Herbs for Healing Talk with Isobel Jordon Keeling

Yesterday we were lucky enough to host Isobel Jordon Keeling at the Garden Pavilion for a fabulous talk on 'Herbs for Healing'. Isobel is very knowledgeable and personable and we learnt a lot from her in just over an hour! Thanks to Carmel Byrne for reviewing this lovely event :) Below are some of her top tips: Herbs to take for the Lymphatic System

• Cleavers
• Marigold – tall plant

Thymus Gland – tapping the thymus gland will help stimulate the immune system. Stress will shrink the thymus gland and this in turn will affect the production of white blood cells. As we age it is also important to start taking digestive enzymes, a good one to take is by Solgar with HCA (Hydrochloric Acid). This is not be taken if a person has stomach problems. Don’t drink tea straight after dinner as this draws iron from the foods and it is not absorbed. Leave it at least an hour after eating. Signs and Symptoms of an impaired Immune System

• Easily fatigued
• Recurrent colds and flus, mouth ulcers and cold sores or any bacterial fungus.
• History of acute infections.
• Chronic infections – candida.
• Slow healing wounds.
• Cancer.

Body Breakers

• Emotional extremes.
• Alcohol – depletes nutrients, kills of gut microbes. Milk thistle and slippery elm will help regenerate the liver.
• Cigarettes – destroys vitamin c and zinc. Low zinc levels has been linked to prostate cancer.
• Stress – depletes the immune system by 60%.
• Drugs – painkillers, prescription drugs and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Lack of sleep – lower white blood cells, higher levels of inflammation.
• Allergies or intolerances.
• Fluoride – which shrinks the thyroid.
• Wheat – which shrinks the thyroid.
• Overeating – wrong diet, dehydration, drink less tea and especially coffee.
• Heavy Metals – old lead pipes, Mercury fillings.
• Repeated antibiotics – take a good probiotic during the course of antibiotics, 1 to 2 hours after. Continue with probiotic for 3-6 months.
• High levels of cholesterol.

Diet friendly foods

• More protein, chicken and turkey – organic where possible, fish, tofu, beans and pulses.
• Rehydrate the body with herbal teas and water.
• Eat superfoods such as wheatgrass and spirulina.
• Eat more purple, orange and red foods such as sweet potatoes, apricots, raspberries, papaya and bell peppers.
• Nuts and seeds as they are high in zinc and selenium. Choose from pumpkin seeds and almonds.

Top Vegetables to eat;

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Red Onions
• Shiitake Mushrooms
• Bell Peppers
• Brussels Sprout

Top Fruits to Eat

• All berries such as strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries.
• Lemons
• Pineapple
• Apples
• Kiwi
• Oranges

Foods to avoid

• Refined sugar – cakes and sweets
• Reduce caffeine and alcohol
• Avoid foods with preservatives and additives
• Avoid all smoked foods
• Reduce saturated fats – only eat red meet once or twice a week
• Dairy – milk, ice-cream, cheese and chocolates
• Avoid chemicals in the home such as air fresheners and sprays.

Herbs Natural Antibiotics

• Echinacea root
• Chamomile
• Garlic
• Oregano
• Golden Seal
• Rosemary
• Sage
• Thyme – especially for the respiratory system
• Rosemary – is a great antibacterial herb which is great for Alzheimer’s
• Liquorice root – great for the adrenal glands but do not take if you have high blood pressure or when pregnant.

Supplements

• Probiotics – Optibac extra strength or daily wellbeing are both good.
  • Onions, leeks, garlic and artichoke.
• Heal leaking gut syndrome
  • Avoid wheat, gluten and dairy and also take L-Glutamine or the juice of a 1/4 head of white cabbage per day as this contains L-Glutamine.
• Vitamin B especially if stressed.
• Good multivitamin and multi mineral depending on your age.
• Essential fatty acids founds in fish oils like flax oil.
• Digestive enzymes – depending on symptoms.
• Vitamin C and magnesium ascorbate. Magnesium ascorbate is easier to digest and alkalizing to the body.
• Vitamin D – cholecalciferol found in fish and eggs.
• Cinnamon
  • Balance blood sugars
  • Antibacterial
  • Antiviral
• Tumeric – needs a fat such as milk and black pepper to help absorption.
• Thyme
• Miitake and Shiitake mushrooms – great for the immune system.
• Fennel
• Milk Thistle – great for candida and for the liver.

Herbs for Colds, Flus and Hayfever

• Elderflower and elderberries
• Echinacea
• Thyme
• Garlic
• Catnip
• Chamomile
• Turmeric- avoid in gall bladder obstruction, hyperacidity, pregnancy. For people on antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs avoid large amounts.
• Black Pepper
• Rosemary avoid in epilepsy ( the essential oil of rosemary avoid in pregnancy)
• Slippery Elm
• Nettle – especially for hayfever, sinus and food intolerances

A lot of the symptoms that we present with are from the emotions we feel it is therefore important to look after our emotional wellbeing. Isobel recommended ‘The Art of Happiness’ by Matthew Richard to help achieve the inner wellbeing and calm. We hope you find this helpful! We can't wait to welcome Isobel back again next year. Thanks to Carmel Byrne for reviewing this lovely event :)