Quercetin for Fibromyalgia

Quercetin /ˈkwɜrsɨtɨn/, a flavonol, is a plant-derived flavonoid found in fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains. It also may be used as an ingredient in supplements, beverages or foods.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quercetin

 

Neuro-immunoendocrine disorder

Evidence exists that fibromyalgia is a neuro-immunoendocrine disorder. Elevations in substance P, IL-6 and IL-8 as well as corticotropin-releasing hormone have been found in thecerebral spinal fluid of fibromyalgia suffering individuals. Increased numbers of mast cell numbers have been found in skin biopsies of some individuals with fibromyalgia. Quercetin, apharmacologically active natural product which possesses anti-inflammatory in addition to mast cell inhibiting properties may be a useful treatment.^[67]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibromyalgia#Neuro-immunoendocrine_disorder

Quercetin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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Discover DNA Ancestry and Genetic History with our DNA Test – 23andMe

Trace your lineage back thousands of years with DNA testing. Deconstruct genetic composition through analysis of dominant and recessive genes, then compare results with stored DNA profiles to create a family tree. Really interesting! Thinking I’ve gotta try this out!

Discover DNA Ancestry and Genetic History with our DNA Test – 23andMe

 

Sunday Morning Blend

Eight o’clock am, sitting on the patio with my laptop,  and peppermint black tea – I enjoy the new day. Chirping birds decorate the morning air with their soft song, while diligently constructing a delicate nest atop the steel metal bracket of a satellite receiver dish.  The leaves vibrate on the trees as a light breeze reveals the pulse of nature’s morning activity.

My Sunday Morning Blend is refreshing, invigorating, and cheery. It evokes positive emotion, and is centering.

Infuser blend, 2-4 drops each:

• Lemongrass
• Clary Sage
• Ylang Ylang
• Grapefruit

* Mix drops in a base of water to prevent burning of the oil.

A Beautiful Delicious Sauce Recipe

Frank Sinatra, Argentina Melbec, and a nice chunky pasta sauce make for a lovely family afternoon.

Here’s my recipe for a great cooked sauce…

Ingredients:

• Jar of Trader Giotto”s Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Sauce
• Olive Oil
• 1 Eggplant
• 2 Zucchini
• 3 large or 5 small Tomatoes, or a Can of Chopped Tomato (drained)
• Turmeric (2 tsp.)
• Cumin (half to full tsp.)
• Red Pepper Powder or Cayenne (half to full tsp.)
• Himalayan Pink Salt  (about a flat tsp. – not too much as the sauce already has plenty of salt)

Wash veggies and chop them as you wish. I like to cut them into very small pieces so the kids don’t pick them out, but it looks nicer when it’s chunkier.

In a medium sauce pot add chopped Zucchini and Eggplant and drizzle enough olive oil to prevent sticking, but not enough to fry them or puddle at the bottom of the pot. Cook on medium high until they begin to turn transparent.

Now season with Himalayan Salt, then Turmeric, Cumin, and Red Pepper. Cook time was around 10 minutes.

Now add the tomato. Cook until the excess moisture has evaporated and they become more of a tomato paste. This should take 5 minutes or so.

Now add the Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Sauce, stir well, and simmer on low heat for about 45 minutes. Stir this occasionally, and taste test it to adjust spices as needed. I added a little extra olive oil to the mix when it was 10 minutes from serving, while still on the low flame.

Serve over fresh raw veggies; or on Wild Rice, Pasta, Quinoa; or use as Pizza Sauce.

 

Aromatherapy – Vibrational Frequency of Essential Oils

Read the full detail here:  Vibrational Frequency of Essential Oils

Excerpt:

For example, here are the average frequencies of some of the therapeutic grade essential oils that have been measured:

• Rose (Rosa damascene)…………………320 MHz
• Lavender (Lavendula angustifolia)……..118 MHz
• Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)…………….105 MHz
• Blue Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)…..105 MHz
• Juniper (Juniperus osteosperma)…………98 MHz
• Aloes/Sandalwood (Santalum album)……96 MHz
• Angelica (Angelica archangelica)………..85 MHz
• Peppermint (Mentha peperita)…………..78 MHz
• Galbanum (Ferula gummosa)……………..56 MHz
• Basil (Ocimum basilicum)………………….52 MHz

The measured frequencies of essential oils begin at 52 MHz, the frequency of basil oil, and go as high as 320 MHz — the frequency of rose oil. For comparison, fresh produce has a frequency up to 15 MHz, dry herbs from 12 to 22 MHz, and fresh herbs from 20 to 27 MHz. Processed and canned foods have no measurable frequency whatsoever.

Plant Actives

Active Constituents of Plants

The active constituents of plants are the chemical compounds that are responsible for their various medicinal actions, both in the body and on the skin.

Plant-derived active constituents specifically include volatile oils, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, saponins and a variety of other components as outlined below.

• Volatile Oils
• Phenols
• Tannins
• Flavonoids
• Saponins
• Proanthocyanins
• Polysaccharides
• Glucosilinates
• Vitamins and Minerals

By understanding a little about some of the chemical constituents found in plants, we may find it easier to better understand how and why they work on the skin.

Volatile Oils

These are the aromatic compounds extracted from plants to produce essential oils, which are their most medicinally active components.

Essential oils are usually made up of 100 or more compounds, such as a-pinene, b-pinene, citral, citronellol, eugenol, farnesol, geraniol, limonene, linalool and nerol. Each compound within an essential oil gives the oil its active properties.

For example, chamazulene, which is found in Chamomile (Matricaria recutita), is a strong anti-inflammatory and, as such, is consumed as a soothing tea and included in many skin care products.

via Active Constituents of Plants | Chemical Compounds | Alchemilla, Oregon.

Making Medicinal Cooking Oil from Cannabis

Read Extracting Cannabis Oil and Cooking with Cannabis with our host Primo Pot – YouTube

• 1 oz.  Sweet Leaf Cannabis or 1/2 oz Dried Flower Buds (crushed very well)
• 2 cups Oil
• Double boiler
• Cheese cloth to strain
• Plastic gloves to handle oil during straining process

Ensure the cannabis is completely dry, as moisture will cause oil to spoil much faster, and may affect the flavor.

Fill the bottom of the double boiler with water. In the top pot of the double boiler, mix medicine and oil well enough to saturate.

Cover and bring to a boil. Once the water is at a rapid boil, turn the heat to low and allow to simmer. Periodically check that water has not boiled dry, or your oil will burn and destroy the medicinal oil. Also give the oil mixture an occasional stir. Heat like this for no less than one hour.

Turn off your heat source and let the double boiler sit in place for an additional hour.

Here’s an article on making a grape press, which would more efficiently drain the infused oil from the marijuana.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5837909_homemade-grape-press.html

Storing your oil:

Preferably, keep oil in a tinted glass container. You can also use clear glass or porcelain.

Do not use a plastic or metal container.

 

Turmeric

Turmeric has been a staple in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years. It is a potent herb with noteworthy and vast application.

Although, you should be thorough in your research before taking Turmeric as a supplement. While it may be just the solution to that which ails you, it has as many potential side effects as it has benefits.

Properties

• Anti-Inflammatory
• Anticancer
• Antioxidant
• Anticoaulant

Benefits & Uses

• Arthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Liver  problems, jaundice, hepatitis
• Cancer, Skin cancer – prevention and treatment
• Greatly reduce skin sensitivity and sores caused by Radiation Therapy
• Depression, Low energy, Fibromyalgia
• Blood clots, amenorrhea (absence of menstruation)
• Psoriasis, Scabies, Eczema, Ringworm, Bruises
• Headache
• Viral infections, Cold and Flu, Bronchitis, Fever
• Loss of appetite, stomach cramps, gas, indigestion, bloating,
• Kidney and bladder problems

Buying Turmeric

Turmeric is readily available in most areas at any local supermarket or drug store.

Opt for Organic
Buying USDA certified product will ensure that it’s free from toxic pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, sewage, radiation, and preservatives. It will not contain any fillers or preservatives. If using turmeric for its heath benefits, take the care in selecting a product that is pure and unadulterated.

Forms available include:

• Turmeric Powder – available in the spice isle at the market
• Essential Oil
• Capsule

Application & Use

Ingesting through culinary use

Supplement / consume pill as labeled

Mouth gargle

• Glass of hot water
• 1/2 tsp. Turmeric Powder
• 1/2 tsp. Salt

Precautions

• Do not use during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, or give to children as a supplement.
• While used for treatment of gallstones and gallbladder issues, use caution and ask your doctor. Gallbladder contractions produced by Turmeric can be a painful side effect.
• Do not take before a surgery as it may effect your body’s ability to clot blood. Possible brain hemorrage / stroke have been reported.
• Potential interaction with prescription and over-the-counter medications, as it may affect how the liver processes some drugs.
• Diabetes and hypoglycemia patients: Use cation. Interference with medications have been reported. Check with your doctor first.
• Cholesterol patients: Turmeric raises HDL (good) cholesterol, and may increase the effects of certain cholesterol medication. Levels should be monitored closely.
• Stomach problems such as indigestion are common with excessive use. Ulcers have been reported when Turmeric is combined with certain medications.

Here’s a great resource listing drug interactions by Kristi Monson, PharmD & Arthur Schoenstadt, MD:

http://gerd.emedtv.com/turmeric/turmeric-drug-interactions.html

Ease Arthritis with this natural concoction:

From How to Use Herbs Such As Lemongrass to Treat Arthritis | eHow.com 

1. • 1

     Place two cups of organic coconut oil, one ounce of organic dry lemongrass, five tablespoons each of turmeric powder and cayenne pepper powder in an 8-inch square glass oven pan and mix well. If coconut oil is solid, melt in a double boiler before blending with the herbs.

   • 2

     Put pan in preheated oven at 150 degrees for three to four hours.

   • 3

     Strain herbs with a cheese cloth or coffee filter into a glass jar and close lid tightly.

   • 4

     Keep at room temperature, which will make the ointment solid in colder climates and more liquid in hotter regions.

   • 5

     Apply on skin to relieve joint pain as often as needed.

Interactions

Side Effects of Turmeric on the Liver

from Side Effects of Turmeric Supplements | eHow.com

People using medications need to be aware that turmeric could interfere with how the body processes some drugs. Certain drug levels may increase in the blood, which can cause serious adverse reactions in the liver. Therefore, a doctor, pharmacist or healthcare professional should be consulted as to the possibility of adverse drug interactions when turmeric is used along with medicine.

FLAXSEED: Estrogen

Flaxseed is sometimes tried for cancer because it is broken down by the body into chemicals called “lignans.” Lignans are similar to the female hormone estrogen – so similar, in fact, that they compete with estrogen for a part in certain chemical reactions. As a result, natural estrogens seem to become less powerful in the body. Some researchers believe that lignans may be able to slow down the progress of certain breast cancers and other types of cancers that need estrogen to thrive.

via FLAXSEED: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions and Warnings – WebMD.

How to Care for Bee Stings

Remove the Stinger

Until Removed, Poison Will Continue Pumping From the Sac

QUICKLY remove the stinger, as venom continues to pump out of the venom sac.
DO NOT SQUEEZE OR PINCH IT, as this will push additional venom from the sac into the wound.
FLICK THE STINGER OUT with your fingers, a credit card, or any other thin, flat, rigid object nearby.
Once the venom sac has been removed, check for any remaining bits of the stinger lodged under the skin.

Remove the stinger by flicking it out, in the direction opposite that of entry, so as not to break it off.

Removing the stinger from a bee after you’re stung should be done IMMEDIATELY, and properly. Do not pinch the stinger to pull it out, but rather flick the stinger out.

* If you are allergic to bee stings, please get immediate medical attention after removing the stinger.

Clean & Treat the Wound

Use soap and water to wash the afflicted area. Again, check for any small bits of the stinger left behind. Once clean and patted dry, mix a blend of essential oils, or use the ones you have on hand.

Essential Oils:

• Lavender – 3 drops
• Eucalyptus – 2 drops
• Tree Tree – 2 drops
• Peppermint – 2 drops

Diluted / Undiluted:

Blend in small dish and apply a dab directly onto the bite. I use this undiluted, directly on skin in local area of the bite. This may cause irritation and oils should always be tested You should not use essential oil directly on the skin without diluting unless you have used the oil and know how your skin will react.

Other Bee Sting Remedies: 

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Use undiluted and apply with a towel, or submerge the wound area in a container.
• Activated Charcoal – Apply as a paste. You may also ingest a dose to absorb toxins in the blood stream.
• Honey – Dab on and cover with a bandage.
• Baking Soda – Mix with just enough water to create a thick paste, then apply to wound.
• Tobacco – Moisten and apply to wound.

* As always, if you are pregnant or nursing, you should consult a doctor or certified professional aromatherapist or holistic medicine practitioner before using essential oils or any other medicine, supplement, herb, or remedy.