Relief From Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia...

When three weeks ago I heard a weather forecast predicting an Indian Summer (old-ladies' Summer if translated word for word from our language), I thought, yeah-right! We had just had the whole of five rain-free days in August and things sure didn't look up for September. But then it hit us - the awesome Indian Summer. Wow! I immediately arranged my plans so that I could take off to the country... and off I was. We enjoyed two whole weeks of glorious sunshine after a Summer that was almost completely void of this blessing.

I must say I was daily soaking up the sun and inhaling all the wonderful smells of an early Autumn. I feasted on all the radiantly golden colors that were not yet in their full glory but where moving towards their elaborate refinement with every coming day. I loved my daily walks to the seaside that was spotted with the elegant bodies of white swans like so many statuesque stones sticking out of water, with some ducks thrown in in good measure. The glory of Autumn is short but it is so inspiring towards creativity... so full of color... so romantic. I was living like in a dream... and that is when I become hopelessly absentminded, unable to keep a clear mind.

So, while shopping in a near-by small-town's store last week, I was trying so hard to keep a lucid mind while looking for a specific item. I walked up and down the aisle that was supposed to shelf the product I needed, painstakingly reading each label. Not there! So, I decided to ask the store help... who led me back to the exact spot that I had vacated only minutes ago, reached out her hand and offered the product that I had not been able to locate myself. Well, may be the product miraculously emerged, just in the few seconds I took my eyes off the shelf to ask for help? Or was it really me...again...walking around in a haze, unable to register in my mind what my eyes saw.

I thanked the store clerk for her help, took my trolley and continued to walk through the shelves with my long shopping list. At some point, I began to detect questioning glances from my fellow shoppers. Oh, my goodness, had I really wiped my lips with a glove so that now my lipstick was flowing like a red river towards my ears, forming a steady grin on one side of my face? Or had I rubbed my eye too energetically, so now I looked like someone had landed their fist in it... all black and blue? I sure hoped I had had my sunglasses in hand. At least I could have hidden part of my face from astonished looks... but I had left them in the car. I had no idea what was wrong.

When I finally located the next item on my shopping list and was about to place my purchase into my trolley, I discovered the reason for curious looks from my fellow shoppers. I had been walking around the store, sporting a trolley full of stockings.

You see, in the country stores when they do not have enough shelf space, as the stores indeed are pretty small, they simply stack the items into a shopping trolley and leave them by a shelf. I had accidentally grabbed the stocking trolley, being confident it was full of my own purchases and was now wheeling it around the store, looking for cake dough. Well, I would have probably sent some astonished looks myself towards a lady who had decided to buy 50-80 pairs of stockings all at once.

I guess I would have to begin to look for a plant to cure my absentmindedness. Though, in this Health First newsletter I wish to share with You about two plants that help to cure so many other problems. Quite a few of You have taken time to email me and ask for some assistance in finding help for insomnia and anxiety. So, I've taken time to search not only for the right plants but also for the right sources from where to buy those plants.

I looked for an online store that would carry clean, synthetics free products, would have prompt shipping and competitive prices... and I have really good news - I have found the store for You. It carries many more items than only those that I am going to talk about in this newsletter, so, You can safely turn to their website to find assistance with other health problems. Plus, I am going to give You a code that You can use for Your first order that will give You an extra $ 5.- off Your purchase.

Saint-John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) – Common Saint John’s Wort is a shrubby, perennial herb that enjoys moist, open places. Its leaves are pale green with lots of light dots, where etheral oils have gathered. Its bright yellow flowers appear from June to September.

Interesting fact: The name Saint-John’s Wort comes from the fact that the plant is usually gathered on St. John’s day (Midsummer). It is also known by the names klamath weed and goat weed.

History: Saint-John’s Wort was well used by ancient Greeks and Native Americans for its medicinal purposes. Later it was also used in divination. It was believed to ward off evil spirits, mental illness, and thunderbolts and to make its bearer invincible in battle. Those who were not yet married placed the plant under their pillow at Midsummer-night in hopes of dreaming about their true loves.

Rich in: Of this plant, all above-the-ground parts are used. It contains flavonoids; etheral oils; tannins; bitter principles; red resin; hyperecin; nicotine acid; vitamins C, P, PP, and carotene; saponnin; and choline.

Internal use: Saint-John’s Wort is a mood-enhancing herb. It is a natural healer for depression, anxiety, hysteria, menopausal irritability, and insomnia. It can calm fear and frustration. It contains antispasmodic, sedative, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antimicrobial, expectorant, and diuretic properties. St. John’s wort is very helpful in case of all pulmonary complaints, all urinary complaints, dysentery, diarrhea, worms, colitis, hemorrhage, catarrh, rheumatism, coughs, colds, sciatica, liver problems, large- and small intestine spasms, jaundice, tuberculosis, headaches, metrorrhagia, and other women’s problems. It strengthens the walls of the capillaries and improves venous blood circulation.

External use: The tea is used as a compress on wounds and ulcers and as a mouthwash in case of stomatitis, gingvitis and bad breath.

Do not use in case of: pregnancy and when trying to conceive. The plant increases photosensitivity, so do not use when staying in the sun. Some studies have shown that St. John’s wort can lower the effectiveness of the pill by almost 50%.

Link: http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=3410&at=0

Discount code: RIK486

Valerian Root (Valerian officinalis) – Valerian root is native to Europe, South Africa, North America, and temperate areas of Asia. There are about 150 different species of valerian. Even though valerian is a large attractive plant with small white or pink flowers, its fragrance is far from being attractive. The ancient Greek and Roman doctors Dioscorides and Galen both complained about the smell of valerian in their writings. Strangely enough, the scent of valerian is pleasing to cats. Actually, some Victorian physicians suggested that the quality of valerian could be determined by how cats reacted to it... so, if You have a cat, try on it first.

History: The Piute Indians ground valerian root for flour. Native Americans used it to treat horses with distemper. During medieval times, it was used as a condiment and in the 16th century even as a perfume. During the Middle Ages, valerian was considered to be an “all heal” herb. At the time of the World War I, valerian was given to shell-shocked soldiers and stressed civilians. Throughout the centuries, valerian has been used for numerous disorders, mostly related to the nervous system. It is often used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines.

Rich in: Both the root and the rhizome are used for their healing properties. The major healing components found in the valerian root are volatile oils: valepotrits, valerenic acid, valeranone, and valereal. Those essential oils are found only in valerian. Some other substances in the valerian root include the essential oils pineole, borneol, cineole, carophilene, and azulene; alkaloids; rutin; beta sitosterol; salicylic acid, caffeic acid; B-group vitamins; and the minerals manganese, calcium, and choline.

Internal use: The essential oils in the valerian root exert anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, and nerve-calming effects on the body. Alkaloids in the plant relieve pain and relax the body. Valerian root contains carminative properties that help to tone, soothe, and stimulate the digestive and elimination systems. Valerian contains a stabilizing effect on the blood pressure, gastrointestinal, and respiratory tracts, and it is an anti-thrombotic that can be used to prevent the formation of blood clots. The herb calms the stomach while encouraging the release of digestive enzymes and reducing the pain and discomfort of ulcers. It alleviates cramps, gas, and diarrhea and has a soothing effect in case of colitis. Valerian is also helpful in the treatment of asthma, though its greatest value is in the treatment of irritability, depression, fear, anxiety, nervous exhaustion, hysteria, delusions, nervous tensions, attention deficit disorder, and insomnia. Valerian helps one to fall asleep quickly and also greatly improves the quality of sleep. After a cup of valerian tea, one will wake up very rested and alert. Valerian is also helpful in treating shingles, sciatica, neuralgia, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. It effectively treats the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy (numbness, tingling sensation, pain, and muscle weakness) and a variety of nervous disorders in children: restlessness, sleep disorders, hyperactivity, learning disorders, bed wetting, anxiety, headache, and the habits of thumb sucking and nail biting. Valerian is effective in treating tachycardia by slowing down the heart while gently increasing its force. It is also effective in regulating arrhythmias.

Good to know: Valerian has no side effects and does not promote dependency. There is even no synergistic effect when the herb is taken with alcohol. It can be taken safely along with other prescription drugs. Valerian is used extensively in Europe where it is accepted by orthodox medicine.

My testimony: I personally have used this herb in a pill form during one of my travels. I had real difficulty in falling asleep due to all the excitement of each day. Luckily my sister, who is much more organized and prepared than me, had a whole bottle of valerian with her... which I managed to devour to the last pill, sleeping like a baby. It does the trick with no side effects and no dependency.

Link: http://www.iherb.com/ProductDetails.aspx?c=1&pid=830&at=0

Discount code: RIK486

I hope You have found some useful tips from this newsletter that You can put into practice. I wish You all great health in Your body, mind and spirit,

Eve

Body-Mind-Spirit Health, Fitness & Beauty in Organic Way

http://www.TheSpringOfLife.net