Herb class: Cayenne

Cayenne Powder has been used by researchers in Antarctica to help them bare the extremely cold temperatures. The Cayenne powder is sprinkled into the boots before putting them on. As the powder slowly comes in contact with the skin through the socks, it will draw blood to the feet, thus bringing much needed warms to the extremities. The one draw back is the red powder stains light colored socks.


Excerpts from the book Left for Dead:

One of the most effective stimulants, cayenne targets the digestive and the circulatory system primarily. Cayenne regulates blood pressure, strengthens the pulse, feeds the heart, lowers cholesterol, thins the blood, cleanses the circulatory system, heals ulcers, stops hemorrhaging, speeds healing of wounds, rebuilds damaged tissue, eases congestion, aids digestions, regulates elimination, relieves arthritis and rheumatism, prevents the spread of infection and numbs pain.


Cayenne stimulates every system and cell of the body. Cayenne has been valued around the world for its uses as a stimulant, astringent, antispasmodic, circulatory tonic, anti-depressant and antibacterial agent. In addition, cayenne acts as a diaphoretic to induce sweating, a rubefacient to increase circulation at the skin’s surface and a carminative to help prevent and eliminate gas.


As a condiment, cayenne aids digestions and soothes intestinal ailments by stimulating the stomach to produce mucous.


In the circulatory system, it helps the arteries, veins and capillaries regain the elasticity of youth by feeding the cell structure. It helps equalize circulation by regulating the flow of blood from the head to the feet. Cayenne strengthens the pulse by increasing the power, not the frequency... In addition to helping prevent the build-up of cholesterol which can narrow the veins and arteries, cayenne also helps thin the blood and prevent blood clots that can clog the arteries and cause heart attack and stroke.


In more ways than any other herb, cayenne gets the blood moving. Touted as “the purest and most certain stimulant known to man,” cayenne is considered to be one of the best crisis herbs. By helping the circulatory system operate more efficiently, the snappy red pepper boost the energy level and eases the damaging effects of stress on the body.


By increasing the circulation of the blood to peripheral tissues throughout the body, cayenne helps deliver necessary nutrients to inflamed and infected areas. Studies show that the nutrients in food ingested with cayenne are assimilated faster and more easily.


The herb itself contains many nutrients essential to the health of the circulatory system including alpha-tocopherols, vitamin C and minerals. Cayenne also contains a high amount of vitamin A (beta-carotene) which aids in healing ulcers... Cayenne’s high mineral content, including sulphur, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, makes it an effective treatment for diabetes, gas, arthritis, pancreatic and throat disorders.


One of the most remarkable qualities of Cayenne is its ability to act as a catalyst. Cayenne intensifies the beneficial effects of other herbs by ensuring speedy and thorough distribution of the herb’s active components to the important functional centers of the body such as those responsible for metabolism, data transmission, cellular respiration and neural hormonal activity.


Just a small quantity of Cayenne can dramatically increase the efficiency of most herbs, this catalyst herb is added to nearly every herbal combination available. Added to garlic, for example, Cayenne speeds up the antibiotic action of the other herb. Cayenne boosts the power of garlic so much it’s akin to taking liquid penicillin. Together, garlic and Cayenne lower blood pressure safely and rapidly.


Cayenne is used in formulas for pain relief, infection, respiratory ailments, female problems, thyroid balance and heart treatments. Cayenne is an ingredient in laxatives, diuretics and ulcer medication. Added to ginger, Cayenne helps clean out the bronchial tubes... This powerful stimulant can also be used as a relaxant to soothe gas, diarrhea, asthma and toothaches.


Externally, the aromatic herb makes a very effective pain killer or anesthetic. Cayenne has been used in poultices for centuries as an irritant or counter-irritant. Exposure to the pungent herb can cause pain but prolonged exposure deadens the nerves to pain.


Folk medicine prescribes Cayenne powder, plaster, poultice, tincture and ointment for a variety of aches and pains including arthritis, rheumatism and bursitis. Cayenne has also been touted as one of the most powerful cures for hemorrhoids. Application of Cayenne ointment brings relief from hemorrhoids but it is also recommended that the patient be warned of the pungent herb’s potency... Mexican folklore also refers to the use of Cayenne as a pain killer and it has been applied dry on wounds.


With the advent of the gelatin capsule, people who could not tolerate the bite of the red pepper can take it with ease... It is important to remember that a little Cayenne goes a long way. Nature made the red pepper hot for a reason so if you can’t swallow too much outside the capsule, don’t try to swallow to much inside the capsule. People who don’t usually eat hot spicy food should build tolerance slowly.

Cayenne has been used in the following:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bleeding
• Appetite stimulant
• Bronchitis
• Catalyst
• Chills
• Circulation
• Congestion
• Convulsions
• Colon
• Colds
• Elasticity in the veins, Heart
• Hemorrhages
• Energy
• High blood pressure
• Infection
• Digestion
• Low blood pressure
• Nosebleeds
• Senility
• Tonsillitis
• Sore throat
• Shock
• Varicose veins
• Wounds
  

Tips from The Bulk Herb Store:

• This is not like the Cayenne you may find on a spice rack in a supermarket. This is much fresher and more effective.

• To avoid stomach upset, Cayenne should not be used internally on an empty stomach.
  Like most spices, it is potent and a little goes a long way. Nonetheless, we do go wild with it. This is probably our all time favorite herb. Second, only to Garlic.

• We hardly make a tincture or fill capsules without adding a little bit of Cayenne. It not only aids with the digestion of other herbs, but it magnifies their properties too. Of course, it can be used in many other types of remedies. Except as a tea, as powders are not normally used in tea combinations.

• The only time Cayenne is used in teas is during a trauma and/or medical emergency. When it comes to hemorrhaging, heart attack, shock, and so on, a cup of warm water with no more than a teaspoon of Cayenne is what we have used with great success. Of course, it is not a pleasant drink, but during such immediate and life threatening situations, it’s what we choose.
  

• Cayenne is a food and spice. Thus, we keep it in the kitchen as all other food ingredients. We add it to many dishes (salads, meat dishes, stir fry, vegetables, and on, and on) to enhance the flavor and add nutritional value to our foods. We recently started adding a tiny bit of Cayenne to our home-made ice cream recipes. We first had this on an outing in Ohio, and it was unforgettably good.
  

Let him sleep

Let him sleep

for when he wakes,

he will move mountains.


-Napoleon

Humble

Jack is still a puppy...with all of the implications that go along with that! Although, he does have quite a personality! This morning, he was loose in the house, shamelessly roaming where he knows he's not allowed (on any carpet what-so-ever). But at least he had the decency to be humble about it.

Charlotte in E.B. White's book Charlotte's Web said that humble has two meanings. It means 'not proud' and it means 'near the ground.'

We heard him coming down the hall (on the carpet). When he made it to our room, he was crawling...slowly, belly to the ground, humbly making his way.

Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast in Bed by Mary Cassatt

Babywatch: 15 weeks - Morning sickness update

At around 4 inches long, crown to rump, your baby now weighs about 2 1/2 ounces. He's busy inhaling and exhaling amniotic fluid, which will help develop the air sacs in his lungs. His legs are growing longer than his arms now, and he can move all his joints and limbs. That means his hands are more functional, too. Sweat glands are appearing, and although his eyelids are fused shut, he can sense light. If you shine a flashlight at your tummy, he's likely to move away from the beam. There's not much for your baby to taste at this point, but his taste buds are beginning to form. And if you have an ultrasound, you may be able to find out whether your baby's a boy or girl!

Our baby will be 15 weeks this Saturday. On Monday, the kids and I went to see my midwife. She has a few model babies for varies ages of development. I think she has a 10 wk, 15 wk, 20 wk and 30 wk. When I was 10 weeks, I was able to hold the 10 wk old model. It was amazing to me. It was much bigger than I thought it would be.

I traced it on a piece of paper, here it is below:

Well, this time, I was 14 wks, she showed me the 15 wk model. I held it in my hand and marvelled at how big it was! The kids all held it too. My daughter walked around cuddling it. It was so cute. T2 looked at the 30 wk model and then started tossing it up in the air! That was a little...um...wrong! It's just a model, but it's still a life-like infant. We all laughed.

Here is a wider shot to give you some perspective on the actual size.

The summary of the visit. Here are the supplements I am taking:

• Prenatals
• 4 tsp. cod liver oil (divided doses)
• 500 mg. magnesium aspartate (divided doses)
• Milk thistle 3x day with meals (supports liver, for nausea)
• Digestive enzymes with meals
• BerryGreen drink (The package says "delicious" but I don't know who these people are?)
• Acidophillus or kefir (or both)
• No sugar diet

For those of you wondering how the morning sickness / milk thistle journey goes I still have very good news for you! I am 15 wks and did not throw up one single time this pregnancy! That's right. Nada!!

I haven't been feeling very good starting about 10 wks though. I felt this way the last 2 pregnancies. It's not morning sickness, or nausea. It's slow digestion I think. Basically, my stomach hurts, aches with food. I'm not quite sure what to do about it. I do take digestive enzymes with meals and sometimes Betaine HCL in addition to those, in hopes of helping my tummy process the foods. Right now, raw veggies seem too harsh, and nothing much really sounds good.

Maybe I will stumble upon an answer soon, or just start feeling better.

My newest, favorite breakfast

This is the most recent breakfast I have been making for myself. I'm trying to eat eggs for the baby, but I don't feel the best, so food is a challenge right now. This is good!

- Stir fry 2-3 mushrooms, sliced in a little olive oil.
I arrange them in the part of the pan I know the egg will run to ;o)

- Pour whisked egg over well placed mushrooms

- Turn and then cover with slice of cheese (optional)

- Top with chopped tomatoes and cilantro

Living books for children

Once upon a time there were three little kittens, and their names were Mittens, Tom Kitten, and Moppet. They had dear little fur coats of their own; and they tumbled about the doorstep and played in the dust. But one day their mother Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit expected friends to tea; so she fetched the kittens indoors, to wash and dress them, before the fine company arrived.


(I love this picture. I can remember what it feels like to be Moppet getting your face cleaned with a napkin, and now I am Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit wiping faces. Don't you just love the look on Moppet's face!)

Then she brushed their fur, (this one is Mittens).



Mrs. Tabitha dressed Moppet and Mittens in clean pinafores and tuckers; and then she took all sorts of elegant uncomfortable clothes out of a chest of drawers, in order to dress up her son Thomas.

(Oh boy, can I relate to poor little Tom Kitten!)

When the three kittens were ready, Mrs. Tabitha unwisely turned them out into the garden, to be out of the way while she made hot buttered toast. "Now keep your frocks clean, children! You must walk on your hind legs. Keep away from the dirty ash-pit, and from Sally Henny Penny, and from the pig-stye and the Puddle-Ducks."

Moppet and Mittens walked down the garden path unsteadily. Presently they trod upon their pinafores and fell on their noses. When they stood up there were several green smears! Let us climb up the rockery, and sit on the garden wall," said Moppet.

They turned their pinafores back to front, and went up with a skip and a jump; Moppet's white tucker fell down into the road.

Tom Kitten was quite unable to jump when walking upon his hind legs in trousers. He came up the rockery by degrees, breaking the ferns, and shedding buttons right and left. He was all in pieces when he reached the top of the wall. Moppet and Mittens tried to pull him together; his hat fell off, and the rest of his buttons burst.

While they were in difficulties, there was a pit pat paddle pat! and the three Puddle-Ducks came along the hard high road, marching one behind the other and doing the goose step - pit pat paddle pat! Pit pat waddle pat! They stopped and stood in a row, and stared up at the kittens. They had very small eyes and looked surprised. Then the two duck-birds, Rebeccah and Jemima Puddle-Duck, picked up the hat and tucker and put them on.

Mittens laughed so that she fell off the wall. Moppet and Tom descended after her; the pinafores and all the rest of Tom's clothes came off on the way down. "Come! Mr. Drake Puddle-Duck," said Moppet "Come and help us to dress him! Come and button up Tom!"

Mr Drake Puddle-Duck advanced in a slow sideways manner, and picked up the various articles. But he put them on himself! They fitted him even worse than Tom Kitten. "It's a very fine morning!" said Mr. Drake Puddle-Duck. And he and Jemima and Rebeccah Puddle-Duck set off up the road, keeping step - pit pat, paddle pat! pit pat, waddle pat!

Then Tabitha Twitchit came down the garden and found her kittens on the wall with no clothes on. She pulled them off the wall, smacked them, and took them back to the house. "My friends will arrive in a minute, and you are not fit to be seen; I am affronted," said Mrs. Tabitha Twitchit.

And I think that some day I shall have to make another, larger, book, to tell you more about Tom Kitten!

As for the Puddle-Ducks - they went into a pond. The clothes all came off directly, because there were no buttons. And Mr. Drake Puddle-Duck, and Jemima and Rebeccah, have been looking for them ever since.

When you consider the contrast between Mrs. Potter's books and the current twaddle that is presented to the children of our age it is pitiful. I go to the library and sift through dull, dumbed-down books, often with a politically correct message they are trying to foist upon my children. These, in my mind, are a waste of our children's time. Where are the good, simple stories for children? Any current Disney movie "for children" is just adult/teen attitudes, or should I say bad attitudes in cartoon form. Apparently, if it's a cartoon, no matter what the content, it's for kids. I'm tired of it. Our children are children, for heaven's sake. Childhood is a time of innocence. It's okay to protect that. That is why God gave children parents.

Back to books, I only have so much time to read aloud to my children. I will not waste those precious moments on garbage. Why not build their vocabulary, show them beautiful art (lovingly drawn by the author) and read a wonderfully crafted wholesome story all at once. That, my friend, is multi-tasking at it's best!

For more information on living books, HomeHearts has alot of good information to browse through. Grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

Breakfast Sausage Recipe

1 lb. ground turkey, beef or pork (I used turkey)
1 tsp. rubbed sage
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. dried thyme leaves
½ tsp. ground cumin
½ tsp. dried savory
½ tsp. black pepper
½ tsp. fennel seed
¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
1/8 tsp. ground cloves
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

Blend all ingredients together in a large bowl using your hands or a large spatula. Form into patties or links (oil your hands first if using turkey burger…trust me!) and fry over medium heat until through. Or simply brown mixture in skillet in a crumbled fashion. You can also use this on homemade pizza.

This was very tasty. Try it!