Non-Toxic Bug Spray Idea

Just a note on bug sprays for mosquitoes.

Commercial bug sprays contain Deet, which is a toxin that can cause allergic reactions, skin and eye irritation and also attacks the central nervous system. Definitely avoid this on children. The MSDS on this states that it is harmful if swallowed.

While in South America recently I experienced one sleepless night while mosquitoes sang their shrill music around and around my head. All I could do was pull the sheet up over my head and try to sleep through it. In the morning I looked at the array of angry mosquito bites on my forearms, and I felt like I had not slept a wink.

The next night I had the bright idea of using a diluted solution of Solutions-4-You (http://solutions-4-you.com/Ultra-Safe_Plus_Non-Toxic_Medical_Cleanser.aspx). I carried a bottle of this for brushing my teeth, and also for any unexpected use!!

It worked like a charm and we slept mosquito and bite-free. By the way, if it didn’t work, plan B was to look around for the oil of lemon skins, or lemon grass from the market to rub on my arms.

Here is another non-toxic idea for bug spray for the do-it-yourselfer to try out.  Peppermint essential oil is also known to be a great mosquito repellant – put a small amount (8-10 drops) into a spray bottle with water. Shake and spray on your body (not in your eyes).

If you try it, let me know how it works.

Lyn

Paraguayan Detox Tea

I was told that to really get a true understanding of natural healing here in Paraguay, you might have to talk to a native Guarani healer, an expert in all about the herbs and medicinals in this country. That sounded exciting, but before I have even had a chance to find one, I already found an amazing healing and cleansing plant myself. That is the healthy looking green, leafy Boldo plant, which grows as big as a bush.

My personal history with Boldo went back a few years while in Canada, and I had found a box of Boldo teabags which I gave to my step-mother with chronic constipation. Lo and behold, she asked me for more. Boldo really helped her stomach and aided in constipation for her.  There was no use looking for laxatives when this tea seemed to do the trick.  I searched but sadly was never able to find more in the entire country.

Fast forward to yesterday at dinnertime, one of our party had come down with extreme upset stomach similar to food poisoning. Eating at a curbside food stand sometimes has it’s downsides. Our local friends showed us a 6 inch sprig of the Boldo bush from the garden and asked if he would like to have Boldo tea, saying that it is a common stomach remedy here. In fact, he says it takes away acid stomach and helps with cleansing the body.

Of course, he went for the tea. It had a distinctive taste but was easy to take.  He began to feel the soothing effects in his sick stomach right away. He filled his water bottle with it, and continued drinking it the next day. 

Here are some of the great helpful benefits the Boldo plant:

Backyard Boldo Bush

• helps with digestive problems, and unsettled stomach
• helps with liver and kidney problems (balances uric acid levels)
• aids in eliminating the production of bile
• aids in eliminating intestinal parasites
• helps with gallstones

I have found out that the essential oil is toxic and not recommended, but when the locals recommend the hot tea, it’s obviously tried and true, and likely going to be very helpful. Everywhere here in Paraguay you can find Boldo tea in fancy packaging, or dried leaves in packages sold at the local markets, with the words “Digestivo, Tranquilizante, Analgesico, Afeccion Hepatica” on the back, which gives me the idea that the local people know what it’s actually good for!

This morning I even had a cup of hot Boldo Tea to celebrate my final day here!  If you can get your hands on some, even for an addition to your herbal medicine chest, go for it.

Lyn

Who else has heard of Chaya Tea?

Yesterday we were walking through the streets of San Pedro, Belize, looking for local cuisine and we found it.  It was at the restaurant called El Fogon.  The restaurant is open, thatched roof, dirt floor, wooden benches with tables with the real Island feel.  They make their food the old ways, as they were taught from their parents.

I saw the massive pots over the fire, where they use natural and native ingredients from around the island like fish, beans, rice, food cooked in banana leaves, and then there is chaya water.  This is tea made from “wild spinach”!

Suzanna, the owner and chef of the establishment spent time to explain how she began the restaurant and what drives her now. She loves to keep the old traditions and ways alive.  The menu is small – tomatillos with chaya, fish balls, soup, lobster, lime water and a few other things.

Chaya water/tea is the water that comes when you steam the chaya leaves.  Chaya bushes with lots of large green leaves grow wild in Belize.  It is something like spinach, but it is way more nutritious.  You steam or boil the chopped leaves in water for 20 minutes, cool, and add squeezed lime if you like.  Here is a picture we took.

Chaya water/tea is loaded with healing properties.  Suzanna told me that it helps build up your blood and give you amazing energy, people on chemotherapy seem to come back to life.  She raved about it lowering blood sugar for diabetes, and also help for arthritis.   It is also said to be a natural diuretic and liver cleanser!  It contains protein, fiber, iron, Vitamin C and other great nutrients. Suzanna maintains that everyone should drink 1-2 cups per day to really be healthy.

She must have been reading my mind, because she called to the back and presented me with a glass of the warm greenish chaya water to drink.  It actually tasted great.

In addition to the tea, chaya can also be eaten like a vegetable, or to make tomatillos.  The chaya plant is only to be eaten cooked (not raw).  Here is some good news about the Chaya (wild spinach) plant.  It is drought resistant, bug resistant, grows very quickly, and is easy to plant.  Sounds like a miracle plant to me!  Wouldn’t I love to get some seeds and start growing it myself!

Here’s what I came away with.  People from around the world have native plants that provide unique nutrition and healing for the people in those very areas.   It was very exciting to me to watch and to experience in person, right there in Belize.

Here are some links I found that even make you want to check it out further!

http://www.belize.com/cure-diabetes-natural-belize-plant-chaya.html#ixzz1z2rPtWo9

http://www.belize.com/cure-diabetes-natural-belize-plant-chaya.html

Lyn

Breakfast Smoothie that Chases away Parasites!

Are you tired of all the teas that are good for cleansing?  Or depriving and restricting yourself to try and get healthy?

Here’s something different, and it tastes really good.  And parasites don’t like it.  When I got my ingredients, I had 4 day’s worth of the anti-parasite smoothie.  Just keep the rest in the refrigerator for the next day.  And if you don’t have all the ingredients, use what you do have. 

Anti-Parasite Breakfast Smoothie

This recipe contains some of the best anti-parasite fruits and is a perfect start to your day. It helps to have a good, high-powered blender like the Blend-Tec or Vita-Mix.

• ¼ small pineapple (chopped) – anti-parasitic
  

• ¼ fresh pomegranate (take off skin, but leave white membrane with seeds) – this is anti-parasitic
  

• ¼ fresh small papaya with its seeds (seeds are anti-parasitic)
  

• 1 apple, cored and unpeeled (the peelings add good fiber)
  

• 2 tbsp coconut oil (anti-parasitic)
  

• ½ mango (for taste)

• Pumpkin seeds – 2 tbsp (optional – anti-parasitic)
  

• ¼ tsp ground cloves (optional – kills parasite eggs)
  

Water – add 1 ½ cups (or more to blend well and make good consistency)

Blend in high-powered blender until smooth.  Drink and enjoy.

Here’s the picture of the anti-parasite smoothie I made.  It didn’t have the pumpkin seeds or cloves – add them if you’re brave!!

Lyn

Tasty Anti-Parasite Smoothie

Guess the name of this Green Soup?

My first introduction to Stinging Nettles began approx. 15 years ago when my dear friend Marie was diagnosed with cirrhosis of the liver. I did a lot of research into natural help for her liver, and decided she needed nettles – immediately.

We found a great grove of nettles in a local park close to the walking path, and near the stream. We harvested a huge shopping bag of nettles and I actually shipped them to her by Fed Ex overnight.   I realize now how much value I put on those nettles or I would have never gone to that expense. 

Now I am a little older, and still the stinging nettle is more than a spring tonic. It can be a real remedy for many with kidney and liver problems. It is a God-send for the do-it-yourselfers like me, who really appreciates God’s creation, and the freedom to make natural remedies for myself.

Here you go.  We actually celebrated with 2 friends, and we ate every single drop.  It tasted mildly like a spinach creamed soup.  Absolutely yummy.

Nettle Soup

• Wash and chop nettles (don’t include stems)
• Saute onion (saute for 3 mins),
• add chopped nettles, saute for another 3 minutes,
• add vegetable stock and 1 grated potato.  I guess it was approx. 4 cups worth – will definitely measure it next time.
• Cook for 20 minutes.
• Blend ingredients in a blender.
• Add cashew milk (or other nut milk or creamer) – 1 cup?
  
• Add s & p to taste.

Have fun and let me know how yours turned out!

Lyn

Stinging Nettle Tea Recipe

Yesterday, after writing about all those great health benefits of Stinging Nettle Tea, I went ahead and made some. 

Truthfully, I was expecting a bitter, farm-like taste that you only endure because you need the great health benefits.

The experience was exactly the opposite – it almost tasted floral, and just like a basic tulsi tea.  It was very pleasant tasting and didn’t even require honey to doctor it up. One could even try adding a slice of ginger root or even a few mint leaves.

Method:

1. Wash the Nettle leaves (mine had a few bugs and a spider)
2. Chop a cup or two of nettle leaves and place in a teapot.
3. Pour boiling water over the nettle leaves and let it steep for 15 minutes
4. Strain and pour your cup of tea.  Enjoy.
   
5. You can use 2 tsp dried nettle per cup if you don’t have fresh leaves.  Drink up to 4 cups daily.
   

Guess whose going to be getting some nettle tea next time they come over?  My 93-year old step-mother.  She loves anything exciting and healthy.  I tell her that she is my inspiration and my hero!

We’re making Nettle Soup tomorrow!

Lyn