Category Archives: Uncategorized

Inflamed joints?…Arthritis?…Devil’s Claw can help…

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Devil’s Claw

Family Name: Pedaliaceae

Botanical Name(s): Harpagophytum Procumbens

Popular Name(s): Grapple Plant

Parts Used: Dried Roots

Habitat: Devil’s Claw is a native plant of southern Africa, especially the Kalahari Desert, Namibia, and the island of Madagascar.

Description: Devil’s claw is a tender trailing perennial with tubers and many round to oval-shaped stems. The leaves have white, hairy undersides. Solitary, red to purple flowers, shaped like trumpets appear in spring followed by the characteristic large, hooked and claw-like fruit.

Uses: Devil’s claw is used internally to treat rheumatoid arthritis, neuralgia and problems involving the gall bladder and pancreas. It is also very effective in treating lower back pain, as well as digestive problems, loss of appetite and the treatment of pain during and after childbirth or labor. Devil’s claw is used externally to treat swollen, arthritic joints as well as boils, sores and skin ulcers.

This information taken from: http://www.herbsguide.net/devils-claw.html

This YouTube video is a short, interesting look at a Zimbabwean traditional healer explaining how to retrieve the Devil’s claw tubers.

Are you in need of an energy boost?… Do you wake up tired?…

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Here is a recipe for a green smoothie. The video is advertising a certain blender, but my dear old faithful does a good job. I have written out the recipe below if you don’t have time to view the video.

Green Smoothie for energy (It says for anti-aging as well, but we’re not doctor’s or nutritionists to be able to make such a bold claim)

Ingredients

  • 2 handfuls of fresh spinach
  • 1 cucumber
  • the juice of 1 lime
  • The juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 2 apples (Cored but skin left on)
  • 1 handful parsley
  • 1 teaspoon peeled, crushed ginger
  • 3 sticks chopped celery

Method

  • Place spinach in blender and blend, add cucumber and blend well.
  • Add juice of lemon and lime together with the apples. Blend
  • Add parsley and ginger and celery and blend well together.
  • Pour into a large glass and enjoy. Drink this for breakfast for a healthy, energetic start to your day.

At Last…The birthday draw has taken place…

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A very big thank you to Shaun Standeaven for doing the draw.

Congratulations to: Hannah Lee Kaiser who is our winner from the Shongweni Farmers Market.

Nayna Mistry from Polokwane who is our winner from ordering via the web.

Are you lactose intolerant?.. Looking for an alternative to dairy milk?…Almond milk can be a delicious alternative…

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In the following video, Rick explains how to make a delicious almond milk. I have personally made this milk, adding a little honey and a touch of vanilla and would highly recommend it.

Don’t throw away the almond fibre left over at the end, store it in the freezer and when you next make some biscuits (cookies), add the fibre for a delicious almond flavoured biscuit.

Geranium and Rosemary…. Oils 7 and 8 of the basic care kit…

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Geranium: Has a powerful effect on the emotions. It is also a good oil to add to skin creams as it add a radiant glow to the skin. It is effective in relieving pain associated with menses.

 

 

 

Rosemary: A physical and mental stimulant. A good oil to use in the morning shower. It is also excellent in the treatment of muscular pains.(Use with caution if you have high blood pressure.)

Why are Lavender, Lemon and Peppermint essential oils necessary for your basic home kit?…

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Lavender: It is very effective in the treatment of burns and scalds. A natural antibiotic, antiseptic, anti-depressant and de-toxifier. It also prevents scarring. Every home should have a bottle of lavender.

 

 

Lemon: The essential oil of lemon is useful as a water-purifier. It is antiseptic and anti-bacterial. Helps in the treatment of headaches and insect bites. It has a tonic action on the lymphatic system and a stimulating action on the digestive system.

 

 

Peppermint: It is an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. It is useful the treatment of indigestion, flatulence, bad breath, flu, headaches and migraines, toothache, fatigue and more. It also keeps mice, fleas and ants away.

10 essential oils every home should have…Why?…Here are the first three…

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Cape Chamomile: Physical: anti-inflammatory and soothing, so it helps with eruptions on the skin in the forms of boils, abcesses, infected cuts and wounds, insect bites, acne, eczema etc. A child’s rememdy: Helpful for nappy rash, ear and toothache, swollen gums, sore throat and general irritability. Aids with sleeping.

Clove: anti-bacterial, antiseptic and analgesic. a good oil for the prevention of disease and infection. A quick cure for toothache and is equally useful in digestive problems and muscular disorders.

 

 

Eucalyptus: Used in treating chest infections and colic.It cools the body in summer and warms the body in winter.An excellent insect repellent and its anti-bacterial properties make it a must have in the kitchen. I use it as a surface cleaner and disinfectant.

See this blog tomorrow for the next three