Monthly Archives: April 2010

As an herbalist, I want to share important information regarding medicinal herbs. I will be posting valuable information about my favorite herbs. Please feel free to post comments or questions about any medicinal herbs that may be of interest to you.

Keep your eye out for future posts.

Arnica is one of my favorite herbs. Arnica has been used for centuries for Acute Strains and Sprains. Externally, it can help to resolve  strains, sprains, bruises, dislocations and chilblains. Internally (homeopathically), it can help the injury to heal.

Arnica Montana and Arnica chamissonis are the two botanical names for this medicinal herb. The Arnica Montana grows at high altitudes and Arnica chamissionis grows at lower altitudes. They both have the same healing properties.

Parts to be used are the flowers, which can be extracted into an alcohol base for a liniment, or in olive oil for a more massaging application. One can also make an infusion in water and soak a cloth in the solution and then applied to the affected area. Not to be used on an open wound, or taken internally (except homeopathically), as it can be toxic.

Arnica liniments and Arnica oils are available on our website.

If you have an herb that you would like us to discuss, please feel free to ask me about it.

Thanks

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

There’s been a lot of press lately regarding Vitamin D deficiency. And I just recently received notice of a study showing a 77% reduction in the risk of Cancers by supplementing Vitamin D. Study participants came from the Nebraska counties of Douglas, Colfax, Cuming, Dodge, Saunders, Washington, Sarpy, Burt and Butler.

Subjects were randomly assigned to take daily dosages of 1,400-1,500 mg supplemental calcium plus 1,100 IU of vitamin D3. The RDA recommendations for vitamin D are 200 IU/d, birth-age 50; 400 IU/d, 50-70 years; and 600 IU/d, 70 years and older. This amount is just enough to prevent you from getting rickets.

There is a current study being conducted, which you can participate in and get your Vitamin D tested at a reduced rate, you can check it out at grassrootshealth.net.

On that site they have a down-loadable chart showing past studies and the level of Vitamin D required to prevent certain diseases, such as cancer, high blood pressure, fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis and other diseases.

Natural sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, 10-15 minutes a few times per week mid-day will supply all the Vitamin D you need. But, Who gets that? We put on clothing, sunscreen, hats, scarfs, sunglasses, etc.

If you live above San Francisco, you don’t get any of the rays that give us the Vitamin D in the winter. So it seems that we have to supplement to even get enough.

Precautions should be taken not to get sunburned, these rays are the ones that can cause skin cancer.

The scientists that study Vitamin D are saying that it isn’t really a vitamin, but that it is a hormone and necessary for many chemical pathways in the body. This is why it is influential in helping to reduce the risk of cancers and other diseases in our bodies.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

There are many women that have asked me to post information about Progesterone Cream. Click on the following link to read the FAQ’S:

http://bonnietravisdc.com/htm/h_m/natural_progesterone_faqs.htm

Feel free to ask questions!

It is time to Cleanse that Liver. We traditionally cleanse the liver in the Spring and the Fall. Email me for your Liver Cleanse Instruction sheet, or come by the office and pick up your supplies for doing the Cleanse.