Tips And Readers’ Ideas

Use Junk-Mail Envelopes To Save Seeds

I get a lot of junk mail with free envelopes enclose. Instead of tossing them out, I save them and use them for collecting and storing seeds in fall.

- Mick Leibowitz, Babylon New York

GINGERLY SPEAKING:

Ginger's potent anti-inflammatory action has mostly been attributed to its gingerol compounds. Researchers now find what herbalists have known all along, that several different compounds in ginger work together synergistically. Ginger , particularly the root has been shown to help with acid reflux, and inhibit colon cancer cells. I get great results with ginger in my cool the burn remedy for Teesa's Garden medicinal tea blend.

"The path of the herbalist is to open ourselves to nature in an innocent and pure way. She in turn will open her bounty and reward us with many valuable secrets". May the earth bless you.

- Michael Tierra The Spirit of Herbs: A Guide to the Herbal Tarot.

For this months newsletter I decided to do a tarot reading of one card. This months card pulled from Michael Tierra's deck is Alfalfa king of Pentacles.

Alfalfa

Spiritual properties:
Alfalfa spiritual power is to remove anxiety about money. Taking alfalfa helps us to see our talents and worldly accomplishment as tools for our spiritual reflections rather than as reasons to become more fixed and rigid.

Medicinal properties:
Alfalfa is used to help in the assimilation of protein, calcium and other nutrients. Its cooling properties makes it useful in reducing fevers and joint inflammation. It is beneficial to the blood especially for arthritis and anemia.

Dose/Preparation:
Carrying some alfalfa in a pouch will help both in reception of the spiritual and medicinal qualities. It will help with inner security with out being fixated on past achievements. Fresh alfalfa can be eaten in soups, salads or as a steamed vegetable. A tea can be made using one -two teaspoons of alfalfa per cup of boiled water.

Stove top Spinach, Alfalfa and Swiss Cheese Strata

6 Large eggs
1 !/2 cups milk
1/4 tsp each salt, pepper, Teesa's Garden Mamma Mia Spice Blend
1 1/4 cups shredded Swiss cheese
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion, chopped
5 slices firm white bread, cut into 1 in cubes
1 pkg (10oz) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 package fresh alfalfa sprouts found in the spice aisle of grocery store
Garnish: Chopped tomato

1. Beat eggs, milk, salt, pepper and Teesa's Garden Spice Blend in medium bowl.
2. Stir in 1 cup of cheese.
3. Melt butter in 10in deep nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute 2 minutes until softened. Add bread cubes and cook, stirring, 3minutes or until bread is lightly browned. Reduce heat to low and stir in spinach. Pour egg mixture evenly into skillet. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until egg mixture is just set.
3. Meanwhile, preheat broiler. If skillet handle is not ovenproof, wrap in foil. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Broil 4 in. from heat, 1 to2 minutes until browned.
4. Scatter tomato on top. Serves 5.

Brushing Teeth Reduces Heart Disease Risk

As a Herbalist and a moonlighting Dental Hygienist I have seen a lot of health in my patients. I recommend Herbal mouth aids and Brushing to reduce heart disease risk.

Dental health affects more than the mouth, as previous research has linked it to other health issues. A recent study showed that the less frequently the teeth are brushed, the higher the risk for developing heart disease. The study conducted in England with over 11,000 participants with the results published in the British Medical Journal, involved interviewing people about their teeth-brushing habits. More than half the respondents reported seeing a dentist four times a year and almost three-fourths reported brushing their teeth twice a day.

After adjusting the data for cardiovascular risk factors such as obesity, smoking, social class, and family heart disease history, the researchers found that people who admitted to brushing their teeth less frequently had a 70 percent extra risk of heart disease. Blood test also indicated that among infrequent brushers there were significantly higher levels of bloodstream inflammatory markers such as fibrinogen and C-reactive protein.

It pays to brush and visit me four times a year to keep you healthy. I design personal programs to keep my patients healthy and provide them with the tools to keep their total bodies healthy. This can include herbal tonic and tooth brush to electric devices.

I practice in Huntington for Dr. Nancy Gress who by the way is also my sister and amazing healer! You can visit her web site at GressDental.com.

Watch out for my Gum Tonic to be available on my web site soon!