Health Benefits of Romerillo {eat your weeds #2}

 

Bidens alba - also known as Romerillo, Butterfly Needles and Shepherd's Needles - is a weedy plant found abundantly in the Sunshine State. However, it can also be found worldwide. There are more than 40 native species in the United States alone and over 230 across the globe.

 

At first glance, this plant doesn't look like anything special. In fact, most people see it as a nuisance! A pest to get rid of!

 

For one thing, it has these little clusters of sticker-burs that instantly cling onto anything they brush against. Your clothes and dogs' fur especially. I'm sure many of us can happily recall those wonderful times when we brushed against a Romerillo and got covered in the annoying little things - and had to spend 20 minutes just picking them all out.

 

So yeah. At first glance, this seems like just another troublesome 'weed'.

 

Well, guess what. I have news for you.

 

This is more than just a weed.

 

You're looking at me skeptically. Don't try to hide it. I see you over there on your side of the computer, in your little corner of planet earth. You're squinting at the screen right now in major doubt of what I'm about to say.

 

"How on earth could such a cumbersome plant be beneficial to me?"

 

Did you know that for centuries, people have been using this weed for both food and medicine?

 

You didn't? Well, neither did I until several weeks ago when my family visited a local gardener's place and learned quite a bit from him on the topic of wild edibles.

 

 The flowers and tender young leaves and of Bidens alba can be added to salads, and the more mature leaves can be boiled or steamed as a pot herb. A mild tea can be made from the flowers. Some folks have even made wine from them, I hear.

 

It has a good amount of protein, fiber and beta-carotene. Also possesses a good deal of anti-bacterial and anti-cancer compounds and activity.

It's said to boost the immune system and anti-malarial. It's also antileukemic among other things.

 

Here are some of the ailments Romerillo has been used to treat medicinally:

 

• Colds
• Flu
• Snake bites
• Colon cancer
• Blood clots
• Cuts
• Hepatitis
• Bacterial infections
• Inflammation
• Urinary tract infections
• Worms
• Sore throats
• Headaches
• Diarrhea
• High fever

Native American Seminoles would chew on Romerillo leaves if a sore throat was present. I'm guessing for the other issues one would make a tea from the leaves and flowers and drink it throughout the day. Or, dry it and make it into a powder to consume with other food/drink items. Think adding it to your smoothies, that sort of thing.

 

"Antineoplasics phytotherapeutical composition based on Bidens alba, has properties that inhibit the growth of neoplasia.The presence of those properties in the extract and also in the fractions of plant have extreme importance in cancer treatment, with the possibility to obtain drugs with less collateral effects and less resistance development of the carcinogenic cells."

 - BitterrootRestoration.com

 

 

Here's a very helpful video from Green Deane at EatTheWeeds.com.

If you want to really get informed on this particular plant you should watch it. Everything you need to know about identifying Romerillo, cautions to take when harvesting, and all the other topics can be found here!

 

Hope y'all are having a blessed week!

Health Benefits of Plantain {eat your weeds! #1}

 

People stress the importance of storing food for the coming apocalypse or an unforeseen emergency, but many don't consider the abundance of already food available to them in their own backyards.

 

And not only food, but medicine, as well.  

 

People can steal your food supplies but they can't take your knowledge. Ignorance is not bliss! Especially when you have a growling stomach and other mouths to feed, and the grocery stores are wiped clean.

 

Not that we should live in fear, because if you have Christ in your heart there is no reason to worry over anything that threatens to happen in this world.

 

However, wouldn't you rather have knowledge that could potentially save your life?

 

If you live where there is any amount of green, then you can learn which plants you can eat and which ones you can't. Even the 'lowliest' of weeds have much more value than you might think! And not just for survival purposes, either.

 

So, over the next several weeks I'm going to do a series of posts about Florida's wild edibles.  Some of these plants are also found in other states in the US, but since I live in Florida it makes the most sense for me to learn what plants are growing here.

 

Today, we're going to take a look at plantain. (plantago major)

 

It's a very common 'weed' which can be found in just about any field, garden or place where things grow naturally. It is similar vaguely in appearance to the dandelion plant, and it's most distinguishing element is the long, slender shoots that pop up from the plant's center. Look at the picture collage above for examples.

 

Now, I have a story to share concerning my experiences with plantain.

 

When I was around ten or eleven, I reached under a towel outside and got stung by a wasp on my finger. Complaining to Mom about it, I watched in fascination as she picked a plantain leaf and chewed it up quickly. She spit the chewed-up leaf back into her hand and pressed the pulpy stuff on my sore, inflamed finger.

 

Within ten seconds, all pain was gone. Boom. Just like that.

 

Ever since then, plantain has been my go-to for bites, rashes etc.

 

But then I was doing some more reading on the plant today, and I was shocked to discover that the health benefits of plantain expanded far greater than I originally surmised.

 

 

Here's some of the amazing things plantain is used as a remedy for!

• Wounds, bites, burns and most injuries.
• Poison.
• Blood purifier. Cleanses the system of toxins, heat and congestion.
• Fevers, infections and skin diseases.
• Calming of asthma, stomach aches and colic.
• Coughs and sore throats.
• Excessive menstrual bleeding.
• Tuberculosis.
• Blood vomiting, diarrhea, inflammation of the colon.
• Hemorrhage in the stomach and bowels.
• Discourages the discharge of mucous, especially in the respiratory system.
• Allergic conditions such as hay fever.
• Ear infections.
• Prostatic swellings.
• Tonsillitis.
• Urinary infections.
• Dysentery.
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome.
• Fatigue.
• Eczema.

 

That's quite a lot, isn't it? And to think we overlook this homely little plant, thinking it's just a troublesome 'weed'.

 

You can utilize it in many forms. Raw, as a poultice, tincture, or even by juicing the leaves.

You can make a gargle or infusion from it, as well as cough syrup and ointments.

 

For example, here's a recipe which looks very promising.

Revitalizing green juice

3 cups (180 g) fresh plantain leaves

1 cup (250 ml) pure liquid honey

1 opaque glass bottle

 

***

Crush the leaves in a food processor, drain and squeeze in cheesecloth. Combine 1 cup (250 ml) of the green juice with the honey and simmer for 10 minutes at low heat, stirring regularly. Let cool and pour into the opaque bottle.
Take this nectar 1 spoonful at a time like a syrup to treat a cough; also use it to treat a sore throat, anemia, fatigue and eczema: 1 T (15 ml), 3 times daily.

***

 

Next time somebody in your house gets a sore throat, why not give it a try? If one of the kids runs in crying from a bee sting or burn, chew up a couple leaves and have them hold the mash over their sore spot and the pain will subside.

 

I recommend reading this page for yourself if you'd like more information. This is where I got the recipe and a bit of the other info. Very fascinating!

 

Well, hope y'all are having a blessed week! I am!

 

Soli Deo Gloria,

Natural Cosmetics Haul {review}

(Photo courtesy of LynBDesigns)

 

Howdy y'all! Today I thought I'd do something a little different and put together a dual-review post... kind of like a make-up haul.

 

So. What are we looking at for today? Firstly, a bottle of Oobleck nail polish from LynBDesigns.

I was sent this several weeks ago, and practically as soon as it arrived in the mail I tried it on. You can get a small picture of what my nails looked like, in the pictures below. (And of course, a much better example is included above, from the Etsy listing itself.)

 

 

 

I really fell in love with this color. It's such a fun, bright shade and almost a cross between a mint and very light green.

 

 

These photos sadly do not capture the true color of this polish - which is why I included that picture from LynBDesigns to begin with. It's really the only one that fully gives you the accurate color.

 

 

So, this is a pretty decent sized bottle. Lots of polish! I know it will last me a really long while.

 

Now, as much as I adore the color(it even has some flecks of glitter in it!), and as much as I love the fact that this was homemade, I do unfortunately have a few negatives with this polish.

 

The main detail is, that it's very hard to apply. At least, for me it was, anyway. I spent a good 45 minutes trying to get it applied just right without looking sloppy. This was easier said than done, because for some reason the polish had a tendency to clump up on my nail very quickly.

 

 It also took a long time to dry, which hindered the entire process further.

 

I'm certainly no expert at manicures but I also can recognize a nail polish that's difficult to use. Sadly, this is one of those.

 

However, once I got it on without it clumping and looking dreadful, I did like it, and enjoyed wearing it. As previously stated, I just love the color - it's very me.

 

Conclusion: If this stuff was easier to apply, it'd be perfection in a bottle. But sadly, it's not. I'll still use it, but probably not as often as I would had it been less hard to use.

 

 

 

Next up we have two natural, handmade eye shadows from WillowTreeMinerals.

 

I was sent a sample in Iced Latte and Soft Wildflower.

Now, as I always say, I really like to use cosmetic products which are made with natural chemical-free ingredients. These eye shadows certainly fit that bill, which made me happy. Also, I like how these were packaged. Their containers are unique looking, I think.

 

 

I didn't actually choose these colors, they were selected on the basis of being two of the artisans' favorites.

If I'd chosen the colors myself, I probably wouldn't have picked these personally, being a fan of more noticeable, colorful shades. However, I am not against them either.

 

(Photo courtesy of Willow Tree Minerals)

 

The Soft Wildflower is a nice, subtle shadow which is very light and barely noticeable on the skin. It mainly just adds a little sparkle and sheen, so if you want to go very natural and light I can definitely see how this would be a good option.

 

 

Once again my photos today just aren't giving you the picture, sadly.

 

 

The Iced Latte shadow is considerably more noticeable. I wore it Sunday, to lunch, but Mom said I looked like I had dark circles under my eyes. So. This shade was just not for me. I'm sure it would look better on someone else, but I guess my complexion and face just didn't match with this one.

 

 

The verdict on both these shadows? They aren't phenomenal, but they're not terrible either. I liked using the Soft Wildflower and would recommend that one for a light, natural look. I can't honestly recommend Iced Latte though since, well, it just didn't look good on me.

 

Both shadows were a tad hard to apply. I've used powder eye shadow before, so I can say that not all powder shadows are inherently messy.

 

Let me just tell you guys, I hate to give reviews that are anything short of rave sessions. It's...hard to willfully write something negative. Especially when you appreciate the generosity of the business that sent you the item to review!

 

So, a shout out to LynBDesigns and Willow Tree Minerals for letting me be honest about your products, and for providing the products, to begin with!

 

Natural Deodorants {FabHealthFriday}

 

 

 

Hola amigos! After a much delayed gap in posting for FabHealthFriday.....I have returned. *muahahah*

 

After receiving a question about what natural deodorants I used/recommended, I 

decided to focus on that for today's post.

 

In case you may not have thought of this before, most deodorants available in your grocery store or shopping center are terribly bad for you. What are some of the killer ingredients found in the leading deodorant brands these days? For starters, aluminum and parabens.

 

"Aluminum is the most abundant metal and the third most abundant element, after oxygen and silicon, in the earth's crust. It is widely distributed and constitutes approximately 8 percent of the earth's surface layer. However, aluminum is a very reactive element and is never found as the free metal in nature. It is found combined with other elements, most commonly with oxygen, silicon, and fluorine. These "chemical compounds" are commonly found in soil, minerals (e.g., sapphires, rubies, turquoise), rocks (especially igneous rocks), and clays. These are the natural forms of aluminum, rather than the silvery metal. The metal is obtained from aluminum-containing minerals, primarily bauxite. Small amounts of aluminum are even found in water in dissolved or ionic form. Ions are atoms, collections of atoms, or molecules possessing either a positive or a negative electric charge. The most commonly found ionic forms of aluminum are complexes formed with hydroxy (hydrogen attached to oxygen) ions."  (Source)

 

Sooo, doesn't sound horrible, right? Well, just because aluminum may be a natural compound found here on earth doesn't mean it's good for us humans.

 

Aluminum was first recognized as a human neurotoxin in 1886, before being used as an antiperspirant. A neurotoxin is a substance that causes damage to nerves or nerve tissue.

 

Post-mortem analysis of Alzheimer’s infected brains has shown increased levels of aluminum compared to people that did not die from Alzheimer’s.

 

Breast cancer in women has been linked to the aluminum and parabens found in a lot of deodorants.

 

I could go on about aluminum but then I wouldn't have enough time to tell you about the actual natural deodorants which was after all the point of today's post. If you want to learn more about aluminum, google "health effects of aluminum." It's always best to do your own research. 

 

So. Moving on.

 

I don't know about you, but I tend to perspire VERY easily. I also tend to get very stinky very fast, even with deodorant on. This is the straight up truth concerning my under arms. :P

 

I've always envied the girls who didn't have to check every 20 minutes to see if they smelled or not. But envying doesn't get anything done, does it?

 

So,I have tried a longgg list of different natural deodorants. Since I need something with a lot of gumption and heavy strength/durability, it hasn't been easy to find the right product which actually works for me.

 

Here are a few natural deodorants I have used and recommend.

 

Tom's of Maine: I usually need to get a scented one because unscented just doesn't seem to be strong enough for me personally. These are very gentle on the skin and the scents aren't too horrible smelling. My favorites are lavender, and apricot.

 

Personally, I have to REALLY slather this on for it to work. But it does work. And that's all that matters. You can find Tom's deodorants at Wal-mart.

 

 

Jason: I think this one is a little more expensive than Tom's but it is my favorite at the moment. Like with Tom's, I have to really slather it on, but it works decently and I don't mind the smell. Actually I think I like the smell better than Tom's. My favorite scent of Jason's is Aloe Vera. You can find this line in Sweetbay supermarkets and probably at the health food store too.

 

 

 

Crystal: Now, while I don't personally recommend this one if you are like me and need something heavy duty, I thought I'd mention it for you lucky ladies who may be able to get off with something more mild. Crystal deodorants are roll on, and a clear liquid. The main negative I think, besides the fact it doesn't work for me, is how messy it can be. It makes your underarms feel VERY wet. I doubt most people like this kind of feeling, I certainly don't!

 

You can find Crystals at Wal-mart if you want to give them a try.

 

 

Go the home-made route! At one point, I got reallyyyyy desperate and looked up how to make your own natural deodorant, online. I found a simple recipe which only required baking soda and eucalyptus oil, as I recall. It was MESSSSSSSY. Messy, messy, messy. It kinda sorta worked, but the main problem was not getting white powder all over myself and my surroundings, in the process.

Also, it didn't keep very well and got kinda...icky, after a week or so.

 

This was just my personal experience with making home-made deodorants, I know there are other recipes out there which might work better. I just detest powder deodorants in general.

 

Do you have a favorite natural deodorant? Let me know in the comments!

 

Happy Friday y'all!

Ch-ch-ch-Chia Seeds! {FabHealthFriday}

 

"Long ago, before the Spanish conquest of Latin America – and well before the Ch-ch-ch-chia Pet was born – chia seeds were a staple food, like corn and beans, in the diets of the Aztecs and Mayans. Chia actually got its name from the Mayan word for “strength.”

 Aztecs and Mayans consumed chia seeds regularly, grinding them into flour, pressing them for oil and drinking them mixed with water. At this time in history, chia seeds were considered to be almost 'magical' because of their ability to increase stamina and energy over long periods of time.

After the Spanish conquest of Latin America, chia seeds and their benefits became somewhat eclipsed, as the Spanish introduced their own foods and prohibited the farming of chia. Now, as modern scientists and nutritionists are recognizing the extreme lack of certain nutrients in the standard American diet, they are looking to history for natural solutions, including chia. Because of this, it is regaining popularity and its benefits are becoming known to modern America.

The chia seeds are “super” because, like a superfruit, they deliver the maximum amount of nutrients with minimum calories. They have several of the same benefits as the more well-known “super seed” flax, but unlike flax seed, you don’t need to grind them to reap the health benefits. The nutritional benefits of chia include fiber, omega fatty acids, calcium, antioxidants and much more – even protein! Chia absorbs up to 12 times its own weight and expands to curb your appetite, so adding just an ounce or so of chia seeds to your diet can reduce caloric intake and help lower the energy density (or calories) of foods, plus double the amount of fiber you receive."  (Information source)

 

 

 

If you haven't guessed by now what we're going to talk about today, it's the fabulous little chia seed.

 

Part of the Bulk Herb Store order we got recently (read about it here), I have just started adding it to my diet. My favorite way to have it is to throw a teaspoon of the tiny seeds in a salad, with almonds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and fresh greens from the garden; topped with my homemade Italian vinaigrette.

They are hardly noticeable in the salad because they are just so teeny! So it's not trouble at all getting them in my body.

 

 

 

Here are some of the many, abounding health benefits of chia seeds:

 

1. Helps with weight loss/maintaining a healthy weight.

2. Boosts metabolism and stamina.

3. Is a good source of calcium.

4. EXCELLENT source of essential omega 3 fatty-acids. In fact, chia seeds have more of this than salmon which is famous for high omega 3 fatty-acid content.

5. Great source of potassium.

 

If you are an athlete or distance runner you will definitely want to add chia seeds to your diet. Many marathon runners now swear by them. They’ve been known to provide surges of energy during and after a workout.  Being a distance runner myself, I can say I certainly am interested in getting extra energy during my runs!

 

You can eat chia seeds both raw (like I do in my salads) or in cooked items like breads and just about any other food product.  You can eat them by themselves, or mix them into  yogurt and even ice cream or pudding! The possibilities are endless.

 

If you're convinced you need to try some of these amazing little seeds, the Bulk Herb Store has some for sale for a pretty reasonable price.

 

Happy Friday!

Box O' Herbs!

 

 

We got home yesterday to discover that our Bulk Herb Store order had arrived! The dogs had started to tear into the box, (If they had been successful in ruining the herbs, I swear I'd have shot them. -_-) but thankfully everything inside was fine.

 

After watching a number of the BHS's health videos and reading a number of articles I convinced Mom get us stocked up on more Berry Herbal Brew, Brain Booster tea and a variety of other healthful herbs. This shipment was very much anticipated.

 

Is it strange for a girl to get all excited over a box of herbs, bentonite clay and diatamaceous earth?

And is it even stranger that the girl couldn't resist getting photos, to boot?

 

In case you didn't already know, I am obsessed with the world of herbs, plants and natural healing. I'd say it is a healthy (haha, pardon the pun!) obsession though since I am training to be an herbalist and naturopath. The knowledge of how to use these ingredients can save lives, if not save a lot of pain and sweat.

 

I am still debating whether or not to do a WriterlyWednesday post tomorrow, or to instead post a movie review. What do you think? Maybe I'm just being lazy, but with running APOC (Hey, have you checked it out yet? Click here to do so!) and also contributing to Randomosity Writers on Wednesdays, I just haven't been as eager to do WW posts lately. Not to mention the eons of work I have to do with my own personal writing projects. I love writing, y'all, but I guess I just feel kinda overloaded with it right now.  Still pondering how my MMC Griffin's (from my screenplay) recurring nightmares should happen, and what goes on in his mind during their progressions.

Don't you just love plotting how your characters' nightmare should go?  O_O

 

Bah. Oh well. It'll come to me. And I guess that was totally off-topic as usual.

 

Just forget I even said anything about writing. Yes. Forget. Think instead about how amazing fenugreek seeds are. ^_^ (Spellchecker hates that word! It's trying to get me to replace it with phonograph and encourager. XP)

 

Berry Herbal Brew {FabHealthFriday}

 

{Hola amigas y amigos!}

 

Todayyyyy, I have the privilege to talk to all you fabulous people about something really amazing in the realm of natural health and herbalism.

 

What is it?

 

None other than the famous Berry Herbal Brew from The Bulk Herb Store!

 

This powerhouse of nutritional goodness contains Indian gooseberry, Bilberry fruit, Bilberry leaf, pomegranate, fig leaf, and grape leaf powder.

 

Short Description:

(taken from bulkherbstore.com)

 

Berry Herbal Brew is a unique blend of specially formulated ingredients that combine during the fermentation process to release their healthful benefits, including antiviral, antimicrobial, and very high antioxidant properties. The herbs are useful in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, inflammation, cancer, diabetes, heart disease, liver function and eye health. The combination of nutrients and elements help prevent vision and eye problems, improve brain function, balance digestion, are a good source of vitamin E and C, very strong in anti-cancer actions, improve heart disease, as well as help degenerative nerve diseases, viral infections and mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease.

 

  (You can learn more about the incredible, miraculous results of taking this blend in Debi Pearl's The Vision book.)

 

-

Soooo, Mom bought two pounds of this and I made up a batch. It takes a minimum of 3 weeks to ferment and from then on, you can take 3 oz. of it every day if you want! (That is the recommendation, for adults and older kids/teens. Kids should only take 1 oz./1/8 cup.)

I put it in several glass Mason jars...two half-gallon, and one quart-sized. I would suggest that if you decide to make up your own batch, consider making TONS of it. Meaning, buy at least several pounds or more and make it in bulk. If you have a large family this stuff goes really quick!

 

I will warn you, that this is nothing to mess around with. The fermentation process renders it a bit alcoholic, so don't take any more than 3 ounces/3/8 cup of it daily. And as stated above, kids don't need to have any more than 1 oz. daily. 

The taste? Woah. Let's just say....it's STRONGGGGG. Strong as in you get a strange, numbing sensation in your throat as it travels down the esophagus. It almost takes your breath away.

 

But from my experience, it is the stronger, more unpleasant-tasting things which are the best for your body. Garlic. Apple cider vinegar. Oil pulling. Cold tinctures.

 

I was immediately interested in the Berry Herbal Brew when I saw it, primarily because BHS said it helped with getting better eyesight. My eyesight isn't horrible, and I can see just fine without corrective lenses of any kind, but at the same time my vision isn't 20/20.

 

So I have been looking for way to improve my vision, naturally.

 

But there are so many other benefits that come with drinking the Berry Herbal Brew. I have heard amazing stories from people who have used it, and can't wait to see the effects in my own body and my family's bodies as well.

 

If you want to purchase your own Berry Herbal Brew mix, or get more information, visit here.

 

Have a blessed weekend!

 

 

 

 

Oil Pulling {FabHealthFriday}

Who here has ever heard of oil pulling? If you have, you probably already know about the amazing health benefits of this interesting practice. But for those of you, who, like me, until 2 weeks ago, had no clue about what it is, this post is for you.

What is oil pulling?

Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic remedy for oral health and detoxification. It involves the use of pure oils as agents for pulling harmful bacteria, fungus, and other organisms out of the mouth, teeth, gums and even throat. How this works? You take a tablespoon of melted organic coconut oil (We get ours from TropicalTraditions.com and highly recommend them) OR organic sesame seed oil and swish it around in your mouth for anywhere from 10-20 minutes.

It may seem like a while to hold the oil in your mouth. And in the beginning, it can certainly feel that way. It is something you must get accustomed to doing. What I did is set the timer for 20 minutes, and then try to go about my regular business....chores, writing, school, etc.  Maybe this could be your computer time spell since time seems to go by quicker while on the internet. Just remember to keep that oil moving inside your mouth. If you get tired of swishing, use your tongue to push the oil around. Just don't swallow! The oil is pulling toxins and bacteria from your gums, tongue, and roof of your mouth, you don't want to reabsorb these toxins again by ingesting. Also, do not lean your head back and gargle the oil.

If 20 minutes is too long (or even 10 minutes, for that matter) and gets tiring for you, spit out the oil in the toilet and get another fresh tablespoon. Swish it around for the remainder of the time.

When you're done, spit the oil into the toilet and rinse very thoroughly. Keep in mind all the bacteria, germs and toxins which were just extracted, and this should cause you to want to rinse very, very well. I like to even brush my teeth after a oil pull. (I do it in the morning after breakfast which is convenient for the teeth-brushing)

What are the health benefits of oil pulling?

• Overall strengthening of the teeth and gums and jaws.
• Prevention of diseases of the gums and mouth, such as cavities and gingivitis.
• Prevention for bad breath
• Potential holistic remedy for bleeding gums
• Prevention of dryness of the lips, mouth and throat.
• Possible holistic treatment for TMJ and general soreness in the jaw area.
• Migraine headache relief
• Correcting hormone imbalances
• Reducing inflammation of arthritis
• May help with gastro-enteritis
• Aids in the reduction of eczema
• May reduce symptoms of bronchitis
• Helps support normal kidney function
• May help reduce sinus congestion
• Some people report improved vision
• Helps reduce insomnia
• Reduced hangover after alcohol consumption
• Aids in reducing pain
• Reduces the symptoms of allergies
• Helps detoxify the body of harmful metals and organisms

Scientists believe that the lipids in the oil both pull out bacteria, as well as stop bacterial from sticking to the walls of the oral cavity. Oil pulling reduces the amount of S. mutans (germ) count in both teeth plaque and mouth saliva.

 In addition, oil pulling may also increase saponification in the mouth, creating a soapy environment that cleanses the mouth as vegetable fat is an emulsifier by nature. Oil pulling cleanses out harmful bacteria, as well as reduces fungal overgrowth. These oils also possibly help in cellular restructuring, and are related to the proper functioning of the lymph nodes and other internal organs.

Oil pulling has been said to aid people in weight loss. So if you're wanting to shed a couple pounds, add this routine to your day and see what happens!

Blown away yet? I could go on. There is lots of information which you can find further on oil pulling, I only gave you the basics today.

Was this helpful to you? Have you ever tried oil pulling? Have any success stories? I'd love to hear about it!

Happy Friday!

How to Get Natural Highlights {FabHealthFriday}

 {Howdy y'all!}

Guess what! As dictated by the title, I'm starting another column here on Apassionata, one specifically for health, herbalism, fitness and natural home remedies. And, as also dictated by the title, it will be posted every (hopefully at least!) Friday!

In today's FabHealthFriday kick-off post, we're going to talk about how to get beautiful, natural highlights in your gorgeous tresses.

Who doesn't love a little contrast in their hair?

I have never, ever dyed my hair, and believe that all women (and men, too, for that matter) have no business doing so. I believe God created all His creatures unique, and beautiful, everyone in his/her own, special way. Even just in the topic of hair, this applies so much. Look at all the different kinds of hair people have! My hair is straight and long, while my best friend's is super curly and shorter. Some people have naturally thick hair, while others complain their's is far too thin.

But whether you have a headful of raven black curls, a mop of fiery red kinks, or straight, coffee-colored tresses, you really should be thankful for the hair that you were born with. I have witnessed too many a lovely young woman dye the life out of their already-beautiful hair. There's nothing wrong with wanting to look nice, and that is indeed in our nature as women to want to do so, but it's a whole other thing when you become discontent with your hair and want to alter it drastically because of that.

Besides, when you chemically dye your hair, you're actually weakening and destroying your lovely tresses. The chemicals in most hair dyes are extremely harsh and can cause a good deal of stress on your locks.

Maybe, however, you have noticed slight, natural highlights of another color in your hair, and you happen to really like those natural highlights. You would like to bring them out, draw attention to them, enhance them.

Or, perhaps you don't exactly have any noticeable highlights and you'd like to naturally add in some.

The following was taken from "Happy Hair at Last", a great hair article on BulkHerbStore.com. (love that site!)

"Do you want to have red highlights? I did last spring! You can get beautiful red highlights by using Calendula Flowers, Red Rooibos Tea, Red Rose Petals and/or Hibiscus Flowers as a final hair rinse. I simply used a quart jar and put approximately 3-4 teaspoons of the dried herb of choice (you can use just one of the herbs or all four herbs) into the jar and poured boiling water over the herbs. I let it steep for 10-15 minutes, and then strained the herbs out and let the tea cool.

After I shampooed and conditioned my hair, I poured the cooled tea over my hair, catching the tea in a bowl under my head so that I could pour it over my hair several times. I did not rinse my hair after that, but rather let my hair air dry with the tea still in it. You can rinse the tea out of your hair, but if you don’t the highlights will show up more quickly. This is an all-natural way of achieving highlights, so don’t expect the highlights to show up right away. Sometimes it can take a month or two to start seeing the color.

I am going blonde this summer and for blond highlights, I am using Chamomile Flowers (whole or powder will work), Calendula Flowers, and Lemon (peel or juice will work). I had dark highlights last fall and used Rosemary, Nettle Leaf, Black Tea, Lavender, Black Walnut Hull Powder, Cinnamon, and Coffee to get that color. Follow the above red highlight rinse instructions, substituting the blond herbs for blond highlights, or the dark herbs for dark highlights."

I have been using red rooibos tea as a rinse for my hair, the last several weeks. I have natural, auburn/burnt orange highlights in my hair, and I have always loved them. When I came across this article, I was thrilled to discover a chance to naturally bring out and enhance my highlights. I would highly suggest using this article above if you would like to enhance your pre-existing highlights or even get some entirely new ones.

And, besides the tea rinse being a good source for adding and enhancing that natural contrast in your mane, it's ALSO incredibly great for your hair's health in general. Ever since I started using the red rooibos tea as rinse after my shower, my hair has felt healthier and softer. Of course nobody in their right mind would turn away the possibility and chance of having silkier, more vibrant looking hair, no?

Do you have highlights? Have you ever tried enhancing them naturally? I'd love to hear about it!

Blessings,