Mental health

In the day to day world, I don't think mental health is taken seriously. When we talk with others, interact with others, we are connecting to their mind and spirit-or not. Words and thoughts, even, are just as powerful as touch. Some people understand this power and use it for good or evil. Others may not know that it exists and is unaware to how it affects them or how they are affecting others.

Barley in the New Year

God's seasons are perfect in every way. Sometimes I think, that when  I'm over stressed or feeling beat down, etc. I wonder if I'm going "against the current". I've often wondered, if I were to truly acknowledge and understand God's physical and spiritual seasons  I could at least prepare for them and go with the current and rise above the wave, instead of feeling like I'm drowning. At this time is the season of the "New Year". In the Bible, god tells the children of Israel that in the month of "abib" this shall be the beginning of months for them. What is "abib"? and how does it registere with our holistic health?

Where is Abib Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible?

The story of the Exodus relates "This day you are going out in the the month of the Abib." (Ex 13,4).

To commemorate that we left Egypt in the month of the Abib, we are instructed to bring the Passover sacrifice and celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Hag HaMatzot) at this time of year. In Dt 16,1 we are commanded:

"Keep the month of the Abib and make the Passover (sacrifice) to YHWH your God at night, because in the month of the Abib YHWH your God took you out of Egypt". 

Similarly, we are commanded in Ex 23,15:

"You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as I have commanded you, at the time of the month of the Abib, because in it you went out of Egypt."

The same is commanded in Ex 34,18:

"You will keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread; seven days you will eat unleavened bread, as have I commanded you, at the time of the month of the Abib, because in the month of the Abib you went out of Egypt."

What is Abib?

Abib indicates a stage in the development of the barley crops. This is clear from Ex 9,31-32 which describes the devastation caused by the plague of hail:

"And the flax and the barley were smitten, because the barley was Abib and the flax was Giv'ol. And the wheat and the spelt were not smitten because they were dark (Afilot)."

The above passage relates that the barley crops were destroyed by the hail while the wheat and spelt were not damaged. To understand the reason for this we must look at how grain develops. When grains are early in their development they are flexible and have a dark green color. As they become ripe they take on a light yellowish hue and become more brittle. The reason that the barley was destroyed and the wheat was not is that the barley had reached the stage in its development called Abib and as a result had become brittle enough to be damaged by the hail. In contrast, the wheat and spelt were still early enough in their development, at a stage when they were flexible and not susceptible to being damaged by hail. The description of the wheat and spelt as "dark" (Afilot) indicates that they were still in the stage when they were deep green and had not yet begun to lighten into the light yellowish hue which characterizes ripe grains. In contrast, the barley had reached the stage of Abib at which time it was no longer "dark" and at this point it probably had begun to develop golden streaks.

from Karaite-korner.org

So what are the health benefits of barley?

Health Benefits of Barley

Barley has numerous health benefits. It is known for its ability to help alleviate diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. It is also effective against diseases like atherosclerosis,diabetes, insulin resistance etc. Given below are some of the benefits.

• Barley is low in fat and is known to reduce craving some kinds for food and therefore very useful to those who want to lose weight. It acts as an appetite suppressant making people feel like they have eaten more than they really have.
• Barley is high is soluble fiber and can reduce blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. It helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the body as the dietary fiber in barley binds to bile acids and helps dispose them through the feces. Consuming Barley is said to soothe and calm the bowels. Dietary fiber in Barley is helpful in making your digestive system run smoothly and maintaining a healthy colon. The friendly bacteria present in the large intestine ferment the insoluble fiber content of the barley to form butyric acid which functions as the main fuel for intestinal cells. The insoluble fiber in barley is also said to help women fight against the formation of gallstones.
• The Copper present in barley is known to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Copper helps in maintaining the flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints.
• Barley is rich in niacin, which is highly effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood clots.
• Barley is also good for persons suffering from diabetes and can take the place of normal food where rice is prohibited. Barley may be an even better breakfast choice than oats for persons with Type 2 diabetes. Consuming Barley is known to substantially reduce the risk of diabetes.
• Barley can prove to be extremely helpful in curing childhood asthma.
• It is Easy to digest and can be given to invalids.
• Barley is diuretic, brings clear urine and is useful in fevers. It can be used as a nutrient in cases of mucus colitis or simple diarrhea with fever.
• Barley contains Selenium which is helpful in preserving the elasticity of the skin and protects it from radical damage. It also has Manganese which works with the B complex vitamins and gives an overall feeling of well being.
• Barley grass is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, folic acid, B12, calcium, iron, potassium and chlorophyll. It has been prescribed to fight diseases of the spleen or poor digestion. It has also been utilized to treat conditions such as depression or emotional imbalance. Barley grass is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help the body kill cancer cells and overcome a variety of ailments, including acne and ulcers.source

So let us eat in season, pray in season and be renewed each season!

The very mention of the term "pineal gland" creates a mysterious aura. Renowned French philosopher, physiologist, physicist, natural scientist and mathematician Rene Descartes (1596-1650) called it "the seat of the soul." Others believe it is the Centrum that carries the "life code" and conveys orders to the body. Recent academic studies have found that the pineal gland contains light-sensitive cells which function like those of the eye's retina, testifying to the fact that the pineal gland can "see." Thus, it is also known as the "third eye." Modern research on melatonin production by the pineal gland has unraveled its mysteries to some extent. The Pineal Gland and Melatonin The pineal gland is a flat, cone-shaped organ about the size of a pea lying in the center of the midbrain. It reaches its largest mass during childhood, but calcifies and shrinks with age. Melatonin production by the pineal gland is determined by the amount of light received, for the gland plays the role of a bodily clock, due to its sensitivity to light and regulation of the sleep-wake cycle. During nighttime sleep, melatonin levels in the body rise, reaching a peak between 11 PM and 2 AM, and then drop dramatically when a new day dawns. Melatonin production is related to age, increasing at three months after birth, peaking at the age of six, and beginning to drop after puberty. The Effect of Melatonin on the Human Body Melatonin has a simple chemical structure, but it plays a decisive role in bodily functions, monitoring the work of the glands and organs, and regulating hormone production. It also controls over-stimulation of the sympathetic nerves to lower blood pressure and slow the heart rate, thus reducing the impact on the heart. It also alleviates mental stress, improves sleep, adjusts the body's biological clock, relieves jet lag, strengthens immunity, increases the body's resistance to germs and viruses, and prevents cancer and senile dementia. Melatonin production is inversely proportional to that of serotonin, a chemical that constricts the blood vessels and acts as a neurotransmitter. The mind is most active during the day, when it runs wild and is distracted, resulting in an increase in the amount of serotonin required by the nerve cells. During the night or meditation, when the mind is less active, less serotonin and more melatonin are produced, and the situation changes. However, when the eyes perceive light, melatonin production is reduced. This is why night workers and those who sleep with the light on have a lower immunity to disease and a higher propensity to develop cancer than others. Two studies in the U.S. have shown that bright light at night reduces melatonin production and induces estrogen secretion in women, which in turn increases the incidence of breast cancer among female night workers. Research on infants who died from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) found that the babies had underdeveloped pineal glands, which lowered melatonin levels and weakened the brain's ability to deal with free radicals (molecules with an unpaired electron), thus making the brain vulnerable to free radical damage. Another study on children and adult hypochondria suggests that the melatonin levels of psychiatric patients are lower than those of healthy people. The Origin of Melatonin Melatonin exists in small quantities in many plant species, including oats, sweet corn, rice, ginger, tomatoes, bananas and barley. Intake of other foods such as kelp, soy beans, pumpkin seeds, water melon seeds, almonds, peanuts, yeast, malt, and milk helps to increase the body's melatonin production. Lower food intake ensures normal melatonin levels. Research shows that old mice given less food have healthy pineal glands like those of young mice, and can regulate melatonin production. Their melatonin levels are 80 percent of those found in young mice, compared to 40 percent for old mice without food restriction. Conclusion Although melatonin has a significant effect on the human body, no definite conclusions have been reached about whether melatonin supplements are beneficial to health. Research shows that melatonin production is higher in women who meditate. Big-toe exercises also stimulate melatonin production. Physical exercise during the day increases melatonin levels, while night exercises have the opposite effect. Therefore, it is advisable to eat less, meditate, exercise regularly during daylight hours and lead a disciplined life.   Back to Contents  Source :http://godsdirectcontact.us/sm21/enews/www/133/ss.htm

The amazing Black Walnut Tree &

Thyroid Problems

I was diagnosed with hashimotos disease, which essentially is a thyroid problem in which your body’s immune system views your thyroid as an enemy and attacks it.  I went on levothyroxine for 2 years but never felt better. I also did not want to be on medication, as I believe that God gave us everything for healing from the earth. I began researching and found that black walnut produces iodine from the green walnut hulls. I began to make my own tinctures and was able to come off of the medication. I of course did not just simply add a tincture and was better it actually was a very intense journey of massage, sitz baths, fasting and continuous prayer. My journey is not over with my thyroid, as I will need to pay special attention to that part of my body for the rest of my life if I want to avoid medication.  I will write about the other techniques I used later but for now just want to concentrate on the walnut tree. I actually got the formula from another herbalist and found that my sister had 3 beautiful black walnut trees in her yard.  I love the black walnut tree and it is a very intelligent tree.

The parts of the black walnut that are used medicinally are the bark of the tree, the husk, the shell and the nut or the kernel. Black walnut is considered to be an antiseptic, a germicide, a parasitic, and a laxative. Black walnut hull helps with many health conditions from ridding the body of intestinal parasites and tapeworms to reducing constipation and healing skin conditions. Black walnut hull can be ground into a powder (just be sure you use it when it is fresh and green when it has become black it can be very dangerous. It has been used as external applications for a variety of skin complaints including ringworm, jock itch, athlete's foot, psoriasis, blisters, and eczema.  The most common medicinal use of black walnut is to kill parasites. Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. It is used to help balance sugar levels. It also is able to burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials. 
The black walnut hull contains a number of active ingredients, including omega-3 fatty acids, sterols, tannins and my favorite iodine!!

For the recipe on the black walnut tincture see Dr. Hulda Clarks book “The Cure for all Diseases” just be sure to omit the vitamin powder and add raw apple cider vinegar.

Our Journey

Herbal Blessings, Everyone! I am so excited to be apart of the Shalom Healing Garden Group. This is a group of eight wonderful women that have set out, together, to learn about herbalism and have a common foundation in it. We're from all different walks of life and have varying experiences with herbs and natural healing. One thing that binds us is the Blood of Yeshua and the testimony of His ever saving grace.We agreed to take the course from Sage Mountain, The Art and Science of Herbalism, written by the reknowned herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar. So we agreed to take this journey together and to complete it together, in about a year.

Wow, what a trip! Most of us knew each other for years before this, and as a sisterhood, we've had some rocky times. This year of studying together, in my opinion, helped us to work through and work out, our trials and triumphs, together. No matter what we were dealing with individually, or with another sister, we continued to meet at the agreed upon day and time each month, give or take, come what may. We learned so much about each other, the good, bad and the ugly. I wouldn't change the experience for nothing in the world!

Today, we are still striving to be conduits of Christ's love and healing, together. This group has became a source of inspiration and a counsel of righteous wisdom for me. I hope that through this blog, that people will be inspired to create more herbalist groups for their communities and search out the hope and healing that is in the Messiah.

(This is a picture of some of our S.H.G. sisters with Rosemary Gladstar)


Peace, Love and Herbs!

Ashwagandha root for effective anxiety and stress relief, improved immunity

Ashwagandha root for effective anxiety and stress relief, improved immunity:

This is a good herb that needs more looking into, what most have considered to be a great stress reliever!!!

'via Blog this'