The Yoga of Herbs

We’ve all heard of yoga before now, thanks in part to the Queen of pop herself, Madonna, but have you heard of the Yoga of Herbs?

The Yoga of Herbs is a book containing the detailed explanation and classification of herbs using the ancient system of Ayurveda, an ancient alternative medicine and healing system. All of the most important and influential herbs are included in this fascinating book including the most commonly used western herbs. All are introduced and explained with a profound Ayurvedic perspective and accompanied by a wealth of beautiful diagrams and charts, as well as detailed glossaries, appendices and an index for easy reference.

The system of Ayurveda is the traditional medicine native to the Indian Subcontinent. It is considered an alternative medicine and remains very influential across South East Asia. Involved in the process of Ayurveda medicine is how herbs, massage and yoga can help cure illness and prevent disease. It is “designed” to not only heal the physical body and keep it strong, but also the mind and spiritual self. The idea is that by keeping all three aspects healthy a person can stay free from a host of conditions or be cured of illness.

Everything from what food to eat, what healthy routines to adopt and a list of rules of ethical conduct are involved with the system of Ayurveda. In this respect it is an all encompassing system for health and is practiced widely across the East, becoming more popular in the West all the time.

Have any of you either read this book “The Yoga of Herbs” or had any experience with the ancient healing system of Ayurveda? As always we would love to hear you ideas and stories so please feel free to write in and leave your comments.

Homemade cough syrup

If you too are suffering from a tickly cough or a cold at the moment, then you might like to try this homemade cold and flu medicine. It’s easy to make, cheap and works brilliantly to soothe the throat, breakdown phlegm and prevent coughing.

First of all, squeeze the juice of a lemon into a bowl. Using a fork, try and scrape as much of the pulp out too as this is all good stuff in the fight against colds and coughs. Lemon dissolves phlegm which makes it the perfect base for a cold and fly medicine. Take 3 to 5 cloves of garlic, peel and grate into the lemon juice. Use as much garlic as you can handle. You will probably need to keep trying it to see what it tastes like. Garlic also dissolves phlegm, particularly in the chest and throat.

Add the same amount of honey as lemon juice into the mixture. Honey also helps break down phlegm and it provides a soothing coat for the throat which often become inflamed and sore from coughing excessively. Honey is a natural preservative and kills infections too. It is an all round excellent remedy for a host of illnesses.

Once the lemon, garlic and honey have been mixed together well, place in a glass jar with a lid and refrigerate. Keeping it cool will stop the garlic from being so potent and it will keep it fresh for longer.

One of the nice things about this recipe is that there are many other variations you can try. For example adding grated ginger will help battle a cold, or a dash of cayenne pepper might just do the trick too by giving it some kick! For something less dramatic, some dried or even fresh peppermint to the base mixture will help rid you of your cold and flu symptoms.

Have you any other homemade recipes or herbal remedies to share? Send in your comments below.

How to banish the winter blues

January is always a difficult month with the excitement of Christmas over and spring nowhere in sight! Here are a few ideas on how to lift the winter blues in quick and easy ways:

1. Play with a dog! This may seem like strange one, but just having fun with a dog for a few minutes a day has been shown in scientific studies to lift your spirits and act as an antidote for depression. You don’t need to rush out to buy a dog; borrow your neighbour's!

2. Sniff a lemon! Again, another strange suggestion, but the smell of citrus has a positive effect on moods according to some scientists.

3. Eat fish twice a week. Omega-3 is excellent at keeping depression at bay. Just 2 portions of mackerel or salmon a week is all you need. Flaxseed is also good and can be sprinkled on anything from ice-cream to omelettes.

4. Take a daily multi-vitamin. This will make sure the body is topped up with all the vitamins and minerals it needs. Vitamin B is particularly good for lifting the mood.

5. Get regular massages. Just 10 or 20 minutes of back massages a few times a week is enough to lift your mood dramatically. It is possibly due to a boost in serotonin levels.

6. Stay up all night. Don’t attempt this if you have to be at work the next day, but staying up all night allows the body to readjust its internal clock so you sleep better in the following days and weeks even.

7. Go for regular walks during the day. Exercise is one of the ultimate mood enhancers so get those trainers on and get out there!

8. Sleep in a different room. This is particularly for those who have trouble sleeping (often due to depression). Having a break from your normal sleeping routine can help you get more sleep.

If any of you have any other suggestions on quick and easy ways to boost your mood, send them in.

What is Chinese Medicine?

Chinese Medicine is the oldest healing system in the world, dating back as far as the 3rd Century BC. The whole idea is based on the principals of yin and yang which are opposite yet complementary universal forces and create balance within the body to allow the free flow of life energy (called qi).

Long term treatment has been known to cure patients of a range of symptoms that they never once associated with their main injury or complaint. It can also improve our body awareness and strengthen the immune system to aid a long and healthy life. The most commonly treated disorders by Chinese Medicine are anxiety, depression, arthritis, migraines, joint pain, asthma, colds and flu symptoms.

It has adapted well over the years so it is still as relevant today as it has always been. Research continues throughout the world into this ancient healing method and the tools involved.

Acupuncture is the most well known tool of Chinese Medicine. This method works by increasing circulation around the body and therefore stimulating the body’s healing process. During an acupuncture treatment endorphins are released which not only relaxes the body but it also regulates serotonin in the brain. Small needles are inserted into the patient’s skin in particular places according to the complaint or illness that needs treating. The needles are placed along the patient’s meridians (which are essentially pathways along which qi travels). By tapping into the energy in this way, the body can restore its balance and rid itself of the complaint for good.

Herbs and herbal remedies are a big part of Chinese Medicine. Herb formulations can be made from all sources including animal, mineral, fruit, seed and plant sources. Generally the herbal remedies can be taken in either a pill or tablet form, or as a tea. Here at Baldwin’s we have a range of products available and if you would like to know more about any of them, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Have any of you tried Chinese Medicine? Did it work and cure you of the complaint? Send in your comments about Chinese Medicine below.

St John’s Wort

This herbal remedy has become very widely used around the world in the past couple of decades. It is considered by doctors and scientists across the globe as a valid form of medication for mild to moderate depression. Mental health problems, in particular depression are very prevalent throughout the world, and many sufferers rely on medication or anti-depressants to help. St John’s Wort offers a totally natural treatment for depression and because of this there are absolutely no side effects.

It isn’t so surprising that a natural substance such as St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum) would be an effective medication as many of the drugs and medicines we see on the shelves today have a plant or flower base to them. Hundreds of tests and experiments have been carried out to determine what illnesses or conditions St John’s Wort is effective for treating. These have included depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, HIV, anxiety disorder, seasonal affective disorder and even dermatitis. Whilst many of first test results showed promising results for a good selection of these illnesses, there is not currently enough scientific evidence to suggest that St John’s Wort is an effective treatment for anything other than mild to moderate depression. However for this condition, St John’s Wort is a very powerful aid.

Time and time again scientific tests show St John’s Wort to be effective at tackling depression. It should be stated however that it is not very effective in cases of very severe or extreme depression, but for the millions of people who are affected by mild to moderate depression, it is an excellent medication. It allows people to be free from chemically produced drugs for which prescriptions are needed. Have any of you tried St John’s Wort and have you found it be effective? We would love to hear your comments or suggestions about this herbal remedy.

Protect yourself from Flu this winter

Winter is upon us once again, only this year we have seen a rather rampant and dangerous flu reeking havoc across the globe that although has simmered down now, could potentially rear its ugly head again in the future. Although health care professionals in the UK seem confident another bout could be dealt with efficiently and risks kept to a minimum, there are a few natural things you can do to protect yourself and decrease the chances of catching any flu, swine or the plain old seasonal variety.

Solid deep sleep, plenty of exercise and a diet packed full of fruits and vegetables is the number one step to take. This will ensure your immune system is working at its peak performance levels which is important when battling illnesses and disease. Berries, beans and green tea are especially good for your immune system.

Try and get at least 8 hours of deep uninterrupted sleep each night. Instead of watching TV until 11, go to bed at 10 with a book and you will find yourself dropping off in no time. Watching TV tricks our bodies into thinking we are not tired, when really we are. For exercise, spend at least 30 minutes each day doing something that raises your heartbeat just a fraction. Even just hoovering the house is enough, no one is asking you to train for a marathon!

Introduce more garlic into your life if you really want to fight the flu! Studies have shown it is not just vampires that it wards off, but also cold and flu symptoms. You could make some really garlickly salad dressings, or make a healthy pizza with masses of garlic sprinkled on top. Yes, you may smell a little, but that is still better than catching a cold or even worse the flu.

Have any of you got any ideas of how to ward off colds, coughs and the flu? Send in all your comments below including any top tips you have.

What is a herbal tincture?

A herbal tincture is an alternative to infusing herbs as the tincture can be added directly to a drink such as water or fruit juice. To make a herbal tincture, the herb is placed in a mixture of alcohol and water and then left at room temperature for 2 to 4 weeks. As this point the mixture is filtered and bottled. Generally the ratio of tinctures is 1 part herb to 3 parts liquid. The alcohol solution can vary in strength between 25% and 60%.

Because of the ease taking tinctures, they are particular popular amongst business travellers or those of us on the go. Just a few drops in a drink in the morning if all you need to do to receive the full benefits of the particular herb you taking. The small bottle is easily portable and very convenient too.

Here at Baldwin’s, not only do we offer discounts on large sizes of all our herbal tinctures, but at the moment we also have a 20% discount on our Baldwins Echinacea (angustifolia) Herbal Tincture. This is a good way to experience a herbal tincture without spending much money. You can receive all the benefits of a herbal tincture at Baldwin’s, but without any of the cost.

The benefits of herbal tinctures are numerous. Only a very small amount of the herb is needed and the solution stays potent and strong for many years. There are some herbal compounds that can only be extracted using alcohol, and the small but potent dosage goes to work right away.

Have any of you taken herbal tinctures in the past? Do you think they are something that is worthwhile, or did you not feel many of the benefits. Send in all of your comments below about herbal tinctures.

Help in the battle against hayfever

Hayfever affects millions of Britons every year with around one in 10 adults being affected. It is caused by an allergy to either tree pollen or grass pollen and is therefore more prevalent in the summer months when pollen counts are higher than in winter.

There are a few precautions you can take to help fight against the itchy eyes and continuos sneezing that hayfever causes which I shall outline below. If I have missed any out or you have a home made remedy that helps, please send them to me!

• Rub vaseline inside each nostril.
  This will help reduce soreness and to capture pollen before it heads into your nasal passages.
• Wear wrap around sunglasses.
  Wrap around glasses reduce pollens affecting the eyes, so wear them any time you are outside.
• Close windows.
  Never sleep with the bedroom window open, now matter how hot it gets! Also keep the car windows closed when you are driving.
• Don’t change your clothes in the bedroom.
  Taking your clothes off before entering the bedroom will ensure that allergens cannot be transfered to where you sleep.
• Wash hair before bed.
  Pollen sticks to your hair and will be transfered to your pillow at night, so remove as much as possible with a hair wash before bed.
• Hang your washing out mid-morning.
  Furthermore, bring it in no later than early evening to avoid bringing into your home more pollen than is necessary.

These are a few top tips for helping combat the nuisance that is hayfever. Of course there are also a variety of anti-histamines that you can take to help too, but if you want to try natural remedies before reaching for the pills and capsules, the ideas above are a good place to start.

Rid yourself of fatigue

If you are feeling a little less than sparkling at the moment there are a few things you can do to perk yourself up. Fatigue effects millions of Britons a year. With long working hours, families to care for and to-do lists a mile long, it is not surprising that at times we all feel a little, well.....exhausted.

I thought this week I would provide a quick list of the things we can all do to revive ourselves quickly and easily.

• Give your diet an overhaul. If you take a very close look at your diet it is likely that you can find areas of improvement. It may be that simply swapping the afternoon biscuits for a handful of grapes will do the trick, or it might be a more thorough change of eating habits is required. Either way, ensuring the majority of your diet is made up of fruit and vegetables will go a long way to cure day long fatigue. Beans, pulses, nuts and seeds in particular provide your body with a good boost of energy. Try some infinity whole foods for a while and see if your fatigue goes away.
• Drink herbal teas. Sad it may seem, fizzy drinks and other caffeine filled, sugary beverages need to go if you want to feel at your best at all times. These drinks are loaded with sugar that will rot your teeth and leave you feeling exhausted. Try delicious herbal and fruit teas instead. Green tea in particular is excellent for waking us up.
• Remove caffeine altogether. We automatically reach for a cup of coffee when searching for some va va voom, but it in fact has the opposite effect in the long term. It is particularly bad to drink caffeine filled drinks at night as it causes our sleep to be interrupted making us groggy in the morning. Herbal teas like nettle, lemon balm and peppermint are an excellent substitute and will ensure your overall health improves too.
• Give up smoking. Smoking causes all sorts of havoc for the body not least of which is poor sleep. If you want to give up smoking but cannot do it on simple will power alone, why don’t you try a hypnosis CD to give you that added helping hand.
• Go to bed earlier. This may seem a little obvious, but instead of watching TV until late, why not go to bed a little earlier and take a great book with you? Reading is much more conducive to sleep whereas the TV simply zones you out and keeps you up when you could be in the land of nod.

I can guarantee that if you put all or even some of these ideas into practice you will soon feel revived and back to your old self. To find out how Baldwins products can help, visit out site. If anyone has any other ideas on how it is possible to rid yourself of fatigue, send in your comments below.

Protect yourself in the heat wave

It so lovely having glorious weather. The parks are filled with people, the paddling pools have all come out and everywhere I look, people are enjoying feeling the sun on their faces. Not wanting to be a killjoy, I just thought I would offer a bit of advice on how you can protect yourself from the dangerous side effects of getting too much sun - the dreaded UV rays can damage the skin, burn it and even cause skin cancer.

Use at least SPF 15 all over your body. As soon as you get up in the morning, coat yourself head to toe in sun cream. Even if you don’t think you’ll be going out in the sun that particular day, it is still possible to get skin damage just from walking to buy your lunch or unloading the car. Just a few minutes is all that the sun and its UV rays needs to cause havoc to your skin.

• Use at least SPF 15 lipbalm. The above advice can also be applied to your lips. They burn too and need protection against the sun.
• Wear a hat. Ideally one with a wide brim or a type of fishing hat as this offers the most protection shading your eyes, ears, head and neck.
• Wear sunglasses. This will help protect your eyes against the ferocious sun. Just remember to give your face a good covering of sun cream or else you will end up with panda eyes!
• Do not sit out in the hottest part of the day. By all means we should enjoy the sun, but sitting out and roasting your face and body between the hours of 10 and 4 is really not a good idea. The sun is at its most fierce during this time and can burn the skin quickly.

Who knows how long this heat wave will last, but whilst it does, enjoy it, let it lift your mood and have a nice BBQ with friends. As long as you take sensible precautions, drink plenty of water and keep your sun cream topped up, you will be fully protected and safe. Contact us at G Baldwin & Co, to buy or know more about Sun Screen Lotion.