Garlic is a Go-To *
Another great thing about these herbs is that they can all be grown indoors in pots, all year round. For ginger and turmeric, simply buy the fresh root, soak overnight, and plant as you would a bulb in a large pot, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist. They take a very long time to sprout, so don’t be discouraged. As for garlic, simply pop individual cloves (organic garlic usually works well as seed in a pinch) into a large pot, making sure to water it evenly and regularly, and wait.
Ginger Tea
3 cups water 1-2 cinnamon sticks 4-5 slices of fresh ginger 1 lemon, cut in half Honey to taste
Bring all ingredients (omitting half the lemon) to a boil, decrease heat to low and simmer covered for 20 minutes. Squeeze remaining lemon into tea. Boil two cups of water with six to eight crushed and peeled ginger cloves, then simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in two teaspoons of honey (or to taste), and the juice from one lemon.
Turmeric for Chronic Conditions
Besides lowering blood pressure, reducing cholesterol, and generally being all- around great for heart health, garlic also strengthens your immune system using several unique mechanisms. By stimulating and enhancing your body’s immune and “natural killer” cells, supplementing your thymus gland’s immune response, as well as releasing immune-boosting enzymes, studies have shown that garlic has strong antiviral behaviour against several strains of influenza and the common cold. But one thing to note: in order to get the most from your garlic, it must be used freshly crushed and left uncooked, as the allicin (an immune-boosting agent released by the crushing process) is very unstable and is lost over time or with the heating process. This is a herb where fresh truly is best.
A relative to the ginger plant, turmeric is used similarly as an immune-booster. However, it is known primarily for its active ingredient curcumin and the anti-inflammatory benefits it brings to the body in fighting chronic conditions and inflammatory ailments. But these two things really go hand-in-hand: inflammation is a response used by the body’s immune system as a way to fight against tissue injury caused by bacteria, toxins, viruses, or other foreign substances. When chronic inflammation is taking place in the body, its immune system is constantly working. This is very draining to the body, and leaves it more susceptible to other illnesses. In order for the curcumin to be most bioavailable (that is, in order for your body to be able to use it most efficiently) it is best taken with a fat (coconut oil is one great option) and combined with black pepper (pepper contains the active ingredient piperine , which inhibits the body’s ability to metabolize drugs and helps boost curcumin levels in the body). Fresh turmeric can be a bit tricky to find, but is often available at most Sobeys grocery stores here on the Island. That said, if it’s not available in your area, don’t fret; the powder form will work very well in its place.
Golden Turmeric Milk
2 cups almond milk (or one cup of canned coconut milk and one cup water) 1 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp honey or to taste 1 tsp turmeric pinch of cinnamon pinch of pepper Combine all ingredients in a pot on medium high heat and stir until warmed. Story Sheidow is a Chartered Herbalist, Certified Natural Product Advisor, and owner of Townes Herbals Apothecary. Her many years of experience working in greenhouses and landscaping professionally, working within the health food industry, as well as gardening at her home in Cardigan keep her constantly inspired by the power of nature — and always looking to further her knowledge and share it with others.
Feel Better with Ginger
Ginger, like garlic, is another amazing herbal powerhouse. Known for its immune- boosting abilities, anti-nausea effects, and detoxifying qualities, it’s also a delicious herb used in many culinary preparations. Ginger affects the immune system in a similar way as garlic: by stimulating the body’s T-cell production. Ginger is also an excellent anti-inflammatory, and is by far the most commonly used herb to fight nausea. So, not only does this herb help kick the virus that’s making you feel ill, but it also quells the nausea you may be experiencing along with it. And did I mention it’s delicious?
*Using organic herbs is always ideal, but if this is not possible, peeling and washing conventional versions works well in a pinch.
SPRING 2020 www.pei-living.ca
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