barraged by excessive advertising campaigns by pharmaceutical companies have become wary of prescription drugs as a way to treat all that ails them. The latest herbal renaissance comes amidst growing concerns about the effects of synthetic drugs on the bodies—and wallets—of patients.

According to Jeanne D’Brant, an Herbalist Chiropractor and Nutritionist in Fort Salonga, N.Y., “The tremendous upsurge in the use of alternative medicine in the United States came about in the late 1990s as a result of patients being dissatisfied with a standard pharmaceutical approach and lack of effective treatment for degenerative conditions.” Ron Sandoval, a licensed Acupuncturist and herbalist at Huntington Holistic Center in Huntington, N.Y., agrees, pointing out that people are now much more educated about what they are putting into their bodies.

“There’s an awareness that you don’t necessarily have to go to a pharmaceutical company or [use] a drug in order to get relief from symptoms,” he says. “Herbs are used, and have been used, around the world for thousands of years to alleviate symptoms – to alleviate headaches, to alleviate muscle pain, to alleviate digestive problem – the United States is one of the last developed countries to catch onto this.”  Sandoval believes that, with the advent of Western and synthesized medicines, herbs were largely disregarded because they were not patentable.

Western medicine excels at treating emergencies and trauma, D’Brant says, but other kinds of illnesses people often suffer from – including stress, anxiety and nervous conditions – can be treated just as effectively without pharmaceuticals, and without their potentially harmful side effects.

Leaf Lessons
Herbs are an integral part of a holistic lifestyle because they not only help to supplement and nourish the health and well-being of the body, in some cases can even relieve the symptoms of depression. Whether using herbs in their natural state, steeping leaves, stems or bark to make teas, or creating a tincture, balm or salve; herbs refresh, restore and rejuvenate the body, mind and soul.

Food is the most basic way to use herbs, and preparing a nourishing meal using culinary herbs, whether you’ve grown them yourself or picked them up at your local organic garden center, can compound the benefits of good nutrition.  Some of the most common culinary herbs can be grown right in your own home, wherever you live.  Those herbs are quite simple to seed, grow and maintain, and can provide balance year-round.

Basil is one of the most easily recognizable herbs.  The most common variety is sweet basil (ocimum basilicum) used most often in Italian and Thai cuisine.  The aroma and flavor are very pleasant, peppery and tangy.  There are many different types of sweet basil – large and dwarf forms, with green, purple, or variegated leaves. Many of those plants are ornamental as well as edible, and also have medicinal properties.  Basil is native to Asia, South Africa, and Central and South America, although it was probably first cultivated in India and spread to other regions via spice routes.

Rosemary is one of the oldest known herbs in history.  References appear as early as the fifth millenium BCE, carved into stone tablets.  The Latin name (rosmarinus) means “dew of the sea” since the herb grew around the Mediterranean.  Though in ancient times rosemary was used as an antiseptic and in preparations to improve memory, today it is primarily a kitchen herb.  Rosemary is outstanding with lamb, pork or chicken, great with baked potato spears, and makes a refreshing summer drink.

Sage (salvia officinalis) is used for cooking in almost every regional cuisine. The Italians sauté the leaves in butter, the Germans use it in sausages, and the French use it with pork and in pâté. In the Middle East it is used in salads and of course, the English and Americans use it with poultry. Sage has a very potent flavor and aroma, and if overused, can produce a musty taste.  Unlike most other herbs, the flavor intensifies as sage dries.

Mint is another extremely well-known culinary herb, but what many people don’t know is that there are as many as 600 varieties. Two of the best known are peppermint (mentha piperita) and spearmint (mentha spicata).  There are so many mint varieties that it’s difficult even for botanists and other experts to distinguish and separate them! Spearmint is the herb most widely used in cuisine around the world.  It’s a delicious addition to fresh salads, can add a cooling element to many hot and spicy Asian dishes, and is a staple of Middle Eastern cooking.  It brightens up vegetables like new peas, carrots, potatoes, eggplant, white or black beans and corn.

Basil, mint, rosemary and sage are easy to grow in your home, providing rejuvenating, healthful benefits year-round. There are many other herbs with restorative properties.  Lavender and chamomile are two of the best known, and are readily available at most organic garden centers, holistic health centers and from licensed herbalists.

An Herb for Every Ache
Most culinary herbs also have a medicinal use.  Mint, for example, has mild sedative properties.  Sage has a long history as a healing herb, including its prescription as an aphrodisiac. According to herbal history, sage contains aromatic oils which positively affect and heal the body and the mind.  Native Americans used white sage (salvia apiana) for smudging, or spiritual purification ceremonies. The plants are cut, bound together and dried. For the ceremony, they are lit and left to smolder, producing a rich, aromatic smoke that cleanses the area through which it wafts.  Basil leaves can be steeped to create a tea that enhances vitality and stimulates the central nervous system. The leaves can also be used to create luxurious body oil that tones and refreshes the skin.

The winter blues, coupled with everyday stressors, can often make the colder months a difficult down time for many people. Calming herbs like lavender and chamomile can often help you come out of a slump.  Lavender (lavandula angustifolia) soothes headaches when applied to the temples, and is frequently used as a sleep aid.  The seeds and flowers of the plant can be added to sachets and pillows to help relax you, and infusing three lavender flower heads in a cup of boiling water makes a soothing and relaxing bedtime drink. These remedies should be used with caution, however, since lavender oil can also be a powerful allergen, although reactions are rare.

Chamomile is best used to relieve tension and anxiety. There are a few different varieties of German Chamomile (chamomilla recutita) which is the most commonly used.  German chamomile tea is an excellent and gentle sleep aid. A popular preparation adds two teaspoons of the dried flowers to a cup of tea.  For those with asthma or hay fever, chamomile can trigger a severe allergic reaction, so be cautious if using it for the first time or consult an herbalist first.

Though lavender and chamomile are the most widely recognized there are numerous herbs you can use to recharge, rejuvenate, refresh and relax.  The most effective, according to D’Brant, are nervines.

“Nervines are considered to be food for the nervous system and its related tissues,” D’Brant says,  “They relax muscle tension and also help not only with conscious tension, but also unconscious tension, which is a big factor in anxiety.”  They also can be analgesics for pain relief and have sedative properties.  D’Brant cautions that individuals react differently to various nervines, and recommends trying only one at a time.  “There’s a long list of nervines,” D’Brant says, “and usually out of the list there’ll be five or six that work for an individual.”  It’s sometimes necessary to rotate nervines, as needed, since people can get used to, or habituate to them.

Some nervines include passionflower, which works wonders for insomnia and those long nights when your mind races uncontrollably.  Lobelia, valerian and blue vervain are all anti-spasmodic and relieve tension, stress and anxiety.  Blue Vervain is an American herb that grows, among other places, across Long Island.  Milky oat seed specifically targets the occipital muscles behind the head, and is exceptionally effective at treating painful tension headaches.

Herbal remedies, especially in conjunction with chiropractic and acupuncture treatments, can ease or cure most of the same conditions as Western medicine without unpleasant side effects.  If you’re currently being treated via conventional means, you can still benefit from herbal and holistic treatments.  Sandoval has seen an upswing in the number of his patients combining herbal remedies with Western medicine.  “It’s happening more and more that my patients are taking herbs alongside conventional medications,” Sandoval says.  But before you try any remedy you’ll need to check with your physician and a licensed herbalist to ensure you are not doing more harm than good and to find the correct dosages. “Sometimes the dosages are big – you have to be very careful,” D’Brant says. “People think, ‘Oh, it’s an herb, it’s natural and I can take as much as I want,’ but the reality is that you have to be temperant with all things.”

If you’re searching for a natural, holistic path to health and wellness, herbs are a great place to start. The American Herbalists Guild, Cheshire, Conn., has a Web site (americanherbalistsguild.com) that is a wealth of information and includes a state-by-state directory of licensed herbalists and practitioners.

The few herbs we’ve defined are just a glimpse of the millions of herbs and herbal remedies available.  Growing and using ancient treatments can strengthen your overall health, and bring you closer to the healing powers of the Earth.

Disclaimer: This article is not intended to be used as medical or therapeutic advice. Consult your healthcare practitioner before trying any herbal

Herbal Wellness
In the dead of winter, it’s nearly impossible to avoid one of the many cold or flu viruses that seem to be in constant rotation around offices, schools, public transportation and other areas where people regularly come in contact with each other.

However, with simple herbal remedies you can help protect yourself by stopping those illnesses in their tracks or offsetting the symptoms if you’ve already begun to feel sick. Each individual reacts to the cold and/or flu viruses in different ways, and there are two distinct avenues of treatment, says Jeanne D’Brant, an Herbalist Chiropractor and Nutritionist in Fort Salonga, N.Y.

D’Brant prefers to fight cold with cold.  “For colds and flu, I use a wonderful herb called Andrographis,” she says.  “It’s a refrigerant, so that helps to bring down inflammation and can be used for high fever.  Mostly it helps people get over an illness that’s lingering and shortens the effect.”

If you’re trying to stop a cold or flu before it starts, D’Brant also recommends a Chinese herbal formula called Yin Chiao. “Yin Chiao, if it’s used in the first 12 to 24 hours of getting ill, will knock it out sometimes immediately, sometimes within a day or two, but it always shortens the duration,” she says.

Mild sedatives like chamomile tea can help you sleep through the night, while Boneset, an American herb with analgesic properties, can ease the aches and pains of a cold or flu. Mint’s clean, crisp flavor and biting scent clears up congestion and acts as a mild sedative as well.

Ron Sandoval, a licensed Acupuncturist and herbalist at Huntington Holistic Center in Huntington, N.Y., prefers to fight a cold with heat.  Basil, though most well-known for its culinary uses, also has medicinal qualities.  The herb is warming and promotes perspiration, helping to drive out pathogens.  Dried basil leaves can also be used in a snuff to help alleviate cold and congestion.

“For colds and immune deficiencies, I’d suggest ginseng, cinnamon and peony,” says Sandoval.  “Herbs that are going to help strengthen the immune system, warm the body and expel pathogens so the person can get better.”

Our January issue theme is renewal, to that end I made a commitment of personal renewal to myself. That included attempting to complete a cleanse in the New Year. Proudly I can say, last week I completed the Ultimate Energy Cleanse and for those that know me, they know the sacrifices it required. The cleanse entailed a week with no coffee, carbs, no processed food and no satisfying other cravings.

Sunday night was the last night and when I saw my dinner plate of steamed spinach, edamame, green beans and salad I had just about enough. Yet I made my way through the meal–some of it at least–and stayed true to my commitment. I’m proud of this accomplishment because in the end I know is for the betterment of me and indirectly for those around me. Going through the cleanse also gave me a greater appreciation for people like my wife, Adele, who has made commitments like being a vegetarian (which I am not), eating healthy (which I try to do but she actually does) and being disciplined enough to practice what one preaches (which I usually do and she always does). For everyone out there like her, I salute you!!

It was also interesting to talk with my business partner Matt during the week. He has focused on many different areas of holistic living and self development, of which doing the cleanses has been one. Some of his thoughts helped motivate me to do this in the first place. When talking about holistic living, Matt told me that, in his opinion, my focus on my personal development was as great as many of the approaches people he’s seen coming through more traditional holistic practices such as yoga. That was a good point for me to reflect on during the week.

I was told going through the cleanse week could be emotional, enlightening and energizing. All of which I found to be true at different points. Although I don’t understand why I found myself doing a lot of self reflection, there was a lot of it. Part of the time was spent considering the food items I consume and the whys behind it. While I didn’t come away with a lot of answers to life questions, I came a way with the better understanding of what’s important to me personally.

I guess in the end what I came away with after the week is that we all have to realize we need to care about ourselves since we are the ones most able to take care of our own selves. Additionally I learned even though I have not considered myself holistic in the past, my ongoing efforts to improve my self really is holistic in nature.

Beyond that, I learned that with everything in life there are always some who are ahead of us and some who are behind. Most important for me was to keeping striving to make self-discovery and renewal an important part of our lives. It’s important to challenge myself to do new and different things. Only through this process can we reach higher planes and attain goals we might not have thought before possible.

Last night canvas sponsored the premiere of Black Gold at the Huntington Cinema Arts Centre. The movie was an enlightening look at the effects dominant players in a market can have on people in developing countries. While this is an over simplification, you get the point.

We chose to sponsor this event because we felt it aligned with our values and it did.

As I talked with a number of attendees, I was told a few times how much our magazine was enjoyed and in many cases was read cover to cover. This is not the first time I’ve been told this and we’ll work hard to make sure it’s not the last.

That said, often times the conversation ends with two statements. One is that we remain true to our vision, which Matt and I know we will. The other is that we have the staying power to succeed, in other words stay in business. This second statement is more challenging because our wants and desires will only take us so far.

After the movie ended, there was a discussion on fair trade and one of the women in the audience eloquently said it begins with you. She went on to tell us the baby steps people can take to create a ground swell around fair trade products.

To that end for those that have praised canvas and told us how much you enjoy it and how you hope we have the staying power to last, we thank you and ask for you for your help in creating a ground swell for our mission. If you patron our advertisers please let them know what you think of canvas. If there are people you think that should be advertising with us tell them and tell us.
Although in no way am I suggesting we face the same struggles of those in the film. An analogy can be made that similar to the farmers in Black Gold we are trying too deliver the best quality product to the market we can, at a fair price, in an arena filled with dominant players.

If you had not planned see that movie, you may be missing out on developing a better understanding of what many people, in many places want for themselves and their families… to improve their lives through hard work, dedication and education.

As the holidays approached, I found my stress level increasing with each day that came and went. I also found that as my stress level increased my criticism of life, issues and people. The things I read about in the news, the war in Iraq, media issues here on LI that I wish were different. I found myself focusing more on the things I didn’t like than things I did like. Around the same time, I was asked to supply a blog entry for canvasli.com, so in my mind all I could think of was what I didn’t like, what made me frustrated and what I wanted to be different.

My intuition told me not to write it so I procrastinated writing the entry, all the while with this nagging feeling that I just didn’t have the right topic yet. While contemplating the different subjects I could choose to focus on, I heard a small quiet voice: “Be in Praise of Praise.” This was a quote I have heard from a wise old man and mentor of mine many, many times. When I first heard him utter that saying, I had no real idea what he was talking about but it came from a man who has dedicated his life to personal introspection, and when he says something, I have learned to listen.

Over time it worked its way deep into my being. I was reminded of it many months ago when my business partner and publisher of canvas said: “Matt, I am not sure how you used to do things, but when reviewing a process, I like to focus on what went well first and then move on to the areas that can be improved.” It hit me hard and I knew in that moment, that he was someone whom I could work with and trust. He was focused on the good first and foremost. I was very impressed all those months ago, and even happier to adopt the same practice and to see that it wasn’t a one time experience; Tom invokes that standard for every review process of the business. So as I contemplated my subject dilemma, and with it being Christmas Eve, and the with the New Year around the corner, I asked myself: Do I want to be critical of others during the holidays? And do I want this to be how I start my New Year? The answer was a definite: No! I want to be Grateful, and I want to be I praise of praise.

Yoga, meditation and exercising every morning usually keeps me feeling energized and ready for the day. However, it only helped so much to stave off the dark moods of those dark early mornings. It was actually another practice that helped bring me back into balance as the winter solstice drew closer. As each dark morning was a challenge for me to dig down deep inside and literally force my self to smile and start the practice of being grateful. I knew that after December 21, the days would be become brighter, that it would get just a little bit easier to get up at 5:30 a.m. and go outside for my morning walk.

This was practicing gratitude and being in praise of praise. Being thankful that I am alive, that I am breathing. Being thankful for the simple things in life, like the trees, the birds, the rain, fresh water to drink, healthy delicious food to eat. For the wonderfully aromatic smells of the earth after a heavy rain, the bubbling giggle of child. That, I don’t live in a war zone, that I am able to walk, talk, think, care, wish, and pray. I am so thankful for all that has been given to me, what I have worked hard for, and what I have been able to give. I am thankful for the people in my life that support me and are loving, caring human beings. I would chant these mantras as I would walk or jog, and the feeling that would be built up inside my chest as I repeated these mantras was/is Absolutely Magnificent. The energy that was created was self-sustaining, it was like a force field of joy and appreciation for life. As things came up throughout my day I was able to meet them with more patience, more compassion, and more clarity. Repeating this cycle day after day, every morning for weeks was very helpful to my peace of mind.

Because of this, I wanted my first blog on the canvas site to be something that felt good. Something I am just simply happy about–like being alive. I am writing this on Christmas Eve, and as I move closer to the new year, my aim is to live more in alignment with and acknowledge more often what is good in my life, rather than to note so quickly what is wrong, or what I can criticize.

Like all human beings, I know I have the need to analyze and regroup and strive to do more and be more, but it’s also been a good practice for me to balance that out with working to just be, and be grateful.

The holidays have come and gone for me. Now it’s back up the hill again for twelve months.

I found myself trying to do a lot of self reflection on New Year’s Day, but with a 15 year old and a baby that is almost six months old it was kind of hard. I did get to think about the things in 2006 that were special, and there were many, I also spent some time giving thought to things in 2007 that will be special, as well as, those that are bringing anxiety.

canvas is going to publish our third edition in few weeks. That’s very special. The feedback from you, our readers, has been extremely positive. That’s special too. Our advertisers are telling us the magazine is working already. That’s even more special.

One of my anxieties I’m wrestling with comes from trying to make canvas the best it can be with the resources we have and overcoming the many obstacles along way.

Then again as I reflected I thought about the my obstacles and insecurities in relation to other peoples’.

I read a column over the holidays that talked about the need for water in Africa vs. sponsored goats, since they won’t have water either, or something like that. This helps me to appreciate all the things I have to look forward to in the new year. I know I’ll have water and won’t need to explain to others that while I appreciate the sponsored goat, it’s going to die too if we both don’t have something to drink.

Hopefully more and more of us will take the time to reflect on what we have that’s special for 2007, while looking at our fears and anxieties, and be maybe take the next step in helping someone else have something special in their new year.