Spices as Medicine

I've always loved cinnamon and ginger.  When fall comes, I traditionally bake my grandmother's favorite molasses cookie recipe that's filled with cinnamon and ginger.  I usually add about twice as much of the spices as the recipe actually calls for.  They're so yummy and so very warming.  The perfect remedy for colder weather.  But there are a lot of other ways that I use cinnamon and ginger.

I use the essential oil of cinnamon in my foot salves.  It's anti-fungal properties helps to keep my feet free of fungus and really helps to soothe and heal any cracks that I may have.  It's considered a "hot" oil, so using directly on your skin, without a carrier oil, could really irritate your skin.

I also use cinnamon when I'm feeling a cold come on.  I take a generous teaspoon of cinnamon and add it to some plain yogurt and eat it.  Cinnamon is anti-bacterial and anti-viral, so it makes great medicine to ward off colds and flu.  I also use a generous amount of it in warm milk before I go to bed at night.  It helps with digestion after a heavy meal and its warming quality helps me to fall asleep at night.  It also is a great agent for regulating blood sugar.  So if you have problems with fluctuating blood sugar, taking a teaspoon of cinnamon every day can really help.

Ginger is my other favorite.  Ginger candies got me through my early months of my pregnancies.  It was the only thing that would help me through morning sickness.  Just sucking on a small piece of crystallized ginger whenever I would feel nauseous was a life saver.  Those days are long past, and now I use ginger primarily because of it's such a great digestive aid.  It has a real warming quality to it and can kick start a lousy appetite, help relieve a bloated stomach, and help improve absorption of vital nutrients.  Used as a tea with a bit of lemon is great for sore throats and helping to clear your sinuses.  I added powdered ginger to my warm milk at night along with cinnamon and it really helps to improve my digestion so I'm not going to bed still trying to digest my dinner.

Ginger is also great for the kidneys.  This time of year, it's so important to give your kidneys what they need.  And that is warmth, darkness and pressure.  Winter is the time to slow down, stay warm and nourish your kidneys so they are well prepared for the burst of spring energy.  Kidney wraps are very common in many cultures.  Using an old scarf that you can wrap around your waist provides the subtle pressure that kidneys like.  Infusing fresh ginger and adding ginger essential oil to your favorite massage oil makes a great, warming oil to rub on your lower back where your kidneys are.

Anthroposophical doctors say that when children get ear infections that it's their kidneys that need tending to.  They recommend making ginger packs by grading up fresh ginger, placing it on the kidney area, applying a heating pad or hot water bottle and wrapping the area with a scarf or anything to hold it into place.  I've never tried this since my kids were never prone to ear infections, but I've heard it works really well.

Have a healthy winter!

The Healing Magic of Essential Oils continued.......

A couple of years ago I posted an article on the healing magic of essential oils.  Well, since then, I've become certified in aromatherapy and have continued to be amazed with essential oils and their healing capabilities.  When I first started using essential oils, it was primarily in my herbal salves to promote healing of all sorts of skin ailments.  Then I began using essential oils neet, or directly on wounds without being blended with a carrier oil.  And if you haven't read my previous blog entry on "The Healing Magic of Essential Oils", I encourage you to do so.  It's a great story about healing my husband's deep cut with lavender.

Lately, I've begun integrating the oils into my healing practice and have been using a variety of different oils on clients' feet.  One thing that I instantly notice is that they become more relaxed, their whole system.  The other thing that I notice is how the oils interact with opening up a person's meridians.  They seem to magically open up our energetic channels.  It's as if the body knows how pure the medicine of essential oils is and responds to it with such a beautiful openness.  I've seen people's chakras begin to open as well and respond as if in a lovely and intimate dance together. 

The oils are such wonderful facilitators for our systems to go into a deep relaxation where its innate wisdom of being able to heal itself can then take place.  I use them on my children, even though 2 are adults now, to help them to relax and to let go of their busy lives. 

On another note, I think this is worth mentioning this time of year.  During the winter months when our whole family is indoors more than other times of the year, the energy of our home can feel clogged at times and it can easily create stress for me.  I've found when I add a really uplifting oil like lemon, peppermint, or spearmint to a bucket or sink full of water and wash my floors with it, any stuck energy seems to dissipate.  The air is cleared just as if it was spring and I was opening all the windows and doors.  Aaaaahh, a welcome relief!

Have a magical and healthy winter everyone!

Sacred Journey, Crossing the Threshold to Change beginning February 5th, 2013
Over the past 18 years, I've made several journeys to sacred sites all over the world.  I found immersing myself in the energy of these ancient spiritual power centers to be life changing.  My travels were healing, transformational and filled with magic.  What would take years to bring to consciousness with traditional therapy, the energy I encountered at sacred sites facilitated healing and consciousness at a much faster rate.  Often, traditional therapy offers us an intellectual understanding of our healing process, but doesn't always result in embodied and tangible change. My experiences at the sacred sites were life changing in the most authentic and tangible ways.

My friend Edith Allison accompanied me on many of my journeys.  It was wonderful to share these experiences with a friend and colleague to compare notes with and to support one another through out our journeys, both at home and afar.

A couple years ago, we were feeling the need to make another journey, but due to time and financial constraints we weren't able to go.  So we decided to create our own sacred journey while staying at home.  We integrated into our days, (we were each in our own separate homes), certain key components that we have found to be instrumental in creating a sacred, magical and life changing space.  We chose to have our journey last three weeks basing it on the studies that it often takes 21 days to change patterns.  Everything we did to create this sacred space/journey was strategically integrated into our normal day to day routine.  In other words, we didn't take a vacation from our lives for three weeks.

This journey proved to be one of our most sacred journeys.  We experienced the magic, the transformation and the healing we were looking for.  And aside from the great food and wine we've experienced on our other trips, this journey offered us everything we could have imagined and more.  It is for this reason, we have begun offering this type of sacred journey for others because we know first hand how powerful an experience they can be.

I hope that you can join us for this next sacred journey, beginning February 5th, 2013!  We've consciously chosen this time of year to align ourselves with the energies of the earth when our new ideas still lay beneath the surface but are beginning to stir.  Let's breathe life into our new ideas, hopes and dreams to make them a reality this year! 

Natural Remedies for the Cold and Flu Season

If we were truly living in rhythm with the Earth, we would all be hibernating right now.  Not necessarily in full hibernation like bears, but we would be spending our days at a slower pace, gathered around the wood stove, working on crafts, enjoying a bowl of hot stew simmering on the stove and using last summer's harvest stored in our root cellar.

Spending our winter days at a slower pace while deeply nourishing our body and soul is not an option for most of us.  Instead we are continuing the same work pace and added to that is shoveling snow, bringing in firewood and partaking in holiday cheer.  It can wear on us, weakening our immune system and leaving us susceptible to colds and flu.

So although we may not have the option of hibernating this winter, I thought I'd pass along a few natural remedies that I use to help myself and my family stay healthy.

Cinnamon Bark, cinnamomum verum

 The essential oil of cinnamon bark is a powerful healing agent being an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-fungal and an anti-inflammatory.  It's been used for treating all different kinds of ailments for the past 1700 years and was one of the the first herbal medicines listed in Dioscorides' De Materia Medica, Europe's first official guide to medicines.

The best way to use this oil is to add several drops to a carrier oil, such as jojoba or almond.  I put several drops in one of my salves that I make.  Using the salve or oil to keep your hands soft during the winter months will not just help your skin but it will kill bacteria and other germs on your hands as well.
Warning:  Cinnamon bark essential oil is one of the few oils that should not be put directly onto your skin unless it's been added to a carrier oil or in a salve as mentioned above.  Otherwise, it may cause skin irritation.  It should not be directly inhaled for the same reason.

The other way I use cinnamon is with the spice.  If I feel a cold coming on, I will mix a heaping teaspoon of cinnamon with a tablespoon of plain yogurt.  I'll do this a couple of times during the day and it really helps to keep an oncoming cold at bay.

Lemongrass, cymbopogon flexuosus
The essential oil of lemongrass is another wonderful oil that is anti-bacterial and anti-fungal.  Used frequently to treat respiratory and bladder infections, Lemongrass has been found to be highly effective in killing bacteria found in MRSA Staph infections.

MRSA originated in hospitals, making it highly resistant to standard antibiotics.  It has now been found outside of hospitals and has proven to be quite fatal.  I encourage you to read the following article, written by David Stewart, PHD on his findings with the effectiveness of essential oils for treating bacterial infections, particularly MRSA.  Essential Oils and MRSA Staph Infections, Part 2.

I use lemongrass essential oil the same way that I use cinnamon.  I add it to my oils and salves that I use through out the winter.  I particularly use the essential oil of lemongrass in a salve that I regularly apply to my youngest son's feet.  He has severe scoliosis and is therefor susceptible to pneumonia.  Using essential oils in the form of salves or body oils and massaged into the soles of the feet is a highly effective way to strengthen your immune system and fight germs.  The soles of our feet have many points that correspond with all the systems of the body, and using essential oils on the different points creates an electrical charge that helps to clear blocks both physically and emotionally.

I also use homeopathic remedies and although remedies are selected based on the individual's constitution and the characteristics of the illness, there are a few that I always have on hand.  If you have children, you may especially have seen the following types of symptoms.

Fever
Bright red, flushed face and glassy eyes with red lips signifies Belladonna.
Red, circular patch on the cheek, particularly the left side, signifies Ferrum Phosphorous.

Cold
Clear, watery mucous, and tearing eyes signifies Alium Cepa.
Thick, yellow/green mucous, non-burning, fearful mental state signifies Pulsatilla
Lethargic with body feeling very heavy signifies Gelsemium

Sore Throat
Swollen, sore and with pus filled spots on the tonsils signifies Mercurius.
Burning sensation combined with chilliness, thirst and fatigue signifies Arsenicum.
Beginning stages, tongue with red dots like a strawberry signifies Belladonna.

I also integrate many plants high in antioxidants and vitamin C into foods that my family eats.  Elderberry syrup poured over pancakes, mixed in plain yogurt or added to a cup of tea is a great way to increase your vitamin C intake.  Autumn Olive berries are higher in antioxidants than pomegranate and makes a delicious rose colored jam.  Echinacea root boiled in maple syrup is sweet tasting and generally well liked by children.  We also will freeze the root and take bits of it to chew on when we're feeling ill. 

Along with the many wonderful natural medicines available to us, nothing beats nutritious meals, plenty of rest and relaxation to stay healthy during the cold winter months!

The Changing Times 

anchoring in the new energy

There is tremendous change happening and personally, I'm experiencing it in a variety of ways. I especially feel chaotic energy as things are shifting and changing seemingly more quickly.  As a new energy is being revealed, relentlessly moving humankind through an initiatory passageway, many people I've worked with are experiencing a loss of a familiar structure or foundation whether it be income, relationship or perhaps even their homes.  For some people it may be experienced as an emotional letting go.  Old patterns surfacing, an upheaval of grief or a deep frustration that your life is not how you want it to be.  I've heard of an increase number of people experiencing weight gain, vertigo, sleeplessness, unexplained physical discomfort and pain.  I've experienced the chaotic energy of change reflected in my home as I struggle to keep up with the clutter and unfinished projects. 

From what I understand, these are all symptoms of a monumental shift that is taking place on our planet.  Our multidimensional selves are shifting in a variety of ways to become aligned with a new Divine blueprint.  And it can be unsettling to say the least.  I have had mornings where I wake up feeling as though I've been working all night.  Other mornings, I feel completely energized and well rested.  I've also noticed an increase in sensitivities and have had to pay more attention to setting healthy boundaries so as not to get over-stressed and worn out.

I've been paying attention to what helps me to stay centered and grounded during this time and would like to share these tips in hopes that for those of you who may be having similar experiences may find some relief and support.  First, taking some time for myself, whether it's just a few minutes to sit in silence helps to clear my mind and touch upon my own deep truth.  Maintaining some sort of rhythm that provides consistency to your day helps balance the chaotic energy of change. Even if it's a simple ritual of making a cup of tea or reading a favorite verse upon waking or before going to bed helps.   Going for a walk outdoors has also helped me to bring a sense of peace and letting go of fear and stress.  Using my favorite essential oils, particularly fragrances such as lavender, that help relax the emotional body and mind have also been very helpful.  I also know that in the past, using Bach Flower Remedies help as well.  I believe the new energies that are entering our consciousness at this time has a higher vibration that is more aligned with the vibration of flowers.  So it makes sense to me why essential oils and flower remedies can be very helpful during this time.

For any of you having similar experiences, I hope these tips help.  And if you have other things you've been doing that you find helpful, please feel free to share.

Hawk Circle's Farm Initiative

Ricardo and I have talked for many years about starting a farm here at Hawk Circle.  Aside from having the help of animals to keep our fields open, (which are becoming over grown with honeysuckle!), we've also felt having a small farm here would add  another valuable learning experience for the youth and young adults who come here every year.
 
I guess timing can be everything and apparently it's the right time for us to begin developing this project.   After sending a casual email inquiring about Icelandic sheep, we had a farm, HeartEase Icelandics, generously offer us a small herd of five Icelandic Ewes in exchange for their granddaughters to attend summer camp in the near future.  Ricardo, Javi and I drove out to Dansville, just south of Rochester, NY to pick up the sheep.  With such hot weather and very little rain all summer, farmers have been having a hard time finding enough pasture land that hasn't dried up for their animals to graze on.  So we picked up the sheep a few weeks earlier than planned, brought them back to Hawk Circle where there is plenty of green grass and shrubs to graze on.

I've been familiar with Icelandic sheep only as far as knowing that their wool is what produces the commonly known Lopi yarn.  But after researching this breed more, I found them to be the perfect animal to have here.  They are one of the purest and oldest breed of sheep having been brought over to Iceland many years ago by the Vikings.  They are excellent grazers, eating a variety of plants and shrubs (just what we need!), and they are one of the few sheep that are raised for all three purposes, meat, dairy and fiber.  They are also well versed for rough terrain and do great on hilly and rocky slopes.

Right now, we're doing intensive grazing with the five sheep.  We have two electric fences that enable us to move them around to new pastures every few days.  It's been fascinating to watch what they eat and what they don't.  They love Sumac leaves, which is great since it's high in tannins and good for getting rid of intestinal parasites.  It's also been amazing to watch an area that is so densely, overgrown with honeysuckle and goldenrod, open up where you actually can see into the woods or fields after just a few days of the sheep grazing.

We also visited a llama farm nearby, that is wanting to donate their llamas to not-for-profit organizations.  Another example of "right timing".  People pay anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 for llamas, and Ric just happened to stumble across an add for "Looking to donate llamas to non-profit organizations." The farm couple is looking to retire from the business that at one time was the largest llama breeding farm on the east coast.  Llamas are wonderful guard animals, so Ricardo and I thought maybe having one llama to guard the sheep from predators, mainly coyotes, would be a good idea.  We picked out a beautiful chestnut brown llama and will be picking him up this spring.

Our garden this year, despite the lack of rain, is doing great.  Jacquelyn Ward, a graduate from Marlborough College in Vermont was our garden manager for the summer.  She did a fantastic job of creating a beautiful garden with lots of food and a cool design.  She's returning this fall to help run the after school programs.


We are planning on developing the Hawk Circle farm slowly and we're actively looking for a farmer or farm family that will the right fit for Hawk Circle.  Right now, I'm having fun taking care of our five sheep.  At the end of October, we will be hiring someone to come and shear them.  Icelandic sheep have incredibly long wool making it great for spinning, and I can't wait to start working with the wool.  Annie Hanson, who was our kitchen manager for the summer, is spending the year here and helping with the sheep.  We're both excited to learn how to spin and begin working with this beautiful fiber.  Our plan is to add perhaps a few goats and a few beef cows along with chickens to our farm in the next year and a half with the idea of offering both a farm camp during the summer and farm class trips in the fall of 2014.

If you have any ideas for the farm initiative or want to come help build fences, clear brush or spin some wool, let us know.  We'd love to hear from you.  In the meantime, we'll keep you posted throughout the year with our progress with the Hawk Circle Farm!


Javi's bunnies, Graham Cracker, Marshmallow and Chocolate.  They provide enough manure for all of my flower and herb gardens, plus they are so cute!

Late Summer's Harvest

We've had an incredibly busy spring and summer here at Hawk Circle, but things are beginning to quiet down a bit just in time for a late summer's harvesting and drying of plants for my winter medicine cabinet.  Standing tall at one end of my garden is a mullein plant that I will be cutting down to dry.  The soft, velvety leaves are wonderful for aiding the lungs.  I dry them by either hanging the whole plant upside down or spreading the leaves out on a drying rack.  If there are any mullein flowers on the stalk, I collect them and dry them as well.  Infused in olive oil, the mullein flowers are wonderful for healing ear aches.  Once the leaves are fully dry, I crush them and place them in a glass jar to store.  As with all plants you are drying for storage, make sure they are completely dry or mold will grow quickly.  I use the dried leaves throughout the year as a tea for supporting the lungs during times of chest colds or lung infections.  A good way to make it is to place a small handful of dried leaves in a mason jar, fill with boiling water and let sit for a few minutes, then strain and add a bit of honey.

Just beginning to bloom now is goldenrod and we have plenty of it.  The flower head is wonderful for dyeing wool and is one of the few plants that will transfer and retain its brilliant, gold color.  However, I also collect the flower heads and dry them for my winter medicine cabinet.  Made into a tea, it's a wonderful remedy for treating bladder and urinary tract infections.  I also use uva ursi, or bearberry for treating such infections, but I've heard that goldenrod is a bit more gentle on your system.

Another remedy I make is elderberry cold syrup.  Our elderberries are ripe and ready to harvest, about two weeks earlier this year than usual.  Elderberries are one of the fruits highest in vitamin C and makes a great remedy for boosting your immune system.  I make a sweet syrup that we use year round for sweetening pancakes and waffles, yogurt and oatmeal.  I have also made a cough syrup by boiling the elderberry juice down to about half of what it originally measured.  Adding some yarrow, cinnamon and nutmeg and honey, makes an effective cold remedy.  However, this year, because both my husband and I have been eliminating sugar from our diets, I plan on making an elderberry tincture.  Whenever you work with elderberries, it's always best to freeze them first, making it much easier to remove the berries from the branches and stems.  Filling a mason jar with the berries and adding a good quality vodka is all you need to do to make a tincture.  Place a lid on your jar and let it sit for 6 weeks.  When it's ready to strain, be sure, as with all tinctures, that you store it in a dark colored, glass bottle so the sun light doesn't weaken your tincture.

My favorite plant that covers my drying racks through out the summer is calendula.  Although it's an annual, it is a prolific self-seeder and will come back year after year even when the soil has been disturbed multiple times.  I collect the flowers when they just open and spread them out on my drying rack or sometimes on a cookie sheet.  Calendula is known for healing all sorts of skin ailments as well as cuts.  Along with calendula flowers, I also dry comfrey and plantain and use all three plants when making salves.  You can also take the dried calendula flowers and infuse it in your favorite massage oil for a wonderful skin remedy during the cold and dry winter months.

As fall approaches, I'll be making more medicines for my winter medicine cabinet and definitely keep you posted!  Have a wonderful last few weeks of summer!