Wise Woman Wisdom ...
We
All Need Weeds:
Strengthening the Immune System
by Marie Summerwood
Marie Summerwood
mentor at the Wise Woman University
http://www.wisewomanuniversity.org/
With the change of season many of us catch colds
or the flu, or some other seasonal illnesses, or healing opportunities.
Herbs and home remedies are important as strengtheners and
restorers of our immune systems. One or two well-placed regular
herbal choices can help carry us through the season. But let
me mention several and you might choose some from the list.
Some are strict herbal remedies such as tinctures, others
are herbs that work their way into the diet easily, such as
herbal infusions and soups.
Simple and effective, inexpensive and impossible to measure
since so much preventive care happens with herbs. But our
bodies know, and we often hunger for the right herbs, if we
know a few to choose from. I know when I get too stressed
I want nettle leaf infusion everyday for days; then I feel
restored and I keep drinking it. Buy organic if possible,
it's not that much expensive. Place 1 C dried nettle leaf
in a quart jar. Fill to the brim with boiling water, stir,
cover, and let sit on the counter overnight or for four hours.
The deep dark liquid is a coilloidal suspension and both the
liquid and the suspended food particles are exquisite sources
of many mineral salts, including iron, calcium, zinc and more.
Nettle leaf is also considered completely safe herb for restorative
treatment for the kidneys and adrenals.
No article about this topic would be complete without reference
to Echinacea root. The tincture works very well to nourish
production of white blood cells and other immune system components
that travel throughout the body fighting infection. The general
dose is 1 drop of tincture per pound of body weight. It can
be taken several times a week or several times a day, once
per hour, when dealing with active infection. I carry a full
tincture bottle around with me when I am sick.
Usnea barbata is a lichen that grows on trees in rain forests,
both tropical and temperate. It contains usinic acid which
enhances and tonifies the actions of our immune systems. No
side effects are reported from even substantial longterm use
of this tincture although as with any new herb, take a very
small dose to begin, in case it doesn¹t agree with you.
Usnea has both antibacterial and antiviral effects and has
been known to stop a flu in its tracks. No guarantees but
I have seen it work many times. It can also be taken in small
doses over time or in large doses when dealing with immediate
illness.
Astragalus root is a wonderful crossover herb from Traditional
Chinese Medicine. Its rich supply of starches nourish the
immune system deeply, in the bone marrow. Astragalus can be
used for long periods of time, as its action is nourishing.
You can make an infusion of dried astragalus root, or add
a handful to another infusion, as it doesn¹t have much
taste of its own. As the herb is quite woody and inedible.
you can fill an herb bag with dried astragalus root and cook
it in a soup or in beans. Allowing the pot of soup to infuse
overnight with the root will bring out even more of the herb¹s
ability to build powerful immunity. Remove the bag of root
before serving.
Medicinal mushrooms are great immune system tonics. For that
matter, all wild mushrooms are very enhancing to the immune
system. But a few are champions. These include Shiitake (Lentinus
edodes) and Reiishi, (Ganoderma lucidum and other species).
As for the shiitake, eat Œem. they are delicious.
Dried or fresh, they are delicious medicine. As for Reiishi,
you can buy the tincture, or you can make tea from the dried
mushroom. Chop up some of the very hard mushroom in a coffee
grinder until it becomes beige fluff. Use a good handful of
fluff per quart of water. simmer covered for one hour. You¹ll
have a dark brown liquid that has a bitter taste and a mushroom
taste. Some people drink it straight, others add milk and
honey and drink it as a coffee alternative. Many other herbs
can be used to strengthen immune system. Siberian ginseng
(Eleutherococcus) is widely held to be one of the best immune
system tonics available in herbal medicine. It is safe, helps
the immune system respond quickly. Use the tincture or again,
cook a piece of dried root in your soup.
When strengthening the immune system, it is also important
to identify any immune system suppressors or detractors that
are in your life. Overuse of coffee, tobacco, alcohol, vitamin/mineral
supplements can depress the immune system, as can almost all
prescription drugs, For a healthier immune system, eat very
well and drink nourishing herbal infusions such as nettles.
Regular exercise is a great way to tonify all the body¹s
systems including the IS. Make sure you sleep in a completely
dark room at night if you want to improve your immune system
functioning. Even lighted alarm clocks can be too much light
if they are close to your face. And get at least 15-20 minutes
of light a day outside without your classes or contacts.
Food is an effective way to restore and strengthen ourselves
daily . Eat seaweed of all kinds, and cooked dark leafy greens
such as collards. Cook them (don¹t steam them) in water
for at least 30 minutes to release many of the carotenes and
mineral salts. Garlic is a wonderful food to improve immune
system functioning. You can eat a little raw if you want but
cooked garlic is still plenty supportive of our health in
many ways. You just have to eat more. Garlic in soups, and
in beans, make large pots and freeze meal portions for future
use.
Daily attention in even small amounts makes a difference over
time - months, years. The best way to restore and strengthen
the immune system is slowly and regularly, with intention.
Herbal allies offer support that makes a difference in our
strength and our endurance. They are safe and effective at
holding us as we wrangle with the rodeo ride of life.
Marie
Summerwood
mentor at the Wise Woman University
http://www.wisewomanuniversity.org/
Marie
Summerwood for 25 years, has been a voice for the Earth. In addition to her love for magnificent
cooking Marie also teaches chanting in the Wise Woman Tradition - It is her sacred work to write and sing chants to honor all women. .
Her second CD—Step into the River
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000215
—joins her first—She Walks With Snakes
http://www.herbalmedicinehealing.com/store/item_view.asp?estore_itemid=1000210
—in praise of Her.
read some other writings of Marie Summerwood:
THE RISING OF SPRING
http://susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Mar03.htm#wisewoman
Women's Sacred Chants
http://www.susunweed.com/Peace_Sacred_Women_Chant.htm
and some WEED WISE RECIPES...
...from the kitchen of Marie Summerwood
http://susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Feb03.htm#recipes