THE DOWNLOAD ON BURDOCK ROOT

In my last blog I talked about  my personal ongoing spring liver cleanse and gave my own recipe of loose herbs to create a liver detox.  As we should all be aware the SPRING is know as LIVER SEASON in Chinese medicine.  Also in Chinese medicine the liver is known to rule SKIN, JOINTS AND ANYTHING TO GO WITH THE EYES.  So automatically if you are noticing, break out, eczema, psoriasis, acne or rashes on the skin --your body is crying out to you. If you experience arthritis, joint pain, cracking joints, knee or shoulder pain or stiffness- HELLO AGAIN!! Or, any eyes problems, spots dancing, floaters, pink eye, swollen eyes, itchy eyes....ITS YOUR LIVER CALLING, ARE YOU HOME????  Even if you have none of these ailments, the liver most me cared for in the most delicate way as it rules the body.  Aside from our brain, the liver is King and the large intestines and colon are Queen and known as our "second brain".  For todays blog I want to focus on an herb or vegetable you might have seen at the grocery store or have some familiarity with, but often people I talk to have heard of it, even know what it looks like--but have never actually used it or know anything about its amazing healing qualities.  And the todays winner is ......BURDOCK ROOT.

Burdock has been used for centuries to treat a host of ailments.  It has been traditionally used as a "BLOOD PURIFIER" to clear the bloodstream of toxins, as a diuretic by increasing urine output.  In Japan and some parts of Europe, burdock is eaten as a vegetable and recent studies confirm that burdock has prebiotic properties that can improve health. In particular the endocrine system and as a liver tonic. It can be eaten, but I prefer to get burdock root in fresh dried form (available at most chinese grocery stores or on line.  I have seen it in my local area, so you might ask your local health food store or go online).  If you don't have time or money to get all of herbs listed in my last liver detox blog, you can simplify it down to 2 herbs.  Burdock root and saspirilla .  These two when taken together in a tea is a very powerful  liver tonic.  I highly suggest doing this tea for at least one month during the spring/summer months.  And please give your liver a break, it needs it!!  Much more about the grave importance of the liver and how to cleanse and support it.   I am all about the liver right now.  stay tuned!!

MY SPRING DETOX FORMULA

I am responding to many call about what type of herbs are best for the spring cleansing period.  I am in the midst of a liver, whole body cleanse and here is what I am personally using.  I am using all certified and organic loose herbs by the pound which I find more effective than capsules of tinctures.  If you absolutely don't have the time to get the fresh herbs, tinctures are second best way to go.  

1 part Marshmallow root

1 part Burdock root

1 part Dandelion root and leaf

1 part Milk thistle

1 part Wild cherry bark

1 part Burplerum ( not an absolute but is know in chinese medicine as the the number one liver cleanser/tonic)

1 part Chickweed

simmer for 10 minutes and sip through out the day.  I make one large batch and keep adding to it.  Every 2 days, I discard and start fresh.  

The herb company I ordered my bulk herbs from is called STAR WEST  BOTANICALS.  But people in the hartford area, there is a wonderful health food store in Bloomfield called LIMS HEALTHFOOD in the Copaco center near home depot--- and they have all the medicinal herbs in bulk and are very helpful.  Just bring in this list and they will be able to help find all of these ingredients.  I love to support them because they are local and small business.  xoxo

CONFUSION ABOUT TOXINS, LETS GET CLEAR

So many clients say to me, "I eat a healthy, an organic diet, don't smoke, don't drink,

 so how toxic can I really be?????????"  So let clarify the many ways we are exposed to deadly toxins on a daily basis shall we?????

Toxins are found is *AIR *FOOD* WATER* PERSONAL CARE PRODUCTS* YOUR HOME and countless other places,  but for now lets just focus on these.

There are 2 types of toxins, ENDOGENOUS TOXINS (which are found and produced within the body)  Parasite, yeast, fungi, viruses all contribute to these type of toxins being released within the body and which are being produced every single day within our bodies.

EXOGENOUS TOXINS are found outside the body.  Did I mention, that our negative emotional feelings can also cause the production of toxins????

Some commonly found exogenous toxins found in almost every body care products are:

Sodium laurel sulfate, triclosan (found in antibacterial products), parabens (Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, p-Propylparaben, Butyparaben and Benzylparaben), mineral oil, petroleum, Diethanolamine DEA, Cocamide DEA, Lauramide DEA, alpha and beta hydroxy acids, talc, lanolin...just to name a few.  For homework look in you bathroom and kitchen and see how many products you find that contain one or more of these ingredients, you will be shocked.

Another category of toxins is the TOXIC HEAVY METALS-   The most toxic are ALUMINUM, MERCURY, LEAD, CADMIUM&  ARSENIC.  And they are often found in the most unlikely of places for example.....

*Aluminum is found in antacids, antiperspirants, many baked goods and paint

*Mercury is found in dental amalgams ( silver fillings), fish, vaccines, batteries, fluorescent bulbs, electrical wiring

*Lead is found in old lead pipes, paint, unglazed pottery

*Cadmium is found in industrial processes, mining, batteries

*Arsenic is found in cigarette smoke, rodent poison, insecticides, pesticides.

So not to be a debby downer.  It is a friendly reality check that of coarse healthy lifestyle and eating is supper important,  but is only ONE part of the battle. 

 IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE TO AVOID ALL OF THE TOXINS AND LIVE IN BUBBLE. 

 But we can reduce as many as possible by being more conscious and DETOX, DETOX, DETOX. The more we detox, the more we can combat the negative forces of toxins and live a longer, healthier life.  We don not have to accept the ravages of age.  I myself just turned 40 and seriously look younger than when I was 20.  AND I KNOW THAT IS FROM DETOXING 100%.

 On side note, I had a facial last week and the asethetician   said she couldn't believe how much elasticity and how my skin glowed and that there we no AGE SPOTS.  I laughed, because I know that age spots are nothing but LIVER SPOTS from an overtaxed liver.  We can take charge of our health and beauty.  PLEASE, JOIN ME PLEASE.   NAMASTE